Mecha Chapter 38: Wealthy

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Sulo

 

Di Jia actually didn’t sleep any better than Luo XiaoLou. When he finished work yesterday, he went to Master Yan to report his work as usual. He knew he talked a bit too much this time, and if it was the usual Master Yan, he would have interrupted him long ago. Afterwards, Di Jia was somewhat apologetic, “Sorry for taking up too much of your time again.”

However, Master Yan was surprisingly patient today, and he even said, “No, Di Jia, you’ve worked hard. However, I have to tell you the bad news, I’m afraid you will have to work overtime today.” Saying that, Master Yan handed over an object.

It was an energy box, and the casing was slightly abnormal, almost like something even an intern would be embarrassed to hold.

Di Jia somehow received it and took a glance at the numbers on it before his face turned pale. He almost couldn’t believe it and confirmed it again before he looked up at Master Yan excitedly, “Master! It’s —”

Master Yan waved his hand and calmly said, “The origin and anomaly of this energy box is something you need to find out. If you have questions, you can ask Shen Yuan.”

Di Jia immediately said respectfully, “Yes, I will immediately gather the relevant people from the Research Department to stay.”

Unconsciously tapping his fingers on the desktop, Master Yan finally said, “After tomorrow, tell me the results.”

“Yes.” Di Jia took the energy box and left, shocked by what was in his hand and surprised by Master Yan’s attitude. This old man was rarely interested in the Kane group’s affairs.

It was already night time, and the Research Department was still brightly lit.

In what the Federation could all call a rather advanced laboratory, that energy box was being tested in various ways by different professionals. But they hadn’t disassembled that energy box for the simple reason that they were afraid they wouldn’t be able to reassemble the strange energy box.

Julie, who had always been known for her rigor, pushed up her glasses and was the first to speak, “Section Chief, the report is out. Oh my god, I can’t believe it, the core energy stone is actually a Golden River Crystal!” 

“How could it be, how could this happen? This energy box didn’t even increase the number of Golden River Crystals…”

“Section Chief, an internal perspective view of the energy box has been obtained, and it can be concluded that this, this is an entirely new structure!” Another middle-aged researcher said excitedly.

“Ah, is it some master’s new work?” A researcher who had just joined the research department not long ago and still had little experience suddenly said this, and the hotly debating researchers in the room quieted down. Everyone turned to look at Di Jia as one.

Di Jia, who had just finished getting Shen Yuan, looked up and said gravely, “I regret that this design patent that can cause a change in the energy box is not from our researchers in Kane.”

For a while, the lab was even quieter, and the atmosphere could even be described as somewhat heavy.

Di Jia had an imperceptible smile on his lips as he happily continued, “However, the person who made this energy box is the same person who surprised us when I last called you all together — he’s now working part-time at Kane, and promised that his product would be sold to us first! To our Kane Group.”

The lab turned pale again, and after a long moment, the middle-aged researcher to Di Jia’s left said in surprise, “It’s actually that young man?! This, this is amazing!”

“What the —! He’s at that age and, as Section Chief knows, Luo XiaoLou came in early on and we tried to get in touch with him, but he was a complete beginner in mecha manufacturing.” A different opinion was immediately brought up.

“But he has been following Master Yan, and perhaps Master Yan has mentored him individually —” another man said hesitantly.

“I can attest to the fact that, for the time being, there hasn’t been any mentoring.” Shen Yuan suddenly spoke up.

People stopped talking for a moment, still very unconvinced of this great disciple.

After a long time, another older researcher spoke up, “Hey, I’m finding myself getting older more and more, it’s a young man’s time now!”

“Tian, we Kane’s are not bad, you can’t be too modest…”

Julie grunted and raised her voice, “I don’t think the most important thing right now is to discuss who invented the energy box, but, rather, to try to get the design of the energy box!”

The crowd woke up as if from a dream and immediately looked at Di Jia with wide eyes.

“Section Chief! This patent! We’re going to get our hands on it right?!”

“Yes, Section Chief, for such a small cost, it’s a windfall of 5,800 Luo! It could bring us great riches for Kane!”

“Luo XiaoLou, that kid, is actually still easy to talk to…”

Di Jia smiled slightly. No matter what, getting this surprise while also stimulating and boosting the emotions of the researchers was really a win-win situation. He spoke with a smile, “Of course, tomorrow, I will propose to Luo XiaoLou to purchase this patent, and, I must get it.”

“And what if Luo XiaoLou deliberately raises the price?” Someone said with concern, knowing that the improvement of the energy box was different from the two Grade 1 mecha parts. This was something that many corporate families would fight for.

Because the energy box was too important to the mecha warriors.

