SWDnovel Chapter 7: Are Elevators Dangerous Too?
Chapter 7: Are Elevators Dangerous Too?
"Summon him." Qin Shi Huang lightly tapped the table with his fingertips, his black robe sleeves sweeping across the bamboo slips. "Xu Fu, the cloud ladder technology of later generations is so wondrous, what are your thoughts on it?"
Xu Fu prostrated himself three times, his forehead touching the cool gold bricks: "Your Majesty, you are wise! Later generations used glass as the ground and cloud ladders to ascend, but these are all mechanical tricks, far inferior to the immortal arts of Penglai! I am willing to lead three thousand boys and girls eastward again to seek the immortal arts to protect the Great Qin—"
Before he could finish speaking, Meng Yi beside him subtly curled his fingers in his sleeve, lowered his eyes, and chuckled softly: "Master Xu, the three thousand boys from before left without a reply, and now you speak of immortal arts? Could it be that the appearance of the celestial canopy has become your excuse?"
Outside the palace, the wind rustled the eaves bells. Qin Shi Huang gazed intently at the neon lights swirling in the sky: "The children of later generations can still frolic in grand mansions, while my people are trapped in ditches... Xu Fu, what I need is not empty words, but practical solutions that will allow the people of Xianyang to walk on glazed tiles and ride on cloud ladders!"
"Your Majesty is wise!" Xu Fu knelt on the ground, sweat pouring down his face.
"Your Majesty, I have returned empty-handed this time because of the giant shark in the sea. This shark is extremely fierce and blocked our way, preventing us from approaching the sacred mountain. More than half of the boys and girls were killed. I request Your Majesty's permission!"
This time, I will lead five thousand sharpshooters and five thousand armored warriors to slay the giant shark and ascend to the immortal mountain!
At the same time, Your Majesty, I request that you grant me, your skilled artisans, permission to travel to the celestial palace to learn their crafts, and that you also provide me with all the special products of our dynasty, such as grains, agricultural tools, pottery, fresh water, and silk, to offer as sacrifices to the sea god in exchange for elixirs of immortality…”
Meng Yi glanced at Xu Fu, then cupped his hands and faced Ying Zheng: "Your Majesty, this matter requires careful consideration."
"Yes, after I have rested and recuperated, I will choose a day to personally lead the expedition, set sail, and shoot down the giant sharks!" Ying Zheng's gaze was firm.
Modern, Happy Shopping Plaza.
As soon as the little girl landed, she ran towards the staff member dressed as a rabbit mascot, just like a bird released from its cage.
The rabbit doll squatted down and clumsily waved its furry paws, making the little ox giggle.
The little girl stretched out her tiny hand and gently touched the rabbit's soft, chubby paw, asking in a childish voice, "Rabbit, why are you so big?"
People passing by stopped to watch, drawn by this adorable scene.
Lu Chen quickly caught up, smiling and nodding to the rabbit doll, then took Xiao Sizi's hand: "Sizi, let's go buy clothes first, then come back and play with the rabbit later, okay?"
"Okay~" Little Sizi nodded obediently, but kept looking back at the rabbit doll.
The two headed towards the elevator area. When Xiao Sizi saw the escalator, her eyes widened again: "Brother, the escalator moves when you're on it!"
She gripped Lu Chen's hand tightly, both frightened and curious. Lu Chen patiently explained, "This is an escalator. Just stand on it and you'll go upstairs. Why don't you give it a try, Sizi?"
"How scary! The elevator is almost touching our feet!" Little Sizi was so frightened when he saw the elevator rolling towards his feet that he kept backing away.
"Okay, brother will take you to take another elevator."
"What kind of elevator is this?" The people outside the canopy all followed Lu Chen and Xiao Sizi.
Lu Chen led Xiao Sizi to the elevator entrance.
The ancients were all curious, since there were no ladders here.
"Sizi, look, this lit red triangle button, with the point pointing upwards, is for going upstairs. If we press it, it will take us up."
"Brother, I love you!" Little Sizi stood on tiptoe, trying to reach up.
Lu Chen gently lifted the little guy up, and whoosh! The little guy grew taller.
Tap! Press down with your little finger.
"Brother, Ah Niu is so bouncy!" Little Sizi felt it was amazing.
"Hey buddy, that red thing is moving!"
