Embers Ad Infinitum

Shang Jianyao had just heard the name Wang Yafei this morning.

When he attended a meeting of the "Liturgy of Life" cult, a member mentioned this man and said that he supported the establishment of "birth centers" where children would come from artificial wombs.

The member also said that because she always argued with Wang Yafei about this matter, he, as the supervisor, deliberately suppressed her and found an excuse to move to the most difficult cleaning position.

At that time, “leader” Ren Jie’s response was:

"God will punish sinners."

Less than four hours after these words, Wang Yafei died suddenly of cardiac arrest at work.

If he hadn't heard the relevant words in advance, Shang Jianyao would definitely not think there was anything wrong with such a piece of news - within "Pangu Biology", people die of sudden diseases every year, which is a normal phenomenon.

If Wang Yafei died two or three years later, Shang Jianyao would not think there was much abnormality and would definitely classify it as a coincidence.

But now, on the day Ren Jie said the words "God will punish sinners," the "sinner" Wang Yafei died of illness.

Shang Jianyao stood up suddenly, took off the coat he had hung up before, and put it on his body.

He walked out quickly and headed straight for Area C.

As he walked, his speed gradually slowed down and soon became consistent with normal.

When approaching the "activity center", Shang Jianyao glanced around and saw Shen Du standing in the shadow of the side wall, immersed in dim colors.

He stood in such a daze, his eyes looking straight ahead, but completely unfocused, so that he didn't notice Shang Jianyao approaching at all.

"Uncle Shen." Shang Jianyao called.

Shen Du shuddered suddenly, tilted his head slightly and looked at the source of the sound.

"Small businessman..." He forced a smile.

Shang Jianyao said in a very calm tone:

"Wang Yafei is dead."

Shen Du's face was slightly pale, and the muscles on both sides of his mouth moved:

"I know."

His voice was very low, as if he was afraid of disturbing something that others couldn't see.

Shang Jianyao looked at him and asked directly:

"Is this divine punishment?"

Shen Du shook again, and his expression instantly became blank.

"I don't know..." He looked beyond Shang Jianyao, and his eyes seemed to have lost focus again.

Just as Shang Jianyao was about to ask again, a five or six-year-old boy ran over, took Shen Du's hanging hand, shook it and said:

"Dad, dad, it's time to go home!"

"Yeah." Shen Du replied twice, turning his head to Shang Jianyao and said, "I'm going back first."

"Goodbye." Shang Jianyao waved politely.

Shen Du looked at his child again, a soft smile gradually appeared on his face.

He held his child, met his wife who came out of the "activity center", and returned to area B step by step.

Shang Jianyao looked at his back and didn't turn his head for a long time.

During several gatherings of the "Sacrifice of Life", he used his "talent" to establish good relationships with many members and listened to them share their reasons for joining the sect.

Among them, Shen Du had difficulty letting go of a child who died in infancy. When they had their current child, they were even more worried about the corresponding problems, fearing that they would not be able to raise him as well.

Ren Jie noticed his situation, deliberately made friends with him, and taught him a lot of parenting knowledge.

Later, as the child Shen Du gradually grew up and became healthy, he began to believe more and more in the gods that Ren Jie said, and finally joined the "Sacrifice of Life" cult.

After a while, Shang Jianyao withdrew his gaze and walked towards the door of the "Activity Center".

At this time, because the radio program had started, there were almost no pedestrians outside, and only the sounds of card players and chatting could be heard inside.

Of course, if you look around carefully, you can still find some pairs of figures in various dark places.

Just as Shang Jianyao was about to pass through the gate, he suddenly saw two familiar figures coming out.

The twenty-seven or eight-year-old woman walking on the right is Jian Xin, a member of the cult who complained about Wang Yafei at the "Life Sacrifice" meeting early this morning.

She has beautiful facial features, overall delicate appearance, and is a pretty good beauty.

——This is due to the popularity of genetically modified drugs.

The other person is her husband Zhuo Zhengyuan, who is also a member of the "Life Sacrifice" cult.

At this time, Jian Xin's face turned pale, as if she was seriously ill.

She looked quite nervous, as if she would be frightened if there was any slight disturbance.

Her husband Zhuo Zhengyuan has a gloomy face, giving people the impression that he should not be approached.

Shang Jianyao took two steps and stood directly in front of them.

Jian Xin and Zhuo Zhengyuan stopped at the same time, their bodies trembling slightly.

