The afternoon's failures were not entirely in vain. Although Cui Cui's arena matches ended in defeat, her reactions were much faster compared to her initial attempts.
When Lu Wanqing arrived, Cui Cui was still competing. However, unlike the beginning where she was knocked out of the arena within the first second, Cui Cui's reflexes were now significantly better. She could evade the opponent's first two moves, buying herself time to grow plants.
Despite her improved defense, Cui Cui still lost after three moves. As the girl was forcefully thrown off the arena by her opponent, Lu Wanqing almost couldn't control herself and stood up, instinctively wanting to rush forward. It was Lu Yang who held her back.
In the next moment, the image on the projection screen vanished. Lu Wanqing only then realized that everything was virtual; Cui Cui was in a virtual arena.
Soon, Cui Cui climbed out from the virtual arena's stage. Upon seeing Lu Wanqing, her eyes lit up, and she happily ran over, "Mommy!"
Lu Wanqing looked at her precious daughter, her heart aching. "Did it hurt just now?"
Although the virtual arena was simulated, as long as the pain experience button was activated, the contestants would still feel pain.
"It hurt a little, but not too much. I only set the pain experience to three percent," Cui Cui said earnestly to Lu Wanqing.
In truth, Cui Cui had initially wanted to set the pain experience to fifty percent. However, Wei Xingzhou had forbidden it, saying it would be extremely painful. Cui Cui couldn't persuade Wei Xingzhou. Still, Wei Xingzhou couldn't completely deter her from activating the pain experience. After a long back-and-forth, they finally settled on three percent, a very low setting.
Hearing this, Lu Wanqing felt much more at ease. She looked at Cui Cui, wanting to say something, but ultimately held back.
Her Cui Cui should also undergo proper training. When conditions allow, striving to become stronger is not wrong, after all…
She and Lu Yang might still face trouble in the future. She couldn't guarantee that she could protect them one hundred percent. Just as Harvey had to strive to become stronger, Cui Cui also needed to become as strong as possible to protect herself when danger arose.
The next day, Lu Yang took Cui Cui to the wilderness. They found a forest and searched for mutated animals. Lu Yang guided Cui Cui in engaging with the mutated creatures.
The arenas in the virtual combat arena were, after all, virtual and not as effective as real training. Moreover, the sensations simulated in the virtual arena often differed greatly from actual combat.
Lu Yang didn't mind the trouble. From the very beginning, he meticulously instructed Cui Cui on how to predict her opponent's reactions and how to respond to them. Most importantly, he taught her how to protect herself when a mutated animal was about to attack.
During the practical combat training, mutated animals charged at Cui Cui several times, leaving her momentarily stunned. Fortunately, Lu Yang was incredibly swift, intervening and eliminating the mutated animals before they could touch Cui Cui each time.
Wei Xingzhou watched from the side. His emotions shifted from initial worry to relief. Eventually, Wei Xingzhou stopped worrying about Cui Cui's safety and focused solely on analyzing what Lu Yang was teaching Cui Cui. He then helped Cui Cui analyze and strategize, guiding her on how to anticipate and deal with the mutated animals.
Harvey was also not idle. Even Xavier couldn't bear to leave, and he and his father secretly learned from Lu Yang's teachings as he instructed Cui Cui. When they encountered mutated animals, they would also step in to practice.
Lu Wanqing watched from a distance, clearly seeing the unconscious tenderness radiating from Lu Yang as he guided Cui Cui. A smile naturally appeared on her face.
Time passed day by day, and before they knew it, another holiday had ended. It was time for Cui Cui and Harvey to return to school and continue their studies.
Regarding Alice, Lu Wanqing, Xavier, and the others had observed her for a long time without finding any abnormalities. At least, from what they could see, Alice appeared to be a hardworking and motivated girl.
However, Lu Wanqing dared not let her guard down. She believed everything Vivi had said; this Alice would undoubtedly have some hidden issues. Even if it wasn't now, perhaps in the future, she might be manipulated by someone and eventually become the girl who harmed Harvey.
After Lu Wanqing escorted Cui Cui and Harvey back to the imperial capital, she quickly returned to the Abyss Star. She wanted to spend more time around Alice. If possible, she wanted to try and become friends with Alice to observe her closely and uncover her problems.
Cui Cui and Harvey were older children now and didn't require constant adult supervision; arrangements were sufficient to ensure their care.
Her second brother, who usually had nothing much to do, was temporarily entrusted by Lu Wanqing with looking after the children. Her second brother was initially reluctant. He was worried about his sister's safety on the Abyss Star and wanted to go with her. However, he was eventually persuaded by their eldest brother.
He and their eldest brother were still unfamiliar with the interstellar era. If they accompanied Lu Wanqing to the Abyss Star, they wouldn't be able to help her and Lu Yang; instead, they would become a burden.
With her second brother helping to look after the children in the capital, Lu Wanqing felt at ease traveling to the Abyss Star.
This time, returning without the children, they could finally pursue their own endeavors without worry.
Lu Wanqing first purchased some second-hand robots. She deliberately damaged one of the floor-cleaning robots through intentional sabotage, then sent a message to Alice.
Yes, she sent a message.
After repairing many robots, Alice had posted small advertisements in various places on the Abyss Star. These were simple advertisements for robot repairs, with her contact information at the bottom.
Her message did not receive an immediate reply because it was during school hours.
By the time school ended in the afternoon, Lu Wanqing's message still hadn't received a response. It wasn't until late at night, well past midnight, that her smart device chimed a few times. Lu Wanqing opened it and found that Alice had replied.
"I can fix it. What do you need repaired?"
Lu Wanqing's heart quickened, and she quickly replied, "My floor-cleaning robot is broken, and I don't know what's wrong with it."
"Tomorrow is the weekend. I can come to your place to take a look," Alice messaged back.
Seeing the message, Lu Wanqing eagerly replied, "Really? That's great! I'll give you my address."
Lu Wanqing quickly sent the address of her rented apartment.
Lu Yang watched from the side, observing as she arranged the meeting with Alice.
"Don't worry too much. She might not have... things might not be as bad as we imagine," Lu Yang said softly, hugging Lu Wanqing.
The next day, Alice arrived close to noon. When Lu Wanqing heard the doorbell, she immediately went to open the door. As the large door swung open, revealing Alice standing at the entrance, her heart began to beat uncontrollably fast again.
"Hello, is this Ms. Lu Qingqing? My name is Alice. We arranged for me to come and repair your robot last night." Alice stood at the doorway, speaking politely.