Before Shen Guo and Mu Rong returned home, 017 came by to take Zhong Lele’s younger brother, M56, away.
017 revealed that even she didn’t know how Zhong Lele had convinced M56, but he had secretly left the Paradise and nearly exposed its internal operations. Because of this, he had to be punished.
Shen Ting couldn’t get anything out of Zhong Lele and felt that keeping a natural female at home wasn’t a good idea, so he simply let 017 take Zhong Lele away.
By the time Wan Tong found out, the person was already gone.
Not long after, Wan Tong heard from Shishi that M56 had been dealt with by the Paradise, and Zhong Lele had been taken back there as a hostage.
However, since she was a hostage, as long as she didn’t cause trouble, she wouldn’t be in any immediate danger.
The one in trouble was actually Wan Tong. Someone had come to force a marriage on her. And not just anyone, but Shen Guo’s superior: a high-ranking general nearing forty, holding immense power. It was said that he had once worked closely with the Supreme Leader before being transferred to the military, where he steadily rose through the ranks until he now commanded the nation’s armed forces.
If he wanted to assess any aspect of someone, all he had to do was speak up. Wanting a natural female was the easiest thing in the world for him. Yet, he had never made a move. Until now, when he suddenly declared that he had taken a liking to Wan Tong.
Wan Tong was completely caught off guard. This general wasn’t even in the original storyline, yet here he was, aggressively pressuring her into marriage. He definitely had ulterior motives. She didn’t believe it was simply because she was a beautiful and fertile natural female.
What was even stranger was that she was still underage, yet their marriage approval had already gone through. Now, all that was left was for Wan Tong to come of age and be sent to the general’s household.
The Shen family didn’t even have the right to say ‘no.’
After all, Shen Guo’s current status was purely a matter of luck—he had no real power in his hands.
When the news of Wan Tong and the general spread, the entire internet was in an uproar.
Hadn’t they previously claimed that natural females should be matched with the best young men as husbands? And now they were telling everyone that her husband would be a general nearly thirty years older than her?
Wasn’t this just a disgraceful waste of a rare and precious natural female?
But even so, no one dared to speak out. It was said that the general had even consulted the Supreme Leader, and the Supreme Leader had approved it, so what could anyone else say?
A heavy cloud hung over the Shen family. Too much had happened recently. Shen’s parents, who had lived a peaceful life for decades, had their world completely upended. They were still anxious about Qin Hao’s situation, and now, with the general’s forced marriage, they were at a loss.
Whether it was Qin Hao or the general, both seemed to be people under the Supreme Leader’s command. This was probably the Supreme Leader’s way of warning them.
The sun rose, and it was a rare clear day. A cool breeze drifted in through the window. Ling Wu shut it and activated the indoor air circulation system before turning to Wan Tong and gently saying, “It’s chilly.”
Wan Tong yawned and stretched her arms while sitting on the bed. “Why is it so noisy outside?”
The commotion had woken her up too early.
These past few days, the general’s people had been stationed outside the Shen residence, restricting their movements.
Previously, Shen Guo had formed connections with the Jones family and the Zhou family. Now that the general wanted to forcefully take Wantong, both families were displeased and were openly opposing him. Naturally, reporters were also gathered outside the Shen residence, hoping to get firsthand information.
This at least gave the Shen family some breathing room.
“The general is here,” Ling Wu replied succinctly. He reached out to wipe away the tears forming at the corners of Wan Tong’s eyes from her drowsiness, then handed her clothes and helped her put them on.
By now, he had become quite adept at this.
“That old bastard?”
Wan Tong suddenly perked up. Yesterday, she had Shishi thoroughly investigate the general’s background, and what she found was beyond shocking—he was actually the Supreme Leader himself.
Even without Qin Hao, there was still an entire team responsible for the Leader’s new body.
The Supreme Leader must have been desperate. Before his new body was fully prepared, he had temporarily transferred his consciousness into the most suitable candidate, the general.
“Mm.” Ling Wu mentally connected the ‘old bastard’ she mentioned with the general’s identity.
“Let’s go take a look.”
If you asked her, people should follow the natural course of life and death. Someone like the Supreme Leader, who was on the brink of death but couldn’t bear to let go of power, was terrifying.
