Overprotected By My Tsundere CEO-Chapter 693 - 434: Show-Off

As night fell, Crystal Hughes squatted on the balcony, resting her chin on one hand, holding a palm fan in the other, fanning the charcoal in the barbecue grill.

The new smokeless charcoal wasn’t of great quality. It had just been lit and was still smoking. As the summer breeze blew directly towards her, Crystal Hughes ended up in a fit of coughing, looking quite ashen.

"Mom!"

Andrew Hughes ran over with a wet towel, handing it to Crystal Hughes.

Casting the palm fan aside, Crystal Hughes took the wet towel, wiped her face, and raised her hand to ruffle Andrew Hughes’s little head.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz."

The phone on the coffee table in the living room started vibrating.

Crystal Hughes wanted to get up, but she felt dizzy from squatting too long and wobbled. Andrew Hughes noticed and said, "I’ll get it," then toddled inside, found the phone, and handed it to Crystal Hughes.

It was a call from a colleague.

"Hello."

Crystal Hughes answered the call, walked over to the balcony railing, and looked at the neighborhood after dark, with specks of warm yellow lights here and there.

"Miss Hughes, I have an interview tomorrow, but something urgent came up at home, and I really can’t make it. Can you help me with the interview?" the colleague asked earnestly.

Crystal Hughes glanced down at Andrew Hughes. The little guy had already squatted in front of the barbecue, picking up the palm fan and fanning vigorously.

She pressed her lips lightly.

She had ended her vacation early this month to return to work and had gotten busy again. Coincidentally, Andrew Hughes had just started his summer vacation, and Crystal had planned to take a leave to spend some time with Andrew, as such opportunities were rare.

"...Alright."

After thinking for a moment, Crystal Hughes agreed.

"Thank you."

The colleague must have really been unable to find someone else. Hearing Crystal Hughes agree, they were immensely grateful and only mentioned the interview location at the end—

"Oh right, it’s at the drone exhibition hosted by Victor Technology. I’ve sent you the address. Also, the interview is only half an hour long. If Andrew likes drones, you can bring him along, Miss Hughes; it won’t be a bother."

"..."

Crystal Hughes was momentarily stunned.

Holding the phone, Crystal Hughes raised her eyes to the night sky, filled with stars—it was a rare sight to see such good weather. A warm night breeze blew through, carrying the essence of summer.

"Mom?"

Andrew Hughes turned to the side, looked up, blinking with curiosity as he called out to Crystal Hughes.

"Andrew," Crystal Hughes squatted down, slightly bent her head, flicked Andrew Hughes’ forehead with a finger, and smiled, "Mom has a short-notice job to do—"

Andrew Hughes’s bright eyes gradually dimmed.

Suddenly, Crystal Hughes shifted her tone, "How about we go see a drone exhibition tomorrow?"

"Yes!"

His eyes lit up, and Andrew Hughes nodded without hesitation. Trying his best to remain composed, he couldn’t hide his excitement.

Crystal Hughes smiled, pinched Andrew Hughes’ little cheek, and took the palm fan from his hand. "Go hurry Grandpa Hughes up, ask when he’ll be back, and mom will handle the barbecue."

"Okay."

Andrew Hughes nodded and obediently ran back to the living room.

*

Victor Technology’s influence was growing, showcasing all their drone models and types at this exhibition, including new models not yet on the market, attracting a large number of enthusiasts.

Moreover, with Pedro Langley controlling Cool Ridge Media, they had signed a number of influencers, including highly educated ones with millions of fans. There was a live stream designated to cover the exhibition process handled by a few of these influencers, aiming both to increase educational outreach and boost the exhibition’s popularity.

As for mainstream media, they usually attended primarily for Camilo Nogueira’s half-hour interview with Victor Technology.

...

"Marcus, Oliver, I’ll leave Andrew to you for now."

Reaching the entrance of the exhibition hall, Crystal Hughes entrusted Andrew Hughes to the two. Dressed in formal attire and wearing some makeup, she appeared energized, nothing like her weary state from the previous month.

Initially, she planned to let Andrew stay in a nearby shop by himself during the interview. However, when she mentioned it to Peter Hughes that evening, Peter said Marcus Shaw would also be there, so she could leave Andrew to Marcus instead.

—After all, it’s not the first time Marcus has looked after Andrew Hughes.

Crystal confirmed this with Marcus, and indeed it was the case, so she made arrangements with them ahead of time.

"Alright."

Marcus Shaw, holding Andrew’s hand, nodded.

Andrew looked up, reassured her, "Don’t worry, Mom."

Crystal Hughes laughed.

