Chapter 17 “Do You Have a Favor to Ask?”

Chapter 17 - "Do You Need My Help?"

The mental strength of an Alpha could indeed be enhanced through practical combat training.

However, there were no records on how to improve the mental power of a mecha pilot.

Everyone in the entire galaxy believed that a mecha pilot's mental strength was unattainable.

But Luo Le didn't believe it. He vaguely remembered someone mentioning that it was possible to enhance it.

"Of course, the quality of the materials used for manufacturing also affects the performance of the mecha. The Vision Tower in the military district provides free D-grade mecha materials. You can go there and mention my name for practice anytime. Today, I'll teach you the techniques and methods of constructing a mecha arm."

"Alright, follow me now..."

Bai Feifei nudged Luo Le and whispered, "Why is General Huo always looking over here? Does he know someone in our team?"

Luo Le had been immersed in his thoughts and hadn't paid attention to his surroundings.

Upon hearing Bai Feifei, he turned around but found that Huo Lanjing was already nowhere to be seen.

"Perhaps."

Bai Feifei had only mentioned it out of curiosity and wasn't too interested.

"Why did you choose to join the First Military Unit? I joined to escape my family, and he's here with me."

Luo Le pressed his lips. "Maybe it's because... I have a lot of free time."

Bai Feifei's mouth twitched. "Honey, even if you don't want to answer, you don't have to be so dismissive, do you?"

From a glance, they could tell that the two were young masters experiencing life.

If someone found out that he was none other than the widely ridiculed Admiral Huo's wife on the Empire's Star Network, who knew what kind of trouble it would stir up.

Luo Le didn't bother explaining and instead gazed at the passing scenery by the roadside.

Besides, what he said was true; now that he was on break, he indeed had plenty of free time.

Seeing that Luo Le wasn't responding, Bai Feifei didn't persist in asking further.

Thirty minutes later, in Room 1 of Mecha Studio 21 on the Starlight Tower.

Yang Liqing shared more knowledge about mechas with them.

After demonstrating the assembly of a mechanical joint, he encouraged them to try it themselves, offering help if they encountered any issues.

Luo Le looked at the materials before him with a lack of enthusiasm, his thoughts drifting afar.

His own mecha had been shattered during a stellar storm.

Due to his frail physique, he had never been able to activate any mechas available on the market.

It wasn't until after his enrollment when his mentor showed him one that he eventually found a solution after half a year's search.

By adding a few extra components and two intricate programs to the mecha, he finally gained the ability to operate it. Initially, he could only control E-class mechas.

Years of Luo Le's dedication have now enabled him to pilot C-class mechas.

At present, he wanted nothing more than to construct another C-class mecha.

Not long ago, Huo Lanjing had asked him to go for a prenatal checkup. Who knew if he might be sent back to the Empire next?

If that happened, the Star Network would have a field day with his story, and rumors would surely spread like wildfire within the military district.

In that case, he'd leave on his own accord.

He could claim he went on an interstellar journey and never came here at all.

That way, he'd escape Uncle Huo Lanjing's sarcastic jibes.

It was one thing to think about it, but his current situation was that his mecha was broken.

Only mechas of C-class or above were capable of interstellar travel.

Yet, all he could obtain now were D-class materials. He knew Huo Lanjing had the authority to help, but given their recent unpleasant encounters, it would be pointless to ask.

"What are you doing? It's practical training time, and everyone else is working on the robotic arm shafts. Yet, you're just daydreaming here?"

Luo Le snapped back to reality, looking at the untouched materials on the table with a hint of embarrassment in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I got lost in thought for a moment."

Yang Liqing had noticed Luo Le's distraction since earlier. It wasn't a momentary lapse; he hadn't been listening to the lecture at all.

"Don't think that an apology will settle this. As punishment, you'll be staying behind today to inventory the mecha parts. Those over there haven't been logged into the storage yet."

Luo Le followed Yang Liqing's gesture and saw that the roughly forty-square-meter room was filled with mecha components.

He didn't know how long it would take to finish, but acknowledging his mistake, he didn't argue.

After the afternoon training session, everyone else left.

Bai Feifei had intended to stay and help Luo Le.

