IRCDM Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Cake, Is It Good?

“Yeah, that Pei Zhong is also quite a pity. Originally, he had an SSS-grade mental power and physical ability rating, but an accident at military school resulted in both hands being chopped off. His physical ability rating immediately dropped to A, and he was forced to drop out. Now, he can only repair mechas for others.” Deng Meng said with some regret, “Speaking of which, he was raised by Mr. Yu, has a proper Eastern District household registration, and we all called him ‘Young Master.’ It’s a pity that he finally got into military school but had that accident… It’s rumored that the military school did it on purpose; they won’t let people from the Black Market enter.”

Liang Huan was thoughtful: “Will Yu Wan Yao participate in this mecha competition?”

“Probably. Mr. Yu participates every year,” Deng Meng said. “He usually doesn’t show his face. Liang-ge, are you thinking—”

“I’ve always admired Yu Wan Yao very much and would like to meet him,” Liang Huan said earnestly.

“…Ah.” Deng Meng felt something was off, but he still said enthusiastically, “Liang-ge, are you planning to participate in the mecha competition then?”

Liang Huan nodded: “How much does it cost to buy a mecha?”

Deng Meng held up three fingers: “The simplest D-grade mecha costs thirty million Dawn Coins, which translates to sixty million Condensed Coins.”

Liang Huan fell silent.

Deng Meng said, “However, most participants rent from Dawn Corporation. They have specialized competition mechas, all of which are military surplus. Renting one for a season only costs three hundred thousand Condensed Coins. A better A-grade might cost a million, but it’s still a good deal. The prize money is secondary; the top three winners all get mechas. If you perform well, you might even be recruited by the military. Last time, the second-place winner was a kid who was admitted to a military school without meeting the requirements.”

Xu Yunyan handed Liang Huan the application form he had prepared: “Liang-ge, look, there are team, duo, and single modes. The times for the three events don’t overlap, so if your strength allows, you can register for all of them. That way, the prize money will be more substantial.”

Liang Huan glanced at it: “I’ll discuss it with Li Yao when I get back.”

Deng Meng hesitated, and Xu Yunyan pursed his lips: “Liang-ge, we’ve heard about Li Yao. While he’s good as a mercenary, his mental power rating is only C. Usually, operating a mecha requires at least a B. He probably can’t do it, right?”

Liang Huan smiled slightly: “I need his permission to participate.”

Xu Yunyan clenched his sleeves, and Deng Meng next to him was indignant: “What kind of person is that?”

“He’s doing it for my own good.” Liang Huan patted Xu Yunyan’s shoulder. “Xiao Xu, I’ll have to trouble you to inquire about that Boss Su.”

Xu Yunyan nodded immediately. Liang Huan then looked at Deng Meng: “Actually, I came to you this time with a favor to ask.”

Deng Meng immediately sat up straight: “Liang-ge, you saved our lives. Just tell me what you need me to do! As long as I can do it!”

“I heard there’s a type of deep blue pill that can instantly boost a person’s mental power,” Liang Huan said. “Help me see if you can find it.”

“Okay, leave it to me.” Deng Meng agreed readily. “Liang-ge, don’t worry. If it exists, I’ll find it for you even if I have to search through all eight lower levels.”

Liang Huan smiled: “Then I’ll have to trouble you.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Deng Meng and Xu Yunyan’s chips both rang, and several tens of thousands of Condensed Coins were added to their accounts.

“Liang-ge, this is…” Deng Meng looked at the one hundred thousand Condensed Coins in his account, somewhat in disbelief. He hadn’t earned that much even on a trip to the outer district.

Liang Huan had already stood up and said with a smile, “I’m new here and not very familiar with this place, which has led to many misunderstandings. I still need to apologize to you. Consider this meal my treat. If things go smoothly, the brothers will eat together again.”

Deng Meng was a little embarrassed: “This, this isn’t right.”

“Is your hand better? The situation was dangerous in the outer district that day, and I didn’t have time to ask in detail.” Liang Huan grasped his wrist, pressing his hand back down, “At the time, I was just impulsive because Xiao Xu was crying too much. Deng Meng, don’t take it to heart.”

Deng Meng was almost moved to tears by this show of concern, and he choked up, “Hey, Liang-ge, why bring up those things? Now we’re all friends. Besides, it was just a small injury; I didn’t even feel it after the treatment device healed it. I should be thanking you for standing up for me, otherwise I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet you.”

“Thank you for your understanding.” Liang Huan smiled gently. “If you’re willing to participate in the team competition, I’ll cover all the expenses. Deng Meng, think about it.”

Deng Meng was a little dazed by this surprise falling from the sky: “Re-really?”

Xiao Er and the others were also stunned.

“As long as your mental power allows it.” Liang Huan casually picked up the takeout food that the robot had packed. “I’ll go back first; the food will get cold.”

The group escorted him all the way to the third-floor exit before reluctantly withdrawing their gazes.

“Liang-ge is such a great guy.” The younger brother wiped his eyes. “I never thought I’d have the chance to participate in the mecha competition in my life.”

“I, I, I deserve to die!” Xiao Er said guiltily. “I, I, I thought he was just a, a, a gigolo who lived off others. I, I, I deserve to die!”

