The Young Engineer

The two lovers, engrossed in their romantic candlelit dinner, suddenly turned toward Xiao Feng and Qin Tian.

The young man's face was flushed with shock. "Who… who are you?" The woman let out a sharp scream, retreating into the man's protective embrace.

Xiao Feng smiled faintly and took a seat beside the man. "You must be Engineer Allen, yes? Please forgive my abruptness." Without waiting, he casually poured himself a glass of red wine, swirling it thoughtfully in his hand.

Allen furrowed his brow. "Who exactly are you, and what do you want?"

Xiao Feng's smile deepened. "Rest assured, we mean no harm. I merely seek your assistance with a matter. I must say, it's surprising to find Victoria Corporation's chief engineer so young. Judging by your demeanor, you're not yet wed?"

"Young? I daresay you appear even younger… And yet, your face is oddly familiar. I feel I've seen you somewhere before. You are—?"

"Xiao Feng, at your service," he replied with a subtle chuckle.

Allen paused, recognition dawning. "Xiao Feng of the X Legion! No wonder you seemed familiar. I've reviewed your dossier. Though Rice is the nominal commander, the X Legion clearly follows your lead. Compared to you, my achievements seem modest. Besides, Victoria Corporation and the X Legion are partners—perhaps we should have met long ago." There was no deceit in Allen's tone; both Xiao Feng and Qin Tian appeared youthful and capable, their distinctly Asian features strikingly handsome.

Allen's girlfriend, seeing the ice thaw between the men, relaxed and brought over a set of cutlery. "Please, join us. Have something to eat…"

Xiao Feng thanked her politely before turning back to Allen. "Since you know me, this will be easier. I need your help to modify the system commands of two specific androids."

Allen set down his wine glass, brow knit with suspicion. "Which two androids? And why alter their commands?"

Xiao Feng smiled. "Pandora and Tugu. You're familiar with them, yes?"

Allen nodded. "Of course. They both originated from our team. Naturally, I know them well."

"I ask that you release them from Victoria Corporation's control. Do you think that's possible?" Xiao Feng took a sip of his wine, observing Allen's tightening expression.

"I don't understand your motive. You realize that by doing so, you'd be betraying our company," Allen replied firmly.

"Heh, I have my reasons. Frankly, the X Legion has developed a rift with both Sam and Victoria Corporations. Separation is inevitable. I don't want to leave ticking time bombs at my side before we become outright enemies. Do you see my point?"

Allen hesitated. "I don't grasp all of this. But without Jason's explicit order, I won't alter the androids' system commands."

Xiao Feng's smile never faltered. "Then there's nothing more to discuss."

"Exactly. I won't betray my company."

Xiao Feng glanced at Allen's girlfriend and smiled warmly. "Allen, your girlfriend is truly beautiful. I can tell you love her dearly."

Allen's face flushed with emotion. "What are you implying?"

"I told you—we mean no harm. But tell me, if one day she were to suddenly disappear from this world, would you not be devastated?"

Allen's girlfriend seemed to grasp the meaning, cautiously watching Allen. He glared at Xiao Feng, anger simmering. "I am Victoria Corporation's chief engineer. If you harm her, you'll regret it."

Xiao Feng's smile remained serene. "Enough with threats. If I wished, I could erase Victoria Corporation from the New City by dawn. Do you believe me?"

Allen was stunned, silently contemplating Xiao Feng's words. Though they sounded exaggerated, he believed the X Legion was capable of such power. He said nothing.

"Heh, the time is not yet ripe. We are not enemies—yet. But that day will come. So, if you assist me now, I promise your life—and hers—will be spared. Consider this carefully."

Allen fell silent, pondering Xiao Feng's offer. After nearly two minutes, he lifted his gaze. "Very well, I agree to help. But your promise must be kept."

"Ha! Rest assured. Once you aid me, we become allies. Now, let's drink to that." Xiao Feng turned to Qin Tian, who leaned against a doorway. "Come, little Tian, a drink with us."

Allen clinked his glass with Xiao Feng's, then asked curiously, "How can you guarantee my survival?"

Just then, a pristine white kitten leapt onto the table. Clearly a cared-for pet, it bore no signs of radiation mutation; a wild feline would have long since become a monstrous aberration.

Xiao Feng gently cradled the kitten. "What I'm about to show you may seem cruel, but it is the only way to demonstrate my power clearly." With that, he seized a dining knife and, without hesitation, plunged it into the kitten's chest.

The kitten let out a sharp cry before gradually weakening in Xiao Feng's arms.

Allen gasped in outrage. "What are you doing? Do you realize the value of this cat?"

Allen's girlfriend screamed, dropping her plate, which shattered on the floor.

Xiao Feng raised his hand, motioning for calm. "Please, remain composed…"

He laid the kitten's lifeless body on the table, then cloaked it in a shimmering white light.

Allen clung protectively to his girlfriend, eyes wary.

Seconds later, the radiant glow faded. Xiao Feng said, "Now, witness a miracle."

To their astonishment, the kitten suddenly stirred, then stood and stared bewilderedly at the blood on its chest before lowering its head to lick the wound.

Allen and his girlfriend were dumbfounded. "Who… what… are you?"

"Fear not. I am neither demon nor angel. I am but a psychic—this is resurrection power. Should you perish, I can restore you to life. If you doubt me still, we can test it with your own existence…"

"Enough, enough. I believe you…" A sheen of sweat glistened on Allen's forehead.