Chapter 33: One Glance at the Bandit Tang, a Lifetime Led Astray

The old man and the chubby boy went to bed.

Tang Fei wanted to sleep as well, but Phoenix refused.

After securing the gate and making a few small traps at the entrance, Tang Fei finally returned to the veranda and flopped onto the old man’s battered rattan chair. Despite its tattered appearance, the chair was surprisingly comfortable—almost like sinking into a soft bed. Tang Fei let out a sigh of contentment, then squinted at Phoenix, who sat rigidly upright on a small wooden stool nearby, her back straight and her young face taut.

“Aren’t you tired?” he asked.

“I am,” Phoenix replied.

How could she not be? She’d spent the entire day hunting with Tang Fei, exerting herself to win against him, and after returning, had encountered assassins, launched a counterattack, and escaped into Hatred Mountain. It was the busiest, most exhausting day of her life—she’d never experienced anything like it before.

“Then why are you so tense?” Tang Fei said. “Relax your body, let your nerves unwind… Like me. That’s the best way to rest.”

Phoenix considered this and found his words reasonable. “Then get up,” she said.

“Why should I get up?” Tang Fei asked.

“There’s only one lounge chair. If you get up, I can lie down,” she answered.

“Not happening.” Tang Fei had no intention of yielding his spot. He scooted over to make space, patted the newly vacated half, and said, “At most, I’ll share half with you.”

Phoenix looked at the offered “half bed,” tempted, but after some hesitation, remained seated. Her upbringing and etiquette forbade such behavior—lying next to a young man she barely knew before marriage? If the palace etiquette instructors saw this, they’d probably faint on the spot.

Tang Fei didn’t press her. If she refused, that was her business—he wasn’t the one suffering. In fact, her absence made him more comfortable; it was always better to have a whole bed to oneself. Still, he felt a twinge of disappointment. Did she think he smelled? He hadn’t complained about her lemony scent, after all.

Phoenix looked at Tang Fei and said softly, “I’m sorry. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be in this situation.”

“Words are useless,” Tang Fei said. “Why not add a ton of supplies instead?”

“….”

“People like us on the Wastelands are practical. A hundred apologies aren’t worth a ton of supplies. A thousand thank-yous don’t compare to a rad-gun. For us, words cost nothing… If you gave me those things, I’d sit here and thank you all night.”

“….”

Phoenix felt a surge of frustration in her chest, so much so that she couldn’t keep her back straight anymore; it was too uncomfortable.

Seeing her silent, Tang Fei asked, “What’s wrong? Are you angry?”

“No. I know you’re speaking the truth. In such a harsh environment, apologies and gratitude don’t mean much.” Phoenix looked at him, her expression earnest. “I just… I just think, you should have both supplies and words of thanks or apology. There are many ways to express gratitude. Right now, I can only think of these two.”

“I’ve read a lot of martial arts novels,” Tang Fei said, “where the heroine, after being saved by the hero, always says ‘I can never repay your kindness, I’ll devote my life to you.’ Ever considered that?”

“That depends on looks,” Phoenix replied.

If the hero was handsome, she’d promise herself to him for life; if he wasn’t, she’d promise to be his ox or horse in the next life—a promissory note for the afterlife, with no intention of meeting again in this one.

Tang Fei leaned in, “Then look at my face.”

“I think you’re shameless,” Phoenix said with a laugh.

“…”

Phoenix’s laughter rang out, bright and cheerful, like a happy little hen.

It was odd—she’d never been good at making friends, her unique status meaning she’d always had very few companions. Yet, here on Old Earth, she found herself trusting a strange man deeply, and their way of interacting filled her with a rare sense of ease and joy.

Tang Fei was cunning, ruthless, and petty, lacking any of the gentlemanly virtues common to the men of New Star. Yet he was so genuine that it became endearing.

Phoenix had always hated liars, but when she caught Tang Fei spinning tales, she couldn’t help but marvel at his storytelling ability.

With him, she could completely relax—no need for pretenses, no masks. She could say and do whatever she pleased.

“You were supposed to go home,” Tang Fei said. “Now you have to stay.”

He thought of the escaped starship and felt a pang of regret—if only he’d managed to keep that, wouldn’t it have been more valuable than keeping Phoenix here? Women, after all, only made him draw his sword more often. Ever since she’d appeared, he’d been fighting nonstop.

“Do you sound disappointed?” Phoenix stared into Tang Fei’s eyes, searching for the truth. Was he really so eager to send her away? Didn’t he see any benefit in having a friend like her around?

