Counterfeit Hero

Early in the morning, Fatty was pulled out of bed by Helen.

According to the plan, at eight in the morning, Fatty should head to the training center in the back of the Capital First Military Academy to participate in the final prototype test of the Thunderbolt Mecha.

Logically speaking, this test no longer had much significance. The true battlefield assessment by ten Mechanical Gods in actual combat was far more useful than any test. In general, such advanced humanoid mechas had sufficient reliability assurance. However, in certain specific data metrics, they still weren’t perfect.

For instance, in the areas of long-range attack firepower, mecha engine and energy carrying capacity, there was room for improvement, especially in the electronic balance system and drive system, which, although more advanced than the Tenth Generation Divine Gift Fatty had seen, were still a noticeable shortcoming compared to Thunderbolt’s other systems.

Fatty had discussed these issues with Boswell. He even briefly discussed the Mars technology held by the bandit army with Boswell during the battlefield intervals.

Even though Mars technology had many discrepancies with mainstream society, Mars was almost unrestricted in researching certain taboo sciences, thus becoming a natural haven for criminal scientists. As a result, Free World technology has charted a completely different path from mainstream society.

Especially in the field of mechas, requiring massive funding and with Mars Mechanical Sect’s unique close-combat technology, scientists were naturally motivated to convert technology into close-combat mecha combat power. This aspect of technology level was not only on par with mainstream society, but in some areas, even subtly superior.

Besides, Fatty held miniature mecha technology that could elevate Thunderbolt, along with warship-grade miniature engine technology from Casper’s Work Journal. If combined with magnetic instrument technology, even when facing Binart’s Judgers, Fatty was quite confident.

Initially, this prototype test was unnecessary, and Fatty didn’t want to attend. However, Hastings’ plan to equip the first batch of Thunderbolts for the bandit army caused a stir throughout the Fei Alliance. Since Milan and Boswell were in the development team, future mecha modification needed room during the prototype stage, so Fatty had to attend the test meeting.

When Helen pulled back Fatty’s blanket, she let out a scream without hesitation. When the always-nude-sleeping Fatty groggily crawled out of bed, looking around bewildered, Ann Lei and Meiduo exchanged glances while holding their coffee and turned away. Their hasty steps nearly seemed like a retreat.

Until breakfast, Helen’s face remained as red as an apple. Looking at Fatty’s bewildered expression with a mouthful of food, the three girls occasionally glanced at each other and couldn’t hold back a laugh.

Away from war, the morning was incredibly relaxing and pleasant.

The speed of time in the morning sunlight slowed infinitely. Outside the flying car window, gleaming space cities of various hues, small buildings, and pleasing lawns and trees on the roadside made it feel like stepping into a painting. The fluttering ginkgo leaves, maple leaves, and sycamore leaves sent the world swirling with vibrant colors.

Watching the elderly leisurely strolling along the street, the hurried office workers carrying briefcases, and young mothers chatting while seated on wooden benches by the roadside with baby strollers, a long-lost flavor of life was palpable.

"Mother Ann said she wants grandchildren..." Fatty turned his head, eagerly eyeing the baby stroller receding behind them, gently nudging Ann Lei with his elbow.

A blush danced across Ann Lei’s exquisite face. Her damp eyes gave Fatty a sharp look.

Today, Ann Lei wore a pale yellow wool sweater, covered by a cream-colored knitted long cardigan. Her beautiful legs were accentuated by slim-fitting light blue jeans, giving them an exceptionally long and slender appearance. Her feet sported black calfskin boots decorated with two silver butterflies poised to fly. Her black hair was casually tied with a silk scarf, appearing both refreshing and elegant.

The reunion with Fatty was during his attack. Seeing Fatty severely injured, the sadness and panic, along with the relentless care for him day and night, left Ann Lei no time to savor the joy of their reunion. Only now, sitting beside Fatty, letting the flying car silently speed along the ring road amidst picturesque scenery, a faint sweetness and warmth surfaced in Ann Lei’s heart.

Feeling the aura of the childhood friend growing mature, listening to his playful words, Ann Lei inexplicably wished this journey could extend endlessly with no end.

The girl’s subtle blush mesmerized Fatty. He reached over and held Ann Lei’s delicate hand. Her tender, slender hand, carrying a slight chill, gently struggled before resting still in his warm palm, the touch of their fingers akin to a connection between their hearts.

Ann Lei’s body gently, quietly leaned upon Fatty’s shoulder, accompanying him, silently watching the scenery outside the window. No words were needed. It felt as if they had returned to childhood, as if they had been holding hands for thousands of years.

