The sickly one in F4 was the group's darling.

Bai Jiheng stood at the entrance of the west kitchen for a moment. Uncle Chen personally watched the casserole on the stove. The sweet aroma of red dates mixed with the mellow aroma of millet overflowed from the edge of the lid. The steam blurred half of the old housekeeper's face.

"Young Master, this porridge will need to cook for another ten minutes or so. Why don't you go back first, and I'll bring it over later?"

"No need, I'll wait in the waterside pavilion."

He didn't intend to just wait there.

Bai Jiheng turned and walked out, passing through the carved side corridor of the west building and turning into the waterside pavilion.

The November wind blew across the lake, carrying a cool, moist breeze that made him feel more awake.

He sat down in the wicker chair and took out his phone.

Bai Luochen's chat box remained silent.

The last message was also posted by him: "I just don't want to go back to my house and see chaos and scare people. It's not worth it."

No reply.

Bai Jiheng swiped his thumb across the screen, locking it and then unlocking it.

still none.

Okay, that's really good.

His second brother, once engrossed in scientific research, minerals, or pythons, could leave you hanging for three days straight if he didn't want to reply to messages, and there was no use in urging him. Besides, Momo's box had a newly replaced smart lock; if he really wanted the password, he could ask Uncle Chen. He messaged Bai Luochen simply to give his second brother a heads-up, lest he come back and find that someone had tampered with his enclosure, and then bring up the Melting Cup again.

The question is, is that new lock reliable or not?

Last time, when Momo hit it, the alloy buckle shattered and embedded itself in the opposite wall. Bai Luochen casually tossed out a "get a new one later" on the phone. Which company? What kind of stuff? What if it's another thing that can't withstand the python's maximum strength and sneaks out again in the middle of the night? Bai Ci's room is right next door.

Bai Jiheng swiped his thumb, found Uncle Chen's number, and dialed it.

"Third Young Master? The porridge is coming right away—"

Bai Jiheng leaned back in his rattan chair: "No need to rush me to finish the porridge. Uncle Chen, let me ask you something. Who supplied the new lock on the animal enclosure in Second Brother's room?"

There was a sudden silence on the other end of the phone.

Uncle Chen was taken aback, clearly not expecting that the Third Young Master wasn't urging him to make porridge, but instead specifically inquiring about reptile locks.

After a brief pause, Uncle Chen replied truthfully, "It's a special equipment supplier designated by the deep-sea project team, the same model used in the research institute. It was just replaced last month, and the second young master personally inspected it before leaving."

After he finished speaking, he asked another question: "Why did you suddenly ask this, Third Young Master?"

"Just asking."

"What are the qualifications of that company? Has the anti-pry-opening structure undergone extreme pressure testing? Last time, the latch broke off because of an alloy lock; what material is the new lock made of?"

Uncle Chen instantly understood his meaning: "Is Third Young Master worried that Mo Mo is entering her molting and restless period, and the new lock still won't be able to withstand her strength, and she might escape unexpectedly?"

Just as Bai Jiheng was wondering what excuse to come up with, Uncle Chen directly offered him a way out.

"Yes, you know that MoMo is at her worst when she's shedding her skin. Last time she was upset and clung to my custom-made sofa. What if she sneaks out again in the middle of the night and runs around in the hallway, scaring people? That wouldn't be good."

He deliberately obscured who would be frightened, as if he were concerned for the safety of everyone in the manor.

Uncle Chen had served the Bai family for decades and was very perceptive. He immediately understood what Bai Jiheng was saying, but he didn't ask any more questions. He simply followed Bai Jiheng's lead.

"I have the supplier's complete qualifications and test reports on file, which I can send to you shortly. Which data would you like to specifically verify, Young Master?"

Bai Jiheng stated clearly and meticulously: "Pressure resistance limit, anti-pinch structure parameters, material testing reports, and especially live impact test data. I don't want the standard data for ordinary pythons; I need the specialized test results for an extreme individual like Momo."

"Understood. I'll retrieve the file and send it to you shortly."

Uncle Chen then thoughtfully added, "Also, if you're worried, I can have the engineering department inspect the heating pipe shafts around the young master's room and install anti-snake nets on the floor drains and vents. I'll give the second young master a proper report when he returns."