Oliver Scott looked a bit sulky, wondering why this sister referred to Marcus as "brother," whereas he was called "younger brother." Did he seem less reliable than Marcus?

After making a quick phone call to a colleague responsible for photography, Crystal Hughes smiled, said goodbye to the trio, and headed into the exhibition hall first.

"Marcus."

Andrew tugged on Marcus Shaw’s hand gently, lowered his voice, and spoke to him.

Marcus Shaw looked at him suspiciously for a moment, then bent down slightly to listen to Andrew Hughes.

"Has Miss Scott been nicer to you because you got first place in the exam?" Andrew Hughes asked seriously.

Marcus Shaw: ?

After a pause, Andrew Hughes said again, "I heard Oliver Scott came last."

This is a great opportunity!

On the other side, Oliver Scott, who saw their sneaky behavior, proactively came over and just happened to hear Andrew Hughes’s words, immediately finding it amusing, "Andrew, isn’t your bias a bit too obvious?"

"..."

Andrew Hughes paused, glanced at Oliver Scott, then took half a step back.

Pulling Andrew Hughes slightly back, Marcus Shaw calmly met Oliver Scott’s gaze and quietly said, "He likes those with good grades."

"..."

Oliver Scott’s mouth twitched slightly.

Bullshit! Even if you got zero points, this kid would still unwaveringly stand by your side!

Fortunately, Oliver Scott has a good temperament, and after being a bit depressed about it, he let it go, and when encountering a small game to win candy, he took some effort to win a few candies and gave them to Andrew Hughes to eat when he returned.

Andrew Hughes ate two pieces, gave two pieces to Marcus Shaw, and put the remaining ones in Marcus Shaw’s pocket for him to take back to Nora Scott.

Seeing him so eager to build a good relationship with Nora Scott, Marcus Shaw didn’t tell him that Nora might not return today as she went to the film set.

...

At ten o’clock sharp, the process moved to the first item.

At the time, Marcus Shaw, Andrew Hughes, and Oliver Scott had just lined up to play a game. Suddenly, hearing cheers, they looked up to see dozens of drones hovering in the sky, not the usual several market colors, but specially replaced with festive shells. In an instant, they formed the "Victor Technology" logo in the sky.

Then, fireworks exploded.

Immediately, the drones formed various patterns, their colors changing, creating an array of changes that dazzled the eye.

Until finally, they formed a long dragon, one after another, each banner sequentially descending from left to right, all various blessings sent by fans.

A very spectacular show.

The five-minute-long performance drew more and more people, and on a temporary stage, a staff member acting as the host briefly introduced each model of drone in the sky.

And on the screen behind them, detailed information flashed accordingly.

"Lastly, let’s introduce a unique drone — the Mechanical Drone. Combining advanced technological techniques with ancient Mechanical Techniques, it is the crystallization of great wisdom..."

The host droned on.

Oliver Scott bumped Marcus Shaw’s elbow, looking up at the Mechanical Drone flying in from the main entrance, feeling a shock of familiarity.

"One of the hundred and eight ways the couple shows affection?" Oliver Scott was stunned.

"..."

Marcus Shaw was left speechless.

——This couple sure knows how to play.

But, within less than three seconds of their commentary, their attention — and the attention of the entire audience — was captured by the display of the Mechanical Drone.

Without manual operation, under the system’s automatic control, through the large screen at the back, it showcased its mechanisms to those present and live broadcast viewers in real-time.

Two forms of display, left and right, each descended with a long couplet, stabilized, and ended with flowers falling from the center.

What shocked those present was that automatic mechanism operation —

Achieving such a level using modern technology would simply earn applause. Yet, the large screen clearly showed the structure of the mechanisms, and the drone was made entirely of wooden materials, with the display of the operating model further dazzling viewers.

None of those highly skilled technology personnel present could understand it.

Live broadcast comments:

[??? What is this game?]

[Mechanical Techniques are going to be a hit!]

[Am I really seeing thousand-year-old Mechanical Techniques at a technology exhibition? No, damn it, how do you operate this?!]

[Damn, Victor Technology is awesome! Who did they find to design this?!]

...

The live broadcast, originally not having many comments, was instantly flooded with dense comments.

In the crowd.

Marcus Shaw’s eyes flashed. After a moment, he squeezed out a word very indifferently, "Respect."

"Sis is truly amazing." Oliver Scott’s brows danced with admiration and sincere praise.

"However," after a pause, Marcus Shaw turned his head, slightly furrowing his brows, and suddenly asked, "What’s the point?"

Oliver Scott: "..." Probably, it’s quite showy.