Chapter 1 The Undercover Meeting
Inside the Mecha Equipment Research Institute, located on the fifth sub-basement level of the Herc City Community Building.
Ling Ling led Gu Ya and Wu Xuan out of the elevator.
Ling Ling said, "Don't be nervous. This is an informal meeting."
"The researchers don't believe that two seventeen-year-old boys can create a transforming mecha."
Ling Ling thought for a moment, then reminded them, "They might try to give you a hard time. If you don't want to answer, you don't have to."
Gu Ya smiled and nodded. "It's fine, Sister Ling Ling. As long as they don't reveal my and Wu Xuan's information or our appearances, I can handle the rest."
The group entered a small conference room. Six people were seated around an oval conference table.
They were all wearing white researcher lab coats, with the "Tian Xuan Group Mecha Research Institute" name tags on their chests gleaming.
Seeing Gu Ya and Wu Xuan wearing white masks, these individuals showed dissatisfaction and disdain in their eyes, and they began to discuss amongst themselves.
"What's the meaning of this? Ashamed to show their faces?"
"Why did they come empty-handed? Where are the blueprints?"
"So young, are you sure they're the ones who built it?"
Ling Ling sat at the head of the conference table, with Gu Ya and Wu Xuan seated on her side.
"Alright, we can begin," Ling Ling said softly, her expression indifferent and her aura commanding.
A researcher seated at the far end of the table asked, "Excuse me, have you brought the blueprints?"
This question was relatively normal. Gu Ya calmly replied, "Once the program handover is complete, I will present a complete set of blueprints, including drawings for every standard part, component, and assembly. Both 2D and 3D versions are available."
The second person asked in a mild tone, "After the positional changes of a mecha's components, do you know how the various parameters change?"
This question, at first glance, seemed vague and difficult to answer, but it was actually a verbal trap. Gu Ya remained composed and said, "They don't."
The third person activated a holographic projector, displaying a blueprint. He asked, "What issues can you identify in this blueprint?"
Shifting away from the mecha itself to ask a fundamental question, Gu Ya smiled faintly. He stared at the blueprint for two seconds and said, "There are no issues with this blueprint."
The questioner sneered, shook his head, and murmured, "Can't even read a blueprint."
Gu Ya also sneered and said, "There are no issues with the blueprint itself, but the resulting machine has significant problems!"
"This is the diagram for the mecha's kinetic vector monitoring and calculation instrument. At point g3215, only one fluid dynamic processor is used. While this ensures computational speed, the error rate is increased by 0.03%."
Gu Ya continued, "In mecha combat, even a single parameter error can lead to a pilot's misjudgment, ultimately resulting in the pilot's death."
"Are you not ashamed of creating such a thing, your research institute?"
The questioner's face immediately turned grim. He reprimanded, "You little brat, what nonsense are you spouting? This is the result of our tens of millions of trials!"
Ling Ling immediately looked at Gu Ya. Despite wearing a mask, Gu Ya displayed a composure far beyond his years.
Gu Ya slowly stated, "I suggest adding a gamma configuration filter, which would reduce the failure rate to one in a million."
"You!" The questioner angrily stood up.
A senior researcher beside him raised a hand and smiled, saying, "Old Li, I think what this young man is saying has merit. Every possibility should be explored."
"Director, this is our most important patent this year! We've spent a great deal of time on these trials, there can't be a mistake!" the questioner said in a low voice.
The elder nodded with a smile, gesturing for Old Li to sit down. He then addressed Gu Ya, "Young man, I have a non-technical question."
The elder's gaze was sharp, as if it could pierce through the mask and directly into Gu Ya's eyes. "Why did you build a transforming motorcycle?"
This question was very simple, almost too simple for a wise elder. Gu Ya pondered the logic and traps behind it, but after considerable thought, he couldn't figure it out.
Gu Ya hesitated for a moment and said, "Hobby, I guess."
The elder said, "We began researching transforming mechas a long time ago, but we haven't succeeded. The workload behind it is immense; every component needs to be redesigned."
