Chapter 920: House Chores

"Nainai, clean it up," Qing Ling ordered.

Since you've implored so earnestly, this Empress will grant your wish out of my merciful heart.

Nainai kept that thought to herself. Instead, she raised her arms, conjuring a small tornado that descended into the crater like a blue drill, sweeping away sand. Within seconds, the metal structure emerged fully—a circular platform two meters across.

Dr. Jia jumped down with his Black Gold briefcase, pulling a tablet-like keycard from his pocket. He placed it on the metal platform beneath his feet.

Hum.

Energy coursed through the platform after two seconds, blue light spreading from its center like a circuit board coming alive.

Clack, clack.

The platform began its descent. It was an elevator. Qing Ling and Nainai jumped on quickly. As they dropped, sand cascaded after them until Nainai threw up a wind barrier for protection.

At the bottom, they leaped clear, letting the platform rise back to seal the entrance. Dr. Jia approached a wall, inserting his tablet into a device. Energy-saving lights flickered on in sequence, revealing a sprawling underground laboratory.

Ancient machines crowded the space chaotically, cables snaking across the floor like roots in a primordial forest. The air carried the cool, metallic scent of long-abandoned instruments.

Dr. Jia inhaled deeply, nostalgic. "Smells just like it used to."

He made straight for the central control terminal. "I'll check if everything's working. Make yourselves at home."

Qing Ling and Nainai stood motionless, finding nowhere clean enough to sit. The break room, sectioned off by towering machines, contained only a single bed, tea table, and fridge.

The bed disappeared under scattered clothes: socks, underwear, everything. The table and floor vanished beneath food wrappers, empty bottles, and crumpled tissues, all buried under thick dust. Next to the break room stood a door with a broken lock, presumably leading to a bathroom.

After ten seconds of silence, Qing Ling exhaled softly. "We're cleaning up."

"This Empress agrees!" Nainai's scalp tingled at the thought of spending ten days here.

They crossed to the break room. Qing Ling closed her eyes briefly, and Little Qing Ling opened them; she handled housework better.

Her face twisted at the sight. "Oh god. Where do we even start? We need rags, gloves..."

"Hmph!" Nainai brightened at Little Qing Ling's appearance. After enduring the elder sister's orders, she wouldn't miss this chance for payback.

"Stand aside, mortal! Witness the Empress's might!"

"Oh." Little Qing Ling stepped back.

"Further!" Nainai lifted her chin, savoring her moment of authority.

"Of course." Little Qing Ling retreated further, unbothered.

"Empress Sweep!"

Nainai raised both hands, weaving wind elements into countless blue magical tendrils. They gathered dust and lightweight trash from the break room, forming an unstable floating orb.

"Don't just stand there! Trash can!" Nainai bellowed.

"One sec." Little Qing Ling returned quickly with a large trashcan.

Nainai directed the wind-swept orb into the container with practiced precision. Little Qing Ling snapped the lid on.

"Whoa, done!"

Little Qing Ling surveyed the transformed break room, impressed. She gave Nainai a thumbs-up. "You're awesome, Nainai!"

"How dare you! Address me as Empress Nainai!"

"Yeah, yeah. You're awesome, Empress Nainai."

"Hmph!" Nainai crossed her arms, practically preening.

Enjoying being the master in this relationship for once, she issued another command. "You, handle the bathroom. This Empress will take care of this area."

"Okay." Little Qing Ling rolled up her sleeves, searching for cleaning supplies.

Satisfied, Nainai strutted to the fridge and pulled it open. Her eyes went wide.

"Aghhhh!"

She'd never encountered such pure evil in her life. Terror-stricken, she bolted straight into Little Qing Ling's arms.

"Oof...what happened?" Little Qing Ling struggled to keep her balance.

"No-nothing..." Nainai attempted nonchalance despite her trembling. "This Empress... has changed her mind. I'll take the bathroom. You handle the fridge..."

Ah, so that's it.

Little Qing Ling bit back a laugh, patting Nainai's back. "You must not do much housework. Yes, food gets moldy in fridges, but it just looks a bit gross. You're overreacting..."

She approached the fridge as she spoke and opened it.

Bam!

The door slammed shut.

𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Face pale, she spun around and made for the bathroom. "Changed my mind. I'll take the bathroom. Fridge is yours..."

"No! Bathroom's mine! You take the fridge!" Nainai latched onto Little Qing Ling's waist.

"Let go!" Little Qing Ling struggled. "A royal should honor her words. Aren't you the Empress? Act like it!"

"No! No!"

Meanwhile, Dr. Jia bent over a multifunctional energy converter, checking for wear. The girls' argument filtered through his concentration.

He glanced up, a memory surfacing.

Oh right, I was experimenting on Life-type Talents with cockroaches and mice. Where did I put them?

Eh, probably doesn't matter.

...

Three hours later, bright blue light exploded periodically from behind a measuring machine, yellow sparks sputtering in its wake. Dr. Jia, undershirt soaked with sweat, worked with an electric welder, protected by goggles. A towel hung from his shoulder.

Qing Ling came over with a baseball cap and a mask on, wearing rubber gloves and an apron. She was covered in dust and grime.

Little Qing Ling was done with cleaning the bathroom. The older sister returned.

"Progress?" she asked.

Dr. Jia lowered his welder, wiping his face. "Mostly functional. Two days to finish repairs, but I'll need to upgrade the software too. I'll give you a supply list later. Get everything on it."

"Okay."

"Where's Nainai?" he asked. "Need her to shrink down and get inside the machine. There's a component I can't reach to replace."

"Work on something else first," Qing Ling said.

"Why?" Dr. Jia blinked.