Future Mentor, and It's Him?

Future mentor, and it's him?

The sun sank in the west, and in the blink of an eye, the day had reached late afternoon.

After spending the day idling around at school, Qiangu Wuji headed home with Gu Yue, as they had arranged.

The two of them walked to and from school together. It had become such a familiar sight on their street that whenever the neighbors saw them, they couldn't help sighing, "Childhood sweethearts always make people jealous."

Whenever Qiangu Wuji heard that, he didn't think much of it, but Gu Yue would glare fiercely at the neighbors every time.

Over time, everyone came to think of Gu Yue as a little girl with a rather bad temper.

Qiangu Wuji, on the other hand, was very polite. Whenever he saw a neighbor he knew, he would greet them with a cheerful, "Hello, Uncle. Hello, Auntie."

He believed it was better to be kind to others than to make enemies everywhere. Kindness was cheap, yet effective. If it could make his future a little easier, he didn't mind continuing to show it.

By the time he got home, Leng Yaozhu had finished cooking. A whole table was laden with a generous spread of dishes.

Na'er sat on a chair that was taller than half her body, swinging her jade-like feet. She rested her chin in her hands, and the moment she saw him, she cheered and ran over, pattering into his arms.

"Brother Wuji!"

Qiangu Wuji wasn't much taller than Na'er at the moment. As she threw herself into his arms, he caught the faint fragrance of her breath.

He smiled and ruffled Na'er's hair.

"Na'er, did you study the characters I taught you today?"

Na'er was still under five, not yet old enough to start school, so he usually taught her some basic knowledge after he got home.

"Mhm! I did. I wrote a hundred characters today!"

Na'er looked up at him, her bright eyes sparkling.

She was so well-behaved, like a little cat longing to be petted.

Qiangu Wuji melted at the sight and gently pinched her cheek.

"Na'er, you're amazing."

While the two of them were sharing a tender moment, Leng Yaozhu came out of the kitchen with the last bowl of soup.

"Everyone, go wash your hands. Dinner's ready."

Soon, the family gathered around the table.

They sat in the usual arrangement, with Gu Yue beside Na'er.

"Wuji, do you remember what you told me last time about having a second profession?"

As they ate, Leng Yaozhu suddenly brought it up.

Qiangu Wuji set down his bowl and chopsticks and nodded.

"Of course. What's wrong? Didn't you say the things I designed were too outdated to be suitable for Battle Armor?"

He still felt rather regretful about what had happened last time. If only he could bring Emperor Armor into this world—how cool would that be?

What a pity...

"I was too quick to judge last time. I spoke without thinking it through carefully. Actually, your idea was right in some respects."

Leng Yaozhu's words left Qiangu Wuji confused.

What did she mean, right in some respects?

"Mom, you don't have to comfort me. I know what I'm capable of."

"Ah..."

Leng Yaozhu sighed, then slowly told him about Zhen Hua's visit that morning. She explained what Zhen Hua thought of his designs, including his plan to find Qiangu Wuji a teacher.

Qiangu Wuji was stunned when he heard the whole story. So I'm that impressive?

But another question soon occurred to him, and he asked curiously, "Mom, who's the teacher you mentioned?"

Zhen Hua was the only Divine Craftsman in the original story. Anyone he recommended had to be extraordinary.

Yet Qiangu Wuji racked his brains and still couldn't think of any famous figure in the original story who was skilled in mecha design.

"Zhen Hua asked me to pass this to you. Take a look."

Rather than answer, Leng Yaozhu tossed him a card.

Qiangu Wuji took it. When he saw the name on it, he froze.

Mu Ye!

It was Mu Ye!

Qiangu Wuji was bewildered. At this point in time, Mu Ye should have been hiding his identity and working as a cook by Zhen Hua's side. Zhen Hua shouldn't know who he really was, let alone find him a disciple.

What was going on?

Could his transmigration have set off a butterfly effect, causing events that should have happened later in this world to occur early?

"What's wrong?" Leng Yaozhu asked. Seeing his expression, she thought he disliked the man and tried to reassure him. "He might not be famous, but since Zhen Hua recommended him, he must have his own abilities."

Qiangu Wuji turned to look at her and gave a wry smile, saying nothing.

Was Mu Ye not famous enough? He was the sect master of the Body Sect, and the only person on the continent who had reached the pinnacle of both mechas and Battle Armor.

If he was willing to teach him, he'd be more than qualified.

More importantly, Qiangu Wuji thought of the Body Sect's secret techniques for using blood and qi. His Martial Soul was a Body Martial Soul, too. If he could learn even a little, it would bring about a qualitative leap in his abilities!

The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. He could hardly wait to call Mu Ye right then and there.

In the end, however, he held back.

He waited until dinner was over before hurrying back to his room and calling the number on the card.

As he waited nervously, a slightly hoarse voice soon came through the phone.

"You're the kid Zhen Hua recommended, right?"

Qiangu Wuji gripped the Soul Guidance Phone a little tighter and answered politely.

"Yes, Senior Mu Ye. It's me."

"Fine. Come to Seaview Home Hotel by the docks. I'll wait for you there."

After saying that, Mu Ye hung up without giving him a chance to respond.

Hearing the dial tone, Qiangu Wuji let out a sigh of relief. He'd been quite nervous when he answered.

After all, in the original story, Mu Ye was a cantankerous old man.

If Mu Ye deliberately decided to be difficult, Qiangu Wuji really wouldn't know what to do.

After agreeing on a meeting place, Qiangu Wuji didn't dare waste any time. He went straight to Leng Yaozhu to explain the situation, then left home and headed for the hotel.

After traveling for about half an hour, he finally arrived. He gave Mu Ye's name to the receptionist, and after she told him where to go, he headed upstairs.

Soon, he reached the VIP suite on the top floor. Just as he was about to knock, the door opened on its own.

"You're the Heavenly Phoenix Douluo's child?" Inside, a middle-aged man with a short crew cut leaned against the door with his arms crossed. He eyed Qiangu Wuji dubiously. "That guy Zhen Hua said it was a little boy. How come you're a girl?"

Qiangu Wuji's face darkened. He stared at Mu Ye, speechless.

How many times had this happened now?

Why did people keep mistaking him for a girl?

Couldn't they see he'd gone out of his way to cut his hair short?

Qiangu Wuji sighed, feeling utterly exhausted. "Um, I'm a boy."