"Gene mutation," Bai Li said firmly, "If it weren't for the gene mutation, how could the Lin family have such a...real person!"
Lu Zhao sat on the chair opposite him, pressing his fingers on Bai Li's left knee with a little force, and was too lazy to pay attention to Bai Li.
"Or maybe he had a head collision in the local army," Bai Li said, "Did you see that the marshal wanted to cover my mouth at first, but halfway through he was about to turn back to cover Lin Xu's mouth, and in the end he could only stand aside and cover his own mouth."
There were only Lu Zhao and Bai Li in the treatment room of the military hospital, so they didn't care much when talking.
Bai Li put his left leg on Lu Zhao's leg to massage his calf.
"You are very optimistic about him." Lu Zhao pressed down from the knee.
"I can't say whether I am optimistic or not," Bai Li said, "It's mainly because after the horizontal comparison, the first heir has used his strength to tell you that he is really trying his best to support the second brother. It's really a touching brotherly love."
This mouth is really not virtuous, Lu Zhao laughed for a long time.
"I don't have any feelings for Lin Xu, at most I don't hate him." Bai Li leaned back and slumped on the backrest of the sofa with a sigh, "He has a serious face, but I didn't expect him to be a dreamer. But it is also possible that he is just a nice talk, just listen to it."
Lu Zhao didn't quite understand.
Bai Li said, "Let me put it this way. Why do you think I can live such a comfortable life?" Before Lu Zhao could think about it, Bai Li gave the answer, "Because of my identity."
"I have to admit that I can receive higher education, have an excellent living environment, broad connections and a worry-free second half of my life, all thanks to the fact that I am a noble and happen to be quite rich. My identity gives me certain privileges in the empire." Bai Li said lazily, "That's why I said that I have more ability and opportunity than many people to make the choice of white01. From the beginning, my starting line was higher than quite a number of people."
Lu Zhao acquiesced. He was born a commoner and his childhood was not affluent, and most of the people around him were the same.
He has made it big, and it seems that he has a future as long as he works hard, but most of the people he knew when he was young have lived on that gray satellite planet from beginning to end.
"My background determines the circle I mix in. The more connections I have, the more connections I have, and the more money I have, the more money I have." Bai Li smiled, "So we stick together to occupy the upper level, and the dark clouds and quagmire are formed in this way. The second young master wants an empire that belongs to everyone, so he can only pull the starting line to a position where everyone can stand."
Bai Li sighed, "This is difficult. Even if there are no nobles, there will be rich and poor people, strong and weak people. Even the nobles are divided into old and new nobles. As long as people exist, there will be levels. People with high levels will naturally stick together and become a new class, and the starting line will be raised."
Lu Zhao was speechless, and the massage movement of his hands paused slightly.
"But these are all my partial thoughts," Bai Li laughed while lying on the sofa, "It's 'bathroom thinking'."
"What does it mean?" Lu Zhao asked.
"It's the thoughts that occasionally pop up when I'm sitting on the toilet or taking a bath," Bai Li said, "It shows that I think deeply and am a cultured person."
Lu Zhao looked at him in a daze.
"Why," Bai Li straightened his neck, "Don't you find that people are most likely to think when they are sitting on the toilet or taking a bath without anyone?"
Lu Zhao said after a long while, "Indeed."
"Look," Bai Li said, "bathroom thinking." He
didn't quite understand how Bai Li could connect two unrelated things together, but Lu Zhao was still amused and laughed a lot.
After laughing enough, Lu Zhao still asked: "How do we solve these problems?" The
"these" he mentioned was very vague, and there were huge things under these two simple words.
"How would I know? I am just this," Bai Li pinched the tip of his little finger with his thumb and compared it to the size of an ant. "But sometimes I have a naive thought that if one day I were asked to take off the title of a noble, I would not be unhappy."
Lu Zhao smiled.
"Very idealistic, I think so too. Reality is deeper, heavier and more ruthless. People who walk in reality have to grope forward, and they may fall into the ditch if they grope wrongly," Bai Li shook his legs, and Lu Zhao held him down and continued to rub, "I can't play this, and you are not as good as me, so let's just make do with each other."
