Though Yanqing and Yunli were exasperated, they believed that as long as March 7th trained diligently, defeating the company's scrap mechs shouldn't be an issue.
March 7th was brimming with enthusiasm, dragging Stelle to be her assistant coach to supervise her sword practice.
After some discussion, Yanqing and Yunli decided to teach her the basics while conducting a progress test every five days to ensure steady improvement.
During this process, Yanqing and Yunli transitioned from bickering to understanding each other, rarely clashing over disagreements anymore.
The fifteen-day deadline arrived as scheduled, with the duel set in Aurum Alley.
Accompanied by the group, March 7th met Scott, who had been waiting for some time.
This was the place where Scott had once been humiliated, a memory he could never forget.
"I have my principles. I don't want to be stuck in the shadow of Aurum Alley forever! You think I'm some company beggar?
I've endured this long just for this chance! I want to reclaim my pride—not to prove how great I am, but to show everyone in Aurum Alley that what I lost, I'll take back!"
[Here we go, another A Better Tomorrow moment.]
[Why are there so many memes in this plot?]
[I'm most suspicious of the director. Didn't they crack up filming this scene?]
——
Stelle, for once, wasn't being chaotic. Compared to Scott, she seemed as pure as a middle-school crush. "You should reclaim your dignity fair and square!"
"Not with these dirty tactics!" March 7th chimed in.
"I've done my research. You're just a rookie who's been learning the sword for fifteen days, and you think you can beat my invincible mechs? A pipe dream! Enough pleasantries—let's get to it! Boys, move in!"
March 7th didn't hesitate, gripping her dual swords, ready for action. "Pleasantries are over! Friends, let's do this!"
After a flurry of flashing blades and sparks, the company mechs lay defeated on the ground, arcs of electricity crackling across their bodies.
"Aaagh!" Scott stomped his feet in frustration. "You lazy, good-for-nothing scraps! How, how could you lose to that rookie?!"
March 7th retorted, "Don't blame others. Weren't you defeated by me too?"
"What? I have to… No! No, no, no, I won't! Why should Xianzhou's little metal scraps beat my company's invincible mechs? You must have cheated. This doesn't count—I demand a redo!"
"Little metal scraps, little metal scraps… The true key to victory has never been the weapon—it's the person!"
Stelle didn't want to kick him while he was down. She spoke calmly, "The folks of Aurum Alley are watching."
March 7th nodded repeatedly. "Exactly, all old acquaintances here."
"Enough—fine, it's not my first time. I'll apologize!" Scott raised his voice deliberately. "I apologize to the little boss lady of Evernight Teahouse. I caused trouble and picked a fight—it's all my fault!"
Stelle added, "You haven't done the pig squeal yet."
March 7th echoed, "Yeah, where's the pig squeal?"
"Hold on." March 7th pulled out her camera. "I'm recording this."
"At this moment, it's just like that moment…" Scott laughed, genuinely amused. "Before I do the pig squeal, I have one thing to say!"
"Company mechs—only pigheads want them—oink! Grunt, grunt, oink-oink, grunt!"
[Hahaha, that was spot-on!]
[Scott, you're practically my idol!]
[He's despicable, but he honors his bets!]
[Hahaha, I'm starting to like Scott a bit.]
Subtitles appeared:
Commissioner Scott left the dock dejectedly.
Followed by an abrupt Astral Express logo and the credits.
[???]
[That's it?]
[I wasn't done enjoying it!]
[No way, you're pulling this on me?]
——
The credits continued rolling until the final moment, when the screen panned out to reveal Sparkle's figure.
"Ya~ This was just too much fun! The boss will definitely love this story!"
The camera shifted.
Sparkle stood before a large desk. "Boss~ What do you think, huh?"
The boss's face wasn't shown; the camera only reached his neck.
"I think this version's ending is too predictable. The audience knows March 7th will win. You should add some twists—maybe a rollercoaster of turns, or an unexpected reversal! So… revise it."
Sparkle unclenched her fist, still flashing a sweet smile. "Sure thing! I'll go revise it!"
…
"Since it needs to be unexpected, let's change the ending!"
With that, Sparkle pressed the play button.
The video rewound to the scene of March 7th battling the company mechs, sparks flying like lightning.
[Holy—amazing!]
[Breaking the fourth wall again!]
[Haha, the boss's phrasing reminds me of PPT revision days. Sobs~]
[Sparkle actually accepting this? She's not stirring up trouble for her boss?]
[Sparkle's just a worker bee too.]
——
March 7th pouted, looking at Stelle, Yanqing, and Yunli. "Ugh… I lost…"
Stelle comforted her softly, "You okay?"
"I'm not hurt, but…" March 7th wiped tears from her eyes. "Master Yanqing, Master Yunli, I'm sorry… I lost…"
After some consoling, March 7th, true to her word, accepted her loss, admitting her swordsmanship wasn't refined enough.
Though reluctant, even a defeated beautiful girl looked adorable in her defiance.
"Hahaha, how satisfying! So satisfying!" Scott laughed to the heavens. "Aurum Alley, my dignity is back!"
True to his promise, Scott taught March 7th how to pilot a mech.
And so, March 7th became the galaxy's top mech combat expert.
[???]
[No way, bro, you're actually teaching her?]
[Scott, you're a real man.]
[March 7th losing? That's so Sparkle's style!]
——
The camera cut back to reality.
Sparkle raised an eyebrow at the boss. "How's that, boss? Bet the audience didn't expect March 7th to lose."
"Uh… Actually, I told you before, don't twist just for the sake of twisting. This kind of reversal will annoy the audience. They watch our web drama for emotional comfort, not to see Scott stealing the spotlight. Revise it again."
In her mind, Sparkle silently raised a middle finger: 凸(｀0´)凸
Why didn't you say that earlier?!
Believe me, I'll crush all the instant noodles you bought!
But she restrained herself, smiling sweetly. "Alright~ Sure thing~ I'll go revise it again."
…
Back at her desk, Sparkle propped her chin with one hand, chewing on her pen.
Unbeknownst to her, the ink had leaked, staining her mouth black.
"Eh!?"
Suddenly, Sparkle recalled a long-absent character—Huohuo and Tail!
"Hahaha, I've got inspiration! This time, I'm starting from scratch!"