Dan Heng's gaze landed on the box, his lips twitching slightly.
"Having some fun," Aidan said righteously. "Making Uncle Yang happy, making March happy, making me happy—making everyone happy."
"...That sounds very suspicious."
"Not suspicious at all, not at all." Aidan waved his hand, shaking the wiped-clean model box in his hand. "Do you want to join us?"
After an explanation, Dan Heng nodded decisively.
"Then count me in."
"Dan Heng!" March 7th's eyes lit up. "So you want to see Uncle Yang's expression too?"
"Right."
People are never tired when they're up to no good.
March 7th had already pulled out her camera.
"Uncle Yang, I found something good. The Conductor said this was just some junk and was going to clear it out, but I thought you might be interested in it."
Aidan walked up to Welt.
"Are you feeling better?"
"Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Just woke up."
"So, what's in your hand is... junk?"
"Yes, junk." Aidan nodded without blinking. "The Conductor said these were things left behind by previous passengers and were just taking up space in the storage room, so they were going to be cleared out. I thought I'd take a look first to see if there was anything useful, and then I found this—"
He handed the box to Welt.
"Take a look, is this worth keeping? If not, I'll just dispose of it."
March 7th was at the door, her shoulders shaking as she stifled her laughter, camera already held to her face, ready to press the shutter at any moment.
Dan Heng leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, seemingly expressionless but actually suppressing the corners of his mouth.
"What—!"
Welt's composure instantly shattered.
Our Uncle Yang's maturity and steadiness were actually all a facade.
After all, Mr. Welt was just an old child who liked to draw the curtains during meetings for atmosphere and wore glasses even though he wasn't nearsighted just to look cool.
"Wait—"
Welt suddenly paused.
He looked up, his gaze moving from the box to Aidan's face, then to March 7th at the door, and finally landing on Dan Heng leaning against the doorframe.
Dan Heng remained expressionless, but if one looked closely, the corners of his mouth were twitching slightly.
March 7th was on the verge of bursting, her cheeks puffed out like a hamster, her pink and blue eyes full of mirth.
Aidan, on the other hand, was composed, even offering a harmless smile.
"...The three of you."
The corner of Welt's eye twitched.
"On purpose?"
"What's on purpose?" March 7th blinked her big eyes. "What are you talking about, Uncle Yang? We don't understand."
"You—"
When Welt realized he had been tricked, he could only shake his head helplessly and continue to examine the precious model. If this was a trick, then Old Yang really wanted to fall for it every day.
"You're testing Old Yang with just this?"
"Fine, you win."
Mr. Welt just wanted to challenge his own weakness.
As a Kit Basher, Welt could least withstand this kind of temptation.
Welt: "I can't take it anymore, give me the model, give me my precious model, model, my precious model!"
Total Joachim vibes.
"Ahem."
Welt cleared his throat tactically.
"Well, Aidan."
His voice sounded very calm, even carrying a hint of the kindness and tolerance typical of an elder.
"Since these are unclaimed items left by previous passengers... as a senior on the Express, I have an obligation to help you, and help the Express, identify the value of these items. After all, throwing away someone's sentiments or treating precious historical relics as trash is not what a Trailblazer should do."
The excuse he found was quite high-sounding.
If his hand hadn't already reached out to Aidan, those words might have been very convincing.
"Oh—so that's how it is."
Aidan drew out his words, acting as if he had just realized something.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Uncle Yang. Could you be so kind as to help me take a look?"
He pushed the box forward an inch.
"Yes, it's only right, only right."
Welt took the box.
In that instant, Aidan swore he felt the strength in Welt's hand.
"Click!"
The flash went off.
March 7th accurately captured Welt's expression the moment he took the model.
"It seems Uncle Yang recognizes this?"
"More than recognize!"
Welt, who was a model enthusiast back on Earth, joined an even larger model circle after boarding the Astral Express.
This limited edition Hyper-articulated model—at first, the price of such models wasn't high, but after the project was disbanded two amber eras ago, it suddenly became incredibly popular.
Welt talked on and on, completely forgetting that he was supposed to be maintaining his air as an elder.
After cooling down slightly, Welt cleared his throat.
"Alright, Aidan, what do you want for giving me such a gift?"
After all, Welt was an old hand; how could he not see through their intentions?
"Uncle Yang, I'm quite interested in your cane."
...
Welt looked silently at his modified Star of Eden.
Sigh.
He let out a long sigh.
He knew Aidan couldn't contain his curiosity right now, but he hadn't expected him to be so capable.
In just half an hour, this guy had modified his Star of Eden beyond recognition.
"...You call this a modification?"
"Yes," Aidan nodded as if it were obvious. "I released about... hmm, thirty percent of the originally sealed Imaginary energy levels? Then I added an energy focusing module and optimized the output path. Now, if you use it with full force—"
He paused, seemingly doing some calculations.
"It can probably wipe out a planet's surface within three seconds."
"...Within three seconds?" Welt's hand shook.
"That's the theoretical value," Aidan added. "Actual use depends on your control. But with your experience, Uncle Yang, I don't think it'll be a problem. The margin of error shouldn't exceed two seconds."
"You turned it... into a Planet-destroying weapon?"
"To be precise, I'm just better at releasing the power you already had," Aidan corrected. "I restructured it for you. You're actually more used to using this type of Energy, aren't you..."
Aidan gave Welt a professional explanation.
"I've already drawn the blueprints; they're right here. You can take a look first. Although I'm sure you'll understand them with your level, Uncle Yang, you're always welcome to ask me—and I mean when I'm in my Erudition state."
Welt took the blueprints Aidan handed him and unfolded them; the lines and formulas on the blueprints were clearly marked.
—He could understand them.
"But I suggest modifying this part..." Welt and Aidan began to discuss.
"Oh, right, I didn't consider the scenario of not completely destroying the enemy. Uncle Yang, give me five minutes..."