Mecha Chapter 69: Vacation

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Sulo likes the flirty tension here ╰(⸝⸝⸝´꒳`⸝⸝⸝)╯

 

The energy boxes were sold. That’s what Luo XiaoLou was expecting. These things… would never go out of fashion. Especially the higher end energy boxes. 

As for making a few more… I don’t mind. But it’s best to keep it to one that Kane doesn’t care about… And it shouldn’t attract attention… It shouldn’t be enough to draw attention to himself. He didn’t want to get into trouble.

Since the PDG family behind Kane had a military background, they were strict. Otherwise, the military wouldn’t have been able to let it go without saying anything. There was no hard evidence to back this up, but there were rumors that the Kane Group was supplying the military with a large number of Level 4 energy boxes every month.

As Luo XiaoLou was still thinking about it, Manager Gao smiled and said. “Luo XiaoLou, I haven’t told you the price of the energy boxes yet. Would you be interested in guessing what the price was for the energy boxes you made?”

Luo XiaoLou told himself, this man’s a fox. As soon as he hesitated, Manager Gao immediately threw the lure. But the bait really tickled Luo XiaoLou’s fancy. It was his first consignment sale and so he was curious about both the price and the market. 

Luo XiaoLou smiled and said, “I don’t know about that. As long as it’s over 140,000 federal coins, I can probably accept it.” 

A Level 3 energy box with 5,000 Luo was 140,000 federal coins. But then again… my energy boxes were 8,000 or 9,000 Luo. It should be higher than 140,000 federal coins.

The manager laughed. “Little brother Luo, you’re asking too little. That’s a lot for me to take in. The ten energy boxes… The day after Brother Luo sent them, they were all bought for 350,000.”

Even though he was prepared, Luo XiaoLou was stunned. He’d thought about the price in private and thought it would go for 200,000 or 250,000. But he never thought it would reach 350,000!

Because 350,000 was exactly what the Kane Group was selling the Level 4 energy boxes for! They were selling Level 4 energy boxes and all of them were over 10,000 Luo.

Luo XiaoLou wanted to avoid suspicion. To avoid suspicion, Luo XiaoLou kept the energy levels between 8,000 and 9,500 Luo. Common sense dictates that the price would fluctuate greatly with every thousand Luo.

“How come?” Luo XiaoLou asked in shock.

Manager Gao was extremely satisfied, sensing Luo XiaoLou’s surprise. “That’s not the final price,” he said, smiling. “To stay out of trouble, we kept the price down to 350,000. And I hope you understand that if the price is over Kane’s, it will not be necessarily good for Heavenly Winter or for you.”

Luo XiaoLou came to his senses. He said, “Of course. I agree with what you guys are doing. In fact… This price… It has far exceeded my expectations.”

Ten energy boxes. 

Three and a half million. 

Excluding the three hundred and fifty thousand he gave to Heavenly Winter, he still got 3.1 million.

You know… It was about 300,000. 100,000 of that was for materials he bought himself. The most expensive heavy radium stone was a gift from Master Yan. 

Luo XiaoLou was impressed, the energy boxes made a huge profit.

The manager’s eyes narrowed. Since they were auctioning at a price that satisfied the consignor, then they were halfway there. And a young man like Luo XiaoLou… Luo XiaoLou was young and sensible, and he was also very pleased.

“So… About my request… Little Brother Luo, is it convenient to grant it?” 

Luo XiaoLou thought for a moment, and said, “Since I am an acquaintance of Manager Gao, I must help you. But again, I hope no one knows the origin of these energy boxes.”

Manager Gao’s heart dropped to the ground. He patted his chest and promised, “Don’t worry about that. It’s not just you, my little brother, but for anyone who comes to sell on consignment, their information is completely confidential. Heavenly Winter has a reputation for that.”

The manager had been introduced to him by Tian Li, and he had helped Luo XiaoLou in many ways, large and small. After making sure there was no risk of compromise, Luo XiaoLou said, “Okay. How many do you need?”

Manager Gao was impressed by Luo XiaoLou’s straightforwardness. He immediately said, “I need five energy boxes. The price is still 350,000. I’m asking for your help this time. There’s no consignment fee.”

There was a pause for a few seconds. Director Gao changed his mind and said, “Besides, I’d like to talk business. If it’s convenient for you, Brother Luo, can you bring me some energy boxes to sell on consignment every month? If Brother Luo is willing… I’ll even give you all the materials you need. And… the consignment fee will also be negotiable.” 

The key was that, with a name like that, Heavenly Winter would get more customers.

