Chapter 328: I

The presence of Mo Yu and Xiao Bao, this pair of lively father and son, injected a burst of unconventional energy into the strictly scientific atmosphere of the New Era Base. Though they occasionally triggered amusing little incidents, it could not be denied that Xiao Bao's unconscious "Probability Correction" ability, under Mo Yu's guidance, had brought the Base many unexpected benefits. Some long-stalled technical problems often found breakthroughs immediately after they "passed by"; scarce experimental materials always somehow appeared or were "synthesized" through coincidences.

Lei Dong's mindset shifted subtly—from initial anxiety, to reluctant tolerance, to now… a faint anticipation. He even joked privately that Xiao Bao deserved a "Special Consultant" stipend.

After adapting to the father-son duo's style, Xia Wan also grew close to them. Though Mo Yu seemed carefree and irreverent, his occasional insights into high-dimensional energy usage and law comprehension were always piercing and immensely beneficial to her. Xiao Bao had become the Base's "favorite," his adorable demeanor and inexplicable "luck" aura making even the most serious researchers unable to resist teasing him—of course, only under safe conditions.

That day, after completing a high-intensity spatial perception training session, Xia Wan felt mentally drained and went for a walk in the Ecological Garden on the upper level of the Base. Sunlight streamed through the Simulated Sky Canopy, and various rare flowers and plants emitted a tranquil vitality.

She walked to a patch of ground covered in pale blue fluorescent flowers and saw Mo Yu lounging lazily on a patch of soft Grassland, a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, legs crossed, while Xiao Bao lay beside him, using his chubby little hands to try catching a fluttering Mechanical Butterfly whose wings shimmered with starlight—clearly a creation of the Biological Science and Technology Department.

Seeing Xia Wan approach, Mo Yu raised an eyebrow, spat out the grass stem, and patted the empty space beside him: "Hey, Little Guardian, done training? Come sit, chat with me."

His tone was casual and natural, as if Xia Wan were a longtime friend.

Xia Wan smiled and walked over to sit beside him. She was already accustomed to Mo Yu's slightly roguish address and attitude.

"Why are you lounging in the sun today, Senior Mo Yu?" Xia Wan asked.

"Sigh, bored, that's all." Mo Yu sighed, propping his hands behind his head and gazing at the simulated sky. "Old Qin, that silent pot, just drinks tea and stares at the stars—utterly dull. Everyone else at the Base either trembles around me or wears that 'please don't cause trouble' look. Only you dare chat with me."

Xiao Bao managed to grab the Mechanical Butterfly once, but it slipped away nimbly and flew off. He didn't mind, giggling as he rolled over and tumbled to Xia Wan's side, hugging her leg and looking up with a sweet smile: "Sister~"

Xia Wan's heart instantly melted; she stroked Xiao Bao's soft hair.

Watching this, Mo Yu's lips curled into a mischievous grin. He suddenly leaned close to Xia Wan and whispered in a gossiping tone: "Little Guardian, speaking of which… what's the deal between you and Old Qin?"

Xia Wan froze, confused: "What deal?"

"Still playing dumb?" Mo Yu winked. "Look, Old Qin treats everyone like a block of eternal ice—indifferent, aloof. But you? He healed your father's injuries, gave you private tutoring to boost your strength, took you to Miao Fa Xuan Zhou for the Summer Camp, and even got you the position of Tiankong Guardian. This kind of treatment? I've never seen it before."

He stroked his chin, eyes twinkling: "You think… is Old Qin… interested in you?"

Xia Wan's face flushed crimson, like a ripe apple! She shoved Mo Yu away sharply, flustered and angry: "Senior Mo Yu! You… what are you talking about?! Master… he… he did all that for the greater good! To handle the crisis! Not… not the way you imply!"

Her heart pounded wildly; images involuntarily flashed through her mind—Qin Feng's focused profile as he healed her father, his calm tone saying "Happy Birthday" on Miao Fa Xuan Zhou, that single word: "Acceptable." But she forcibly crushed these thoughts, her face burning even hotter.

Watching her flustered, embarrassed state, Mo Yu laughed harder, like a fox who'd stolen a chicken: "Ohoho, blushing already? Your face is so red! Did I hit the mark?"

"No! Absolutely not!" Xia Wan denied vehemently, her voice rising an octave. "Master is lofty and unfathomable—I only respect and thank him! I have no other thoughts! Don't say such nonsense!"

Mo Yu wouldn't let up, continuing to tease: "Come on, don't be shy. Old Qin may be a bit old, a bit dull, but his strength is top-notch, and he's not bad-looking either. Think about it? If you say yes, I'll go speak for you."

"Senior Mo Yu!" Xia Wan was both furious and desperate, feeling socially dead. Seeing his mocking smile, she knew he was deliberately provoking her. In a panic, to utterly crush this absurd notion and protect both her own and Master's reputation, she blurted out without thinking:

"Stop worrying about me! I… I'm not interested in Old Men!"

The moment the words left her lips, the entire Ecological Garden fell utterly silent.

Even the Mechanical Butterfly circling them seemed to freeze mid-flight.

Mo Yu's grin froze. He blinked, as if he hadn't heard: "…What did you say?"

Xia Wan instantly regretted it—she wanted to bite off her own tongue! Oh no! What had she just said?! She'd just called Master… an Old Man?!

Though all signs suggested Master's true age was likely unknown… could she possibly say that?! It was outright disrespect!

She frantically waved her hands to backtrack: "No! That's not what I meant! I meant… I meant…"

But it was too late.

A calm, emotionless voice, faint and distant, echoed behind her:

"Oh?"

"Old Man?"

Xia Wan froze completely, as if petrified—her blood seemed to halt. Her neck stiffened, turning slowly, inch by inch.

There, several meters behind her, stood Qin Feng, holding his ever-unfinished cup of Clear Tea, gazing at her with serene eyes.

That gaze remained as deep as an ancient well—but Xia Wan could have sworn she saw a hint of… indescribable… amusement?

The instant Mo Yu saw Qin Feng, he first blinked in shock, then erupted into an even louder, more gleeful laugh than before, rolling on the Grassland while clutching his stomach:

"Hahahaha! Old Man! Hahaha! Qin Old Demon! You've been had! Hahaha! Rejected as an Old Man by a little girl! This is too good! Hahahaha!"

Xiao Bao didn't understand what happened, but seeing his father laugh so hard, he clapped his tiny hands and giggled, his dice glowing erratically as if echoing the joy.

Xia Wan looked at Mo Yu, laughing without dignity, then at Qin Feng behind her, expression perfectly calm—and her vision darkened. She wanted nothing more than to vanish into the ground!

Finished…

Was her life… over now?