Several minutes later, Natarle ultimately failed to "eliminate" Zhou Tianming and fled in embarrassed fury.
Zhou Tianming stood up and stretched his arms, his joints cracking audibly.
Resting his right hand on his neck, he rotated his head with a wince: "Ouch~ That was really vicious, even though you were the one who came to me."
As he spoke, memories of Natarle's pleasantly resilient body surfaced, making his fingers twitch slightly. Chuckling to himself, he hummed a tune while heading to wash up. Over ten minutes later in the dining area...
Having finished preparing breakfast, Zhou Tianming noticed Natarle's absence and asked: "White Rabbit, where's Natarle?"
"The mistress is on the Bridge."
Zhou Tianming grinned: "White Rabbit, you're learning. Your processors are finally improving. I'll upgrade your systems when we get home."
No sooner had he spoken than a payment QR code suddenly popped up on the nearby control screen.
Still smiling, he remarked: "Too much money isn't good for children. I'll personally handle your shopping."
With that, he left carrying several breakfast trays.
Upon exiting the dining area, he encountered a group of White Rabbits blocking the corridor, their red eyes fixed intently on him.
Unfazed, Zhou Tianming snorted disdainfully: "AI gets corrupted by money. Give it up. Stop learning from those unmanned cars - if this continues, even new hardware won't fix your stupidity."
He strode forward, nudging aside the plush rabbit dolls with his calves.
The touched rabbits collapsed lifelessly to the floor, creating a trail of "casualties" along his path.
Arriving at the Bridge, he found Natarle seated properly in the captain's chair.
Zhou Tianming schooled his expression into neutrality, casually offering breakfast as if nothing had happened: "Here."
Natarle took it without turning her head. When Zhou Tianming leaned closer, she immediately stood and moved away.
Laughing, he caught up in large strides and gently bumped her arm with his shoulder: "I swear I didn't do anything."
Natarle turned, her face flushed crimson, biting her moistened lip as she glared at him.
That single glance sent shivers through him, melting his resolve.
Emboldened, he spread his arms and embraced her slender waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.
Zhou Tianming remained silent, keeping his hands properly positioned without further provoking the embarrassed Natarle, simply enjoying her fragrant warmth against him.
After feeble struggles failed to break his hold, Natarle stopped resisting.
The two quietly shared each other's breathing and body heat.
After a long moment, Zhou Tianming nuzzled her cheek with his face.
In response, Natarle pinched the back of his hand hard in flustered anger.
"Ow!"
Released by the pain, Zhou Tianming ruefully rubbed his reddened hand.
"No eating on the Bridge! Take everything away!"
The suddenly stern Natarle issued the rebuke before turning to leave.
Shrugging, Zhou Tianming gathered the breakfast and followed.
The meal passed in silence. Though Natarle's blush had faded somewhat, her charm remained potent.
Now her expression turned serious: "Do you realize what happens to your body when you're asleep?"
Zhou Tianming was momentarily stunned before chuckling lightly, his tone casual. "I have noticed that happening recently, but it's fine. Might just be a sign of adulthood."
Slap! Natarle smacked the table, her voice stern. "Zhou Tianming! Do you realize your body was ice-cold, your heartbeat and breathing so faint you were practically a corpse? Go get yourself properly checked when we get back."
What could possibly be wrong with me?
I'm the Ultimate Coordinator—my physique is top-tier.
He pursed his lips, replying dismissively, "Yeah, yeah, I'll get checked when we're back."
Natarle clenched her fist, hesitated for a second, then stood and strode over to him.
Zhou Tianming leaned back, raising his arms defensively. "Seriously, no jokes. I'll get checked when we're back."
She leaned in—then, lightning-fast, pressed her lips to his.
A fleeting touch, then she pulled away.
Zhou Tianming sat there, eyes wide in shock.
"Don't joke about your health," she said before turning and bolting out of the room.
Snapping out of it, he shouted after her, "I'll get the most thorough check-up possible—full-body dissection if needed!"
His fingers brushed his lips, still tingling with the faint sweetness of her kiss.
He stayed there, grinning like an idiot for a long while before finally calming down. "White Rabbit, has my body been acting abnormally?"
"Based on comparative data, reduced heart rate and respiration can result from training or East Asian 'Turtle Breathing' techniques. However, Master's condition leans more toward bradycardia. The cold body temperature and loss of consciousness may also be related complications."
He frowned.
That doesn't make sense. An Ultimate Coordinator shouldn't suffer from hereditary diseases.
Could it be due to injuries from childhood?
One by one, his theories fell apart.
Then it hit him—what if, as the first successful Ultimate Coordinator, he had some hidden flaw?
But then again, hadn't this body's initial lack of brainwaves been the biggest defect of all? The only reason he survived was because of his transmigration. No matter how he racked his brain, he couldn't find an answer.
Considering that even a certain super-titled edgelord had been taken down by heart disease, Zhou Tianming decided to stay cautious.
"White Rabbit, keep monitoring my vitals. Once we're back in the Earth sphere, contact an East Asian hospital and schedule a full-body examination."
"Understood."
A grin spread across his face as he called toward the door, "See? I made the appointment. How about another reward?"
Outside, rapid footsteps hurried away.
Counting the days, he still had over two months alone with her.
He clenched his fist tightly.
Victory is assured.
Over the next few days, Natarle kept avoiding Zhou Tianming.
So he took the initiative—ambushing her in the hallway, catching her, and pulling her into a deep, overwhelming kiss.
"Consider this payback."
Slap!
She slapped him, then covered her mouth and fled in embarrassment.
He licked his lips. "Checkmate."
After that incident, Zhou Tianming didn't push Natarle further. Instead, he reverted to their previous dynamic—close, but with boundaries.
The cooling-off period helped Natarle regain her composure.
Soon, they were laughing together again, watching movies, reading side by side.
Then, under these very circumstances, the Black Tortoise's sensors picked up an unidentified satellite wreckage.
The two gathered on the Bridge, observing the magnified image.
The structure was cylindrical, heavily damaged, with large sections of its outer shell missing—revealing urban infrastructure beneath. Through the enhanced feed, they could even make out skyscrapers.
At the end of the cylinder was a massive breach, its edges unnaturally smooth and precise, as if sliced off by something razor-sharp.
"White Rabbit, analyze this area. Construct a 3D model—determine what likely caused this," Zhou Tianming ordered, pointing at the gap.
Natarle turned to give him a strange look.
"What's wrong?"
Her finger tapped the exact spot Zhou Tianming had indicated as she spoke with clear confusion, "Is there something wrong here?"
"Huh?" Zhou Tianming froze. "There's clearly a breach here. Don't scare me—can't you see it?"
"Of course I see it, but isn't this how it's supposed to be?"
"Supposed to be?" He scoffed. "Since when do satellites naturally look like this? Ken—"
Suddenly, a sharp pain lanced through his skull like a needle driving deep.
The agony came and went swiftly, leaving Zhou Tianming momentarily dazed.
He shook his head, rubbing his temple. "Weird... what was I just saying?"
"You instructed me to investigate this breach."
"Breach? Why investigate that? Isn't this how it's always been?"
Zhou Tianming and Natarle locked eyes before she shook her head. "No idea. No memory of it."
The matter was quickly set aside as Zhou Tianming addressed White Rabbit: "Generate a model of the satellite. Cross-reference it with the maps I obtained to chart our route."
"Understood."
Turning to Natarle, he added, "We'll arrive in a few days. I'll pilot the Vermilion Bird inside then."
"Be careful," Natarle cautioned. "I'll maintain hidden surveillance on the perimeter. Keep comms open."
Her hand formed a "K" shape.
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