Chaoge didn't care about any of that; in Little Red Riding Hood's words, all her attention was on the dogs. #TheSo-CalledHumanIsBetterThanADogSeries#
Upon seeing the long-lost domesticated creatures, Chaoge was overwhelmed with excitement.
For some reason, the puppy was particularly fond of sticking to her, even more so than with its own owner. At first, Chaoge thought it was wonderful, but later, when she held it up and looked into its eyes, she felt that the affection in the little guy's eyes was like a green glow...
It was like seeing a bone or meat.
Oh no, Tuanzi, how many days have you been starving? I'm not tasty, okay!
No one knows what kind of temper Sikong Yufu has, but she actually raised a puppy that combines cuteness and aloofness. Seeing that Chaoge was deliberately teasing it, it lay down on the ground exposing its belly, and before Chaoge could reach out to touch it, it did a somersault and flipped over, glanced at Chaoge, and then trotted over to its owner with its short legs, hiding behind Sikong Yufu and pretending that Chaoge couldn't see it.
Just as Chaoge turned her head to shift her attention to something else, the little guy pitifully walked over to her side again, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye as he walked, radiating an aura of 'Oh, I'm so pitiful, no one plays with me, I'm so pathetic.'
"This dog is practically a spirit!" Chaoge exclaimed to Little Red Riding Hood.
【Dog spirit?】Little Red Riding Hood found this new title a bit strange, and she hadn't expected Chaoge to be arguing with a dog.
【No, it's a dog.】Chaoge snorted softly, indicating that being toyed with by a dog like this was too humiliating.
Little Red Riding Hood: [Oh, you've sunk so low that you have to rely on a dog to save face?]
Chaoge: ...
After Chaoge told Qin Muge about this, he only received a cold "Heh" from General Qin.
No, no, no, listen to my excuse! I'm really not a dog! No, I didn't mean to compare myself to a dog! Believe me, look into my innocent eyes! What's with that mocking smile of yours? You don't believe me anymore?!
What rumors have you heard?! This is a long story, let me tell you!
Little Red Riding Hood: [Did you enjoy the performance?]
☆ Chapter 42: The Forty-Second Evaluation of General Qin
Yan Chaoge and Sikong Yufu's research project is a report on improving the power system of a mecha, the M412. This mecha uses primitive nuclear energy conversion instead of amorphous energy. Although reactor isolation is not an issue, waste disposal is difficult. The mecha's energy requirements are enormous, resulting in significant environmental pollution from its waste.
Especially given the current high demands placed on the space environment, the laws of the Crystalless Empire stipulate the standards for the annual transport of space waste into outer space, and it is naturally impossible to tolerate the existence of these outdated mechs that occupy the waste quota.
However, the weapons this mech can carry are comparable to the Empire's latest models. Due to the energy block issue, this mech was designed to be bulky from the start, earning it the title of "big guy" in the mech world. It was the most advanced mech in the star system before the Crystalless Empire's energy reform.
The professors have never stopped developing new types of mechs, and what Chaoge and Sikong Yufu are researching this time is whether the power system of the M412 mech can be replaced with the current crystalless energy power support.
The ideal is beautiful, but the reality is harsh. Improving the M412 is almost a niche topic. With a series of modern mechs that can adapt to amorphous energy systems, basically no one will waste their time, energy, or brain cells on this outdated model.
Even Sikong Yufu expressed a certain degree of surprise at her idea. Although her surprise was not at all about the question itself, but rather—"The midterm report only required us to write about the feasibility of improving any existing mech models. Why did you directly extend it to the practice of modifying the power source of the M412?"
To put it simply, the teacher was just going through the motions to see their grandiose and unrealistic ideas, and didn't have any real hope for their conjectures. Chaoge tilted her head, grunted in understanding, and turned back to look at the improved exploration discussion published by a professor a few years ago, which the AI had found.
Sikong Yufu smiled helplessly. She thought she had prepared thoroughly enough, but she hadn't expected someone to be this meticulous. If Sikong Yufu was aiming for 100% success, then Yan Chaoge was aiming for 120%.
