MPWATMBC Chapter 70

“Seeking common ground while reserving differences, and living in harmony,” Ryan suddenly understood something. He turned and walked into the house. Once settled in front of the drawing screen, he took a deep breath and focused. Grabbing the stylus, he pulled up the blueprints and began making bold modifications. Lost in concentration, time flew by. When Ryan finally emerged from his chaotic yet orderly thoughts, the sky outside had turned dark, dotted with countless stars. A full moon and a crescent moon echoed each other in the sky. Every year, only during the summer month could all the moons be seen over Eve City.

Ryan stretched his stiff neck, and a warm hand covered his neck, applying just the right amount of pressure, making him squint his eyes in comfort.

“How many hours have I been at it?”

“Five and a half hours; it’s ten past seven now.”

“Has it really been that long?!”

“When you’re focused on something, it’s easy to lose track of time. Are you hungry?”

Auston’s comment made Ryan suddenly aware of his empty stomach, which grumbled twice. “I’m starving! I feel like I could eat a whole cow.”

Auston chuckled. “Well, I happened to make beef today—red wine steak and oxtail soup.”

“Now I’m even hungrier.” However, Ryan didn’t immediately get up. He dragged several blueprints across the drawing screen, the result of his hard work that afternoon. He piled the blueprints together, pressed his palm on top, and lifted them sharply, causing the blueprints to transform into a holographic 3D image, piecing together a complete representation of the neural center. But that wasn’t enough; he still needed to model and test. Opening his personal terminal, Ryan called out, “Yuan Chu, come to the second-floor studio.”

“Yes, sir.”

While waiting for Yuan Chu to arrive, Ryan excitedly pulled Auston into an explanation of the changes and innovations he had made on the blueprints. His eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. After a while, Ryan belatedly realized that Auston couldn’t understand much of what he was saying. Frustrated, he patted his head and asked, “Have you eaten?”

“I had a piece of steak to tide me over.” Before, he could wait for Ryan to eat together, but now that there was a little one in his belly, he couldn’t let himself go hungry.

Ryan leaned down, resting his head on Auston’s belly as if he could hear the little one’s heartbeat. “Did you hear what Daddy just said? This is prenatal education; you need to listen well. Daddy will teach you more later.”

“He’s just a little sprout now; he doesn’t understand anything.”

“Not true! Our child is very smart. We need to give him a solid foundation early on.”

“That foundation might be a bit too early…” Auston argued for a little freedom for their child.

“It’s too early right now.” Later, he would slowly teach the child. “When he turns two, I’ll create a growth plan for him, adjusting it every six months to ensure it suits his development. Of course, I promise not to rush his growth; I’ll give him the space to grow freely.”

Looking at Ryan’s determined and confident gaze, Auston suddenly envisioned a stubborn little figure—resilient but not yet understanding. He couldn’t help but laugh. “As the eldest son, he’ll understand the responsibility on his shoulders.”

“The second son can’t slack off either.” Ryan had many plans.

Yuan Chu thought: “…” Suddenly feeling a bit sorry for the future little masters, having a plan-obsessed dad would be tough.

Once Yuan Chu arrived, Ryan handed over all the blueprints, instructing him to create models for testing, hoping this time to effectively synchronize the neural center with the human brain. Ryan was confident, but confidence needs data to be convincing. With the task assigned, Yuan Chu’s system began to operate at high speed, promising results for Ryan by tomorrow afternoon at the latest.

With high-tech assistance, much time could be saved. Ryan felt at ease as he and Auston went to dinner. After their meal, he headed out for an appointment with his cousin Connor, agreeing to meet at eight o’clock at the Red Mill. He might be back late, so he told Auston not to wait up and to get some rest.

