Part1:
In the year 2310 (30 years in the Melish calendar), the morning sunlight bathed the city of New Penang. Futuristic skyscrapers, old colonial-era buildings yet to be demolished, and rows of terrace houses intermingled throughout the city. This city, only ten Melish years old, was just beginning its day.
It had been thirty Melish years since humanity arrived at this new home. After the ebb and flow of history and the tireless efforts of the pioneers, this once nearly primitive planet was now covered with traces of human civilization.
The population of this emerging island harbor city wasn't large—counting the surrounding rural areas, it barely exceeded 350,000—but that was already considered a medium-sized city on *Wei Yang*. Despite the planet's freshwater oceans, mild global temperatures, and spring-like weather year-round, with most animals and plants posing no threat to humans, the Melish had only been living and multiplying here for a short time, and more time was needed to create new miracles.
In a typical residential neighborhood, the familiar sounds of a parent waking up their child rang out once again, an instinct deeply ingrained in the DNA of all humans.
"Xiao Liang, it's already 10 a.m., why aren't you up yet? You've got an exam today!" A gentle morning breeze drifted through the window, and once again, the voice of his mother echoed through Liang Xingyun's room.
"Okay, okay, I'll get up, just give me a minute." He yawned deeply, slowly sitting up, and then walked lazily to the bathroom to wash up.
"You're so lazy. Don't you dare tell people you're Chinese when you're outside. Hurry up and get ready. I'm off to work. There's chocolate on the table," his mother said as she closed the door behind her without waiting for a reply.
Liang Xingyun glanced at the time. His exam was at 11:30 a.m., so there was still plenty of time to eat and head to school. He sat at the dining table, turned on his phone, and leisurely ate while watching the morning digital news:
"New Penang, 40th of the month — Are dishwasher wages really as high as 3000 lim? Should we quit our jobs and start washing dishes? Another popular restaurant from Old Earth has entered the *Wei Yang* market. This restaurant, specializing in Sichuan-style fish in sour soup, opened its first store in New Chengdu last year, and this year it's setting up a new outlet in New Penang's largest shopping center, *Wei Yang New Way* (NEW WAY PKL). The store is expected to open by the end of December.
According to the Facebook page of NEW WAY Shopping Center, the job advertisement posted includes positions like store manager, head chef, management trainee, and waitstaff, but what really surprised people was the dishwasher salary of 3000 lim, which shocked many netizens.
Some older netizens, especially those who had lived on Old Earth, expressed frustration, pointing out that after studying hard and graduating from university, their salaries were still lower than that of a dishwasher on New Star. Comments in the thread read: 'Let's go wash dishes together,' 'If dishwashers earn 3000 lim, imagine the price of the food,' and 'Waitstaff also get 3000 lim. Compared to that, I'd rather wash dishes, less hassle with people.'"
"God, what is Sichuan cuisine? I've heard it's really spicy, but since my grandfather arrived here, no Melish has tasted anything spicy. Apparently, Old Earth's peppers can't grow on *Wei Yang*, so how will they make these spicy dishes?" Liang Xingyun muttered to himself as he ate. "But 3000 lim is really a good deal."
He soon finished his meal, stretched lazily, put on his shoes, grabbed his backpack, and headed to school. The air was as warm and pleasant as it had been ten years ago when he was a child. The two stars, Father and Mother, continued to watch over *Wei Yang*'s children as they freely grew.
Along the way, Liang passed numerous shops and street vendors selling snacks, vegetables, and fruits.
Though humanity had been lucky enough to cross the vastness of space to arrive here, the speed of architectural advancement still hadn't progressed much.
Suddenly, he noticed a stall selling *bluebell fruits*, only half a lim each. Craving the sweet taste, he quickly bought one.
He walked along, happily munching on the fruit. Life had been busy, and it had been a while since he had eaten such a sweet and delicious treat.
Liang Xingyun was a native of *Wei Yang*, born and raised here. At 17 Earth years old, he was studying at the local Chinese high school. His grandfather had been one of the first human colonists, a Chinese man from Malaysia. His grandfather had met his grandmother, a woman from Zhejiang, China, while helping build *New Hope City* in Tibet on Old Earth.
