For three days while the pervert studied the embryo, Little Sprout was restless, just like a parent with a child in the ICU. To keep it from blaming itself too much, Cotyledon asked it to help research the robots.
The pervert emerged; the problem of skin implantation had been solved. All Cotyledon could think about was creating as many robot variants as possible in the shortest time, cooperating with the pervert on the skin issue, and then handing them off to Black Beard for sale.
There were already more than thirty people involved. There was no way to survive without making money!
Little Sprout helped her debug the robots while sneaking glances at her expression. Seeing that she genuinely held no grudge against it, it finally relaxed.
However, the pervert seemed to have hit a snag, not appearing for two full days. He only sent G0342 over to ask for liquid metal, requiring a small amount of every type.
Cotyledon guessed that the pervert was testing the embryo’s tolerance for different metals, so she readily gave him samples of all forty-plus types she possessed.
Three days later, the pervert finally completed his research and stepped out of the lab. His hair was a mess; the sparse strands on his bald head were utterly ruined. His slightly cloudy eyes were bloodshot, and his clothes hadn't been changed in three days—he looked like a pathetic old man abandoned by his children on the roadside.
But his expression was one of extreme excitement. “This thing is fascinating!”
After speaking, he gave a dry cough. “I’m a bit thirsty.”
“What?” Cotyledon was stunned. The embryo was thirsty?
The little girl G0342 immediately brought over a glass of water. The pervert reached out, took it, and gave Cotyledon a look of disdain. Cotyledon was mortified; who knew he meant himself when he said he was thirsty?
The pervert gulped down the water and stated with absolute certainty, “The embryo contains the genes of a Fluff Beast, specially mutated. Its teeth are extremely sharp, and it possesses an incredibly tenacious gene. It can bite through metal without an issue.”
That made sense. The embryo must have been the one Little Sprout brought back from the Angel Domain. But no matter how much a Fluff Beast mutated, it shouldn't be able to bite through metal!
Cotyledon asked with doubt, “What is this incredibly tenacious gene?”
The pervert was too eager to share his findings to play games, saying, “It seems to be from an animal already extinct in space. It floated in space for hundreds of years, absorbing countless types of radiation, leading to this mutation. We haven't identified the exact species yet. But kid, oh, correction. Little sister, I’m telling you, this is absolutely an awesome being. Raise it well.”
Cotyledon asked, “Is it okay for it to grow this large all at once?”
The pervert rolled his eyes at her, stating firmly, “This is its normal form! Before, you were starving it so it couldn't grow.”
Cotyledon’s jaw nearly dropped to the floor.
This…
The situation had completely exceeded her expectations. Was she the one who had been mistaken? Cotyledon looked sheepishly at Little Sprout, whose eyes were shining brightly; it couldn't have been happier.
If not for the pervert’s unbearable appearance, it would have rushed up to kiss him to thank him for clearing its name.
Cotyledon poked its head. “How should I raise it from now on?”
The pervert said, “Feed it metal. It absorbs platinum and ytterbium the best, and it absorbs europium and dysprosium quite well, but less of metals like uranium. Feed it a bit of everything, or alloys work too.”
Cotyledon had a good understanding of metals. Hearing this, she immediately realized it had a stronger affinity for silvery rare-earth metals and a lower absorption rate for radioactive metals. This meant she would need to find metals to feed it from now on?
It sounded completely unscientific!
More importantly, this was undoubtedly a massive expenditure. It would be more than a hundred times the cost of milk, goat's milk, nutrient solutions, and all other normal foodstuffs!
Cotyledon could perfectly envision the miserable life this little creature would lead once it grew up. Forget supporting so many people; she probably couldn't even afford to keep one small animal.
Cotyledon pondered for a moment and asked, “Pervert. Do you want this thing? I don’t want to raise it anymore.”
The pervert was astonished. “Why? This is an unparalleled species!”
Cotyledon pouted. “I can’t afford it.”
The pervert had G0342 bring out the rearing tank. The tank had already been replaced with one appropriate for its size, and all the equipment had been upgraded. He looked at the wriggling creature in the tank, then back at Cotyledon, and shook his head. “I don’t want it either. If you can’t afford it, do you think I can?”
If they were on Silver Emblem Star, it might be okay, but in space, everything cost money, especially those few metals—they were prohibitively expensive. Even a tycoon like Cotyledon couldn’t afford them; he couldn't afford it even if he sold himself after just emerging from space!
Cotyledon looked miserable. “Then what do we do?”
The pervert grabbed the tank and shoved it into her arms. “Hold it tight and raise it well. Don’t let it die. I still want to research it properly when I have money later.”
Cotyledon was on the verge of tears.
Seeing how pitiful she looked, the pervert waved his hand. “I’ll prepare a raising manual and send it to you later. You must feed it!”
Cotyledon frowned upon hearing that.
Clutching the rearing tank, Cotyledon felt like she was holding a thousand pounds. As she turned a corner, she happened to see Iron Hand returning from outside. She immediately had an idea: wasn't Iron Hand skilled with metals? Since the embryo ate metal, partnering with him seemed perfect.
