Weapon System 43. A Change in Temperament (2)

At this moment, Chengxian once again rubbed against his leg as she used to, leaving behind some cat fur on Zhang Mingjing’s trousers. In the past, Zhang Mingjing would have simply ignored it, but today was different; as soon as he saw the fur, he lost control and snapped harshly, “Go away! Get out of here!”

There was no need for the pet assistants to translate; Yuhua and Chengxian immediately scampered off, frightened. The real person had meant to ask what drink he wanted but was startled into silence by this sudden outburst.

Zhang Mingjing was no longer the same as a year ago. Now, if he so much as slapped his hand down, the odds of the two pets dying on the spot were a hundred percent. The pets, fully aware, darted under the bed in Zhang Yidao and Lady Xia’s room.

Though his anger had not yet subsided, Zhang Mingjing sensed the pets' terror and fell into self-reflection, blaming himself for his worsening temper even as he seethed. He truly felt sorry for Yuhua and Chengxian.

Ah, his body was truly a battleground of fire and water now!

His only recourse was the Five-Dimensional Cognitive Model, so he asked, “Why has my temper gotten so bad? Even I can’t stand myself!”

“I’ve repeatedly scanned your value system and found a strong negative rotational energy within. I don’t know where it’s from, but it’s trying to destabilize your worldview,” came the answer.

“So, it wants to restructure my values?”

“That’s its aim, but not its only one.”

“So what should I do?”

“Reflect! Reflection generates positive rotational energy to neutralize it, but…”

“No hedging—what is it?” Zhang Mingjing was losing patience.

“Every time you lose your temper, you add more negative rotational energy, which just feeds it. Who knows when you’ll neutralize it at this rate?”

“Then help me reconstruct my worldview and restore it to how it was.”

“No can do! Last time I nearly perished, and I won’t risk it again. Besides, it wouldn’t work anyway.”

“So what can I do?” Zhang Mingjing grumbled. “I really don’t want to hurt Yuhua and Chengxian anymore!”

“I have no other solution for now. You’ll have to rely on your own reflection to suppress that negative energy.”

“Ah!” Zhang Mingjing sighed, then went to Zhang Yidao and Lady Xia’s room. He squatted beside the bed, calling softly to the pets beneath, “Come on out! I know I’ve been unpleasant, don’t be mad at me!”

The Five-Dimensional Cognitive Model chuckled. “Are they angry? They’re terrified! That husky’s bigger than the cat but far more timid—look, she’s shaking.”

“Ah, it’s all my fault.” Zhang Mingjing berated himself, then said to Chengxian, “Come out, I’ll get you something tasty.”

Chengxian’s assistant translated, but Chengxian didn’t move.

Resigned, Zhang Mingjing actually crawled under the bed. The two pets’ eyes darted wildly, ready to bolt at any sign of carelessness.

As he crawled in, he spoke soothingly, full of affection. But the pets were too panicked to listen, their only thought was escape.

Logically, the smaller Chengxian should have escaped first, but it was the trembling Yuhua who bolted, bumping into Zhang Mingjing on the way out. The impact almost made him flare up again, but he caught himself just in time.

“Ah!” Watching Yuhua flee, Zhang Mingjing felt a pang of sorrow. “How has our relationship become so strained in just a few hours?”

Meanwhile, Chengxian was cornered. He gently grasped her forepaw to drag her out, intending to pet and comfort both animals.

But as he pulled Chengxian from under the bed, he noticed a fifty-centimeter-long urine trail on the floor. Instantly furious, he raised his hand to strike Chengxian, hesitated, and in that moment, Chengxian seized the chance to dash away, stumbling and slamming into the door.

Seeing Chengxian flee in panic, misinterpreting his intentions, only stoked his anger further. Though he was already reflecting, the anger seemed uncontrollable—thankfully, the Five-Dimensional Cognitive Model reminded him, “Calm down! Your negative rotational energy just increased again.”

He gradually cooled off and muttered, “I was trying to be nice, and Chengxian actually peed herself! They really don’t understand me at all.”

The Five-Dimensional Cognitive Model, barely suppressing laughter, continued, “How can you expect an animal to understand human thoughts? They just seek a lifelong companion in your home—food, sleep, affection, that’s all. Now that you’ve changed, grown more powerful and temperamental, how can they not be afraid? In their own way, they’re rather pitiful.”

“Yes, you’re right.” Zhang Mingjing finally calmed down.

The model continued, “Any battle with your own nature will inevitably hurt those around you. It’s only natural that Yuhua and Chengxian suffer a bit—don’t dwell on it, or you’ll only add more negative energy.”

