books44 Chapter 517 [Empire] Work
Chapter 517 [Empire] Work
Chapter 517 [Empire] Work
As time went by, we gradually adapted to this repetitive labor. The chill in the air still bit, but gradually, the busyness of our bodies and the constant movement of things made us ignore it. The surrounding buildings remained dilapidated, and occasionally we could hear the distant roar of machinery from the repair facilities. We carried rubble and bricks cleared from the ruins, lifted heavy wooden planks and steel bars, and toiled silently in this post-war ruin.
Qianmo followed me silently, carrying out his own heavy workload. Occasionally, he'd turn and glance at me, as if noticing my fatigue. A fleeting moment of concern crossed his eyes, but he said nothing, simply continuing to work. I know that in times like these, what we need most is patience and perseverance; any extra words are superfluous.
The sun gradually set, and the chill air carried a hint of night. The long hours of labor had left me feeling numb, my arm muscles slightly sore, and my back felt heavy from bending and carrying things for so long. But we continued to work, as if every bit of labor was both exhausting and a source of strength.
"How about taking a break?" I suddenly stopped what I was doing and looked up at Qianmo. He also stopped and narrowed his eyes, as if considering my suggestion.
"Finish this part first, then rest." He replied in a low voice, his tone calm but without any hint of rejection. His eyes were still focused on the plank in his hands, as if telling me that only after the task was completed could I have a moment to breathe.
I smiled helplessly and continued lifting the heavy planks. The scene before me was blurry, and chaotic images flashed through my mind—those past training sessions, those battlefield-like missions, and my former teammates. Where were they now? These questions seemed to have no answers in this ruin, only endless toil.
Suddenly, my eyes fell on a broken piece of metal, its surface still charred. It was a sign of battle, clearly a relic from the war. I bent down to pick it up, my fingertips touching the cold metal surface, and a complex emotion welled up within me.
Qianmo noticed my pause and walked over to look down at the metal plate in my hand. After a moment, he reached out and gently took the metal plate. "These things shouldn't be here with us." His tone was calm, but with an indescribable firmness.
I was slightly startled, the complex emotions lingering within me. This planet has brought us not only fatigue, but also a deep sense of powerlessness. With every battle, every mission, it feels like we're working for someone else, constantly striving for goals we can't comprehend. And we are, after all, merely part of this endless cycle.
"Yeah," I whispered, my voice almost swallowed by the wind. Then, I put the metal plate back on the ground, stood up, and gathered myself.
As night fell, the chill in the air grew more biting. We finally finished our workday and returned to the dorm, feeling a bit exhausted. All around us was still silent, broken only by the occasional sound of footsteps.
Qianmo walked beside me, not saying much. I knew he was accustomed to this rhythm—step by step, silently giving, not even asking the unanswered questions behind the scenes. We didn't say anything more, walking quietly back to the dormitory, as if in this silence, we had found a space that belonged to us.
In the dorm, dimly lit, we each washed, packed our belongings, and lay down on our beds, awaiting the next day. Though exhausted, our hearts remained restless. Perhaps only by moving forward can we find the true answer.