When they first arrived on *Wei Yang*, they were still young men and women. After years of long, hard struggle, they helped lay the foundations for the basic infrastructure on the planet today.
Back on Old Earth, all of this would have seemed ordinary, but among the 880,000 original colonists, countless people never lived to see the first city built on *Wei Yang*.
The taste of *bluebell fruit* always stirred deep thoughts. As Liang savored its familiar, sweet flavor, he couldn't help but think of his aging grandfather. When he was little, his grandfather often bought him these small, delightful fruits, and the taste always brought back fond memories.
Since childhood, Liang's grandfather had loved telling stories. He would describe how the sky was blue, filled with cotton-candy-like clouds. The ocean was also blue, teeming with fish. They lived on land with forests, mountains, and rivers. He said he loved sunny days when the sun's warmth embraced him, and rainy days when the gentle sound of raindrops falling from the roof filled the air. He also said he had two pets, a cat and a dog, who often fought. Then his grandfather's father would separate them and leave them hungry for a while.
But from the day Liang was born, the sky he saw was green. The candy he ate was made from the leaves of the *empty-light trees*, a light, sweet, and healthy *sall candy*. The sea here was also green, and his grandfather said it looked like jade from Old Earth. But this giant jade ocean was different—it was home to countless Leviathan beasts, each over 900 Old Earth meters long.
As for the suns, the Melish preferred calling the stars "Father" and "Mother," as this was what the school taught all children from a young age. After all, Earth's solar system only had one sun, but *Wei Yang* had two. As for pets, most of Old Earth's creatures—along with their DNA and eggs—had been brought aboard the *Wind and Flower*, so there wasn't much difference, except for the *Kuloh Birds*, which were newly domesticated animals on *Wei Yang*. With their large, adorable eyes, these birds had helped his grandfather's generation find fresh game and food.
Whenever Liang thought of these stories from a world he had never known, it felt as if his distant childhood was once again beside him. He remembered the look in his grandfather's eyes as he told those stories, filled with emotions Liang hadn't understood then, but now grasped a little. His grandfather, until he returned to the dust of the universe, would never again set foot on the land of his childhood. That place, where his happiness resided, could only remain in his memories.
Now, Earth, the so-called "Old Star," was too far from the Melish. Beautiful *Wei Yang*, however, was right in front of them. Aside from being mentioned in history books or by the older generations, Old Earth was rarely brought up. As a Melish citizen, Liang Xingyun had to study both English and Chinese, the two official languages stubbornly mandated by the government for this race. Unfortunately, as someone who struggled with English, his grades in the subject had never been good. Many times, he couldn't even understand the questions on his English exams.
Part 2
In the year 2310 (30 years in the Melish calendar), the morning sunlight bathed the city of New Penang. Futuristic skyscrapers, old colonial-era buildings yet to be demolished, and rows of terrace houses intermingled throughout the city. This city, only ten Melish years old, was just beginning its day.
It had been thirty Melish years since humanity arrived at this new home. After the ebb and flow of history and the tireless efforts of the pioneers, this once nearly primitive planet was now covered with traces of human civilization.
The population of this emerging island harbor city wasn't large—counting the surrounding rural areas, it barely exceeded 350,000—but that was already considered a medium-sized city on *Wei Yang*. Despite the planet's freshwater oceans, mild global temperatures, and spring-like weather year-round, with most animals and plants posing no threat to humans, the Melish had only been living and multiplying here for a short time, and more time was needed to create new miracles.
In a typical residential neighborhood, the familiar sounds of a parent waking up their child rang out once again, an instinct deeply ingrained in the DNA of all humans.
"Xiao Liang, it's already 10 a.m., why aren't you up yet? You've got an exam today!" A gentle morning breeze drifted through the window, and once again, the voice of his mother echoed through Liang Xingyun's room.
"Okay, okay, I'll get up, just give me a minute." He yawned deeply, slowly sitting up, and then walked lazily to the bathroom to wash up.
"You're so lazy. Don't you dare tell people you're Chinese when you're outside. Hurry up and get ready. I'm off to work. There's chocolate on the table," his mother said as she closed the door behind her without waiting for a reply.
