Naturally, I'll Join

Xiao Shou felt exhausted, as if he hadn't slept for several consecutive nights.

His throat was dry, and breathing hurt. He struggled to sit up, wanting to find some water.

The movement alerted the medics outside.

They rushed in, told him to lie back down, and helped him get water.

As soon as the cup was set down, Mao Shucheng, Zhu Qian, and Jin Rong pushed the door open and entered.

"A'Shou, how are you feeling?"

Jin Rong asked first.

"My head feels a bit dizzy and heavy."

Jin Rong let out a sigh of relief.

"It's okay, that's a normal reaction after neural synchrony connection. You'll get used to it."

Jin Rong then stepped back slightly, leaving space for Mao Shucheng and Zhu Qian.

"Kid, it's the same question as before. If a Kaiju attacks again, you've already earned the right. Do you want to give it up and return to a normal life, or pilot a Jaeger and fight it, to protect the country, to protect your orphanage!"

"Sir, I've said it before, this isn't a choice!"

"Then, Xiao Shou, the Dalian Shatterdome base of the National Jaeger Combat Department welcomes you to join!"

Xiao Shou solemnly straightened his back and agreed.

"Then let's talk about your conditions!"

Xiao Shou looked blankly at Jin Rong.

"It means what you want, like your salary and benefits!"

Jin Rong smiled and explained to Xiao Shou.

Xiao Shou pondered for a moment.

"If possible, please send some doctors to see the elderly in our orphanage. Grandma Li, Grandma Liu, and Grandpa Zheng endure pain every day, yet they tell me they're fine. They just don't want to trouble us."

"Of course, that's what we should be doing. However, Dalian is still undergoing post-disaster reconstruction, and there are many things to deal with. We can't attend to it immediately, but it will all be implemented for your orphanage gradually."

"But since you've brought it up, someone will take over this matter soon. Don't worry. Anything else?"

"If possible, could you add a chicken leg to the lunch for the elderly and children at the orphanage every day? The elderly and children haven't had any meat in half a month. Even if there's a little meat, the elderly will give it to the children. It breaks my heart every time I see it."

"Of course, that's no problem. And then?"

Xiao Shou shook his head, indicating he had nothing else.

"Haha, you're quite interesting, kid! But I like it!"

Mao Shucheng burst into laughter. His personality was naturally unrestrained, and he wouldn't hide his true thoughts because of his status.

Zhu Qian behind him also smiled, which was rare. He actually didn't want Xiao Shou to become the second pilot initially.

Choosing a civilian would exacerbate the conflict between the Jaeger Combat Department and certain individuals in the military.

Now, it seemed Mao Shucheng and Jin Rong's persistence might have been correct.

In this society where the threat of Kaiju made people restless, kind and pure-hearted individuals like Xiao Shou were rare.

Such qualities were more precious than anything else.

"Kid, do you know about Nation M's 'Explorer' Jaeger?"

Xiao Shou nodded. As one of the first two Jaegers to appear, it defeated the Kaiju "Blade" that attacked Australia a year ago.

It became famous, and its combat footage was broadcast worldwide to boost morale.

"Do you know how much Nation M's military paid to recruit one of the 'Explorer' Jaeger's pilots, Ritter Harry?"

"Ritter Harry asked for one billion!"

"Nation M dollars!"

Xiao Shou was a little stunned. These numbers were beyond his wildest imagination.

"It definitely didn't go through, right? The Nation M military must have gotten a significant discount."

"No, they agreed. No discount, and they transferred the money that very day."

Xiao Shou found it hard to accept.

"It's normal, kid. Jaeger pilots bear the safety of the entire country, even the entire Pan-Pacific Defense Line. If a Kaiju attacks, the losses will be even greater! Whatever the price, it's worth it, because material possessions are insignificant in the face of life."

"So, I'll give you a chance. State your conditions again!"

Xiao Shou still shook his head.

His greatest concern was the orphanage, and that issue had now been resolved.

Food, clothing, and medical care would no longer be a worry.

The old dean wouldn't come back to life, so he had nothing else he wanted.

Money? What was the use of it? Jaeger pilots were destined to live in the Shatterdome base.

You had to report to get permission to go out.

There were strict requirements for what you could eat and use.

You had money, but nowhere to spend it.

"You have one day to rest. Arrange your personal affairs, and tomorrow you'll officially begin neural synchrony connection training with your partner!"

With that, Mao Shucheng and Zhu Qian walked out.

"Do you want me to take you to the orphanage to say goodbye to the elders and children?" Jin Rong asked.

Xiao Shou nodded. He naturally had to go back and say hello.

From now on, he would be stationed at the Shatterdome base, and it would be difficult to find time to visit the elders and children often.

Sitting in the car, Xiao Shou was still a bit dazed.

So much had happened today, it felt unreal.

One moment he was just a delivery person, and now he was a Jaeger pilot.

The only Jaeger in the entire country, and one of its two pilots.

It was too dreamlike, like going from a farmer to an emperor overnight.

The change in status was too rapid, and he hadn't yet settled into his new role.

Soon, they arrived at the orphanage. Several ambulances were already parked there.

A soldier in uniform was also talking with Li Xintong.

It seemed they were discussing the relocation of the orphanage.

A portion of an area in a newly built sanatorium in Dalian was being allocated to the orphanage.

I had to admit, the military moved fast.

They didn't drag their feet at all.

Whatever they decided, they did it on the spot.

Li Xintong ran over when she saw Xiao Shou.

Although she was a bit confused, wondering why the orphanage, which was usually ignored and uncared for, was suddenly attracting so much attention.

They were providing medical care and arranging housing.

Through their conversations, she learned that it was all connected to Xiao Shou.

Learning that Xiao Shou was going to serve in the military, the organization had specifically arranged things to take care of his concerns.

Li Xintong wasn't an naive young girl. She knew that even if one joined the military, their family might receive some preferential policies at best.

An operation of this scale, affecting dozens of people at the orphanage, was unprecedented.

Unless the unit he was joining was extraordinary, special, and therefore very dangerous.

"Can you not go? We're really worried about you. Give us two more years, no, one year, and I'll make sure everyone is better off. You don't have to put yourself in danger."

Li Xintong looked at Xiao Shou with eyes full of worry.

"It's okay, Sister Bao'er. I'm going to Aunt Rong's unit. There won't be any danger," Xiao Shou said, hinting for Jin Rong to chime in.

Jin Rong nodded slightly at Li Xintong, signaling that it was fine.

Xiao Shou went inside to check on the elders and children in each room.

He said he was going to work out of town and would earn a lot of money, so they shouldn't worry.

A white lie was necessary.

These elders, due to their loneliness, had already come to regard Xiao Shou as their own child.

If they knew Xiao Shou was going to fight Kaiju directly, they would surely try to stop him.

The children at the orphanage were also reluctant to see Xiao Shou leave.

But ultimately, Xiao Shou had to go.

On the way back, he also stopped by Grandma He's Noodle House.

He specifically went to say goodbye to Grandma He.

Grandma He didn't try to stop him. Xiao Shou was still young, and she couldn't expect him to be a waiter forever.

In fact, the old lady had previously wanted her daughter to help Xiao Shou get into a good university.

Now that he clearly had a better path, that was no longer necessary.

And so, Xiao Shou began his "Jaeger military" career.