“Alright, Liang-ge not only saved our lives but also gave us such a great opportunity. We have to seize it.” Deng Meng raised his voice. “Everyone, buck up and get things done for Liang-ge first! No matter what method you use, mobilize your connections, even if you have to turn the Black Market upside down, you have to find that blue pill for me!”

Xu Yunyan’s gaze gradually became firm, and he turned and went to the lower level without hesitation.

“Xu Yunyan, where are you going?” Deng Meng called out to him.

“To stake out Boss Su!” Xu Yunyan said loudly.

He must help Liang Huan accomplish this!

—

Liang Huan went to Pei Zhong’s shop on the way.

Pei Zhong looked at the time: “You’re ten minutes late.”

“Sorry, I was delayed by the meal.” Liang Huan took the testing device he handed over. “Mr. Yu gave it to you?”

“Mm.” Pei Zhong glanced at the large gift box he was carrying. “Three months, don’t forget.”

Liang Huan said, “I’m curious. Since you and Li Yao know each other, why didn’t Mr. Yu let you retrieve the black box?”

“Li Yao doesn’t trust me.” Pei Zhong raised one of his mechanical arms, and the expression on his face became gloomy. “This pair of hands is all thanks to him.”

Liang Huan raised his eyes to look at him: “Li Yao cut them off?”

“No.” Pei Zhong’s jaw tightened. “You were sent to his side by Mr. Yu, and you don’t even know the basic information?”

“My brain isn’t well yet.” Liang Huan said helplessly. “Maybe it’s the effect of the organic disorder. Where’s the medicine?”

Pei Zhong handed him the medicine: “Li Yao didn’t participate in the mercenary competition. Mr. Yu is very satisfied.”

“Thank you.” Liang Huan took the bottle, opened it, and inside were some light blue pills, very similar to the ones Li Yao was taking, just a lighter color.

“This is a month’s worth, three pills a day. Don’t take more,” Pei Zhong said.

Liang Huan shook the little white bottle: “Okay.”

“When will your brain get better?” Pei Zhong remembered his arrogant attitude towards him before, and it always felt strange to see him so harmless now.

“I don’t know.” Liang Huan smiled and put down the gift box. “Thank you for telling me about the alien marrow, Pei Zhong. Even if I haven’t recovered my memory, my intuition tells me that you and Yu Wan Yao are not the same kind of people.”

Pei Zhong caught a glimpse of the simulation panda housekeeper robot gift box he left behind—in fact, he had seen it from the moment Liang Huan entered the door. He didn’t expect the other party to bring a gift, and he didn’t expect Liang Huan to buy such a useless thing.

He expressionlessly opened it, and then expressionlessly buried his face in it.

Liang Huan… is actually not bad.

—

Liang Huan opened the dormitory door with the lunch box and saw Li Yao sitting on the rocking chair with his arms folded, staring at him.

“You didn’t go to training?”

“You’re willing to come back?”

“…”

“…”

Liang Huan calmly closed the door and handed the food to Jinbao.

“Let me see, you first went to the Chunmanyuan Hotel on the third floor of the Black Market and had lunch for two hours, during which time you spent 130,000. You bought the latest model of housekeeper robot on the second floor, spending 70,000. You also went to the mecha repair shop on the first floor of the Black Market and chatted for half an hour. On the way, you went to the Small Panda Dessert Shop and ate a piece of mango cake and drank a bottle of orange soda. Then, you slowly strolled back and chatted with Uncle Yang for ten minutes down below.” Li Yao zoomed in on the footprint on the chip, along with his spending bill, and put it in front of him, saying sarcastically, “How come you remembered to bring the chip this time? Did you forget to put it in Jinbao’s stomach? Or do you have to bring the chip to transfer money to people?”

Liang Huan sat opposite him and had Jinbao open the lunch box. The aroma of the hot food was overwhelming. “Eat it while it’s hot.”

Li Yao knocked on the table: “Please answer my question directly, His Majesty Liang Huan.”

Liang Huan said sternly: “Li Yao, I can understand you following me.”

Li Yao gritted his teeth and said with a smile: “How am I following you?”

“Your breath is unstable, and your footsteps are different from ordinary people. I can hear it,” Liang Huan said. “I had someone shield the chip binding a long time ago. You wouldn’t have such detailed information.”

Li Yao: “…Tsk.”

“Letting you follow me is the greatest sincerity I can offer,” Liang Huan said. “I’m looking for Deng Meng for the mecha competition, and I’m looking for Pei Zhong so that I can modify the mecha in the future. All of this is for our future.”

Li Yao was very cautious and didn’t get too close, so he probably didn’t hear the detailed content, but even if he did, it wouldn’t matter. What he said was the truth.

“Eating cake and drinking soda secretly was also for me?” Li Yao raised his eyebrows.

Liang Huan coughed lightly: “I was just trying it.”

“Is it good?” Li Yao pressed down the corners of his mouth and asked fiercely.

“Acceptable.” Liang Huan lowered his eyes and tasted it. The soda was too sweet; he didn’t like it.

Li Yao picked up his chopsticks and tapped the edge of the lunch box: “You gave money to people and sent them pandas, but all I get here is leftovers. Your Majesty, you’re really stingy.”

Liang Huan said: “I made it for you.”

Li Yao snorted and laughed.

“Li Yao, can you team up with me to participate in the mecha competition?” Liang Huan asked.

The smile on Li Yao’s face instantly froze.