Chapter Three: The Air of a Bandit

He had long heard tales of the wasteland scavengers—how vicious and cunning they were, willing to do anything to survive, their moral boundaries erased by desperation. But the boy before her... Well, no matter. He was the one who had saved her life. Whatever else he was, she owed him a debt beyond measure.

“It seems there isn’t enough time,” Phoenix said, glancing at Tang Fei with sincerity. “Most of my body is numb now...”

“Oh, that’s just the effect of the serpent-bark tree sap. It’s not only an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic, but it also numbs the nerves and helps wounds heal...” Tang Fei replied.

Phoenix glanced at her own swollen, purplish lips, then nodded slightly. “Thank you. I will repay you.”

“No need for that,” Tang Fei waved a hand, unconcerned. “I didn’t save you for a reward. But, well... if your family happens to have a spare hovercar, or maybe some firearms and ammo...”

He trailed off, looking embarrassed, as if ashamed to voice the rest.

“I understand,” Phoenix replied. “When I return to Nova, I’ll have someone send you a hovercar and three electromagnetic pulse rifles...”

“That’s incredibly generous!” Tang Fei beamed and shook her small hand with his right, laughing. “I was just joking. It’s fine if you can’t—”

“When I saved you, I only thought one thing: you’re a living being. I couldn’t leave you out in the wild to be devoured by beasts, or picked clean by flesh-eating ants until not even your bones remained...”

“If you’d fallen into the hands of certain predators out here, it would’ve been even worse. You’d have been left neither alive nor dead. Trust me, you’d have wished you’d never escaped that tomb...”

“And I’ll add a ton of supplies,” Phoenix said.

“You’re being far too kind!” Tang Fei grinned from ear to ear. “How are you feeling now? Any pain or discomfort? If you’re still hurting, I can chew a bit more serpent-bark leaf for you...”

“I’m just weak, that’s all...”

“No problem. Rest for a while and you’ll recover,” Tang Fei assured her. “Are you hungry? Thirsty? Your lips look a little dry... I’ll fetch you some water.”

“Thank you,” Phoenix replied softly.

If you noticed my lips were dry, why didn’t you offer me water sooner? My throat is about to combust...

Of course, she’d never voice thoughts that might disrupt the fragile peace between them.

She was utterly powerless, unable even to stand. She’d fallen into a scavenger’s territory, and knew nothing about this boy—his background, his past, or what he might be capable of.

Whatever the case, she mustn’t provoke him. She needed to appear grateful and honest, but not overly so; she couldn’t afford to reveal her true identity, or that would bring its own troubles.

Her priority now was survival, then regaining her strength, contacting Nova, and arranging for her rescue.

As for those who owed her debts—those would be settled once she was safely home. Blood for blood.

Soon, Tang Fei returned with a large bowl of water. Of course, this had nothing to do with hovercars, pulse rifles, or a ton of supplies.

Phoenix tried to sit up to drink, but found herself utterly unable to move.

Seeing her predicament, Tang Fei said, “Don’t worry. Just lie back, I’ll help you drink...” As he spoke, he took a brass spoon from his pocket—obviously prepared in advance.

Phoenix eyed the spoon, swallowing the urge to ask him to clean it properly. On Blue Star, there was an old saying—“When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Out here, survival trumped all else.

Tang Fei, oblivious to her thoughts, began spooning water to her lips, one careful mouthful at a time. Her parched, cracked lips were soon softened and glossy with moisture.

Oddly, her cheeks grew ever redder.

“Embarrassed?” Tang Fei wondered. “Understandable. Who could withstand such close attention from me?”

“Are you alright?” he asked aloud.

“Yes...” Phoenix swallowed another large mouthful, glancing at him timidly. “Could you go a bit slower? You’re feeding me too quickly—I almost choked...”

She hardly wanted to make demands of these “drifters” of the ruins, and even a simple, reasonable request was voiced with great caution.

Tang Fei felt a twinge of annoyance—here he was, heart pounding at her nearness, and all she cared about was not choking?

“Your throat’s too shallow,” he said at last, shifting the blame with the ease of a true survivor. “You need practice. The more you drink, the quicker you swallow, the deeper and wider your throat will get.”

His words were gruff, but his actions gentled as he finished feeding her the bowl of water. “Would you like something to eat?” he asked.

Phoenix shook her head. “No, thank you. I’m not hungry at the moment.”

She didn’t want to ask for anything more—not until they’d built at least a modicum of trust. Survival was her only priority.

Still, the thought of a steaming bowl of snow-ox noodles made her mouth water in spite of herself.

To distract herself, she asked, “What’s your name?”

“Tang Fei,” he replied. “The ‘Tang’ of the Tang Dynasty...”

“And the ‘Fei’ of that elegant phrase, ‘like cutting, like polishing, like carving, like grinding’?”

Tang Fei gave her a meaningful glance. “No—the ‘Fei’ as in ‘ruffian.’”

Phoenix was startled—had he seen through her pretense? Impossible. He was so young, surviving by his wits on the wasteland—how could he be so perceptive?

“What kind of parents would give their child such a strange name?” she asked lightly, feigning curiosity.

“They said I was too good-looking at birth. They worried I’d get bullied as I grew, so they named me this. They hoped I’d speak and act with a certain roughness, so people would fear me, and I wouldn’t be picked on.”

“I see...” Phoenix paused, then said, “Your parents must have been very far-sighted.”

“Yeah,” Tang Fei nodded. “Pity they’re both dead.”

“Dead?” Phoenix thought of his grim environment and offered, “I’m very sorry...”

“Was it your doing?”

“What? No! I never even met them!” Phoenix exclaimed, alarmed. Joking aside, she dared not take on such a crime—he’d probably gut her like an animal.

There were no laws on the wasteland, no restraints of kindness or morality.

“Then what are you sorry for?” Tang Fei shrugged, unconcerned.

“I just... meant to express my sympathy.”

“Are all Nova people as fake as you?” Tang Fei asked, fixing her with a stare. “You apologize and express regret for someone you’ve never met... Is that how you usually talk?”

Phoenix’s chest swelled with suppressed anger. She took a moment to calm herself, then patiently explained, “Because you saved my life, hearing your parents are gone makes me sad...”

She looked at Tang Fei sincerely. “I know how hard it must be to survive here, alone, without family...”

Tang Fei studied her face for a long moment, then nodded. “It’s not easy. So, don’t lie to me again.”

“I wouldn’t lie to you. You’re my savior—I’ll always be grateful...”

“You tried to tie me to the word ‘gentleman’ just now, didn’t you? Out here, a gentleman wouldn’t survive,” Tang Fei said with a brilliant smile, his tone deadly serious.

“I understand.” For some reason, Phoenix found his smile more frightening than his scowl. “Forgive me, it was my mistake... I was only worried you might hurt me.”

“If I were a ‘gentleman’ and followed those rules, you’d be safer, wouldn’t you?”

“Not at all,” Tang Fei replied. “What would I gain by harming you? Nothing. Some people out here are twisted, but not me, not my family... Besides, I trust your character. You promised me a hovercar, pulse rifles, and a ton of supplies—you’ll keep your word, right?”

“Yes,” Phoenix said firmly.

She finally understood his meaning: there was no friendship between them—only a transaction. As long as no greater profit tempted him, she was safe. There was no need to say more, or waste effort currying favor.

After all, no one enjoyed being manipulated.

She’d have to reassess this boy’s intelligence—and his potential for danger.