Shen Jin and Liu Yue lay on two wool beds pushed together, gazing at the stars in the sky.
Liu Yue rested her head on Shen Jin's arm. "Shen Jin, the stars are so bright tonight. I've never seen them this bright."
"With less pollution, they're naturally brighter."
"I thought you'd say it was because I was here tonight, so the whole world had become brighter."
Shen Jin: (°ー°〃)
"Uh, well..."
Seeing her shy expression made Shen Jin even more pleased with himself. He only stopped after another bout of roaming hands and teasing.
After fooling around, the two lay back down on the beds. It was as though they were the only people left in the world.
They looked into each other's eyes and saw happiness there.
They were satisfied!
Shen Jin and Liu Yue had finally fulfilled that unfinished romance, bringing their youthful days to a close.
Liu Yue closed her eyes and said, "Go check your phone."
Shen Jin nodded, returning to reality from their comfortable intimacy.
The [Tinkers' Construct Knapsack] contained an independent space. Electronic devices lost their signal once placed inside.
Shen Jin took out the Satellite Phone and saw two missed calls.
"Doesn't look like a Chinese number..."
He called back.
It rang only once before the other side answered.
English with a cumin-flavored accent came through.
"Mr. Shen! I've finally reached you! This is Kenny from Afghanistan. Something terrible has happened!!!"
After working through the words with his less-than-proficient English vocabulary, Shen Jin understood what he meant.
An Afghan? Kenny?
He had previously traded for a set of 'Eye of Susanoo' potions there in a very 'friendly' manner and obtained some cattle and sheep. Both sides had enjoyed their cooperation at the time.
"Director Kenny? What happened? Don't tell me the Taliban overran