Didn't you go to Teyvat to earn money to support me?

Eden looked at her tenderly, "Is it because I started that you couldn't sit still?"

“Everyone will start eventually. I’ve worked hard to cultivate this cabbage, so of course I know how delicious it is.” Alicia poured herself a glass, clinked glasses with him, and whispered, “Eden, can you let me have it today? I promise I’ll try my best to make you the second one~ Mei, Sakura, Pado, no one will be faster than you… After all, I’m closest to Doll, so I can keep track of the people around Doll.”

Eden and she looked at each other, both elegant older women with graceful smiles in their eyes.

But there seems to be something else going on... If an outsider were here, they would be absolutely shocked that such dignified best friends would be discussing such wicked and twisted topics, openly sharing their dominance in front of some naive young man.

Shen Liang couldn't see their evil intentions. He just silently looked at this pink fairy-like lady who made it impossible for him to get angry, and realized that she was really amazing and that he couldn't learn from her.

Although many people thought he was the most beloved member of the Fire Moths, he was actually far less knowledgeable than Alicia. There was a reason why he was bullied by Alicia since childhood.

Alicia always liked to act like a cute girl in front of people, and she was quirky, sweet and charming all day long. So even if she bullied people like a little queen or even took advantage of others occasionally, people would only think that she was acting cute and charming, and they would not feel disgusted at all.

This is perhaps what people call "emotional intelligence." Alicia is extremely good at using retreat as a means of advancement, making full use of her sweet girlish charm to completely control everyone.

Shen Liang was confused.

Why can't he do it? His qualities are no less than Alicia's; in terms of cuteness alone, he knows he's even cuter than Alicia... but he just can't learn Alicia's cunning...

Or perhaps, Alicia has no guile at all; this is simply her personality.

"No." After a long silence, Eden parted her lips slightly, "Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless you let me join you too." Eden sat upright in his executive chair, beckoning her over. Alicia pouted as she watched Shen Liang sit down in the chair without hesitation, showing no resistance whatsoever. He nestled in Eden's arms, propped the terminal on Eden's 36e breasts, and then leisurely watched cartoons.

Alicia stomped her foot in anger, "Why are you so affectionate with Eden, but you have to think about it for so long when it comes to me!"

Who told you to steal my toys since you were little!

Eden pulled up the goose feather cloak of his cheongsam coat to cover both himself and the boy in his arms, leaving only his head exposed. Then he looked at Alicia with a subtle expression. “Aili, you have a good idea, but it’s my turn to be on duty today. Now that I know about Alicia’s wolfish ambitions, why should I sit idly by and watch you take the first bite?”

Alicia was very unhappy, pouting, "Eden~ the doll promised me~"

“But I’m a selfish woman too~” Eden chuckled. “The performance was such a success, I’d like to take advantage of the excitement and have something happen next. So either you, Ellie, hide in the next bedroom tonight and eavesdrop while biting your handkerchief, or… we’ll share the first bite of cake.”

Then she looked at the bewildered boy in her arms, and teased him with her slender fingers, only to have Shen Liang bite them with a "woof." She smiled and said, "The baby probably doesn't mind, right?"

Shen Liang didn't understand what they meant by eating cake at all, and simply nodded: "I like sweets too."

"Hmm... Hahahaha." Alicia was no longer angry, and burst into laughter, lying on the table. "Okay, you like sweets too... Alright, alright, doll, this is the funniest joke I've ever heard."

Shen Liang got angry. He knew he must have misunderstood something again. Humans always like to use metaphors, personification, and other rhetorical devices. He said unhappily, "I can eat a two-layer cake by myself!"

Alicia's laughter paused slightly, and both she and Eden blushed slightly at those words, exchanging a glance.

"Really? The baby likes to eat two-tiered cakes."

Eden pinched his cheek, her eyes softening even more. "Okay, baby, you can eat whatever you want."

Shen Liang was playing with his terminal while nestled in the Empress's arms when he suddenly felt a subtle chill coming from behind him.

It's rare for a teenager who hasn't yet experienced the ugliness of the world to feel that he probably did something wrong.

------------

Female Fusion Warrior Cultural and Entertainment Center.

Located on a high floor of the B2 building, this place is generally referred to as the Women's Salon by the staff of the Fire Moth organization.

Because the gym is right downstairs, the salon is always bustling with activity, filled with girls relaxing with tea or playing cards. It's a hub for information exchange, and there's even a bar selling drinks.

Because it's close to the gym, girls often come to relax in simple tank tops and shorts, which can be a bit indecent in some situations. So men are not allowed in; it's an entertainment venue specifically for girls.

The female bartender was wiping the glasses when suddenly a commotion erupted in the booth area.

The blonde fusion warrior, Desdobia, excitedly slammed her terminal on the table: "Ancient Blade! Wine! Kill! Breaking Army! One card, four health, asking for four Peaches! Ask for Peaches directly, decide one by one whether to save or not! No talking to each other!"

"This general from the underworld has no chance to fight back at all."

"Save me or not? Tell me quickly! I know you have peaches. How could you not have peaches when you have five cards? But you need four! Are you going to save me or not? What if all the rebels don't have enough peaches? That would be a waste!" Daisy Dobia frantically pressured her rebel teammates, laughing wildly.

Pado shook her cat ears, looked at her dangerously, and then played two peaches from the deck.

"Hmm? You actually dare to save her?" Daisy Dobby said nonchalantly. "Can you even save her?"

"I'll use my mercy again, give him all the cards face down, and restore some of his health." Pado fiercely flipped her cards over. "Now I only need one more peach!"

Another traitorous teammate decisively threw out a peach, which miraculously brought Xun Yu back to life!