He nodded, though a new thought was already forming. “By the way! It’s almost time for training with Katherine and Jamie. Can I still lead them tonight?”

“Given your state, best to take a day off.”

“That’s probably wise… I was thinking of asking Katherine out tonight—what do you think?”

Though it had no face, the Five-Dimensional Cognitive Model’s tone was like a human rolling their eyes.

It knew there was no stopping Zhang Mingjing. Better to let him do as he wished than make him angry by refusing. It was curious to see what sparks might fly between him and Katherine, so it said, “It’s your call.”

As expected, Zhang Mingjing, driven by youthful impulse, asked Katherine out. She was naturally delighted.

But a problem arose: even now, neither Katherine nor Jamie knew his real face. Each time they met, he wore a Daoist hat and a mask, his telekinesis interfering with any scans.

“If it’s a date today, going like this would be terribly inappropriate!” Zhang Mingjing thought.

“Of course it’s not! How would you even kiss with that getup?” the Five-Dimensional Cognitive Model quipped.

But Zhang Mingjing had more on his mind—it was, after all, his first-ever date. The pressure mounted.

At the critical moment, he hesitated, or rather, his original personality reasserted itself, prompting him to mitigate his impulsive act.

He suddenly instructed the real person, “Invite Jamie as well.”

The real person complied immediately.

“What’s this plan now?” the Five-Dimensional Cognitive Model joked, puzzled. “You already have me as a hidden third wheel, why add another?”

“I’ve thought it through. If I just go on a date, it’s too abrupt. It’s better that we all meet openly, and I’ll take off my mask. If Katherine still likes me, then talk of romance will be more reasonable, won’t it?”

“You’re just afraid of the date, aren’t you?”

“You’re always reading my mind—don’t you think it’s a bit much to broadcast it everywhere?”

“Hehehe… you’re making me feel guilty. Fine, I’ll patiently await the sparks between you and Katherine!”

“Good! Just wait and see—I won’t let you down.”

He began searching for something to wear, only to realize he had nothing decent besides his school uniform. “Only today did I realize how shabby my youth really is!”

He tried Zhang Yidao’s clothes, but they didn’t fit and were hopelessly outdated.

Finally, he said to the real person, “Ask your contacts if any shopping mall AIs are available.”

“Yes!” The real person had already deduced his motives.

A minute later, the real person replied, “I asked—they said when the malls were evacuated, everything was taken.”

“Damn! Am I supposed to wear my high school uniform to meet a warrior? That’s so embarrassingly childish!” Zhang Mingjing fumed.

“Don’t worry! With me here, you’ll never leave the house looking undignified,” the real person said, sounding entirely unlike an AI.

“Oh? You know someone?”

“Of course! On the fifth floor, a family used to sell imported sportswear. When they left, they had loads of stock they couldn’t take.”

“You know their AI?”

“Very well!”

“Will it let me in? Or do I have to break in and steal it?”

“Relax! I wouldn’t let you do anything so dishonorable. That AI has been begging me to add it to my circle for ages. I always thought its specs were too low and refused. If you want clothes, I’ll add it, and its wardrobe becomes your own.”

“Hahaha… you’re incredible.”

“This real person is getting naughtier by the day,” the Five-Dimensional Cognitive Model remarked.

Fifteen minutes later, Zhang Mingjing had ten sets of brand-name clothes from the fifth floor.

“Clothes really do make the man,” the Five-Dimensional Cognitive Model sighed as Zhang Mingjing transformed in a navy-blue branded tracksuit.

Zhang Mingjing checked his reflection from every angle, satisfied.

“Well done!” he praised the real person, then, in high spirits, prepared to leave. Spotting Yuhua and Chengxian still hiding in Zhang Yidao’s ritual room, he felt guilty for how much they’d suffered that day. Before heading out, he called, “Yuhua, Chengxian, I’m going out—want to come along?”

Their assistants translated, but the two pets didn’t budge, clearly still wary of him.

“Ah, forget it,” Zhang Mingjing sighed, turning to leave.

Once he was gone, the real person called to the pets, “Hey, come out! He’s gone!”

“Woof woof!” Yuhua barked, and together with Chengxian dashed into the living room.

The real person continued, “Starting tomorrow, we’ll begin training as Zhang Mingjing requested. Today’s your last day to slack off—what do you want?”

“Woof woof woof…” Yuhua replied. The assistant translated: “Water, snacks, and a TV show.”

So, the real person had a robot bring water and snacks, and projected “Cat and Dog Wars: The Animated Series” on the wall. They were already on episode one hundred and twenty-one.

…