This time, there were several thousand people who met the criteria and were forced to participate in the unified marriage matching, and there were only two more men than women. If it wasn’t for bad luck, a bad name, or poor fortune, how could one become one of the two unlucky ones?

Charlotte Reed paused, then said bitterly and indignantly:

“There’s not your name either!”

He didn’t see Brian Carter successfully matched with any woman.

Brian Carter raised his right eyebrow slightly and said:

“Didn’t I already say? I’ve applied to forgo this round of unified marriage matching.”

“Th-this, really? How could the company—how could they agree…” Charlotte Reed was both astonished and confused, feeling as if his worldview had been turned upside down.

He had lived for 21 years, and had indeed heard of someone who met the criteria not participating in the unified marriage matching, but those people always had sufficient reasons: either they were lying in a hospital bed, possibly dying at any moment, or they were on an external mission for the Security Department, with no certainty of return.

Anyone who was healthy and within the company, if they met the criteria, no one dared to violate the rules.

This was one of the core obligations of being a company employee.

Charlotte Reed was distracted from his sadness by this matter, and looked at Brian Carter:

“You’re prepared to accept a reduction in your energy ration share?

“That’s not even the worst part—the scariest is the deduction of contribution points. You won’t even have enough to eat! People like us can only get D1 level, just 1,800 points a month, only get to eat meat once a week—do you know what it means to have a third of that deducted at once?”

“The company agreed, no deduction.” Brian Carter showed a slight smile as he spoke.

“No, impossible, impossible…” Charlotte Reed muttered to himself, suddenly thinking of something.

If Brian Carter really did apply to forgo this round of unified marriage matching, that meant there was only one more man than woman participating this time.

Only one more…

I—I’m that one unlucky guy… Charlotte Reed’s mouth hung half open, a wave of intense sadness welling up inside.

At this moment, the display screen began to flip pages, briefly introducing the basic information of those who had successfully matched with residents on this floor, so that they could find each other and go to the various “Order Supervision Bureaus” under the “Order Supervision Department” to register their marriages.

“William Clark, your husband is an outsider!” After watching for a while, the women’s side was the first to erupt in exclamations.

William Clark’s expression grew slightly somber, her eyes flickered, and she softly read:

“Zhang Lei; male; birthplace: Wilderness Wanderer; age: 25; recruited by the company three years ago, has performed well ever since; no health issues; residence: Floor 622, Area A, No. 192; employee level: D4; e-card number: 04311029189…”

“There really is an outsider…” Charlotte Reed was also drawn in by this, turning to discuss it with his companions.

They all knew the company regularly recruited wilderness wanderers to supplement the population and improve the gene pool, but since no one on this floor had ever worked with an outsider or married one, everyone mostly treated this as an interesting anecdote.

“William Clark, it’s actually not so bad. Even though he used to be a wilderness wanderer, he’s a D4 employee now, and only 25 years old—that’s impressive!” A girl in a green top and blue pants comforted her friend.

D4 meant moving from an ordinary employee to a senior or advanced employee, able to serve as a deputy on small research projects, a foreman on a factory production line, a deputy team leader in the security force, or an order supervisor for a certain area on a certain floor. The benefits were at least 2,000 points higher than D1.

“But the effects of genetic modification after adulthood aren’t as good…” muttered a young man next to Charlotte Reed.

At this moment, he saw the information about his own marriage match:

“Julia Bennett; female; birthplace: internal employee; age: 30; previously had a husband, deceased for five years, currently raising a child; voluntarily applied to participate in this round of unified marriage matching; no health issues; residence: Floor 569, Area B, No. 27; employee level: D4; e-card number: 01609052558…”

“Edward Harris, your wife is ten years older than you…” Charlotte Reed also saw this entry.

Edward Harris, like most of his peers in the company, had a fair face, a solid build, and decent looks, just a bit delicate, making him seem rather introverted.

Hearing Charlotte Reed’s words, Edward Harris’s face flushed red, and he wanted to say something, but couldn’t get the words out.

After a while, everyone finally memorized the relevant information, then gradually left the activity center, preparing to find their spouses or go home and wait for them to come.

At this moment, with only five or six people left in the hall, a voice suddenly rang out:

“Who is Edward Harris?”

“Me, what’s up?” Edward Harris, who was chatting idly with Charlotte Reed and Brian Carter, instinctively turned to look toward the door.

At the entrance to the activity center, a woman walked in. She looked mature and charming; though her clothes were simple and plain, they couldn’t hide her impressive figure.

“I’m Julia Bennett.” The woman glanced at Edward Harris, nodded in satisfaction, and said, “Shall we go to your place and talk?”

Edward Harris was startled at first, then nodded repeatedly:

“Sure, sure.”

“Then let’s go now?” Julia Bennett said with a radiant smile.

“Sure, sure.” Edward Harris said as he quickly walked over.