Mecha Chapter 46: Concealment

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Sulo

 

Yuan Xi stared blankly at the box in his hand. Unbelievably, he confirmed it again and then lifted his head. Looking at Luo XiaoLou who was looking at him expectantly, he asked in surprise, “How did you get this?” 

Even though he could get a high-grade energy box like this at his home, he knew how precious this seventh grade energy box was. And since he had left home, he had been using Grade 3 energy boxes all the time. Those damn boxes were always too easy to consume.

Was this Yuan Xi’s only reaction? It was simply not worth working so hard for so long — and, something didn’t seem right. Luo XiaoLou looked at Yuan Xi strangely. Cautiously, he replied, “I made it myself.”

God. It was like the cold war that had just ended, started all over again. He’d had enough of Yuan Xi’s capricious demeanor of a jealous husband catching his cheating wife!

“Made it yourself?” Yuan Xi was stunned and looked at Luo XiaoLou in shock. After a few seconds of silence, he angrily questioned, “You never mentioned to me that you could make such a box! It’s at least a master level! How can you be so good — wait. Have you been hiding from me before? Deceiving me? Deliberately giving me the illusion of a poor student?” Yuan Xi was getting angrier by the minute. The look on his face was first one of hurt, then it began to darken beyond recognition.

He had never hidden anything from Luo XiaoLou, and he even let him inside his own mecha! None of his family ever had been in there! It wasn’t like him at all. After so many assassination attempts, this was the first time he’d ever trusted someone so much!

Okay. Except he didn’t count the truth of his identity.

Yet. This damn slave, he’d been lying to him all along!

Luo XiaoLou groaned. This was the typical Yuan Xi like thing to do. Was he really letting go of his trust in Yuan Xi too much? He was so happy and he wanted to save the best for Yuan Xi, but he forgot that he was a poor student. How could he get such an advanced energy box? In fact, if there was no Black Chert and Source of Consciousness he wouldn’t have been able to make this energy box.

But, his secret must never be revealed to anyone. 125 had said that the Federation people hated his kind. Fear and hatred. The Blue Origin Star had exploded because of a mutation, and the Federation hunted down the surviving Blue Origin Star people all over the galaxy.

Now, the Federation had been reassuring themselves that the Blue Origin Star Exotic Beasts had been extinct for years.

If Yuan Xi knew of his exotic beast lineage — would he help him hide it, or send him to the lab?

Aside from the issue of his inability to let him know of his lineage — and even that, he’d only learned and been forced to accept it recently — he’d really never meant to conceal anything from Yuan Xi. He hadn’t even given him the opportunity to hide it! Hadn’t he felt that the invasion of his own home had gone far enough?!

“Although I don’t know how you came to such a conclusion, listen, I never meant to hide anything from you! If I was that good, I would’ve tried for a full merit scholarship or something! It’s not just you. I never wanted to hide anything from anyone!” Luo XiaoLou said in an even angrier tone. Although there was an element of bluster in there, he also did feel angry.

The angry expression on Yuan Xi’s face significantly lessened. He focused on the phrase ‘I never meant to hide anything from you’.

“If you don’t believe me, and continue thinking I’m deliberately hiding a secret and getting close to you to seduce you, you can leave this house right now! And the energy box. Although you picked it up and started questioning me, but to make that box, I spent at least a month and a half of my free time buying materials, practicing, making it and I was able to achieve this effect. The main reason is that there is a strange material in the high-level design that someone gave me, and also the materials you bought for me in the last auction. That’s why this miracle happened, on accident. Maybe you don’t care, but to me, that’s the best thing I’ve ever made!”

Luo XiaoLou made a face as if he had been wrongly accused and was furiously aggrieved. Because most of it was true, there was no difficulty in making this expression. Finally, he angrily told Yuan Xi, “If you don’t like it, then give me back the energy box! I can —”

Yuan Xi immediately interrupted Luo XiaoLou and shouted incredulously, “That’s impossible! How can you take it back if you’ve given it as a gift?!” At the same time, the energy box was quickly put away as if Luo XiaoLou would snatch it back.

