Chapter 580: Almost There

The hotpot restaurant, previously visited by the leather pants lady and cigarette guy, welcomed a group of important customers tonight.

Entering the hotpot restaurant, Candy stood on tiptoe to scout for an empty table.

Soon, Candy spotted a fantastic corner.

Eyes lighting up, Candy ran straight to the corner of the hotpot restaurant.

She wanted to save the spot; where would she find someone to argue with if it got taken?

"Big brother, hurry over here."

Having claimed the table, Candy waved her little hand signaling to her brother to come quickly.

Mo Jingchun smiled slightly and walked over.

After the hotpot meal, Candy leaned back on the chair, hugging her round belly, not wanting to move.

Sitting directly across from Candy, Zhou Yaling was also stuffed, lazily leaning back without wanting to budge.

Following the principle that waste is shameful, Mo Jingchun finished the remaining orange juice by himself.

"Burp~"

Mo Jingchun belched without caring about his image, indifferent to the glances from others.

Isn’t earning money just for living a happier life, without needing to hide your true self for so-called face?

That’s what Mo Jingchun thought, anyway.

After resting for a while, Mo Jingchun grinned widely.

"Miss Zhou, time to settle the bill."

Zhou Yaling, supporting herself on the table, rolled her eyes dramatically.

"Don’t worry, although I, Zhou Yaling, am not rich, I can still afford a hotpot meal."

Shrugging, Mo Jingchun laughed without responding.

A few minutes later, Zhou Yaling, feeling a slight heartache after paying, waved to Candy: "Candy, let’s go."

As the group just exited the hotpot restaurant, they were greeted by the piercing cold wind.

Though wearing down jackets, the biting cold wind on the face was truly chilling.

Especially for the delicate-skinned Candy.

Originally wanting to go shopping, Candy completely abandoned the idea.

On such a cold day, it was more comfortable to stay home, watch cartoons, and enjoy the heating.

Candy, unwilling to take her hands out of her pockets, nudged Mo Jingchun’s back with her head.

"Big brother, it’s so cold. Let’s go home."

Unlike girls, most guys are reluctant to go shopping, especially accompanying women.

Already full, Mo Jingchun didn’t want to move much either, Candy’s suggestion suited him well.

"Sure."

Next to them, Zhou Yaling pursed her lips but didn’t protest.

If even Candy didn’t want to go shopping, no matter how much she wanted, it wouldn’t make a difference.

No one likes shopping alone; it’s just too boring.

"Big brother, are we going back to our hometown tomorrow?"

In the car, Mo Jingchun pinched Candy’s nose, prompting her to frown and try to swat away his annoying big hand.

"What’s up? Missing home?"

Candy nodded, saying, "Of course, Xiang’Er went back a long time ago."

"Oh~"

"But in this dead of winter, you two won’t find anywhere to play with mud."

At that moment, Candy cast a disdainful look.

"Brother, I’m about to graduate from preschool; I’m not a little kid anymore."

After a pause, Candy spoke with heartfelt seriousness:

"Only kids play with mud."

For a moment, Mo Jingchun was left speechless by Candy’s retort.

Seeing her brother at a loss, Zhou Yaling couldn’t help but laugh heartily.

Quickly, Zhou Yaling’s laughter subsided.

Because Candy and her brother were both quietly watching her.

Making her feel a bit awkward.

That gaze, as if looking at a fool.

That’s right, like a fool.

Zhou Yaling’s face instantly turned dark.

"I just treated you to hotpot."

"Why are you both staring at me?"

"Brother, is there any hope?"

Mo Jingchun hesitated for a moment and then said unsurely: "She’s at least a student at a prestigious university, there should still be hope, right?"

This comment made Zhou Yaling’s face even darker.

"You’re asking for it!"

Zhou Yaling naturally wouldn’t actually hit Candy, instead opting for the tickle technique.

"Hahaha"

"Hahaha."

"Sister, oh~ stop tickling."

"It’s so ticklish."

"Hmph, that’s for mocking me."

Back at the villa, the two ran around the ground floor all evening.

The noise was so loud it gave Mo Jingchun a headache.

"You guys go to bed early tonight, I’m heading to sleep first."

Yawning, Mo Jingchun went upstairs without looking back.

Soon, the sound of a door closing came from above.

As New Year’s Eve approached, the festive atmosphere in the country grew stronger.

Migrant workers also started heading back home in droves.

The streets and alleyways were bustling with activity.

The clearest sign was the increase in cars on the roads of small cities, while the previously congested big cities seemed to be growing quieter.

On the way back to their hometown, the car moved in fits and starts.

Zhou Yaling couldn’t remember how many times she had thrown up.

Pale-faced, Zhou Yaling weakly asked, "How much farther?"

"Almost there."

Hearing this from her brother, Zhou Yaling suddenly felt a wave of helplessness.

Almost there, almost there, it was always "almost there."

Can’t they use a different phrase?

Using all her strength, Zhou Yaling sat up to look out the window.

The familiar street came into view.

No mistake, this time it really was almost there.

They’d already reached the town’s street.

At this moment, across the sea from Xia Country, the Beautiful Country was enveloped in night.

The 51st Area military base, regarded as the most mysterious and alien-likely in the Beautiful Country, appeared no different from usual when viewed from outside.

The researchers inside, conducting the most advanced technological research, knew that Area 51 didn’t harbor the rumored aliens.

There weren’t even a single alien hair to be found.

Yet one thing was correct, it was absolutely the forefront of all humanity’s technological research.

On the sixth underground level of the base, hundreds of researchers were engaged in some form of experiment.

"Professor, should we activate it now?"

Almost simultaneously, all the researchers in the lab looked at the wrinkled professor rolling on wheels.

In this lab, the professor had absolute authority.

Of course, the main reason these geniuses obeyed was due to the professor’s profound knowledge and various innovative ideas.

The outside world knew nothing of the professor’s name or appearance, but it didn’t prevent other researchers from understanding that in the field of artificial intelligence, this one was undoubtedly the first!

Just like the achievement before their eyes!

Once activated, it would become the first true artificial intelligence.

An AI with basic thinking capabilities.

"No, tomorrow."

"Everyone’s worked hard today, rest early."

"Tomorrow, we’ll witness a miracle together!"

"Humanity is about to enter a new era!"

"That moment will be historic!"

Speaking with excitement, the professor’s face was flush, appearing somewhat manic.

Before leaving, the professor suddenly said, "Make sure to have the camera capture this historic moment."

"It will become history."

Blissfully unaware of any of this, Mo Jingchun was holding a mop and broom, cleaning up.

Trailing after him, Candy trotted along happily with a mop in her hands.