“Of course,” Tang Fei nodded. “Once you’re gone, I’ll finally get what you promised me. But as long as you’re here, you eat my food, drink my water, wear my clothes—plus, I have to fight off other men because of you. It’s tiring and dangerous. The old man was right—beauty brings trouble.”

Phoenix laughed again, and Tang Fei asked, “What’s so funny now?”

“You said ‘beauty brings trouble’—is that your way of calling me pretty?”

“Did I mean that?”

“Of course,” Phoenix said confidently. “Only beautiful women are called ‘beauties.’”

“And if the woman isn’t beautiful?”

“Then she’s a confidante.”

“…”

“But don’t worry, I’ll be heading home soon,” Phoenix reassured him. “If they hadn’t arrived, my family might have struggled to find this place. But since they’re here, I’m sure my family can find me—unless someone doesn’t want them to.”

“Go back. This place doesn’t belong to you; it’s not where you should be,” Tang Fei sighed softly.

Phoenix looked at him and said, “Tang Fei, you’re really impressive.”

“I know. No need to repeat it—you make it sound like I don’t believe in myself.”

…

Ouch!

“That’s enough. Keep the compliments coming,” Tang Fei said. “I’ll believe whatever you say; I’m not the suspicious type.”

Phoenix took a few deep breaths to dispel her frustration, then continued, “I’ve met many outstanding young men on New Star, but none of them compare to you.”

“Love at first sight,” Tang Fei quipped.

“Who’s Yang Guo?”

“My nickname.”

“Oh.” Phoenix nodded. “If it weren’t for you, I’d probably be dead by now. The assassins who came for me were all formidable—they really meant to keep me on Old Earth. I kept thinking, if I’d met someone other than you, how would I have survived? How could I have fought them?”

“If you keep talking like that, I’ll ask for more supplies,” Tang Fei interrupted.

“It’s fine, I’ll give you whatever I can. As long as it helps you, I’ll provide it,” Phoenix said generously. “In the face of life and death, nothing else matters. If you want supplies, I’ll give you supplies. If you want weapons, I’ll give you weapons. If you want me… well, that’s not realistic.”

“Good brother,” Tang Fei said, now in high spirits. “You’re a friend worth having.”

Phoenix glanced down at her chest. Why did he call her brother?

“Tang Fei, how long have you studied mechanical design?” Phoenix asked.

“Mechanical design?” Tang Fei was momentarily puzzled. “You mean making that little bird?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve been doing it since I was a kid, many years now, but I still haven’t managed to make it fly.”

“Have you ever thought… maybe you could fix my escape pod? Maybe repair its communication systems?”

“I tried. It didn’t work,” Tang Fei said.

“You tried?” Phoenix’s eyes widened. “When?”

“A couple days ago, when you weren’t around…” Tang Fei said sheepishly.

“And my escape pod?” Phoenix felt a sense of dread.

“It’s still there,” Tang Fei said. “It’s just a little scattered. Maybe the rats got to it—you don’t know, but the rats on Hatred Mountain are mutated. They can chew through metal and swallow it whole…”

He had helped hide the pod and knew the terrain best. As a tech junkie, he couldn’t resist dismantling a high-tech object from New Star. Unfortunately, he couldn’t put it back together.

“That wasn’t iron. That was titanium,” Phoenix said.

Titanium was one of the hardest metals in the world—ordinary blades couldn’t even scratch it.

And he claimed rats chewed through it?

“Well, rats aren’t picky eaters,” Tang Fei replied.

…

------

At a certain age, sleeping in is impossible.

The old man, an early riser as usual, stepped outside and saw Tang Fei and Phoenix sleeping in each other’s arms. Both were squeezed onto the same lounge chair, with Phoenix nestled sweetly in Tang Fei’s embrace.

“So soon?” the old man exclaimed, surprised. He’d thought they’d build up some feelings first. “The world’s morals are decaying, people aren’t what they used to be.”

He shook his head, sighing.

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed outside.

Tang Fei and Phoenix woke up instantly. Seeing herself lying on Tang Fei’s chest, Phoenix’s mind went blank. Before she could express her shock, Tang Fei looked at her in panic and said, “Why are you in my arms? What did you do to me?”

…

The old man ran to the gate and peered outside, his expression grave. “Grey robes—lots of grey robes… The Fire Shrine’s grey-robed men have surrounded us…”