Forcefully Doting On You - v2c15

 

Chapter 47

The silver mech, Bai Ze, wrapped its arms around the smaller, azure mecha, Qingluan, from behind. Bai Ze's long mechanical arm was clutching Qingluan's waist, and its cockpit was affectionately nestled against Qingluan's.

If not for the fact that the main characters were two mechas, this action would seem like an intimate whisper between lovers.

Claire let out a sigh.

Inside the cockpit, Mu Cai looked utterly bewildered.

Due to his restricted view, all he knew was that Qingluan had been grabbed by Bai Ze, and the posture seemed to be somewhat unusual.

Mu Cai had no experience handling such restraint, so he instinctively struggled. His psychic energy instantly permeated Qingluan, leading the azure mecha to perform an action that Mu Cai had unintentionally considered.

Qingluan's mechanical arm swung forward, and it kicked with its legs, only to find it had stepped into thin air.

Only then did Mu Cai realize that Bai Ze had lifted Qingluan off the ground.

Considering Bai Ze's position, Qing Luan's actions somewhat resembled a child attempting to resist being abducted by a kidnapper.

All it lacked were a few cries for help.

Claire was speechless.

His initial thrill, the intimate atmosphere he was immersing herself in, had completely dissolved.

He maneuvered Bai Ze to release its grasp and they seamlessly decoupled their mechas, without needing to voice their decision.

Mu Cai turned to look at Claire, confusion apparent in his gaze, "Brother Claire, why did you grip Qingluan like that?"

Seeing his attention, Claire appeared calm but managed to awkwardly avoid his gaze.

He didn't really know why she did what she did. It was almost a random flash of insight and after performing the action, he felt a wave of satisfaction that was almost overflowing.

Reflecting on it now, perhaps it was because our bodies are the most honest. He had envisioned this exact scenario countless times. Every time he saw Mu Cai’s back, he couldn't help but fantasize quietly in his mind, but he never acted on it.

However, impulsive actions might bring brief satisfaction, but they always leave a mess. Looking at Mu Cai, who was oblivious to what just happened, even unaware what their recent posture meant, Claire felt a helpless frustration.

However, Mu Cai didn't notice Claire's hesitancy and suddenly an idea struck him, "Is this a new method to handle opponents?"

Although Claire managed to maintain his composure, a fleeting trace of resignation could be detected in his voice, "Yes, it is."

Although he went along with Mu Cai's wild idea, he found himself surprisingly unable to feel joy about it. Instead, a hint of sadness crept in.

Nevertheless, it was a relief that Mu Cai was so oblivious — it wouldn't be easy for others to pull one over on him. Given time, everything could work out in his favor.

Quick to add a caveat, Claire continued, "However, don't apply this tactic, as Qingluan's physique is smaller and it's easy to be overpowered."

Remembering their recent encounter, Mu Cai considered his predicament in which he was helpless against the gravity, both above and below. He had indeed been completely subdued, but Qingluan was smaller than most mechas. In actual combat, if the opponent's arm reversed, they'd be able to pick him up from behind.

Upon considering this, Mu Cai agreed wholeheartedly, "I understand now, thank you, Brother Claire."

In response to Mu Cai's compliant nod, Claire's resigned demeanor didn't abate, it only seemed to deepen.

At this moment, Claire's smart device made a sound.

His device was always set to silent mode, only blinking when a notification arrived. He had set up distinct audio alerts for only two people: one was for messages from Mu Cai, and the other was from the supervisor who liaised with him for important military matters.

Given that Mu Cai was next to him, that alert could only be from the military supervisor. Claire's expressions changed and he hurriedly checked the incoming message on his device.

Watching Claire’s expression go from casual to serious and even a hint of worry, Mu Cai had an inkling of what might have transpired.

Based on the original plot, the Zerg had likely begun their movement, gradually encroaching on the Milky Way.

