Chapter 18: Disciplining Qin Mo Is Just Like Training a Dog

"Agreed!" A familiar voice rang out as Qiu Shaohua walked in.

"It is our honor to have an Honorary Senior Researcher personally appointed by Elder Wei!"

Xiao Linfeng glared at him in annoyance, but Qiu Shaohua winked at Qiao Xin. "Little niece, what do you think?"

Qiao Xin, however, was thinking that even a researcher has to eat. With Elder Wei's connection, she could earn quite a bit more affection value. As for whether she would take jobs away from nutritionists, that was certainly not going to happen. The production machine had a fixed output of ten dishes at a time, plus the processing time meant it couldn't handle mass cooking. The mainstream practice would still be for nutritionists to use her prepared ingredients and seasonings to finish the meals.

"But I don't think I can be of much help..." Though tempted, she had no idea how she could assist them.

"He likes you. As long as his berserk level doesn't increase, that’s enough. If you don't want to go to the research institute, we can perform the tests here," Elder Wei immediately laid out the bottom line.

"..." Qiao Xin looked at Hua Qinmo, who was clinging to her like a piece of adhesive plaster, and really wanted to ask where he got the idea that he liked her! What kind of "love" was this forced, obsessive behavior anyway?

"Then, thank you, Elder Wei."

"Mine!" They had made the decision themselves, completely forgetting to ask the most crucial person. Hua Qinmo hovered over Qiao Xin, not allowing anyone to get near her.

"Elder Wei, his berserk level didn't increase!" a researcher shouted excitedly. Previously, whenever he appeared, his berserk level wasn't high, but as his emotions stirred, it would skyrocket. Now, even though he was agitated, the level hadn't risen a bit; there was even a slight downward trend!

"Could this little girl have purification abilities?" Elder Wei's eyes lit up.

"Unfortunately, she hasn't awakened any talents," an assistant poured cold water on the idea.

A researcher nearby added sheepishly, "He is naturally wood-attributed, possessing healing and soothing capabilities, yet he went berserk. We've tried water, light, and wood-type purifiers, but he ended up absorbing their energy, and his berserk level actually increased instead..."

Elder Wei, losing face, retorted, "Then why haven't you investigated the cause yet?" However, after searching for a long time, they couldn't get close enough to find anything.

Being stared at by so many people, Qiao Xin felt embarrassed. She bit down on the vine restraining her, nearly shattering her own teeth. Everyone who witnessed this scene: "..." How did she dare to bite an SSS-grade vine with her teeth? It was a miracle she hadn't broken them!

"Let me go." The person with the aching teeth looked at the face blocking others from approaching.

"Mine, won't let go!" Hua Qinmo insisted stubbornly.

"I'll fight you!" Qiao Xin headbutted him. Hua Qinmo quickly transformed himself into a flower, its soft, delicate petals unable to harm her in the slightest.

Qiao Xin: ... She hated these damp, insane freaks who couldn't understand human speech! She was so angry!

"Fairy Brother, Big Sister is angry, let her go!" Little Lei Miaomiao had somehow slipped in again. Relying on the flower in her hand, she managed to reach Qiao Xin and started climbing up the vines.

"Yaya!" Lei Wuxie was startled.

Qiao Xin looked down at the little one climbing up, caught between laughter and tears. "Yaya, get down quickly."

Without a word, Hua Qinmo coiled around the child and tossed her away, where she was precisely caught by Lei Wuxie.

"Hmph! Bad Fairy Brother!" Lei Miaomiao wasn't scared at all; instead, she puffed up her cheeks in anger. Hua Qinmo took back the flower he had given her and glared at her coldly, but a ball of lightning fire slammed directly into his face. He was so angry he whipped out his vines, intending to overturn everything around him, but those vines were instantly ignited by the lightning fire, only to be extinguished before they could reach Qiao Xin.

The lingering tingling sensation made Qiao Xin’s hair stand on end. She ground her teeth and hissed, "Hua Qinmo, if you don't let me go, do you believe I'll kill you?"

Qiao Xin immediately bought a breath-concealing shield from the mall. Hua Qinmo was being soothed by her scent; if she cut off her scent, it would naturally allow him to continue his berserk state until he died.

"Host! Stay calm!" Little i realized too late—how could its host be so reckless? If Hua Qinmo went completely mad, no one here would escape!

"Fragrant?" Hua Qinmo didn't react to his name, but he instantly noticed the disappearance of the scent he needed. His light green eyes filled with anxiety; he didn't understand why the person right in front of him seemed to have vanished.

"Let go," Qiao Xin repeated. This time, Hua Qinmo understood; he released the vines from her body but kept one wrapped around her ankle.

Gaining her freedom, Qiao Xin slapped him across the face, leaving everyone stunned. But that wasn't all—she began punching and kicking the still-partially-transformed Hua Qinmo. Although she likely couldn't even bruise his skin, Hua Qinmo didn't go berserk; instead, he curled into a ball, even blooming a soft, delicate flower wherever she struck, fearing she might hurt her own hands.

Qiao Xin: ...
The others: ...

Seeing that her outburst had caused zero damage, Qiao Xin stopped bothering. She started tying knots in his vines, asking a question with every knot.

"Can you understand me?" Hua Qinmo nodded.

"You are not allowed to cling to me anymore, understand?" Hua Qinmo looked at the only vine still wrapped around her ankle and shook his head vigorously.

Qiao Xin glanced at her ankle, and thinking of her mission, decided not to push things too far. "Only on the ankle." Hua Qinmo nodded again.

Qiao Xin deactivated the shield, and Hua Qinmo immediately tried to lunge at her, only to be restrained by her grabbing his vines.

"Did you forget what I said?"

"Fragrant!" Hua Qinmo still tried to pounce.

Qiao Xin lifted her foot. "Only like this!"

Hua Qinmo instantly turned into a wilted little puppy, all his vines drooping down.

"E-Elder Wei, the berserk level of 857 just fluctuated!" a researcher suddenly exclaimed excitedly. His words broke the silence. Suddenly, Elder Wei and his group were ecstatic, while others looked at Qiao Xin with complex expressions.

An SSS-grade wood-attributed berserker was being trained by her like a dog! One wondered if the test subject would want to kill everyone once he regained his senses.

*Grumble, grumble—*

An abrupt sound echoed. Qiao Xin looked at the darkening sky and then at Xiao Linfeng and Qiu Shaohua. "Uncle, Uncle Qiu, I'm hungry. Shall we all eat first?"

"Big Sister! Yaya! Hungry!" Lei Miaomiao, truly fearless, jumped up and down. Lei Wuxie tried to protect her with his mecha, but barely managed to, eventually having to set her down. After a moment, he jumped out of the mecha himself, leaving it on standby.

Qiao Xin, already excited to see a mecha, felt her eyes light up even more as she watched Lei Wuxie approach in his combat suit. The form-fitting gear perfectly showcased the man's physique—broad shoulders, narrow waist, perfect muscle definition—combined with his tanned skin and a cold, tough temperament. He matched every fantasy she had ever held about a warrior.