The competition, which lasted for more than half a month, ended, and the mecha circle's wild celebration came to an end.
No matter what undercurrents and conflicts there were in the process, everything has been settled. Amid the cheers and applause of countless supporters, the main arena was shaking with stardust, surrounded by the virtual projection of white01.
This mecha won the final victory of the competition, and also overturned many people's impression of mecha.
Zhou Linshan stood on the main stage, his pounding heart did not calm down, but he finally stopped running around the main stage.
The applause from the audience surrounded him. Since the split, he finally let go of his resentment and burst into tears.
"Everyone who is here or watching the live broadcast, this is the finals of the competition!" The commentator's voice was excited, "Just now, white01 and driver Zhou Linshan won the final victory of this year's competition!"
The venue was full of joy.
The simulation warehouse automatically sank, the main stage was cleared, and the award presenter from the event entered from one side. The robot following behind was made to look like the first generation of mecha, holding the medal of the competition in its hand.
"Now it's time to present the awards," the commentator said with emotion, "Bai's Research Institute proposed and implemented their design concept. I believe Bai Li himself should be very happy now. Thank him and his team for providing the Empire with a unique mecha--"
The medal for the contest was made in the shape of a star. It was not worn around the neck, but was made to be pinned on the chest. The robot that looked like the first generation mecha held up the medal and wanted to wear it for Zhou Linshan.
"Wait," Zhou Linshan said to the presenter, "Can I..."
The presenter was stunned for a moment, smiled and nodded: "Of course."
Zhou Linshan took the medal from the robot. The star-shaped medal was like a medal, with the pattern of the first generation mecha on the front and a kari flower on the back.
The medal was not heavy in his hand, but Zhou Linshan felt that he needed two hands to lift it.
Bai Li had managed to calm down from the excitement, and Lu Zhao could no longer sit down. He had to stand to calm down.
The two looked at Zhou Linshan on the main stage, but found that he did not seem to intend to wear the medal.
The young man held the medal, raised his headband and looked around. He ignored the voices and questions of the people around him, and walked down the main stage and came to the audience.
The audience was still shouting excitedly, and the audience in the first row waved and congratulated Zhou Linshan.
Zhou Linshan raised the medal in his hand and handed it to a spectator in a military academy uniform. The spectator did not react and stared at him blankly.
"Mr. Bai Li!" Zhou Linshan shouted.
In the crowded main stadium, the sound could not reach the back row.
The commentator discovered it in time and asked the sound-receiving suspension robot to come down.
Zhou Linshan's voice echoed through the robot to the main stadium: "Major General Bai!"
The title shouted by this voice made everyone shudder in their hearts. The military academy student came back to his senses, nodded to Zhou Linshan, leaned forward to take the medal, and shouted loudly to his companion behind him.
His companion took the medal in his hand, gestured and explained to the person further behind, and handed over the medal.
The medal engraved with the Kalihua and the first generation mecha passed through the hands of many people, including Si Dong and other military academy students, officers in the uniforms of affiliated corps, fashionable nobles, and civilians who came together, regardless of gender, old or young.
People passed it to each other in the dark, pointing the way for each other so that the medal could be passed faster.
When the star-shaped medal was passed to Bai Li by the child sitting closest to him, Bai Li had not yet come to his senses.
The child stretched out his chubby arms and shouted nervously: "Major General Bai, your medal."
In the dimly lit audience seats, the medal was particularly clear in sight. Bai Li's fingers curled slightly, and he was actually a little at a loss.
Another hand took the medal for him.
Lu Zhao whispered his thanks and turned to look at Bai Li.
The commentator's voice rang in his ears, but he could not hear what was said. The next second, the spotlight beam shone over and illuminated the corner.
Bai Li squinted subconsciously, and Lu Zhao leaned down to block some of the light for him.
"Thank you," Bai Li found his voice, "I myself--"
Before he finished speaking, Lu Zhao had already half-knelt down and pinned the medal on Bai Li's chest.
The movement was very light, just like when he pinned the Kali flower.
"Congratulations," Lu Zhao looked at him, "you won."
Even if you are not on the main stage, even if you are not the one driving the mecha.
But congratulations on your win.