There was silence in the living room, and Yuan Xi was still thinking about what Luo XiaoLou had just said. His little slave had done it for him. Having worked so hard to prepare for so long because love appeared miraculous or something not very believable. It should mainly be because of the design drawings and the special materials — Luo XiaoLou really did secretly like him after all…

Yuan Xi’s ears moved. In an unnatural voice, he spoke first, “In that case, I’m the one who misunderstood. However, from now on, this kind of energy box can only be given to me. No one else can see it. Also, show me the design and the material you used later.”

Being too powerful right now wasn’t good for Luo XiaoLou. His wings weren’t fully grown that anyone would not dare touch Luo XiaoLou. Luo XiaoLou also couldn’t stay where he could see him all the time. He couldn’t guarantee that no one would get any ideas about Luo XiaoLou. He had to hide Luo XiaoLou first. Initially, he didn’t want his family to see Luo XiaoLou, but now, he simply didn’t want anyone else to see him… 

Luo XiaoLou glared at Yuan Xi and gave a palpable nod, “I would never show it to anyone else.”

Yuan Xi’s ears flushed. He was special, Luo XiaoLou was only going to give it to him.

After Yuan Xi saw the drawing of the design, Luo XiaoLou shakily told him that he had sold it, and Yuan Xi glared angrily at Luo XiaoLou before returning the drawing to him. 

Then he saw the Black Chert. Only half of the Black Chert was left and the other dozen or so pieces had been taken by 125, and had never been handed back.

Yuan Xi understood that the Black Chert was more precious than the design but he still gave it back to Luo XiaoLou, after taking a picture of it. He would leave it to others to find the stone. But he didn’t want them to find Luo XiaoLou.

By the time he saw the two items, he had already placed his complete trust on Luo XiaoLou. 

Yuan Xi coughed and commanded, “That, then make a few more. This one is memorable. I’ll keep it with me always.”  Then hesitating, Yuan Xi took another box out of his pocket and shoved it into Luo XiaoLou’s hand, “Take it. It’s for you — a birthday present.”

“But my birthday is months away?” Luo XiaoLou was surprised. He’d never received a birthday present three or four months in advance.

“Shut up. I’m letting you take it.” Yuan Xi said fiercely. It was only natural that he had prepared something for Luo XiaoLou when he received the gift. They were obviously still in a cold war at that time but when he came back to his senses, everything had already been bought — the birthday present was just an excuse.

Luo XiaoLou’s mouth was agape and he put it away as goodwill.

Yuan Xi got up with red ears and went to the bathroom. 125’s touched voice drifted back into Luo XiaoLou’s ears, “Let me see. It’s nice. It’s a protective shield. People like you, who are physically weak, can use it in case of danger. The price of something like this is almost as much as a space device. Oh. That’s very impressive! This must be the legendary token of love —”

“You must be sick of the energy boxes I prepared for you.” Luo XiaoLou interrupted 125 through gritted teeth.

125 choked on a long speech about feelings, paused for a second and followed with a shriek, “Two! You want to get rid of me with two Grade 3 energy boxes? Think of how much I’ve helped you. Diagrams, guidance and every time you had a relationship crisis, didn’t I help?!”

“Shut up. I didn’t ask for your help! Asshole. You’re just an A.I. You don’t need to worry about human emotions! Now shut up or don’t think I’ll buy materials to make energy boxes tomorrow.” Luo XiaoLou said eerily.

125 sensibly stopped talking.

Luo XiaoLou let out a sigh of relief. He had really had enough! There were limits to his patience —

“You haven’t cleaned up yet? Come over here and give me a massage.” The voice of Yuan Xi came from the big bed inside their room.

Luo XiaoLou sighed in resignation, turned around and walked into the room. Sure enough, once reconciled, the guy immediately showed his true form after a month of him taking it easy.