Liang Xingyun glanced at the time. His exam was at 11:30 a.m., so there was still plenty of time to eat and head to school. He sat at the dining table, turned on his phone, and leisurely ate while watching the morning digital news:
"New Penang, 40th of the month — Are dishwasher wages really as high as 3000 lim? Should we quit our jobs and start washing dishes? Another popular restaurant from Old Earth has entered the *Wei Yang* market. This restaurant, specializing in Sichuan-style fish in sour soup, opened its first store in New Chengdu last year, and this year it's setting up a new outlet in New Penang's largest shopping center, *Wei Yang New Way* (NEW WAY PKL). The store is expected to open by the end of December.
According to the Facebook page of NEW WAY Shopping Center, the job advertisement posted includes positions like store manager, head chef, management trainee, and waitstaff, but what really surprised people was the dishwasher salary of 3000 lim, which shocked many netizens.
Some older netizens, especially those who had lived on Old Earth, expressed frustration, pointing out that after studying hard and graduating from university, their salaries were still lower than that of a dishwasher on New Star. Comments in the thread read: 'Let's go wash dishes together,' 'If dishwashers earn 3000 lim, imagine the price of the food,' and 'Waitstaff also get 3000 lim. Compared to that, I'd rather wash dishes, less hassle with people.'"
"God, what is Sichuan cuisine? I've heard it's really spicy, but since my grandfather arrived here, no Melish has tasted anything spicy. Apparently, Old Earth's peppers can't grow on *Wei Yang*, so how will they make these spicy dishes?" Liang Xingyun muttered to himself as he ate. "But 3000 lim is really a good deal."
He soon finished his meal, stretched lazily, put on his shoes, grabbed his backpack, and headed to school. The air was as warm and pleasant as it had been ten years ago when he was a child. The two stars, Father and Mother, continued to watch over *Wei Yang*'s children as they freely grew.
Along the way, Liang passed numerous shops and street vendors selling snacks, vegetables, and fruits.
Though humanity had been lucky enough to cross the vastness of space to arrive here, the speed of architectural advancement still hadn't progressed much.
Suddenly, he noticed a stall selling *bluebell fruits*, only half a lim each. Craving the sweet taste, he quickly bought one.
He walked along, happily munching on the fruit. Life had been busy, and it had been a while since he had eaten such a sweet and delicious treat.
Liang Xingyun was a native of *Wei Yang*, born and raised here. At 17 Earth years old, he was studying at the local Chinese high school. His grandfather had been one of the first human colonists, a Chinese man from Malaysia. His grandfather had met his grandmother, a woman from Zhejiang, China, while helping build *New Hope City* in Tibet on Old Earth.
When they first arrived on *Wei Yang*, they were still young men and women. After years of long, hard struggle, they helped lay the foundations for the basic infrastructure on the planet today.
Back on Old Earth, all of this would have seemed ordinary, but among the 880,000 original colonists, countless people never lived to see the first city built on *Wei Yang*.
The taste of *bluebell fruit* always stirred deep thoughts. As Liang savored its familiar, sweet flavor, he couldn't help but think of his aging grandfather. When he was little, his grandfather often bought him these small, delightful fruits, and the taste always brought back fond memories.
Since childhood, Liang's grandfather had loved telling stories. He would describe how the sky was blue, filled with cotton-candy-like clouds. The ocean was also blue, teeming with fish. They lived on land with forests, mountains, and rivers. He said he loved sunny days when the sun's warmth embraced him, and rainy days when the gentle sound of raindrops falling from the roof filled the air. He also said he had two pets, a cat and a dog, who often fought. Then his grandfather's father would separate them and leave them hungry for a while.
But from the day Liang was born, the sky he saw was green. The candy he ate was made from the leaves of the *empty-light trees*, a light, sweet, and healthy *sall candy*. The sea here was also green, and his grandfather said it looked like jade from Old Earth. But this giant jade ocean was different—it was home to countless Leviathan beasts, each over 900 Old Earth meters long.
As for the suns, the Melish preferred calling the stars "Father" and "Mother," as this was what the school taught all children from a young age. After all, Earth's solar system only had one sun, but *Wei Yang* had two. As for pets, most of Old Earth's creatures—along with their DNA and eggs—had been brought aboard the *Wind and Flower*, so there wasn't much difference, except for the *Kuloh Birds*, which were newly domesticated animals on *Wei Yang*. With their large, adorable eyes, these birds had helped his grandfather's generation find fresh game and food.
