"Sss-"
"After all that work, the welding's finally done!"
Late at night.
Xu Fan set his welding helmet and electrode holder on the old workbench.
Fatigue showed between his brows.
When his father had passed away ten years ago, he had left behind nothing but a nearly impossible dying wish!
His mother's health was poor, too, so Xu Fan could only work odd jobs to earn his tuition.
Fortunately, after he obtained his special-grade welder certification, more jobs became available during summer vacation.
Using the knowledge from his university mechanical engineering major to weld intricate metal figurines paid fairly well.
After paying tuition, he barely had enough to keep himself and his mother fed and clothed.
His father, Xu Tiangong, had been a researcher working on the front lines ten years ago.
He had poured painstaking effort into breaking Eagle Sauce's monopoly.
He had led a team that developed a manned submersible capable of descending 7,000 meters beneath the sea.
During a manned test, his father had suffered an accident.
On his deathbed, he had entrusted all his hopes and burdens to Xu Fan, who excelled academically.
Only after hearing Xu Fan promise that he would definitely develop a submersible capable of reaching ten thousand meters beneath the sea had he closed his eyes forever.
"Dad, I'll definitely do what I promised you!"
Xu Fan clenched his fists, a glint of resolve flashing in his eyes.
"Beep, beep-"
His phone suddenly sounded, snapping Xu Fan out of his thoughts.
A new WeChat notification: one new friend.
A customer!
He tapped it open. The profile picture showed a cute young woman.
The moment he accepted, the other party sent a string of messages.
"Hello, Master Xu. My name is Wang Yixue. I just found out from a talent information website that you're a nationally certified special-grade welder and also a student at Zhonghai National University of Defense Technology. You should be familiar with mechas."
"I'd like you to help weld a 500 cm-tall mecha. Would you have time?"
"This is very important to me. Name your terms!"
Good lord, five meters?
This was a huge customer!
The unexpected big customer lifted Xu Fan's somewhat low spirits considerably.
Factoring in all the costs, the budget might exceed a million.
"Three million."
"Hmm... all right, three million it is."
The other party paused briefly, then actually agreed outright.
"Uh, well..."
She agreed so quickly that Xu Fan was at a loss.
He continued the conversation to see what this cutie would say next.
"Do you have any specific requirements for this mecha model?"
"Nothing too demanding. Mainly, it needs to look grand and impressive-the more futuristic, the better! Also, I need it urgently. It has to be finished by tomorrow night and delivered to a location I specify. I want to surprise my grandpa at his birthday banquet the day after tomorrow."
The young woman also attached three thoroughly futuristic mecha images after her message.
Holy crap!
Crimson Typhoon from Pacific Ocean Rim?
Strike Freedom from Mobile Suit Gundam?
The Grav-Body from Ling Cage???
Xu Fan's heart instantly went half cold.
He had only watched a little of those films and shows, just enough to recognize the names.
He was just a humble welder, not an alien.
A five-meter-tall mecha!
Even if he recruited a few helpers from school, welding a simple likeness would take a week. How could he weld it in less than two days?!
He had thought he could earn next semester's tuition and improve his family's living conditions along the way.
Now, it seemed those hopes had gone up in smoke.
He could only refuse. There was no other choice.
[Detected the host's urgent desire to manufacture high-tech products. Binding the Super God Technology System-] [Binding successful!] [First-meeting gift: Super God Technology Workbench Lv1] [Granted 1,000 Technology Points] [Transfer of scientific knowledge related to mecha manufacturing complete]
Knowledge of how to use the system and manufacture mechas appeared in Xu Fan's mind.
The system could help manufacture all kinds of super god technology, and the shock elicited by the technological products he created could simultaneously be converted into Technology Points.
He could then use Technology Points to develop more super god technology.
Ecstatic, Xu Fan's breathing quickened.
His first thought was immediately to use the system to develop a deep-sea submersible and fulfill his father's dying wish.