Shang Jianyao lowered his voice and said:

"Wang Yafei is dead."

Jian Xin, who has short ear-length hair, said reflexively:

"A coincidence, it must be a coincidence..."

Her voice gradually became lower, and only the remaining sound echoed faintly, with inexplicable fear and confusion.

Zhuo Zhengyuan swallowed his saliva and said in a deep voice:

"The preliminary autopsy results have come out, and it is indeed death caused by cardiac arrest without any external cause."

Shang Jianyao nodded:

"What a coincidence."

He immediately moved out of the way, allowing Jian Xin and Zhuo Zhengyuan to pass.

After the couple had pulled away some distance, Shang Jianyao looked back.

Under the illumination of the ceiling fluorescent lamp, the figures of Jian Xin and Zhuo Zhengyuan swayed slightly, showing a little weakness.

Shang Jianyao remembered that the reason they joined the "Life Sacrifice" cult was that Jian Xin had miscarried twice and finally got pregnant with her third child.

Now, their children have been born, not only have nothing wrong with them, but they have also directly inherited most of the advantages of the previous generation's genetic improvements.

This will allow him to gain better talent in subsequent drug adjustments.

Putting aside the fact that they like to argue with people about fertility issues, Jian Xin and Zhuo Zhengyuan are both very good people. They are caring and like children. During gatherings, they always take the initiative to comfort other members. When they meet people who need help, they will not pretend not to see them.

Once, because Shang Jianyao said that "the portion was too small", Ren Jie was a little frustrated. Zhuo Zhengyuan even took the initiative to share with him the Holy Communion that he had not had time to finish.

Shang Jianyao slowly withdrew his gaze and walked into the "activity center".

He glanced around and saw no members of the sect such as Li Zhen. Only the "guide" Ren Jie was still at his old position, chatting with the group of women in their forties.

Ren Jie, who had her hair tied up, seemed to notice his gaze, turned her head and looked over.

After seeing that he was an acquaintance, she smiled slightly and nodded cordially.

Shang Jianyao responded with the same gesture.

He did not move closer, but found a seat at random, staring at the people playing cards, listening to the broadcast that was always affected by the various sounds here.

Time passes by, and it's not far away before the street lights go out and night falls.

Ren Jie turned her wrist and glanced at the old electronic watch, stood up, smiled and said to the women around her:

"Go back, go back, someone is waiting for you!"

A group of people laughed and joked for a while, and Ren Jie left the "activity center" and walked in the direction of her home.

Shang Jianyao stood up and followed her as usual.

After turning into another street, Ren Jie saw no one on the road, so he slowed down and allowed Shang Jianyao to close the distance and walk side by side with him.

"Xiao Shang, what's the matter?" Ren Jie asked in a low voice and a chatty tone.

Shang Jianyao's eyes gradually darkened:

"Aunt Ren, look:

“We live on the same floor;

“They are all members of the Order;

"so……"

Ren Jie was a little confused at first, and then gradually realized:

"So, we need to establish a closer relationship, such as..."

As she spoke, her eyes gradually became strange, her face turned slightly red, and she didn't know which direction she was thinking about.

Shang Jianyao raised his eyebrows and shouted immediately:

"mom!"

Ren Jie was stunned for a moment, and his expression returned to normal.

She laughed and said:

"Then I will accept you as my godson.

"If your father and mother were still alive, they would be about the same age as me."

After acknowledging the marriage, her attitude became obviously much more enthusiastic.

Shang Jianyao calmed down his expression and repeated his previous words:

"Wang Yafei is dead."

Ren Jie raised her head slightly, glanced at him, and after a few seconds of silence, asked:

"Are you feeling frightened and uneasy?"

"Still surprised." Shang Jianyao added helpfully.

Ren Jie smiled slightly and said:

"Do you suspect that this is the punishment that gods give to sinners?"

"Or is it a reward?" Shang Jianyao's thoughts jumped uncontrollably.

Ren Jie almost didn't return to the rhythm of the conversation just now. She slowed down and then said with a smile:

“I cannot answer your question for God.

"I can only say that Si Ming is always watching us, rewarding and punishing good and evil.

"I don't know if it was the case this time, but if it wasn't God's punishment, I don't think it would be such a coincidence."

Shang Jianyao asked:

"Who knows?"

Ren Jie's expression suddenly became serious:

"Holy Master."

PS: Today’s first update is asking for monthly votes~