Whenever Liang thought of these stories from a world he had never known, it felt as if his distant childhood was once again beside him. He remembered the look in his grandfather's eyes as he told those stories, filled with emotions Liang hadn't understood then, but now grasped a little. His grandfather, until he returned to the dust of the universe, would never again set foot on the land of his childhood. That place, where his happiness resided, could only remain in his memories.
Now, Earth, the so-called "Old Star," was too far from the Melish. Beautiful *Wei Yang*, however, was right in front of them. Aside from being mentioned in history books or by the older generations, Old Earth was rarely brought up. As a Melish citizen, Liang Xingyun had to study both English and Chinese, the two official languages stubbornly mandated by the government for this race. Unfortunately, as someone who struggled with English, his grades in the subject had never been good. Many times, he couldn't even understand the questions on his English exams.
After waiting in line for an hour, a nearly collapsing Liang Xingyun finally got his hands on the watch he had been dreaming of.
After his purchase, Liang called his mom to tell her he would be heading home soon. She didn't say much, just reminded him to be back by 6 p.m. for dinner. After listening to her usual nagging, he gave a few quick responses and ended the call.
On his way out of the mall, he spotted a beautiful globe of *Wei Yang* at a gift shop. The soft green hues combined with the crisp lighting made it particularly eye-catching.
Liang stared at it through the glass for a long time before deciding to buy it as a gift for Chloeng, since her birthday was coming up soon.
The evening breeze, though carrying warmth from the day, brushed against his face, giving him a sense of contentment and happiness.
Walking down the street, playing with his newly purchased watch, Liang's mood was soaring.
He passed through the busy streets, weaving through the bustling crowds, and finally took the high-speed train home.
At dinner, the familiar sounds of his mother's chatter filled the room as usual, but Liang didn't mind it much. After dinner, as was their routine, he sat with his mom to watch the news. Ever since his father went missing on the new continent, this had become the warmest moment of their day.
"Celebrations for Melish Landing Day—today, residents from cities like New Moscow and New Paris gathered at Mount Olympia to pay heartfelt tribute to their ancestors."
"New London and New Tokyo offer a grand fireworks display for the nation's people."
"March Ridge Community showcases its latest developments: this year, the northern war zone of March Ridge successfully hunted a land Leviathan to celebrate Landing Day."
With Landing Day approaching, the television was filled with related news. However, when March Ridge was mentioned, a look of sadness crossed Liang's mother's face.
Two Earth years ago, the March Ridge Community's advance team headed north toward East Ridge and encountered an extremely rare snowstorm, disappearing in the vast mountains. The leader of that team was Liang's father. Since then, the government had repeatedly sent out search parties, but none had been successful.
At moments like this, Liang would always hold his mother's hand, comforting her, telling her that there would be an answer, that his father would be okay.
It was now midnight. Liang was exhausted from his exam earlier, so he decided to take a "nap." The warm sunlight streamed over his body, and the soothing music from outside lulled him into sleep.
Slowly, he drifted back into his dreams—he dreamt of the blooming *ChaCha* grass, of his grandfather, and of the distant Old Star that could only be observed through a telescope...
Life here was much like life on Old Earth—tense yet resilient. Even though the Melish New Year was approaching, everyone remained dedicated to their work, contributing their efforts.
Civilizations do not arise from nothing. They are built from soil lifted by burning hands and from drops of sweat mixed with tears beneath furrowed brows.
Here, there are people, there is soil, there is sweat, there are tears, and above all, there is hope.
Part 3
In the blink of an eye, several days had passed. During these days, aside from going to school, taking exams, and eating meals, Liang Xingyun spent his time quarreling and joking with his friends, Xu Hui and others, playing soccer, and gaming.
The lessons remained as difficult as ever, but the laughter among his friends continued unabated.
"That's all for the courses we've covered this semester. Starting tomorrow, the 30th, we'll begin our holiday. The start date for the next semester is still to be decided. I hope all of you have a great break!" The teacher, pushing up his glasses, smiled warmly as he addressed the class from the podium.
"Thank you, teacher! Happy holidays, teacher!" Everyone responded in unison.