“I’ll buy it even if he raises the price, you guys only think of the cost savings, but there’s a huge benefit in that. Then, has anyone ever thought that if Golden River Crystals can reach this energy number, what would be the effect if we replaced them with normal Heavy Radium?” Di Jia spoke slowly.

The people in the room sucked in their breath, what was the effect? There was a good chance that there could be a more advanced energy box! In Planet Anse, where Grade 4 energy boxes were rarely seen, many mecha warriors had the money to buy no more than 5000 Luo energy boxes.

Perhaps the low cost meant a high profit, but a new grade of energy box meant uniqueness! It wasn’t just a matter of profit, this would directly make Kane have a monopoly on the market of energy boxes to trade in for those expensive Grade 4 energy boxes.

Looking at the excited crowd, Di Jia turned to Shen Yuan and said, “Shen Yuan, tell us what you know.”

Shen Yuan nodded and said, “Today, when Luo XiaoLou manufactured the energy box, I was watching from the sidelines. However, it wasn’t this energy box.”

Seeing the eyes of the crowd that lit up so brightly and then dimmed with regret, Shen Yuan’s lips curled up and continued, “It was Master Yan who asked me to go over and assist Luo XiaoLou. I think Master Yan’s intention was for me to observe Luo XiaoLou’s manufacturing method. Although I did not see the manufacturing process of this one, the next two, one was 5,900 Luo and the other was 6,700 Luo.”

As everyone was stunned, Shen Yuan added, “And, even though I don’t remember Luo XiaoLou’s manufacturing method, I could still see one thing, Luo XiaoLou’s next two manufacturing methods were two different designs.”

Two designs, plus the one in front of them, this meant that there may even be three!

Behind Julie’s glasses, her eyes brightly glowed and she murmured, “Section Chief, have you ever considered secretly kidnapping Luo XiaoLou and raising him yourself?”

“……”

That’s why Di Jia was waiting here early this morning.

As soon as Luo XiaoLou’s giddy footsteps stopped, he immediately woke up when he saw Di Jia’s energetic and smiling face.

“Section Chief, good — good morning, ah! Am I late again?” Luo XiaoLou stammered a greeting and looked down to check the time. Oh no, a few seconds had really passed! Was he going to be docked wages? Oh my god, he was poor enough as it was!

Di Jia’s forehead jumped. What does that word mean?

But to Luo XiaoLou’s surprise, Section Chief seemed to have made up his mind to get on good terms with him today.

Di Jia kindly hugged Luo XiaoLou’s shoulders and smiled as he walked inside, “XiaoLou, let’s leave that aside, there’s something I want to talk to you about today.”

 

“Ah? Want to buy my energy box design?” Luo XiaoLou was stunned. Did these designs not even exist for a large group like Kane?

125 lazily, in a voice that indicated it had just woken up, said in Luo XiaoLou’s ear, “What are you thinking? Of course, the information I have here is much better than the backward Federation people. Don’t forget that I used to be the Blue Origin Star Exotic Beast’s most — well, if not the most powerful, then the most well-informed mecha.”

Holy shit! You bastard! You got me this time, you said Blue Origin Star is the Federation’s sworn enemy! They’re going to look at the design and find something! I’m exposed! I don’t want to be a lab rat! You asshole!

Seemingly hearing Luo XiaoLou’s thoughts, 125 said proudly, “I’m such a smart and reliable A.I. How could I possibly not have thought of this? Don’t worry, these are all design drawings that have been modified by me. No one else will ever see any connection between you and me, and Blue Origin Star.”

Luo XiaoLou was quietly relieved and reassured as he wiped the cold sweat that had just appeared on his head.

Di Jia thought about it and decided to raise the price one more level, but he tried to be friendly and said without any anxiety, “Of course, you can think about it carefully before giving me an answer. Don’t worry about the price, it won’t be higher in other places. Moreover, we also had an agreement last time, and Kane has the first right to buy the things you manufacture.”

Shen Yuan received his master’s vision and also smiled, “XiaoLou, if you really don’t want to sell it, we won’t force you. But if you can sell, I still want you to sell it to Kane. After all, I want you to stay here for a longer while. I think Master Yan would want the same.”

After playing the friendly card, Di Jia threw out a mind-blowing price, “XiaoLou, I’m not going to lie to you either, the patent purchase right of this energy box in my hand, the highest price Kane has set for me to offer is twenty million. Of course, if you have other ideas, you can also tell me.”

After the shock was the surprise, no longer worrying about being exposed and hearing this amount, Luo XiaoLou’s face immediately showed surprise. Seeing this, Di Jia’s eyelids jumped. This crafty child, actually still playing hard to get with me.

Luo XiaoLou felt that he was about to faint from happiness. God, he was worrying about his financial problems this morning, and now a golden pie had fallen from the sky — he’s a multi-millionaire! He decided to be a little nicer to 125 in the future.

