199: My sister's ideal

The meeting in the reception room lasted for over an hour.

Lei Wen sat on the sofa, his fingers lightly stroking the rim of his teacup, his gaze falling on Kevin and Evans, the leaders of the Kari Civilization sitting opposite him.

This conversation regarding the deep integration of the two civilizations' futures was nearing its end, and the final core terms decided upon would, to a certain extent, change the population structure and labor distribution of the Solar System and even the New Sun System.

"Just as we discussed," Lei Wen's voice carried the strictly business tone of a high-ranking Federation bureaucrat, "with the full rollout of the 'zero test zone' plan, over forty percent of the working-age population on Earth and the Solar System colonies have chosen to enter the virtual world to pursue spiritual abundance. This is a citizen's freedom, and the Federation Constitution protects their right to choose, but objectively, this has created a massive labor shortage in physical industries."

Those who lacked ambition and were content with virtual pleasure were gently stripped away from the production cycle, leaving behind only the elites.

But machines ultimately cannot replace all positions, especially in the service industry, fine handicrafts, and certain fields requiring creativity and emotional interaction; carbon-based life still possesses irreplaceable advantages.

"The Kari Civilization has an excellent tradition of collectivism; your people are industrious, gentle, and highly compliant." Lei Wen looked at Evans. "This is the foundation of our cooperation. The Human Federation will open special labor visas to the Kari People, and we will introduce hundreds of millions of kari laborers into the industrial and service systems of the Solar System."

"They will fill those vacant positions. In return, the Human Federation will provide the New Sun System with more technology, equipment, and... a more advanced civilized lifestyle."

Evans nodded hurriedly, his personal terminal quickly recording the details. "This is an honor for the Kari People and the best way to solve the overpopulation pressure on our home planet. We guarantee that every kari laborer coming to the Solar System will be the most disciplined of employees."

This was, of course, a win-win situation.

Humanity gained a compliant workforce, while the Kari People gained the opportunity to integrate into a higher civilization and a better material life. Although in a sense they became 'second-class citizens' or 'worker bees' of the Human Federation, this was already the best outcome in the face of such a massive civilizational gap.

Having finished the official business, Lei Wen turned to look at Gareth, who had remained silent.

This former legendary warrior of Mana Star seemed somewhat out of place at this moment. Wearing an ill-fitting Federation uniform, his eyes still held traces of pain over his home's destruction and confusion about the future.

"As for you, Gareth." Lei Wen stood up and walked over to him.

"Me?" Gareth looked up, his expression complex.

"I don't intend to arrange any special position for you right now, nor do I plan to lock you in a lab for vivisection." Lei Wen took an identification card from his pocket and placed it on the table in front of Gareth.

It was a temporary Human Federation citizen ID card, with the name "Gareth Mana" written on it.

"This is a legal identity," Lei Wen said. "For the next few years, I want you to forget your identity on Mana Star. Forget about being the Dragon Brave or some New Empire Emperor. Just live as an ordinary Earthling and observe our Human Federation."

"Go see how our civilization actually functions. See how our ordinary people live, see our laws, our morals, and our desires."

"Once you truly understand the Human Federation, why we are strong, and also understand our weaknesses..." Lei Wen looked at him meaningfully. "Then we will talk about the future of Mana Star."

Gareth took the card, not quite understanding.

"I understand," Gareth said softly. "I will go and see."

...After seeing off these special guests, Lei Wen did not linger at the Babel Space Station.

Although he was the Director of the Interstellar Affairs General Bureau and the controller of Paradox Technology, with luxury mansions on both the Moon and Mars, the home he recognized most in his heart was still that ordinary residence in Tianqiong City, China.

The shuttle passed through the atmosphere and landed in the Leidian Industrial Park, which was now surrounded by countless skyscrapers in Tianqiong City.

The moment Lei Wen pushed open the front door, the long-lost aroma of home-cooked food wafted toward him.

"You're back?"

An aged but vigorous voice came from the kitchen.

Lei Wen changed his shoes and walked into the living room. He saw his father, Lei Jun, wearing an apron and busy at the stove with a spatula. His mother, Li Wen, was wearing reading glasses and sitting on the sofa reading an unknown e-book.

Ever since Lei Wen's parents hit a complete dead end twenty years ago during that South American scientific expedition regarding the origin of the blood orchid, these two stubborn old scholars finally had to admit that some secrets might truly be buried by time or remain unsolvable by current human cognitive means.

