Embers Ad infinitum(Cyberpunk World Series of The Lord of Mysteries)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Follow-up Review

Translator: virtual group Editor: virtual group

After the second hand on the Rec Center's old, hanging clock creakingly spun three and a half rounds, lines of text finally appeared on the LCD screen.

Meng Xia and the others quickly searched for their names before they heaved a sigh of relief one after another.

Most of them weren't necessarily satisfied or excited, but they weren't unhappy either. To them, this was no different from participating in exams. It didn't matter as long as the results weren't too bad. After all, their parents and grandparents had been through the same.

The others were more confused because they didn't know who their marriage partner was, what floor they came from, or which department their parents belonged to. Even though they had all entered university and received higher education, the people they knew were still limited to their classmates and neighbors on the same floor.

Long Yuehong looked up and down the list carefully and seriously. Finally, he could not help but mutter to himself, "Why isn't my name on the list?"

"Because your name sucks." Shang Jianyao's expression didn't change.

6

"..." Long Yuehong wanted to refute, but sadly, he found himself agreeing with Shang Jianyao's conclusion.

Thousands of people had met the conditions and were forced to participate in the central assignment, but there were only two more men than women. If not for their ill fate, a sucky name, or bad luck, how could they have been one of the two unlucky fools?

Long Yuehong paused for a moment before indignantly saying, "Your name isn't on the list either!" He did not notice Shang Jianyao receiving any successful assignment of a female.

7

Shang Jianyao raised his right eyebrow and said, "Didn't I tell you? I've already applied to give up on this marriage assignment."

"Seriously? Why would the company agree..." Long Yuehong was stunned and confused. He felt like his world had been turned upside down. He had lived for 21 years. In the past, he had indeed heard of people who fit the criteria but did not participate in the marriage assignment. However, they had sufficient reason for doing so. The other party was either bedridden and could die at any moment or had participated in the Security Department's expeditions. It was even a question if they could return.

1

Nobody who was healthy and fit in the company dared to violate the rules if they met the criteria. This was one of the core duties of a company employee.

Long Yuehong's sadness was washed away by this matter. He looked at Shang Jianyao and asked, "Are you prepared to accept a reduction in energy rationing? That's not too bad. The scariest thing is to have contribution points deducted. You won't even have enough to eat when that happens! People like us—who are only at D1—only receive 1,800 points every month, affording us meat just once a week. Having one-third deducted at once speaks volumes!"

"The company has agreed to my request. There won't be any deductions." Shang Jianyao smiled.

"No, impossible, impossible..." Long Yuehong muttered to himself as he suddenly thought of something. If Shang Jianyao really applied to give up on this marriage assignment, it means that there should only be one more male than female participants. Just one more person...

1

I-I am the only unlucky bastard... Long Yuehong's mouth fell wide open, and a deep sense of sorrow rose from his heart.