Liang, more eager than anyone, packed his bag while speaking, as if no one was more excited about the holiday than him. It was as if studying wasn't his strength, but being the first to leave was his specialty.
As the odd-day night arrived, the lights of the city twinkled everywhere. People of today did not see the same moon as the ancients, for *Wei Yang* had no moon, and the concept of it had long disappeared, replaced by a vast and bright starry sky.
This wasn't a large city, but the light drizzle, gently illuminated by the soft streetlights, gave the city an elegant touch.
The rain on *Wei Yang* was always gentle, like a warm, wet hand caressing the earth. Sitting on the train ride home, Liang gazed out at the familiar and beautiful world.
But not everything on this planet was as serene and lovely as it seemed.
At that very moment, in the untamed wilderness of Ilragul, the scene was like that of a hellish landscape: dark clouds filled with lightning loomed over the pale land, while lava and toxic gases flowed freely, engulfing all non-Leviathan life.
Zhang Hanhai's decision had been entirely correct. Before landing, he had convinced the others to choose the smaller, more temperate continent for the initial phase of colonization. While it lacked many essential resources, it allowed civilization to develop steadily.
The Melish people were advancing toward the new continent through the March Ridge community. Armies, quantum weapons, tanks, planes, and engineering vehicles had been pouring into this dangerous land over the past five Melish years.
Now, Melish soldiers were battling against the many Leviathan beasts and the harsh, exaggerated conditions of the continent. All this was in pursuit of the rare minerals detected by orbital satellites—minerals that could propel Melish space technology forward and rebuild the civilization's first step into space: the space elevator.
All of this was for the purpose of returning to the stars.
At the March Ridge community's inauguration ceremony, Zhang Hanhai had said, "We've seen the vastness of the universe, and we've felt the warmth of our new home. We must not limit ourselves to this small planet of *Wei Yang*—we must continue forward. Our ancestors emerged from the jungles, and we must step beyond this thin atmosphere."
"Loyalty is our fortress, and suffering is our glory." At that time, the resounding voices echoed across the planet, straight into the universe.
At this moment, a rain-soaked Liang had returned home.
"I'm back!" he called as he entered, dragging his drenched body through the door.
"Hurry up and change your clothes. Once you're done, come have dinner. Your grandmother is here today," his mom said while serving the food.
In the living room, an elderly woman with silver hair sat on the couch, watching the news, just like yesterday. The elderly of today had long passed their prime in the relentless passage of time, having witnessed the sudden departure of loved ones and becoming familiar with the unspoken sorrows and hardships of life.
In those difficult years, the births of Liang's mother and father had not come easily. His grandmother had once been torn apart by a sea Leviathan while protecting his father. Liang's grandfather had fallen off a cliff while patrolling the outskirts of a city, leaving no body behind.
The painful past had forged the present beauty, though it was not without its scars.
But this is what civilization looks like.
"Take your time, my dear grandson. Wash up and relax before you come eat," his grandmother called kindly.
"Don't worry, I'll be right there." Liang quickly showered, changed his clothes, and sat down at the dinner table.
Tonight's meal was especially lavish, with dishes like braised carp, coconut chicken, steamed crabs, and grilled *乳草* (*Rucao*), a protein-rich grass native to *Wei Yang*. This plant grew abundantly across the planet's mountainous regions and could be eaten raw, cooked, or juiced, making it a favorite among vegetarians and health-conscious people, many of whom had made it a staple food.
Seeing the *Rucao*, Liang's eyes lit up like a hungry dog spotting a meat bun. He grabbed a large piece with his chopsticks, dipped it in soy sauce, and eagerly devoured it. The sweet, smooth taste filled his mouth, and a satisfied smile spread across his face.
"You little glutton, slow down," his grandmother chuckled as she watched him wolf down the food.
The cheerful atmosphere at the dinner table, mixed with the music and dancing on the TV, made it feel like there was no difference between this place and Old Earth. Of course, without the family's decor, this illusion would not hold up.
Amid the joyful dinner, there was still one person with a professional smile masking their true feelings. The inner turmoil made it hard for her to smile sincerely, but she forced herself to—because that smile was a responsibility.
Liang's grandmother saw through his mother's thoughts. In the past, a strong, sunny man would have been by her side.