"They're really diligent," she murmured, then used her AI to search for information, pushed away the puppy's head that had come closer, shared Chaoge's information, and started looking at the same things as her.
Five minutes later, Chaoge turned to stare at her, her eyes still seeming to hold lines of words. After blinking blankly for a moment, she finally realized what she was doing and replied, "No."
"Hmm?" Sikong Yufu turned to look at her, a hint of confusion in her eyes. Clearly still absorbed in the academic paper, she smiled after a few seconds, adopting an attentive listening posture. Chaoge thought for a moment and gave an answer: "I just looked at the experiences of the senior students. Generally, the midterm exam questions are about proposing a theory, and the final practical part is about refining that theory. Solving one problem at a time like this is more efficient. I also have other things to look at."
Because of the shared access with Qin Muge, she could access almost all of Qin Muge's systems and knew about the types of mechs and weapons he currently owned.
Many vague ideas swirled in her mind, but few of them were feasible, and these remained to be considered. Besides, she wasn't fighting alone; Little Red Riding Hood's cheat code was of unknown origin. Chaoge dared to make such bold conjectures because of the items in the points shop, and this time she had her eye on one thing—an energy converter. It was compatible with all known energy sources in the universe, capable of converting into any other energy source, and the energy exchange ratios between different energy sources were also noted.
This ridiculous thing costs her 1000 points. What does 1000 points even mean? It means completing Qin Muge's ultimate strategy quest, and it's only 1000? This shop is definitely a scam!
【Hehe.】Little Red Riding Hood gave a cold laugh as a response to Yan Chaoge's sarcastic remark, and then didn't forget to pour cold water on her to remind her that she shouldn't try to get rich quick.
[The core material of the energy converter is a rare mineral that does not exist in this plane. It's already incredible that you were able to exchange it with points. Don't even think about being able to research this thing, okay?] Little Red Riding Hood was a little curious as to why Chaoge could make such a simple task so complicated in a low-key way.
Chaoge ignored it and muttered to herself, "If only all energy could be freely converted..." which was overheard by Sikong Yufu, who was looking down at her book.
An interesting idea. Sikong Yufu stroked the puppy's head casually, but the sudden pressure she released made the little white dog's grape-like eyes flash with deep fear. It put its front paws on its head, trying to minimize its presence, hoping that this great demon king wouldn't notice it.
A number of equations were displayed on the light blue screen. Chao Ge rubbed his temples in exasperation. He felt a headache coming on whenever he saw such complicated mathematical calculations. Fortunately, the current AI had extraordinary abilities to assist with calculations.
Another half hour passed.
Chaoge suddenly realized something: "Speaking of which... we're in the same group, so does that mean if I research this, you can only research this too?"
Sikong Yufu looked at her sincerely, and then asked in the same sincere tone, "May I ask what your definition of a group project is?"
Oh, actually I didn't even define this. Did you think I was going to tell you? Humph.
little Red Riding Hood:……
Regardless, Chaoge felt it was unfair of her to decide on the group assignment without the consent of her collaborators, so she thought, "How about we do this topic? You can choose to agree, agree, or agree."
[Oh, Sikong Yufu, can you still tolerate this? I wouldn't be able to tolerate it in this situation.] Little Red Riding Hood thought to herself, trying to see a much-anticipated catfight.
【If you're so capable, then say it to me. If you're so capable, then say it to her.】Chaoge isn't afraid of changing topics at all. Anyway, she had just seen the statistics of papers on mecha improvement. If she had to describe the quantity in one word, it would be massive.
Sikong Yufu smiled, her eyes crinkling, and said without any hesitation, "It's okay, let's go with this topic. And you can apply for this project with this topic; there's research funding." She pushed the smart screen in front of her towards Chaoge, which showed her the application process for a related project that she had just seen.
