A group of girls were gathered, engrossed in trivial discussions about fashion and beauty. My arrival clearly sparked considerable interest. I subtly hinted for Fang Yanmeng to take Xiao Chuchu and Zhang Xiaoya out first, leaving Zhao Fen, Zhao Fang, Yi Xiaorou, and Xiao Yudidi behind.

After quietly gaining Xiao Yudidi's consent, I addressed the remaining three women. "I'll be direct. All of you here are scientific elites, and Xiao Yudidi and I trust you completely. Our nation is currently suffering infringement and harassment from foreign powers. I wonder what your thoughts are on this matter."

Xiao Yudidi held a rather detached concept of nationality, but her entire focus was fixed on me. If I were to express hatred for Bird Country, she would absolutely harbor no goodwill toward them. It could be said she was an even purer blank slate than Zhao Fen or Zhao Fang.

Zhao Fen replied, "Brother Zhao, actually, we have been observing and discovering things these past few days. The technological level of our entire country truly needs a substantial improvement. I firmly believe that a strong nation commands respect, while a weak one suffers humiliation. My sister and I both hope to do more for our country; this is the main reason we accepted the state's invitation to participate in military scientific research."

I turned to Yi Xiaorou. "You once told me, 'With great power comes great responsibility.' Now, if Xiao Yudidi and I possess the ability to manufacture weaponry, what do you think I should do?"

Yi Xiaorou seemed slightly confused by my implication. "You mean you can produce weapons? Like aircraft or tanks? That doesn't seem to have anything to do with tofu, does it?"

Xiao Yudidi interjected, "Sisters, my brother and I trust you, so there’s no need to hide anything further. Following my father's instructions, I built a massive production base for my brother. However, due to a lack of technical documentation, we have the production lines but no actual products to manufacture."

I addressed the three women. "I won't elaborate on Xiao Yudidi's background, but what she said is true. You three are scientists now; perhaps we can collaborate. I don't know if you've seen today's news, but the provocations from Bird Country and Star Country are escalating. The situation in the D Sea grows more severe by the day. If the nation ever faces true peril, even if I wanted to focus peacefully on selling tofu, it wouldn't be possible."

Yi Xiaorou’s face softened with tenderness. "Zhao Qian, I'm very glad you think this way now. Tell us your plans."

Zhao Fen and Zhao Fang chimed in their agreement. "Yes, Brother Zhao, we study hard all for you. Tell us what you need us to do."

I fixed the three women with a firm gaze. "I want you to help me obtain the production data for the latest model submarine. Xiao Yudidi and I will return to the base and work overtime to rush out ten or eight of them. Then, we can either crew them ourselves or sell them to the nation. Either way, it increases the military strength of our own Dragon Country."

Zhao Fen and Zhao Fang held a blind adoration for me; I could ask them to steal nuclear bomb schematics and they wouldn't argue. However, Yi Xiaorou was a woman with strong independence. She paused to think. "I think it would be best to contact the Central Authority first regarding this matter. I don't want you to be misunderstood by the state because of this."

I glanced at Xiao Yudidi. If too many people knew about this, it would be extremely dangerous for her. If the world discovered there was a highly intelligent **robot on Earth, they would surely scheme to seize her, dissect her, and study her.

"No. Except for the five of us, I don't want anyone else to know about the base for now. This concerns Xiao Yudidi's safety, and I cannot risk even the smallest accident happening to her."

Xiao Yudidi stood obediently beside me. "Brother, I know you care about me. It's fine. I've learned a lot of information about your era these past few days. With your current capabilities, you can't really do anything to me."

I waved my hand dismissively. "No. Human malice is far more treacherous than what you see on television. Since your father entrusted you to my care, I must be responsible for your safety."

"Oh," Xiao Yudidi responded, falling silent.

"How about this?" Yi Xiaorou suggested. "I happen to have technical documentation for the QB36 diesel-electric submarine—a second-generation sub indigenously developed by our country. Zhao Qian, come back with me to retrieve it. You all can look it over first to see if there are other issues, because building a submarine is far more complex than you might imagine. Beyond the hull, it involves technologies for electronics, propulsion, and noise reduction. I know nothing about the production equipment at your base, so we need to plan everything carefully."

As Yi Xiaorou finished speaking, she gently scratched her arm, glancing at me frequently, her face flushed pink. How could I not know what she meant? Her old ailment had flared up and required treatment.

