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nThe youth who was bored out of his mind playing with buttons shot up with glittering eyes.

n“Yes, yes ah.”

nYin Mingzheng’s body completely relaxed.

nThe hero of humanity showed a somewhat shy smile as he gently held the youth in his arms.

nShi Qing lowered his weight and nuzzled against his coat happily.

nSystem, don’t come out.

nThe System cautiously poked its head out: Host, you……should be more gentle. Last time when he woke up after being drugged, he was rubbing his waist all day.

nSince then, although the Host insisted they really didn’t do anything, the System had remaining doubts in its data.

nIt obediently went to read its mantras afterwards.

nAfter an hour or so, it thought that they should be done. It carefully poked its head out.

nEverything was covered by mosaics.

nIt was so scared that it buried its head back into its book.

nIn the third hour, the System that was reading ‘A Hundred Common Homemade Recipes’ prepared to put down its book.

nThree hours should be enough for humans, right?

nIt poked its head out.

nThen it was jump scared by mosaics again.

nFinally, after five hours, the System had its sight restored.

nIt went out to see Shi Qing lying in Yin Mingzheng’s arms. The man had tenderness and guilt written all over his face. He was carefully massaging Shi Qing’s sore legs.

nThe scene seemed very harmonious. Yin Mingzheng’s ears were even bright red due to feeling anxious.

nThe System didn’t know why Shi Qing’s legs were sore though.

nThe System looked at the Host that seemed to be in a trance. It called out to him hesitantly: Host?

nIt only heard Shi Qing’s feeble response almost a minute or two later: En……

nUm. Are you tired? Do you need something for your kidneys? I just read about a recipe for silky chicken and magnolia soup. It’s very nourishing.

nShi Qing: ……

nHow about stewing it for Yin Mingzheng then?

nShi Qing: ……

nShi Qing: No. He’s strong enough.

nShi Qing: Any more nourishment and even someone of the Mechanical race like me wouldn’t be able to handle him.

nSystem: What? What did he do?

nShi Qing: I finally understand why Yin Mingzheng was single in the original storyline.

nWhy?

nBecause no one could handle it.

nThe simple-minded little System was confused: Host, be more clear. What couldn’t they handle?

nShi Qing was still muttering to himself: Thank god I’m not human. If I was, it wouldn’t be strange for me to die right here and now. By the way, when you showed me the files from before, there was a previous Host that died on the bed right?

nThe System finally understood what was being implied once the files were brought up. Its data quickly heated up to a molten red. It said in a hushed voice: That Host left the world because they finished the task. It’s not what you’re thinking.

nThat’s just speculation on your part. Don’t bother me for a bit. I need to rest.

nSo the System obediently shrank back again.

nAt this moment, its gaze towards Yin Mingzheng was filled with admiration.

nHe really was the son of fate to overwhelm the Host like this.

n***

nIn fact, other than overdoing it the first time out of excitement, Yin Mingzheng was an excellent partner.

nHe was gentle and considerate, never becoming jealous about physical contact with people of either gender. He accepted every part of Shi Qing.

nOf course, other than his powerful fighting and leadership abilities, the hero of humanity did have one flaw.

nHe was too easily moved and indecisive. He was too good for this world.

nFor example, after the two were together, Yin Mingzheng always felt a sense of guilt towards their unborn children.

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nAccording to Shi Qing, the lifespan of a Machine was adjusted to fit their companion’s (100% a lie). However long an ability user from Earth could live was how long they would live.

nIn other words, when Yin Mingzheng’s life ends, Shi Qing’s would too.

nThis was good in some ways. After all, Yin Mingzheng wouldn’t feel right no matter who stayed behind. If he died, he worried that no one could protect Shi Qing. If Shi Qing left first, he would definitely follow within a day.

nBut it still made his heart hurt to think about how their child would be born all alone two hundred years later with only emotionless androids to keep them company.

nThis was their child they were talking about.

nYin Mingzheng was different for Shi Qing who could go off to play after casually state that it was fine because the child would inherit some of his memories and androids to keep them safe. He had the heart of a traditional and caring father.

nAlthough he couldn’t accompany them, he insisted on writing a letter every year to express how much he and Shi Qing loved their child. He also apologized for not being able to stay by his side and wished them a long and happy life.

nAfter that, Yin Mingzheng also wanted to record a video. The man who was a deity-like figure for the human race would always greet the camera with a smile:

n“Hi baby. Papa here.”

nThen the camera would turn to Shi Qing who was always busy playing games, eating fruits or watching TV: “This is your dad.”

nHe continued to make a long speech about what they had done recently, what they had played with and what they had eaten.

nThe hero of humanity carefully recorded the videos so that their child could know that he was loved and wanted even after his parents were gone.

nThis could be considered Yin Mingzheng’s way of atoning.

nIn the year 3001, President Yin Mingzheng retired.

nIn 3130, Yin Mingzheng, the first head of state after the invasion of the Insects, breathed his last together with Shi Qing, his lover from the royal family of the Mechanical race.

nAccording to their will, they were cremated together. It was a little difficult due to Shi Qing’s mechanical heart, but fortunately the most powerful fire ability user, Le Youyuan, was able to finish the task.