Luo XiaoLou had grown accustomed to the manager’s sharp, slick tactics. He had been able to sell Luo XiaoLou merchandise even when he didn’t have much money.

And… Luo XiaoLou thought about it for a moment, and finally said, “Yes, I’ll follow your rules. The cost of materials will be deducted from my income. But, you know, I don’t… I can’t afford it. It’s difficult to make. And I’m afraid I can’t make too many.” Luo XiaoLou actually had no problem making ten energy boxes a day. But… But… when the gun goes off, until you can defend yourself… There is still a need to hide one’s strength!

In the end, Luo XiaoLou and the manager agreed that every month, Luo XiaoLou would make ten energy boxes and send them over.

Thinking that he would be making more than three million federal coins every month, Luo XiaoLou felt that his physical and mental fatigue had been greatly reduced.

The manager was very happy after the business talks. Before ending the conversation, he said to Lou XiaoLou, “Heavenly Winter is a good choice for consignment. If you have any finished mecha parts, etc., you can also bring them here too, little brother.”

Luo XiaoLou smiled a little, “Not yet… mecha parts, I don’t know many right now.”

After turning off the communicator, the manager shuddered and said to himself, “Can’t you find a decent reason why you don’t want to do it? You bought five hundred basic parts from me to practice on. With that kind of enthusiasm, who would believe your words?”

 

Luo XiaoLou brought the beef and fish stew to the table along with a few vegetarian dishes and a soup. It was like pinch points. The bathroom door opened and Yuan Xi emerged from it, water dripping from his hair.

Luo XiaoLou was almost moved as he ate the long-awaited home-cooked meal. The training was very rewarding for a mecha warrior and a mecha maker, but the food there was just awful.

Yuan Xi probably felt the same way. He was not even as picky as he used to be when it came to food. After lunch, Luo XiaoLou took the plates to the kitchen to clean up. However, Yuan Xi, who usually entered the kitchen only when Luo XiaoLou was cooking, padded in.

Luo XiaoLou was surprised and gave Yuan Xi a glance before continuing to put the plates and chopsticks into the advanced smart washing machine.

Yuan Xi went to the refrigerator first. It was mostly empty and they hadn’t had time to replenish it after they returned. Upon seeing the empty tier where Luo XiaoLou usually put his cakes, Yuan Xi looked a bit pale.

He turned to question Luo XiaoLou, who was leaning over him to add pumpkin to the juicer, the only thing he could find that could be turned into juice. Yuan Xi licked his lips as he watched the thin waistline, certain memories coming to mind.

Yuan Xi put down the matter of the cake for the moment and took a few steps forward. He grabbed Luo XiaoLou around the waist.

Luo XiaoLou continued with his work as he was accustomed to Yuan Xi’s actions. He took a glass of pumpkin juice and handed it to Yuan Xi, who was behind him. He asked, “Want to try some?”

“Well… I’ve already decided. Let’s try it right away.” Yuan Xi said with certainty. At the same time, he hugged Luo XiaoLou even harder.

Luo XiaoLou frowned a little. Behind him, Yuan Xi seemed agitated and his body temperature was high. He was clearly not answering his question. Was he still conscious?

Yuan Xi took the cup from Luo XiaoLou’s hand and put it on the counter. He pulled Luo XiaoLou out of the kitchen.

“You must be dying to try what you’ve passed on to me. I know you were looking forward to it last night… And you were so nervous and stiff. I felt it all.” Yuan Xi looked so sure of himself and his eyes were shining. He turned his head to look at Luo XiaoLou. Arrogantly, he said, “I’ll take you to try it now. You don’t have to thank me.”

Luo XiaoLou’s face flushed. Who…? Who would be grateful to you?

“That… I wasn’t planning — wait. Why are we going into the study?” Luo XiaoLou looked at the door in front of him with a blush on his face.

Yuan Xi raised his eyebrows and said matter-of-factly, “Aren’t we going to study? Of course you have to watch and learn. It’s not your fault. The TV in the bedroom doesn’t seem to be connected. We’ll get another one tomorrow. Besides… There are specific scenarios. And the study is one of them…”

Luo XiaoLou stared at Yuan Xi, overwhelmed. What has he been studying all day?

The computer on the desk was enlarged and it was almost as big as the whole desk. The image on the screen seemed more realistic and clear. Luo XiaoLou was so flushed he could hardly look up. But then the sound of voices inside came through and his face turned even redder.

Yuan Xi ripped off Luo XiaoLou’s shirt. He was about to kiss Luo XiaoLou when he suddenly spotted the shiny green necklace around Luo XiaoLou’s neck. A certain chubby species flashed before his eyes.

