Blackbeard didn't rush at all, sitting down calmly as the robot brewed him a cup of tea. He gestured for her to sit down as well, suggesting a slow chat. Ziye reluctantly complied. She wasn't really a tea drinker, but she picked up the cup, downed the contents in one go, wiped her mouth, and said, "Can you speak now?"

Blackbeard burst into laughter, amused by her haste, and stopped teasing her, getting straight to the point. "Redhead and I got out first. Old Dog and Big Head wanted to come out too, but commanding a battleship takes time, so they had to delay. As for those like Weak-Legs and Pervert, they lack the capability or the guts even if they wanted to come out."

Ziye couldn't help but smile thinking of the timid Weak-Legs, and asked, "Is Redhead back to her old ways?"

Blackbeard leaned back on the sofa with a sigh. "The first capital I used to open this shop was invested by Redhead."

When pirates could acquire the most funds in the shortest time, it was tantamount to robbing a bank. Ziye found it normal that Redhead would do this; she didn't exactly despise the profession of piracy, but she certainly didn't see it as glorious either. Conversely, the people in the Kolai Market hoped for more pirates.

More pirates meant increased destruction of mechs and ships, leading to more sales, which in turn boosted the prosperity of the materials, ammunition, mech, and shipbuilding markets.

Blackbeard seemed to read her mind and muttered dejectedly, "I don't get her. Even if she just sat around eating, with my capabilities, supporting her wouldn't be an issue. But she simply wouldn't listen. The moment she got out, she hijacked a frigate and became a pirate!"

Ziye couldn't help but laugh. Legally, gender equality existed, but men had been accustomed to being the head of the household for thousands of years, instinctively feeling the responsibility and obligation to support women. Blackbeard, being a staunch chauvinist, was naturally frustrated at being 'kept' by Redhead.

Redhead is something else!

Ziye flashed a pair of scissors with her fingers. Seeing Blackbeard glaring in frustration, she quickly retracted her hand and offered a nervous chuckle, "Redhead is excellent, her skills haven't dulled a bit."

Blackbeard nodded. "That's true. Her level is high, and she has patience. For her last score, she staked out the location for a full eight days and netted 1 billion in one go. You have to admire that."

One billion?! Faster than robbing a bank!

Ziye felt a chill run down her spine.

Right, Queen Blood Fiend, her reputation was well-earned.

They chatted about Redhead for a while. Blackbeard noticed her unusually presentable attire and asked, "Where have you been hiding? You seem to be doing well; we worried for nothing. If we hadn't seen that mech dance video, we'd have thought you were starving in some corner."

Ziye scratched her head. "Heh, I'm at Kaga, starting school in January."

Blackbeard clapped his hands, laughing heartily. "That's rare—going to university! You have potential! Which school? How do you like it? Do you have tuition sorted? Give me your card; I'll send you some money for tuition and living expenses."

The words flowed out smoothly, treating her exactly like a daughter. Perhaps it was a way to compensate for the wounded masculine pride Redhead had inflicted upon him.

Ziye felt touched, but she was stable now and wasn't urgently in need of money. She shook her head. "I have government aid. University doesn't cost money."

Blackbeard extended his hand, refusing to take it back. "You need money for food too."

Ziye firmly refused. "I have odd jobs. I can support myself."

Blackbeard dismissed her protests. "Enough chatter, hand over the card quickly. If you are going to study, you need to focus entirely; you can't learn if you're worried about making money. Even if you don't need tuition, you need materials to build your robots."

Ziye conceded that he had a point and hesitantly handed over her card. "Fine, I'll build robots for you from now on then!"

Blackbeard beamed. "Wonderful! The robots here are trash. If you build them, they'll definitely be a hundred times better than these."

Ziye agreed wholeheartedly on that point. The robots she built on Silver Badge were customized according to individual requirements, developed through extensive trial and error based on practical experience. Compared to space-faring robots, they were superior by a factor of ten in terms of intelligence and flexibility.

She was confident she could capture the market.

However, when she saw the amount Blackbeard transferred, she was still stunned: fifty million!

She had never seen so much money in her life; he was truly too generous!

Moreover, Redhead had only given him 800 million initially, just enough for his shop opening and initial investment. Would giving her this much leave him short? Ziye started to speak, but Blackbeard, anticipating her thought, immediately stopped her. "Just take it. You'll definitely use it; I have more than enough here."

Ziye had to swallow the words forming on her lips and instead asked, "Can you sell blueprints?" If he could sell blueprints, she would give him all of hers to sell; that would ease her conscience.

Blackbeard's eyes lit up. "Show me."

Ziye opened her 'Sprout Shop' on the screen, about to say something, when she was suddenly horrified to discover that all the blueprints were sold out!

When did this happen? Why hadn't A120 told her?

She opened her email and finally saw the notifications from A120. There were four emails in a row, all notifying her about blueprint sales, plus another email indicating her account balance. She had been too comfortable staying with Blackbeard and completely forgot to check her mail.