Then the rebel player who was playing Xun Yu laughed.

Desdovia took a deep breath, then glanced at the base message pushed to her terminal. Suddenly, her eyes widened in surprise, and she exclaimed in astonishment, immediately shutting down the game projection!

"Oh my god! Look at today's news from the Infinite Laboratory! The doll has grown up!"

Pado and her other rebel teammates glared angrily at Desdobia, who had disrupted the game. "Don't change the subject! If you lose, you're going to flip the table! You're going to lose this time, and once Xun Yu saves you, you're done for!"

“I’m serious, this is big news!” Desdobia exclaimed. “The Infinite Experimentation Laboratory has released a closed-door volunteer recruitment notice. This notice is only open to female fusion warriors and a select group of researchers. They are recruiting volunteers for the gene propagation project of the ‘Children of Man’ program. Requirements include being open-minded, accepting of mating with androids, and being unmarried women!”

The dozen or so people gathered around the booth watching the card game were stunned. Paddo looked at Daisy Dobiya in disbelief.

Nobody cares about the card game anymore.

"You mean the doll?"

"That super pretty, emotionless young boy from the Son of Man Project?"

"You nine people are actually willing to offer him up to everyone???"

Alicia.jpg

Chapter Thirty: Women Who Are Unlucky in Love but Prosperous in Casinos

The "Son of Man" project's girls' group has already exploded with excitement.

Pado could sense the fury of those ambitious older women just from the vibrations in her terminal!

vv: It seems the Infinite Experimentation Institute thinks it's Eve's master? Did they notify us beforehand about something this big?

Sakura: The doll's body has only just reached adulthood; isn't this a bit too hasty?

Hua: You're being too hasty...

vv: Haha, this word is quite a clever double entendre when spoken by Asians. But please, Infinite Experimentation Institute, answer the question. We are, after all, the original genetic beings. In terms of closeness, we could even be considered as people close to the doll.

Mebius: Are you questioning me, Velvi? The Son of Man Project is entirely under the control of Mebius and me, and it seems I have no obligation to explain it to you.

Canned food! Put down my canned food! : But Sister Snake, shouldn't we be asked about this first...? Nobody received any news, and suddenly the doll... grew up?

Pado typed out these words cautiously. She really didn't dare to get involved in the argument of these fusion warriors, but she couldn't help it! It was obvious that Mebius's willful behavior had made everyone very dissatisfied. Even a clay figure has a temper. Didn't you see that even Sakura and Hua, who usually stayed in the shadows and had good relationships with everyone, had come out?

This is so annoying!

Although Eve was theoretically an experiment of the Infinite Experimentation Laboratory, she was still cared for by the nine of them in turns. Except for Aponia, everyone had a good relationship with Eve and treated her almost like their own younger brother!

Now, without anyone's approval, just because Eve has come of age, they are eagerly starting gene continuation engineering tests for those research tasks?

Pado probably knew why; Eve's cloning and in vitro fertilization experiments must have failed. With no other option, they had to find volunteers to try to find a way to continue Eve's genes using "traditional human methods."

But Eve was only a little bit old!

The key is……

Paddo bit her lip. In fact, she knew very well what angered these Primarch girls, who were so angry that they even dared to challenge Mebius on the spot, even more.

It's not just that the fact that the dolls are being used for those kinds of experiments so soon after they reach adulthood that breaks their hearts, but more importantly—

In their hearts, they had already considered that short boy as their own. He was like a cabbage that the nine of them had carefully nurtured; how could they just share him away like that?

Before she could even taste the forbidden delicacy, another woman had already begun to eat it?

—But it was a very subtle emotion.

This reason couldn't be stated directly, so even though Wilvi, Sakura, and the others were furious, they could only channel all their dissatisfaction into questioning. Otherwise, that blatant possessiveness and ulterior motives would be far too wicked and shameful.

The heated debate in the group lasted for a while before someone else finally spoke up.

Mei: I understand what everyone means, but Eve has indeed reached maturity and can proceed with the next steps. Humanity's survival is hanging by a thread, and time is of the essence. I hope everyone can set aside unnecessary selfishness and morality and start the experiment as soon as possible. This is not a private matter between the nine of us and Eve, but a vital project for humanity.

Pado immediately pursed her lips, but had nothing to say.

Mei was probably the one who cared for Eve the most among them, but for her, having to place Eve in front of a group of fusion warrior girls who were nominally volunteers but might actually be as greedy as tigers and wolves must have been even more painful than for them.

Although they use the banner of righteousness and public morality to cover it up, they are still unhappy.

After a long silence, Velvi finally spoke in a cold voice. Pado guessed that the strong-willed Velvi was probably so angry that she used her worst personality. In this personality, she was not afraid of anyone and dared to confront anyone.

vv: You understand what we mean? Miss Mei, you really understand?

Möbius: Heh heh heh, you little guinea pig, your thoughts are as fragile as bubbles, so simple they're beyond comprehension. You simply feel that Eve is closer to you, and even if she's about to become a feast where everyone can get a share, you should be the first to eat.

Mebius: But in fact, is there really a big difference between the third and the thirtieth?

Mebius: The loser.

It was blatant mockery. If Pado hadn't been so distressed that the device was so expensive and would take a month to replace, she would have crushed it to pieces!

She could almost picture the glamorous young woman in the white lab coat with green hair, typing away with disdain!

That's outrageous! That's disgusting! That's infuriating!

You're heartless! No wonder you shrunk after fusing with a Honkai Beast! No wonder even the little kids are calling you "Auntie" now that you're so small!

What does "loser" mean? What does it mean that the difference between the third and the thirtieth isn't that big? We're all eager to be the first, so you haven't seen through our thinking at all...