I am a hero of the former civilization.

Who cares what he wants to do, as long as he comes.

The three of them left the airport, got into their assigned jeep, and headed into the city. As one of the world's largest cities, Tokyo has tens of millions of people and complete facilities. The densely packed skyscrapers are no different from those before the war, except that the roads are much dirtier and homeless people in tattered clothes can be seen everywhere.

Occasionally, a few gunshots could be heard, followed by sirens wailing as they disappeared into the night. There were hardly any normal people to be seen, only some furtive figures.

Under the dense snowflakes, it's unclear how long they can hold out.

"Is Tokyo really that safe?"

"Yes, a large influx of people has caused the unemployment rate to explode. The Administration is planning to clean it up and send the young and strong out of the city to farm." Carol yawned. She joined the Fire Moth this year and fused with a lower-level Honkai Beast factor.

Ryan glanced at Hua, who was driving intently, and was momentarily transported back to Canghai last year. Back then, he was the one driving, with two innocent and carefree high school girls in the car, and the outside world was filled with the atmosphere of everyday life.

The citizens still strolling around late at night, the barbecue stalls shrouded in smoke, and the 'scenery' outside at this moment—Ryan shrank back into his chair and sighed.

It's only been a short time, and we can't go back anymore.

Chapter 196 You have the rare attribute of being a childhood sweetheart!

The car drove through the snow and headed straight for the city center, where patrol officers could be seen everywhere. The security situation had finally returned to normal, and people could feel a bit of civilized prosperity.

The signs are like light pollution in nightclubs, and there's no shortage of people living a life of debauchery. The red light at the intersection turns on, and people who have just finished get off work walk across with their heads down. Ryan quietly watches the crowd coming out of the office building, wondering what kind of overtime work is possible in this situation.

But people always need to find something to do, as if sticking to their old habits would allow them to hold onto the daily routine that has already passed.

The green light came on, and the car drove into the underground parking lot. Hua turned off the engine, picked up his luggage, and got out of the car.

"Senior brother, we've arrived."

Ryan, who was dozing in the passenger seat, was suddenly awakened and looked around: "This doesn't seem to be a hotel?"

"This is the dormitory of the Fire Moth, or rather, my home. I can't book a room at a hotel, so please make do with this."

Ryan glanced at Carol's ambiguous gaze but didn't say anything. He had lived under the same roof as Hua since she was twelve and had watched her grow taller and remain flat-chested, so there was nothing to mind.

"Send me the exact address later."

"What are you doing?"

"It's nothing. I'll have Velvi send over a gift. Also, Alicia keeps asking for some kind of dumpling. I'll try to send it back to her."

Hua's face immediately tightened, and he turned around without saying a word: "Please come with me."

thump.

As soon as Ryan left, he heard a muffled thud. Turning around, he saw Carroll excitedly waving his fist, his face full of disappointment and frustration.

A strange girl.

Ryan shrugged, ignoring the hot girl in hot pants and purple stockings in the freezing weather, and quickly followed her.

Take the elevator straight to the tenth floor, and you'll see that it's a rather old Japanese-style apartment. One side of the corridor is completely open, and snow has already drifted in. A middle-aged woman is sweeping the snow there.

When she saw Hua, she gave a smile full of wrinkles: "Lieutenant, have you eaten? I left some dinner at home."

"Aunt Chuan, there's no need to be so polite. We're neighbors."

"Hehe, without your help, after my husband died in battle, we might not still be able to live here. Oh, Carole is here to visit today too. I fried some shrimp balls, come and have a taste."

"Yay! I love Auntie's shrimp balls the most!"

Watching Carol skip away, Ryan returned the bow to the middle-aged woman who had bowed to him before walking over to Hua, who was unlocking the door.

"A soldier's widow?"

"Yes, Sergeant Dan's wife. He died in the battle to defend Kyushu. I felt sorry for them, a widow and her child, so I had Captain Himiko report it to the higher-ups." Hua paused slightly as he turned the doorknob, then turned his head somewhat blankly.

"Senior brother, am I being nosy?"

“No, that’s exactly what I meant. No matter how strong you are, you must preserve your humanity. I’m relieved to see that you have this thought.” Ryan breathed a sigh of relief; he knew that Hua was having a tough time.

The endless war can easily drive people crazy, and Hua Muna's dull personality is also a good thing, as he is hard to be changed by the outside world.

Hua didn't quite understand, but he was happy to be praised by Ryan and pushed open the door.

This is a standard Japanese-style apartment with one bedroom, two living rooms, an open kitchen, wooden floors, and two pairs of slippers placed in the entryway. Everything is very clean.

Hua leaned against the wall, pulled her legs out of her snow-covered boots, put on pink bunny slippers, and took off her coat, revealing a gray turtleneck sweater underneath.

"I've already prepared your room. I'll heat up dinner right away. You can take a shower and relax first."

Everything was so natural that it made one forget they hadn't seen each other for months.

"You go ahead with your work, don't worry about me."

Ryan didn't stand on ceremony. He changed into slippers and strolled around the room. Sure enough, the bed in the guest room had been made up, and an electric blanket had even been added, which made this 'strongest human' somewhat amused and exasperated.

Then he went to the living room, where there were plush toys on the coffee table, making it clear that this was a young girl's bedroom. There were several photos next to the TV cabinet, and when he picked them up, he was surprised to find that they were all old photos from many years ago.

A boy with black hair and gray eyes stood with his hands behind his back, his face filled with a maturity beyond his years. A girl wearing an oversized school uniform peeked out from behind him. She looked about eleven or twelve years old and seemed very introverted.

