Chapter 32: He’s So Cute

The Adventure Group Captain Antonio stepped forward first. “Don’t say it like that. Don’t get mad.”

He hurried over to soothe them, lest he provoke anyone. “No, he wasn’t talking about you all. What I mean is, he didn’t mean any harm. He was just too hasty with his words…”

“I’ll tell you, you can’t just say things like that carelessly. You might not even know how you end up dead.”

The middle-aged short man spat on the ground, and it evaporated instantly in the high heat.

Fortunately, Aisia stepped forward to stop him. She bent over, dragging several stacked crates, and reached out to tug at the middle-aged short man’s sleeve.

“Uncle Nir, don’t do this.”

The young girl smiled. “They’re guests and don’t know the situation. Besides, you have to be cautious when traveling through the desert.”

The middle-aged short man snorted coldly, shook off his sleeve, and walked away without a word.

The girl smiled helplessly, unpacked the crates, and revealed they were filled with bottles of water.

“You’ve all traveled so far; you must be thirsty and tired. Here, have some water.”

She chattered on, handing out bottles one by one to the Joint Group and Patrol Troops, not even sparing the intimidating Patrol Army Captain.

“Did you mark the map wrong? I’ve lived here so long, and there are no Sand Bandits around. Otherwise, this oasis would have been robbed clean long ago… Don’t be mad at Uncle Nir. He’s just like that—straightforward. Have some water, everyone!”

The captain was handed a bottle and stood rigidly without moving.

Finally, thinking no one saw, the girl secretly slipped two bottles to Krimus.

Krimus looked surprised. “Water is so precious…”

Aisia replied, “It’s fine. We have plenty of water. My uncle buys it regularly from merchant caravans, and we can’t use it all. Really! I’m not lying! You’re guests, so it’s normal to use more.”

Her enthusiasm eased the atmosphere somewhat.

It was midday, mealtime. The logistics team pulled out portable Quick Heat Stoves and began cooking for everyone.

The Landships were parked on the oasis outskirts and couldn’t enter, so logistics brought in lightweight ingredients and prepared a simple yet hearty lunch for all.

“We’ll rest until evening when the temperature drops, swap supplies, and leave,” said Mr. Antonio, chatting idly with Uncle Isaiah nearby.

The man explained that he had been the village chief of Mase Village before. Their original oasis had shrunk, making life difficult, so they’d relocated here, and he remained the village chief of this small oasis settlement.

“Won’t you stay the night?”

Village Chief Aisia said, “You all look exhausted, like you’ve been rushing for a long time… Is your destination far? Dangerous?”

The Adventure Group Captain had no intention of lying. He was an upright and honest man who had won over the entire group with his fairness, integrity, and steadiness.

He thought for a moment and replied tactfully, “Since we’re the vanguard survey team sent by Golden City, we can’t worry about danger first. We have to complete the mission.”

He pointed to the armored fellows sitting on the ground over there. “Those are the Patrol Troops from the City Lord’s Mansion, responsible for protecting us on the road.”

“Oh…”

Uncle Isaiah nodded and glanced at the Patrol Troops’ blue-and-white armor, his brows furrowing slightly as if wary of them.

“We have few people here, and visitors are rare. Even merchant caravans come and go in a hurry,” Uncle Isaiah complained. “Why not stay another night? You wouldn’t have to rush the supply swap.”

“Old sir, we have heavy duties and need to stay on schedule,” the Adventure Group Captain said.

“Krimus!”

The young girl called out, her voice like a freshly bitten winter jujube—sweet and crisp. “When we moved, we brought everything over and found some interesting old items. Want to come take a look?”

The young man smiled shyly and was suddenly grabbed by the arm by the girl.

Uncle Isaiah said, “Alright then, rest easy. I won’t disturb you.” With that, he glanced out the window and headed toward the exit.

The Adventure Group Captain conferred briefly with the other leaders, then announced to everyone, “Okay, free time, everyone.”

In the meantime, Xie Jianxun slipped away unnoticed and swiftly grabbed a sleeve in the crowd.

“I saw a lake behind us earlier. Want to go check it out together?”

Sweat beaded on Xie Jianxun’s fair face, sparkling like glitter in the light.

His paleness stood out so much that several oasis locals glanced at him as they passed.

One turned around impassively, shielding him in the shadows.

The two left the crowd and skirted around some empty buildings.

Through gaps in the structures, the oasis lake looked vast. Up close, it seemed even larger, its waters reflecting the sky in deep, azure hues.

Compared to the desert heat, just standing nearby brought a refreshing coolness.

Xie Jianxun squatted by the shore, itching to touch the natural pool but holding back without the locals’ permission.

He stared at the water longingly, as if tempted to dive right in.

“Are there fish in desert lakes?” Xie Jianxun wondered aloud.

Basero walked up from behind, thought for a moment, and said, “Some have them, some don’t. Someone in our team once fished in an oasis lake, but others are like stagnant ponds.”

“Want me to borrow a fishing rod and see if we can catch anything?” He smiled at Xie Jianxun.

Xie Jianxun’s eyes lit up.

Just as he opened his mouth, he saw One’s eyes glow faintly blue. Then One turned and said softly, “You don’t need a rod. There are no fish here.”

The Mechanical Puppet’s superior scanning pierced the lake’s truth at a glance.

Xie Jianxun said, “Sir, don’t ruin the mood.”

One replied innocently, “Why would you think that? I just stated the facts.”

The young human deflated. “Forget it, let’s head back. It’s so hot out; I’m soaked.”

He felt dizzy from the sun, on the verge of collapsing.

It was high noon, sweltering enough to make sweat pour.