Huh? Chaoge naturally wouldn't let go of any opportunity to be independent and self-reliant. Her eyes lit up as she scanned the area, and then she continued to search for possibilities on this topic with great energy.
10 PM.
Sikong Yufu carried the puppy back to her dormitory, while Chaoge continued to ponder the problem of nuclear reaction and amorphous energy conversion materials while looking at the theoretical model in front of her.
While she claims to be thinking about it, she's definitely not intelligent enough to come up with such a problem. Little Red Riding Hood already has the relevant information and process. What Chaoge needs to do is to integrate the existing research topics of the Crystalless Empire to provide a theoretical basis for her to create such a thing in the future.
Well, in other words, now that she has the questions and answers, she needs to figure out a reasonable process.
Moreover, even though Little Red Riding Hood could automatically compile this kind of information by extracting keywords, she still had to make herself appear very hardworking.
#LifeIsLikeAPlay,ItAllAboutActingSkillsSerieshhhh#
"Tsk, this guy's acting really cool, I give him a perfect 10." Little Red Riding Hood gave the above evaluation.
【Thank you.】If Little Red Riding Hood were standing right in front of Chaoge, she would definitely be in a good mood to bow to her in gratitude.
Little Red Riding Hood: ...Qin Muge, where are you? Quickly take this demon away, don't let her out to wreak havoc on the world anymore.
In another room.
Countless pieces of information flashed before Sikong Yufu's eyes, finally settling on the paper Chaoge had been reading earlier. Then, she picked up the puppy lying at her feet and, as if the dog could speak, asked with a serious smile, "Do you think that kind of energy converter can become a reality?"
The puppy whimpered and turned its head away.
She wasn't annoyed. She chuckled and placed it on her lap, stroking its head. "So confident, huh? I should thank you today, though. If it weren't for you, I would have had to walk there."
The puppy whimpered again and licked her palm with its tongue, indicating that it was nothing.
Royal Palace.
Min Kaiyang stood before Qin Muge, seemingly witnessing yet another unpleasant conversation. Min Kaiyang's face was icy cold, even the warmth of gold seemed frozen on him. He didn't understand why Qin Muge had rejected his suggestion so decisively; from every perspective, he believed there was no better suggestion.
"You're planning to raise a tiger to your own detriment." His expressionless voice carried an indescribable coldness, and anyone who didn't know him would find his words extremely harsh.
Qin Muge held a nail trimmer. Since she stopped interfering in affairs, her life had become much easier than before. She blew on her index finger and said without even lifting her eyelids, "Kaiyang, you can't be so easily swayed." Beneath her smiling tone, however, lay a chill a thousand times colder than that of Min Kaiyang.
Min Kaiyang seemed to suddenly realize something, and an incredulous look flashed across his eyes as he looked at Qin Muge. After a long while, for the first time ever, he curved the corners of his lips into a smile.
"Are you planning to lift someone up to the sky and then bring them crashing down? If so, I was wrong about you before, my master." She truly is a ruthless human; Min Kaiyang realized he had never truly seen through her.
Qin Muge paused, looked up at him, a murderous glint in her scarlet eyes, and said in a low voice with a dangerous warning: "I won't let her fall."
So don't cross my bottom line again and again.
☆ Chapter 43: The forty-third evaluation of General Qin
Min Kaiyang seemed not to understand her warning, staring at her with a probing look, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he fell silent.
Qin Muge turned his chair around, leaned back, and looked out at the starry sky. The night sky, with its ever-changing purple light, was like the emperor of this country, with its varying shades following an unpredictable pattern.
Two weeks later.
The scenery of Yuandu remained unchanged. The artificial landscape seemed to allow this academy, untouched by the distant wars and conflicts, to maintain its tranquility until the end of time. Half a month had passed, and Chaoge felt as if she could still see the documents flashing before her eyes when she closed them. Shaking her head, she felt dizzy and lightheaded when she got up from her desk.
"Another mission done." Chao Ge stretched and yawned, taking advantage of the fact that no one was in the dormitory, and just said it out loud. Anyway, Little Red Riding Hood's energy seemed to be fine, and she was always online.
