Shang Jianyao held a canned good in his hand, neither responding nor setting it down. After a few seconds, he finally asked:"Can it sing?"
"Huh?" Chen Xianyu, who had lived a long life, found himself questioning his own hearing for the first time.
At that moment, Long Yuehong burst into the "Activity Center" carrying two yellow plastic lunch boxes. Upon seeing Shang Jianyao, he greeted him with a wide grin:"Let's eat together later!"
"Will you treat me?" Shang Jianyao put down the canned good and stood up.
Without hesitation, Long Yuehong shook his head."Nope. You've still got plenty of your stipend, don't you?"
Though Shang Jianyao's parents left him no inheritance, the company provided a basic pension. Later, when he entered university, he began receiving a monthly stipend of 1,200 contribution points—standard for all university students. This was just enough to cover his basic needs. The stipend ended one month after a graduate started a full-time job.
Shang Jianyao showed no embarrassment at being refused. Instead, he smiled and said:"Isn't it a rule that happy occasions should be shared with friends?"
"Are you trying to say that treating someone to a meal is the best way to share happiness?" Long Yuehong had grown somewhat accustomed to Shang Jianyao's whimsical thoughts over the past two months.
Listening to their banter, Chen Xianyu chuckled and interjected:"That's right, Xiao Yue. You were so dejected this afternoon, yet you're in such high spirits tonight. Something good must've happened."
"Stop calling me by that nickname..." Long Yuehong muttered before breaking into a smile. "My mom said we don't have to wait until next year's standardized matchmaking. She and my dad know some coworkers with daughters who just started working, and they're planning to introduce us to see if we can develop a romantic relationship."
The company only allowed one opportunity to take the university entrance exam. Those who failed were assigned jobs immediately. At 18 years old, they were still below the mandatory age for standardized matchmaking.
Young people at this stage were drawn to the idea of free love—it seemed far better than being paired by random allocation. There was at least some foundation of mutual affection.
Of course, free love wasn't common either. Once assigned to a job, employees worked from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with only an hour for lunch. By 9:00 p.m., the "Activity Center" closed, and the streetlights turned off, forcing everyone to return home to rest. This left little opportunity to meet or interact with potential partners.
By comparison, students at ordinary schools and universities had far more opportunities to experience free love.
As Long Yuehong spoke, a hint of worry crossed his face:"I don't know if they'll like me. After genetic modification, I'm only 1.75 meters tall, I look average, my grades aren't impressive, and no department has pre-booked me..."
Shang Jianyao interrupted his self-pity, pointing to a table several meters away."Something seems to be happening over there."
Curiosity sparked, Long Yuehong followed Shang Jianyao toward the group of employees gathered around the old table.
Spotting a familiar face among them, he called out:"Aunt Ren, what's everyone talking about?"
Ren Jie, a woman in her forties with a polyester blouse, a neat bun, and a pleasant face, glanced at Long Yuehong. She sighed before replying:"We're discussing a recent rumor."
"What rumor?" Long Yuehong asked eagerly.
Meanwhile, Chen Xianyu glanced back at the pile of military rations before him. Touching his stomach, he swallowed hard, recalling the desperation of hunger and the salvation of such canned meals.
"It really does sing... no, it makes my stomach and soul sing," Chen Xianyu murmured with heartfelt nostalgia.
Elsewhere, Ren Jie lowered her voice and said:"Supposedly, the company plans to revoke everyone's right to reproduce."
"Huh?" Long Yuehong was taken aback, struggling to process her meaning.
Ren Jie glanced at Shang Jianyao, who maintained his usual smile, and elaborated:"The company might require couples wanting children to submit biological samples to doctors. Then, a massive Reproductive Center would be established in the research zone. All processes—test-tube fertilization, artificial womb incubation, assisted growth, and interventions—would be centralized. By the time you get your child back, they could already be several years old.
"They say this is to free women from the burden of pregnancy and alleviate the labor shortage."
A young woman in her twenties among the onlookers couldn't help but interject:"That sounds like a good thing!"
"How is that a good thing?" Ren Jie's expression darkened. "Childbearing is a sacred right granted to us by the divine—or the heavens. How could we entrust it to machines? And how would you bond with a child raised this way?"
"Exactly!" A middle-aged man seated nearby rubbed his head anxiously. "I heard it was unethical experiments like these that led to the Old World's downfall."
Ren Jie nodded emphatically before looking at Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong."Xiao Shang, Xiao Yue, don't you agree that bearing life is a sacred human right granted by the heavens?"
Shang Jianyao nodded without hesitation."Of course."
Faced with Aunt Ren's wide, bloodshot eyes, Long Yuehong let out a resigned "Tsk" before echoing,"Of course, of course."
"Good to see you boys understand reason." Aunt Ren smiled approvingly.
Someone among the group chuckled."Aren't you all overthinking this? It's just a rumor. My uncle works for the Board, and he hasn't heard anything about it!"
Ren Jie retorted seriously:"I'm just reminding everyone. If they seek your opinions, make sure to oppose this."
As the discussion continued, the sound of a bell suddenly rang out from the adjacent "Supply Market":"Ding ding ding!"
For most employees, the bell was a rallying call, prompting nearly everyone to stand simultaneously.
Long Yuehong glanced at Shang Jianyao and muttered:"I didn't expect you to agree with Aunt Ren."
Staring ahead, Shang Jianyao replied:"Try asking me again but rephrase it."
Frowning slightly, Long Yuehong hesitated before rewording his question:"What do you think of the Reproductive Center freeing women from pregnancy?"
Shang Jianyao replied without hesitation:"Sounds like a great idea."
"..."
By then, they had reached the entrance of the "Supply Market." Inside, the left-hand side was filled with long counters and cabinets, while the right housed the "Employee Canteen," from which fragrant smells wafted.
Moments later, the canteen doors opened, and employees began filing in with their own utensils or empty hands, moving in orderly lines.
Shang Jianyao, empty-handed, split from Long Yuehong and grabbed two wooden bowls and a tray. At the food windows, he placed his orders:"Half a pound of sweet potato rice."A serving of stewed cabbage."Two whole-grain buns."One serving of boiled potatoes."
The portions filled his bowls to the brim and cost him 14 points in total. At the meat counter, he hesitated before finally saying:"A serving of braised pork, with extra sauce."
As the server ladled out three luscious, marbled pieces of meat, she smiled warmly."Good thing you came early—any later, and it'd be gone. 32 points."
After paying, Shang Jianyao carried his tray to a table where Long Yuehong waited, who exclaimed,"Wow, extravagant!"
Ignoring him, Shang Jianyao devoured his meal with systematic efficiency, savoring the braised pork first before polishing off his rice and vegetables.
Finally, wiping his mouth with satisfaction, he sighed alongside Long Yuehong:"That hit the spot."
Draining his bowl of soup, Long Yuehong asked casually:"Want to head back to the Activity Center?"
Shang Jianyao shook his head."No, I'll listen to the broadcast and turn in early."