Personal History

       Among the children at the orphanage, Mei Mei was widely regarded as the "little adult", not because she was particularly precocious in stature, nor because she affected a mature, solemn tone, nor because she liked to drop obscure references only adults would recognise. Rather, it was because she possessed the awareness of a child from a poor background who had to grow up quickly and she was exceptionally gentle and considerate towards her peers, very adept at looking after others.

       Even before leaving the orphanage, Mei Mei served as the staff's "little helper". Whether cleaning, preparing meals, tending the vegetable garden, or caring for the chickens, horses and cows, she proved far more capable than the other children. When her peers threw tantrums, Mei Mei was always the quickest to devise ways to soothe them. The staff observed that Mei Mei's character had matured beyond her years at an early age, displaying the patience and composure of a seasoned housewife.

       Even when the orphanage was running smoothly, Mei Mei had already displayed an unusual sense of foreboding. Her favourite television programmes were wilderness survival reality shows, which she watched with particular intensity. It was less about enjoying the shows and more about learning skills for unforeseen circumstances. At such times, the staff would smile and explain to Mei Mei that the children would never be abandoned in the wilderness.

       Yet the day came when the orphans had to venture into the wilderness: their vegetable plots had been stripped bare by starving people, their chickens and horses stolen. Though the children roamed ever farther in search of fodder, the cows ceased giving milk due to lack of feed. It was General Ruby who made the crucial decision to take the most capable children out to fend for themselves, but without Mimi's patient preparations of essential supplies, this expedition would never have been possible.

       To procure provisions for their escape, Mei Mei volunteered to slaughter the dairy cow. As cattle are intelligent creatures capable of recognising humans, the animal harboured no suspicion towards Mei Mei, who tended to it most diligently...and indeed, this proved true. Mei Mei effortlessly bound the cow's limbs, calmly slit its throat with a single stroke, then meticulously butchered the meagre remaining flesh, drying it into jerky.

       The four companions had all acquired the most basic self-care skills at the orphanage. However, when out in the wild, only Mei Mei could draw upon her wilderness survival skills to address the most critical issues: safe drinking water, protection against mosquitoes and insects, methods to avoid floods and thunderstorms, and edible wild plants and animals that could be foraged in emergencies.

       Meimei remains the squad's housekeeper and her meticulous care in daily matters extends even to the eccentric Auntie Karula, who naturally finds this most agreeable. Compared to the others, Meimei's combat prowess is average, yet when it comes to safeguarding the squad's security and survival, her ruthlessness may well surpass that of the thoroughly villainous-looking Ruby.

Personal Report

       Meimei is the medic and logistics officer of the Pioneer Service Group Group, and also the source of comfort and security for everyone in the team, including Karula. Meimei isn’t particularly good at charging into battle, but whether it’s bandaging the wounded or setting up a field kitchen, she performs at a level rivaling that of professionals. If Ruby’s leadership talent enables the squad to defeat their enemies, then Meimei and her many pouches and bags are what ensure everyone returns safely.

        In the memories of Ruby and the other orphans, there was never a time when Meimei was carefree or childlike. It seemed like she was already an adult from the moment anyone could remember — cleaning, preparing meals, watering and weeding the orphanage’s vegetable garden, feeding poultry and livestock — she handled all the duties of a caretaker with equal excellence. Especially for those children who were abandoned due to disabilities, Meimei provided meticulous and attentive care. Even when other kids threw tantrums, she was always the first to figure out how to calm them down. Perhaps due to her premature maturity, Meimei rarely displayed the cheerful optimism typical of children her age. Instead, she was always burdened with worry, preparing for an uncertain future. Her favorite television program was survival reality shows. While the other kids laughed at the hosts grimacing as they chewed on bugs, Meimei would solemnly memorize every survival skill they demonstrated.

       As unrelenting hardship descended upon the small orphanage, the vegetable beds Meimei once tended were stripped bare by starving scavengers, the hens and horses stolen, and the Weak cows could no longer produce a drop of milk. When Ruby suggested leaving the Joint Development Region, Meimei agreed with the idea and warned her companions that once the decision was made, there should be no turning back. To prepare for the expedition, Meimei did everything she could — even slaughtered the cow she had carefully raised and made it into jerky.

       It wasn’t hardship that made her cold-hearted. Meimei had always been this way: The one who washed and hung the bed linens, baked delicious pastries, and brought smiles, The one who carried water purification tablets, insect repellent, windproof lighters, and foraged for edible wild herbs wherever she went, living with tenacity, The one who, without hesitation, delivered a finishing shot to the head of a fallen enemy ruthless and unflinching. All of these were Meimei. The children of the Pioneer Service Group and perhaps even their employer Karula all saw life and combat through a filter, turning them into a grand adventure. But only Meimei saw the cold, hard truth before her. Perhaps that’s what makes her truly extraordinary.

Interviews transcript

Interviewee: Hanna
"Who on earth taught her how to use a field telephone like that?! That thug ended up confessing everything, sure, but the way he looked afterwards... it still sends chills down my spine."

Interviewee: Murphy
"Meimei is a great assistant to the doctor. Whether it’s adrenaline or atropine, I can always find what I need in her medical kit when the time comes! But she’s always nagging me to conserve supplies... I mean, she’s not wrong — meds are expensive."

Interviewee: Black Market Vendor
"I'll never forget the crepes Meimei made — that scent after she spread strawberry jam on them… it brought back the taste of my mom’s cooking when I was a kid… I cried like a fool as I ate them, and ended up handing over the 20 RGD-5 grenades that someone else had reserved. I had to pay a huge penalty in the end — but money can be earned again. That happiness, that taste of mom’s cooking, is irreplaceable."