บท 191: Chapter 191: Unlocking the "Crab Demon" Mech Blueprint
The next morning, as dawn's filtered sunlight poured in, He Kui gradually awakened and looked at the girl in his arms. Poised atop his chest, Shi He's long hair cascaded down, brushing gently over his skin and stirring a ticklish sensation.
Unable to resist, He Kui gently gathered her silky brown hair.
This moment, shared solely between the two, was filled with quiet tranquility.
"What's wrong?" Stirring from sleep, Shi He instinctively wrapped her arms around him, murmuring softly.
"How did I do yesterday?" he whispered in her ear, his arms encircling her slender waist.
"You did well—keep it up," Shi He replied, playfully shifting her position to pin him beneath her.
[Shi He Hanephis is quite pleased with your technique.]
[Shi He Hanephis Favorability: 178]
[Experience Bonus: 8]
[Micro Component Engineering S-Level: (116,000/1,000,000)]
[Research: Circular Magnetic Field Defense Shield (15,905/30,000)]
[Unlock Mech Structure: Crab Demon (0/20,000)]
The Crab Demon mech's unlockable blueprint, which appeared alongside other technical achievements, caught He Kui by surprise.
"What's the matter? Giving up already?" Shi He teased as she bent down to kiss him.
"Not at all." He couldn't let himself lose!
The two carried on until almost late for work, grabbing a ride back to the office without even having breakfast.
The Crab Demon—he couldn't quite remember all the details, but it seemed like it would be a higher-tier mech than the aquatic mechs they currently used. Their current models, designed by the Clark Design Bureau, were makeshift water-adapted designs suited for submarine combat.
However, their future opponents might not be mere submarines but potentially MS units adapted for underwater combat. With the Crab Demon, they could at least balance the odds.
Still, the Hailan Design Bureau didn't have the equipment to manufacture such "sea creatures." He Kui would need to approach the Clark Bureau for collaboration, but fortunately, they had always supported Hailan.
Lost in thought, he was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Who is it?"
Without a secretary, He Kui had to ask himself.
"Commander He, it's me."
The young voice outside was unmistakable.
"Meyrin?"
Opening the door, he found her dressed casually in a T-shirt and skirt. In contrast to her sister's serene and innocent look, Meyrin's expertly applied makeup made her appearance striking yet tastefully refined.
"What brings you here?"
"Director Erlin told me everything was set up. She sent me over to update you," Meyrin replied shyly, her gaze dropping.
"Oh, right."
He Kui gestured for her to sit down and handed her a cup of tea.
"Why do you want to join the Hailan Design Bureau? Isn't the academy good?"
Although her joining would benefit him, he wanted to understand her reasons.
"It's good there, but I felt lost… After hearing you speak, I realized I should focus on what I'm truly good at! I can help you too, Commander!"
"I see. But…"
The unfinished sentence left Meyrin nervous, fearing rejection after coming this far.
"Even as a secretary, you'll need to demonstrate some skills, Meyrin. We have to prove to others that you're capable."
Erlin had covered the formalities, but he'd still need to conduct his own evaluation. While she didn't need to be a top-ranking student, basic job competence was essential.
"Skills?"
"You enjoy electronic warfare, right?"
"Yes, it's what I'm best at!"
"Have any certifications?"
"Not yet…"
He Kui nodded and retrieved a Haro model he'd created back when he had a B-level certification.
"If you can hack this Haro's system, I'll let you join."
"Understood!"
Her immediate response surprised him; he thought she'd take it home to work on slowly. But watching her earnestly settle down on the couch, he returned to his desk to finalize adjustments for the flexible wing system.
After several hours of work, He Kui noticed Meyrin still hard at work, her fingers dancing across Haro's keypad. The Haro model she was working on required at least mid-B-level electronic warfare proficiency to unlock.
"Want to get lunch?" he asked.
"No need!"
Seeing her so immersed, He Kui simply nodded and left her to it.
"Commander He, I heard your DSSD trip yielded quite a bit," came a voice in the hall.
"Commander He, could you guide us sometime?"
"Commander He, we're short on funds."
Handling everything from jokes to earnest requests, He Kui greeted everyone with the same polite smile. As a vice-director, he had the authority to walk freely in the Hailan Bureau; most just tried to stay on his good side, whether for funds, career, or connections.
By now, he was used to it.
Reaching the cafeteria, he walked straight to the private dining room where Shi He was already waiting.
"Have a seat; today we have fish."
"Is that so?"
The high-quality meal, flown in from Earth and prepared by professional chefs, was notably delicious—better than what he could make himself.
"Are the flexible wings still not done?"
"About two more days should finalize the adjustments."
"Hmm… I heard from Director Erlin that you now have a secretary."
Shi He's innocent-looking eyes blinked up at him.
"Sort of, but she's still being evaluated," He Kui replied, reaching out to boop Shi He on the nose. "Are you jealous?"
"No."
Watching her prod at her fish until it was nearly shredded, He Kui felt a twinge of unease.
"No matter what, Shi He, you're the most important person to me."
"Really?"
She lifted her slightly reddened eyes.
"Absolutely."
Without Shi He, he wouldn't be where he was today; her every smile was etched into his heart.
"You always know just what to say."
Rather than words, Shi He leaned in and pressed her lips to his in a kiss flavored with the delicate taste of fish and her own sweetness—a slightly tangy but not unpleasant mix.
After finishing their meal, He Kui returned to his office with some leftovers, only to find Meyrin still battling with the Haro, just as she had been before he left.
"Take a break for lunch."
He gently ruffled her vibrant red hair, pulling her attention from her work.
"Sorry!"
"No worries; eat up," He Kui said, moving back to his desk.
As the golden hues of sunset filled the room, He Kui stretched with a sigh.
"Commander He, I did it!"
Blushing with excitement, Meyrin's face lit up as she held up the now-responsive Haro, her expression as radiant as the sunset outside.
"The Haro?"
The Haro she held turned its head, now obedient to her commands.
"Call me He Kui, and welcome aboard."
Seeing her achievement, he knew he'd be able to address any outside concerns.
And if anyone questioned it, he could always publish t
he Haro's internal logs and footage as proof, though it was unlikely anyone would bother.
"...Thank you!"
In her excitement, Meyrin threw herself at him in a joyful hug.
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