Soon, everyone hurried into the empty buildings.

The first-floor hall had cooling equipment. Once the temperature dropped, it felt like paradise.

Xie Jianxun peered out the window. Many people still stood under the clock tower, enduring the blazing sun in prayer.

This continued past noon until the sun shifted west, casting a one-meter shadow from the tower, before the crowd dispersed.

“Is that prayer?”

Basero glanced outside, puzzled. “It looks familiar, but I can’t place it… Which faith makes people bake under the sun in broad daylight?”

Over a hundred people crowded the hall, making it cramped.

With no chair, Xie Jianxun sat on the floor like others, sipping water slowly.

Oasis residents entered from outside, helping transport the Joint Group’s purchased supplies.

Their packaging was casual and unsuitable for long desert travel, so the logistics team repackaged each item with protective film.

Uncle Isaiah stepped into the hall, chatted briefly with the Adventure Group Captain, helped tally supplies, and remarked casually,

“Why don’t they come in to rest? It’s so hot today.”

His gaze swept the hall, passed over Xie Jianxun, and withdrew.

He meant the armored fellows still squatting outside like statues.

The captain smiled. “They’re more heat-resistant than us. Don’t worry.”

Uncle Isaiah muttered, “Still, don’t bake out there. Heat like this can kill.”

After tallying some supplies, the remaining oasis residents said the rest were still being packed outside and asked them to wait.

Uncle Isaiah hesitated in place, then actually approached the Patrol Troops and spoke to their captain.

It didn’t go smoothly; the captain kept refusing.

Finally, something worked. The captain softened slightly, looked down at his men.

Like a drill sergeant’s last shred of mercy, he shook his head, gave an order, and all the Patrol Troops stood briskly, following him to another empty building.

Xie Jianxun looked away, sprawled against the window glass, gazing intently at the outdoor scene. His head spun; he didn’t want to move.

Someone called him from behind, but he didn’t react.

“…Little Xun, Little Xun?”

Xie Jianxun snapped back and met a team member’s concerned gaze. “Laike.”

“The logistics team handed out dessert after lunch. Try some,” Laike said. “It’s cooling and perfect for you right now… Your face is so red, and why do you look so listless?”

Xie Jianxun wilted. “Dunno. Maybe from the sun earlier.”

The hall was crowded, so they headed upstairs to an empty room to rest.

Perhaps from the post-lunch drowsiness, Xie Jianxun dozed off in a haze.

He woke to several faces looming over him, nearly jumping in fright.

“He’s awake! He’s awake!”

“H-Hey, what happened?” Xie Jianxun mumbled groggily.

Laike waved a thin medicine tube. “You have heatstroke.”

Xie Jianxun gasped. He’d felt off outside but not to the point of collapsing.

He’d thought it was his imagination, toughed it out, and the cool air inside had seemed to fix it—turns out it was real and hit hard.

He said blankly, “But I was fine just now.”

Basero said fondly, “Delicate Little Rose.” He’d been talking business next door, saw people coming and going, checked it out, and found his young friend in trouble.

Xie Jianxun smacked his lips, tasting medicine.

Bitter.

As it hit his throat, he wrinkled his nose involuntarily.

Laike pulled out another small medicine vial like magic and set it on the low table.

“Here, more heatstroke meds. Have another tube in half an hour; should be enough, per the doctor. Alright, rest up.”

The others left, kindly giving the patient space.

Before Xie Jianxun could react, a damp towel roll smacked his forehead.

The Mechanical Puppet undid his collar buttons, movements gentle as unwrapping a precious gift.

Xie Jianxun pressed its hand, signaling he could manage—he wasn’t disabled.

“Sorry, I never even considered this,” it said guiltily.

One button wasn’t enough; it planned to remove the whole shirt. The top buttons always choked him, hindering breath.

“I mean, I’ve only heard of heatstroke on Star Net. Never thought it’d happen to me… Um, sir, you’re staring and making me nervous,” Xie Jianxun chattered.

Seeing the Mechanical Puppet still staring unblinking, he lightly kicked it.

“…Turn around, sir. Thanks. I need to change,” Xie Jianxun said stiffly.

The youth’s smooth body was soft yet resilient, skin dazzlingly snow-white, untouched by the desert sun.

He pulled a loose round-neck short-sleeve from his Light Brain and changed quickly.

The Mechanical Puppet turned quietly to the side.

One said, “It’s my fault. I detected your temperature rising abnormally but didn’t report it in time.”

Once Xie Jianxun finished changing, the Mechanical Puppet unfolded the towel in its palm and extended it to wipe the young human’s face.

Xie Jianxun’s eyes widened. “No need! No!”

One said politely, “It’s necessary. You’re sweaty.”

Xie Jianxun thought, Who needs help wiping their face!

Only as a little kid had servants or butlers babied him like that, holding him on their knee to clean his face.

Once older, reading that kids washed independently, he’d insisted on doing it himself.

He refused vehemently now, but couldn’t match the Mechanical Puppet’s absurd strength.

“Mmph, I’m not…”

Its towel wiped his forehead.

“…a little kid…”

Wiped his cheeks.

“…I can do it myself…”

Wiped his neck and hands.

The young human: “…”

Tragic.

Finally, mustering his strength, he pinned the Mechanical Puppet’s hand to the bed, stopping it. One hadn’t guarded against him and eased its force, tilting its head to look.

The youth’s cheeks were damp, even his lashes beaded with water.

Possibly due to the heatstroke, a faint, abnormal flush lingered on his skin.

He enunciated each word: “That’s enough, sir. Listen to me—I can do it myself.”

…

He was so cute.

The Mechanical Puppet thought.