Xu Qi said to Lieutenant Himeko beside him, "Looks like we won't have to die together after all, Lieutenant Himeko."
Faced with such a young man, Himeko couldn't resist teasing him. "You're quite an interesting young man. How about coming to be my blind date tonight?"
Xu Qi had long been through countless battles and been teased by all kinds of older sisters. How could he possibly lose?
"If you mean a one-night date, I definitely wouldn't hesitate, though I haven't even seen what you look like."
"Really? Then you'd better be careful. Your big sister here has rather strong needs."
Xu Qi was rendered speechless.
"The train's traction will vanish instantly next. But it's moving far too fast! We need to apply enough force in the opposite direction."
Himeko chuckled softly—he couldn't take even a little teasing without changing the subject?
What an interesting young man...
"What do you have in mind?"
Himeko considerately picked up where he left off.
"V2V's output can continue increasing, but only for one minute! After that minute, this armor's energy will probably be exhausted. We have to stop the train within that minute!"
"What should we do?"
"I'll give the order when the time comes! Everyone's half airborne right now. Once the train's speed stabilizes at a low enough level, we'll lower our legs and forcefully brake the train!"
"Understood! You'll handle the timing!" Himeko then switched to team communications and said, "Did everyone hear that!? When the time comes, follow this kid's orders!"
"Roger!"
"Lieutenant Himeko, are you falling for him?"
"Acting is better than pining, Lieutenant Himeko!"
"Get lost!"
"Hahahaha!"
Of course, they didn't know that with Xu Qi's Mental Power, at such a close distance, he could hear their conversations perfectly clearly even when they used team communications.
These adults really were...
At that moment, the sound of an air pump venting came from the distance—twice in total! Line 9 had six cars, but only two pantographs! Kosma had succeeded!
Xu Qi could clearly feel that the train's power had been cut off!
"Now! Trans-am! On!"
The Solar Furnace began operating at an unimaginable speed! Under the influence of Griseo's Mental Power coating, V2V, which was black and white, began flashing red all over!
Seeing this, Himeko narrowed her eyes. She really had no idea where this boy had gotten this Exoskeleton Armor. This kind of technology... certainly wasn't something a civilian should have been able to possess.
But never mind that. Himeko knew only one thing now.
The young man named Xu Qi beside her was about to become a hero whom all of Mode Capital would remember—a great hero!
"Stop this train!"
Feeling His Presence
"Mode Capital News, 30-Minute Special Report. At 6:30 this morning, Mode Capital Metro Line 9 train 956 was unable to complete its braking procedure during operation.
"According to an on-site reporter, the incident was successfully stopped at around 7:21 by employees of the Mode Capital Metro rolling-stock branch. There were no casualties."
Inside the tunnel, V2V leaned against the wall, its Exoskeleton Armor fully opened. Xu Qi didn't even have the strength to climb out of it.
Drenched in sweat, he leaned inside the armor and panted heavily. At that moment, the only thing he could feel was probably this—being alive was wonderful...
"To survive something like that... You're truly remarkable, young man."
Within Xu Qi's field of vision, a gorgeous woman with fiery red hair appeared.
The woman had an alluring figure. With just one glance, Xu Qi found himself unable to look away from her impressive chest. You've got to be kidding... How could there be such magnificent scenery?
"I... feel pretty miraculous myself..."
Himeko was somewhat moved. She had expected him to be young, but she hadn't expected him to be—he was practically a fresh university graduate, a completely inexperienced boy...
"Where's Xia Ya?"
"Xia Ya? Oh... The person in that red mech, right? Was he the mastermind behind this incident? Don't worry, we've already taken him into custody."
Xu Qi's gaze dimmed slightly, but he still nodded and forced a smile. "Thank you. Without you, there would've been no way to stop this train."
"Heh, there's no need to flatter us, young man. You... really are the hero who saved everyone."
A hero... That wasn't what I wanted...
Using the little strength he had managed to regain, Xu Qi sat up inside V2V and looked toward train 956.
Countless passengers emerged from the train's escape doors one after another under the rescue efforts of the special police. Xu Qi didn't know what those officers had told them, but...
When the passengers who had stepped onto the tracks saw Xu Qi sitting inside V2V, they spontaneously bowed deeply to him before silently continuing toward the safe area as instructed.
The silent scene was deeply moving.
Himeko turned to look at Xu Qi, only to discover that the young man's smile was dazzling.
"Their survival is my achievement."
Himeko's breath caught. You've got to be kidding... How was she supposed to go on that blind date tonight? Could there really be any man more captivating than Xu Qi at this very moment?
Inside the tunnel, medical and firefighting personnel quickly arrived. Among them, Xu Qi easily spotted Su.
Wearing a white coat and carrying a stretcher, he was running at the very front. It would've been hard not to see him...
