When Mr. Song Lan and the others returned to the ruins of the Eden Hotel, a profound sadness enveloped everyone.
Roger clenched his fists, his face devoid of any joy from defeating the giant mechanical creature and winning champion of the 37th Cricket Fighting Contest, leaving only regret and sorrow.
Kneeling by his side was Valerian, staring blankly at the hotel's rubble.
Soon, Comrade Zhuang Chi appeared among the crowd.
She walked slowly toward the two, holding a photo frame in her hands. The black-and-white photograph inside showed a young man wearing an eyepatch, reclining in an office chair with drool seeping from the corner of his open mouth.
Today,
Mr. Song Lan, the respected head of the Law Enforcers' propaganda department in District Seventeen, rests here forever.
"Stop, stop!"