A breeze swept across the lake, creating ripples that caused the wicker chair to sway gently.

"Uncle Chen."

"exist."

Bai Jiheng held his phone, chuckled softly, and said in a clear, cool voice, "You're quite good at reading people's minds."

"Young Master is joking. I was just following the standard procedure and making safety assessments in advance."

"Um."

Bai Jiheng stopped joking and hung up the phone.

Within minutes, all the documents were sent over. Supplier qualifications, anti-top-opening material reports, and extreme pressure test data were all clearly marked.

He flipped through the pages, his gaze settling on the section on live impact testing—

Test subject: Female python, 4.2 meters long, 38 kg in weight. Peak simulated impact pressure: 210 kg. Locking pressure limit: 300 kg. Conclusion: Passed.

After reviewing the data, Bai Jiheng remained uneasy.

Others might think this is more than enough, but he knows that Momo's latest weight last month was 42kg, a full 4kg heavier than the test sample.

Although the difference may seem small, the explosive power of a ferocious beast is unpredictable.

The current security redundancy of locks is far from adequate.

Bai Jiheng sent a screenshot of the test data to Zhao Shuo, along with a message: "Find this supplier and get a 250kg impact simulation. Send me the report directly. Also, have them recommend a few industrial-grade anti-push-opening reinforcement components, not the standard ones, but those for extreme conditions, with sufficient safety redundancy for me."

Zhao Shuo immediately replied, "Received, Third Young Master. When do you need it?"

"The sooner the better."

"Understood, I'll contact them right away."

He placed his phone on the stone table beside him and leaned back.

A new breeze rose from the lake, making the wind chimes hanging from the eaves of the pavilion tinkle. He closed his eyes and listened.

My phone started vibrating a few moments later.

Zhao Shuo was efficient, and messages kept popping up one after another.

"Third Young Master, we've made contact. The supplier said the BMC-L960 lock body itself can be equipped with a redundant module, and there's a ready-made upgrade solution, so there's no need to replace the entire lock."

"An independent physical locking mechanism is added to the original electronic lock. It is a purely mechanical structure, does not rely on circuitry, and is manually closed. The material has a maximum twisting force resistance of 450 kg, far exceeding the limits of Momo."

"This reinforcement was originally designed for experimental chambers for large predators, and it's more than enough for the python incubator. Installation is simple, just four bolts, and it can be done in half an hour."

Bai Jiheng scrolled through the famous screen, reading through each one one by one.

"Drawings and quotation."

"They've already ordered it. They can also conduct the 250kg impact simulation test immediately. The testing period is three days, and the report can be delivered in two days for expedited processing."

"Urgent, the fee won't be billed, I'll settle it privately."

"clear."

Bai Jiheng's phone vibrated again; this time it was a blueprint sent by Zhao Shuo. He zoomed in to examine it closely. The locking latch was installed on the opposite side of the door hinge, independent of the original electronic lock. It was a purely physical latch, and even if the electronic lock malfunctioned and popped open after the door was closed, this latch would still lock the door securely.

After scanning the blueprints, Bai Jiheng forwarded them to Bai Luochen, adding a comment: "The manufacturer already has a ready-made solution for your lock upgrade."

Less than half a minute later, Bai Luochen's message popped up: Did you specifically contact the supplier?

Bai Jiheng leaned back in his rattan chair, casually typing: Otherwise, by the time you reply, it will be too late.

"Is the new lock defective?"

"No flaws."

"Then why are you bothering with upgrading parts?"

Bai Jiheng made up a pretext and typed casually: "I'm afraid it will rush out again and damage my custom-made sofa."

He added at the end, "You may not care about the sofa, but I do."

After a moment of silence on the other end of the screen, a line of text popped up: "How much was that sofa? I'll pay for it."

Bai Jiheng curled his lips into a smile and replied, "You can't afford to pay for it."

After sending the message, there was no response from the other end. Bai Jiheng thought the matter was over and was about to put the phone back on the stone table when the screen lit up again.

"Here's the password, don't touch anything else."

Then another one followed.

"I'll come back and pretend again. I want to see who you're arguing with."