The night in Eve City felt different; the towering buildings were not adorned with vibrant neon colors. Instead, the lighting was cool and simple, with the glow of countless homes evoking a sense of tranquility that didn’t require bold colors to disrupt the peace earned after a long day. As they reached the western district near the outskirts, the buildings not only became shorter but also more sparse, with lively lights and a constant stream of vehicles signaling the area’s entertainment-centric vibe.

At eight o’clock, the nightlife was just beginning.

Ryan got off the sky ladder and was immediately swept down by the crowd of men and women around him. Unlike the temporary drop-off point in the eastern district, the sky ladder in the western district was bustling with people. Young men and women in various outlandish outfits swayed on the wide steps, bobbing their heads to the clear beat of drums that seemed to come from nowhere. Their heavy makeup provided more disguise than a mask.

This was a place of indulgence, a place to free the soul, where you could come and go as you pleased—as long as you didn’t engage in anything indecent on the streets, the police would look the other way.

With Ryan’s skills, he barely managed to break free from the crowd. His hair was tousled, half of his jacket slipped off his shoulder, and his left shoe was nearly trampled off his heel. If he had hesitated for just a second longer, he would have had to say goodbye to that shoe—finding it again would be impossible.

The overall atmosphere of the western district was dim; the light came from the flickering of various signs. Every hundred meters, the music changed—some emanating from inside shops, while street performers played outdoors. Many young artists pursued their dreams on the streets, performing silent acts, clown routines, and pantomimes. Ryan didn’t linger; his goal was the Red Mill, the largest cabaret in the capital, known for its extensive drink selection and rich variety of performances. This was definitely a legitimate business, and anyone daring enough to lay hands on the performers or waitstaff inside would soon learn that the bouncers at the Red Mill ensured that seeing the sun the next day would be a challenge.

If one sought physical stimulation, they could easily head to the establishment next door to the Red Mill—the only legal brothel in the capital. At the entrance, alluring hostesses in rabbit costumes lured in customers, both female and male rabbits… Ryan calmly swept his gaze across the scene before heading straight into the Red Mill. Having seen many such sights before, he was almost taken aback by the bold and provocative performances on stage and hurried outside to check the sign.

“Red Mill, that’s right.” Ryan’s expression froze as he stepped back inside. A dancer was already removing her long skirt while dancing against a steel pole, her perfect body barely covered by two pieces of fabric—quite revealing. While Ryan maintained a calm exterior, his mind raced: This is crazy! This is supposed to be a formal place! Why is the stage visible right as you walk in? Who designed this? I could just strangle him! Once again, he questioned whether the Red Mill was a legitimate establishment. Why were the male waitstaff wearing sexy rabbit costumes? Hey, hey, hey! Just because you’re showing off your muscular chest and round butt doesn’t mean I’m intimidated. Get any closer, and I might just throw a punch!!!

The male waiter welcoming Ryan was a tall, muscular Caucasian man over six feet tall, dressed in a revealing vest and shorts. Right in the center of his shorts, a tuft of fur served as a bunny tail, and he was also sporting black bunny ears! The scanty fabric did little to hide the waiter’s muscular arms, bulging chest, and neatly trimmed chest hair… Ryan found it quite a shock to the eyes.

“Good evening, sir! Welcome to the Red Mill. What kind of service are you looking for?”

No flirting with me! Ryan felt a surge of anger, almost raising his fist, but he restrained himself. Instead, he asked, “Do you have a Blue Rose private room?”

“Yes, we do, sir.”

“Take me there; I have a meeting with a friend in that room.”

“Certainly, sir.”

“What kind of event are you running here? Why does it look like the place next door?”

“Sir, this month we’re having a bunny theme month, focusing on a cute and sexy style.” The waiter spoke in a similar tone. “It’s not us copying them; they’re actually learning from us! Isn’t that just awful?”

“…Do you really have to talk like that?”

“What do you mean, sir?” The muscular waiter blinked playfully.

Ryan felt a thousand points of emotional damage. “It’s nothing… really.”