nThe textbooks forever recorded the Mechanical race as peacekeepers who offered aid in Earth’s darkest time. It was also written that their King fell in love with the first president, and remained on Earth to this day.

nLe Youyuan, the elder who has been haunted by Yin Mingzheng taking away his first love for all his life, broke down after he cremated said first love and his rival. With a face filled with wrinkles, he cursed out Yin Mingzheng for messing with him even from beyond the grave. This matter was left out of the books.

nOn the Mechanical planet far, far away, the Mother Tree sensed the departure of Shi Qing and soon created a new life.

nThe new Mechanical King laid under the tree with closed eyes to accept the inheritance of memory.

nHe was of the Mechanical race.

nHe was the King.

nThe Mechanical race was a race that strived towards peace.

nThe Mechanical race could self-replicate. He had no relatives.

nHe should immediately create androids after he woke up. After all, his predecessor would not leave him anything.

nThe new King opened his silver eyes.

nThen he immediately caught sight of the mountains of envelopes, gifts and videos surrounding him.

nHe stood up from the pile of gifts with a befuddled expression as he glanced at the androids standing around. They had balloons tied to their heads and were waving the glow sticks in their hands to celebrate his birth.

nThere was also a large banner pulled by two robots facing him, it shook as if it was afraid he couldn’t see it.

nIt said: Congratulations on your birth. Papa and dad will always love you.

nThere was even a little heart drawn on the back.

nThe new King who just inherited memories: ……

nWas he somehow born in the wrong place?

nMeanwhile, Shi Qing returned to the space between worlds.

nThe System started reading excitedly: Congratulations Host for successfully completing the task! Please choose to either: 1. Continue on to the next task or 2. Rest for a while

nShi Qing: 1111.

nDing! Please prepare yourself. We will immediately jump to a new world.

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n***

nWhen Shi Qing opened his eyes again, he found himself seated in front of a make-up mirror with someone whispering to him: “Shi-ge, I’ve added that to Jing Yuanqi’s meal.”

n“En.”

nShi Qing answers casually as he skimmed through his short-term memory.

nThis body used to belong to a film emperor. He usually just looked somewhat gloomy when in fact, he has always been envious of those who were both talented and younger than him. He would spare no expense to suppress such people if they were to appear.

nJing Yuanqi, an upcoming artist, came to mind.

nDue to a combination of his outstanding appearance and solid acting skills, he has already received a lot of good exposure and fans right after debuting.

nThe original owner was always jealous of him, but he could only pull off a few small and disgusting schemes because there was a formidable force behind Jing Yuanqi.

nThis time, the two just happened to be in the same production crew. Knowing that the director despised those that dropped the ball the most and that Jing Yuanqi liked spicy food despite always getting a stomachache afterwards, the original owner came up with a plan. He bought Jing Yuanqi a meal while instructing his assistant to put an extra sauce in. It was made from devil’s pepper, and just one bite was enough to burn a hole in your intestines.

nIt might be impossible to see if it’s there, but the taste was unmistakable. Even if Jing Yuanqi notices something was wrong while he ate, there was nothing he could do about it. The dish was called spicy chicken after all. It was normal for it to have a little heat.

nIt might be a small scheme, but it sure was disgusting.

nThe System also saw the memory. It began to panic: Host! Hurry up and stop this or Jing Yuanqi’s animosity value will soar to 100 after this meal!

nShi Qing was in no rush. He leaned back: Check how much it is right now first.

nSystem: ……Jing Yuanqi’s animosity value: 100

/100

nShi Qing wasn’t surprised.

nAccording to the memories of the original owner, Jing Yuanqi seemed very shameless and disrespectful towards his elders. But Shi Qing could see that Jing Yuanqi had a bad attitude towards the original owner because he knew the other man was bent on suppressing him.

nJust wait and see. He’s coming here any minute now. Come on, we have points to spend. Go to the mall and change my taste…… Ah, okay. Let’s go with this one.

nWithin seconds, the door of the dressing room was pushed open.

nA young man strode in. He was very good-looking, with peach blossom eyes and a high nose. However, his face was chilly at the moment. He came over to Shi Qing and all but threw the carton in his hand in front of him.

nHis voice was hard: “Eat it.”

nThe assistant beside Shi Qing was stunned before getting angry, “What do you think you’re doing?! How dare you treat my Shi-ge this way?!! Why must he eat your leftovers?!!!”

nJing Yuanqi scoffed. He crossed his arms while looking down at Shi Qing who was silently staring at him: “He knows what he did.”

nHe thought that Shi Qing would stand up and berate him for being disrespectful to his elders or tattle to the director again.

nBut the good-looking man in the chair only shot him an aloof look before quietly digging into the meal.

nOne minute passed. Then two. Then three.

nTen minutes later, Shi Qing finished off the lunchbox in a slow and methodical fashion.

nHe even took out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth. He looked at Jing Yuanqi, whose expression gradually became a little confused. His tone was freezing:

n“Now get out.”

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nThat’s a wrap for arc 1!

nPlease note the revised schedule for this novel is Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. While I will try my best to keep up my current pace, updates are only guaranteed on those days of the week.

nThanks for all your support thus far. I really appreciate it. 😊

nNow, onwards to the gloomy film emperor!

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