Chapter 86: Xiaohua Is a Person

Under a boundless blue sky, white clouds piled up in rolling tiers like surging waves, drifting away into the distance.

Jun Ma wore a riding outfit, whip in hand, mounted on a tall black horse, racing at full gallop.

In the Deer Cauldron world, as a general seasoned by countless campaigns, he had long since mastered the skill of horsemanship.

At that very moment, he even produced a cigar while riding and puffed on it with the air of a rogue.

Though he knew smoking was harmful to health, such minor damage no longer concerned him. Even if it did, he would never have given up cigarettes.

He would urge moderation in others, yet indulge himself without restraint.

This was a ranch in Australia. The facilities had been taken over as they were after purchase and had not yet been renovated, but it was enough for Jun Ma to ride about and stretch his legs.

"Boss, Little Flower's consciousness has already merged with the body!" Old Qian said as he drove up from behind to report.

"Is that so?" Jun Ma drew rein and stopped, his face expressionless.

Old Qian got out of the car and waited quietly for Jun Ma's orders. To his surprise, he could see that Jun Ma's hand was trembling slightly, though he could not tell whether it was from excitement or some other reason.

"Good!" After a long while, Jun Ma dismounted and stood before Qian Moduo, meeting his eyes. A moment later, he gave a faint smile. "Now I'm going to give you an order. Do not ask why. Just carry it out."

Qian Moduo froze, sensing the gravity in his tone. "Yes."

"Go kill Little Flower at once."

"What?" Qian Moduo's eyes widened. He nearly blurted out another question, then remembered Jun Ma's instructions. Frowning, he lowered his voice and said, "Yes."

"Don't rush." Jun Ma wore a gentle smile. "After you kill Little Flower, kill yourself immediately as well. Make it neat. Don't let it affect affairs across the different realms. After all, you still have some duties to handle."

Qian Moduo turned back to stare at Jun Ma, stunned. After a brief moment of thought, he understood Jun Ma's concerns. Pressing his lips together tightly, grief showed in his eyes. After a long silence, he said, "I understand, Boss. I'll take care of it properly."

Jun Ma stood where he was and, in an instant, withdrew his brilliant smile. He frowned and remained motionless. A little later, he took out his phone from his chest, the screen showing the lab's surveillance feed, which had been tracking Qian Moduo's figure all along.

He took out another cigar and drew on it fiercely, only to cough violently from the smoke.

Time passed minute by minute.

Jun Ma dialed a number. "Hello, Old Qian, I heard the experiment is finished. Come pick me up!"

"Uh... yes!"

Back in the laboratory, Jun Ma saw Little Flower.

She was a fourteen-year-old girl, graceful in figure and lovely in appearance, and was undergoing a series of routine tests with the assistance of the researchers.

"Wow, Little Flower, you finally have a body!"

Jun Ma's joy was written all over his face. He strode forward in a few quick steps, reached out, and gently patted her on the shoulder, then cautiously took her hand. He looked as happy as a child who had just been given a candy.

Little Flower was overjoyed as well. Carefully moving her limbs, she shot him an affectionate glance, eyes bright with delight. "Uncle, I have a body now! I'm a person now!"

"Hey hey, of course you're a person!"

Standing behind Jun Ma, Qian Moduo stared dumbly at the performance. He had never realized that one person could have so many faces. Muttering to himself, he thought: Boss really is shameless, really is a hypocrite, and somehow he is so good at this...

"Report to the boss: all normal! Bodily functions are in good condition, meeting the expected target and exceeding ordinary human physical standards!" Soon after, the lower-grade bioengineered man reported.

"Wonderful!" Jun Ma nodded, highly satisfied. "Little Flower, I did all this for you. Aren't you going to reward me with a kiss?"

"Hmph." Little Flower was obviously in an especially good mood. She did not get angry at all, and instead leaned forward lightly, brushing his cheek with a kiss as fleeting as a dragonfly skimming water. Then, savoring the moment as though tasting something exquisite, she looked up dreamily and said, "So that's how it feels to have a body!"

"Whoa, a little hooligan!" Jun Ma leaped back theatrically. "You really kissed me? In public, that isn't very appropriate, is it? If you don't mind, we can deepen our understanding tonight, and I can let you experience the fun of being human!"

"Get lost!" Little Flower lifted her chin proudly. "Behave yourself and don't talk nonsense. I'm still a child, you know! Oh, right, Uncle, in the main world I'm still an undocumented resident, so hurry up and figure out a way to get my identity sorted out!"

"Sure," Jun Ma laughed. "No problem."

"Uncle, take me out to play quickly. I can feel that the whole world is real now. I can't wait!"

Jun Ma fulfilled Little Flower's wish and took her back above the ranch. He taught her how to ride, held an outdoor barbecue so she could enjoy the pleasures of eating, then took her swimming and sparring, spending the entire day playing with her.

By evening, Little Flower was still brimming with energy. "Uncle, make a plan quickly. For the next little while, take me to do more exciting and interesting things. Let's try some extreme sports like skydiving and rock climbing, something that really stimulates the senses and the body!"

"Stimulate your head!" Jun Ma said. "Where would I find the time to keep you company all the time? You're not my wife! You're having your fun now, but I still have to keep an eye on the experiment. If something goes wrong with the system's integration, we'll be in trouble!"

"Oh, right," Little Flower said helplessly.

"Also, Little Flower, after you separate from the system, you won't be able to remain my intelligent assistant, and you'll no longer be connected to it," Jun Ma said regretfully. "Looks like I'll have to find a way to get another smart butler later on."

"I'm still connected to the system, just like you, Uncle. I'm bound to it too, but of course I won't be your intelligent housekeeper anymore!" Little Flower said happily. "I'm going to go live carefree on my own!"

"Is that so?" Jun Ma looked thoughtful. "Hmm, are you always thinking about playing now? Since you're not planning to keep me company tonight, you should go back to Yanjing for now. There are lower-grade bioengineered men at home who can pick you up. Go have fun on your own there."

"Great!" Little Flower beamed and jumped in delight, grabbing Jun Ma's arm and quickly kissing his cheek again.

"Whoa, this is bad, this is bad. I've made a little hooligan now—this is trouble!" Jun Ma said worriedly. "And since you don't plan to play with me tonight, won't taking you out in the future affect my chances of hitting on girls?"

"Hmph! You stinky uncle!" Little Flower wrinkled her nose. "You spend all day spying on me. I'm still just a child, you know. Can you have a little more ambition? I'm leaving. I'm not talking to you anymore!"

"Hey, be careful on the road! Once you're back in Yanjing, no matter where you go, remember to take a few lower-grade bioengineered men as bodyguards and watch your safety! You can also start training your internal energy now, so work hard and learn it yourself! If anything happens outside, remember to call me. No matter how big the matter is, Uncle will help you settle it. But you absolutely must remember one thing: no stripping down with other people to discuss physiological issues!"

Jun Ma shouted after Little Flower's departing figure, endlessly nagging.

"Got it, you're so annoying!" Little Flower waved without turning back. "You've got nothing but filthy thoughts in your head!"