Chapter 29: Art of Explosion

“Lidoa, can you scan for any hostile signals nearby?” Worried about any remaining ambushes, Cheng Lan asked Lidoa to check again.

Lidoa nodded and instantly her sky-blue eyes transformed into a kaleidoscope, data streams flowing across her vision.

“Scan complete. No hostile signals detected within two kilometers. All clear.”

“Good. You can lead the way.”

Guided by Lidoa, the three reached a point about 1.5 kilometers from the weapons depot. The silver moonlight bathed the gray sand, with only the faint whisper of the wind rustling the sand.

“Wait,” Cheng Lan suddenly stopped.

Both Qin Jinxuan and Lidoa looked at him, puzzled.

“What’s wrong?” Qin Jinxuan asked.

“There’s some cleanup left to do.” Cheng Lan reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box. The box had a tiny display screen embedded on its surface, with a few physical buttons neatly arranged below it, and a hatch that could be opened on the top.

“What’s this?” she stepped closer, peering at the box with curiosity.

“This is art,” Cheng Lan said, shaking the black box in his hand.

“Art?” Qin Jinxuan still looked confused.

“Just watch.” Cheng Lan quickly tapped the buttons on the box. A series of “beep” sounds played, and the metal hatch on top popped open with a “click,” revealing a prominent red button inside.

As soon as she saw the button, Qin Jinxuan understood what Cheng Lan meant by art.

“Here,” Cheng Lan handed the black box to her.

“Huh? Why give it to me?” she hesitated.

“Don’t you want to try it?”

Qin Jinxuan hesitated for a moment before taking the black box. Her fingers touched the cool exterior, and her heart raced slightly.

“What do I do?” She looked up at Cheng Lan, eager to try.

“It’s pretty straightforward, isn’t it?” Cheng Lan smirked, “There’s only one button, so obvious.”

“Don’t be so harsh. I just wanted to be sure…” Qin Jinxuan pouted.

“Should I press it?” She hovered her finger over the red button.

“If you don’t press it, I will.” Cheng Lan reached out to take the box.

“No! I’ll do it!” Qin Jinxuan pulled the box close to her chest.

She took a deep breath, and her slender finger pressed firmly on the red button—

Nothing happened.

Just as she wondered, a series of explosions erupted in the distance, shaking the ground. Orange flames erupted from the depot, shooting into the sky. The explosions were so intense that the second blast was like a thunderclap, sending a massive fireball into the sky, turning the silver sand into a crimson inferno.

Qin Jinxuan stared at the stunning and violent fire, the red glow of the explosion reflecting in her eyes, as if still flickering.

“Well?” Cheng Lan stood with his hands in his pockets, watching the distant flames with a calm expression.

“Cool!” Qin Jinxuan turned to Cheng Lan, her face lighting up with a radiant smile, her light pink eyes sparkling with excitement.

“That was what you were doing?”

“Yeah,” Cheng Lan nodded, extending his hand, “Okay, give that back.”

Qin Jinxuan immediately returned the black box to his palm, their fingers brushing lightly.

“Lidoa, handle this.” He tossed the box high into the night sky.

Lidoa raised her arm, a circular launcher popping out from her wrist. A bright red laser shot out, precisely striking the box in mid-air—

Ping!

The black box exploded into countless fragments, scattering like meteors before melting into the sand.

“That’s done. Let’s go.” Cheng Lan clapped his hands and started walking toward the exit of the rift.

Qin Jinxuan watched his back, then looked at the fading flames in the distance. She bit her lip, not following as closely as before, but quickened her pace to walk beside him.

“Ding dong!”

Cheng Lan’s doorbell rang.

“Who is it!” Cheng Lan, sprawled on the couch, grumbled, “It’s 11 o’clock, who’s ringing the doorbell?”

Lidoa had been sent to take a shower, so it was up to him to open the door.

He slowly got up and shuffled to the door, peeking through the peephole—the familiar blue-haired figure stood silently outside.

With a sigh, he opened the door—

Qin Jinxuan wore a light blue camisole, the thin straps resting on her shoulders, revealing her smooth, flawless skin with a hint of pink, as if polished to perfection.

Cheng Lan’s gaze drifted downward—

Wow! That dress is so blue!

Cough!

I mean, those legs are so blue!

“Good evening, Jinxuan.” He quickly averted his gaze, forcing a friendly smile to hide his momentary distraction.

“Sorry to bother you…” Qin Jinxuan bit her lip, her thighs slightly twisting, the thin fabric brushing against her pale skin with a soft “rustle.”

“How do you think… my performance against the machine was?” She kept her head down, her eyelashes fluttering as she dared to glance at the floor.

What’s she talking about?

Cheng Lan was bewildered.

Did she come this late to discuss strategy?!

Wow, she’s really dedicated!

He quickly thought: I should say her performance was okay, just to keep her happy, and then send her home. Can’t give her any more “experience.”

“Performance was decent.” Cheng Lan nodded.

“Can… can I have a reward?” Qin Jinxuan gathered all her courage and suddenly looked up.

“Huh?” Cheng Lan was momentarily at a loss.

She wasn’t here to discuss strategy?

“You said before… if I did well, I could ask for a reward…” Seeing his reaction, Qin Jinxuan’s voice wavered, and she looked down again.

Oh, right, there was something about that!

Cheng Lan scratched his head.

I think there really was…

“Anyway, come inside.” He stepped aside to let her in.

After closing the door, Cheng Lan returned to the couch, and Qin Jinxuan sat beside him, not too close, not too far.

“What kind of reward do you want?” Cheng Lan leaned back, arms behind his head. “Just so you know, anything too excessive, I won’t agree to.”

As soon as he said that, Qin Jinxuan’s eyes brightened. She took out a small, portable hairdryer from behind her back and handed it to Cheng Lan. “Can you help me blow dry my hair?”

She tilted her head up, smiling at him with anticipation in her eyes.

Just blow dry her hair? That’s not too bad.

“Sure, give it to me.” Cheng Lan took the hairdryer and turned it on, the warm air gently flowing out.

“Turn to the side, face away from me.”

Qin Jinxuan complied, her soft blue hair falling over her shoulders, still slightly damp.

Cheng Lan gently moved her slightly wet strands with his fingers—smooth as wet silk. He used the hairdryer to blow her hair while carefully combing it with his fingers from the top down. Her wet hair parted and gathered under his touch, occasionally a few strands playfully caught his fingertips, creating a slight tug. The air was filled with a faint, refreshing scent of shampoo, mixed with the natural fragrance of her hair, lingering at his nostrils.

“You take good care of your hair.” Cheng Lan casually commented, his fingers still enjoying the smooth texture.

“Thanks~” Hearing Cheng Lan’s compliment, Qin Jinxuan’s voice was full of suppressed excitement, and her shoulders lightly swayed.