A Marriage Proposal Gift?

Three hours later, Miao Xin finally arrived at the marine equipment factory.

She abandoned her human Camouflage Form and acted directly as a skeleton.

At this point, there was no point in hiding anything; they were bound to be investigated anyway. After simply disrupting the surveillance network, Miao Xin brazenly controlled the skeleton to run to the office and download the relevant blueprints and instructions.

While waiting, Miao Xin casually flipped through the documents.

"Are you trying to improve the accuracy of the warship's cannons?" she asked Su Ming. "Are we going to fight another enemy from another world?"

Anti-roll gyroscopes significantly reduce ship movement, which can indeed improve the accuracy of artillery, especially for long-range firing.

Su Ming himself had overlooked this, [which is not wrong.] he replied.

After unplugging the USB drive containing the data and letting it turn to dust in her hand, Miao Xin went to the warehouse and stood in front of the target device, the anti-shake gyroscope.

A security guard came running over shouting, and a ghostly light flashed in Miao Xin's soul fire, causing the man to immediately faint on the ground.

But the Nether Sea had also expanded. Miao Xin steadied herself, and the ripples in the Nether Sea disappeared, causing it to shrink again.

[When the Resentment Power struck, I was tainted by the negative emotions it carried.] Miao Xin examined the problem she had just encountered.

Complaints about working night shifts in winter, fear of unknown intruders—these negative feedbacks don't provide much energy.

But it will resonate with the Abyss.

[Your attack efficiency is too low.] Su Ming's judgment has improved considerably. Although the nature of the energy differs, the principle is the same. [Increase the peak value and significantly reduce the contact time; this will minimize consumption and side effects.] He advised, [Don't worry about the output; if one pulse isn't enough, just follow up with another.]

Miao Xin tried it briefly, but the new method didn't even release any energy. She couldn't help but complain, "[Aren't your requirements for a beginner's control skills too high?]"

"[I'm not here with you.]" Su Ming said. "[When Zijin was teaching me here, she always just started beating me up."

You're a really great teacher!

Su Ming turned his attention back to the anti-shake gyroscope in front of him. The device was quite large, and looked thick and sturdy. Several steel pipes supported the bottom of the device, but when Miao Xin reached out and pressed on them, releasing her strength to push it, there wasn't the slightest wobbling.

"[It's so heavy!]" Miao Xin asked with some worry, "[Su Ming, are you sure you want to complete the teleportation in one go?]"

[It's alright, the heaviest part is just a solid metal block, the structural complexity is low.] Su Ming assessed it and concluded that he could handle it.

****

Inside the White Triangle's hold, zombies were busily moving materials.

Zijin walked over wearing a fruit-patterned nightgown. As the weather got warmer, she had changed to a sleeveless style, revealing her fair arms. The girl, who had just washed her hair, had two cartoon-patterned hair stickers stuck to her forehead to prevent her bangs from falling down and blocking her vision.

"Do you need to transfer a very large device?" she asked Su Ming.

"A gyroscope with reduced rock speed," Su Ming replied. "It's much bigger than I thought, weighing tens of tons—did I make too much noise and wake you up?"

"It's alright, I'll watch over you from the side." Zijin walked to a box and sat down, resting her head on her hands.

Su Ming withdrew his gaze and continued preparing.

"Su Ming, there's something I need to tell you. The pattern on that nightgown you gave to Beianqi last time is problematic," Zijin said.

"I already know, Rong Swan," Su Ming said. "Beianqi told me. I explained to her that in my world it just represents a common domestic fowl."

Zijin left her spot almost instantly, one hand already on Su Ming's shoulder. "You made me wear poultry,"

pattern?"

"I'm sorry." Su Ming immediately raised his hands. He already had PTSD from the cultural misunderstanding between the two worlds. "I really don't know what this pattern represents—what does poultry represent?"

"It means nothing." Zijin released her hand, a slight upturn at the corner of her mouth. "Just kidding."

Su Ming was taken aback, then exclaimed angrily, "Zijin!"

The girl giggled and took part of the list from his hand. "Let me help you check it out, let's finish quickly."

"... good."

It took the two of them nearly half an hour to count all the hundreds of materials. Zijin put away her paper and pen and stepped back to stand behind Su Ming.

Su Ming unleashed his spell, the powerful Magic Power output causing widespread fluctuations. This even startled Beianqi awake, who quickly ran over from her room.

New machines have arrived – don't miss out!

Su Ming even had the leisure to glance at her. Beianqi, wearing a nightgown, looked even more pretty, her short hair tied up in buns on both sides, making her very cute.

