Both Shen Fei and his father were working for the organization, so information reached them especially quickly.

Shen Mo had also heard about a possible base relocation from Shen Fei.

“Has it been decided for certain?” Shen Mo asked. “Where are they relocating?”

“The professor’s inclination is to move south along the coastline,” Father Shen said. “It’s August now—autumn will come fast. Without electricity and a heating system, the difficulties of heading north are too great, especially the problem of food shortages.”

Going south, the climate would be warm, plants would keep growing, and people wouldn’t starve.

North, or south?

Completely opposite directions.

Shen Mo knitted his brows. If the base truly relocated, then leaving now would be tantamount to voluntarily severing contact with his family.

In a world like this, losing contact was a terrifying thing—because it was the equivalent of… a parting that might last forever.

Father Shen knew his misgivings and said, “You don’t need to worry too much. The professor has already recruited a group of people who will enter the game tomorrow. Supposedly they’re all formidable figures—there’s a good chance of clearing it. As long as Game No. 21 is cleared, there’ll be no need to relocate.”

Shen Mo pondered for a moment and gave a nod.

“By the way.” Father Shen thought of something and asked Shen Mo, “Since you’re leaving anyway, when are you planning to bring Youwei over so I can meet her?”

Shen Mo was briefly startled and looked at him.

“Shen Fei told me you’re living together.” Father Shen paused and then continued, “And sleeping together.”

Shen Mo: “…”

“Times may be chaotic, but the proper conventions can’t be abandoned. If you’ve decided to be together, bring her over and let me meet her.” Father Shen said.

Shen Mo knitted his brows almost imperceptibly and was silent for a moment.

Father Shen studied his expression—hard to read—and asked: “What, did Shen Fei misunderstand?”

Shen Mo was quiet for two seconds, then replied, “I’ll bring her over tomorrow.”

This time it was Father Shen’s turn: “…”

He was somewhat taken aback. His son had a reserved personality—from childhood to adulthood, he had never confided about personal matters. But the way he had answered just now—was that an indirect admission that he and that girl were together?

He gave Shen Mo’s shoulder a solemn pat. “Come over in the evening—don’t let your Second Uncle and cousin know. They have a very strong opinion about your Aunt Wang, so if they find out Youwei is coming, they’ll definitely start nagging me again.”

Shen Mo heard this and was caught between laughter and exasperation for a moment. “Dad, you still haven’t given up on Aunt Wang?”

“Why should I give up? Don’t go taking your Second Uncle’s words.” Father Shen smiled lightly. “He doesn’t understand the beauty of love.”

Shen Mo: “…”

……

Father and son chatted for a while. Later, Second Uncle Shen arrived. Uncle and nephew exchanged the usual pleasantries after reuniting.

When he learned that Shen Mo intended to collect jigsaw pieces, Second Uncle immediately expressed his approval, saying enthusiastically: “Worthy of our Shen family men! A real man sets his sights on the whole world—go out there and make your mark! Don’t worry about your dad—Xiaofei and I will look after him!”

He then pulled Shen Fei over, called on a few of the Shen family’s relatives and friends, and proposed a farewell gathering for Shen Mo.

Some were relatives they hadn’t much to do with before. Now that only a handful of the Shen family remained, they had drawn closer than before.

After the meal, it was inevitable that there would be drinking.

After the drinking, it was inevitable that emotions ran over.

From the afternoon into the evening, the whole table of people laughed and wept and grew wild, drowning sorrows in wine.

Some wept for loved ones they had lost. Some laughed at their own wretched, dream-drunk existence. Some cursed the capriciousness of fate…

Shen Mo sat holding his wine cup, watching this tableau of human joys and sorrows—his heart as though separated by a pane of glass. He could see it all clearly, and yet it all remained still and calm.

He had always been this way. The grown-ups praised him as steady. In truth, he was simply cold.

Father Shen gently patted his shoulder and said, “Remember this evening well. Even if one day we can’t see each other anymore, when you look back on it, you’ll still be able to picture everyone drinking together.”

Shen Mo heard this, and his calm inner lake rippled—he didn’t know how.

Looking again at those relatives and friends around the table—their joy, their sorrow, their anger, their grief—he found he could feel some small part of it too…