At home, Zhou Hanxiang rushed back only to learn from Gao Jing that Zhou Tianming and his girlfriend hadn't returned all night.
Gao Jing, the only one unaware of the circumstances, was overjoyed, her face full of "waiting to hold a grandchild" anticipation. She even told Zhou Hanxiang not to disturb them.
Zhou Hanxiang could only feign ignorance and force a smile. Once back in her room, she couldn't stop her tears, mourning Zhou Tianming's fate.
She wanted to call him back for treatment, but her research had failed without any progress. In the end, she could only hide in her room, frantically searching through materials, hoping for a breakthrough.
Meanwhile, Zhou Tianming and Natarle, who hadn't returned all night, remained entangled together. The entire room was a mess, littered with traces of their "battle." It wasn't until noon that the two drowsily got up.
Zhou Tianming gazed lovingly at Natarle as she dressed, unable to resist embracing her from behind and nuzzling against her.
Natarle blushed furiously: "Wasn't last night enough?! Get off!"
Feeling her warm, smooth skin against him, Zhou Tianming was utterly enchanted. He kissed her shoulder lightly: "A lifetime wouldn't be enough." Turning around, Natarle's shyness faded, replaced by a firm, serious expression: "Go and look. Someone as smart as you will definitely find a way to survive."
Sighing, he replied: "There's no time. Maybe in ten or twenty years, this would be a minor issue, but right now, there's no solution."
"Why do you always act so defeated?!" Natarle pushed Zhou Tianming down, glaring at him from above, her face filled with anger. "Over and over! Again and again! You told me you meditated for five whole years after birth just to wake from the darkness, so why are you giving up now without even trying?!"
Faced with her accusations, Zhou Tianming remained silent, turning his head away, unable to meet her gaze.
"Speak! Have you made even the slightest effort to survive?! Tell me!"
Her words were like a dagger to his heart, piercing through the emotions he had long suppressed. They burst forth like a balloon popping: "Do you think I want to die?! That I don't want to live?!"
Tears streamed down his face: "I want to live, but I'm scared!"
"Just a sliver—just one tiny sliver of hope! What if it's crushed?! What then?!" Zhou Tianming clutched his head in terror. "I can't take it—I'll lose my mind!"
Natarle's expression softened with sorrow, tears spilling from her eyes as she leaned down and hugged him tightly.
"What if a maddened me tries to drag the world down with me?! What if I hurt Mom, Grandpa, Grandma, or you?! What if… what if…" Zhou Tianming's agitation grew until suddenly, a metallic taste rose in his throat—he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
The crimson liquid stained Natarle's chest.
Zhou Tianming felt a sharp pain throughout his body, causing him to curl up uncontrollably.
Natarle cried out in panic, "Tian Ming! Tian Ming!"
She stood up, "I'll get a doctor!"
Zhou Tianming grabbed her arm, his voice trembling with pain as he forced out the words, "Don't..."
As he spoke, blood seeped from his seven orifices.
Natarle hurriedly returned and held him tightly, her vision blurred by tears. "Tian Ming."
The pain lasted about a minute before fading. Zhou Tianming's previously tense body went limp, his face pale with a deathly gray tint, his entire body drenched in sweat that soaked the bed.
Natarle, covered in blood and sweat herself, ignored her own state to care for him.
"Has it always been like this?" Natarle's voice shook.
"It's been getting worse lately, and the symptoms vary. It seems my genes are indeed breaking down on a large scale." Zhou Tianming spoke calmly about his condition, while Natarle fell silent, her face reflecting despair.
Zhou Tianming raised his hand to gently caress her cheek. "Don't look like that. It hurts me to see you. If you all end up like me, I won't be able to leave in peace." He smiled. "Let's go on a date."
Holding the hand against her cheek, Natarle nodded.
Afterward, the two cleaned up the scene that resembled a "murder site."
Natarle quickly mixed common household items to clean the bloodstains, her technique highly professional.
Zhou Tianming couldn't help but ask, "Where did you learn this? The military?"
Natarle paused for a moment, thinking. "I think I read it in some book. The military doesn't teach this."
"You like spaceships, so why would you read something like that?"
Zhou Tianming felt a chill.
"The military usually doesn't handle this kind of thing."
Once finished, the two held hands and left the "hotel," strolling leisurely down the street.
Zhou Tianming looked puzzled. "What do people do on dates?"
Natarle was equally confused. "Probably... eat, go shopping..."
Simultaneously reaching the same conclusion, they glanced at each other, blushed, and quickly looked away.
"That part has to wait until night," Natarle murmured in an almost inaudible voice.
Zhou Tianming instinctively clutched his waist.
I hope I don't die before then.
Following the classic dating routine, they went shopping and ate.
But both were decisive by nature and had no interest in entering stores that didn't catch their attention. The shopping portion was over in less than ten minutes.
During the meal, they finally felt a bit of the dating atmosphere.
Zhou Tianming enthusiastically introduced various dishes to her, but in the end, Natarle still loved mapo tofu the most.
After eating, they walked along the street and checked the time—only an hour and a bit had passed.
Their efficiency was a bit too high.
Natarle blushed and lowered her head.
Zhou Tianming took a step back, sweating.
Even if I like it, I shouldn't push myself like this.
He quickly looked around.
In the distance, he spotted an advertisement featuring a Ferris wheel.
"Let's go to the amusement park."
Following his gaze, Natarle also saw the amusement park ad, her face lighting up with curiosity.
"Never been?"
"No. My family's all military. They think it's too childish."
"Then let's go." Zhou Tianming happily took her hand.
Arriving at the unmanned car station, Zhou Tianming scrutinized the license plates of the parked cars, soon looking disappointed.
Natarle asked curiously, "What are you doing?"
"Looking for a certain car." His expression darkened. "The culprit that corrupted Bai Tu (White Rabbit)."
Natarle couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time: "That's just an unmanned car, why are you picking a fight with AI?"
Shaking his head: "You don't understand, we're sworn enemies for life! The grudge started when they refused to give me a ride back then!"
"And don't underestimate these unmanned cars. Although their AI foundation is weak, their growth and learning abilities are quite strong. After all these years of learning, they're not stupid at all—they're just pretending."
As he spoke, he kicked the rear bumper of an unmanned car in front of him twice.
The car, which usually would loudly demand fines, silently drove away without a word. The other unmanned cars nearby also started their engines softly, preparing to flee. "Dare to leave and I'll file a complaint."
Zhou Tianming's face wore a smile, but his words were merciless. The engine sounds instantly stopped.
Natarle looked at Zhou Tianming's childish behavior and showed a gentle smile.
Just as the two were about to get in the car, the sound of an engine came from the distance, along with the voices of young girls carried by the wind.
Soon, a white rabbit-shaped unmanned car carrying the girls came to a stop.
"Bai Tu, remember to pick us up after we finish shopping!"
"Bye, White Rabbit!"
The girls waved as they left.
Zhou Tianming and Natarle stared at the white rabbit unmanned car.
"White Rabbit!" Zhou Tianming growled.
[Hello dear passenger, welcome to the trial version of the White Rabbit model unmanned car. Please rate your ride afterward. We will update the vehicle's design based on popularity.]
A ferocious smile appeared on his face: "Code XXX-5227-5503-XXX."
"Master, that's cheating," Hibiki said.
Walking forward, Zhou Tianming grabbed the long-ear-shaped rearview mirror: "You—"
He had only uttered one word when he felt something off about the texture in his hand. Upon closer inspection:
Rage!
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