However, with that hairstyle, she probably has hair that gets frizzy easily when she sleeps.

A slight distraction allowed Su Ming to easily navigate the rising demonic pressure. He calmed his mind and activated the final step.

On Earth, large amounts of metal slag flowed and crashed in all directions, making a crisp, clanging sound.

Miao Xin took over control of the Little Spiky Head, nimbly jumped onto the nearby equipment, stepped out of the area where the residue was flying, and left.

On the White Triangle, Su Ming finished piecing together the last piece, his body almost completely exhausted. He leaned back slightly, intending to collapse to the ground.

But Zijin supported his back with her palm and slowly helped him sit down.

[Good luck, Su Ming. I'm going to disinfect now.] Miao Xin said.

"[Disinfection?] "Su Ming asked, struggling against the dizziness, somewhat puzzled.

"Well, I'm currently in an exposed area. I need to cut off the tracking lines on my body using various methods before I can switch to my normal mode of dress," Miao Xin explained. "I plan to jump off vehicles a few times and crawl through a river once."

[Then it re-enters a state of silent infiltration.]

After a moment's thought, Su Ming understood the line of thought. "Your operational philosophy has improved remarkably quickly."

[I'm okay - goodnight!]

[Good night.]

In just over a day, Miss Vengeful Spirit became much more organized in her work. In particular, her emotions became extremely stable; one could even say she was happy.

Su Ming thought about it briefly and made a general judgment. But fatigue set in, and he decided to deal with the matter later.

Inside the warehouse, when Beianqi saw the newly appeared equipment, she immediately screamed and pounced on it, jumping up and down like a hamster. When she saw something interesting, she even hopped around like a rabbit, making a lot of noise.

"This girl's hamster form has been activated again." Zijin sighed. "Let me take you back to your room to rest."

The voice sounded somewhat ethereal to his ears, Su Ming nodded gently, "Mm."

Su Ming originally intended to gather some strength to help the girl stand up, but he found his vision suddenly spinning and his whole body was lifted into the air— Zijin directly picked him up.

Magic Power has a strengthening effect on the body, so she doesn't even need Brute Strength Spell to do this.

Su Ming was startled and reflexively grabbed the scholar's shoulder. The two of them were only this close during training. Zijin consciously practiced her on-the-spot reactions and often deliberately created situations that resembled physical combat.

At times like these, Su Ming is either getting beaten up or getting beaten up.

But feeling the girl's soft, fragrant body, Su Ming relaxed. Being carried in a princess carry by a girl smaller than himself was definitely a very special experience.

Before Zijin even reached the room, Su Ming, whose Magic Power was completely depleted, fell into a deep sleep.

****

The following day, a supply ship from the Federation arrived, the familiar Little Trench Coat, and with the old acquaintance Charles.

Su Ming took a closer look; Stanton hadn't managed to get away with it this time.

"Good day, Your Excellency Su Ming, Scholar Li, Miss Beianqi!" Charles, dressed in a morning suit, jumped onto the White Triangle and bowed. Several guards followed him onto the ship and bowed as well.

Upon realizing that Beianqi didn't recognize the other person, Su Ming introduced him, "Charles, Vice President of the Four Directions Chamber of Commerce."

"Hello! Vice President Charles!" the mechanic girl returned the greeting, "I've heard so much about you!"

"You too, the name ' Wheat Flower ' is legendary!"

"[Wheat Flower, what are those?]" Su Ming asked Zijin.

[Beianqi's nickname, describing her powerful bursts of energy and disastrous endurance.] Zijin explained.

Wheat Flower bloom for minutes, making them the shortest-lived flowering plant.

"The dwarven merchants of the Central Ocean Archipelago have prepared some summer clothes and asked me to bring them to you." Charles gestured for a guard to hand Beianqi a box. "There are also weapons for the puppets."

Behind them, several sailors were hoisting a two-meter-long wooden crate onto the White Triangle.

"Thank you!" Beianqi took the suitcase, then lifted the large wooden box to look inside. There were four long swords, special weapons for the Mantis puppet.

The longsword gleamed with a sharp, cold light, clearly of extremely high quality. But the girl's face showed no joy. "Sigh, another two thousand gold coins gone," she lamented, mourning her lost wallet.

Su Ming walked up to Charles and handed him an exquisite metal box, etched with a beautiful and dazzling rose design. "Please give this to Mr. Xiwo Reiser."

Everyone present, including the guards, looked at Su Ming with expressions of admiration, respect, and perhaps even pity.