Bai Li's heart seemed to be burned by the medal, and his insides, which were once full of icy chips, softened, and a little sourness rose on the tip of his nose.
He had had glorious moments in his life, but he never had a medal.
Now he finally has one.
Some people stood up and applauded, and then more people stood up. This was a little different from the previous applause. The previous applause was given to the winner, and this applause was given to Bai Li who rushed forward without looking back.
Bai Li patted Lu Zhao's arm, wanting him to stand up.
But Lu Zhao did not move. His fingers rubbed on the medal for a moment, and suddenly he leaned forward and kissed Bai Li on the chest.
What a hot heart is beating in this chest.
Worthy of all the tender kisses.
After a brief moment of shock, people burst into even louder applause.
"The medal goes to Bai Li, the first driver and developer of white01," the commentator said in a slightly hoarse voice, but still with great enthusiasm, "Let's applaud this winner who didn't appear on the final stage - the one who is still working hard alone in adversity!"
This medal was presented to Bai Li by people of different identities and genders.
The moment from ninety-nine to one hundred is indeed brilliant and shocking, but the one to ninety-nine that no one cares about is an indispensable foundation.
It is the countless ants with bloody heads before the ant that knocked down the tree.
Even though Bai Li did not stand on the main stage, he never left the field.
The ceremony ended, but people will continue to discuss everything that happened today for a long time. Many topics have already been raised on the Star Network, which finally gave the citizens of the Empire, who have always been furious about scandals and shady dealings, something to be happy about.
The main stadium opened more exits for the spectators to leave. After the medical staff checked Bai Li's left leg again, several people left from the nearest exit.
Many reporters had already gathered in the hall outside the main stadium, but due to Bai Li's physical condition, they could only follow and take pictures, occasionally asking some simple questions.
"Mr. Bai," someone called out in a steady tone, "see you again."
The voice was quite familiar. Bai Li stopped the wheelchair and turned around with Lu Zhao to take a look.
Lin Xu walked through the crowd, followed by two guards with nervous and helpless expressions. It seemed that persuasion was ineffective, so they could only accompany Lin Xu. At the end, there was a person who looked like an assistant who was jogging all the way.
Although not as high-profile as the first heir, Lin Xu's face has become familiar to people in the empire recently, so the crowd automatically made way.
"I watched the game," Lin Xu walked straight to Bai Li and stopped, extending his hand, "It was very exciting."
Bai Li was a little helpless with this stupid second heir, and shook hands with a smile: "Thank you, Second Prince."
The reporters kept filming, but Lin Xu seemed not to see it and shook hands with Lu Zhao again.
"Congratulations to Bai's Research Institute," Lin Xu whispered, "I'm looking forward to seeing the day when white01 is put into use. If I have the chance, I will also open a trial."
After saying this, there was a lot of discussion around.
The assistant coughed quickly.
During the days when public opinion was fermenting, the royal family had been very low-key, even a little bit of shrinking, and Lin Xu came directly to communicate with Bai Li at this time, which seemed to others to be a statement of his position.
Even if he didn't say it explicitly, this attitude seemed to be an apology to Bai Li.
"Do you have a sore throat?" Lin Xu looked at the assistant with concern, "Drink some water."
The assistant choked and said, "Your Highness, there is a meeting to attend later." He turned around and explained the situation to the reporters around him.
Bai Li wanted to laugh, but it was very difficult to hold it back.
"Treat it well," Lin Xu glanced at Bai Li's left leg and said without hesitation. He paused and said in a voice that only they could hear, "The Empire is in urgent need of excellent drivers. I think the follow-up research and development of white01 will be put on the agenda soon." After that, he
nodded to Bai Li and led his people to leave the main arena from a relatively hidden path.
Bai Li was not used to this kind of self-willed style. He operated the wheelchair and walked forward: "Let's go back to the hospital first. Situ and the others are waiting at the hospital..."
Before he finished speaking, Lu Zhao's personal terminal rang.
The game on the virtual screen had come to an end, and Bai Li left the main arena accompanied by Lu Zhao.
Bai Ying's eyes stayed on his smiling face for a moment before finally letting go of his clasped hands and breathing a sigh of relief.
She was really happy for Bai Li; all her efforts had paid off.