The haze of war silently faded as fingers intertwined, promising a beautiful future, like the red leaf falling outside with a touch of different colors and aspirations, drifting towards the lush green lawn. At its spiraling descent, the world seemed to come alive.

Only.....

Ann Lei looked over at Helen and Meiduo, who occasionally spoke softly and threw ambiguous looks, and lightly pinched Fatty’s palm with her crystal-clear nails. The leaves falling on the lawn seemed a bit too many.

The flying car descended the ring road into Hanjing West 2nd District, where the street, illuminated by morning sunlight, became dense. Without Chuckna’s escort notification, the flying car had to slowly traverse the busy traffic. The city seemed to transform abruptly from emptiness and silence to bustling and lively.

The public flying car arrived at the platform, where passengers lined up orderly to get on and off. On the sidewalk, pedestrians from all directions swiftly crossed when the green light blinked, brushing shoulders, heading to various destinations. A broken-down heavy truck sat by the roadside. The sweaty driver wrestled with a wrench on the engine. Meanwhile, a pretty policewoman directed other vehicles to bypass the truck from the side.

For the people of Hanjing, this was all so ordinary. Yet for those silently passing by in the flying car, it was remarkably worth savoring.

The flying car soon reached the Hanjing First Military Academy. At the bustling school entrance, students and faculty, alongside servicemen from various countries, widened their eyes seeing Ann Lei and the hand-held Fatty alighting from the flying car, standing together.

"I’ll come to pick you up for lunch," Fatty said foolishly.

"Hmm." Ann Lei, standing gracefully in front of Fatty, nodded obediently.

This scene left everyone going in and out of the school gate utterly dumbfounded.

And when Ann Lei quickly gave Fatty a peck on the cheek, her face turned bashful like a magnolia touched by rouge, and she turned lightly to leave. Whether it was the young boys or the senior students in reserve uniforms, or the dignified officers from various nations, their hearts felt shattered.

The entire school gate was filled with cries of lamentation for a moment.

Since she had been living on the academy grounds for a long time, Ann Lei had already become the goddess of Hanjing First Military Academy. This girl from the Leray Federation, with her gentle smile, walking lightly along the campus path, had become the most cherished scene in the hearts of all the youthful cadets and spirited young officers.

Beautiful women are not uncommon in this era of genetic selection. Compared to thousands of years ago, the ratio has increased significantly.

However, precisely because of this, when a woman can stand out among countless beauties and enrapture someone, the stunning impact she brings is even more profound.

At Hanjing First Military Academy, Ann Lei was recognized as the top beauty. It wasn’t that her appearance was flawlessly perfect, but her graceful demeanor always made one’s heart tremble upon seeing her. Once the heart is moved, it can’t stop.

To ordinary people, this serene and gentle girl was always a scene you couldn’t take your eyes off from afar. Her beauty and the gentleness exuded from her bones made everyone who saw her feel deeply tender-hearted and self-conscious.

Every time people saw this girl, they easily understood why it was said that women were made of water. To them, she was an indescribably beautiful small pond, clear and tranquil. No one dared to approach her or disturb her. Just like no one wanted to disturb this pond’s tranquility or pollute its clarity.

And now, the goddess had descended into the mortal realm.

When Ann Lei gave Fatty a light peck on the cheek and turned away blushing, she seemed no different from a woman happily in love.

But why him, that Fatty, and not themselves!

Men of all ages simultaneously glared fiercely at Fatty, but then their eyes widened even more; their harsh looks turned into sheer shock.

"My God," one boy stared blankly at the departing flying car, grabbing his companion’s arm, "it’s him, right? I’m not mistaken?"

The boy didn’t get a response from his companion. Turning his head, he found that his companion’s expression was even more dumbfounded than his own.

The school gate seemed to fall into a time freeze. When the black flying car drove onto the road leading to the back mountain beside the school, only a group of people stood there, staring blankly at each other.

Now, everyone finally understood why the commander of the Feiyang 31st Army, Faset, was so badly beaten by the bandit army.

Turns out the real reason was right here.

My God, what a gigantic piece of gossip this is.

Almost as soon as they came to their senses, dozens of boys sprinted off wildly. Their eyes sparkled, their hearts pounded. This story must spread throughout the entire Military Academy as soon as possible!

If there was only one Fatty in this world worthy of their goddess in their hearts.

Then, it must be him.

This Fatty was the idol in the hearts of every zealous cadet!

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(To be continued, for more stories, please visit www.qidian.com, support the author, support legitimate reading!)