"Well." Lu Zhao said, "Do well in the present."
Bai Li smiled, "My thinking in the bathroom told me that the most basic thing people like me can do is: when standing in this position, be careful not to step on the people below."
In the Empire, a place completely different from Bai Li's previous life, he often had a strong sense of powerlessness.
But Bai Li was very clear about one thing, that is, no matter where you are or what position you stand in, it is always right to be a good person.
"After all, I'm living a good life. Maybe these great truths have some meaning of 'Why not eat meat?', but I can't think of anything else." Bai Li said, "But to be honest, when I rejected Lin Xu, I was a little afraid that he would be unhappy and squeeze me out in the future."
"How squeeze out?" Lu Zhao raised his head and asked.
"I can't explain it, but I always feel nervous. I'm not sure whether the original track has completely collapsed. Before it collapses completely, anything can happen," Bai Li sighed, "After all, my left leg has to be completely broken on the original track before it's over."
In the original plot, Bai Li, the villain, left the stage after his leg was completely scrapped.
The subsequent news was also recounted from Tang Kaiyuan's perspective in the original book, and it had nothing to do with the main plot. It disappeared as the story was being written. The reason why Bai Li now knew that his end was death in the hospital was because of what Tang Kaiyuan said when he comforted Lu Zhao.
——"Don't worry, he will never be able to get out of the bed by himself in this life, and he may spend the rest of his life in the hospital."
All this happened after Bai Li's legs were completely disabled. Thinking of this, he frowned subconsciously.
Lu Zhao did not answer, but his fingers scratched the scar on Bai Li's calf.
"If it really doesn't work," Bai Li felt a little itchy, and smiled and shrank his legs, "I can only eat soft rice."
Lu Zhao never liked to answer this topic, and he continued to massage in silence.
"To be honest, I've been a little worried since the last system failure at the main arena," Bai Li joked, "I can't play anymore and there's no substitute, so why not let Major General Lu take my place?"
Lu Zhao paused and said "hmm. "
Bai Li took two seconds to respond, "Don't say 'hmm', I'm talking nonsense, people from the main army group can't participate."
"Before... there were people who participated," Lu Zhao whispered, "I checked and finally punished them."
"That was in the past. Who dares to step into the muzzle of a gun like this now? Try it now?" Bai Li said, "You can be kicked out of the main group and even leave the military."
Lu Zhao glanced at him and said nothing .
Bai Li realized that this man really thought about these things, and sat up straight: "Did you hear me? Didn't you say it before? Don't let anything affect you."
Lu Zhao wanted to say something, and his lips moved.
"I was just being rude and said that, but I killed your idea." Bai Li said, and when he saw that Lu Zhao didn't reply, he got a little anxious, and pulled his leg out before he finished pressing it, frowning and pushing Lu Zhao's hand away, "I'm talking to you, Lu Zhao."
Lu Zhao said sullenly after a while, "I know."
Bai Li's legs were pulled back by him, and his feet were on Lu Zhao's abdomen, wrapped in warm body temperature, his heart was soft and itchy, and his toes grabbed Lu Zhao's arms.
Lu Zhao didn't respond, so Bai Li grabbed again, and Major General Lu was willing to look up at him.
"I think I am your partner, lover, and family member," Bai Li said, "and also your good brother, right?"
This title is funny every time it is mentioned, but Lu Zhao frowned and didn't smile, just nodded.
"A good brother should kick you when you are hesitant to go on the road and make you move forward," Bai Li looked at him and smiled, "not become a detour that makes you go astray, right."
Their relationship was built on mutual appreciation at the beginning. Bai Li liked the way Lu Zhao spread his wings and flew high, and never thought of breaking his wings.
"We both have our own paths to take," Bai Li gently rubbed Lu Zhao's belly with his foot, "It's also very happy to watch each other walk. You just need to wait for me at the finish line, but you can't run for me."
The frustration that had just built up in Lu Zhao's heart was instantly broken when his belly was gently touched.
His fingers brushed the scar on Bai Li's leg, and he thought, what's the point of running with such a leg.