“Hey. You said there was a limit to your patience.” 125’s weak voice reminded him.

“…… ” Luo XiaoLou was silent. Meanwhile, he locked 125 in the deepest corner of that small hutch.

Luo XiaoLou massaged for two minutes when he noticed the change. 

First, the blanket was wrapped around him and then Yuan Xi rolled over. Before he knew it, he was already underneath the other man, and his fingers skillfully moved over his clothes.

Due to the cold war, they hadn’t helped each other in a month. Men really couldn’t take a tease. Luo XiaoLou gasped for a few breaths, then gave up the struggle. Both of them would be comfortable anyway…

Yuan Xi looked over after the release. Luo XiaoLou’s black eyes were confused and vulnerable. Fascinated, he leaned over — this guy was seducing me all the time! He can’t blame me!

The next day, they went to school again. The guidance teacher brought instructions from the principal and said Yuan Xi was allowed to choose Luo XiaoLou as his mecha maker.

Ze Ya was assigned to the eleventh student, Zhuang Yi. But Zhuang Yi had already chosen a girl from Class 3. In order to accommodate the students’ emotions, the school had to make an exception. The school could only exceptionally allow Zhuang Yi two mecha makers.

Many of the special class students were surprised while others were angry for Ze Ya. That talented and good-looking department flower really didn’t deserve such treatment.

But Yuan Xi was the first in the Mecha Department. No one could ignore his choice.

Luo XiaoLou was once again under siege. When Director Wang, the Dean of First-Year Academic Affairs, heard that the student he valued most had chosen the student he despised most half a year ago, he was furious. He even went to the principal for this.

As a result, the headmaster just smiled slightly and said it didn’t matter.

Tian Le and Yates came to congratulate Luo XiaoLou, but Yates was extremely sorry. Apart from his love for mecha, he didn’t care who his mecha maker was. But if it was his best friend, he would be even happier.

Luo XiaoLou looked at Yates and suddenly thought of something. He was still not very good at assembling mechas, but he had a lot of time before finals and field training, so he wanted to find a mecha to observe and study.

Shen Yuan had one, but Luo XiaoLou didn’t dare borrow it and disassemble it. As for Yuan Xi, it was even less likely.

Yates eyes immediately rounded up, “What do you want to do?”

“Uh… I’ve recently become interested in assembling mecha. I’d like to borrow the complete mecha to study it.” Luo XiaoLou said.

Yates looked at Luo XiaoLou suspiciously. Finally, he forced away his heart ache and said, “That’s okay. But let’s make a deal first, you’re not to touch ‘Waiting’, only look at it. Anything else you want is fine but don’t let anyone else see ‘Waiting’, or you’ll get us in trouble.”

“Ok. Don’t worry.” Luo XiaoLou was helpless but also very understanding. Yates hadn’t mentioned anything about buying a mecha since he had ‘Waiting’. He was even making money to restore the mecha, which showed how much he valued the hero’s mecha.

Tian Le and Luo XiaoLou had said that they could help raise the money for Yates to buy a new mecha, but he had declined.

Luo XiaoLou started to take time out to go to Tian Le’s lab. Since he had sold the design of the energy box again later on, and although he spent almost as much money as he had made, he still had fifteen million left. So, he made another special trip to the manager’s auction house and paid the ‘garbage’ fee for a year.

Now, Luo XiaoLou didn’t have much of everything else, but had a warehouse almost full of mecha parts.

In order to assemble a mecha for Yates, Luo XiaoLou went to the warehouse and picked up mecha parts that were still in good condition. Even if the mecha was scrapped, there were still parts on it that were almost intact.

The ‘garbage’ had yielded more treasure than Luo XiaoLou had expected. He had even found a lot of Grade 2 or Grade 3 parts.

Each mecha needed six hundred and ninety-nine pieces of parts. These pieces of parts did not refer to six hundred and ninety-nine types, rather, it was one hundred and twenty-six types.