“You’re quite amusing, sir~~”

The Red Mill was a cylindrical building with sixteen floors. The first five floors featured public stages, with the first floor’s atrium surrounding the stage filled with numerous tables and chairs, allowing guests to enjoy the performances. For those who preferred not to be crowded and wanted some privacy, the second to fifth floors housed various private rooms of different styles and specifications. Floors fourteen to sixteen were VIP suites, where patrons could pay to have dinner with their favorite performers. Once again, it was emphasized that the Red Mill was a legitimate establishment; visiting the VIP suites was solely for dining, discussing life, ideals, and future aspirations—a place for the exchange of thoughts, with no other implications.

This place was bustling with people. A staff member carved a path through the crowd, leading Ryan to the elevator. After pressing a button, the doors opened… The elevator ascended, stopping on the fifth floor, where the Blue Rose suite was located at the end of the corridor. Ryan signaled that he understood, waved off the waiter, and walked over. He stood at the door and knocked three or five times. When the door opened, he was met by his cousin Connor, who was wrapped in only a towel, his hair damp, clearly just out of the shower.

Ryan: “!!!”

Connor opened the door and walked inside, drying his hair with a towel as he went. “We agreed on eight o’clock; you didn’t even manage to be a minute early.”

Ryan followed him in, his eyes immediately drawn to the large floor-to-ceiling windows of the suite, offering a clear view of the stage below. The lively pole dancing had just concluded, and now a dramatic group dance was underway. The suite was elegantly compact, with a large sofa lining the walls and two small armchairs in front of the windows. The suite also featured a bathroom, which left Ryan puzzled about the design choice. His gaze widened slightly at the sight of Fan Lanting sleeping on the sofa, his face flushed. The strong smell of alcohol in the room indicated that Fan Lanting and Connor had drunk quite a bit before Ryan arrived.

“What happened with you two? Please don’t tell me some ‘adult’ things went down.”

Connor settled into one of the armchairs by the window, picked up a stemmed glass from the coffee table, and rolled his eyes at Ryan’s comment. “Do I look like that right now?”

“Well, you did just take a shower,” Ryan joked as he sat down in the opposite armchair.

“Fan Lanting insisted on drinking with me, pouring drinks down my throat. You know me—I can handle a thousand cups without getting drunk. He barely managed a few before he was completely wasted, slurring his words,” Connor said with a resigned shrug. “He threw up all over me, and I finally got him to sleep. I just took a shower before you came, and I sent my clothes to the staff for dry cleaning.”

Ryan poured himself a drink and took a small sip. He was very moderate with alcohol and never let himself get drunk. “As a writer, you should understand why he did that.”

Connor raised an eyebrow. “You figured it out? My imagination can’t keep up with yours.”

Ryan fell silent; sometimes, stating the obvious made it less meaningful.

A flicker of melancholy passed across Connor’s face, quickly replaced by nonchalance. “I don’t get it. I wanted to chat with you to spark some inspiration. Come on, tell me how I can write a more tragic ending!”

“Don’t, don’t go too overboard with the tragedy. My partner gets teary-eyed during the updates,” Ryan stopped Connor from his overzealous ideas. “Auston is pregnant now, and his emotions are sensitive and volatile. You can’t write anything too melodramatic. Just have Qin Feng die quickly and cleanly. You need to respect history—one explosion, and he disappears along with the Zerg Emperor. If you write a tearful farewell with the deputy, I swear…”

Ryan squinted at Connor, wanting to say, “If you disgust me, I’ll return the favor tenfold,” but that would give away his true feelings, so he decided to hold back. “Let’s save the tear-jerking stuff for another time; let the inevitable tragedy end quietly.”

“…That’s really cruel,” Connor pouted.

“Thanks for the compliment.”

Connor replied, “…You misunderstood; I wasn’t complimenting you.”

Ryan shrugged, unfazed.