"Doctor, I'm..."
"Don't talk! Someone, give me a hand! Get him out of the armor and onto the stretcher!"
Himeko's eyes lit up when she heard that.
"Leave it to me!"
"Huh? Wait, Lieutenant Himeko, I..."
Before Xu Qi could refuse, the mature older sister wrapped her arms around him and lifted him horizontally into her embrace like a princess carry.
The woman's rich perfume and full, soft body instantly made Xu Qi lose all thought of refusing. His heart swayed.
Big sister, take me head-on.
Of course, the enjoyment was clearly time-limited. Only after she carefully placed Xu Qi on the stretcher did he say, "I... I'm actually fine."
"Yes, yes, yes, I know you're fine, little guy. But let the doctor examine you anyway. We can't leave any hidden problems."
Her tone sounded like she was humoring a child throwing a tantrum. It's over. The appeal of older sisters is simply impossible to imagine.
Nearby, Su's expression was also rather strange.
What kind of human-shaped peach blossom spirit is this kid?
As she left, Himeko gave Xu Qi's abdomen a gentle pinch.
"Take care, little guy."
On the stretcher, Su examined Xu Qi as he walked.
Only after confirming that Xu Qi was merely exhausted did he finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Uh... Doctor, I should be fine, right?"
"No. There's a problem."
"What?"
"Your brain has a problem."
Xu Qi sighed.
"Sorry, Doctor. I..."
Su shook his head.
"That apology shouldn't be directed at me."
"Is Mei... Is she all right?"
"I don't know. After all, I didn't come here with her."
Xu Qi's mood grew slightly heavy. The last thing he wanted was to make Mei worry about him.
He had done something incredibly amazing, yet Xu Qi still felt as though something was missing. That was it... He hadn't seen Mei. At that moment, the person Xu Qi most wanted to see was probably Mei.
After surviving such a disaster, he really wanted to share that relief with Mei.
"But there's one thing I still have to tell you—you did well, Xu Qi. You saved the lives of everyone on an entire train."
Xu Qi slowly grinned.
"Thanks, Doctor."
When Xu Qi was carried out of the tunnel on the stretcher, countless reporters were already waiting outside. Of course... they were destined not to see him.
Police officers kept the crowd from approaching along the entire route, allowing Xu Qi to be safely taken to the ambulance.
To be honest, Xu Qi didn't really want to keep lying down. He felt that there was nothing wrong with his body, but Su insisted that he go to the hospital for a full examination, and Xu Qi certainly saw no reason to argue.
It would also be a good chance to see if there were any young and pretty nurses.
Xu Qi turned his head, and then... his body stiffened on the bed.
Sitting beside Xu Qi, Mei was looking at him with reddened eyes. The tear tracks at the corners of her eyes clearly hadn't been wiped away yet. She looked as though she had just cried, making it impossible not to feel sorry for her.
She remained silent, which instead made Xu Qi's heart sink.
To be honest, he would rather Mei scold him right now.
"Mei..."
"Don't talk to me!"
Xu Qi immediately shrank back, while Su narrowed his eyes in amusement as he watched the show.
"How obedient you are in front of me now, huh? Why didn't you listen to me then? Xu Qi, you sure know how to talk. 'I'll live well for your sake'... Was that really your way of trying to stay alive!?
"This time, we were lucky that someone in the carriage cooperated. But what if—what if it had failed!? Do you really think you could..."
"Tss!"
Xu Qi suddenly grimaced and clutched his stomach.
Mei's expression changed, and she immediately reached over to feel around. "What's wrong? Where does it hurt? Are you injured?"
In truth, he wasn't hurt at all. The ambulance only contained Mei and Su, and Su didn't even bother coming over to check. He could tell at a glance that the kid was faking it.
"What's wrong? Don't just say it hurts—tell me what's happening!"
Mei's voice was filled with anxiety and concern. Xu Qi couldn't bear to keep teasing the girl in front of him, so he exerted some force and pulled Mei into his arms.
"Ah!"
Su turned around. Hear no evil, see no evil...
The girl's graceful body pressed against Xu Qi, making him suck in a breath. Could this be any more comfortable?
Mei finally reacted. She secretly glanced back at Su and found him facing away from them, looking outside the ambulance. She quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Her face flushed, she pinched the soft flesh at Xu Qi's waist and glared at him. "You're such a tease."
Xu Qi grinned. Then he lowered his head and kissed the girl's warm, soft lips.
Including this time, it was already Mei's fourth kiss in her life... She didn't resist the feeling. Most importantly... she had desperately wanted to feel Xu Qi's presence.
Half-pressed against him like this, with their lips and tongues entwined...
Everything about it told Mei that her Xu Qi—was still alive.
This feeling was wonderful...
Before you continue