But when he opened his mouth, there was only a "hmm".
The effect of the immersion repair solution is very good. When he went to see Lao Zheng for a follow-up check, he rarely stopped nagging. He prescribed some medications for cooperation and sent Bai Li back to rest.
"You still have to pay attention to the time and frequency of using your legs," said Lao Zheng. "You will be on vacation right after the competition and come to my place for a follow-up checkup. I don't need to tell you anything more, right?"
Bai Li agreed and was about to take the medicine and leave when Lao Zheng thought of something else.
"By the way, do many people know that you came to the military hospital?" Lao Zheng asked.
"Except for Lu Zhao and me, I guess everyone in the institute knows about it," Bai Li thought for a while, "Is there something wrong?"
Lao Zheng had a complicated expression: "You haven't been on Star Network much in the past two days? Some people on the Internet said that you have been receiving treatment in a military hospital during the competition, and relying on drugs to maintain your body. The performance of white01 is actually very poor, not as amazing as your institute boasts."
"Nonsense," Bai Li frowned, "I don't deny that white01 is still a semi-finished product, but if there hadn't been the data fluctuations caused by the accident, my leg would have no problem finishing the game."
"I know, but others don't know. If someone leads the pace, there will definitely be people praising him," Lao Zheng said helplessly, "I just think there's something wrong with this matter. Let me tell you." It
's not right. I guess everyone in the empire knows about Bai Li's leg injury.
There was a lot of commotion at the end of last year, and the extent of his physical damage was almost exposed. Everyone knew whether he could drive a mecha. The appearance of white01 allowed someone like Bai Li to return to the cockpit, which was enough to prove the success of the research and development.
So the rhythm of this wave was inexplicable, and many people felt that this statement was malicious provocation and caused trouble for Bai's research institute.
But you can't expect everyone to stand on Bai Li's side. As long as the rhythm is fast enough, it is very likely to stir up some people who are not sober or are already jealous to join in the fun.
"Is it really not possible? Bai's Research Institute, please give an explanation. Are you feeling guilty for not coming forward?"
Someone immediately responded: "I don't understand. Don't you know how serious Bai Li's leg injury is? He can drive a mecha now, and white01's record is a fact. What else do you want to say? I feel guilty for not wanting to pay attention to you idiots?"
The supporters and doubters argued fiercely, and it became one of the more popular topics before the finals.
People's attention is easily diverted. When the noise here gets louder, no one pays attention to the topic that was discussed before. The news of the incident in the backstage of the sub-division that was just discussed was put aside, and the debate about who was right and who was wrong started again.
"It's very abrupt." Lu Zhao turned a corner in the suspended car, "Now let's talk about this."
The artificial voice in the car was reading out the forum messages one by one. Bai Li raised his hand to turn it off halfway through: "A smart person can see it."
Lu Zhao glanced at him.
"You are so smart." Bai Li smiled and nudged him with his elbow. Lu
Zhao's mouth curled up: "Just ignore it?"
"It doesn't matter whether I ignore it or not," Bai Li took out a personal terminal and crossed out the contact list, "The best way to shut up the garbage is actually very simple, just win."
Lu Zhao agreed, but he was not very comfortable.
No one would think it was comfortable to have flies buzzing around them. Bai Li was already under a lot of pressure, and this buzzing would only distract him.
"But I'm in a good mood recently," Bai Li said, "When I'm in a good mood, I can't stand people jumping around me."
Before Lu Zhao could react, Bai Li called the police. As
soon as the police leader's face popped up on the virtual screen, Bai Li said, "Call the police."
The rumors about whether Bai Li's visits to the military hospital meant that there was something wrong with the white01 model were still fermenting on a large scale, but they were poured with a bucket of cold water.
Bai Li directly contacted the police for two reasons: "Investigating daily schedules is considered harassment" and "making up rumors is considered defamation", and the police intervened in the investigation.
This cold water poured down on the people who were watching the excitement and made them curse and curse, but it also woke up the supporters.
Yes, when Bai Li went to the military hospital is none of your business? How did you know that he went there? If this is not a private investigation, what is it?
