ABFMV Chapter 34 Part 1

Even though she knew it might not be right, Qiye didn’t correct Xu Linlang’s movements.

Xu Linlang blinked. “I can’t make sense of this at all. Can you explain what all these buttons do?”

She had no real interest in piloting a mech, but as a student in the mecha manufacturing department, this was something she would have to learn eventually.

Qiye lowered his eyes, speaking with full seriousness, going over each button one by one in sequence, explaining their functions.

The further he went toward the edge of the console, the more Xu Linlang leaned in closer.

He reached out across her body, and without meaning to, it became a posture that looked like he was holding her.

Feeling his arm brush against her, Xu Linlang suddenly realized just how far forward she’d leaned.

She started to rise and lean back, but the arm across her back pressed her down.

“No need to get up. This way you can see more clearly.”

Xu Linlang found that Qiye always had a way of convincing her. The posture was ambiguous, yes, but in the game setting, his character was a man focused solely on his career with no time for love.

Maybe right now, all he saw was the mech. She was probably just in the way.

With that thought, his insistence that she stay put so she could observe better suddenly seemed reasonable.

Someone obsessed with mechs and power probably had a passion higher than most people’s.

She herself was a cat person—back in modern times, whenever she chatted with friends, she always drifted back to talking about cats. Qiye’s state of mind was likely the same.

His voice was pleasant, with that clear, unique timbre belonging only to young men.

He explained calmly and methodically, until he had covered every single function. Then, resting a hand lightly on her shoulder, he gently eased her back into the co-pilot’s seat.

“Want me to show you a demo?”

Xu Linlang nodded hard.

This was a rare chance to watch a live mech performance—no way she’d miss it.

Qiye pressed the console keys, moving just as he did countless times in holographic combat.

From basic sidesteps to evasive leaps, everything flowed as naturally as breathing. The black mech moved faster and faster, every movement a seamless display of strength and beauty.

From the passenger seat, Xu Linlang’s excitement gave way to wide-eyed shock. His hand speed was insane—faster than professional e-sports players even back in modern times.

Now she’d truly seen what “Valley Pianist” speed looked like—hands quick enough to defend his family online.

So this was the power of an S-grade gene?

If the original host’s gene hadn’t been destroyed, could she have been this capable too?

Qiye glanced at her, noticed her sudden gloom, and stopped his actions. The mech slowly descended to the ground.

Once they exited the cockpit, Qiye asked, “You feeling unwell?”

Xu Linlang shook her head. “I’m fine.”

When she looked up again, she saw Qiye watching her with intense seriousness.

“Why did you drink that vial for me?”

Xu Linlang replied, “I thought you still carried some Zerg gene in you. I was afraid it might react badly if you drank it.”

Qiye blinked. “You knew I had Zerg genes all along, yet you’re not afraid of me? Most people loathe and fear the Zerg.”

Xu Linlang was blunt. “Honestly, I have a bad habit—I’m kind of shallow. You’re good-looking, so of course I don’t feel afraid. Plus, you’re a stock with huge potential. Being close with you can only benefit me in the future.”

Qiye had thought of countless possible answers, but he hadn’t expected it to come down to something as simple as looks and “potential stock.”

Seeing his expression, Xu Linlang thought he wasn’t satisfied, so she added, “Actually, you remind me of my brother. Being with you feels like being with him.”

That should do it.

In the game, Qiye and Xu Gongyu were similar in some ways—both had lost their loved ones, both harbored resentment toward the world, and both ended up overwhelmingly strong.

So saying he was like her brother wasn’t wrong.

But unexpectedly, the moment the word “brother” came out, Qiye’s face grew darker.

What on earth?

Xu Linlang gave up trying to untangle a villain’s complicated inner thoughts.

Footsteps sounded outside the training room, and soon Rong Ruyue hurried in. She gave Xu Linlang a quick once-over. “Sweetheart, are you alright?”

Xu Linlang laughed. “I’m fine. His Majesty isn’t a man-eating tiger. In the palace, he wouldn’t dare harm me.”

That had originally been Rong Ruyue’s reassurance to her, but now Xu Linlang was using it to reassure Rong Ruyue.

She tugged Rong Ruyue’s hand and motioned toward the black mech.

“Besides, I not only came out unharmed, but I even won a brand-new A+ grade mech from the military. But it’s useless to me, so I gave it to Qiye.”

Rong Ruyue frowned. “For no reason? Why would His Majesty give you such a precious A+ mech?”

Xu Linlang muttered, “Of course, he wasn’t being generous. He set up a contest, thinking I’d definitely lose. But I won. The mech was the prize.”

Rong Ruyue patted her head. “If you don’t want to compete next time, don’t. You don’t need to force yourself.”

Xu Linlang shook her head. “It wasn’t a burden. I got a mech for free—I’m happy.”

Rong Ruyue sighed. “My Linlang is always so sensible. So sensible it breaks my heart.”

Xu Linlang still had a question. “Right no,w the Zerg threat isn’t stable, and there are so many places that need Father on the frontlines. Why is His Majesty still determined to suppress the Xu family?”

Rong Ruyue hesitated, glancing at Qiye nearby, before finally answering: “Ordinary citizens are both resistant to and afraid of nobles. Your father is loved by the people because he used to be one of them. That’s why the Emperor married me to him—to bring him firmly into the nobility. But what he didn’t expect was that even after the marriage, your father’s reputation among the commoners hadn’t waned. In their eyes, he’s already a legend.”

She sighed. “He knows your father very well. He’s certain that until the Empire is completely stable, your father would never harbor any thoughts of seizing power. Your father has always believed that internal division and rebellion are nothing but wasted effort—energy that would be better spent fighting the Zerg. But just because your father thinks that way doesn’t mean others do.