Outside, the general’s forces weren’t the only ones present. The Jones family and the Zhou family had also sent people to interfere. The area was packed with people, stifling the air.
On the surface, the general still looked young, but ever since Wan Tong discovered that his body housed the Supreme Leader’s brain, she couldn’t help but see the pallor of death on his face.
As Wan Tong and Ling Wu stepped outside, all eyes turned toward her, making Ling Wu, who stood just a step behind her, the center of attention as well.
Ling Wu had always been regarded as a mere caretaker robot, but now, seeing him in this light, he appeared excessively handsome, even exuding an unusual aura.
Most of the onlookers couldn’t help but marvel. Indeed, a robot belonging to the most perfect natural female would naturally be extraordinary. No wonder even the General had stepped in to compete with these young men for her.
Amid the many heated gazes, one, in particular, was directed solely at Ling Wu.
Ling Wu turned slightly and met the General’s eyes, eyes filled with an unmistakable sense of possession.
Strange. So the General wasn’t human after all.
His body had been artificially modified, mechanical components integrated into his very being. Ling Wu could even sense the instability of his system, operating in a highly precarious state.
Glancing behind him, Ling Wu saw that his subordinates included both humans and robots, all on high alert. Controlling them would take time.
In an instant, Ling Wu assessed his situation and instinctively followed Wan Tong closely.
The General was unfazed by being scrutinized. He was long accustomed to standing at the top, his tone carrying an innate authority.
Wan Tong met his gaze but soon looked away, expressionless, signaling Shen Ting with a subtle glance.
Ling Wu noticed her small movement and reached out to grasp her wrist, locking eyes with her as if silently asking a question.
With so many people watching, Wan Tong naturally couldn’t say anything, while Shen Ting had already stepped back a few paces before tossing a homemade smoke bomb into the crowd.
Chaos erupted. The household system activated its emergency fire suppression protocol, releasing a dense, damp mist into the air.
Wan Tong’s vision was obscured, but Ling Wu swiftly moved her to a corner, shielding her.
Shishi had mentioned that the Supreme Leader’s current body could only remain for a limited time and, more importantly, couldn’t come into contact with water. She had been curious. If he did, would his true form be revealed?
Unfortunately, it seemed the household system was under the leader’s control. As the smoke dispersed, his clothes remained perfectly dry.
Clearly, he had taken every precaution, fully aware of his vulnerability to water.
Wan Tong felt a tinge of regret.
However, this unexpected disturbance seemed to have stripped away the General’s usual restraint.
He fixed his gaze on Wan Tong, pointed at her, and said sharply,
“I’m taking her. If you have any objections, you can bring them up with the Civil Affairs Bureau, or even the Supreme Leader himself.”
He showed no concern over Ling Wu discovering his body’s abnormalities. The Shen family was already trapped in his grasp; all that remained was retrieving Qin Hao from them.
The only obstacle was the irritating swarm of pests constantly watching his every move, making everything inconvenient.
Once he found the perfect body, he would deal with them properly.
As the household system resumed normal operation, the room quickly dried, leaving those caught in the mist looking rather disheveled.
At the General’s declaration, a handsome young man with blue eyes and a prominent nose stepped forward and spoke respectfully,
“General, this is inappropriate. Tongtong is still underage. No matter who gives the order, it won’t stand, let alone allowing you to take her away in advance.”
The General merely gave him a cold glance and said indifferently,
“You’d best have your father say that to me himself.”
The young master from Jones family hesitated, with a flicker of fear in his eyes. Some rules existed to restrict the lower classes, but those in power played by an entirely different set.
Trying to impose rules on the General? That was laughable.
Beside him, another black-haired young man pulled Jones back and spoke in his stead,
“There are countless media personnel waiting outside. Aren’t you afraid of public scrutiny, General?”
This youth was from the Zhou family, undeniably handsome as well.
Wantong silently admired him for a moment. She had to admit, the recent visitors were all top-tier in looks.
Sensing her gaze, the Zhou family’s young man cleared his throat and, blushing slightly, smiled at her. It was a stark contrast to his firm stance against the General just moments ago.
