Jiang Miao (gl) · Chat

The wind in Rock Base always carried a scent of dust and rust. At the alleyway where Zone B and Zone C met, piles of discarded building materials and blackened debris were scattered about. The afternoon sun cut across diagonally; half fell on the smooth, clean pavement of Zone B, while the other half spilled over the low wall, shining on Jiang Miao. She wore a grey cloth jacket, washed until it was faded, with cuffs slightly frayed. Her hair was simply tied back, and a few stray locks were blown by the wind to cling to her cheek. Her figure looked slender, even with the frailty typical of the non-powered. Her fingers, hanging by her sides, were slightly curled, as if she were trying to relax after long periods of tension. She stood quietly at the edge of the shadows, her gaze cast downward, seemingly aimless, but in reality, she had already scrutinized everyone who passed by. Until a figure walked over from the direction of Zone B. The person wore a sharp, short jacket, standing tall and straight. Their stride carried a steady, gentle aura, unlike the detachment and arrogance typical of other superpowered individuals. Their brows were relaxed, their eyes clean—one could tell at a glance that they had been well-protected by the base and still possessed warmth and kindness. A flash of certainty crossed Jiang Miao's eyes. She lowered her lashes, her fingertips gently gripping her clothes. She deliberately paused her step, her body swaying slightly, and she leaned against the wall as if she were as weak as the wind. The footsteps stopped in front of her. "Are you alright?" The voice was gentle, without a hint of contempt, entirely different from the rough and overbearing tones in Zone C. Jiang Miao slowly lifted her head. Her eyes were covered with a perfect layer of faint exhaustion and helplessness, and her face looked somewhat pale. "I... I'm fine..." Her voice was soft, carrying a bit of trepidation, as if she were forcing herself not to be a burden to others. "Just a bit dizzy. I might have overexerted myself working this morning." The other person looked her over, their gaze landing on her slightly rough hands and the worn cuffs of her jacket. Their tone softened further: "It's windy here, and Zone C is chaotic. It's not safe for you to be standing here alone. Are you heading back to Zone C, or..." Jiang Miao lowered her eyes, her lashes trembling slightly. Her voice dropped, carrying an unconcealable sense of grievance and distress: "I... I didn't have enough credits for today's rations. I was waiting for an acquaintance here, hoping to borrow some. But I've been waiting for a long time, and they never showed up." Her words were vague, yet every syllable struck at the heart—the desperation of the non-powered, the hardship of starving, the helplessness of struggling at the bottom. The other person's heart softened, just as expected. Their brows furrowed, and they instinctively reached out to steady her: "I have some dry rations left; take them to tide yourself over. What's your name? Standing here like this isn't a solution." Jiang Miao lifted her head slightly, a weak light flickering in her eyes as she looked at them, like a drowning person clutching a piece of driftwood. "My name is Jiang Miao." She paused, her voice light and soft, carrying just the right amount of gratitude. "Thank you... You're such a kind person." The wind swept dust between the two of them. Jiang Miao kept her head low, concealing the calm and calculated look that flashed through her eyes. And the person in front of her only thought they had met a poor soul struggling to survive in the apocalypse.