Her long, black hair fell from her shoulders to her back, the slightly curled black hair seemingly bumping against her beautifully shaped back before being gently bounced up. Her hair was of excellent quality, making one think of the phrase "soft as silk" whenever one saw it.
I stretched out my arms, clenched my fists, and stretched all the way to the side. After a few seconds, I lowered my hands and looked at the scenery outside the floor-to-ceiling window. I felt like I had finally come back to life.
A slight gust of wind swept past behind her, and her relaxed nerves instantly tensed up again. Before she could turn around, a hand reached out from behind, wrapped around her waist, and pulled her back with some force.
She was surprised and tried to turn her head, but then she felt the guy behind her put his chin on her shoulder, his sharp jaw poking into her shoulder blade, causing a slightly sharp pain.
Just from this capricious feeling, Chaoge felt that she knew who this person was even without turning her head. "How did you get in?" She shrugged her shoulders, tilted her head, and pressed her cheek against Chaoge's, her voice filled with undisguised surprise.
Qin Muge nuzzled against her shoulder like a large golden retriever, successfully tickling Chaoge, who flinched. Qin Muge then pressed her advantage, shifting her head further, trying to make direct contact between their heads. Chaoge had to gently push her away, waiting for her answer.
Qin Muge seemed to have not slept well for several days. He just rubbed against her without saying a word. After a long silence, he reluctantly replied, "I came in."
...Don't you find it a waste of your breath to say something that's essentially meaningless?
Chaoge sensed that she didn't seem to want to talk much, so she changed the subject and asked, "Didn't you get enough rest?"
Qin Muge's breathing was very calm, as if a weary traveler had finally found a peaceful place to return to, let down his guard, and finally stopped.
Qin Muge lazily lifted her eyelids, as if she had just remembered the layout of the room. Somewhat dissatisfied, she leaned on Chaoge's shoulder for a while, then pulled her arm around Chaoge's waist to the side. Chaoge had no choice but to move to the side following her, and finally followed her to the bedside.
She was already wearing indoor clothes, and the constant temperature indoors made her too lazy to even change. Turning to Qin Muge, she noticed that the buttons on his military uniform jacket had been digging into her skin and causing her some pain. At this moment, he was unbuttoning his clothes and taking off his shoes with exceptional speed.
Just as Chaoge was about to speak, she reached out and covered her lips, not even wanting to open her eyes, and pulled her onto the bed, her voice filled with deep weariness: "Sleep with me for a while."
[Is she so cunning that she's finally suffering from insomnia?] Little Red Riding Hood thought to herself with schadenfreude.
Chaoge, however, didn't see it that way. She had a strange feeling in her heart, but staring at Qin Muge's handsome face, she didn't say anything. She just silently closed her eyes, took deep breaths, and tried to fall asleep. To say she was trying to fall asleep was a bit of a stretch, as she had been working on her project report all night and hadn't stopped until this morning, so falling asleep was a quick thing.
Half an hour later.
Qin Muge opened his eyes, his eyes, as red as wine, were now exceptionally vivid, almost blood red. His gaze swept over the wristband on Chaoge's wrist, and after a few seconds, he closed his eyelids again, holding the person in his arms even tighter. As if he wanted to say something, his rosy lips moved, but he still didn't say anything.
You are my only treasure, you can't leave me, you know?
When Chaoge woke up, it was already past noon. For the past two weeks, Sikong Yufu had been coming to her around this time every day to discuss the progress of her homework, and the two of them would record the progress together. It took her a while to realize that the final report had already been completed, and she didn't need to do any homework today.
Sikong Yufu didn't come to see her today, so she wanted to turn over and continue sleeping.
"Aren't you hungry?" Qin Muge's voice flowed into her ears, so close that it stirred up a hint of ambiguity that made her ears turn red.
Chaoge woke up instantly, her bright eyes meeting hers, vividly expressing her feeling—hunger.