Wan Tong was about to smile back when Shen Ting suddenly stepped in front of her, and Ling Wu swiftly pulled her behind him.
For a brief moment, Ling Wu and Shen Ting locked eyes.
Wan Tong : “…?”
The General lowered his gaze to the medals adorning his uniform and scoffed,
“Twenty years ago, the Supreme Leader granted me the right to choose my own spouse. Whoever I set my sights on, the Supreme Leader approves. What do I have to be afraid of?”
The Zhou family’s young man remained composed and turned to his subordinates,
“In that case, let’s invite the reporters inside.”
At his words, the General let out a cold snort. His men instantly split into two lines, blocking the entrance.
The tension in the room escalated to a standoff.
Wan Tong seized the opportunity and threw herself into Mu Rong’s arms, ‘crying’ loudly. “Wuwu, I don’t want to go anywhere…”
For a moment, the people nearby couldn’t help but feel their hearts tighten. When they looked at the General, their gazes carried reproach, and the atmosphere grew tense, as if a confrontation was about to break out.
The General’s face darkened. The Jones family and the Zhou family, huh? He would teach them a lesson first, so they wouldn’t keep causing him unnecessary trouble.
Soon, the General left, and Mu Rong took Wan Tong back to her room.
Ling Wu followed closely behind, reaching out several times but failing to pull Wan Tong away from Mu Rong’s embrace. His emerald-green eyes watched anxiously, something rare for him.
Shen Ting covered his mouth and let out a few amused chuckles. This robot usually seemed quite clever, so why was he so clueless now?
Didn’t he realize that Tongtong was acting?
But seeing him so nervous was unexpectedly adorable, almost human-like.
Once inside the room, Mu Rong patted Wan Tong’s back and chuckled. “That’s enough, Tongtong. You can stop crying now.”
Wan Tong finally lifted her head, wiping away her tears with a goofy grin.
Ling Wu stood frozen at the side, his gaze shifting between the tears on her cheeks and the smile on her lips. He didn’t quite know how to react.
Seeing his dumbfounded look, Wan Tong explained, “Ling Wu, I was just pretending. I’m fine.”
Ling Wu bent down slightly, his fingertip gently wiping away the tear stain at the corner of her eye. “You really cried.”
He could tell.
Wan Tong hesitated, unable to argue. The truth was, she had pinched herself to make the tears fall, so technically, she had cried…
But she was still acting.
Mu Rong silently watched the interaction between Ling Wu and Wan Tong, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes.
Ling Wu was becoming more and more human.
“Ling Wu, you’re a robot. It’s normal that you can’t fully understand human emotions. You should step outside now, I want to be alone with Tongtong for a bit,” Mu Rong said.
No matter what, a robot was still a robot. She feared her daughter would become too emotionally attached to Ling Wu and end up… making a mistake.
Hearing Mu Rong’s words, Ling Wu’s movements stiffened, and he slowly withdrew his hand.
Wan Tong frowned, looking at Mu Rong with disapproval. Her voice was firm as she spoke. “Mom, let Ling Wu stay. I want him here with me.”
Mu Rong was momentarily speechless. Ever since her daughter had returned from the Paradise, she had become even more determined and independent. As a mother, she sometimes couldn’t win against her.
“Fine, let him stay.” Mu Rong sighed and grabbed Wan Tong’s arm to check. Sure enough, it was covered in red marks, with distinct fingerprints visible. “Tongtong, after everyone leaves, go rest in the medical pod. You’ve been looking so exhausted lately.”
Ling Wu stood nearby, silent.
Even though he was a robot, he had become increasingly capable of understanding human emotions and moods.
No matter how much he proved that he wasn’t a threat, in human eyes, he would always be an outsider. A machine, cold and emotionless.
Ling Wu lowered his gaze and placed his palm over the red marks on Wan Tong’s arm. When he removed his hand, the redness had disappeared.
Wan Tong was used to it, but Mu Rong, seeing his healing function for the first time, was left speechless in shock.
Deep in her heart, an unfamiliar fear began to stir.
In this era, everyone worshipped technology, but they also feared it.
She was no exception.
Ever since the General personally visited the Shen family, the battle over Wan Tong had become more transparent.
