Bengtie: My death fueled their madness.

After having breakfast, Qi Zhimu entered the most secluded folding space in the research lab.

Here, works that are still unfinished and to which much effort has been poured are quietly displayed.

Taking a light sniff of the faint residual scent of solder and lubricant, Qi Zhimu walked around the large piece of equipment flashing its standby indicator light and stopped in front of the spacious alloy workbench.

Under the cool white light, the limbs that were half-finished last night took on a special texture.

The originally cold and rigid metal has been combined with high-strength composite bones and bionic muscle fibers.

The special material used for the knuckles ensures excellent flexibility, while the delicate, sensory skin covering the fingertips perfectly simulates human touch.

The arm has smooth lines and fits perfectly, with the internal independent transmission system in a silent state.

Qi Zhimu gave the order to test whether the complete arm could accurately perform a specific movement.

Grasp, punch, palm strike, finger flick, elbow strike...

This arm can perfectly replicate any movement that a human can make.

It can also perform actions that humans cannot, such as bending the knuckles 90 degrees in the opposite direction.

Qi Zhimu nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction on his face, at the results.

After refining the remaining details, it can be put into automated production once the final test is passed.

"So, what's next..."

Qi Zhimu looked at the lower limbs on the other side.

Compared to testing the entire arm, testing the lower limbs is undoubtedly much simpler, as it does not require testing the various functions of the toes like testing the five fingers.

The results were encouraging, exceeding all expectations.

After carefully storing the completed mechanical limbs, Qi Zhimu looked into the distance.

There was a mechanical head there.

With the cranial cavity wide open, the intricate network of neural interfaces and circuits is exposed.

A semi-transparent crystal core is suspended on the support on the left side of the worktable.

For Qi Zhimu, this is currently the part with the fewest technical bottlenecks and difficulties.

after all--

He is not creating highly intelligent inorganic life that appears to be no different from organic life and whose behavior logic is consistent with that of humans.

Stepping out of the folded space, Qi Zhimu received a message from Clarice.

"Good morning, Mr. Qi. Yesterday at the market, a fruit shop imported a very delicious fruit. I bought two pounds. See if it suits your taste~"

…The subtext here is that they're coming to visit today.

Qi Zhimu smiled slightly and replied with a simple word.

"it is good."

"Aren't you going to ask me when I'm coming?"

"Knowing that friends will be coming from afar is enough."

"It's not that far, at least the car can drive all the way to Togetsukyo..." Clarice said with a slight smile.

Qi Zhimu's secluded bamboo house is located in the deep mountains behind the river, which is like a dividing line between two worlds, and there is no bridge to allow land transportation to pass through.

If you want to cross the river, you have to ferry yourself.

"Keep warm and be careful on the road."

After replying to the girl, Qi Zhimu prepared to go to Ruan Mei's house to clean.

Houses lacking a sense of life tend to accumulate dust much faster.

Winter sunlight filters through sparse bamboo leaves, casting dappled shadows in the forest.

In the depths of winter, the bamboo leaves that have not yet withered and fallen to the ground will mostly change from emerald green to a deep, dark green.

A thin layer of white frost clung to the bamboo tips, slowly melting into clear dew in the morning light, washing the world clean.

The snow-covered bamboo forest, with its alternating shades of green and white, creates a real landscape painting.

A delicate fragrance, mingled with the scents of earth and morning dew, wafts through the air, purer and crisper than in spring and summer.

Take a deep breath, and you'll feel refreshed.

Qi Zhimu's body, which was already rotten inside, seemed to have gained a bit more vitality out of nowhere.

The vegetation on both sides of the path was silent, like hibernating creatures.

During this season, Qi Zhimu doesn't need to worry about the lush vegetation on both sides.

As he reached the fork in the road, he saw the graceful figure standing in the silvery-white world, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

"...You silly girl, you've been here for a while now."

"Just arrived~ I mainly wanted to surprise Mr. Qi, hehe..."

Clarice's voice was soft and sweet, and her smile was charming and cute as she walked quickly toward Qi Zhimu.

Actually... it took a while to arrive.

As he got closer, Qi Zhimu got a clear look at her outfit for the day.

A light purple, preppy-style fitted sweater, with a dark velvet scarf tied at the neckline, accentuates the girl's delicate, snow-white chin.

The pleated skirt, in the same color scheme, falls below the knee, revealing slender calves encased in warm white socks.

Generally speaking, it is rare for an 18-year-old girl to be able to pull off purple.

But it suits Clarice surprisingly well; instead of making her look old, she exudes an indescribable charm and retains the vitality unique to young girls.

Her bright, sparkling eyes were full of life, and her long eyelashes fluttered, giving her a unique charm.

"Have you been waiting for about ten minutes?"

Based on some subtle clues, Qi Zhimu made a fairly accurate judgment.

"No, it arrived just now when I sent the message..."

Clarisse shook her head, picked up the transparent fruit box she was carrying, opened it, and changed the subject.

"Here, Mr. Qi, have a taste on the way."

The girl knew that Mr. Qi would be going to that house to clean today, so she came early to make arrangements.

Waiting for him for one more minute means having one more minute to look forward to seeing him.

The fruit inside the food container was quite unique; it looked similar to a peeled apple, but was about the size of a plum.

What's most impressive is its color.

Half red, half blue.

The fruit is plump and glistening with dew, clearly having been carefully washed by a young girl.

"The fruit shop clerk told me that this fruit has a simple and direct name, called Red and Blue Crystal Fruit. It has no seed and comes from a world called Ongwak."

"The fruit shells are also very special; they feel just like peeling shrimp. I peeled them beforehand, so you can eat them directly~~"

Clarice wanted to pick up a pill and feed it to Mr. Qi, but she refrained from doing so.

Perhaps... in Mr. Qi's heart, she hasn't reached that level of intimacy yet.

"Thank you, little... Clarice."

Qi Zhimu picked up a red and blue crystal fruit and put it in his mouth.

Hearing the obvious change of heart and seeing Qi Zhimu's relaxed expression, the girl's smile became much sweeter.

"It's delicious, isn't it?"

"Mmm...it's very sweet."

Eh?

Upon hearing Qi Zhimu's evaluation, Clarice was momentarily stunned, but didn't think much of it.

"...If Mr. Qi wants to eat this in the future, just send me a message, and I will buy it for you as quickly as possible."

"That won't be necessary. It takes you more than half an hour to get here, and it's inconvenient for you to travel back and forth."

"How could that be? Let alone half an hour, even half a day... I'd be willing..."

As soon as she finished speaking, Clarice seemed to realize that her words were too obvious, and quickly added.

"Mr. Qi is a benefactor to our family. We should repay even the smallest kindness tenfold!"

The two walked along the frosty path, just as they entered an area yet to be touched by the morning sun.

Qi Zhimu felt a warmth rise in his heart because of the girl's words.