Luo XiaoLou had already learned six hundred Grade 1 mecha parts and five hundred Grade 2 basic parts. If he was good at assembling, he could assemble several mecha.

To Luo XiaoLou’s surprise, except for the engines and weapons, in the end, most of the six hundred plus parts he put together were Grade 2 mecha parts. 

Also, replacing those insignificant parts with Grade 1 mecha parts wouldn’t be much of a problem. Anyway, all the mecha in the school that Yates was going to apply for were Grade 1 mecha parts.

After picking out the parts, Luo XiaoLou didn’t assemble it right away because his online mecha contest had arrived.

Teacher Song set aside a week of his time to tutor Luo XiaoLou. He was extremely satisfied with the student’s mastery of knowledge and the progress he had made. He was not sure if Luo XiaoLou would win the competition but if Luo XiaoLou’s performance was not abnormal, there was no problem for him to get into the top three. 

And the last time he went to see his teacher, his teacher became interested in the student he had mentioned several times. He even smiled and said, “If he’s as talented as you say he is, have his file ready in a month. In a month’s time you’ll report his profile to me, it might be a real surprise.”

Teacher Song wasn’t expecting anything in particular. But as long as his teacher agreed, Luo XiaoLou would have no problem getting a mentor next time.

What Luo XiaoLou was most interested in was actually the prizes for the contest; the advanced materials. He couldn’t help but reflect on this afterwards. He didn’t seem to have a financial obsession himself.

But now he was a little embarrassed to admit it. For the materials, he was already about to reach the point where he started plucking feathers from geese. Was it only after experiencing poverty that he understood the benefits of the federal coins?

Luo XiaoLou had to take the day off work again, but now that he was Master Yan’s guy, other than Master Yan giving him face, no one else would say anything.

The contest was held in the morning. Ninety percent was a written test and the final part was to do with a Grade 1 mecha part, and that was it.

Luo XiaoLou felt pretty good about himself. Since he didn’t have any foundation when he started, he learned the parts more carefully. Luo XiaoLou was always chasing after Teacher Song to find out more about the parts. The first level of mecha knowledge was not difficult for him.

What surprised Luo XiaoLou was that he was able to learn more. At the end of the day, those questions had begun to cover Grade 2 parts. 

The final practical questions were even more interesting. The student was presented with an assembled Grade 1 mecha part. It was to be disassembled and then reassembled. But that part was assembled the wrong way and it was very difficult to disassemble it. The slightest carelessness could cause damage to the tiny parts.

Luo XiaoLou moved his fingers as he lowered his head. He closed his eyes in an angle that the camera couldn’t see, then started disassembling. For a Grade 1 part, he closed his eyes to disassemble it even faster than he could watch.

“Hmn?” Luo XiaoLou’s brow furrowed. There was an incredibly clear perspective view of the parts presented in his mind, and there seemed to be something wrong with it.

Clear. Clearer again. Luo XiaoLou finally discovered that there was an extra tiny part inside the Grade 1 mecha part that shouldn’t exist on this mecha part. Though its presence was wrong, there were two other tiny parts connected to it which were very slim and not easy to remove.

If one were to be removed by force, the other one might get deformed. At this time, no matter how simple this grade of parts was, it wouldn’t be able to be assembled successfully.

A smile appeared on Luo XiaoLou’s lips. Difficult things are fun to do.

However, this problem was too clever. While dismantling the two innermost parts, Luo XiaoLou had to part with a sliver of Source of Consciousness to control the extra part inside to keep it stationary. Only then could he successfully disassemble it. Without the Source of Consciousness, Luo XiaoLou probably would have had to give up his marks for the practical part. 

Luo XiaoLou breathed a sigh of relief. 

During the disassembling process, Luo XiaoLou applied the Source of Consciousness to help control the part for the first time. This was different from controlling monsters and Luo XiaoLou even felt it. Even if he didn’t get into the top three, it would still be worth it. 

 

One week later, the results of the online contest were announced.