New York is known as the city that never sleeps. In the heart of Manhattan, the most prosperous part of the city, food is everywhere—offering any kind of cuisine from around the world.
From sweaty bars to formal French restaurants, the options are endless. But since it was Kevin's choice, he had made it without hesitation:
Slurp the noodles!
In a dark alley, four steaming bowls of golden pork bone ramen were placed on the table, the rich aroma filling the air. Hua's expression was a little dull.
She had expected a grand meal, but Kevin had found a modest ramen restaurant in Manhattan, amidst towering skyscrapers. As someone from Jiangnan, who primarily ate rice, Hua wasn't exactly enthusiastic about noodles.
"You'll get used to it. This guy has loved noodles all his life." Ryan calmly opened his chopsticks, his face exuding control. My wallet won't bleed—everything is calculated.
To avoid seeming too stingy, Ryan ordered some sushi, octopus balls, and a bottle of sake.
"But Kevin, why did you order four bowls?"
"Because I called someone else. If it's just the two of you, I'd be redundant."
"You bastard betrayed me!" Ryan's eyes widened immediately, looking like he was ready to throw hands.
"No, Mei doesn't have time for a midnight snack, so I called a friend."
A friend?
Ryan was momentarily confused. Just then, the door gently opened. He turned and his pupils contracted slightly.
A visitor stood there—quite handsome, with long grey hair and narrowed eyes, exuding an aura of neutrality and gentleness.
"Su!?"
"It's been almost a year since we last met, Ryan." Su was as composed as ever. He raised his hand in greeting before nodding to Hua, "This must be your junior sister. I've heard a lot about her."
"Kevin, you big mouth bastard."
"He didn't say that. I guessed it when we met. Ryan, you can see that her eyes are different. They're as gentle as a sister's."
Ryan smiled awkwardly. Hua was originally pleased, but when she heard the word "sister," she rolled her eyes and observed the three of them hugging each other warmly.
Good friends are like that—no matter how much time has passed, they don't feel like strangers.
Noticing Ryan's questioning look, Kevin pulled out a stool and explained, "This guy came to New York last month. I heard he's going to the Medical Research Institute for further studies."
"Medical School? Honkai Disease?" Ryan understood immediately. After the Third Herrscher, something even more insidious had emerged—Honkai Disease.
Before, if you wanted to be infected by the Honkai, it was like getting close to the core of a nuclear power plant—you would only be at risk if you were within a certain range. But now, with Honkai Disease, you can become infected without being anywhere near a disaster.
"Yes, it's a fatal infectious disease. Once you're infected, there's no cure. As the infection progresses, the patient slowly loses the ability to move and eventually dies. It's a form of cancer," Su explained, his expression darkening. As a doctor, this was his battlefield.
Everyone fell silent. Honkai Disease was like a slow death, a blunt knife cutting through time. You wouldn't see immediate results, but by the time you realized it, humanity would be in ruin.
"There will be a cure, but we just need time." Ryan patted Su's shoulder. He wasn't sure whether the previous civilization had solved the disease, but he poured four glasses of wine, slid them across the table, and raised his glass.
"We are all dealing with the collapse in different ways to continue human civilization. I've always believed that as long as we don't stop, we will eventually find a way out."
"Ryan, have you learned to drink?" Su looked surprised.
"Alcohol interferes with my thinking, but today I don't need to think about so many things, so I'll indulge myself for once. Cheers!"
After drinking the sake, its clear and slightly sweet taste lingered in the air. It wasn't a sentimental moment—Su had endured his own painful struggles in the hospital, so he wasn't feeling melancholic.
The alcohol helped lighten the mood, and the three of them chatted about their lives over the past few days. Hua listened quietly, enjoying the conversation.
Kevin and Su's lives had been relatively uneventful—one traveled battlefields, the other was busy at the hospital. Ryan, however, had lived a much more colorful life.
He had faced the Herrscher alone, been involved in conspiracies, helped promote the Mantis with Mobius, and even held important meetings. He shared it all, omitting only a few key details, and was satisfied with the incredulous and admiring looks he received.
"Ryan, there's something I've wanted to complain about for a while." Kevin made a face, picked up his wine glass, and drank it in one go. "You guys had to go to school, fight Honkai beasts in secret, and still find time to learn martial arts? What kind of time management master are you?"
"Yeah, just in terms of research, you can hold an equal discussion with the great masters, Mei and Mobius. Ordinary people would have to exhaust their entire lives to achieve that," Su added, puzzled.
Ryan was a workaholic. While others had time for fun, he, like Mei, had no time to sit down and enjoy ramen. He wished there were forty-eight hours in a day.
"This is the difference between a top student and a poor student," Ryan said, imitating Mobius' tone. "Kevin, don't look at me like that. I'm not targeting you specifically, but..."
"But we're all garbage?"
"You said it! Okay, okay, I'll punish myself with a drink." Ryan took another glass without waiting for Kevin to settle the bill, his face slightly tipsy. "Efficiency is key. I do things in a planned, focused way and enjoy the process. Just like now—I'm enjoying this friendship. But if a Herrscher suddenly shows up, I'll focus on the battle."
Kevin didn't quite understand, but Su had a rough idea.
"Are you deliberately trying to enrich your life?"
"Reality is cruel enough; how can we not have some fun?" Ryan smiled lightly. This was his truth, not just his way.
