Shen Hegui's expression remained unchanged, but his tone softened as he said, "You can have them if you want, but just take two boxes. We'll go look for the data on these solar-powered cooling umbrellas and bring it back. If you want more later, we'll have someone make them for you when we return to Jing City."
Seeing so many boxes on the floor, he knew she wanted to take them all. But they couldn't carry too much now.
After a moment of thought, he added, "We've used up some space these days, but after packing the Laser Swords, there won't be much left. We have to take all the Laser Swords—there's no room left for these umbrellas."
"Taking two boxes should be enough for our journey back. These umbrellas seem easier to make than the Laser Swords. The researchers in Jing City can definitely make them for you."
Jiang Yuntan saw he was saying all this as if afraid she wouldn't agree. After thinking for a few seconds, she replied, "Alright."
Shen Hegui sighed in relief.
See? Wasn't she easy to coax? He felt he had grasped the knack. Once back, he'd show off to the old man.
"Then Xue Zhao and I will go find the data on these solar-powered cooling umbrellas. You all take out what we need to take." With that, Shen Hegui turned and left with Xue Zhao.
Jiang Yuntan looked at the many boxes before her and didn't feel too regretful that she couldn't take them all. After all, there were so many good things in the world—she couldn't take everything. People needed to learn to be open-minded. Besides, with her Dimensional System, she might be able to exchange for things even better than these in the future, so there was no need to lament.
Meanwhile, Qiao Chengming had already picked up a Laser Sword and was demonstrating it. He inserted a crystal core into the energy supply, and a blue light beam extended from the hilt, glowing with a cold blue light. He lifted the Laser Sword and lightly swung it at a useless box nearby; the box was cut in two. Then he slowly swung it at a concrete platform holding items, and everyone could see a cut mark appear on the hard surface.
Seeing this, Jiang Yuntan asked, "It's sharp enough to cut through metal like mud, they say. What if we accidentally hurt our own people?"
What she really wanted to ask was: What if someone accidentally pressed the power button without realizing the blade was pointing at themselves, and got stabbed by the Laser Sword?
Hearing this, the others also looked at him, because they wanted to know too. This thing was powerful, but if accidentally poked, it was dangerous.
Qiao Chengming smiled and explained, "Fang An once told me that these Laser Swords can automatically recognize body temperature and skin touch. If the sword touches human skin, it won't harm the person temporarily. But if you press harder while it's touching the skin, it will default to assuming you want to cut through that object. So, there's a first-level protection mechanism when it touches the body."
Jiang Yufeng sighed, "This sounds quite smart. I didn't expect they'd even developed something like this."
Qiao Chengming smiled, "Fang An could be called a genius, but it's a pity he's now a zombie. Still, their research institute never lacked funding, so they could try many things."
Everyone thought that made sense. In fact, many high-tech things had already been made but hadn't been released to the public yet, especially weapons with such strong lethality as the Laser Sword. Having been in business for a long time, especially as children of influential families like Shen Hegui and Yu Ke, they understood a bit about such matters. Some things were publicized only when a more advanced version already existed.
After confirming that crystal cores could power the Laser Sword, Qiao Chengming turned it off. This thing really was an energy hog; just over three minutes of use had consumed a third of the energy. So one crystal core could sustain the Laser Sword for at most ten minutes. Much better than the previous less-than-a-minute, though.
Even if it consumed crystal cores, it at least provided a safety net for the two teammates without abilities, Yu Ke and Xue Zhao.
After packing up, they went out and happened to run into Shen Hegui and the others. Shen Hegui handed the collected data to Jiang Yuntan for her to store in her space.
Then he said, "Xue Zhao and I saw a lot of clean water over there. We haven't had a proper wash in days. We can bathe here before going back. There's a bathroom inside. It won't be as convenient once we return to the service area."
He looked at Jiang Yuntan. She had mentioned wanting a bath last time; it was fine at the hotel before, but now they were out. Since the research institute had stored water, it was good to let everyone freshen up.
The others agreed. So they all took the chance to clean up.
When Jiang Yuntan came out drying her hair, she saw Shen Hegui distributing crystal cores—about eight per person. He handed her fourteen and explained, "With one extra share for you, it works out to eight each. But you also have Fang An's two cores, so I'm giving you fourteen."
"Mm." Jiang Yuntan had no objection to this distribution. In the end, she was the one benefiting.
Just then, she saw Yu Ke put all his crystal cores into Qi Ruoshui's hands.
Yu Ke said, "Ruoshui, these are all for you. Level up well, so I can rely on you. I think being a kept man is great. This is my meal ticket."
Everyone: ...
Qi Ruoshui, seeing everyone staring at them, pinched his ear in embarrassment. "What are you doing? Be serious. Keep your own cores; otherwise, you'll have to get them from me again when you use the Laser Sword. I don't want to carry all those cores on me."
"Ah?" Yu Ke was deflated. "Don't crystal cores improve strength?"
Jiang Yuntan chimed in, "But improving strength through external means isn't as good as building a solid foundation step by step, right? Early leveling isn't that hard. People always say that when learning anything, you should lay a good foundation at the start."
Everyone thought she made sense.
As Yu Ke pondered, Qi Ruoshui pinched him again and said, "Sister Yuntan is smart and full of good ideas. Listen to her."
"Oh, okay." Yu Ke immediately stood straight. That did sound reasonable.
After gathering their things, they left the research institute.
As soon as they got in the car, Jiang Yuntan heard Jinbao's surprised voice.
[Am I seeing things? Someone actually bought those blind boxes of yours?]