Not wanting to get hung up on that topic, Connor felt that he would end up being the one hurt in the end. He swirled his glass, his gaze passing through the liquid as he looked down at the performances below. The enchanting music played on, and he said, “After the big fuss you and Auston made while traveling, I really won’t dare let you out next time.”

“Hmm?”

“The Beland bus station incident—that was you in the news, right? The one who delivered a fatal blow to that trafficker.”

Ryan chuckled, “It was really just a coincidence. I spotted Evan on the cruise ship and thought I could catch him for a reward. Who knew it would blow up so much?” The key point was that he still hadn’t received the five thousand star coins!

The news spread quickly, and anyone who knew Ryan could recognize him. His parents had even called him after seeing the news, and he had managed to brush them off. Now that Ryan thought about it, he felt a wave of anxiety. At that time, Auston was already pregnant. Thank goodness that little one, not much bigger than a sesame seed, didn’t run into any trouble; otherwise, Ryan and Auston would have been plunged into deep guilt.

“Hmm.” Connor nodded, his expression somewhat perplexed under the dance lights. “Did you see the follow-up news?”

“What?” Ryan replied, popping a piece of fruit into his mouth. He had been completely immersed in developing the new type of beast-like biological mecha, so he hadn’t paid attention to anything happening outside.

“You haven’t seen such a big news story?!” Connor found it hard to believe. Ryan was usually very keen on current events, so there must be something more important than the news. “You should check it out; it happened just five days ago and is definitely still the headline on news sites.”

Curious, Ryan opened the news webpage on his personal terminal, and an eye-catching headline jumped out at him—“The Honor Legion Successfully Encircles the Red Spider Pirate Group, but Some Pirates Still Manage to Escape.” Alongside that, another notable headline read—“The Red Spider Pirate Group Cruelly Claims Responsibility for the Beland Terror Incident!!!”

The latter was related to the former and had occurred before it.

Ryan wasn’t surprised by either of the news stories. Back in Beland, he had found it strange that the local television station exaggerated the casualties and severity of the incident at the bus station. He and Auston had suspected it was an act by the Red Spider Pirates, anticipating military action in response. Sure enough, the Honor Legion used this as bait, allowing the Red Spider to feel complacent and drop their guard. The news didn’t disclose the details, but Ryan could guess from his own experiences that the military likely used undercover agents and informants within the pirate group to foster a sense of overconfidence, coordinating a trap to catch them all. Unfortunately, the Red Spider Pirates were like “centipedes that don’t die easily,” and despite the military’s devastating strike, some still managed to slip through the net.

Ryan shook his head with a hint of regret. Objectively speaking, the Red Spider was certainly gravely wounded and would have to lie low, having lost its vigor and position as the top pirate group. It wouldn’t be able to continue its rampant, immoral activities, allowing the Storm Starfield to experience a period of calm. But why only a period? Because without the Red Spider, there were still the Black Spider, Green Spider, Flower Spider, and others—those driven by profit and willing to take risks would never be in short supply.

Not wanting to think too deeply, Ryan clicked on the news about the Red Spider claiming responsibility for the Beland bus station terror incident. The content left him astounded by the pirates’ level of intelligence and arrogance. The Red Spider not only summarized the actions of several pirate reserves but also co-opted the actions of the extremist group “Bird of Paradise,” transforming themselves into defenders of citizens’ marriage freedom.

It was no surprise that right below was another news headline—“Bird of Paradise” denies any connection with the Red Spider. It seemed like a quick succession of performances; everyone was quite busy.

The “Bird of Paradise” organization had been around for over six hundred years, nearly as long as gene-compatible marriages. It was a resistance group characterized by concealed core members, secretive activities, and hidden organizational structures. They called themselves defenders of human freedom and equality, advocating for the “freedom, equality, and kindness” principles once proposed by Qin Feng Anderson, aiming to secure marriage freedom for all… a great cause that had gradually strayed from its original ideals and beliefs over time.

