Reverse parking, parallel parking, hill start, right-angle turns, S-curve driving. Shen Qin nostalgically revisited these five classic driving test maneuvers with the Brightcrown. Thanks to the intelligent system and 360-degree cameras, he passed effortlessly before backing into the starting point to the blaring warning: 『 Caution! Vehicle reversing! 』
"Great! You started the engine perfectly! Didn't mix up the pedals—NICE!"
"Wow! You parallel parked on the first try?! A natural-born driver!"
"Ah—curve ahead, ease off the accelerator... Perfect!"
Sucrose, intoxicated by Shen Qin's praise, grew increasingly proficient. After flawlessly completing three rounds, Shen Qin coaxed her onto the main road toward Stormterror's Lair's depths.
"Is this really okay? I just started learning!" Sucrose hesitated, yet her sparkling eyes betrayed her excitement. Driving this behemoth was fun!
"No problem. Go wild! the AI's got your back."
The Brightcrown accelerated from 30 km/h to 60 km/h. It could go faster, but Sucrose refused to recklessly damage the terrain.
Watching her radiant smile, Shen Qin sighed contentedly—mission accomplished.
Neither noticed they'd just passed an active demolition test site.
"Captain Klee, shall we light the fuse?" A researcher smiled at the pensive little girl in red.
"Mm-hm, light it!" Klee tore her gaze from the retreating transport.
"Positions! Ignition in ten!"
A low boom echoed as the cliff face collapsed spectacularly. Post-scan confirmation triggered cheers:
"Demolition accuracy within 3 cm of projections!"
"Success! A breakthrough in blasting technology!"
Even Klee bounced gleefully. "Yay! Boom-boom powder works!"
"This is all thanks to Captain Klee's explosives! With more controllable compounds, our team achieved the impossible!" An elder researcher beamed.
"Who knew someone so young could master explosives? When Mr. Shen assigned her here, I thought he was joking!"
"Eh? Don't you know? Captain Klee is the legendary Red-Clad Demon—mmph!" Someone gagged the speaker.
Klee swayed shyly, hands behind her back. "Hehe... I'm not that good..." For the first time, she felt useful—like Acting Grand Master Jean or Outrider Amber!
Indeed, Shen Qin had defied skepticism to place Klee in the demolition team. Her genius with explosives elevated their techniques exponentially. After this success, the team affectionately dubbed her "Captain"—much to her delight.
'Hmph! See? I'm not just trouble!Mama, when you return, you'll meet a responsible Klee!'
….
….
Meanwhile, the Brightcrown vehicle cruised far away, now piloted by Shen Qin after Sucrose grew fatigued.
But the moment he took over, Sucrose dozed off in the passenger seat, head lolling like a sleeping kitten... puppy... fox?
Few knew Sucrose had animal ears, usually hidden under her cap. Her exact lineage remained officially ambiguous—not that Shen Qin cared.
'Sucrose is Sucrose.'
He didn't stop; the vehicle's vibrations and white noise were sleep-inducing. Slowing down sufficed.
Clearly, she'd overworked herself.
Two hours later, parking jolted Sucrose awake.
"Eh? I—I fell asleep?!" She hid her flaming cheeks.
'He saw me like that! So embarrassing!'
"Told you you're overworking. My homeland has a saying: 'Balance work and rest.' Proper breaks boost efficiency. Nonstop labor harms health and productivity. Has this always been your habit?"
"Mm... I often lose track of time mid-experiment... Sometimes I collapse from exhaustion..."
Shen Qin said no more. This was Sucrose, to protect her, he'd need to supervise her directly. Yet her pride would reject "special treatment."
For now, periodic check-ins would have to do.
"Practice again tomorrow. Aim for top-speed control by the launch. Rest early—we'll showcase the Brightcrown's full potential!"
This was the only way to force her to rest.
"Okay!"
Helping her down the high steps, Shen Qin missed Sucrose's happy thought:
'Two more days driving together... Not bad at all.'
…..
…..
The next day, Sucrose mastered advanced techniques.
"Excellent. Tomorrow we'll rehearse the launch routine at the exhibition zone."
"Mm." Her crescent-moon eyes sparkled.
"Let's grab dinner."
"Mm!"