"What's the matter, dear? Are you in a bad mood? Or did I bring ingredients you don't like?" his grandmother teased.
"No, Mom. You know the situation... It's just..."
The once peaceful atmosphere became heavy and slightly cold. No one wanted to bring up such painful topics, but sometimes, they couldn't be avoided.
Grandma sighed and placed her watch on the table. Then she activated the watch's projector, displaying old photos and memories.
Liang put down his chopsticks, and his mother no longer hung her head. The projection showed the first photo of Grandma and Grandpa, taken in front of the newly built central city of *Wei Yang*.
"We were so young then. Your dad was just like Liang Hongjing, stubborn and silly. Back then, the boys had just finished building a village with a couple of tall buildings by the Olympus River Delta, and they couldn't wait to celebrate. Your dad dragged me there to take this selfie," she said, switching to the next photo—a precious moment from their wedding, where they kissed under everyone's gaze.
"As the days went by, your dad proposed to me on the third Melish Landing Day. I can still vividly remember that goofy smile of his. He was holding a bouquet of *ChaCha* flowers. With the moonlight reflecting on the blue petals, it was so romantic." She squeezed Liang's mother's hand and continued, "He'd been such a wonderful partner, so I agreed."
Grandma went on to show photo after photo—pictures from their "honeymoon," Liang's mother's 100-day celebration, and a family portrait in the farmlands.
In the early Melish years, so-called honeymoons were simply trips to the beach to fish together. Had it not been for the smartphones and technology brought from Old Earth, they might have reverted to a primitive society.
"Later, that fool insisted on heading to New Chengdu to help develop the land. He joined the main forces and left... but the embrace I waited for never came back."
At this point, Grandma's grip tightened.
"Everything will pass, my dear. We are the strongest people in the universe."
Liang's mother could no longer hold back her emotions. She collapsed into Grandma's arms like a little girl who had lost her toy.
Hearts grown cold and numb would eventually be rekindled by the warmth of love, even if they had once been extinguished by it. Love is the anthem of humanity, passed down from generation to generation for nearly ten thousand years, and it would continue to be sung by the Melish people for millennia to come.
Time flew by, and the tears of emotion had long evaporated into the clouds. After dinner, it was Liang's turn to wash the dishes.
When everything was done, the two women went to bed. Liang, however, wasn't sleepy. He returned to his room, sat in his chair, and quietly read a book on Old Earth's history.
From the emergence of the first life underwater, to the giant beasts of the Stone Age, to humanity's first steps on two feet—human civilization had shown remarkable growth from the very beginning. From bronze to iron, with horses and swords conquering one continent after another, the sky began to reveal its mysteries, and the universe excited us, with the stars guiding humanity to hidden secrets.
Human history seemed to be drawing to a close. The countdown to the Old Star's apocalypse was displayed on the tallest tower of *Wei Yang*'s central city. The sun was weakening, its light fading like a dying flame.
No one knew if the remarkable landing at the Olympus River Delta would be enough to extend humanity's fire for another ten thousand years.
Part 4
The long night quietly slipped away, and a new day arrived with the rise of Father and Mother (the stars). Liang woke up naturally, something that rarely happened for him. Without his mom's usual nagging, he found the silence a bit unfamiliar.
After quickly washing up and having a simple breakfast, he grabbed his bag and left the house. His mom and grandmother had gone out early to buy goods for the New Year, so the house was empty.
Today was Chloeng's birthday, and as her childhood friend, Liang was definitely expected to attend. However, at the moment, playing soccer with friends seemed more in line with his idea of a holiday.
*Wei Yang* had plenty of natural grass fields, all of exceptional quality. Since the early days of colonization, soccer had been embraced as the national sport. It not only provided entertainment but also improved lung capacity—a win-win situation.
The soccer field was only a kilometer from his house, not far at all. However, the colorful decorations along the way caught Liang's eye, and it took him a full thirty minutes to arrive at the field.
Who wouldn't be captivated by the various New Year sculptures, trees, and lights?
Upon reaching the field, Liang's first question was to ask where Xu Hui was. Normally, he never missed a soccer game.
But his other soccer buddies had no idea. They only knew he wasn't in New Penang today.
