80: Chapter 80 Reinstalling the Logic Engine

In the following days, everything seemed to return to normal.

Li Ming resumed low-intensity training, chatting and joking with everyone every day while handling the base's construction and planning.

In the evenings, he studied the books left by Verres or continued giving lessons to A6.

However, everyone realized something was wrong; even Dolphin, who traveled back and forth for communication, noticed the issue.

Miss Fujian seemed to have vanished into thin air, only appearing briefly when boarding or disembarking upon returning to the port, before disappearing again.

Li Ming told everyone not to worry and simply had Dolphin inform the Hurricane Fleet and Gang Yishawa that he would be heading to the mainland in a few days to continue his studies.

It was as if Fujian had never existed at all.

Fortunately, Dolphin was clever; he heard the full story from Z23 and went back to call for support from the Captain and Gang Yishawa.

Li Ming didn't use his authority to break down the door to Fujian's room. Although he appeared fine, he also told Z23 while working that he hadn't decided how to face her yet.

He wasn't that cold-hearted fellow after all; he still held onto a few slivers of hope that should have vanished long ago.

But that damn question was always circling over his head.

"Is the one she cares about really me, or just the shadow she sees in me?"

Whenever he thought of this, his urge to go find her was stifled. He didn't want to hear the worst possible answer.

Even though Z23 and Javelin kept communicating with him over these two days, his smiles continued to grow fewer and farther between.

He set aside more and more personal time for himself; he was still thinking.

"I guess I really am an egoist, aren't I?" Sitting at his desk, Li Ming let out a bitter laugh.

"Does it matter whether the one she loves is me? Why would I distance myself from her because of this? I must be too selfish..."

Thinking of this, he suddenly felt a sense of absurdity.

Joke's on him—why did he come to this place in the first place?

It was nothing more than study, study, study... studying until there was a monitor by his bedside, studying until his future had to meet set goals, studying until he was no longer himself.

Suddenly letting out a cold laugh, Li Ming felt his own indifference and anger.

Although his subconscious kept telling him these were emotions he shouldn't have, his instincts had already spiraled out of control.

He wanted to possess her exclusively. He wanted her to feel everything he felt. He wanted to dominate her thoughts, her heart, and her body.

No, no, no. This is wrong.

"Holy cow..." He took a deep breath and rubbed the space between his eyebrows.

He had indeed been acting far too strangely these past few days.

The first thing to do was to stabilize those outside the conflict, starting with The four little ones; they were probably scared half to death.

He put down his pen, tossing the documents and official business to the back of his mind.

Li Ming stretched; he hated these things the most.

Back in the day, when he lost his temper, he'd be fine after a while. Looking at it now, although this 'function' had weakened somewhat, it still served some purpose.

He opened the door and ran into Z23, who was about to open it cautiously.

"Ah!" She jumped in surprise, then stood up straight. "Commander, um... Eh?!"

She was picked up.

"Commander...?"

"You've worked hard these past few days, Z23." Li Ming set her down and then gave her a tight hug.

"Mm, as long as the Commander is okay..."

She had just been discussing countermeasures with everyone, but the Commander... he's better now?

"Is everyone okay these past few days? I hope I didn't scare anyone," Li Ming asked.

"Everyone, everyone is fine, just a bit worried..."

"Yeah, I understand." He fell silent for a moment. "This was my problem; I'll handle it from here. But I need a little help."

"Ah, just say the word, Commander."

"First, don't let our carrier lady go hungry. Second, notify Verres and ask her to help intercept Royal Fortune. Tell her I can handle these problems."

Li Ming sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

If they really took him for someone who understood nothing, they were underestimating his twelve years of schooling.

He could understand Fujian's fear, it's just...

"I really am a terrible person, waiting for others to come coax me."

He patted her head again, dispelling the thought of Z23 worrying about his sudden low mood. "Go on and get busy. I need to think about how to talk to her."

Verres had tucked a thin layer of evaluation conclusions under the invitation in the envelope she gave him. He hadn't taken it seriously at first, but looking at it now, it certainly made sense.

"So I was the one in the wrong from the start, letting past issues affect her."

So, how should he pull her out next?

"When did a rough guy like me become so sentimental?" Li Ming felt a bit of a cringe.

Fujian hadn't explicitly refused to let him into her room; at a time like this, perhaps it could be taken as tacit consent?

Alright, wait a little longer... She shouldn't let herself starve, and she wouldn't do anything stupid... He couldn't be sure.

Good heavens, he didn't even know what she liked to eat. What kind of karma was this?

Deep breath. A headache was normal. Li Ming took a deep breath and then began thinking at high speed.

She had taken the initiative to reveal the person in her memories; this was a major breakthrough, even if the premise wasn't very pleasant.

Now, he shouldn't continue to break through from that opening—that would only hurt her. Without a doubt, she must have realized she'd be doubted when she said those things. He needed to provide her with affirmation...

While I may never have changed, the only good news is that I can detect some problems, so I won't always sink deeper and deeper into the cycle.

Of course, this might also be the reason for my paranoia. After all, realizing some problems doesn't mean I can change them; it might be better not to realize them at all...

For things that seemed within his power and that he wanted to do, Li Ming didn't like to procrastinate. Since a problem had appeared, he would go and solve it properly.

Especially since this problem was caused by him.

Z23 should know her preferences; Li Ming was very confident in that. It would also be convenient for him to memorize them.

He hung the formal coat he wore for work back on the rack. Although Fujian had prepared it for him and it held strong symbolic meaning, it was really hot and a bit too formal.

Regardless, this was her most vulnerable moment. As her 'Commander'... no, as 'family', I cannot sit idly by at a time like this.

Li Ming told himself this as he waited for the lunch box Z23 brought over.

"OK, good job Z23. Leave the rest to me."

He nuzzled her face with his own, watching her shyly accept it before running away after he let go. Li Ming smiled.

Now for the serious business.

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