To become a master of time management, one needed to have destiny on their side. Few people could achieve this kind of learning ability—it even surpassed human limitations.
"I think you're fooling me. Never mind. I never intended to learn from you." Kevin took a bite of noodles. Apart from his hobby, the taste of ramen took him back to simpler times, when nothing felt complicated.
In just one year, the three of them had changed. At least their eyes weren't as innocent, and it seemed as if many things had piled up in their hearts—war, illness, and the future. Everything felt heavy. Eating noodles and chatting like this was pleasant but fleeting.
"I have to go back to Shenzhou General Hospital in two months. Anything you want to tell me?" Su asked, a hint of reluctance on his usually gentle face.
"Be safe and get out of singlehood soon," Ryan and Kevin said in unison, making Su blush a little. He glanced at Hua, who had a bored expression.
In a world where separation could happen at any moment, these two were incredibly carefree.
"I'll try my best. What about you two?"
"Let's wait for the Fourth Herrscher. Time is running out. Let's try to beat the hell out of her." Ryan said, his tone vicious.
The word "Herrscher" always made people tense, but it made them burst into laughter.
"You're addicted to killing Herrschers, huh? Ryan, compared to you, our little danger is nothing." Kevin suddenly frowned, his face serious. "I'll apply to be a volunteer. I'll help you kill the Fourth Herrscher."
Sure enough, Kevin was brave.
Ryan wasn't surprised. He just waved his hands dismissively, "It's not your turn to volunteer yet."
"You don't like me?"
"How could I? The current fusion surgery isn't mature enough. If you want to try it, use an emperor-level subject or above. Now that's exciting." Ryan casually placed a piece of sashimi into his mouth. "I'll make preparations soon and select high-quality materials. You'll all benefit from it."
"Including me?" Su pointed to himself.
"Of course. We agreed to travel together, so why would I leave you behind?"
Su's eyes widened slightly, feeling both nervous and excited. She finally understood what Ryan meant when he said, "You are special too" before he left last time.
"Well, if this is fate, I accept it."
Su poured himself another glass of wine. He usually didn't drink, but his handsome face turned slightly red. "Then I wish us all to go further on our respective paths."
The three of them raised their glasses at the same time. Just as Ryan thought someone was missing, he heard a clang. He turned and saw Hua had fallen asleep on the table.
"Ryan, your junior sister is a bit lame."
"Don't talk nonsense. She just came of age. I didn't want her to enter this world just yet." Ryan scolded with a smile.
"But she's already in, and it's hard to pull her out." Su said with a faint smile.
"Thinking and doing are two different things. If you don't believe me, ask Kevin. Is he willing to let Mei join the Fire Moth?"
They both turned at the same time to see a wry smile on Kevin's face. He would do anything to keep Mei out of the Fire Moth and protect her peaceful life.
But how can destiny be controlled so easily? Even their own destinies were beyond their control.
"It seems we have no choice. Let's do it!" Ryan said, the three of them leaning forward slightly, their cups clinking together before they drank.
The sake wasn't particularly strong, but except for Kevin, who occasionally drank beer, no one else drank much. Ryan slapped a stack of money on the table and leaned back, feeling the slight buzz setting in.
Sure enough, his thoughts were slowing, but it wasn't bad. The pressure lifted, and for a moment, he realized—feelings are mutual. As long as Kevin and the others are alive, I won't go crazy.
"I'll ask Kevin to take me back. You can do whatever you want."
"Hey, wait a minute." Ryan turned and saw the two bastards, arm in arm, already escaping out the door.
Because Su had long hair and a tall figure, from behind, he looked a bit like a woman.
Running off so quickly? You must be busy with something, huh? Be careful, I'll snap a picture and Photoshop it to send to Mei.
Ryan grinned mischievously, then turned around, scratching his head. I got so caught up in the conversation that I didn't even keep an eye on you.
Hua was lying on the table, her messy gray-blue hair revealing her fair neck, her little mouth slightly open, breathing lightly.
This girl, is she pretending to be asleep?
Ryan raised an eyebrow but, seeing the ramen shop owner's worried look, decided not to tease her. Instead, he squatted down and carefully picked her up on his back.
Flat. No meat.
That was the first thing he noticed. After feeling her smooth, flesh-colored stockings, he nodded slightly.
At least there's something feminine about her now.
He was moved. Even though she was still in a military uniform, over the years, Hua had started to resemble a normal girl. He could proudly say it was thanks to him.
He carried her out into the chilly New York autumn night, pulling up his collar to keep warm but not wanting to hide her face. The hair and breath brushed against his neck, making him feel a little itchy.
Ryan walked out of the alley and stared at the busy street in a daze. He had come here for a meeting but hadn't booked a place to stay yet. Where could he go in the middle of the night?
Just then, his phone rang. Ryan took it out, put it to his ear, and realized it was Klein calling.
"Dr. Ryan, Dr. Mobius and I are temporarily staying at the Aierle Hotel on Seventh Street. I'll text you the room number. The doctor asked me when you'll be back."
At least he had some conscience and booked a room for me after the meeting.
Ryan sighed in relief, just about to speak when he felt Hua's little hand tighten around his neck. He turned and saw her awake, staring at him with intense, steady eyes.
He swallowed and answered into the phone.
"Tell Mobius I won't be back tonight."