Yet, Yang Jiao forbade anyone from assisting Luo Le and declared that he would personally supervise.

Powerless to intervene, he could only follow suit and depart.

Before leaving, he patted Luo Le's shoulder with an expression of mixed emotions.

"Poor darling, see you tomorrow."

Luo Le wore a helpless look. This person was far too friendly, addressing him as 'darling' on their first meeting.

One might mistake them for having a close relationship.

The thought that this man would continue to call him that made Luo Le somewhat uncomfortable.

"Um, it's better if you just call me by my name. I'm not really fond of others addressing me like that."

Bai Feifei, being carefree, patted his shoulder and joked, "Don't worry, I'm not trying to pursue you. Actually, I have many darlings."

Luo Le was taken aback; clearly, she had misunderstood his intentions.

Yang Liqing: "What are you dawdling for? Aren't you leaving?"

Bai Feifei sighed. "Darling, I'll go first then."

Seeing that he couldn't persuade him, Luo Le didn't insist. "Okay."

In any case, it wouldn't be him who would regret it later when everyone on Star Network found out that he was the ridiculed Admiral's spouse.

Soon, they were the only two left in the room.

Yang Liqing took Luo Le over, and the two of them began sorting and moving the parts and materials together.

But before long, he was suddenly called away, leaving Luo Le alone.

The setting sun's afterglow filtered into the room, casting a warm orange glow on Luo Le's face. Glistening beads of sweat dripped down from his forehead.

Luo Le had already documented most of it; now, all that was left were the mecha's legs and arms.

Gazing at the towering mech limbs that reached almost his full height, Luo Le sighed.

He then crouched down, exerting great effort to lift one. Just as he was about to set it down, his name was unexpectedly called out from the entrance.

He instinctively turned around, inadvertently brushing against the towering stack of mechanical shafts nearby.

One of them tumbled down, striking Luo Le's shoulder with a force that displaced it. The shaft was made of hard metal and quite heavy.

In pain, he exclaimed, "Ah..."

His grip wavered, causing the object in his hands to crash onto the ground with a loud thud.

Huo Lanjing: ...

Was he some kind of terrifying beast that Luo Le was so afraid of?

Luo Le watched as Huo Lanjing walked silently up to him and effortlessly lifted the mech limb.

"Where do you want me to put this?" His voice was deep, as if steeped in strong tea.

Luo Le raised his uninjured left hand and pointed to the slightly more spacious area on his right.

Only then did he realize how Huo Lanjing had arrived.

He watched as Huo Lanjing put down one box and lifted another.

"I'll help you."

Luo Le skipped over eagerly, after all, it was his fault that this happened.

"Hold back."

Noticing the disdain in Huo Lanjing's gaze, Luo Le stepped back, "Oh..."

After Coach Yang left, he hadn't returned. He probably wasn't coming back.

Luo Le nodded.

Walking with him to the door, she locked it securely.

Her shoulder throbbed subtly, likely bruised, and her arm was both painful and numb.

Luo Le walked along, using her uninjured hand to massage her arm from time to time.

Huo Lanjing glanced sideways and noticed Luo Le's damp, sweat-soaked bangs sticking to her forehead, and her lips appeared slightly pale.

A hint of purple bruise peeked through the right side of her shoulder, evoking a sense of vulnerability.

Huo Lanjing paused, then withdrew his gaze to ask, "Did you do something wrong?"

His tone was filled with accusation, devoid of any concern.

Luo Le chuckled self-deprecatingly and lifted her head to look at him. "General Huo, don't worry. No one knows about our connection, so I won't embarrass you."

Huo Lanjing's eyebrows knitted together as he spoke in a controlled voice, "Speak properly."

"Am I not speaking properly? Huo Lanjing, did I beg you to come over or help me move?"

Huo Lanjing's heart sank; he had come with good intentions to pick Luo Le up.

Yet, not only did he not receive a kind word, Luo Le's attitude was abysmal.

Huo Lanjing halted, his face dark as he cast a disdainful glance at him.

Then, he turned and left, striding quickly away.

There was no indication that he intended to wait for Luo Le.

Luo Le didn't want to provoke further annoyance by following, the mere thought of Huo Lanjing's cold expression making him uncomfortable.

He walked in the exact opposite direction.