Charles accepted it solemnly with both hands, "I will certainly not fail in my mission!"

"Wait, wait a minute, what's that?" Zijin was startled.

"A fine pair of reading glasses." Su Ming noticed the girl's nervousness. "I promised to give them to Xiwo."

Su Ming got these glasses before leaving the United States; they were a luxury pair costing $20,000, almost using up all the cash he had amassed in United States. He originally planned to hand them over in person, but since Xiwo was returning to Crescent Forest, he had to ask someone else to bring them.

Considering that Earth's lens processing technology is far ahead of the rest of the world, this gift is quite presentable, isn't it? Su Ming.

Zijin used her X-Ray Vision to see what was inside the box and discovered that the exquisite quality of the lenses was unprecedented in this other world, and the decorations were extremely luxurious. Her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, immediately died.

"[Su Ming, why didn't you ask me first?]" she said through gritted teeth.

"What did I do wrong this time?" Su Ming asked, bewildered.

Zijin said helplessly, "[Giving an elder an expensive gift wrapped in roses is a marriage proposal—especially since the gift is a rare and exquisite piece befitting my status!]"

[No, it was the box pattern that Xiwo specified himself!] Su Ming quickly explained.

[That old geezer!] Zijin knew with her toes that this was a joke by Xiwo, but she certainly didn't expect it to turn out like this in public.

So, Xiwo wouldn't misunderstand, right?

[The problem isn't Xiwo at all!] She gestured for Su Ming to look at the surrounding crowd of onlookers. Ordinary packaging boxes were useless against this world's perception abilities. [Friendly reminder: I'm still considered a bone dragon in the outside world.]

Su Ming immediately understood why everyone was looking at him like that, and he was instantly dumbfounded.

Therefore, he is now considered a Dragon Rider.

It's a bone dragon!?

Charles had already carefully packed away the gift box. He pulled a stack of papers from his bag. "This is the list of supplies for this mission. Please arrange for their transfer and handover."

He held the list, but Su Ming and Zijin ignored him.

[Guess how the bards will sing of your great deeds next?] Zijin continued her cruel attack, pouring out her resentment, [How will those picture books flying everywhere depict your heroic figure?]

"Is there any hope for this?" Su Ming asked, unwilling to give up.

My condolences. You'll get used to it.

[-]

When Beianqi returned after putting away the mecha weapons, she was greeted by this strange scene.

She stepped forward and took the papers from Charles's hand. "Leave this chores to me," she said, and then began coordinating with the captain of the Little Trench Coat.

Su Ming looked utterly devastated. Zijin invited Charles into the reception room, while several guards remained at the door.

"The dwarves have already informed the Federation of the details. Your side has hired Miss Beianqi to participate in the sea monster operation," Charles said, sitting up straight.

Zijin glanced at him and replied in the same serious tone, "Beianqi is an excellent combatant. As you can see, our manpower is still insufficient. We should thank you for sending Mr. Xiwo to assist us last time!"

"You're welcome! It's our duty!" Charles replied.

Lin served tea and set out snacks.

Charles saw a sesame seed cake on the plate and couldn't help but twitch his lips.

"Actually, it tastes pretty good." Su Ming gave up struggling, simply putting the embarrassing scene from earlier out of his mind. He was going to pack up and run back to Earth anyway. "Miss Beianqi has been making pancakes like crazy these past few days; she's used up all the flour on the ship, so you'll have to make do."

Charles reached for the sesame seed cake, took a bite, and then took several more bites.

Su Ming and Zijin exchanged a glance.

"Excuse me, could I have another one?" Charles put down the half-eaten sesame seed cake, took out a handkerchief, wiped his mouth clean, and handed over a recent situation report.

"Two sea monster skeletons have been discovered surfacing?" Zijin flipped through the report, which also included a realistic sketch of the scene.

"Strictly speaking, it's the head of a giant octopus," Charles replied. "During the decomposition process, this part floats to the surface for a period of time until it bursts due to the gases produced inside. Judging from the condition of the body, the cause of death was the expiration of the body's lifespan and hardening."

Judging from the patterns, these two are numbers 2 and 4, plus numbers 3, 5, and 6 that Su Ming and his team eliminated, and number 1 whose death was estimated.

"That means the first two batches of giant octopuses are all dead," Su Ming said. "Now only those three immature sea monsters remain!"

"Calculations based on the magical materials purchased from the orcs also support this conclusion, but further cultivation cannot be ruled out," Charles continued. "Therefore, the Federation fully supports your proposal to find a zombie base!"