Yuan Xi’s eyebrows jumped. He grabbed the stone and commanded in a repressed tone, “Come out.”

The stone shook and 125 was suddenly in front of them. It frantically grabbed Luo Xiaolou’s clothes and seemed to be trying to go back in.

Yuan Xi tugged on its thick tail. “Now,” he said quietly, “go out and play. We’re busy.”

125 shuddered and gave Luo XiaoLou a pitiful look. It then slid down Luo XiaoLou’s leg, and fell to the ground on its belly but it didn’t complain. It got up on its own and quickly ran out the door. It even thoughtfully closed the door for them.

Luo XiaoLou looked at the well-behaved 125 with a shaky mouth, then felt a pain in his ear. Yuan Xi nibbled on his ear and said, “Let’s try the one above. I think it suits our current situation.”

Luo XiaoLou took a quick glance and his face immediately changed color. He was too shy and cried out, “That’s impossible! This… this posture. Who, Who can do it?”

“You’ll see, we can do it.” Yuan Xi said smugly.

“……”

 

When Luo XiaoLou was taken out of the study, it was almost evening. Yuan Xi said to 125, who was quietly watching TV outside, “Aren’t you a household robot? Now go and prepare dinner.”

The foot-tall green Tyrannosaurus Rex in front of the TV froze. Go prepare dinner? It hadn’t had time to cry to its owner that Yuan Xi was abusing it, when the bedroom door was slammed shut!

125, with tears of frustration, nagged unhappily about its owner. Then it picked up the phone.

At dinner the next day, Yuan Xi asked, “Is your household robot okay? I told it to cook and it ordered me takeout instead!”

“Cough… I… That’s how I set it up.” Luo XiaoLou could only explain on behalf of 125. It was not easy to think of a four-course meal. On second thought… Luo XiaoLou frowned… and then complained, “Besides, if you hadn’t gone too far… we wouldn’t have had to order take-out.”

Yuan Xi just looked at Luo XiaoLou and said nothing more. Just that evening… Yuan Xi passed on three books to Luo XiaoLou’s digital book… 

“How to Make a Delicious Cake”, “The Housewife’s Picks”, “The Importance of Living in Harmony with X”.

Luo XiaoLou stared at them in stunned silence before his face slowly turned red.

He was right not to work part-time on holidays. In addition to studying an uncomfortable sport with Yuan Xi, Luo XiaoLou had to also study the material Master Yan had assigned every day. He could hardly find spare time.

Meanwhile, Manager Gao delivered the same amount of material as the last time when Luo XiaoLou bought it. He seemed to think they were the same materials Luo XiaoLou used to make the previous ten energy boxes. 

In fact, Luo XiaoLou could now be a hundred percent successful even without the Red Grass, which increased his success rate. He even had enough to make more than seventy of them. And… All of them were fifty percent off.

Luo XiaoLou smiled slightly and took them all.

The next day after his return, Luo XiaoLou went to Master Yan’s place. When he entered, Master Yan was busy and so were the lab assistants. He was going to wait for a while, but Master Yan saw him first. He dropped what he was doing and brought Luo XiaoLou into his office.

“When will you be back?” Master Yan asked with a heavy face.

“Probably won’t be able to come over part-time until after the holidays.” Luo XiaoLou said. At the same time, Luo XiaoLou took out two bag stones and a Grade 6 material from the Shadow People, and placed them on the table. He said, “Master, I found these on the asteroid. I don’t need it now so I brought it to you.”

Master Yan took one look at it and put it on the table. With an expressionless face, he asked, “How much did you learn from that chip?”

“Almost halfway there.”

Master Yan nodded. He raised his eyes to glare at Luo XiaoLou, “Since you’ve decided to come back after the holidays… If you don’t have anything else to do, just go. Don’t waste my time.”

Luo XiaoLou immediately got up and said, “Then you go ahead, I’ll make a note of the documents.” 

“Yo. Your little disciple is quite courteous to you. He’s still sending things over.” A voice said.

Master Yan’s eyes widened. He said, “Why are you so sour-mouthed? Did the two disciples you’ve been bragging to me for a long time not send you anything?”

The other voice stopped speaking at once… and Master Yan walked proudly out the door. The disciple he had chosen was much more satisfying than the others.

 

Luo XiaoLou was buying groceries on the Internet when 125’s green body leapt into the study. It said, “I’m about to finish the restoration. I also need a little help from you. Find a place.”

Luo XiaoLou blinked and dropped what he was doing. He took 125 and headed down to the basement. 

When he reached the large underground warehouse, 125 jumped down and said, “I’ll become a mecha, then you have to help fix me.”

And then 125’s chunky body started to change.