Xiao Yudidi said, "It’s getting too late tonight. Let’s visit the base another day so everyone can get a better grasp of the situation. Thank you, sisters, for looking after my brother's affairs."

The three women burst into laughter. Zhao Fang teased, "Xiao Yudidi, you’re being too formal. He’s not just your brother; he’s going to be my brother-in-law!"

The meeting concluded on this cheerful note. Although a very unpleasant and earth-shattering event would follow this meeting, this gathering could still be considered the Zhao family's first official session. If one were to give this meeting a designation, it would be the dawn of a new era.

When the five of us went downstairs, Fang Yanmeng greeted me with a smile. "Sorry, Zhao Qian. We couldn't resist Brother Zhu's enthusiastic invitation, so we decided to stay here for a while. Besides, Brother Zhu mentioned that the second floor is exclusively for us ladies, and you're not allowed up without an invitation from now on."

Zhang Xiaoya stood up. "Zhao Qian, I need to go home, or my dad will worry."

Since I had insisted on bringing her along and even promised to go home together, I replied, "Alright, I'll take you."

Xiao Chuchu grabbed Zhang Xiaoya's arm. "Why rush off? Just call your dad! You don't have a flight mission tomorrow anyway. Let’s all stay and have some fun."

Fang Yanmeng chimed in, "That's right, none of us have plans tomorrow. Everyone stay and play."

Zhang Xiaoya had no choice but to agree. I told them I was accompanying Yi Xiaorou to retrieve the materials, and so we headed back to the High-End Weapon Research Institute.

As soon as we entered Yi Xiaorou's lounge, she eagerly embraced me. "Zhao Qian, you're so popular! Do you know I feel scared? Those girls all have unusual feelings for you; I'm afraid I'll lose you soon."

My skin had grown thick by now. Without a word, I gripped Yi Xiaorou's soft, full breast and began kneading it. "You might not know this, but Zhao Fen and Zhao Fang, along with Fang Yanmeng, actually said they want to be my girlfriends together. I was truly startled by them."

Yi Xiaorou blinked, then laughed, her body trembling enticingly. "You weren't startled, you were probably overjoyed! Then what about me? Have you considered that?"

I gently pushed Yi Xiaorou onto the bed. "The time isn't right yet to completely tear down the facade with your husband. You know that after tonight, in everyone else's eyes, I’ve solidified my reputation as a pretty boy. Once I have real power, what can Tan Tian do to me then?"

Yi Xiaorou let out a soft huff. "Pretty boy? They don't know your strength, but Qingqing and I do. You were behind those rats and the giant snake, weren't you? And that little sister Xiao Yudidi who said she’d give each of us a big diamond—where did you pick her up? She’s awfully close to you."

I tore off Yi Xiaorou's clothes and pulled her breast free from her undergarment. "Are you jealous? You should know that my virginity was given to you."

Yi Xiaorou didn't mind my roughness; instead, she thoroughly enjoyed my ministrations, her eyes half-lidded with desire. "I am jealous. But wasn't my virginity also given to you? And Zhao Fen seems off somehow. Think carefully—did you do something foolish after a drunken stupor once? Going by a woman's intuition, I dare say she isn't a virgin anymore."

"What!" I jumped, momentarily forgetting my caresses. "That’s impossible! I never drank alcohol during the time I spent with her!"

Yi Xiaorou pulled me into her embrace and guided her cherry-like nipple into my mouth. "Don't fret. I'd bet one hundred percent that the man was you. Otherwise, with Zhao Fen's temper, you wouldn't be seeing her now. Zhao Fen kept looking at you all evening, blushing secretly every time. She must be remembering some time you acted mischievous."

As I sucked on Yi Xiaorou's breast, I racked my brain. If something happened, it must have been in the snake den. That night, after drinking snake blood and eating snake meat, my body was temporarily out of my control—suddenly hungry, suddenly dizzy. Could the fairy I slept with in my confusion actually have been Zhao Fen? Or perhaps that lecherous, persistent dead snake borrowed my body to take Zhao Fen? Damn it, should I thank it or hate it? Without that snake, I wouldn't be who I am today. I should probably thank it.

While still contemplating how I would question Zhao Fen upon my return, Yi Xiaorou lightly patted my lower region. "Doctor Zhao, treatment time is up. What method will you be employing tonight?"

"Half an hour for each!"

...

Yi Xiaorou naturally did not return with me to Zhu Da's house. I returned alone, carrying a stack of optical disc data. Everyone should have been asleep by then, yet, surprisingly, Xiao Yudidi was still watching television in the living room.