In Ryan’s eyes, the name “Bird of Paradise,” which symbolized freedom, increasingly diverged from their initial vision and conviction.

The extremist incident at the Beland bus station was not the first, and the existence of this organization indicated it wouldn’t be the last. They created bloody terror events across the entire Empire, resulting in relatively few civilian casualties, but the resulting chaos was substantial. “Bird of Paradise” declared to the outside world that they aimed to awaken the numb hearts of the people with their own blood and flesh.

Ryan was disgusted by this organization that used Qin Feng Anderson’s banner. On the surface, “Bird of Paradise” claimed to be making a final stand and actively seeking salvation, but in reality, they were undermining the Empire’s foundations and disturbing the people’s hearts!

Their intentions were treacherous!!

Ryan looked at Connor, who smiled helplessly, “Earlier, I had Fan Lanting send you a message: ‘If you want to know about “Bird of Paradise,” you don’t need to ask anyone else. I can talk to you when I have some free time.’ I’m telling you now, I’m one of them.”

“Just as I thought.” Living under the same roof, family members might not notice, but Ryan keenly sensed something different about Connor. Ever since that book “Bird of Paradise” was published, there had been an odd change in him. Connor didn’t mention it, and the oddity soon faded, so Ryan hadn’t pursued it further.

“What position do you hold there?”

“I have access to the core.”

Ryan looked at his cousin. What was he going to say? Was he going to mention how Connor had to excel at everything?

Connor turned his face away. “When I was younger, I was quite cynical. Because of my parents, I was very harshly matched in marriage, but being small and insignificant, how could I challenge the Empire’s policies? I could only pour all my grievances into ‘Bird of Paradise,’ and that caught the organization’s attention.” He had received a strange message on his personal terminal. Out of curiosity and panic, he engaged with it and then became a member, helping the organization grow stronger. Looking back, his life was just as exciting as the characters he wrote about.

Ryan asked, “Is it safe here?”

“Not safe? Then I wouldn’t have arranged to meet here.” Connor reintroduced the Red Mill. “I inherited an old member’s estate; the Red Mill is my property. No one in the organization knows—well, aside from me and the main operator here, you’re the first to find out.”

Ryan leaned back slightly, nodding. “As long as it’s safe.”

Connor: “…” Sometimes he really couldn’t understand his cousin. Wouldn’t an ordinary person be surprised, panicked, or scared by all this? Yet Ryan’s emotions were flat, as if he were discussing what he had for dinner instead. “Hey, give me some reaction!”

As the climax of the performance reached its peak, Ryan suddenly opened his mouth and let out a flat “ah,” then closed it again. “Okay.”

Connor facepalmed. “Forget it, forget it.”

The two joked around, but a lot swirled in Ryan’s mind as he expressed concern for his cousin. He said firmly, “By revealing this secret to me, are you implying there’s some danger coming my way? No, I mean around Auston.”

“I really can’t hide anything from you.” Connor said seriously. “When I first joined ‘Bird of Paradise,’ the organization was divided into several factions. Back then, the Purists were in control, managing the affairs, and ‘Bird of Paradise’ was still a peaceful organization advocating for freedom and equality. However, after the high-ranking members of the Purist faction were assassinated, the Radical faction took over. They began to stir things up, orchestrating bloody terror events with a large number of fervent followers. What I want to say is that this faction has infiltration from high-level officials behind it. I’ve been secretly investigating for a long time and recently discovered some clues. You’re politically astute; currently, the conflict between the elite and the lower classes is just maintaining a delicate balance, and I don’t need to elaborate on that. What I need to tell you now is that there’s a decision among the elite to reshuffle the deck. Some people are plotting to restore the imperial system, and they want to eliminate certain obstacles, like the sparsely populated Dalton family, the politically weak Lannister family, and the Bromfield family that monopolizes mecha technology.”

Ryan’s eyes darkened, concealing a storm of fury.