Ryan turned his head and glanced at the kitchen. A young girl wearing a turtleneck sweater, a black woolen long skirt and cotton socks was busy wearing an apron. Apart from her immature figure, she exuded the aura of a young woman.

"Where is the master?"

“My father is in Suzhou. He doesn’t want to come to Japan with me, much less seek refuge there.” Hua paused slightly, looking somewhat troubled. “But don’t worry, he’s doing quite well. He even asked you about him a while ago.”

Ryan picked up the second photo. It showed a stubborn girl being pinned to the ground by a boy, her eyes filled with tears, yet she refused to beg for mercy. He also remembered the man who took the photo, Hua's father, and his arrogant laughter.

Afterwards, I specifically asked him if Hua was really his biological son, and I got a beating for it. Luckily, I got my revenge later.

Ryan laughed as he retorted, "What did you ask me? By the way, why didn't you give me his number after he changed his phone?"

Hua blushed instantly, secretly glancing at Ryan who was looking at the photos, and gently patted his chest.

That idiot dad of mine, every time he opens his mouth he asks me when we're getting married, and he wants me to hurry up and go back to inherit the martial arts school and carry forward the Cunxin Fist!

How could I let the two of you get in touch?

"Ahem, it was Father who told me not to give it to you."

"Hmph, so you're still holding a grudge. I've won ten out of ten battles, haven't I?"

"But my father said he had lost all face."

“What’s there to be ashamed of? I’ve fought against every sect in China. I’ve already earned back his face long ago.” Ryan snorted twice. At that time, he was obsessed with martial arts and hadn’t yet embarked on the path of research. After all, violence could bring the most direct sense of security.

At that time, he was a renowned physicist, best known for using physics to explain the truth.

With the added advantage of his destiny, he not only learns quickly but can also apply what he learns to other situations. Even without Honkai energy, ordinary humans are no match for him.

“Yes, back then, my senior brother was known as ‘Invincible with Two Fists’ and ‘The Calamity of the Martial World’.” Hua turned around, his face full of admiration, then put his legs together, pointed one finger to the sky, and turned his back to Ryan.

"I still remember your cool pose after your victory."

Uh, let's not even mention those terms from that cringeworthy teenage period.

Ryan blushed, his youthful exuberance back then now a source of embarrassment.

"I'm going to take a shower, you can continue with your work."

He put down the photo and ran away as if his life depended on it.

Oh, I was just saying I'd repeat what I said back then to you; I'd memorized it all.

"If Heaven had not given birth to me, Ryan, eternity would have been shrouded in darkness; a single sword, like starlight and frost, stands lonely as snow."

Hua was muttering to himself when he heard someone rush into the bathhouse. He tilted his head, somewhat confused.

It seems like my senior brother is quite bothered by this? Sigh, I still can't think of a similar sentence; the difference is really huge.

She sighed, put the chopped ingredients into the pan and stir-fried them. Just as she opened the salt container, she heard the door open again.

"Carol, wait a moment, I'll be done in a minute."

"I've already eaten at Aunt Chuan's house." The girl walked briskly to the side and gently put her arm around her friend's slender waist. "How could I disturb your good time? If I were to shamelessly stay, you would hate me to death."

"Stop it." Hua felt a little itchy from the rubbing and gently twisted her waist. "My senior brother and I don't have that kind of relationship. I respect him very much."

"Pah, you always back down at crucial moments. I could tell from your expression when he mentioned Alicia just now."

Hua paused in his stir-frying, his expression turning conflicted. After thinking for a long time, he finally sighed.

“I’m too ordinary. I can’t compare to Miss Alicia at all. She’s like a blazing sun, born to be the center of attention.”

“Well, you are indeed a bit ordinary, with a dull personality, like an old scholar, small breasts, and unremarkable clothes…” Carol said, noticing the anger in Hua’s eyes, and gave a dry laugh.

"But you also have a unique advantage: you have the advantage of being a childhood sweetheart!"

"Childhood sweethearts? Don't you always say that childhood sweethearts can't beat those who suddenly appear out of nowhere?"

"That's just something you see in comics. Seriously, talking about you is making my stomach hurt. Anyway, you have your advantages, so bring out your usual indomitable spirit!"

"But......"

"You're afraid that this relationship won't last, right? Don't worry, your senior brother won't be that heartless. As for awkwardness, if you're not awkward, it's others who will be."

Hua Jingjing looked at her friend, who looked like an expert, and scoffed, "You've never been in a relationship either, and you dare to teach me?"

"You can't watch pigs run even if you haven't eaten pork? I've read a lot of magazines like this. Also, I did a fortune telling for you today. The book said you should be full of courage and good things will happen."

"What kind of courage?" Hua picked up the salt. Actually, she was quite opinionated and felt that listening to Carol's advice wouldn't hurt.

"Now it's time to bring out the decisive weapon I got from Aunt Chuan. Close your eyes."

"I'm cooking, why are you closing your eyes? Take it out quickly."

"How boring." Carol pouted, pulling something from her back pocket. "Her signature lingerie from her youth—it'll definitely come in handy!"

puff.

Hua lost his composure and poured the entire can of salt into the pot, hurriedly turning off the heat in a flurry.

It was a purple lace bra that looked very sexy, completely different from the sporty bra Hua usually wore.

As she looked at it, her face slowly turned red.

"Oh, you're shy."

"Carol, you'd better go back right now, or if your senior brother sees you..."

Click.

The bathhouse door opened, and Hua quickly hid the underwear under the sofa, then pinched Carol's grinning face.

"Besides, look at that size, how could I possibly fit into it!"