Chapter 25: Begging for Mercy

Lin Xian was dumbfounded. Far from being annoyed, his eyes grew brighter and his interest was piqued. He reached into his toolbox and pulled out a notebook.

"Wait, wait... slow down. Sentry systems, defense systems, radar systems, transport machinery, medical systems, industrial outer armor, maintenance systems, drone reconnaissance systems... what else?!"

Lin Xian was truly engaged now, feeling a sudden surge of inspiration.

Kiki’s mouth hung slightly open, her eyes wide. She was even more bewildered than before. She had poured cold water all over the plan Lin Xian took such pride in, yet instead of flying into a rage, he had begun recording her suggestions with great enthusiasm, as if he were genuinely planning to follow her advice.

"Are you even listening to me?!" Kiki demanded, exasperated.

"I hear you. These systems are necessary if I want to run fast and travel far," Lin Xian remarked with a humble, studious expression.

"You!"

"Anything else? No? Alright then, bye!" Lin Xian’s expression turned cold, his shift in demeanor so abrupt it was heartless.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Seeing Lin Xian stand up as if to throw her off the train, Kiki lost her earlier composure. She looked up at him in panic. "Big brother, wait! Can't we talk about this? If it comes down to it, I... I'll give you my underwear!"

Lin Xian stumbled, nearly dropping his pen. He stared at the girl, stunned.

"What did you say!?"

Kiki looked at him with a strange expression, appearing embarrassed. "You... you like that stuff, right? I heard online that some people are into... you know, 'freshly worn' underwear. I'll give it to you, won't that work?"

She spoke as if she were deeply aggrieved and struggling with the decision. Lin Xian felt like he was about to lose his mind.

"..."

"Are you kidding me?"

...

The *Infinity* sped along the Jiangyu Railway. The glow of the setting sun bathed the thundering train, accentuating its streamlined mechanical aesthetic. In Carriage No. 3, Lin Xian and Kiki stared at each other; the air seemed to solidify.

*Clang-whoosh.*

The sound of the hydraulic ramp echoed. Gritting his teeth in frustration, Lin Xian opened the rear hydraulic ramp while the train was still in motion. He hauled the girl up like a chick and carried her to the edge of the carriage.

"The wilderness should be safer than the city. Good luck to you."

Lin Xian made a motion to toss her out.

"Wait!!"

Kiki was frantic, completely unable to resist his strength. Pale with terror, she cried out, "Handsome, handsome... whatever conditions you want, we can negotiate!"

Lin Xian let go and looked at her coldly.

"Do you think you’re of any value to my team? You stole food and ambushed me. The fact that I haven't killed you yet is a testament to my humanity."

Though he said this, throwing her off the train now was effectively sentencing her to death. But that was of no concern to Lin Xian.

"I am!" Kiki insisted, her eyes wide. "I told you who I am! If you keep me, you can trade me for plenty of supplies."

"I told you," Lin Xian said with a grim smile, unmoved by her pleas. "I have no interest in your suggestions."

"I’m telling the truth!"

"Not interested."

"You!" Kiki grabbed Lin Xian’s arm, backing away, looking at him with the desperation of someone clutching at straws. "Actually, I... I can sleep with you too?"

"Huh?!" Lin Xian frowned.

Kiki’s eyes flickered as she stammered, "But you have to wait a few months until I turn sixteen. Otherwise, it’s statutory rape!"

Lin Xian’s face darkened. Hearing this, he doubted himself for a fleeting moment. He looked clean and handsome; how did he look like a greasy old pervert?

Seeing him distracted, Kiki watched him furtively, her eyes darting around, her mind racing.

"Sorry, I have no interest in sleeping with a thief." Lin Xian closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Having lost all patience, he channeled his Mechanical Heart, causing the *Infinity* to immediately begin slowing down.

*Screech.*

Before long, the train came to a slow halt. With a dark expression, Lin Xian forced Kiki to back up toward the door.

"Get off."

Seeing that Lin Xian had truly stopped the train, Kiki was finally terrified. Tears welled up in her large eyes. She glared at him with resentment, struggling for a moment before turning away with a stubborn expression. But as she reached the edge of the carriage, she suddenly stopped, looked back at him in confusion, and bit her lower lip.

"Are you testing me?"

Lin Xian frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Kiki’s gaze turned cold. "Are you testing my ability?"

Lin Xian’s pupils contracted; he remained silent.

Seeing his lack of response, Kiki’s expression relaxed, the fear in her eyes replaced by a flash of cunning. She looked at him with interest, a giggle escaping her despite the tears still in her eyes. "You actually want to keep me, don't you?"

The girl seemed to have realized something and suddenly perked up. She walked directly in front of Lin Xian, lifting her chin proudly, and retorted, "My ability is useful to you, isn't it?"

"Do you even have an ability?" Lin Xian asked with a smile.

"Of course I do," Kiki said confidently. "You know I survived the helicopter crash and found your shelter in the dead of night completely unscathed. My ability must be powerful—enough to fend off the night's great monsters and giant insects. That's why, even though you want to kill me, you're both curious and wary. You drove me off just to test me, right!?"

Lin Xian studied the girl, who looked to be no more than fifteen or sixteen. His expression remained unchanged, but his mind was racing.

She was right.

The fact that this girl could survive a night filled with monsters and walk to his shelter was inconceivable. The shockwave from that night had left a deep impression on him as well! In that sense, the girl was clearly more formidable than he had imagined.

So, while Lin Xian had no interest in sleeping with a flat-chested girl or participating in the so-called "Dawn Project," he was deeply intrigued—and somewhat wary—of Kiki’s sudden burst of ability. That was why he hadn't struck her down immediately; he had been testing her.

Thinking of this, Lin Xian’s tone dropped, the previous lightheartedness vanishing.

"Aren't you testing me as well?"

"W-what do you mean?" The smile on Kiki’s face froze.

"You first pretended to be an innocent socialite to see if I’d have lecherous thoughts. When that didn't work, you offered a transactional proposition. In short, you were worried I had malicious intent, so you were testing my bottom line."

Lin Xian slowly drew his short blade, his expression indifferent.

"Well, let me tell you—my bottom line is right here!"

With a cold look, he lunged at Kiki with the blade, intending to end her life.

Seeing Lin Xian charge with killing intent, Kiki turned pale, her pupils shrinking to pinpricks. She had nowhere to retreat. Just as Lin Xian reached her with the blade raised, she squeezed her eyes shut, shielding her face with her hands, and screamed in terror, "Stop! Stop! I was wrong! I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything!"

*Whoosh.*

The surroundings fell silent. Kiki felt her breath hitch. She opened her eyes cautiously to see the cold edge of the blade hovering right before her face.

Lin Xian’s expression was icy. He had held nothing back; he had even secretly gathered energy for a wind-piercing strike. Yet, in the face of death, the girl hadn't used any ability to counter him, which left him suspicious.

Suppressing his killing intent, he lowered the blade.

"Speak!"