Puppet Notes (Wearing Book) - 29

 

| PN | So Easy to Deceive | 29

In the basement, Qi Chao was oblivious to everything happening upstairs. He wore black gloves as his fingertips traced over the puppet’s arm joints, applying slight pressure. The puppet’s arm broke cleanly at the joints.

On the table lay the bodies and limbs of a puppet, and without exception, the white joint parts were neatly separated. To allow the puppets limbs to move freely, the puppet master needed to install ball joints, a method similar to his previous life's puppet-making techniques. Qi Chao was exceptionally skilled at this.

The back of his gloves emitted a green light. Qi Chao adjusted the gloves and focused deeply on the puppets body, his dark brown eyes continuously adjusting the joint angles and confirming the size of the ball joints.

The entire process required repeated steps, it was monotonous and tiresome for sure, but Qi Chao didn't find it boring. Each completed step signaled closer to the birth of a new puppet. How could that be boring?

By the morning, he had completed making all the ball joints, and Qi Chao sighed in relief. He stopped channeling his spiritual energy, and the green light on his gloves disappeared. Taking off the gloves, he stood up, his hands visibly moist with clear droplets.

The material of the spiritual energy gloves was special. Being close to the skin for extended periods causes sweating, requiring them to be cleaned every two hours nearby, or it would be very uncomfortable.

Qi Chao absentmindedly thought about working for another hour before taking a break, Qi Chao suddenly heard the sound of the system in his ear as he bent down to wash his hands.

【Ding——

 

  It has been detected that the host's first progress in puppet-making has entered the intermediate stage. Congratulations to the host for activating this week's side quest.

   Constructing spiritual meridians for puppets

   Craftsman points reward: 100 (to be obtained)】

System: 【Congratulations to the host for initiating this week's side quest.】

Qi Chao was taken aback for a moment, then remembered that the system had mentioned before that it would randomly activate a side quest every week. He had been so busy these days that he had forgotten about it.

Not to mention Qi Chao, even the system had forgotten about it long ago. It was responsible for two hosts in total, one being Qi Chao and the other is the crybaby next door.  If it weren't for the notification pushed by the main brain, it might still be accompanying the crybaby.

The crybaby was quite useless. Up to now, he hadn't even opened the first side quest. The system sighed. Unfortunately, its most capable host was assigned to this plane. It was all fate.

System: 【It is recommended that the host completes the side quest within one week. The shorter the time to complete the quest, the greater the possibility of additional rewards from the Bureau.】

It heard this information from the seniors. The system wasn't sure if it was true, but if it was, the host could earn more. Deep down, the system felt a bit guilty towards Qi Chao.

This was the first time it had heard of this.

Qi Chao smiled faintly, "Understood, I'll do my best."

The system responded and saw the host sit back in the chair, continuing to focus on making the puppet.

Until now, the system still couldn't figure out why the host was assigned to this plane.

In theory, high-risk planes are usually managed by professionals, while craftsmen with lower combat abilities are assigned to low-risk planes, similar to how the crybaby was allocated. 

According to senior advice, each host is placed in the world most suitable for them. Qi Chao being assigned to a high-risk plane suggests he must possess exceptional qualities. It's also possible that no professional volunteered, leaving the task to a craftsman.

Despite observing Qi Chao's courage, generosity, and diligence, the system has yet to identify any exceptional qualities in him. It laments Qi Chao being used as cannon fodder.

Unable to influence upper-level decisions, the system quietly accompanies Qi Chao for a while in his mind, then departs. The system often finds the crybaby’s behavior puzzling, questioning why a robust man like him remains helpless without assistance.

Qi Chao, focused on his work, pays no mind to the system's musings. He contemplates how to construct the meridians for the puppet, it was akin to human nerves but it was more critical for puppets. This process demands understanding every detail of the puppet’s body and brain, and navigating the delicate threads of spiritual power without tangling them is extremely challenging.

Picking up the puppet’s head, Qi Chao notes its delicate features but senses an unsettling presence. Long ago, he used to be frightened by puppets, but witnessing them transform into lifelike forms under his hands turned that fear into fascination.

The size of this puppet’s head resembles that of an eleven or twelve-year-old boy, appropriate since it will be Lan Luo’s future friend.

To construct the spiritual meridians for this eleven or twelve-year-old "boy" puppet, it would be immensely challenging without a deep understanding of its body structure. However, as the child’s dad, Qi Chao undoubtedly possesses the most knowledge.

Initially, Qi Chao spent countless drafts to sculpt his son and poured his heart into molding the clay model. Now, following the instructions from his books, he closes his eyes and begins to weave the spiritual threads.

If anyone were observing the puppet nearby, they would witness Qi Chao's spiritual threads seeming almost sentient, bending and swirling in the air like snakes, intricately connecting from his chest outward.

If the system could witness this scene, it would surely retract its earlier statements about Qi Chao being ordinary. The spiritual threads of Blue Star people are typically like thick hemp ropes, mechanically linking each part together at a moderate level. 

However, Qi Chao's threads are inexplicably finer than hair and unnervingly agile.

These threads extend from his chest, linking the limbs, torso, and head, shimmering with vibrant green light, pulsating with life. Unfortunately, this breathtaking sight can only be appreciated by puppets.

【Ding——

Congratulations to the host for completing the side quest.

Account points: 100】

【Ding——

It has been detected completion time of forty-five minutes, breaking the record for the fastest time among craftsmen in the same period.

Account points: 300】

The electronic sound suddenly rang in Qi Chao's ears. He opened his eyes and looked down, but there was no visible change; the limbs and torso of the puppet on the table remained separated.