Wan Tong had Shishi keep an eye on the Supreme Leader, so every time he made a move, she was able to take precautions in advance. She even secretly helped the Jones and Zhou families survive several assassination attempts.
In addition, she discreetly passed information to the two families, warning them about the abnormalities in the General’s body. Having faced repeated assassination attempts, the two families quickly joined forces. Using Wan Tong’s name, they openly opposed the General’s forceful seizure, even trying to remove him from power.
With a vast number of netizens supporting them, the Supreme Leader could no longer turn a blind eye while the General snatched an underage girl in broad daylight!
Wan Tong watched as the Supreme Leader found himself in an increasingly difficult position, all while plotting to expose him the next time he switched bodies.
However, his residence was a specially designed floating estate, making it nearly impossible to enter or exit freely.
Even though she wanted to investigate, she had yet to find an opportunity.
But at least, for now, the Supreme Leader’s plans had been disrupted. His main concern was his own body, leaving him little time to focus on anything else.
At dinner that evening, Shen Guo sat at the table, lost in thought.
He glanced at his daughter, whose expression remained innocent and pure, but deep down, he couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.
The original plan was to let their daughter live a peaceful life under their protection, but now, that was clearly impossible. She had to adapt to society and the future that awaited her.
“I met with your Eldest Brother today. He killed Qin Hao.” Shen Guo’s tone was heavy. “Qin Hao was one of the Supreme Leader’s men. The Supreme Leader won’t let the Shen family off easily, so we have to leave.”
Mu Rong patted the back of his hand, looked at their two children, and sighed.
Over the past few days, they had vaguely sensed the Supreme Leader’s men putting pressure on them. If it weren’t for Tongtong drawing so much attention, perhaps their family would have already…
Wan Tong and Shen Ting exchanged glances, both remaining calm.
“Where are we going?”
Shen Guo and Mu Rong were slightly surprised. They accepted it just like that?
While the Shen family was making plans to leave, Ling Wu, who had been sitting alone on the sofa, suddenly stood up and walked to the window. The next moment, he moved to the dining table, and under everyone’s astonished gaze, he picked up Wan Tong and uttered one sentence: “There is danger. Leave.”
Wan Tong grasped his shoulders without asking further questions. Instead, she glanced at her parents and Shen Ting. “Let’s go, now.”
Twenty minutes later, breaking news played across major outdoor screens, reporting that a building had collapsed due to an explosion, affecting the surrounding area.
The footage was shocking and heartbreaking. Though it wasn’t a densely populated residential district, an entire block of buildings was destroyed, casualties were inevitable.
Inside a sealed underground control room, a black-haired boy jumped to his feet the moment he saw the news and bolted toward the exit.
“Shen Yu, don’t go! It’s dangerous!” 017 shouted after him.
Not to mention that every teenager from Paradise was now on the wanted list, the building that exploded first was where the Shen family had been staying. Whoever orchestrated such a silent yet devastating attack was certainly no ordinary foe. Heading there now was too dangerous.
Ever since leaving the Shen family last time, she had known that M01 was no longer M01, especially after he had clumsily warned her to use a fake name outside and not call him by his code anymore.
So, after that, she started calling him Shen Yu instead.
Shen Yu halted his hurried steps at the doorway, but only because of the latest update on the news.
The report stated that, strangely enough, the explosion had resulted in only a handful of casualties.
Because just minutes before the blast, almost everyone within a two-kilometer radius had received a warning alert through their communicators, prompting an orderly evacuation.
Every building’s emergency escape system had functioned flawlessly. In less than five minutes, nearly fifty thousand people, including local residents and passersby, had been safely evacuated.
As for the mysterious warning alert, it remained under investigation.
“It was that robot,” 017 said.
Only Ling Wu could pull off something like this.
Shen Yu pursed his lips and accepted an incoming video call.
It was Wan Tong.
She smiled brightly, still in Ling Wu’s arms, with Shen Ting and the others by her side.
“Eldest brother, we’re calling to let you know we’re safe. Not a scratch on us.”
“Mm.” Shen Yu gave the virtual screen a cold glance, his eyes as calm as a still lake.
But only 017 noticed the hand clenched behind his back, veins bulging, fingers digging into his palm.