The conflict between humankind and the Zerg was a longstanding one. It had begun when humans, attempting to spread their presence beyond their single planet, had started to extend their territory to other planets in the galaxy, consequently clashing with the Zerg.

The Zerg were the ultimate predators in the cosmos, leveling numerous galaxies with their robust bodies and vast numbers. They were the most dreadful hunters and destroyers in the universe, consuming all life each time they reached a new galaxy. They would strip a planet bare until it became a wasteland, then nonchalantly moved on to seek another planet teeming with life.

Humans were their next target. When compared to the Zerg, humans were minute. Had it not been for the human hero, Karol, who risked his life, timed his assault perfectly, and inflicted a critical wound on the Zerg Queen at a crucial moment, forcing the heavily injured Zerg race to retreat, human history would have likely faded into cosmic dust.

Karol was forever remembered as a hero of humanity.

Now, three centuries have passed. According to the original plot, the severely wounded Zerg Queen died not long after the retreat. Before her death, she had birthed a new Zerg Queen. The new queen was now mature. In their quest for sustenance and to provide for the new queen, the Zerg was naturally drawn back to where humans lived.

At this point in time, the frontlines of the Galactic Empire had already detected the movements of the Zerg.

As expected, after reading the news, Claire didn't hide anything from Mu Cai and said directly, "The frontlines will be tense again."

Mu Cai asked, "Is it the Zerg?"

Claire nodded.

He wasn't surprised that Mu Cai would ask about this. The conflict between humans and the Zerg was a well-known fact among the Galactic Empire and the Kale Federation. The events from three hundred years ago were used by the governments as a constant reminder for their people.

Mu Cai pondered for a moment and then asked, "Will we have to cancel the Mecha Tournament?"

In the original plot, the Zerg first attacked after Mu Feng had finished testing a new type of mecha. Now, with the advancement of the storyline, Mu Cai was slightly concerned that the Zerg's invasion would come earlier as well.

The young man's eyebrows furrowed, and a hint of worry showed in his dark eyes.

Claire felt a sudden surge of sympathy and reassured him with a smile, "Don't worry, we've only just detected the Zerg's movements. The Mecha Tournament is also very important. It is likely to become the main military force for both the Empire and the Federation in the future. Perhaps we'll even see another Karol emerge from it."

With these words, he reached out to steadied the other's shoulder, "Besides, no matter what happens, the military is here. It's their job to fight, and the public only needs to live peacefully. Even if it comes to the point where we can't stand our ground, the military will find a way to help the people evacuate."

Acknowledging these words, Mu Cai decided not to dwell on this anymore, instead focusing on training to prepare for the upcoming match.

________________________

In the following half month, Mu Cai successfully passed the preliminaries and made it to the final round. However, in the finals, his abilities were somewhat insufficient.

There were two thousand participants in the finals, but only two hundred could advance to the grand finale. The design of the final round tested the mecha fighters on various aspects, not only assessing their combat skills, but also examining their physical strength, endurance, willpower, and adaptability.

After all, the ultimate objective of the Mecha Tournament is to select promising candidates and prepare them for top positions in the military.

As a mecha fighter, Mu Cai had excellent fighting skills and determination. However, his physical strength was considerably lacking compared to alphas and the few physically robust betas. Therefore, he wasn't able to make it to the grand finale and was defeated in a one-on-one battle in a jungle simulation. This resulted in his automatic ejection from the simulation.

His defeat came at the hands of Colin, a contestant from a remote planet in the Galactic Empire. The web information revealed very little about him - it appeared that he excelled academically but was generally reticent with scant social interactions.

When Mu Cai was ejected from the simulated battlefield, his heart was pounding fiercely. He still remembered the moment it happened, the black mecha, like a ghoul, suddenly emerging from behind the bushes.

Although he couldn't see the expression in the other's cockpit, he inexplicably felt a chilling sensation, as if he was being targeted by a venomous snake. That pitch-black cockpit, the same color as the mecha itself, faced his direction, much like a pair of hollow eyes staring directly at him.