If it weren't for the system's prompt, he would have doubted whether he had actually constructed the meridians for the small puppet.

The system, hearing the notification from the mainframe, came back from next door specifically and seemed surprised: 【Host, you completed the task very quickly.】

"I just happened to be lucky," Qi Chao smiled faintly, lowering his head to tidy up the table. In fact, his progress was a bit slow; today, he must finish making the eyes of the doll so that he could complete the doll within three months.

With these thoughts in mind, Qi Chao did not continue working. He carefully placed the puppet into a box, glanced at the red mother stone in the fish tank, and then left the basement.

Today was the day for Lan Luo's follow-up after his "operation."

Qi Chao would definitely not miss it.

Arriving in the living room, Qi Chao keenly sensed that something was amiss in the atmosphere. His gaze fell on the two puppets sitting on the sofa in the house.

One large and one small doll sat far apart on the sofa, not watching the cartoons that Lan Luo usually enjoyed.

What could have happened for Lan Luo to be so upset that he didn't even want to watch his favorite cartoons? Qi Chao wondered.

Upon hearing the sound from the doorway, Lan Luo immediately looked over. Without saying a word, he walked over to Qi Chao's side, his mouth pursed in a way that conveyed a sense of grievance.

Qi Chao reached out and ruffled Lan Luo's fluffy, slightly curly golden hair, whispering softly, "What's wrong?"

Last time he asked this question, Lan Luo said Moss had bullied him, prompting Qi Chao to call the Doctor over.

This time, Lan Luo didn't say anything, just shook his head and grabbed Qi Chao's sleeve.

Feeling puzzled, Qi Chao looked towards Moss.

Moss stood straight beside the sofa, his head wrapped in bandages, his lone black eye fixed on Qi Chao, then shifted downwards to gaze at Lan Luo from above. 

Perhaps due to the angle, Qi Chao felt Moss's gaze seemed somewhat disdainful.

"It's nothing," Moss replied hoarsely.

Hearing this, Qi Chao turned to Lan Luo, who appeared reluctant but eventually nodded.

He couldn't reveal the existence of the plush doll.

Lan Luo thought to himself that it would expose the fact that he and his older brother had just been in Qi Chao's room.

Unaware that the two dolls had secretly sneaked into his room, Qi Chao patted Lan Luo's head, assuming the puppets were having another quarrel.

"Where's your father?"

"Upstairs," Moss replied.

Qi Chao nodded and exchanged a few words with the two brothers before heading upstairs to discuss Lan Luo's crack with the Doctor.

After he left, the two puppets glanced at each other and then looked away.

In the Doctor's room, Qi Chao immediately noticed several pages of books that had been turned over on the desk.

Shen Yuxi noticed his gaze and smiled, "I've been reading upstairs."

"Well, Doctor, you missed some excitement downstairs," Qi Chao chuckled. "The two kids downstairs got into an argument."

Shen Yuxi didn't care much about these things; his puppets wouldn't bother him with such trivial matters. But the man in front of him seemed quite interested. His eyelashes shielded the look in his eyes, and when he looked up again, his blue eyes curved slightly, seemingly curious about the situation. "Why?"

"I don't know," Qi Chao chuckled. "It's their secret."

Shen Yuxi disliked deception and concealment. He looked at the man in front of him with some confusion. 

Why wasn't he angry that Moss and Lan Luo hadn't told him the truth, and why could he still smile?

Nevertheless, on the surface, Shen Yuxi also smiled, seemingly helpless with the two children, his eyes filled with the gentleness of an elder.

After a brief diversion, Qi Chao brought up his main purpose for coming upstairs, "Brother Shen, when will you clean Lan Luo's ointment?"

"We can do it now," Shen Yuxi replied. "But before cleaning, it's best to give Lan Luo another energy supplement."

"Okay," Qi Chao acknowledged before getting up to prepare dinner.

However, before he could leave, he was called back. Qi Chao turned around in confusion and heard the Doctor say, "After checking Lan Luo's crack, if everything's fine, Moss and I will leave tomorrow."

"There’s no need to rush, right?"

Qi Chao hadn't expected the Doctor and Moss to want to leave so soon. "Do you have something urgent to attend to? If not, why not stay a few more days?"

"There's nothing urgent," Shen Yuxi pretended to hesitate, "but we've already stayed here for three days and caused you a lot of trouble."

Qi Chao countered, "What trouble? You've helped me a lot, so if anything, I should be the one causing trouble for you." He paused and continued, "If there's no urgent matter, why not stay a few more days? You're my friend, I'm happy with you guys staying here. Is that okay?"

Shen Yuxi looked hesitant, hearing Qi Chao's series of persuasions. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded.

"That's great." Qi Chao saw him nod and smiled, showing the dimples on his cheeks. "So it's settled then. You continue reading. I'll call you down for dinner later." With that, Qi Chao turned and left.

So easy to deceive.

Shen Yuxi pursed his lips slightly, and a hint of obscurity flashed across his blue eyes. He needed to stay for a few more days to ensure that there would be no mistakes in the plan.

Meanwhile, Qi Chao went into the kitchen to prepare dinner. After a while, Lan Luo walked in.

It was time for the animation to play, and Lan Luo usually sat in front of the projection screen right on schedule. His arrival now seemed unusual.

Could it be that he hadn't made up with Moss after their quarrel just now? Qi Chao couldn't help but wonder. He asked in a low voice, "Lan Luo, what's wrong?"

At first, Lan Luo didn't speak. After a while, he looked up at Qi Chao, his blue eyes filled with confusion. "Am I not a good kid?"

Why would his big brother have a plush doll?

But he didn't have one?

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