The door of the ward opened, and a doctor in a white coat stuck his head out and whispered, "Ma'am, you can visit now."
This ward was a bit like a special ward used during the alpha susceptible period. The walls were soft cushions that could isolate pheromones, and there was nothing in the ward that would stimulate the patient's emotions.
When Bai Ying walked into the ward, Tang Kaiyuan's emotions had stabilized.
He sat on the bed, staring into space in a daze, mumbling something.
Bai Ying walked closer, and then she could hear him repeating the words "It should have all been mine."
This person seemed to have lost his other languages, and could only say these eight words over and over again.
Shirakura turned her head to wipe away the tears from her eyes. Although she had long felt that Tang Kaiyuan would be destroyed by the machine and his temper, she still felt bad when this day really came.
She felt that she still had a great responsibility for the child's current situation.
"Don't stimulate him," the doctor whispered, "His spirit is very fragile, and his mental strength is very low... I'm not sure if he can recover to normal. It will cost a lot of money and energy."
"Try your best to treat him, we will cooperate." Shirakura rubbed her eyes, "But not on the main planet, I will arrange for him to go to the B20 satellite planet for treatment in the near future."
The doctor nodded. He knew very well in his heart that Tang Kaiyuan was basically unable to take care of himself in this situation, and he would probably live on the satellite planet for the rest of his life.
The visiting time was over, and Bai Ying ran into An Lun when she came out of the ward.
In just a few days, An Lun had lost a lot of weight, and the permanent mark on the back of his neck was tormenting him, and the person who gave him the mark couldn't even recognize him now.
"Mrs. Tang..." An Lun saw Bai Ying and was somehow scared.
He now felt an indescribable shudder towards this seemingly weak woman. From the moment she dug him out of Tang Kaiyuan's room with a bruised face and sent him to the hospital for treatment, An Lun knew that Bai Ying was no longer the same as before.
"Do you feel better now?" Bai Ying stroked his arm gently, "You don't need to worry about anything else, just have a good rest."
An Lun nodded randomly and glanced at the door of the ward.
"Do you want to see Kaiyuan?" Bai Ying asked.
An Lun almost immediately shouted, "No!"
After saying that, he was a little dazed. He once thought that his feelings for Tang Kaiyuan would not waver at all, but during this period of time, whenever he thought of Tang Kaiyuan, all that remained in his mind was the pain of being forcibly marked.
"I just... just..." An Lun stammered.
Bai Ying comforted him, "It's okay, I know. I'm sorry... I've said before that you can continue to stay at Tang's, and I will cover all your expenses, including medical treatment. You can also go home, and if your family needs anything, just let me know. Kaiyuan was wrong, and I will do my best to compensate you. I don't expect you to forgive me, but I just hope I can help, okay?" An
Lun's mind was a mess. He had been living in a daze for the past few days, and felt that he had nowhere to go.
He contacted his family several times, and his father and dad were very angry. On the one hand, they were angry at Tang's, and on the other hand, they blamed An Lun for being too reckless and bringing shame to the family.
"I don't know what to do." An Lun whispered.
Shiraisha was stunned for a moment and sighed: "It's okay, you are still so young, it's good to rest for a while."
"I, I want to wash it off..." Anlun's words were unclear because his voice was too soft.
But Shiraisha knew what he was talking about very well. Seeing that he hunched his shoulders and seemed to be a little scared, he slowed down his voice and said: "Okay, I know about this. It's completely in time for you to wash off the mark now."
An Lun calmed down a little under Bai Ying's gentle voice, and after a moment of silence, he said awkwardly: "I heard it hurts."
"It does hurt," Bai Ying smiled, "but you can go anywhere after the pain is over."
An Lun didn't quite understand, and before he could ask, Bai Ying's personal terminal rang.
"I'm going to answer a call, can you wait for me for a while?" Bai Ying smiled apologetically, "When I come back, let's discuss the mark removal and subsequent maintenance, okay?"
An Lun nodded in agreement and found a chair to sit down.
The weather outside the window was very good, the sun was shining, and a dry wind blew in from the open window. At
this moment, he finally relaxed a little. An Lun leaned back in the chair and emptied his mind, and heard Bai Ying's voice coming from the corner.