"Yes, the elevator is coming down from upstairs to pick us up."
"Mmm~~" Little Sizi waited obediently.
The smooth, silver door in front of them opened silently.
A bright little house appeared.
"Brother, this is a little house!" Little Sizi's eyes widened.
"This is the elevator." Lu Chen went inside, and the elevator doors closed automatically.
"Come on, let's press this little duck first, this is the second floor." Lu Chen instructed Xiao Sizi to press the second floor button.
"The zither looks like a little duck paddling in the water." Xiao Sizi pressed it gently.
The elevator suddenly went up with a whoosh.
Soon, the door opened again.
"Hmm? Isn't it cute?" Little Sizi blinked her big eyes.
"We're here." Lu Chen carried the little one out.
"Sizi, be careful when entering and exiting the elevator. Don't step on the threshold; there's a gap there, and it's dangerous," Lu Chen pointed to the elevator door.
"Oh, I understand." Little Si nodded emphatically.
"So elevators can be dangerous too," Li Shimin said, frowning on the other end of the line.
"What will happen to our baby?" Empress Zhangsun asked anxiously.
At the same time, the concubines also lost their composure.
Chengqian quickly reassured them, "Grandpa and Grandma, the young master will definitely protect Sizi."
"Yes, Mother, the young master must have other protective measures in place, so there won't be any real danger," Chang Le added.
Li Tai, on the other hand, was really oblivious: "Young master must be trying to scare the little rascal. Didn't you see everyone else is taking the elevator?"
"Sister, Qingque's words make some sense," Consort De said cautiously.
"I hope so," Empress Zhangsun could only console herself with this thought.
Xiao Sizi went up to the second floor and was quickly attracted by the dazzling array of goods upstairs.
"Wow, so many beautiful clothes!" she exclaimed, pointing to rows and rows of clothing, her eyes sparkling.
Lu Chen led her into the children's clothing section.
"Welcome! What an adorable baby!" the sales assistant exclaimed sincerely.
"Big sister, you're so cute~~" Little Si greeted sweetly.
"Beautiful lady, please help us choose two outfits suitable for this baby, two nightgowns, and two pairs of little shoes."
"Okay! Please follow me."
The sales assistant pointed to a flowy, tulle dress and smiled at Xiao Sizi: "Baby, let's take a look at this pink princess dress, isn't it nice? It even has little bows on it!"
Little Sizi's eyes lit up instantly, and she clung to her skirt, refusing to let go: "So pink! Like spiky peach hair!"
"Let your older sister show you how it goes." Lu Chen suddenly remembered that Xiao Si Zi was a time traveler. He couldn't let it slip, since the little guy had already called her "older sister" several times.
"Sizi, wait a moment." Lu Chen whispered a few words to the little princess.
The little one nodded; she listens to her father very well!
Soon, the little guy was led out by the sales assistant, and he looked like a completely different person.
A perfect modern baby girl!
The little one tiptoed and twirled around, her skirt fluttering gently like a butterfly taking flight.
"Wow! Sizi is so beautiful!"
"The rhinoceros looks like a fairy!"
"The rhinoceros horn looks like a flower fairy!"
A group of older brothers and sisters cheered over there.
The adults also forgot their previous worries.
Seeing Sizi's delighted expression, Lu Chen smiled and said, "Try these blue overalls too? They'll be more comfortable for running."
The sales assistant immediately brought out the overalls and a matching white top.
"This outfit is so pretty!" Little Sizi really loves the blue shorts and white lace shirt with a light blue tie! So cool!
Little Sizi obediently stretched out her arms, put them on, and looked at herself in the mirror from left to right. Suddenly, she tugged at the pant leg and jumped up and down: "Brother! These pants don't trip me! They're easier to run in than my old skirt!"
The surrounding customers were amused by her sweet, childlike voice. One woman holding a baby couldn't help but exclaim, "This little one is so adorable! She looks just like one of the lucky babies in a New Year's painting!"
When Xiao Sizi heard the praise, she shyly hid behind Lu Chen, only revealing half of her rosy face.
Li Tai, back in the Tang Dynasty, was filled with envy. "I think boys would look good in clothes like that too!"
"Yes, riding a horse in this outfit is both cool and stylish!" Li Ke, who hadn't spoken for a while, couldn't help but exclaim.
The other children also looked down with envious eyes.