So, Cotyledon called out to him, “Iron Hand, wait.”
Hearing Cotyledon’s voice, Iron Hand turned around and gave her a simple, honest smile. Before Cotyledon left Silver Emblem last year, she had given him a lot of material on metals, for which he was deeply grateful. He asked, “Is there anything you need my help with?”
Cotyledon said excitedly, “Iron Hand, do you keep pets? I have a little animal here that doesn’t eat regular food, only metal. It’s perfect for you to raise.”
Iron Hand looked into the rearing tank in surprise. The tank was transparent, allowing one to see the little animal’s condition. As soon as Iron Hand saw the creature, he stepped back a few paces, recoiling in disgust. “What is this gooey, disgusting thing?”
Cotyledon was surprised. “Disgusting? Don’t you think it’s cute?”
Iron Hand shook his head vigorously, backing away as he did so. “Kid, you can ask me for help with anything, and I’ll do my utmost, but not this! Absolutely not!” With that, he turned around and ran as if he had seen a ghost.
Cotyledon stomped her foot in anger as she watched his retreating back.
One by one, no one could be relied upon!
Cotyledon sighed, looking down the long corridor, and said to Little Sprout, “Forget it, if no one will raise it, we’ll raise it ourselves. After all, it’s your son.”
Little Sprout whined, tugging at the corner of her clothes and rubbing against her waist.
Just then, someone called from the other end of the corridor, “Kid, wait up!”
Cotyledon turned around. The pervert was sprinting towards her at a speed he hadn't managed in ten years. Terrified, Cotyledon hurriedly shouted, “Slow down! Your old bones can’t handle this kind of strain.”
If he accidentally threw out his back, what would happen? She still needed to rely on him for skin implantation research.
The pervert finally reached Cotyledon. She looked at him with surprise. “Have you changed your mind? Are you taking the embryo back?”
The pervert waved his hand. “No, no, this has nothing to do with that.”
Cotyledon puffed out her cheeks and turned to leave. If it wasn't about that, why did he run out to chase her? He made her happy for nothing.
The pervert saw through her thoughts and chuckled dryly. “It’s because I have no money, can’t afford it. If I ever have money in the future, I’d be happy to raise not just one, but a whole group.”
Cotyledon shot him a look, annoyed. “Then what are you looking for me for?”
The pervert said, “Kid, lend me twenty million. I’ll pay you back in three months.”
Cotyledon smiled, patted his shoulder in a brotherly manner, and said, “I know. You need money to buy equipment and raw materials, right?”
The pervert nodded frankly and smiled. “As expected, you’re the one who truly understands me.”
Cotyledon waved her hand. “You don’t need to borrow from me. Black Beard will issue unified funds tomorrow. The reason he didn't give it to you earlier was to make you go out and look around, worried you’d buy whatever you saw and spend all the money without getting the best value.”
The pervert habitually stroked a few strands of his sparse hair. “That’s good. I’ll wait until tomorrow then.”
Cotyledon freed up one hand, patted his arm, and whispered, “If you’re short on money then, come find me. I still rely on you for making robots. If you get too idle, rent a small asteroid belt and grow roses—roses in space are profitable!”
The pervert deliberated and found it indeed a good idea, but there was one issue: “I don’t have a passport or a pilot’s license, so I can’t rent one. Can you help with that?”
Cotyledon held the nurturing box with both hands as she walked away. “I won’t help you rent an asteroid. Black Beard is familiar with asteroid belts; that’s what he used to do. As for the passport, I’ll give you one tomorrow.”
Back in her room, Cotyledon said to Little Sprout, “Little Sprout, make a passport for the pervert.”
Little Sprout giggled. “Already on it. Should be done within five minutes.”
Cotyledon placed the rearing tank on the table and kissed it. “Good child.”
While modifying a remote planet’s archival system, Little Sprout asked, “Mommy Cotyledon, let’s give the little embryo a name.”
Cotyledon casually said, “Alright, let me think.” As she spoke, she opened the lid of the rearing tank. The little animal seemed to notice her and opened its mouth, moving toward her hand.
Cotyledon saw its pale, sharp teeth and quickly pulled her hand back. The teeth were so pointed; would it bite people? It was still an embryo, and its teeth were already this terrifying; how would it be later!
Just as she was thinking, her finger was bitten.
Cotyledon’s hand trembled, and she almost dropped the embryo.
However, she immediately realized it was only gently holding her, not biting hard. Instead, it seemed to be playfully teasing her. She finally calmed down, gently stroked its head, and said to Little Sprout, “How about we call it Douban?”
Little Sprout bared its teeth. “Mommy Cotyledon has zero talent for naming. Utterly scorned.”
Cotyledon retorted indignantly, “Then what do you suggest we call it?”
Little Sprout triumphantly declared, “Douzai!”
Cotyledon showed equal scorn. “You’re as talentless as I am.”
She turned to the rearing tank and said to the little animal, “Be good, you’re called Douzai from now on.”