Luo XiaoLou rolled his eyes and said with a smile, “Ah, the price is fine, but I have two requirements: one is that I can still make this energy box myself, and I can sell some on special occasions; the other is that Kane has to keep it a secret for me, and never reveal that they bought it from me.”

The pipsqueak was crafty. This time was different from the previous petty fights; if others knew Luo XiaoLou had this kind of thing in his hands, he would definitely be pushed into the limelight, and then it would be a problem for him to defend himself.

That was why Luo XiaoLou was willing to sell it to the Kane Group group, they were all acquaintances and they would help him keep it a secret if it was brought up.

“Yes.” Di Jia said immediately, “You just have to not sell the designs to other business groups or family, and ensure that mass manufacturing and sales rights are in Kane’s hands. You can still manufacture it yourself, whether you buy or sell is up to you.” Luo XiaoLou could sell as much as one person could, Di Jia wouldn’t let this little matter delay the big event.

Luo XiaoLou mulled it over and nodded his head to agree. Apart from money, there was also Master Yan’s face, and what he had learned here was priceless.

Di Jia and Shen Yuan both breathed a sigh of relief, Shen Yuan was more happy that Luo XiaoLou could stay here than Di Jia’s sense of responsibility.

The smile on Di Jia’s face grew even wider as he asked, “I heard that you created three energy boxes yesterday?”

Luo XiaoLou smelled the money and knew Section Chief’s idea, so he began cooperating, “Mn, there are actually three designs. Although I haven’t seen the data of the first energy box yet, I think the first and the second seem to be similar. You bought one of them, but the third one is the best.”

There was absolutely no way to hide the three energy boxes he created from Shen Yuan and Master Yan, so he might as well just be honest with them, and Kane would do their best to help him keep his secret.

Of course, Luo XiaoLou didn’t have the intention of revealing all his secrets to others, since he only used three of the four designs, he naturally hid the one he hadn’t tested yet.

Di Jia was indeed more satisfied, and said after a moment, “I want to buy all of them, although I haven’t seen the designs yet. Then, I’ll give you 20 million for the second one as well. As for the third one, I can give you 30 million.”

In a short morning, 70 million was made! Luo XiaoLou couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with joy, and he didn’t say anything else. As Di Jia presented the agreement, he also happily took out the three design drawings.

Di Jia and Shen Yuan’s eyes twinkled, and Di Jia asked as if nothing had happened, “Did XiaoLou design these too?”

Luo XiaoLou laughed out loud and looked up at Di Jia, “You think too highly of me, I’m just starting to get my hands on Grade 2 mecha parts, I’m still a novice. Where could I do this on my own? But I got it by coincidence, and after getting it, I couldn’t help but test it, and I was even caught by Master Yan.”

Although the two of them had been in a state of shock since yesterday, they also felt in their hearts that it was unlikely that Luo XiaoLou had designed it. Even if he was a genius, it would be too much to expect that such a unique energy box could be designed with such an age, education and condition.

When he heard Luo XiaoLou generously admit that he didn’t design the box himself, Di Jia’s favorable impression of Luo XiaoLou suddenly grew. At least, this young man was not a vain man.

Luo XiaoLou looked at the extra large sum of wealth in his account and suddenly thought of another thing. He pushed down his surprise and said to Di Jia, “I have one more request.”

“Oh? Tell me.” Di Jia said with great fanfare, even though the agreement had been signed.

“I want to buy a full set of instruments, the best kind, preferably one that can be used like the one I used in Master Yan’s room.” Now that he had the money, Luo XiaoLou immediately thought of the advanced instruments that made him drool, and how he could only deal with the Black Chert later if he had them.

Di Jia and Shen Yuan laughed, and Di Jia said, “I can’t tell that you’re so careful. You really have an eye for detail. The equipment in Master Yan’s room is special equipment prepared by Kane for him, and Kane won’t sell it to the public at all. But if you want a set, I can naturally be more accommodating.”

Luo XiaoLou was overjoyed, God, with a room full of instruments like that, he would probably be able to find that Master Maker feeling as well. Thinking of this, Luo XiaoLou giggled.

 

“Sh, what?! 55 million?” Luo XiaoLou was dumbfounded. You bastards are robbing my newly earned money!

Di Jia nodded, “Believe me, I definitely didn’t misrepresent. This is still the price after giving you a discount, if someone else wants to buy it, it would be at least 80 million.”

Luo XiaoLou was heartbroken for a long time, but finally transferred the money that hadn’t been warmed up into Di Jia’s account again. Black Chert was something that had to be dealt with, and he definitely wanted the special equipment too.

