Surprised?

This talk of magic tricks and metal blocks expanding into more blocks had zero credibility. Yet looking at it the other way around, there didn't seem to be any risk involved whatsoever. So watching cost nothing. It wasn't as if he could commit robbery this way, let alone pull a heist in a place like this. And as for a scam, what could he possibly pull off? Could he simply swallow the things and claim they had vanished? He had given his word—turning ten into twelve. If the ten went missing and the twelve didn't appear, he wouldn't be able to bear the consequences. Besides, an S-grade super combat power lived in this very building. *Could it be that he truly has some unspeakable secret he has to reveal to me this way?* He couldn't figure it out or guess his angle. But from the perspective of a scientist, Xin Mingzhi had always believed that anything baffling, absurd, or seemingly irrational could well be the seed of Azure's next technological breakthrough. Take the three pioneers of the past: when they first attempted to use the human body to stimulate source energy, the researchers on the starship side had treated them as a complete joke. The advent of source energy had rewritten everything. *Then again, maybe he's just foolishly trying to prove something... like showing he doesn't only care about source energy blocks, or even metal blocks? Because I'm Qiaoqiao's grandfather, he wants to prove himself to me.* *Ten into twelve, right? If I recall the dossier correctly, his greatest estimated haul in Nepal was five metal blocks... A few days ago, he spent three on Commander Shen's granddaughter, which should leave him with exactly two right now.* At this point, Xin Mingzhi had unconsciously drifted away from the mindset of a scientist and slipped into that of a gossiping grandfather. Standing up, he narrowed his eyes at the earnest young man before him, chuckled, and asked meaningfully, "Well, since the institute is providing the ten, and you're conjuring twelve, those twelve will have to stay with us, won't they?" Han Qingyu nodded. "Fine." *That settles it.* He was actually willing to part with them. Xin Mingzhi immediately arranged for someone to fetch the metal blocks. The research institute handled the task of refining blue crystal blocks, so it naturally had no shortage of metal blocks. Though each block varied slightly in size, Azure had established a standard value; through weighing, an exact sum could be determined. Armed with an authorization slip signed by Xin Mingzhi, one of his students left alongside a security soldier. Taking advantage of the interval, Xin Mingzhi made an excuse, leaving Han Qingyu with his other two students while he stepped out of the office and walked to a nearby room. Inside, Xin Yaoqiao, Mother Xin, and Great-Aunt—all three women—were waiting. Driven by curiosity or worry, they had wanted to see what Han Qingyu had come to Xin Mingzhi for this afternoon. "How is he doing, Grandfather?" Xin Yaoqiao asked, jumping up at once with a worried look. "He... he said he wants to perform a magic trick for me. Turn ten metal blocks into twelve." He said this while watching Xin Yaoqiao, studying his granddaughter's expression to see if she had known beforehand and colluded with him. After all, Qiaoqiao was just as clueless in such matters. It wasn't impossible that she had watched too many dramas about wealthy families looking down on boys from humble backgrounds, feared he might snub Han Qingyu, and gone along with some foolish stunt. Xin Yaoqiao's reaction, however, quickly convinced Xin Mingzhi that she was entirely in the dark. That was a difference of two metal blocks. To any single person—even to any squad—that was by no means an amount to be taken lightly. Prior to 1990, before Great Spike descents became frequent, that had been a whole year's harvest for many squads. Xin Mingzhi recounted everything that had happened in the office, including Han Qingyu's final promise that the produced metal blocks would belong to the institute, as well as the likelihood that he still carried two metal blocks on him. With that, the situation became clear. And everyone's thoughts became an utter mess. "What... what is he after?" Mother Xin couldn't believe it either. Just a few days ago, she had joked that hanging a metal block around her daughter's neck might lead a certain donkey away... So what was this now?! "What is he after?" Xin Mingzhi pondered for a moment, then looked at Xin Yaoqiao and teased with exaggerated drama, "Could he be after my granddaughter? Aiyo, he'd be getting one hell of a bargain! Tsk, tsk, what wishful thinking." Xin Yaoqiao said nothing. She didn't buy it for a second. Knowing Han Qingyu better than anyone here, she knew with absolute certainty that such a possibility didn't exist. Still, she kept quiet. "If that's really the case, he's foolish enough," Great-Aunt muttered with an amused chuckle. "Speaking of which, I heard a line from the nurses these past two days. Supposedly a young girl at the recruitment briefing said it: 'Often, it's the blunt ones who move hearts most.' It means that although he's a block of wood, hardly any girl could hold out against the things he does, one after another." As they were talking, footsteps belonging to the student and the security guard returning with the metal blocks passed outside. Xin Mingzhi thought for a moment and said, "Why don't we all go watch? It's just a magic trick, anyway." Mother Xin, Xin Yaoqiao, and Great-Aunt were all part of the research system and held high ranks, so their presence wouldn't be improper. "All right!" Xin Yaoqiao was brimming with curiosity. Mother Xin was as well. When Han Qingyu saw the three of them enter, his expression remained calm as he greeted them politely. Deep down, however, a flicker of unease crossed his eyes, though he kept it hidden. "Good luck!" Xin Yaoqiao didn't care what he planned to do; she was just excited, pumping her small fist to cheer him on. Han Qingyu nodded and offered a faint smile. "Do you need any assistance? Props, or people?" Xin Mingzhi's student asked, setting a wide, specially crafted tray onto the conference table. Ten metal blocks sat neatly in the center. Han Qingyu shook his head. "No need. I can manage on my own." "Then you..." "A jacket is enough." Saying this, Han Qingyu stripped off his autumn combat jacket, gave it a rather haphazard flip from side to side by way of inspection, and tossed it over the tray by both lapels. *Whoosh.* "Keep quiet while the trick is underway." With that, he slipped both hands beneath the coat. It was arguably the clumsiest magic performance in history... Everyone present complied and kept quiet, but they were already struggling to stifle their laughter. Xin Mingzhi's three trusted students found it absurd and smiled helplessly, not daring to make it too obvious, while Xin Mingzhi beamed with knowing amusement. *Just as I guessed... He really is a block of wood.* Great-Aunt and Mother Xin both wore expressions of pained amusement. Only Xin Yaoqiao found it utterly delightful. Clearly, once the coat was lifted, there would be twelve metal blocks beneath it. That was certain. But had the extra two expanded out of nowhere? Of course not. This was practically the exact trick amateur pseudo-scientists pulled in civilian society to swindle people—or even worse. So he had come to deliver a gift? To amuse the old man? More likely to amuse the young lady. "All done." Han Qingyu withdrew his hands and spread them open; they were empty. Then he looked up, as deadpan as ever, glanced around at everyone, and asked, "Should I uncover it now?" "Go ahead," Xin Mingzhi agreed with a warm, grandfatherly nod. Great-Aunt and Mother Xin were grinning wryly, barely able to watch. Only Xin Yaoqiao played along enthusiastically, watching Han Qingyu's movements closely as she began to drawl, right as his hands lifted the jacket... *Whoosh.* The jacket was whipped away, swung behind his back, and slipped straight on. A remarkably slick move. "Surpri—" The final syllable died in her throat. Xin Yaoqiao froze. Not only was she stunned—everyone present, Xin Mingzhi included, froze in place, utterly dumbfounded. Resting in the tray, massive by the standard of metal blocks, was a colossal gold brick. Han Qingyu looked up at Xin Yaoqiao, at Xin Mingzhi, and then at the rest of the room. In a calm, numb voice, he asked: "Surprised?"