"Can I work on Super 3S mechs in my spare time?" Lu Wanqing asked.
Mu Sijie felt helpless, but considering Lu Wanqing's talent, it didn't seem impossible.
Others might take a year, or even two or three years, to design a new mech, but for Wanqing, it might only take a few evenings?
Some things truly only reveal their disparity through comparison.
"You can, but you must ensure your body can handle it and avoid overworking yourself," Mu Sijie cautioned.
"Okay," Lu Wanqing agreed with a smile.
Mu Sijie ruffled her hair and said again, "If you need any help, feel free to tell me. I'll do my best to assist with anything I can."
"Mm-hmm," Lu Wanqing nodded quickly, feeling very happy.
"Thank you for your hard work today, for taking up your whole day," Lu Wanqing said.
Mu Sijie shook his head, "It's no trouble at all. Your matters are the most important."
Lu Wanqing was in good spirits, but it was indeed getting late. She raised her wrist and checked the time on her optic device, exclaiming, "It's getting late, the kindergarten will be letting out soon."
Mu Sijie also paused at that, looking down at the time on his own optic device. For the first time, he regretted how quickly the day had passed.
"I need to pick up Shushu from school," Lu Wanqing said.
"I should go pick up Lanlan too," Mu Sijie nodded.
They felt a pang of reluctance at parting so soon, but luckily, they were both in the Imperial Capital, so meeting again wouldn't be difficult.
"Then let's go pick up the children first. We can hang out together sometime later," Lu Wanqing said with a smile a moment later.
Mu Sijie smiled and nodded, his demeanor gentle as jade, "Yes."
"Oh, right, did Lanlan's clothes from last year become too small? What size clothes does he wear this year? Could you send me his measurements later? I'll buy him a few new outfits in a few days," Lu Wanqing suddenly remembered and added.
Mu Sijie's heart warmed even more upon hearing this. Lu Wanqing had never forgotten Lanlan and had always treated the child well.
"Okay," Mu Sijie agreed.
Time was truly short, and they both had to rush to pick up their children. They had to part ways.
Lu Wanqing summoned her hovercar.
Mu Sijie also summoned his hovercar.
They each got into their respective vehicles and then departed.
On the way to Shushu's kindergarten, Lu Wanqing couldn't help but start contemplating the Super 3S mechs. She had promised, and she had to fulfill it. At the very least, the mechs for the seven major legions were a must.
It seemed she would need to create a detailed work plan upon returning, allocating time for mech production and her research at the Academy of Sciences on plants, ensuring neither was neglected.
The hovercar wasn't particularly fast or slow. In about twenty minutes, Lu Wanqing arrived at the entrance of Shushu's kindergarten.
Some parents were already waiting outside the kindergarten. Lu Wanqing alighted from her car and joined the crowd, waiting with everyone else.
However, her identity was too unique. As soon as she stepped out, parents of students began to look at her with curiosity, and not just one or two. They were all stealthily observing her.
Lu Wanqing felt a bit unaccustomed to it at first. But thinking of Shushu inside, she knew she couldn't set a bad example for her child. She gathered her courage and offered a smile to the parents who were looking at her, as a form of acknowledgment.
She couldn't be socially anxious; she couldn't be a bad role model and negatively impact her child's future social interactions.
As Lu Wanqing pondered this, it suddenly occurred to her that this might be a problem. Yu Nong's personality was reserved and focused entirely on research, not very adept at communicating with others. Shushu was still young and didn't seem to be affected yet, but as she grew older, perhaps she would be influenced by her parents' social tendencies?
One parent with social anxiety was enough; two... perhaps not ideal?
Lu Wanqing thought this and then, summoning her courage again, she initiated greetings with the other parents. Perhaps she could learn from the spirited cub and become an outgoing, brave social butterfly?
Almost everyone in the Federation knew Lu Wanqing by now, especially the parents whose children attended the same kindergarten as Lu Wanqing's. They found it hard to contain their curiosity about her.
Most parents had watched Lu Wanqing's live streams before. Her performance with her children on the barren planet and the insectoid planet had amazed them, making them yearn for such a life. They felt it was wonderful: a powerful mother, happy children, and most importantly, a close bond between mother and child.
Upon hearing Lu Wanqing greet them, many parents snapped back to attention and quickly responded, "Hello, hello."
This simple greeting acted like a friendly signal. The parents, who had initially been standing separately, waiting silently for kindergarten to end, naturally gravitated towards Lu Wanqing. They happily and proactively began to chat with her.
They were particularly curious about her experiences on the barren planet, then on the insectoid planet, and especially about her recent predicament with Xiao Yi being trapped on the insectoid planet.
Everyone couldn't help but inquire about the events that transpired then. The insectoids, those terrifying insectoids! So many sawfish flying in the sky, capable of discharging electricity, which looked horrifying. They deeply admired Lu Wanqing's adaptability and were curious about her feelings at the time.
Lu Wanqing didn't mind sharing her experiences, and they continued to chat.
When they had arrived, there was still some time before kindergarten ended. However, as they began to talk, this time seemed to pass remarkably quickly. It felt as if only a moment had gone by before it was time for school to finish.
As the dismissal bell rang, the children poured out of their classrooms. Many parents looked towards the kindergarten building, and Lu Wanqing also looked inside.
"Shushu!" Lu Wanqing spotted Shushu first and couldn't help but raise her hand, waving at her.
Little Shushu also saw her mommy and, her face lighting up with joy, immediately raised her hand and shouted, "Mommy!"
Little Shushu quickly said goodbye to her classmates and then to her teacher. Finally, she ran out of the kindergarten gate and came to Lu Wanqing's side.
"Mommy," Little Yu Shu looked up and happily called out to her mother.
Lu Wanqing ruffled her child's hair, then turned to the other parents beside her and said, "Shushu and I will be heading home now."
"Wait, could we add each other as friends?" a parent reacted quickly and asked.
Lu Wanqing thought it was a good idea and smilingly agreed, "Sure."
Since coming to the interstellar era, she hadn't made many friends besides Mu Sijie and the others. She hadn't added other parents from her child's school before either. Perhaps she could get to know more parents in the future. This way, they could bring their children out to play together during their free time and also share parenting experiences, avoiding common pitfalls.
It wasn't just one parent who wanted to add Lu Wanqing as a friend; several did. Lu Wanqing didn't refuse any of them and added them all.
Little Yu Shu stood by the side, watching her mommy exchange friend requests with the other parents. She felt a sense of novelty.