Ancestral

Facing Nie Yun's question, Chu Xiaoxiao answered with complete composure.

"Didn't you say life at sea was incredibly dull and boring, and that you needed entertainment robots? I spent a long time picking these out. Don't tell me... they aren't cute?"

After speaking, she looked at him with a gaze that warned him he had better not say a single word of dissent.

Nie Yun was stunned to realize he had indeed said something like that. He had brought this upon himself!

He could only squeeze two words through his teeth: "Cu... cute!"

But how could such cute robots be used as sailors? They were the complete opposite of hardworking and uncomplaining!

Also, why did she have to make the male robot look so much like him? Now, as the captain, he had absolutely no distinct identity!

"Is... is there anything a bit more realistic? I mean, a more realistic size?" Nie Yun tried to cautiously reclaim some of his captain's dignity.

Size?!

Chu Xiaoxiao was ready to explode the moment she heard that word!

"What kind of realistic size do you want?! Are you talking about those life-like, young-girl-looking, pure entertainment robots!?" A dangerous glint appeared in Chu Xiaoxiao's eyes.

Nie Yun froze for a moment after hearing Chu Xiaoxiao's words, and then...

Holy crap! It turns out that was an option!

Nie Yun had a sudden epiphany. That's right! Why did he have to use those miserable, skull-faced robots? It turned out the world could be a much better place!

He was so slow to realize it, so incredibly slow! How had he not thought of that himself!

However, when the excited Nie Yun felt the murderous aura radiating from the person beside him, his body stiffened. He quickly weighed the probability of surviving after courting death in his mind, and then decisively abandoned this plan to reach the shores of happiness.

"Of course not! Am I that kind of person? These two are just fine! I am truly... truly satisfied!" Nie Yun said, his words not matching his heart.

Only then did Chu Xiaoxiao nod in satisfaction.

The personal bodyguard standing beside her looked at the two with a strange expression, but she was a true professional and remained silent.

"Don't underestimate these two robots. They are the world's most advanced intelligent robots. Not only are their joints precisely designed so they can walk as freely as humans, but they can also recognize 64 voice commands and be remotely controlled! This pair cost a million!"

As she spoke, Chu Xiaoxiao picked up a remote control from the side and fiddled with it. Sure enough, one of the robots began to move its limbs flexibly according to her control.

Nie Yun nodded with a smile, appearing quite satisfied, but he was complaining internally, Size, the point is the size! I don't need any of this smart stuff at all!

Once everything had been handed over, Nie Yun suddenly said to Chu Xiaoxiao in a mysterious tone, "By the way, I have some things on my ship. Come with me!"

After saying that, he brought Chu Xiaoxiao onto his Sea Wolf and chased all the bodyguards off to other ships.

This move made the female bodyguard very unhappy, but under Chu Xiaoxiao's insistence, she had no choice but to comply.

Nie Yun peeked around sneakily to confirm no one was watching, then dragged a metal box about a meter long out from a corner.

"What is this?" Chu Xiaoxiao asked curiously.

"My fleet... uh, I mean, good stuff!" Nie Yun said as he took out a silver-white key and opened the box.

Chu Xiaoxiao poked her head in to look. Uh, it was just another box...

Nie Yun lifted the inner box out and opened it.

Inside... was yet another box...

Chu Xiaoxiao watched with black lines on her forehead as Nie Yun pulled box after box out like a set of Russian nesting dolls. Before long, a large pile of boxes of various sizes had accumulated beside them.

Finally, five minutes later, Nie Yun took out a small box secured with nine locks. It was... about the size of two palms!

"Is there... another box inside?" Chu Xiaoxiao asked, her mouth twitching.

"Ahem! No, no, this time it's for real!" Nie Yun coughed in embarrassment.

This contained his entire fleet; he had to be careful!

Then, Nie Yun used the key to open the nine locks one by one. The two of them squatted in the corner like thieves and opened the box.

Instantly, a bright, golden light shone out.

"This..." Chu Xiaoxiao stared, dumbfounded, at the nearly one hundred gold coins inside.

She picked up a gold coin. On the front was a king's portrait, and on the back was a fleur-de-lis. Even though Chu Xiaoxiao knew nothing about antiques, she could tell that these gold coins were from a very distant era.

"Is this the 'ancient coins you picked up while going out' that you mentioned?" Chu Xiaoxiao pointed at the hundred or so gold coins, her expression clearly saying, Are you kidding me?

"Ahem! I know I picked up a few too many this time, but you have to believe me, I really did just pick them up!" Nie Yun said with a sincere expression.

Of course he had picked them up; besides these, he had also picked up an ancient Spanish warship!

"Alright, once these gold coins are processed, I'll notify you by phone. Given the massive quantity, if they all hit the market at once, it will impact the price. So, I suggest we sell them slowly. It will take longer, but the returns will be greater."

Chu Xiaoxiao, who had personally locked the box into her yacht's safe, turned to Nie Yun and said.

"Mm, good. You handle them however you see fit. Also, I probably owe you quite a bit this time, so feel free to deduct it from the total. Don't worry about giving me the money after they sell; I might need to buy some things at some point," Nie Yun said.

Chu Xiaoxiao nodded happily at Nie Yun's unconditional trust.

Although this fund of nearly a hundred million didn't mean much to her, it was different for Nie Yun. The fact that he could trust her so completely still made Chu Xiaoxiao feel an inexplicable joy in her heart.

"Right, remember to return that box to me once you've sold the gold coins," Nie Yun said, suddenly remembering something.

"The box? Why?" Chu Xiaoxiao looked at Nie Yun in confusion.

"Ahem! Well... oh right, that box is an heirloom, it has great sentimental value!"

Nie Yun couldn't exactly say that he had almost forgotten the box was constructed from Mechanical Insects. While he could control the Mechanical Insects to slowly roll their way back even from a great distance, the thought of that difficulty was likely no easier than the Long March of the Red Army...

An heirloom?

Chu Xiaoxiao looked at him with a face full of suspicion, but she didn't press the matter and nodded in agreement.

By the time everything was handed over, it was already approaching dusk. Chu Xiaoxiao stood at the bow of the ship, watching the Chengjiang tow the Sea Wolf as it wobbled into the distance, disappearing into the fiery glow of the sunset.

Manager Wu stood beside Chu Xiaoxiao, his forehead covered in cold sweat as he watched the scene.

"Young Miss, is this really okay? Mr. Nie is all by himself, and he only learned the general operation methods. He can only steer roughly like this. Even if he says there are sailors waiting to meet him ahead, going out to sea like this is still very dangerous!"

"Since he said he can do it, then he should be able to..." Chu Xiaoxiao said hesitantly.

This guy has quite a few secrets, acting all sneaky just to take over a ship. Hmph! Who would believe he just happened to find gold coins while out and about! There's definitely something fishy going on! Sooner or later, I'll make you spill all your secrets! Chu Xiaoxiao thought to herself, baring her little fangs.

"Miss, it's getting late, we should head back!" her female bodyguard reminded her.

"Mm, let's go back then!" Chu Xiaoxiao nodded.

At this moment, Chu Xiaoxiao had no idea that danger was gradually closing in...