"However, you assembled a transforming mecha using only parts collected from a junkyard. We are very surprised."
"Simplicity from complexity. Your design concept is unconventional and forward-thinking, and we have much to learn from it."
The elder paused and then asked, "Let me ask you another question. In the data constant flow network, if a mecha's secret surge leakage threshold exceeds 0.03257, what parameter conflict will occur with the dark data density value?"
As soon as the elder finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.
The question was so profound that it took Gu Ya a long time to comprehend its meaning. Gu Ya let out a sigh and regretfully said, "I apologize, I still have much to learn."
"Hahaha!" The elder laughed, but his laughter was sincere, yet with a hint of mockery. He said, "I just made that up."
Well, that was the trap. Fortunately, Gu Ya was honest.
The elder stood up, and everyone else followed suit.
The elder extended his right hand, clasped Gu Ya's, and smiled, "Young people are truly formidable. We will research your suggestion. I also hope you'll visit often for exchanges in the future."
Gu Ya smiled humbly and said, "Just don't ask so many tricky questions to put me on the spot anymore."
The elder chuckled, "It's our first meeting, so of course, we had to test your depth. Hahaha!"
The others also laughed.
The meeting concluded, and Ling Ling escorted Gu Ya and Wu Xuan out.
As soon as they entered the elevator, Wu Xuan let out a long sigh. "You scared me so much I didn't dare to speak. Gu Ya, you're amazing, completely unfazed."
Gu Ya said, "Just say what you know, there's nothing to be nervous about."
Ling Ling shed her commanding demeanor from the meeting and smiled amiably. "Gu Ya, why don't you come work for me?"
Gu Ya politely declined, "I like the feeling of freedom and soaring when I pilot a mecha. Your place is too restrictive."
Ling Ling nodded and said no more.
The two returned to the junkyard. Youyou was already waiting at Old Gan Tou's place.
Seeing them return empty-handed, Youyou was instantly taken aback and asked, "Brother, where's the big motorcycle you promised to build for me?"
"Ling Ling sister took it for research."
Youyou's face darkened. He narrowed his eyes and asked, "So, the first person on your motorcycle's back seat isn't me?"
Wu Xuan chuckled awkwardly and quickly moved aside.
Gu Ya quickly reassured him, "Once it's mass-produced, I'll personally take you for the first ride! We'll tour Herc City together!"
Youyou beamed with pride and said, "That's more like it, hehe."
Old Gan Tou shouted from inside the house, "Alright, alright! You two have been busy for four or five days, it's time for a good meal!"
"Grandpa Old Gan Tou, what delicious food have you made?" Youyou excitedly ran inside.
"Everything you love to eat!"
Gu Ya and Wu Xuan exchanged a smile. Wu Xuan placed his arm on Gu Ya's shoulder and said, "Gu Ya, ever since I met you, I feel like my life has gained new meaning. When you live, you should do one or two things worth remembering."
Gu Ya dodged, "So cheesy, don't learn from Wang Panpan!"
"Gu Ya! Wu Xuan! Hahaha." Wang Panpan appeared from a distance, waving as he walked.
Wu Xuan shrugged helplessly and said, "The world is so small, hahaha!"
Gu Ya smiled and slung an arm around Wu Xuan's shoulder as they walked towards Wang Panpan.
"Gu Ya, I heard you're participating in the official mecha pilot assessment in a couple of days," Wu Xuan asked.
Gu Ya said, "Yes, that's right."
"Good luck!"
Gu Ya playfully punched Wu Xuan's arm and said, "You're still worried about me? Haha!"
"Of course, we're good brothers!"
Wang Panpan shouted, "Good brothers? Count me in!"
"You're going to be a big star! How could you possibly care about us! Hahaha!" Gu Ya said teasingly.
Wang Panpan quickly replied, "Brother! You're flattering me!"
Wu Xuan said, "One a big star, one a big mecha pilot, then I'm the big junkyard owner! Hahaha!"
"Hahaha!"
"Hahaha!"
Wu Xuan shouted at the top of his lungs, "To our future! Let's go!"
Let's go!