Crow blueprints: 50,000. Raven blueprints: 150,000. Carrion blueprints: 400,000. Roc blueprints: 1,000,000. All sold out! She received a massive lump sum of 1.6 million at once!

The buyers, just like last time, were all anonymous.

Truly strange.

Seeing her shocked expression, Blackbeard asked, "What's wrong?"

Ziye snapped back to reality and shook her head. "Nothing, the mech blueprints just sold out; only component blueprints are left." She turned the screen toward Blackbeard. "Can these still be sold?"

Blackbeard scanned through them and exclaimed excitedly, "They can definitely sell! Your work is trustworthy."

Ziye scratched her head sheepishly.

Blackbeard looked at her spotlessly clean shop. "If you don't mind, I can manage the shop for you. Blueprints are hard to sell online; I know a few people who sell blueprints, and I can have them sell yours on consignment. The online shop is better for selling robots; I'll put some up."

Ziye trusted him implicitly and readily agreed. "Okay."

Blackbeard paused in thought for a moment. "Are there any of That Hall's works included?"

That Hall was the designation for Tang Shan on Silver Badge planet. Ziye shook her head. "The Roc-type could be considered his work, but I simplified it significantly. It sold out strangely in the last few days. If you need it, I can make a new one for you."

Blackbeard patted his chest. "You don't need to give me his complete blueprint; modify it before you hand it over."

Although Tang Shan's era had passed, some people might still remember him. If any trace of the blueprint was recognized and led people back to them, it wouldn't be good for them.

Ziye nodded.

Collaborating was much better than floundering alone. With direction and backing, Ziye felt entirely relaxed, a confident smile lighting up her face. She displayed the blueprints for the B-series, G-series, F-series, and other robots and handed them to Blackbeard to find manufacturers for production.

Once manufactured and fitted with appropriate clothing, they were sent back, and Ziye would implant the corresponding programs. Ziye desperately wanted her robots to be distinctive, but she knew nothing about aesthetics, so she appealed to Blackbeard for help. Blackbeard laughed heartily upon hearing this. "Don't worry about that. Whatever look you want, give me a picture, and I'll have them make a sample for you to see."

Ziye was ecstatic. She sent an image for each robot model and told him to proceed as he saw fit.

Blackbeard was incredibly efficient. On Ziye's third day in Kolai, the sample for the B-series was ready: standard 175cm, excellent body proportions, a very pert backside, and uniquely beautiful facial features—the result was strikingly similar, about seventy to eighty percent, to what the Dirty Pervert had created. She implanted the program, adjusted the data, and a beautiful little shou (submissive character) was born in her hands.

Blackbeard was mesmerized; his eyes were glued to it!

He hadn't seen Ziye build robots before. Seeing her creation firsthand now, he was uncontrollably excited. "It will sell, and it will sell big!" He didn't know much about robotics, but he understood the market well. "Trust me, this will be a massive hit next year!"

Ziye looked up at him, asking, "Why not this year's hit?"

Blackbeard chuckled, "What's today's date?"

Ziye flipped open the calendar and realized with a start that it was December 27th. The New Year was only a few days away.

After all this turmoil, another year had passed.

Ziye felt a pang of wistfulness; time flew too fast, so fast that before she could accomplish anything or achieve any milestones, a new year was already beginning.

It was pitiful that after struggling for so long, she was still hovering just above the poverty line.

Blackbeard patted her shoulder. "It's almost the New Year; stay here with me. Everyone at Kaga is likely students who have gone home for the break; you'll be lonely by yourself."

Ziye sighed softly. "Mm."

Seeing her unhappiness, Blackbeard added, "I'll call Redhead back too, so we can celebrate the New Year together."

Ziye's lips curved into a smile. "Good."

Celebrating the New Year with them was, at this moment, the most precious and happiest prospect. Ziye let go of her tension, made a face at him, and went back to looking at the robots.

However, the first prototypes always had minor flaws. Previously, on Silver Badge, she used to make at least three test units. Now, she obviously didn't have the time to tinker slowly. She directly organized the data on the light-brain, noted the parts needing modification and the extent of the changes, and sent it back to the manufacturer for revision.

Blackbeard watched for a long time but couldn't discern the differences. Ziye had initially planned to give him all the data and programs, but seeing his complete lack of aptitude in that area, she gave up.

Yet, Blackbeard was naturally gifted at sales.

In less than a few minutes in the shop, he had persuaded two customers with his silver tongue, and they each walked away with a robot. Ziye secretly admired him.

That level of eloquence was beyond her reach.

"Alright, go wash your hands and have some fruit," Blackbeard said with a smile, ordering a clerk to wash fruit and signaling her to sit down and rest for a while. As soon as Ziye sat down, her communicator rang; it was Spente calling.

Upon answering, Spente sounded cheerful. "Little Sprout, we finished our exams and are heading home. Come visit us! The legion sent a cruiser to pick us up; we depart at eight tomorrow morning."

Ziye paused in confusion. "Visit your place?"

Aix crowded close, and two identical faces appeared on the screen, speaking in unison, "That's right, come to our Archangel Domain!"