Liang called Xu Hui, but no one answered. After waiting a while, everyone decided not to wait for Xu Hui any longer. If they were short a player, they could just grab a random passerby who wanted to join in—it made no real difference.
The warm sunlight bathed the children as they played on the field, their every movement sharp and energetic. Each shout was a testament to their youthful vigor. They were the bearers of humanity's hope, once again enjoying green skies and white clouds, free of any sense of crisis.
Even the roses brought from Earth seemed to thrive without stress, hanging full on their branches.
Unconsciously, it was already afternoon. Exhausted from playing, Liang sat on the grass drinking an energy drink. While sipping, he used his new watch to purchase a ticket to New Guangzhou. Since Chloeng's house wasn't in New Penang but in New Guangzhou, he needed to take a two-hour cross-sea high-speed train to get there.
The two cities were relatively close, connected by the Penang-Guangzhou Bridge, which the high-speed train crossed.
After exchanging farewells with his friends, Liang got into an autonomous taxi. These taxis safely drove along routes set by the passenger, with no need for human intervention. As for the fare, it could be easily paid via online banking. While spaceships had become widespread, cars were still the main mode of civilian transportation.
Soon enough, the cross-city high-speed train station came into view. Its exterior closely resembled that of the high-speed rail stations on Old Earth, specifically those in CN. Even the ticket-checking process was nearly identical. He checked the time—it was 5 p.m. He would arrive at Chloeng's house around 7:50 p.m., so he wouldn't be late. Relieved, he boarded the train.
New Guangzhou, unlike New Penang, was a large city with a population of over a million. Although it bore the name of a city from Old Earth China, nearly 50% of its residents were of non-Chinese descent, making it a diverse metropolis.
Skyscrapers reached the clouds, the streets were illuminated by neon lights, and yachts in the bay dotted the waters like stars in the sky. It seemed that the prosperity of Old Earth's Guangzhou had been recreated here.
As soon as Liang sat down on the train, he switched off his phone and focused on watching the scenery outside the window.
If one could overlook the green sea, the rippling waves, and the towering mountains, there was still a poetic beauty to it. Though he had seen this scene countless times over the years, he still couldn't help but take a few seconds to appreciate it every time.
Maybe he'd even see a sea monster leap out of the water—it was always an exciting sight.
Soon, the train sped into the central section of the bridge. Just then, a massive ripple appeared on the surface of the distant sea: first, the horn of a giant beast broke through the water, followed by its enormous 800-meter-long, 300-meter-wide body. Accompanied by an earth-shattering roar, the entire creature was revealed above the water's surface.
A *Qingyun Beast* had emerged from the sea. It looked like a cross between a turtle and a dolphin from Old Earth. Though it only had two fins, it was protected by a hard shell, and its long horn extended precisely from between its eyes.
After breaching the water, passengers on the train frantically began taking photos to share on social media, especially those from inland cities who had never seen such "rare and exotic creatures." But Liang, being a local, had long since lost interest in posting such things. He saw scenes like this almost once a month.
The *Qingyun Beast* leaped 40 meters into the air before crashing back into the sea, causing a massive wave that soared tens of meters high. Fortunately, the builders of *Wei Yang* had constructed energy barriers to protect the coastal areas, so the waves wouldn't cause floods or tsunamis. The ships in the bay were equipped with quantum anchoring systems to prevent them from being flipped by such creatures.
As for the bridge itself, it stood 200 meters high and was made of *Wind and Flower*-grade materials, so even if a sea monster collided with it, there was no need to worry.
After the "performance" by the sea beast, Liang felt a bit thirsty. Today had been busy for him, and though he had already had an energy drink, it wasn't enough.
He thought about waiting until he arrived at Chloeng's house for some tea, but his eyes caught sight of the dining car, where they were selling grass juice. Loving its flavor, he decided to buy a bottle to quench his thirst.
One gulp of the rich, smooth *Rucao* juice instantly satisfied him. This taste had accompanied every native Melish person from birth—it was one of the most familiar flavors.
After enjoying his drink, Liang began thinking about his relationship with Chloeng. They had been classmates since kindergarten, yet to this day, neither of them had added the other as a friend on any social media platforms. Even though they were still inseparable in their daily lives, there was something peculiar about that small gap in their connection.