After confirming that the blood orchid was indeed a miracle of fusion between extraterrestrial and Earth life but failing to find more clues about its source, they chose to retire.

Now, they were elderly people over a hundred and eighty years old.

As Lei Wen's parents, they were the first humans besides the siblings to consume undiluted blood orchid extract. That miraculous medicine had greatly delayed their aging and repaired their bodily damage, allowing them to maintain the physique and clear minds of sixty or seventy-year-olds even at a hundred years of age.

But time is ultimately irreversible.

The blood orchid is not an immortality drug; it merely stretches out the progress bar of life. Nearly a century of time had still left indelible marks on them: their hair was completely white, their movements were no longer as agile as when they were young, and their faces were covered in wrinkles, like growth rings carved by time.

With one foot already in the grave, they chose to return home for their final years to enjoy the long-overdue happiness of family life.

"Dad, Mom." Lei Wen took off his coat and hung it on the rack, his tone carrying a hint of relaxation. "What good food did you make today?"

"Braised pork, and your favorite Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish." Lei Jun poked his head out of the kitchen and said with a chuckle, "Go wash your hands quickly. We'll eat as soon as your sister gets back."

Li Wen took off her glasses. Her eyes were full of affection as she looked at her son, who now stood at the pinnacle of human power, but she quickly shifted into a typical mother's nagging mode.

"Xiao Wen, look at you. You're over a hundred years old now, so why do you still seem like you don't care about starting a family?" Li Wen sighed. "The great-grandson of your cousin next door is about to take the college entrance exam. What about you?"

Lei Wen gave a helpless, bitter smile.

Since his parents retired and moved back home, this topic had become a recurring segment at the dinner table almost every day.

"Mom, I'm very busy with work right now..."

"Busy, busy, busy! That's all you know!" Li Wen interrupted him crossly. "You're the Interstellar Director, in charge of everything in the Solar System, I know that. But you can't just not find a partner, can you? You and Renee—did you two siblings plan this together? One after another, both single!"

"We've lived for nearly two hundred years and seen all sorts of storms. Aliens came, spaceships went to the stars... I thought this life was worth it, but now that I'm about to step onto the Bridge of Helplessness, my biggest regret is actually not having held a grandchild!"

Lei Wen could only smile awkwardly and skillfully change the subject. "Mom, young people nowadays... oh wait, human concepts are different now. With longer lifespans, it's normal to get married a bit later."

"Normal, my foot! You're nearly a hundred and forty! Even if your face looks like it's in its thirties, at your age in the old days, you should have been celebrating a grand longevity birthday!"

Just as Lei Wen was about to be overwhelmed by his mother's scolding, the door lock clicked again; his savior had finally returned.

"I'm home!"

A crisp, pleasant voice rang out, followed by a tall figure in the black uniform of the Interstellar Affairs General Bureau.

It was Renee.

She was no longer the little girl who used to hide behind her brother. She was now the head of the Supervisory Department of the Interstellar Affairs General Bureau, wielding great power and responsible for monitoring the discipline of all Federation officials and the compliance of major corporations. In the outside world, she was known as the "Iron-Faced Goddess."

Time had been exceptionally kind to her.

Perhaps because she had consumed the highest purity blood orchid extract at an even younger age, or perhaps because of her naturally optimistic mindset, a hundred years had only stripped away the innocence from her face, making her more mature, intellectual, and radiant. Not even a single fine line could be found on her face.

"Oh, my eldest daughter is back!" Li Wen's attention shifted instantly, and Lei Wen took the opportunity to slip onto the sofa. "Come here, come here. You must be exhausted today, right?"

"It was alright, just dealt with a few unlucky fellows trying to smuggle contraband to the New Sun System," Renee said casually while changing her shoes. Her words, which decided the fates of others, sounded as mundane as if she were talking about what groceries she had bought.

The family of four sat around the dinner table, eating a dinner filled with the mundane warmth of Earth.

Although outside the window was a futuristic city with anti-gravity flying cars whistling by and interstellar warships blotting out the sky above, inside this room, they were just ordinary parents and children.

After dinner, Lei Jun and Li Wen went to the park for a walk to digest their food—or rather, to go to the plaza and show off their children to the other elderly folks.

Only Lei Wen and Renee were left in the living room.