After spending the morning signing the agreement, Luo XiaoLou went back to Master Yan in the afternoon. Old man Yan seemed to have no qualms about him, still bossing him around, and still cursing at him.

But when Luo XiaoLou left, he threw Luo XiaoLou a box. Luo XiaoLou knew it was the Heavy Radium that Master Yan promised to give him. He thanked him gratefully, and put it in his bag.

That evening, after everyone had left, Di Jia brought three designs given to him by Luo XiaoLou, and told Master Yan everything that had happened during the day, and specifically mentioned that Luo XiaoLou had bought the most expensive equipment as soon as he had money.

Master Yan had a satisfied look on his face and made a copy of the three drawings and rendezvoused with Di Jia, instructing him, “You take good care of this with your superiors, and don’t let them get involved with Luo XiaoLou even if the group comes out with a new product in the future.”

“Don’t worry, I understand.”

Luo XiaoLou hadn’t slept well last night, but was still in good spirits on his way home, stimulated by the abundance of the small treasury.

Proudly from his pocket, 125 said, “You see, I can help you earn your private money and keep this little secret for you. Now you believe me to be the most useful and advanced mecha of all time, don’t you? Don’t keep telling me I’m useless just because I know bad things, and don’t keep throwing me out of the room. I’m simply too good for you compared to your lousy host.” In the end, 125 couldn’t help but start to fight for his rights.

Luo XiaoLou’s mouth twitched. It was true that it helped earn the money, but it should not boast too much. Also, the most useful and advanced? In fact, it was the most cunning, spoiled and clingy and fake crying mecha!

The incessant self-praise continued until Luo XiaoLou opened the door to his apartment, where Yuan Xi was sitting on his couch. Luo XiaoLou greeted Yuan Xi with a smile, then went back to his room, changed, and headed to the kitchen, even humming a song happily.

Two minutes later, the dinner supervisor walked in with proud strides.

Yuan Xi made two additional laps around the kitchen than usual before he stopped behind Luo XiaoLou’s back and watched him prepare dinner up close. Only today the big cat was noticeably more fidgety than usual as he moved around, mindlessly holding Luo XiaoLou. Luo XiaoLou had to cooperate with him as he prepared the food.

“Did I…” said Yuan Xi suddenly, yet after saying two words, he fell silent.

“What’s wrong?” Luo XiaoLou wondered if this guy was up to something today.

“Did I say anything yesterday — when I got back?” Yuan Xi asked as arrogantly as usual, but Luo XiaoLou could feel his breathing quicken slightly and his body stiffen a bit.

Luo XiaoLou froze for a moment, recalling all the chaos of yesterday, but of course the most memorable was Yuan Xi’s words. Luo XiaoLou’s eyes quietly narrowed, and trying to keep the laughter out of his voice, he said, “Of course you didn’t say anything, but — you know, it’s hard to serve you when you’re drunk.”

Yuan Xi huffed, his body visibly relaxing and holding Luo XiaoLou’s waist even harder as he said matter-of-factly, “That’s exactly what you should do.” Thinking about it again, he confirmed, “Nothing about my family either?”

“No — well, let’s see, you only said it’s just me, so you would be nice to me.” Luo XiaoLou couldn’t help but say it anyway, even though he still had a smile on his face and a bit of a blush — God, he was getting weird himself, why would he blush…

Yuan Xi’s hands got a little more forceful as he furiously yelled in Luo XiaoLou’s ear, “That’s impossible! I couldn’t possibly say such a thing to you!”

“……”

Luo XiaoLou’s argument continued until it was time for dinner. Since Yuan Xi said that he would never say anything like that, Luo XiaoLou could only stop as the other started showing signs of getting angry.

When they got to bed, Yuan Xi once again warned fiercely, “Although I’ve always been lenient with you, I definitely don’t mind giving you the family law! Get your damn delusions out of your head!”

What’s this — what’s this slave thinking about all day! Even if he likes me to death, he shouldn’t have such arrogant thoughts!! How can he be the only one?? Wait… Is Luo XiaoLou confessing? Does he expect me to do… things with him?

Yuan Xi’s ears began to redden. Off to the side, Luo XiaoLou wasn’t afraid to ask again, “Have you ever had someone else before?” What happened to the former slaves?

“Bullshit! Of course not — why do you ask?” Yuan Xi’s face was starting to turn red with rage, “Shut up! No more questions. Just do your job as a slave! Come here!”

Luo XiaoLou looked at the annoyed Yuan Xi, but still leaned in quietly — actually the distance was very short, after all, Yuan Xi was already laying at his side…

 

The author has something to say: 

This one was originally intended to be about Ms. Jin, but there are already too many words, and Judah’s head is starting to spin.

 

I’d like to thank you all for your comments, thank you all so much, and thank you for the big group of daily girls~