Chapter 229:

Sixth Satellite City.

The once desolate wasteland had long been cleared and rebuilt. Towering steel factories now stood across the landscape, their gray-silver spires piercing the clouds.

Engines roared, and machines whirred.

A sophisticated production system churned out more and more machines. Their numbers accumulated exponentially, growing in multiples and reaching astronomical scales—until every last resource on the planet was exhausted.

This was Xu Xi’s plan.

Space was dangerous, filled with countless unknown threats.

To prepare for the unknown and ensure his survival, Xu Xi was gathering as many resources as possible for the upcoming starship construction project.

“Master, your soup is ready.”

The voice of his mechanical maid echoed in the underground laboratory, interrupting Xu Xi’s thoughts.

“Thanks, Ailei.”

Xu Xi accepted the steaming bowl of soup from Ailei.

It was a rich, creamy white in color, with a fragrant aroma. Floating within were freshly harvested mushrooms, free of any poisonous varieties—thanks to the vast database and the precise computational abilities of his machines.

“Hmm… not bad.”

“Ailei, your cooking skills have improved.”

Sipping the warm soup and savoring its rich flavor, Xu Xi couldn’t help but praise her with a smile.

“Thank you for your compliment, but I still have much to learn,” Ailei responded, standing quietly with a composed demeanor, though her ears twitched rapidly.

It was… quite adorable.

Under Ailei’s watchful gaze, Xu Xi slowly finished the soup.

The warmth spread through his body, and the mushrooms, tender and flavorful, were thoroughly enjoyed with every bite.

“This kind of life… it’s nice.”

Xu Xi set down the empty bowl.

Before he could say anything, Ailei had already taken it away, asking if he wanted a second serving.

Xu Xi smiled and declined.

“Sit down, Ailei. You shouldn’t be working all the time; it’s important to rest,” he said, urging the ever-busy maid to take a break.

“Yes, Master,” Ailei obediently sat beside him.

Looking at Ailei, then glancing around the familiar laboratory, Xu Xi’s mind drifted back to the past.

Especially to the time when he first met her.

Who would have thought that the household AI once named RTX-9090 would eventually evolve into a being with true self-awareness?

Xu Xi had tried to replicate this miracle, but each attempt ended in failure.

The golden-quality Machine Soul Joy indeed allowed machines to awaken self-awareness, but—just like humans—no two machine souls were the same.

Not every machine soul could develop the same level of consciousness as Ailei.

“Ailei, I’ll still need your help in the future.”

“Of course, Master. I will always serve you.”

“Don’t be so serious about it.”

Under the glow of the lab’s lights, dust particles shimmered in the air, while the shadows of the man and his mechanical maid stretched long and deep, merging in the silent stillness.

Their conversation echoed off the empty walls, creating a quiet but heartwarming atmosphere.

…

[With the end of the machine rebellion, your new life is filled with tranquility.]

[You enjoy and cherish this peaceful atmosphere.]

[There’s no need to plan the next attack or worry about enemy threats. Now, you can focus entirely on research and take time to relax when needed.]

[You once asked Ailei about her future plans.]

[As always, her answer never changed—to serve you until the end of her existence.]

[You hesitated, unsure of what to say.]

[Once again, you felt like you were not a good teacher.]

[You tried to change her perspective, but Ailei remained steadfast in her beliefs. No matter what you said, her response stayed the same.]

…

[Time passed quickly, and summer faded behind you, giving way to autumn’s crisp winds.]

[Months of research granted you a deeper understanding of starship technology.]

[You successfully established a connection with an old Federation starship.]

[Through resonance, you acquired its blueprints.]

[However, starship technology was too intricate for you to fully comprehend just yet. But you weren’t in a hurry.]

[You maintained a balance between work and rest, taking breaks when your mind grew tired.]

[In the courtyard of the Sixth Satellite City, you tended to blooming flowers and gazed at the stars with Ailei.]

[But soon, you felt that this wasn’t enough.]

[So, you decided to take Ailei on a trip to a distant natural landscape.]

…

The anti-gravity skiff was fast.

Traveling from the Sixth Satellite City to the selected cedar forest took less than twenty minutes.

Stepping out of the skiff, Xu Xi was greeted by a breathtaking sight.

A thin mist lingered among the brownish tree crowns, weaving through the leaves and wrapping around the trunks. Under the morning sunlight, it shimmered with dazzling colors.

The forest had water, and the lake’s mirror-like surface reflected the entire scene with perfect symmetry.

“Ailei, do you think this place is beautiful?”

“It is very beautiful,” Ailei replied honestly.

But she was confused.

Why did her master ask such a question?

Sure, beautiful scenery could bring comfort to humans, but machines like her didn’t experience such feelings.

Xu Xi laughed and said, “But Ailei, don’t you already have that ability?”

The maid was puzzled. “I… do?”

“Of course,” Xu Xi reminded her of the time years ago when she played with water. What seemed like a playful, childish act was actually an expression of her appreciation for beauty.

“So naturally, there’s no reason why you can’t appreciate beauty now.”

“I see. Thank you for your explanation,” Ailei replied, though it was unclear if she truly understood or not.

She crouched down, picking up a fallen leaf, staring at its yellowed veins in deep contemplation.

Xu Xi was curious about her actions.

“Ailei, do you like cedar trees?”

“I’m calculating whether using this wood for grilling would enhance the flavor of food.”

Ailei’s silver-blue eyes studied the trees seriously, carefully considering the ideal way to cut them for cooking purposes.

It was clear she was taking it very seriously.

“Ailei… don’t you like the scenery?”

“I do, but serving you is my priority.”

Her black hair shimmered in the golden light of sunset.

Ailei explained that while she didn’t dislike the scenery, she first and foremost considered how it could benefit her master.

Beauty was irrelevant; what mattered was its utility.

“Master, would you like to try cedar-grilled barbecue?”

“Let’s not go that far,” Xu Xi sighed and gently rubbed Ailei’s head.

His maid was loyal…

But perhaps… too loyal?