Using the Resonance beacon to return to Jinzhou, Xiang-LEE suddenly spoke up beside them.
"Suggestion: Confirm information related to 'Xiaosheng' with the lady ahead."
Lucian looked forward upon hearing this and noticed Zhezhi holding the brush he had given her, painting something on a suspended scroll.
Xiang-LEE continued: "Based on 'Xiaosheng's' tone, paragraphing habits, and wish content, it can be inferred that she is introverted in nature, exhibiting traits such as nervousness in public settings, poor communication skills, and a preference for solo outings..."
Lucian pondered: "So the judgment is based on external behavior?"
"Unfortunately, she is not Xiaosheng. However... Zhezhi is indeed quite introverted..."
Hearing footsteps approach, Zhezhi hurriedly raised her hand and put away the scroll.
When she turned around, she realized it was Lucian and Rover.
"L-Lucian... sir, a-are you... here for the white stockings?"
Lucian: "...?"
He fell silent for a moment, unable to comprehend what kind of impression he had left on Zhezhi. Why did she immediately bring up white stockings upon seeing him?!
Unbeknownst to Lucian, Zhezhi had already discovered the peculiar properties of the brush set he had gifted her.
Originally, she had intended to keep the brushes as a treasured collectible, but one day, an accidental stroke she made with them carried an endless liveliness, astonishing her.
After experimenting, she found that no matter how poorly she painted, the brushes Lucian had given her were far more vibrant and full of life than ordinary ones.
Since then, she had grown inseparable from them—though she still used them with great care, as her usual brushes would wear out within half a month due to her intense daily painting sessions.
Later, she discovered another miraculous property of Lucian's gift: they could not be damaged.
Upon realizing this, Zhezhi felt both excitement and worry. Given how precious these brushes were, how could she ever repay Lucian?
Considering his preferences, she thought and thought—it seemed the only way to make him happy was to gift him white stockings. Besides, she didn't have much money... she couldn't afford anything too expensive...
Rover smirked coldly: "Look what you've done!"
Lucian coughed lightly: "Zhezhi, you've misunderstood. I'm not that kind of person! Actually, I'm looking for someone right now..."
A flicker of disappointment passed through Zhezhi's eyes: "Oh... I see..."
Xiang-LEE circled around Zhezhi: "Begin analysis—This lady's face is flushed, heart rate elevated, displaying emotions of nervousness, shyness, and anticipation."
"Analytical conclusion—First possibility: This lady is hesitant to converse with others due to personality traits. Second possibility: This lady harbors favorable feelings toward Lucian."
"Based on three observable emotional indicators, the probability of the first possibility is 9.36%, while the probability of the second is 90.64%."
Zhezhi's face turned completely red upon hearing this. She quickly covered her face with her hands, not daring to look at Lucian: "I... it..."
Rover scoffed: "Who needs your analysis? I figured that out ages ago."
Lucian sighed: "Your analysis can be precise down to two decimal places?"
Rover pulled out Rover's Speaker: "Here, analyze me too."
Lucian: "?"
Jiao-Jiao: "?"
Abby: "?"
After a brief silence, Rover's Speaker spoke in Rover's voice:
"Begin analysis—Rover's expression is displeased, heart rate steady, displaying emotions of speechlessness, dissatisfaction, and calmness."
Lucian frowned: "Isn't dissatisfaction and calmness contradictory? And since when does Rover's Speaker have this function?"
Rover's Speaker continued:
"Analytical conclusion—Rover's speechlessness stems from: Feeling exasperated that Zhezhi's thoughts have been tainted by Lucian."
"Rover's dissatisfaction stems from: Displeasure toward Lucian's flirtatious behavior."
"Rover's calmness stems from: Having long anticipated Zhezhi's feelings for Lucian, thus remaining unruffled."
After this speech, everyone fell silent.
Only Xiang-LEE flew over curiously, circling Rover's Speaker: "Begin analysis—"
"Stop analyzing!" Lucian quickly pulled Xiang-LEE behind him. "Any more analysis and we'll be attending another banquet!"
"Still, I never knew Rover's Speaker had this function?"
Though now that he thought about it, according to the system's description, Rover's Speaker did possess self-awareness. Perhaps it could be upgraded?
Rover mused: "I didn't know either. Though it's clearly mimicking Xiang-LEE's analysis, it's surprisingly coherent."
"So the strongest robot was by my side all along?"
Lucian stared at Rover's Speaker for a moment before spending 500 points in the system shop to exchange for a chip.
[Smart Chip: Certain mechanized constructs can automatically fuse with this, upgrading their intelligence.]
The chip was tiny, no larger than a fingernail. Lucian pinched it and waved it in front of Rover's Speaker.
Immediately, the speaker spoke again:
"Detected high-grade smart chip. Commencing fusion—"
In the next second, Rover's Speaker levitated mid-air. A flash of white light later, the chip in Lucian's hand flew toward it on its own.
After a few seconds, the light faded, leaving Rover's Speaker seemingly unchanged—except it could now hover autonomously.
Rover blinked: "This is...?"
[Rover's Speaker: Upgrade complete. The smartest companion robot, now with higher intelligence. Note: This item possesses self-awareness. The host who upgraded it retains control.]
Lucian's eyes lit up—could it now be stored in the system space?
Rover's Speaker circled Lucian: "Upgrade successful. Host: Lucian."
Rover: "???"
"How did Rover's Speaker end up molded by Lucian?!"
Rover's Speaker circled Rover and suddenly began singing:
"Rover, Rover, we adore you!"
"We love Sanhua, Chixia, and Jinhsi too!"
"Rover, Rover, we adore you!"
"We love Zhezhi, Yinlin, and Changli too!..."
Rover: "???"
Lucian broke out in a cold sweat and immediately recalled Rover's Speaker into the system space.
He forced a smile: "Seems it hasn't forgotten its roots. It's a good mechanized construct!"
Before them, Zhezhi's face was so red it looked like it might drip blood. Was this little robot Lucian's possession?
Did that mean… Lucian truly liked her? But was she even worthy of his affection?
Her snow-white legs subconsciously pressed together as chaotic thoughts swirled in her mind...