Chapter 76: Chapter 76: You don’t need to be too polite with me

So.

When Xu Lingjun carried the drunken Guo Zheng, who was like a dead dog, back home, and then returned alone.

What he saw was Wang Qingya’s solemn expression.

“Commander Zhang Zhengze and City Lord Yue just came over.”

Wang Qingya said.

Then… the slight buzz Ling Jun had from the alcohol immediately vanished.

He exclaimed, “They found out?”

“I should have told you before I came here that I’ve been working on a very challenging project. I’ve persevered for three years, and during these three years, I’ve consumed most of my time, even having very little time to visit you. But in the end, I had to admit that this project was impossible to achieve.”

“A universally applicable combat-type robot?”

“Yes.”

Wang Qingya said, “Because of this project, I lost too many academic credits. Even now, as a senior, I don’t have enough credits to graduate, so I came to Qingyang High School for an internship to earn credits through practice!”

Xu Lingjun realized, “So it wasn’t just for me, huh.”

Wang Qingya said irritably, “If it weren’t for you, I could have gone to Biluo City, Songchui City, or Yuxu City. Any of those places would be better than this godforsaken Qingzhou City.”

“Sorry, I got off track. Sister Yaya, please continue.”

Wang Qingya earnestly said, “As soon as I arrived, Qingzhou City was attacked, and what saved the day was a massive robot. Although this robot was far more advanced than the robots I had theorized, they’re somewhat in the same category. Do you understand what I mean?”

“So they’re suspicious that you ostensibly abandoned this project, but in reality, you never gave it up?”

“I shouldn’t have given up.”

With a fervent look in her eyes, Wang Qingya said, “When I was personally piloting the Assault Mecha, I could feel that my years of effort were not without results. Those problems weren’t without solutions; it’s just that this is a long-term course, not something that a few people can solve in two or three short years.”

Ling Jun thought to himself, “Weren’t you piloting me? Clearly, you were piloting me, and I was piloting the mecha.”

He asked, “So…?”

Wang Qingya earnestly said, “Xiaojun, the existence of this robot needs a solution. Qingzhou City is completely destroyed, and the ground is torn open; there should be no surveillance left. But don’t forget about the satellite positioning observation system. If they investigate seriously, they might not find any clues about the mecha disappearing, but they can definitely track it back to us, as the mecha emerged from our house.”

She said, “The existence of the mecha indeed saved Qingzhou City, but with the capability to destroy a warship at close range, the mecha’s destructive power is too great. The Empire won’t allow such a weapon to exist outside their jurisdiction. Even for a powerful Sect, each Sect Disciple must report within the Empire and sign an emergency conscription document in times of war. The Empire only allows the Sect to self-govern because of this; if we want to just brush this off, it’s only a matter of time before we face an investigation.”

Xu Lingjun asked, “So you admitted it?”

Wang Qingya said, “I’ve been painstakingly researching the universal combat-type robot for years, but regrettably, there was no progress. I had to reluctantly abandon the project and came to teach in my fiance’s city to earn some academic credits and also to unwind. But who would’ve thought my fiance would turn out to be a real tech genius? After listening to my troubles, he gave me many valuable suggestions. With his guidance, everything became clear.”

“Wait, why am I involved?”

Xu Lingjun exclaimed in surprise.

Wang Qingya frowned and tapped Xu Lingjun, signaling him to listen to the end.

She said, “I transferred a considerable amount of funds from home, and under your guidance, I personally assembled a mecha, purchased the weapons system from the black market… I’ve already gotten my father to record it overnight.”

Wang Qingya paused and said, “Privately owning weapons is a serious crime, but since I’m a student of Zhanzheng College, which is dedicated to studying weapons out of the Four Great Academies, it’s justifiable. Even though it breaches a taboo, it can be argued that I invested too much effort into the robot and, due to lack of support from the Academy, was driven to madness and created a mecha. Isn’t this reasonable?”

Reasonable?

Xu Lingjun felt that this story was full of loopholes.

Can a single person build a mecha?

But considering the mecha has already appeared and it’s confirmed to belong to their side… Wang Qingya has admitted that the mecha is hers, and it came from their home…

All the facts are established.

It seems they have no choice but to accept this setup.

Wang Qingya smiled, “Of course it’s not assembled here, but in my father’s factory. Afterward, it was discreetly brought here using the cloaking system, doesn’t that make more sense?”

“Still quite far-fetched, but then what?”

“Then the enemy attacked. I had no choice but to pilot the half-finished robot to face them. Although I was fortunate to win, the robot was, after all, a prototype. I could only try my best to take it far from the public before it self-destructed to avoid harming innocent people.”

She smiled, “How do you find my explanation?”

Xu Lingjun thought for a moment and said, “Although very forced and barely plausible, the explosion of the final mecha is genuinely appreciated.”

Indeed, it exploded, gone.

We’ll talk about the next explosion next time, but for now, it’s gone.

“There’s no choice; this mecha is bound to you. Once you’re exposed, your freedom is gone.”

Wang Qingya sighed softly and said, “What the mentor said was already at the tip of my tongue. I had no time to think over it; all I knew was that if I refused, Xiaojun, you definitely wouldn’t escape… so I had to agree…”

“Why drag me into this?”

Wang Qingya, looking a bit embarrassed, said, “Actually… I’m quite a traditional woman.”

Xu Lingjun: “Yeah, I noticed.”

Someone who actively helps their future husband find maids, cook, wash clothes, make the bed… even though you’re not married yet, after marriage, she’ll probably even help you wear your underwear and socks.

Xu Lingjun felt that he was almost being spoiled into being useless by her.

In that respect, Sister Yaya indeed embodies traditional female virtues.

“So strictly speaking, I don’t particularly like being in the spotlight, nor do I like overshadowing my fiance by taking the stage myself.”

Wang Qingya, slightly embarrassed, said, “After all, the mecha is yours. Saying it’s my idea feels like freeloading from you… so I pushed some credit onto you. But don’t worry, I’m still honestly carrying the blame. Only I can truly own up to this responsibility.”

“You can freeload off me; I’m willing. Considering our relationship, would I get upset if you did?”

Xu Lingjun said helplessly, “You should have…”

He wanted to say you should have discussed it with me, but he thought about it and figured it was an on-the-spot decision, with not much time to think carefully.

“Actually…”

Wang Qingya hesitated, then said, “Xiaojun, sit down. I want to ask you for something.”

“What is it?”

Wang Qingya asked, “That Assault Freedom Mecha is the only machine you can operate, and it can’t be unbound, correct?”

Xu Lingjun nodded.

“Then this mecha can’t be donated, or you’d definitely be required to cooperate in doing all sorts of tests. Your life would no longer be your own.”

Wang Qingya, feeling a bit shy, said, “But that mecha is enormously helpful for my project. Can you privately, when you’re free, help me with some experiments? The weight-bearing issues during intense combat, the actuators, and the pressure reduction during battles are all things I was groping around blindly before, but now, I’ve not only touched them, I’ve seen them and personally operated them…”

“Do you want to pick up the research again?”

“If universally applicable combat piloting robots were truly developed, it would greatly aid the Polar Star Battlefield.”

Wang Qingya said shyly, “I want to use some of your technology. Do you mind me taking advantage of you? Rest assured, I won’t monopolize it. I’ll make it clear that the results were achieved under your guidance. Even though it still feels like I’m taking advantage of you, I believe this technology can truly help the Great Xia Empire achieve a combat prowess breakthrough.”

Xu Lingjun sighed and said, “Sister Yaya, take advantage of me all you want; you don’t need to be too polite with me.”