Besides, Bai Li's leg injury has been there for many years, so regular physical examinations are not too much, right? Why did you grab a thread and pull it to white01?
Soon, someone felt something was wrong with this matter. The rumor that the little leader of the Imperial Research Institute was dismissed and the heavy-destructive mecha was used in the competition has not been forgotten. That wave of interference before the game directly made the small research institute give up the competition.
Now this has happened before the finals. Who would believe it if it wasn't pre-match harassment?
The citizens of the Empire have been on edge since the end of last year. They are like they have their radars on. They think every piece of news is inside information.
This rumor that caused a heated discussion before the finals, combined with the fact that Bai Li has been losing all the way since the beginning of the game, once again made the supporters think "Who the hell is squeezing out Major General Bai?"
The supporters' goal is very clear. Whoever can benefit from squeezing out Bai Li is a suspect. There are
not many suspects. There are only fifteen people left except Bai Li himself.
The regional trials have finally come to an end. Sixteen people from the main star region and the regional trials have qualified for the finals and gathered at the main arena.
Amidst the heated discussions and the sweeps of the rotating black radars of the citizens of the Empire, the mecha recruitment finals finally kicked off.
All the spectator seats in the main arena are open for use, and new spectator entrances are added to accommodate mecha enthusiasts from various satellites.
This year's recruitment competition has brought together talents. Sixteen drivers have conquered major military corps and military academies with their superb driving skills, and have once again set off a mecha craze in the Empire, which has been peaceful for many years.
On the day of the competition, there was already a commotion outside the main competition venue. Sixteen mechas appeared in turn under the holographic projection, and sometimes swooped down to the audience seats, causing cheers.
Spectators from different affiliated stars also arrived at the main star today to cheer for their favorite models and drivers.
Lu Zhao, Jiang Hao and others had already entered the venue in advance. The fully open main competition stage was wider than before, and a huge virtual screen was broadcasting the situation outside the stadium live.
"When will Bai Li and his team arrive?" Jiang Hao divided the drinks he brought and asked Lu Zhao, "Should all the drivers be here the day before?"
Lu Zhao took the drink and said, "I don't know the details. He and Situ and his team left the institute together and should be on their way..."
Before he finished speaking, there was a discussion in the audience. Lu Zhao and his team looked up.
On the virtual screen, a transport suspension vehicle drove in from the outside of the main stadium. The white body of the vehicle was painted with a bright dark blue, and the logo of Bai's Institute was imprinted on it.
"Here he comes! Major General Bai!" someone shouted.
As soon as the suspension car came to a stop, reporters from major mecha publications who were waiting outside the venue came over. They kept a polite distance, but when Bai Li got out of the car, he still felt uncomfortable under such eager gazes.
"Hey, do you guys retouch the photos after you take them?" Mr. Bai, wearing a race suit and holding his special helmet, said to the reporters around him, "Make them look cooler, but don't cover up my original temperament."
The reporters laughed, and someone said, "This is a live broadcast."
There was also laughter in the audience seats in the main stadium.
"See?" Jiang Hao said with a smile, "This grandson didn't make a sound, but his lips moved so fast, he must be cursing."
When everyone from the Bai's Research Institute got off the suspension car, another reporter asked, "Mr. Bai Li, are you confident that you can achieve the desired results in the competition?"
"It's hard to say," Bai Li adjusted his state, and Situ walked beside him. The two of them led the team behind them and answered the reporter's questions while walking. Without giving Situ a chance to cover his mouth, Bai Li said, "I thought the competition committee had already engraved my name on the medal."
Even though they were separated by a virtual screen, even though his tone seemed very calm, the young master Bai was still arrogant.
Situ, who was trying to catch up, was frowning.
Jiang Hao, Chen Nan and Han Miao were already laughing non-stop. Lu Zhao's gaze paused on Bai Li's face for a moment, and a hint of smugness could be seen in his eyes.
Major General Lu couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Some people were disdainful, some despised, some admired and some imitated. No matter what the people around him were like, wherever Master Bai went, he was the center of the spotlight.
