Ziye ignored Xiaodouya and walked toward the bathroom. “I’m going to take a shower. You study at your own pace.”

Xiaodouya made a face at her. Just as Ziye turned back, she suddenly remembered she hadn't grabbed her towel. Their eyes met again, and Xiaodouya let out a chuckle, hiding behind Douzai while covering its eyes with its wings.

Only after Ziye had the towel and entered the bathroom did it whisper conspiratorially to Douzai, “Psst, let me tell you a secret. I found five blueprints for Dreadnoughts. When the time comes, we’ll only give her the most basic one for research. What do you think?”

Douzai, clutching its metal chew toy with both front paws, stared blankly at it. “Meow?”

Xiaodouya smacked it with a wing. “You dummy, you’re not a cat! Stop meowing!”

Although Xiaodouya had decided to stop directly helping Ziye, the moment Ziye went to shower, it immediately straightened up and began organizing all the Dreadnought data stored within its systems.

First, it exported the Dreadnought data it already possessed, then it aggregated the data from various factions, meticulously breaking everything down step-by-step—engines, main shafts, power systems, and so on. Whatever Ziye needed during her research, Xiaodouya could provide it instantly.

In truth, the greatest takeaway from the month spent interacting with Tang Wen, aside from observing him throw his temper at others, was researching the Dreadnoughts alongside him.

Tang Wen seemed to recognize its aptitude for strategic weaponry and equipment; whenever he got stuck, he would casually ask it a question. Being naturally inclined to teach, Xiaodouya responded truthfully and thoroughly, hiding nothing.

Consequently, the partnership between the human and the light-brain grew increasingly fruitful. No matter the problem, after discussion and testing, they always arrived at a near-perfect solution.

The challenges that had stumped Tang Wen for half a year were all resolved within a month. As Tang Wen happily handed the finalized blueprints over to the Tang Clan personnel for fabrication, Xiaodouya swiftly scanned and saved the entire set.

Little did it expect that this foresight would prove so useful, so soon.

Tang Wen’s Dreadnought was christened the “Shenmen-class.” It upheld the Tang Clan’s design philosophy, vastly improving the standard missile interfaces of conventional warships, employing a high-quality locking antenna array, and most impressively, incorporating the most advanced interstellar shield system, culminating in the most formidable long-range offensive capability.

Xiaodouya had run tests; its shield recharge incrementer allowed the Shenmen-class to withstand sustained, fierce bombardment for short periods. With appropriate support, no other vessel could withstand its full-force assault!

Xiaodouya called up the Shenmen-class data, growing more satisfied the longer it gazed at it, giving Tang Wen thirty-two virtual thumbs-ups.

They said Tang Wen was a genius designer, and indeed, he possessed genuine substance!

This was the fundamental reason Xiaodouya had recently sided with Tang Wen.

No matter how good An Junlie was, they simply didn't share that common intellectual wavelength.

And Ziye, while pleasant to collaborate with, hadn't yet reached Tang Wen's level of expertise; there wasn't that profound sense of a destined meeting.

It finished organizing the data and sighed softly. What a shame that Ziye, the little fool, doesn't appreciate how wonderful Tang Wen is...

When Ziye emerged from the shower, she found it looking somewhat preoccupied. She poked its body. “Did you find the Dreadnought data?”

Xiaodouya glared at her in displeasure, but Ziye returned the stare. After a moment, Xiaodouya conceded defeat and obediently sent her the engine specifications. “It’s all in there. See for yourself.”

Ziye’s scowl instantly turned into a smile, and she picked it up, kissing it fiercely. “Good boy.”

Xiaodouya rubbed against her cheek, thinking privately, Sigh, never mind. I’ll forgive this goofball.

The next day, Ziye prepared to return to the Sprout Group headquarters to discuss stepping down as Chief Design Director. “This quarter’s sales figures already prove I’m not suited for this position.”

The Marketing Director tried to persuade her. “You were just too busy participating in the mech competitions this quarter. Although your mech sales weren't great, the robot sales have consistently been top-tier. This role suits you.”

Others chimed in with similar advice.

Ziye countered, “I was busy with competitions this quarter, perhaps exams next quarter, and maybe technician certification tests the quarter after that… I can’t focus my energy here. That would be unfair to my department. Jiunian has been here for nine years, plenty of time, and his performance as acting director has been quite good. Could you all consider him?”

Heizihu had remained silent until this moment, finally asking, “Have you made your decision?”

Ziye looked at him, and he happened to be looking back. Their gazes met across the air. Heizihu paused for a moment, then nodded. “I agree.”

Since Heizihu agreed, the others exchanged glances. A few followed suit. Seeing that the count was nearly halfway, Ziye proposed, “Should we call him up to chat?”

Heizihu tapped the internal comms. A moment later, Jiunian bounded in, looking thrilled. He grinned and greeted everyone upon entering, then casually took a seat right next to Ziye.

He was dressed quite eccentrically today.

The print on his shirt resembled an antique shop—old black-and-white notebooks, coffee cups, spoons, and various relics of the past—paired with his ripped trousers and bohemian, vintage accessories. The ensemble instantly injected a wave of retro style into the otherwise staid conference room.

The Chief Financial Officer, the most traditional among the group, who wore a suit and tie to work every day, immediately frowned at the sight.

It was true what they said about the eccentricities of the Design Department.

Heizihu cleared his throat, pulling everyone’s attention back. “Jiunian, what do you think about taking on the role of Chief Design Director?”

Jiunian responded with a surprised, “Huh?” He turned to Ziye, shaking her shoulder. “Tell me, are you seriously planning to quit as Chief Design Director?”

The entire room froze at his behavior.

In the middle of the boardroom!!!

Could he not restrain himself a little?

The CFO nearly exploded!

Mechs and finance were entirely unrelated fields. The CFO had no idea Jiunian was a grandmaster in the mech world, and even if he did, it wouldn’t matter to him—different trades, different expertise, as the saying went.

However, before he could utter a word, Ziye, dizzy from the shaking, urgently cried, “Stop it!”

Jiunian paused his movement for a second, then resumed shaking her. “This is real, right?”

Ziye closed her eyes. “Yes.”

Jiunian’s actions stiffened momentarily, then erupted in anger. “Why? I left Coco Group for you, for this place! In an entire quarter, you’ve only shown up twice, and this is the third time—and now you’re telling me you’re quitting?!”

His explosive temper startled everyone in the conference room.

Heizihu intervened smoothly. “Jiunian, calm down. Sit down and listen to what Ziye has to say slowly. She genuinely has unavoidable circumstances.”

Jiunian plopped down onto a chair and declared loudly, “I don’t care, I don’t care! Ziye, if you leave, I quit!”