"Yes... I'm sure, I won't regret it, please arrange the surgery as soon as possible."
The car drove very fast on the way back to the military hospital.
Huo Cun's call to Lu Zhao was very brief. The second group of people going there were asked to gather urgently in a few hours and set off for the affiliated planet late at night.
The transfer order came very suddenly. Fortunately, there was still some time before departure. Lu Zhao decided to send Bai Li back to the military hospital first, and then go home to pack some things and prepare to set off.
Bai Li's condition was not very good. The effect of the analgesic injection had faded. When he came out of the main stadium, Lu Zhao accidentally touched his back and found that he was already sweating from the pain.
Fortunately, Situ and others in the hospital had been waiting for a long time. As soon as the car arrived, someone took over and sprayed Bai Li violently, calling him Lao Zheng while spraying.
As soon as they heard that Lu Zhao had received an emergency transfer order, the two brothers Situ and Sidong rushed over to Lu Zhao.
There were originally many people in the ward, all of whom were old acquaintances of Bai Li, who came to celebrate the victory. Unexpectedly, when they saw that the eldest master Bai was shaking with pain in his legs, they also panicked and tried to help in a mess.
The joy of winning the final was mostly dispersed by this chaotic scene. Fortunately, Bai Li was finally carried to the bed. A group of people surrounded the bed, which made Bai Li's scalp numb.
"I'll go back and pack my things," Lu Zhao held Bai Li's hand, his tone a little depressed, "You..."
Bai Li pinched Lu Zhao's hand.
The force was very light, but Lu Zhao knew what he meant.
This squeeze made Major General Lu finally let go of Bai Li's hand. He walked out of the ward in silence and drove back to the apartment.
From the time Bai Li was hospitalized to now, Lu Zhao had not lived at home for some time.
The warm sun after the rainy season poured in from the French windows, filling the room where the two of them lived together.
Lu Zhao stood at the door for two seconds, and finally felt a little reluctant and sad after the rush of this day. He and Bai Li would not have the opportunity to eat and take a nap in this apartment for at least a long time.
The rainy season was over, but they had no chance to return to this apartment.
The bed in the bedroom was made neatly by the robot butler, but the book that Bai Li had read before leaving the apartment was still on the bedside, with a metal-shell pen with a mecha pattern that Lu Zhao brought back from the army on top. Bai Li used the pen to mark the book.
Lu Zhao walked into the bedroom, took out a few of his clothes from the closet and packed them. After a pause, he took out a few of Bai Li's clothes and stuffed them into a bag along with the book and pen.
He would be away from the main planet for a long time, and Bai Li would also have to stay in the hospital for a long time, so he would probably be happy to have more things from home around him.
After everything was packed up, Lu Zhao stood in the house for a while.
No matter how clean the robot butler cleans the room, you can still see traces of their shared life.
The thermostat is filled with Bai Li's snacks and the nutritional fluids they both need to take regularly. The refrigerator is filled with semi-finished frozen foods, and the iced drinks have their own favorite flavors.
There are a few more pillows on the sofa, so they can take a nap together. There are home clothes hanging on the hangers, slippers for both of them on the floor, and their own books and ornaments on the cabinets.
Lu Zhao has always thought that he is a person who is slow to show affection, but on this warm afternoon he suddenly understood why people are so attached to many things.
Because he can see the shadow of Bai Li in these tiny things.
He closed his eyes. It was getting late. He had to go back to the military hospital to deliver clothes and other things to Bai Li.
Lu Zhao took two steps and turned back to the cabinet in the hall to take the things on top.
"I have to go out again," the robot butler dragged his round body and turned around, waving his arm at Lu Zhao who pushed the door and walked out, "Go early and come back early!"
Lu Zhao nodded and said, "Sure."
When Lu Zhao drove the car issued by the army back to the military hospital, most of the people in Bai Li's ward had already left. Only Situ was still discussing things with Lao Zheng. Seeing Lu Zhao coming, the two walked out of the door tacitly.
"I just got an analgesic injection, and I'm a little confused," Old Zheng said to Lu Zhao before leaving, "Don't worry, I will definitely make him jump again."
