Immediately, those people nodded vigorously, as if they had finally boarded the rescue ship, and tears of joy streamed down their faces.
Campbell Russell looked at his own people and said, "Go get the car out; we still need it to cross the radiation zone."
"Got it!" Someone immediately ran back to the warehouse. Although I still didn't know what had happened in this world, what kind of world it was, they kept mentioning the word "radiation," which made me feel an intense sense of unease.
Campbell Russell released my arm and took a few steps forward, stopping under the quiet moonlight, his body equally serene.
Suddenly, he turned to Edmond and said, "Can you take Yvette Washington away? We don't have healers here, and medical resources are limited. We can't treat his injuries." He looked at Edmond calmly, and the reflection of the moon in his dark eyes mirrored the sky.
Edmond smiled at Campbell Russell. "Don't worry. I've already talked to Yvette Washington. I'll take him back to Silvermoon City, heal his injuries, and help him recover his memory."
Campbell Russell nodded after listening but fell into silence again. Edmond looked at him, his face slightly downturned and brows furrowed. The two of them faced each other in silence, like enemies who had been at odds suddenly discovering that they could become brothers but were momentarily unable to put down their pride to shake hands and reconcile.
Campbell Russell walked towards me in silence. After looking at me for a moment, he suddenly reached out and hugged me, patting my back. "Yvette Washington, I'll remember you, good brother! I hope we can meet again in the future." He let go of me, gave my shoulder a squeeze, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips. It was a warm smile, like an older brother looking at his younger brother.
I stared at him in a daze.
"Campbell Russell." Edmond reached out to him, smiling as he looked into his eyes. Under the cold moonlight, Campbell Russell stood in the gusty wind, his short hair flying. He raised his hand, pulling up his scarf to cover his face, blocking the sand in the night wind. Then he put his hand into the pocket of his overalls, said nothing, and turned to leave.
"Campbell Russell!" Edmond called out to him again. Campbell Russell turned to look at him, and the eyes above the scarf sparkled exceptionally in the moonlight. He seemed distant and aloof, but I didn't understand what had happened in this world or what had changed in him. Thinking about his words regarding Eclipse City people eating others, a chill ran down my spine. Survival in this world seemed so difficult, and if it meant choosing to stay away for self-preservation in the cold-hearted Silvermoon City, it felt as if one was turning a blind eye to everything that didn't concern them.Edmond's resentment towards the people of Silvermoon City has a reason. In the midst of my lack of understanding of everything happening here, I cannot make hasty judgments about anyone or any action.
So, all I can do is watch and feel a sense of regret in my heart. They could be friends, at least that's the strong feeling I have.
Edmond took out a small white disc from his pocket. The disc was the size of a single lens of glasses and had the silver emblem of Silvermoon City on it.
Edmond pressed the center of the small disc, and instantly, it unfolded with mechanical sounds, transforming into a single-piece eyeglass that looked like a Bluetooth headset. The lens was transparent, but blue characters appeared on it, as if data was forming, giving it a cool and futuristic appearance.
He handed this device to Campbell Russell and said, "This is for you. It contains information on most known abilities. It can help you scan enemies, understand their abilities, and find their weaknesses."
Campbell Russell glanced at it. I initially thought he wouldn't take it, but he reached out and held it in his hand. He casually put it on his ear, and the lens retracted, making his right ear look like it was just wearing a silver Bluetooth headset.
Campbell Russell accepted Edmond's gift!
He looked at us, reached into his neck, and pulled out a small patch-covered cloth bag. Then, he untied the string and poured out two... sunflower seeds!
"This is!" Edmond was unusually surprised at the moment. I looked at him strangely. Why was he so excited about a sunflower seed? What was so thrilling about a single seed?
Suddenly, Campbell Russell had grabbed my hand and carefully placed one seed in my hand. I was completely confused! What did this mean? Did sunflower seeds have some special significance in this world, like love beans in our culture?
Then, he gave the other seed to Edmond. "Take it, keep it well."
"These are seeds!" Edmond looked at Campbell Russell with immense excitement, holding the seed tightly in his hand. "Campbell Russell, thank you! This gift is too precious!"
What? Excuse me?Can somebody explain what's going on?
Why have sunflower seeds, a common snack used for passing the time and chatting during family gatherings, become the most precious gift in this world? And if sunflower seeds are considered precious, how would other nuts such as walnuts, almonds, and pistachios feel about their higher status in the food hierarchy?Campbell Russell tightened the bag and placed it back on his chest. He patted it, making it seem especially significant. He looked at Edmond with an expressionless face and said, "Don't misunderstand. I'm not giving this to you. It's just that... I don't know how long I can live, and I don't want this seed to disappear with me. At least, Silvermoon City can preserve it."
My heart sank. If you're giving a gift, just give it. Why be so stubborn and say something ominous about yourself? It's really not auspicious.
Edmond's expression also became serious. He gazed deeply at Campbell Russell and said again, "Campbell Russell, come back to Silvermoon City with me."
Campbell Russell shook his head, took a deep breath, and looked at the seed in the palm of my hand. "My grandmother told me that this kind of seed can grow into a beautiful flower facing the sun. But in the current world, it can't grow. Silvermoon City should be able to make it happen. I hope it can bloom all over Silvermoon City, facing the sunlight." Campbell Russell looked up at Edmond, and his black eyes showed a hint of expectation and trust.
"I will make it happen!" Edmond nodded solemnly, as if making a promise.
A guy... for another guy... planting sunflowers? Why does something seem a bit off? It sounds like sunflowers are extinct here? How can that be?!
Sunflowers are such easy-to-grow plants, with a cute and charming appearance. You just throw the seeds somewhere, give them a bit of water, and you get a splendid big flower. You'll receive a reward much greater than your effort, maybe slightly smaller sunflower seeds, but still rich in nutrients.
The only reason for not being able to grow them is the soil.Soil!
I immediately looked at the crimson ground around us, reminiscing the sour, pungent, and stimulating taste I had just experienced. Could it be... the soil here is severely contaminated?
So, I just ate a mouthful of contaminated mud!
Oh no...Thinking about it made me want to vomit again.
"It's a pity... sunflower seeds are delicious..." I sighed, trying hard not to remember the taste of that muddy mouth.
"You've eaten them?!" Campbell Russell and Edmond exclaimed in unison.
Edmond looked at me in amazement, "What's that? Sunflower seeds?!"
I picked up a sunflower seed, "Yeah, these are sunflower seeds. Because the flower they grow into is called a sunflower, and these are edible."