Fortunately, Mu Cai didn't maintain eye contact with his opponent for long before being ejected from the simulation, ultimately missing out on the grand finale.

Claire, Leon, and Mu Feng advanced to the grand finale as expected in the original storyline.

However, when the 200 surviving victors from the jungle simulation stood on stage amidst cheers, Mu Feng, a slightly weak Omega among the burly men, didn't cause much of a stir.

On the day the results were announced, the attention of the vast majority of the audience was focused on Mu Cai.

When Mu Cai was eliminated on the last day of the finals, there was a wave of disappointment on the internet, and the official website's video section exploded with comments.

After all, Mu Cai's elimination meant that he could no longer compete, depriving millions of ordinary viewers the opportunity to see him in action. As a result, in the three days following the competition, Mu Cai's information page on the Mecha Tournament's official website received several hundred million views – since the audience couldn't see him in person, they found comfort in looking at his photos.

Mu Cai didn't have any regrets, though. His participation in the competition had nothing to do with the original storyline, and he wasn't supposed to make it to the finals in the first place.

After the finals concluded, Mu Cai boarded the warship for the return journey along with everyone else.

The representatives from the Randt Star's military came to bid them farewell.

Leon was still dressed in his white military uniform, looking handsome and cheerful—a stark contrast to the constantly silent and reserved Claire.

Looking at Mu Cai, who was about to board the warship, Leon's eyes twinkled with amusement, "During the finals, we'll head to the Galactic Empire's capital star. I'll come to visit you then. Would Cai Cai be willing to welcome me?"

As Mu Cai was about to reply, a strong and forceful arm blocked him.

Claire's expression was cold, saying, "Don't worry, when the time comes, both Mu Cai and I will welcome all participants together."

Leon: "…"

Instantly, Leon's smiling face turned serious, "Thank you for the Empire's hospitality, but I'll be visiting Mu Cai as a friend. After all, the Shi family and my own have had many dealings."

Hearing this, Mu Cai thought for a moment and politely said, "My grandfather will be happy to have you."

Since it concerned the relationship with the Shi family, he couldn't refuse. After all, his grandfather was the head of the Shi family.

A smile reappeared on Leon's face. He gracefully removed his hat and gave Mu Cai a slight bow, appearing very gentlemanly.

Claire maintained a calm expression, but his hand couldn't help but grip tightly.

Fortunately, the warship was about to take off. Claire put his arm around Mu Cai's shoulder, promptly leading him away, and the two boarded the warship together.

Upon arriving on the warship, Mu Cai suddenly remembered something and quickly opened his smart device, his slender fingers flying over the tiny keyboard.

Seeing his urgency, Claire couldn't help but ask, "Who are you messaging?"

Without looking up, Mu Cai replied, "Ruan Jia. I promised him we'd meet as soon as I returned. I need to message him now, or there won't be any signal once we're in space!"

Considering Leon's words earlier and Mu Cai's current actions, Claire could only feel a growing tightness in his chest.

The new mecha had already been tested, and Mu Cai's competition had ended. Claire no longer had any reason to keep Mu Cai by his side. During this time, Claire couldn't prevent Mu Cai from visiting his family, and he couldn't stop Mu Cai from meeting anyone.

He feared that the "cabbage" he had guarded so hard for so long might soon be taken away by others. (Note: This comes from a popular Chinese slang phrase: “good cabbages eaten or ruined by pigs”. It's when something great that you spent much time and effort raising or nurturing gets stolen or snatched away.)

Furrowing his brows, Claire formed a plan. He turned to Mu Cai and asked, "So, you're going to Ruan Jia's house when you return? I have some business with his older brother; we could go together."

________________________

Author's note:

Claire: I founded this mountain, I planted this cabbage. If you want to pick this cabbage, fight me first!

And so, the group of pigs ran wild.

Previous Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter