Yang Ming's Small Goal

Kolev spun around abruptly. Upon seeing the figure behind him, he exclaimed with surprise, "Han... Hahaha! It's really you!"

Yang Ming put away the silver-white remote control in his hand.

Following that, Kolev frowned, pinched one of his beards, and gave it a gentle tug.

"Hiss, this isn't a dream. You're really standing before me!"

However, Kolev quickly calmed down.

He took in Yang Ming's current attire.

He wore a light blue mechanic's uniform, had some stubble on his face, and the weariness from long Navigation in his eyes. His mental state seemed less than ideal.

"Oh, why are you down on your luck again? What should I call you now?" Kolev asked warily.

"Just call me Yang Ming," Yang Ming said softly, then patted his sunken belly. "Don't you have a meal ready for an old friend? Don't worry, I'm using my real identity now. That passport you gave me is still in use."

"Of course, I do! Wait a moment... Oh, have all my robots frozen?"

Yang Ming raised his hand and pressed his watch twice, saying calmly, "Lü, have you finished modifying their programs?"

A three-inch projection of Molly Two appeared on the watch, dressed in an elegant evening gown, speaking softly, "It's done, Boss."

"Good, activate it."

Kolev keenly noticed something unusual about Molly Two's projection.

She was meticulous and lively, her demeanor more akin to Molly One.

Lü?

Even her name seemed different.

As the creator of Molly, Kolev naturally understood that Molly Two had no functions beyond controlling the ship, nor had she been equipped with learning modules requiring significant computing power and energy.

"Two, do you remember me?" Kolev called out softly.

The young girl looked up, gave Kolev a polite smile, and said quickly, "Hello, Mr. Kolev. You should be addressed as Mr. Hatton now. My boss always mentions you. It is your generosity that has allowed my boss to shine one ten-thousandth as brightly. But I am not Two. Or rather, I am an advanced version of Two. My name is Lü."

Kolev exclaimed in surprise, "Yang Ming, you redesigned her?"

"Something like that," Yang Ming said, not wanting to discuss it at the moment. "First, get me something to eat. Let me taste your luxurious lunch, you rich old man!"

On the windowsill, in the reception hall, inside and outside the manor, the robots that had stopped moments ago simultaneously came back to life, continuing their previous instructions as if nothing had happened.

The butler stepped forward, completely ignoring Yang Ming, and said to Kolev, "Master, are you talking to yourself? Your mental state worries me."

Kolev was stunned.

He turned and glared at Yang Ming, then at the butler robot whose program he had personally modified, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.

Yang Ming chuckled, "Don't worry. Lü modified them so they can't hear or see me, preventing any information leaks. It won't affect their normal work."

"Oh, how did you achieve that?"

Kolev's eyes were filled with astonishment, staring at Yang Ming's watch as if he were looking at a monster.

That watch was something he had given Yang Ming before.

This old guy's life has truly become decadent.

Yang Ming gnawed on a juicy roasted beast leg, enjoying the silken texture brought by the chef robot's precise knife skills. After a few bites of roasted meat, he couldn't help but let out a few groans.

"Six months," Yang Ming sighed. "I finally don't have to eat synthetic biscuits anymore!"

A girl's mumbled voice came from his watch, "Synthetic biscuits are much more nutritious than this. You've ingested excess fat and protein."

"Shut up," Yang Ming cursed with a smile. "You have no idea how awful the synthetic biscuits you make are. That stuff is pig slop."

"Understood, Boss. You can press the power button on that machine yourself from now on."

Yang Ming snapped, "Give me some face, Lü! We're in front of my old friend!"

"If the price of pleasure is self-degradation, then I suggest you maintain self-discipline to ensure mental agility," Lü said very seriously.

She added, "Even though your life level has surpassed that of ordinary life forms of your species, you still have significant room for improvement."

"You may remain silent while I dine. This is an order."

Lü instantly fell silent.

Yang Ming picked up something resembling an Earth cherry tomato, his mouth bursting with juice as he ate, and sighed comfortably.

The world was finally quiet.

Then, Yang Ming looked at Kolev, who was standing beside him with a face full of suspicion.

"Surprised? My dear old friend."

Kolev gestured for the surrounding robots to withdraw. He took out a pen from his jacket pocket, twisted the cap, and a pink isolation field enveloped the two of them.

Kolev asked, his eyes flickering.

"Who is Lina?"

"A female spy who tried to lock me in a transparent can."

"Where did she die?"

"Orhaifu orbital synchronization."

"Is the mole on my daughter's left shoulder or right shoulder?"

"Does your daughter have a mole on her shoulder?" Yang Ming asked, confused. "How would I know? I've never even seen her shoulders."

"Oh," Kolev said, narrowing his eyes and smiling as he put down the Laser Pistol hidden under the table with satisfaction. "You really are my old buddy. What have you been up to these past six months? And where's the Feinan?"

"She's not here. She's currently docked outside your secret base, ready to pick us up anytime," Yang Ming said. "Your base is deserted. Where did Milili go?"

Kolev's expression turned a bit somber. "Children always grow up. We had a fight, and she chose to continue pursuing her dream of becoming the freest Pirate in the starry sky."

Yang Ming wasn't surprised at all. "Respect her decision."

"Yes," Kolev sighed. "But she has a problem: she's not ruthless enough."

Yang Ming picked up the warm, sweet beast milk and drank it in one gulp, feeling a surge of energy.

"Alright Kolev, it's time we talk business."

Kolev pouted and crossed his legs like a lord.

"Yang Ming, if 'business' means starting a Pirate crew, then I can tell you straight up, you've missed your only chance. I like my life now. I have enough money to earn respect."

"You need me to conquer you, for the second time," Yang Ming said with a smile.

Kolev smiled confidently, already preparing his defenses.

"My goal has never been to become a Pirate," Yang Ming said cheerfully. "I need your assistance this time because you're the only one I can trust. I need an experienced, brilliant assistant, and a legitimate wealthy identity as a cover."

Kolev waved his hand impatiently. "Save your sweet talk for those naive girls! I suffered heavy losses cooperating with you once, let alone becoming your long-term assistant!"

Yang Ming's expression turned quite serious.

He rested his arms on the table, interlaced his fingers, leaned forward, and looked at Kolev with utmost sincerity.

"Remember, Kolev?"

"Are you really going to play the 'heart-to-heart' card?" Kolev asked, frowning.

Yang Ming suppressed a smile and returned to his sincere tone. "Why am I looking for you? I could actually do this alone. Lü could handle the technical aspects. But something you said once made me feel like I should bring you along for this major undertaking."

"Something I said?"

"'Eternal Navigation'," Yang Ming said. "You're Kolev, a man with an exploratory spirit. Even though you later became a Pirate scoundrel, it doesn't erase your thirst for knowledge."

Kolev chuckled, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

Yang Ming's voice gradually softened.

"You've sailed the edges of the galaxy for most of your life; you understand the galaxy. But do you understand the vaster universe beyond it?

"Don't you want to know how beings in higher dimensions operate, what they pursue?

"Your life's balance might be running low, but don't you want to achieve self-worth beyond being a Pirate, on a higher plane? To chase the thrill of satisfying your curiosity?"

"No!" Kolev answered earnestly and decisively.

"Hey, that's no fun!"

Yang Ming rubbed his temples, dejected.

"Alright, Kolev, I admit I need your help. Lü's intelligence is a bit too high. If I rely on her too much, she'll get cocky, and it'll easily expose her to major powers, which could brew another crisis."

Kolev looked at Yang Ming's watch and couldn't help but ask, "How did you do it? She..."

"Legacy of a high-dimensional civilization."

Yang Ming said concisely, "I can share this secret with you, but I can't tell you how to reach that secret location. That's something I must keep to myself."

"Oh," Kolev's eyes lit up. "You've obtained a huge technological treasure?"

"Not yet. I still need to pass an assessment."

Yang Ming sighed.

"I've encountered administrators left by a high-dimensional civilization. They aren't exactly life forms, but I've gained a lot from them. Lü, who was originally 'Number Two,' is now their goddaughter. You'd best not mess with her."

Kolev said, "Tell me more! I'm very interested in this."

"Only if you agree to help me," Yang Ming's lips curved slightly. "That's the condition, Kolev."

"Hey! You can't torture an old man's curiosity like this!"

Kolev gritted his teeth.

Yang Ming put on a victorious expression, as if to say, 'I've got you, you old geezer.'

"I don't care!"

Kolev stood up, leaning on his cane. He grabbed the isolation field emitter, pulled it away, and turned to walk towards the restaurant door about ten meters away.

Lü's virtual image appeared beside Yang Ming, frowning. "Boss, if he can't become your assistant, you should wipe his memory."

"Don't be so ruthless to my old partner," Yang Ming said. "You can start the countdown now."

"Why?"

Lü was a bit confused, but as she had to obey all of Yang Ming's orders, she began to count down:

"Three, two, one."

Kolev stopped in his tracks, facing the display of valuable oil paintings before him.

The old man was silent.

He turned around and looked closely at Yang Ming for a long while.

"I need to know your next plan, or what you want to achieve at this stage," Kolev said calmly. "I don't have much time left, young man. I don't want to waste it on meaningless things."

Yang Ming thought carefully and said slowly, "Our goal is, at this stage, or rather, within the five-year limit..."

"Uh-huh?"

"To obtain a habitable Administrative Planet that belongs only to me."