Teasing Under the Setting Sun

The fading light of the sunset lay over the ruined West City like a veil of gold.

The road was littered with rubble, the streetlamps leaned crookedly, and the shadows stretched long.

The wind swept past, lifting several scorched yellow leaves and sending them spiraling through the air.

Android 17's teasing voice drifted over, sounding relaxed and a little mischievous.

Chen Hao glanced back at him.

The sunset happened to shine on Android 17's face. A smile hung at the corner of his lips, his hands tucked into his pockets as he sauntered over.

Gravel crunched beneath his feet.

His eyes moved between Chen Hao and Android 18.

"Brother-in-law?" Chen Hao released Android 18's arm and turned to face Android 17, raising a brow. "You really know how to pick your moment."

He was not angry at all when he said it; there was even a hint of amusement in his tone.

The sunset fell over his hair, painting a golden ring around it.

"What, did I say something wrong?" Android 17 stopped before a stretch of broken stone steps, tilting his head as he looked at Chen Hao. "You saved me, and my sister is going with you—doesn't that make you my brother-in-law?"

As he spoke, he glanced at Android 18, wearing that same impish grin.

The evening breeze stirred, making the hem of his shirt sway lightly.

"Android 17!" Android 18 shot him a glare, her face flushing slightly. "Don't talk nonsense."

"I wasn't talking nonsense." Android 17 shrugged and slowly moved closer, stopping three steps away from them. "Sis, why is your face red?"

Android 18 unconsciously touched her face. It really was a little hot.

Her lashes fluttered, and she quickly turned away, pretending to look at a weed in the distance.

Chen Hao merely smiled, neither denying nor admitting it.

He looked past Android 17 toward the road ahead. The entire West City was bathed in golden light.

The ruined buildings looked as though molten gold had washed over them, their cracks glowing.

The high-rises in the distance reflected a warm yet piercing light beneath the setting sun.

Broken glass and bricks lay scattered everywhere along the streets, and now and then, abandoned cars could be seen overturned by the roadside.

"What are you planning to do next?" Chen Hao asked Android 17 calmly.

"What am I planning to do?" Android 17 thought for a moment, gazing at the burning-red clouds on the horizon. "Find somewhere to settle down and live a proper life, I guess. The bomb inside me is gone now, so I don't have to worry about being controlled or hunted anymore."

As he spoke, he patted his chest, as though confirming that he was truly free.

The sunset reflected in his eyes, shining with something called hope.

"Get married and have kids?" Chen Hao glanced at him, his gaze deep.

"That's the plan." Android 17 grinned, showing his white teeth. "I've got my eye on a girl. She runs a restaurant in a nearby town. She's pretty, and she's gentle too."

His eyes lit up when he mentioned her, and his fingers unconsciously twisted at the hem of his clothes.

Android 18's eyes widened in confusion. "Since when did you..."

"While I was recovering these past few days." Android 17 scratched the back of his head, looking a little embarrassed. "I was bored, so I wandered around the town. There were wind chimes hanging outside the restaurant, jingling whenever the wind blew. I went in for a bowl of noodles and met her."

He sounded a little shy, like a boy who had only just begun to grow up.

"You certainly haven't been wasting time." Chen Hao smiled, his tone carrying a note of approval.

"Of course not." Android 17 patted his chest and straightened up. "Life is short. If you can enjoy it, then enjoy it. Look at this world—one moment it's here, the next it could be destroyed. Who knows what tomorrow will look like?"

After saying that, he looked seriously at Chen Hao again. "But brother-in-law, you'd better treat my sister well. If I find out you're bullying her..."

"What could you do?" Chen Hao raised a brow at him, a smile appearing at the corner of his lips.

Android 17 opened his mouth, but Chen Hao's calm expression reminded him of that punch in the arena that had blasted through Cell—the spray of blood, the sound of shattering bones... He swallowed and gave a dry laugh. "Forget it. I can't beat you."

"Good that you know." Chen Hao turned to Android 18, his voice becoming much gentler. "Let's go."