Chapter 53: Livestream Wrap-Up and a New Beginning

Inside the Insect Workshop after the livestream ended.

A peculiar atmosphere mingling fatigue and excitement permeated the space.

Wang Hao was still marveling at the backend data, his fingers flying across the tablet screen.

"Look at this curve! The peak hit a new high again! The total tips are enough to buy how many boxes of instant noodles!"

He shouted excitedly.

Turning to Feng Yan, he said, "Feng bro, how about we hold a 'civilian exoskeleton experience day' for the next livestream?"

"Just show the most basic kind, guaranteed not to leak any secrets!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a calm, unfazed gaze sweep over the back of his head.

He instinctively shrank his neck and furtively glanced toward Zhao Gong.

The old man was slowly wiping the last scraper clean with deerskin.

He steadily placed it back into its designated slot in the toolbox, emitting a crisp "click," and gave no response to Wang Hao's suggestion.

Feng Yan didn't directly answer Wang Hao; instead, he walked to the central work area.

He tapped the table (this time a standard anti-static workbench), drawing everyone's attention.

"The livestream data is indeed good," he said, smiling.

But his eyes had returned to their usual calm and sharpness.

"The preliminary target was exceeded. The old fans stayed, and we attracted many new ones."

"Most importantly, our approach of bringing the national team's flashy stunts to the public."

"It seems we're on the right track—even Professor Liu's side gave positive feedback."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone:

"This means that this layer of 'protective coloration' or 'buffer zone' we have on top has been preliminarily established."

"In the future, when we make bigger moves, external acceptance will be even higher."

Chen Guang pushed up his glasses and continued:

"Data analysis shows that the abnormal behavior patterns of Xiao Bai collected during the livestream"

"and audience interest feedback on the combination of laser scanning and traditional craftsmanship have high reference value for optimization."

"I have sorted and organized the related data, and generated a preliminary optimization suggestions list."

He sent an electronic document to the internal group.

Li Yang almost immediately opened the document upon receiving it.

He quickly browsed the sections on Xiao Bai's visual attention module and emergency posture adjustment algorithm.

His fingers unconsciously tapped the desktop, obviously already beginning to construct an optimization plan in his mind.

Regarding Wang Hao's proposal for an "exoskeleton experience day,"

he didn't even lift an eyelid, his full attention already immersed in the data stream.

Wang Hao watched Li Yang and Chen Guang instantly switch into work mode, clicking his tongue.

He also put away his grin, leaned over to Chen Guang, and looked at the list:

"Guangzi, what do you think about adding a mechanical arm to Xiao Bai next time?"

"It doesn't need to be too complicated—just enough to open a door and press an elevator button..."

Chen Guang replied expressionlessly:

"Based on current technical reserves and task priorities."

"To equip Xiao Bai with a mechanical arm capable of fine manipulation."

"Its development cycle and cost investment far exceed the benefits gained from optimizing the existing navigation and mission logic. Suggest postponing consideration."

Wang Hao: "... Alright, never mind, as if I hadn't said it."

Feng Yan watched the team members, although their methods differed,

but they all quickly shifted their attention from the livestream's hustle to substantive technical review and optimization, and he inwardly nodded.

This is the team he wanted—able to have fun wildly, yet also able to instantly settle down.

"Zhao Gong, how do you think these two livestreams went? Didn't cause you too much trouble, did we?"

Feng Yan turned toward the perpetually silent Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Gong had already closed his toolbox, hands behind his back, evaluating the fixture base he himself had polished on the workbench.

Hearing this, he turned his head, his face still wearing that unflappable expression.

But the words he spoke came as a surprise to everyone:

"Not much fuss, decent effect." He paused, then added:

"Better than burying one's head in work—it lets outsiders know what we're doing."

"In our line of work, it's not all about machines yelling like greenhorns; there are also old-timers willing to put in the hard graft."

This was practically the highest praise Zhao Gong had ever given the team's "fooling around" behavior since he joined!

Even Li Yang lifted his head from the screen and glanced at Zhao Gong.

Wang Hao was even more excited, almost wanting to shout again, but Feng Yan gave him a glare that shut him down.

Feng Yan's smile widened; he knew.

Zhao Gong had genuinely, from the heart, approved of the team's direction and atmosphere.

He took a deep breath, his voice not loud but clearly carrying throughout the workshop:

"We've played enough, we've had enough liveliness."

His gaze turned sharp, sweeping over Li Yang, Chen Guang, Wang Hao, and Zhao Gong in turn: "Everyone, shift focus."

The workshop instantly fell silent, even the air seeming to grow heavy.

"The instant-noodle victory feast is over," Feng Yan said, word by word, decisively and firmly.

"Now it's time to get down to business."

He looked around at his companions, who had instantly straightened their backs and whose eyes had turned stern and full of fighting spirit, his voice calm and powerful:

"Prepare for the initial trial of Dragon Chant!"

There was no extra mobilization, no stirring slogans.

But these few simple words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.

It stirred up huge ripples in everyone's heart.

"The first full-system test of Old Li's Iron Wolf Type II!"

"Integrate all upgraded energy, structure, and control systems!"

"Guangzi's laser must achieve precise interception of moving targets!"

"Haizi's verification projectile must accomplish a programmable complex trajectory!"

"And the members of Zhao Gong's ever-improving Insect Reconnaissance Squad also need to undergo their first formal joint inspection!"

This is not merely a technical verification.

It is also a splendid review of their comprehensive strength after the team's promotion to the National Team!

Li Yang silently closed the optimization list and called up the general assembly diagram and test procedure plan for the Iron Wolf Type II.

His eyes were focused as if they could ignite fire.

Chen Guang quickly switched screens, calling up simulation data of the laser system under various environments.

His fingers danced across the keyboard, beginning the final parameter calibration.

Wang Hao also stopped joking, scratched his head, and opened his ballistic simulation software.

He began muttering as he recalculated a set of propellant fuel mixture ratios that he had previously thought "good enough."

Zhao Gong said nothing, merely walking up to the five-axis machine tool.

He reached out and touched the spindle, already preheated.

He also checked the blank of the core structural part to be processed, nodding slightly.

Feng Yan watched as the team instantly entered a high-speed operating state.

He felt the familiar scent of R&D in the air, a mixture of urgency and excitement.

He knew that the brief leisure time was over.

Next would be another tough battle of racing against time and grappling with technology.

He picked up his insulated cup and took a sip of the tea that had gone cold.

His gaze turned toward the window.

The night deepened, but inside the Insect Workshop of the Dragon Chant Research Institute,

lights blazing, like a giant beast about to awaken.

it was gathering strength, preparing to unleash its first earth-shaking roar.