81: Unknown target

In the hot spring, only Lin Mo and Gu Zhixia remained.

The air became quiet once more.

Ambiguous elements, along with the rising steam, quietly fermented in the air.

Gu Zhixia's cheeks were flushed crimson from the heat, like ripe apples.

She didn't dare to look at Lin Mo, only lowered her head, watching her fingers unconsciously trace patterns beneath the water's surface.

"Last night..."

Lin Mo's suddenOpening broke the silence.

Gu Zhixia's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

"...I heard everything you said."

Lin Mo's voice was calm, as if he was stating the most ordinary of matters.

He didn't mention the kiss, nor did he mention her tears.

He just told her that he heard.

Gu Zhixia's head drooped even lower.

She felt her heart was about to leap out of her throat.

Shame, embarrassment, and a hint of unspeakable grievance instantly flooded her heart.

She felt like a pitiful creature, stripped of all her armor, exposing her softest and most vulnerable underbelly.

Just as she was about to be overwhelmed by these emotions.

A warm, large hand, underwater, gently grasped her erratically moving hand.

Lin Mo didn't speak.

He just held her hand, using his body temperature to convey a silent, firm strength to her.

Don't be afraid.

You have me.

Gu Zhixia's eyes instantly reddened.

She abruptly looked up, and her phoenix eyes, misty with steam, met Lin Mo's deep, calm, unruffled gaze.

In those eyes, there was no mockery, no pity.

Only the purest, cleanest tenderness, capable of embracing all her anxieties.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found her throat seemed to be blocked by something, unable to utter a single word.

Finally, she just turned her hand and gripped his hand tightly.

As if to entrust all her trust...

A whole morning of relaxation left the three of them feeling quite hungry.

When they changed their clothes and returned to the restaurant, Lin Mo walked directly to the kitchen.

"I'll make lunch."

Gu Zhixia's hand, which had just picked up a water glass, paused. She raised an eyebrow, her tone carrying undisguised suspicion.

"You can cook?"

Gu Nianqiu also tilted her small head, her eyes full of curiosity.

Lin Mo didn't turn back, he just took out a pile of bottles and jars from the cupboard, among which was the bottle of Dragon's Breath Chili Powder emitting a strange aroma.

"Of course I can."

"It's been a while since I cooked, let me give you a taste of my skills."

Soon, sounds completely different from Gu Nianqiu's cooking came from the kitchen.

No longer the light "thud-thud" sounds, but rapid, rhythmic knife work, and the "sizzle" of hot oil hitting the pan.

An overwhelmingly potent aroma, a mix of spiciness and meat, instantly swept through the entire restaurant.

Gu Zhixia and Gu Nianqiu exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of shock in the other's eyes.

When Lin Mo emerged from the kitchen with the last dish, the dining table was already laden with four vibrantly colored and fragrant Sichuan dishes.

Mapo Tofu made from special exotic beast meat, glistening with red oil.

Kung Pao Chicken, stir-fried with shimmering nuts and chicken cubes, was intensely aromatic.

There was also a plate of Boiled Beef, stir-fried with sliced marbled beef, covered with fiery red chilies and fresh green scallions.

Gu Zhixia picked up a slice of beef and put it into her mouth.

The next second, her eyes widened sharply.

Spicy, hot, savory, and an indescribable numbing sensation, like countless tiny electric currents, instantly exploded on her tongue, savagely sweeping over all her taste buds.

It was incredibly satisfying.

"Wow!"

Gu Nianqiu also took a bite, her small face instantly flushed red from the heat and spiciness, constantly blowing air from her mouth, but her chopsticks simply couldn't stop.

Lin Mo watched their reactions, a smile playing on his lips.

"Is it as delicious as Nianqiu's cooking?"

"It's different!"

Gu Nianqiu said, slurring slightly, while drinking juice to relieve the spiciness.

"My cooking feels healing, warm and very comfortable."

"Brother Mo's cooking is... it's a feeling of conquest! It's numbing and spicy, I can't stop eating!"

She looked at Lin Mo, her large eyes filled with adoring little stars.

"I can't make this kind of flavor either!"

Gu Zhixia didn't speak, she just silently added another half-bowl of rice.

This meal was thoroughly enjoyable.

After eating their fill, Gu Nianqiu patted her slightly bulging belly contentedly and suggested,

"Let's go watch a movie! It'll be a walk after dinner!"

"Okay."

Lin Mo nodded in agreement; this rare leisure time should indeed be enjoyed.

However, the moment he stood up, his movements suddenly paused.

A faint, solemn expression appeared on his always calm face.

Gu Zhixia immediately noticed something was amiss.

"What's wrong?"

Lin Mo didn't answer, he just said in a deep voice,

"To the Bridge."

His tone carried an undeniable sense of command, instantly dispelling all the lazy, warm atmosphere in the restaurant.

The three hurried to the Bridge.

In front of the wide commander's chair, the huge holographic screen displayed the radar scan of the Natural Selection's surroundings.

And in one corner of the radar map, a clear red light dot was moving straight towards their direction at a constant speed.

Lin Mo's finger swiped across the screen, bringing up the detailed data of that light dot.

"[Unknown target detected]"

"[Movement speed h]"

"[Estimated contact time: 9 minutes 41 seconds]"

"[Signal characteristic: Non-biological]"

Gu Zhixia's pupils suddenly contracted.

"Impossible."

Her voice carried a hint of disbelief.

"At this altitude, how can there be anything else?"

They were in the stratosphere, where the air was thin and the environment harsh; theoretically, nothing should exist there except their oversized warship.

Gu Nianqiu's small face also turned a little pale, and she nervously clutched her sister's clothes.

Lin Mo's brows furrowed tightly.

He was certain that this was absolutely not a potential threat.

Because the radar feedback carried no hostility.

"Zhi Xia, prepare for battle."

But caution is always the first rule.

"Nianqiu, go get a few cups of attribute-boosting juice."

"Okay!"

Gu Nianqiu immediately ran to the kitchen.

Lin Mo and Gu Zhixia exchanged glances and quickly walked to the exclusive Hangar.

A moment later, two massive titan mechs, accompanied by heavy footsteps, ascended to the top deck.

Gu Nianqiu also ran up, holding three cups of juice emitting a faint purple glow.

"[You consumed 'Sparkling Apple Special Blend', Agility +5 for 30 minutes]"

The two stood on the deck, weapon systems fully activated, vigilantly looking in the direction of the red dot.

The sky was still beautifully blue, the clouds white.

But this tranquility had already been broken.

On the distant horizon, a tiny black dot appeared.

That black dot was rapidly enlarging at a visible speed.

It was not a biological entity.

Its silhouette gradually became clear in the air.

It was a machine.

More precisely, it was a huge, dull black... spaceship.