After his arrogant speech, Boss Bai was collectively silenced by the institute, and a specially hired assistant responded to some routine questions from reporters.
"Someone's coming again," a reporter said, "Shengshi Research Institute."
Bai Li looked back and saw a black and red suspended car that had just stopped not far away. The door opened, and a man in a racing suit got out first, with a coat draped over his shoulders.
The two people's eyes met in mid-air, and they almost felt each other's vigilance and hostility at the same time.
Once the auras of alphas collide, they will give people around them a certain feeling. This feeling is very subtle and difficult to explain. The reporters all pointed their cameras at the two people. The
researchers of Shengshi Research Institute got off the car one after another. The black and red uniform made the leader look elegant and handsome. He looked at Bai Li with his coat on. The two looked at each other silently for a few seconds before he smiled gently and walked over with his hand: "Mr. Bai Li."
Bai Li smiled but didn't smile. He changed his arm to hold his helmet: "Master Tang, why are you always so untimely?"
Shengshi Research Institute was caught in a public opinion storm some time ago. The news that Lin Sheng was investigated by the police spread like wildfire and he has not appeared since then. The driver Tang Kaiyuan led the team to participate in the competition today.
The relationship between the Tang and Bai families does not need much introduction. The two brothers with different surnames have almost never appeared in public at the same time. This may be the first time that they appear on the same screen in this way.
"Oh my god, enemies often meet on a narrow road," Jiang Hao cursed in a low voice. He turned his head and saw Lu Zhao's expression and was stunned. "What's wrong? Don't worry, Bai Li knows his limits and won't fight..."
Lu Zhao couldn't hear Jiang Hao's voice clearly. He straightened his body the moment Tang Kaiyuan stretched out his hand.
He remembered clearly the last time Bai Li and Tang Kaiyuan shook hands, and he was particularly nervous at this moment.
"Shake hands." Unlike Bai Li, Tang Kaiyuan smiled politely, "Respect your opponent, right?"
Bai Li looked at him. Tang Kaiyuan didn't have the gloom he had in the military hospital at this moment. His face was rosy and he was full of energy. His pheromones were well maintained and only a faint smell of alcohol could be smelled.
I don't know if he is really under control or if he has been put back on the machine.
The former is fine, but if it is the latter...
"That's right," Bai Li nodded coldly, but he didn't reach out his hand at the first time. He just turned to his assistant and said, "Take out 'that'."
Before the people around him could react, the assistant took out a sealed bag, tore it open, and took out a pair of gloves from it.
Bai Li put on the gloves slowly, stretched out his hand in front of Tang Kaiyuan's stiff expression, and shook his hand.
"I've been buying it for several days," Bai Li smiled at him, "Thickened, velvet, disposable."
No one said anything.
Tang Kaiyuan said after a while: "I didn't expect Mr. Bai to have a cleanliness fetish."
As soon as he finished speaking, Bai Li pretended to sneeze, took off his gloves and wiped his mouth: "Ah? What did you say?"
Tang Kaiyuan's expression was distorted for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure: "Mr. Bai, it seems that we don't even have basic respect for each other."
"Don't, you're losing your energy when you say that," Bai Li raised his chin, "We just don't need to pretend to be so."
Tang Kaiyuan nodded: "That's true, then..."
"See you on the main stage." Bai Li continued.
The two didn't look at each other again, and each walked into the main arena.
In the main arena, the holographic projections of the white01 and LIN23 models were lit up at the same time, and the two mechas swooped towards the audience. The audience came to their senses and the discussion became louder again.
The discord between the Bai family and the Tang family was clearly revealed in the brief meeting just now, and it also made many people who were curious about whether Bai Li and Tang Kaiyuan would have a chance to fight.
Ten minutes later, as the last research institute entered, a sound of metal collision rang out over the main arena.
The final round will eliminate eight models on this day.
Amid the cheers and applause, Lu Zhao felt his personal terminal vibrate and received a text message.
Jiang Hao and Han Miao also opened their personal terminals at the same time.
The text messages received by the three were all from the top leaders of the First Legion. This was a message that all senior officers who had participated in an emergency meeting not long ago would receive.
——"Confirmed."