Lei Wen took off his restrictive uniform coat and, wearing only his shirt, sprawled on the sofa like a large cat, letting out a comfortable sigh.

"Brother, was the trip to Babel smooth?" Renee naturally walked over and sat on the edge of the sofa, her hands skillfully reaching out to Lei Wen's shoulders, kneading them with just the right amount of pressure.

This intimate gesture was a habit they had developed over the years. No matter how prominent their status was outside, at home, they were still each other's closest support.

"It was okay. I met with the old and new leaders of the Kari People and finalized some details for labor export." Lei Wen closed his eyes, enjoying his sister's massage. "By the way, I met an interesting new friend, a native from eighty-one light-years away."

"That guy named Gareth?" Renee was very well-informed. "I heard about him. The person that little freak Ilya brought back? I heard he's the type who can tear mechas apart with his bare hands?"

"Not quite that exaggerated, but close enough." Lei Wen smiled. "I sent him to Earth to experience life, hoping to wash away those outdated ideas in his head."

"You always love picking up strange people," Renee teased. "First it was Kari scientists, now it's a native knight. Do you have some kind of collection hobby?"

"It's called talent pooling," Lei Wen defended himself.

The two chatted idly about everything from Federation policies to a newly opened trendy restaurant, from new inventions at the research center to their parents' nagging.

The atmosphere was relaxed and harmonious.

Just as Lei Wen was about to fall asleep, the movement of Renee's hands suddenly stopped.

"Brother."

Her voice suddenly became serious, tinged with a hint of hesitation.

"Hmm?" Lei Wen responded groggily.

"I want to... apply for a transfer."

"A transfer? To where? Did someone at the General Bureau bully you? Or are you too tired and want to rest?" Lei Wen opened his eyes and rolled over to look at his sister.

"No." Renee shook her head, her gaze shifting toward the starry sky outside the window. A certain light flickered in her black eyes, which were just like Lei Wen's.

"I want to go to Mana Star."

Lei Wen was stunned, his sleepiness vanishing instantly.

"Mana Star? F-81-03A?" He sat up straight, his brow furrowing. "What are you going there for? It's still a war zone. Although the main war is over, public security hasn't fully recovered, and the environment of that planet..."

"I know," Renee interrupted him, her tone exceptionally firm.

"Brother, I've stayed on Earth for too long."

"Ever since you established the Interstellar Affairs General Bureau, I've been by your side in the Supervisory Department, dealing with endless documents and intrigue."

"I feel like a flower in a greenhouse. Even though I hold a high position and power, I always feel like something is missing."

She looked at Lei Wen, a hint of yearning in her eyes.

"Didn't you mention that plan to me before? The one about establishing a Social Experimental Zone on Mana Star."

Lei Wen's heart stirred.

That plan was indeed a top priority in his heart, his ultimate attempt to fundamentally transform the structure of human society.

"You want to..."

"I want to be in charge of this project," Renee said seriously.

"In the Supervisory Department, I've seen too many evils caused by greed and unfair distribution. I want to see a truly fair world more than anyone."

"And, you need someone you trust absolutely to be there and keep an eye on things for you, don't you?"

"Those corporations whose embers still glow, those insatiably greedy politicians—they will surely find ways to infiltrate that experimental zone, trying to sabotage your plan and turn it into a new colony."

"Besides me, who else can you trust to guard that utopia?"

Seeing his sister's mature face, which had long since lost its childishness, Lei Wen felt a stir in his heart.

He suddenly realized that the little girl who once needed his protection, the little follower who only knew how to hide behind him and cry, had truly grown up.

She was not just his sister; she was also his comrade-in-arms and his fellow.

She wanted to pursue her own value in that distant new world.

"That's not a vacation, Renee," Lei Wen said in a low voice. "There's no convenience of Earth there, no comfortable life. You will face countless difficulties and dangers."

"I'm not afraid." Renee smiled, her expression bright and confident. "Don't forget, I have the most powerful brother in the universe backing me up. Who would dare touch me?"

Lei Wen looked at her for a long time before letting out a helpless sigh, followed by a doting smile appearing on his face.

"I really can't do anything with you."

"Fine, I approve."

"But on one condition: you must take a bodyguard. When you're ready to leave, I'll have her report to you."

"Deal!" Renee jumped up excitedly, hugged Lei Wen, and gave him a hard kiss. "Thanks, Brother! You're the best!"