In fact, Old Zheng usually doesn't say this, after all, surgery is not 100% successful, let alone Bai Li's situation.
Lu Zhao nodded and thanked him, knowing that Old Zheng didn't want him to carry worries with him when he went on a mission.
The ward returned to peace, and Bai Li was lying on the bed. He usually fell asleep quickly after the analgesic injection, but today he opened his eyes as soon as Lu Zhao walked in.
"I knew you had to come back," Bai Li smiled, "We haven't had time to whisper, right?"
Lu Zhao found the word "whisper" funny, and he raised the corner of his mouth and picked up the bag in his hand: "Change of clothes, book."
"I haven't finished reading this one yet." Bai Li wanted to take the book, but Lu Zhao just put it on the bedside.
He took Bai Li's hand and put another thing in Bai Li's hand.
The warm little thing with body temperature felt round to the touch, and Bai Li opened his palm.
It was the Kali flower sealed in a transparent stone that Lu Zhao gave him.
Lu Zhao seemed to like giving him all kinds of gifts related to glory and praise. Major General Lu himself was not good at speaking, but he always gave Bai Li things that he thought represented all the glory.
"Give it to me again," Bai Li held it tightly and pulled Lu Zhao closer to him, "I have to take it into the operating room to accompany me."
Lu Zhao suppressed his emotions and asked, "When will the operation be?"
"Maybe in half a month," Bai Li said, "Old Zheng thinks it can't be delayed any longer."
Half a month, Lu Zhao can't come back at all.
His mission would take at least one or two months before he could land, and he might not necessarily return to the main planet.
"Everything is fine at home," Lu Zhao said dryly, "Fatty is cleaning."
This was a very common thing, and the robot butler was originally created for this purpose. But Bai Li just said, "Although Fatty is good at cleaning, I personally think it is better at scolding people."
"Indeed." Lu Zhao smiled, and a bitter taste rose in his throat, and he couldn't continue.
He touched Bai Li's forehead. The latter's face was actually not very good-looking, lacking blood color, and after the analgesic injection, he looked drowsy and sleepy.
"You're sweating," Bai Li felt that Lu Zhao's hand touching his forehead was a little damp, so he pulled it down and kissed it, "It's okay, don't be afraid, when you come back, nothing will have changed at home."
He knew that for Lu Zhao, this should be the first time to "leave home" in the true sense. The more he knew, the more Bai Li felt reluctant to let go.
Bai Li hoped that the hand in his hand could stay longer, but he knew better than anyone that this hand was used to drive the mecha.
No matter how reluctant he was, he had to let go.
Before he let go, Lu Zhao leaned down and buried his head in his chest.
"When I was leaving, the fat guy said, 'Go early and come back early,'" Lu Zhao said on his chest, "I found that I just left and wanted to go back."
Bai Li's eyes were misty. He tried to swallow the emotions that surged up and rubbed Lu Zhao's head: "I know, I know."
Lu Zhao raised his head slightly and kissed Bai Li's neck, then put his forehead against Bai Li's forehead and said hoarsely: "I really want to accompany you for surgery."
Just like accompanying you in the ward during the susceptible period.
Bai Li was speechless. He was once again struck by Lu Zhao's frank and straightforward appearance.
Just like the rainy night when he compromised on his feelings, he was thrown into the air.
"Stop talking," Bai Li stroked the back of Lu Zhao's neck, his voice trembling, and he pushed him towards him uncontrollably, "I missed you before you left."
Lu Zhao let him press his head down, this kiss was filled with reluctance and struggle, but also conveyed tenderness and encouragement.
Until they parted, they could see their own outlines in each other's eyes.
"Go," Bai Li smiled and punched Lu Zhao's shoulder hard, "look at the universe and the galaxy for me again."
Not simulated stardust, but the real and endless universe.
He ardently yearned for the place he could go back to, and Lu Zhao could go ahead and take a look for him.
Lu Zhao laughed along, he had a lot to say, but he didn't know how to start.
He took his luggage and took a step back: "Let's go out."
Bai Li said: "The sooner we go, the sooner we will be back."
That night, several warships set out from the main star and headed for the peripheral satellite star.
Bai Li's surgery was scheduled for fifteen days later.
They each went to their own battlefield.