He pictured what several top-tier deep-sea submersibles should look like, only for the system to inform him that he currently lacked sufficient Technology Points.
Besides, he did not have the money to buy materials, either. For now, he could only complete the order at hand.
He could definitely make it in two days!
Xu Fan immediately replied to the young woman,
"Pay a deposit of 1.5 million first, and settle the balance after delivery."
Seeing the bank's notification that the payment had arrived, Xu Fan felt a surge of excitement.
Rubbing his hands in anticipation, he drove his secondhand pickup toward the steel market.
Time was tight and the task was heavy. Every second counted.
On the open sea, aboard a private luxury cruise ship.
Wang Yixue reclined beside a window.
With bright eyes, pearly teeth, and fair, delicate skin, she exuded an air of ethereal grace.
After transferring the 1.5 million deposit to Xu Fan, she asked the middle-aged man in gold-rimmed glasses beside her,
"Dad, does making a 50 cm mecha model cost three million?"
"Three million?"
Hearing the price, Wang Tianhao frowned and asked casually,
"Which top craftsman did you commission? Cai Qian?"
"Grandmaster Xu... Xu. You definitely haven't heard of him."
Having spent a week's allowance in one go, Wang Yixue was also afraid of getting a tongue-lashing.
Wang Tianhao said little more. His precious daughter was inexperienced in worldly affairs, and this was hardly the first or second time she had been scammed.
He could not be bothered to lecture her, either. A few million was no great sum, anyway.
Wang Yixue prayed inwardly, Master Xu, you absolutely have to make it look grand and impressive.
She did not want to embarrass herself in front of her father and grandfather.
At that thought, Wang Yixue sent Xu Fan another WeChat message.
"Master Xu, remember to make it look grand and impressive. The more futuristic, the better!"
"If necessary, I can pay extra!!!"
Nanshan District, Zhonghai City.
Inside an abandoned warehouse, Xu Fan put down his phone after offering Wang Yixue a few reassuring words.
He began manufacturing the mecha.
Xu Fan took the Super God Technology Workbench Lv1 issued by the system out of the system space and placed it in the center of the warehouse.
He piled the materials he had purchased around it.
Taking a deep breath, he said to the workbench,
"Super God Technology Workbench, go!"
[Ding-] [Super God Technology Workbench Lv1 activated] [Reading of the host's mecha concept complete] [Comprehensive enhancement and correction of information data in progress...] [Aerodynamic calculations complete] [Miniature hydrogen energy module load calculations complete] [Thrust-vectoring device simulation verification complete] [Corrections complete!] [Material scan complete] [This construction will consume 900 Technology Points. Estimated time: 26 hours. Manufacturing commencing...]
The three-meter-tall workbench rumbled into operation.
Three enormous mechanical arms on the workbench had built-in telescoping capabilities.
Controlled by the workbench's intelligent computer terminal, they precisely machined every mechanical component.
Xu Fan watched the components gleaming with metallic luster, his eyes full of little stars.
It was practically a heifer riding an airplane-bullshit flying sky-high.
Half an hour later, the workbench's racks were already filled with numerous precision components.
As for bulky sections such as the outer shell, the mechanical arms placed them around the workbench to await assembly.
Xu Fan locked the warehouse doors from outside and headed home first.
He arrived home just in time for dinner.
"Fan, have you been busy lately?" his mother suddenly asked.
"Pretty busy. Why, Mom?"
"You're already twenty-two, and you don't even have a girlfriend. Of course I'm worried about you!"
His mother handed Xu Fan a bowl of rice and continued,
"Your second uncle's neighbors have a daughter who's also attending university in Zhonghai. I've already asked for you, and she's willing to make time to meet and get acquainted. Go meet her in a few days when she's free!"
"I'm still in school. Where would I find time to date?" Xu Fan was speechless.
"What do you know? Our family isn't well-off. If you marry early, the bride price might still be lower. Auntie Liu told me today that bride prices have already risen to eighty-eight thousand. Who knows how high they'll get in the future!"
Xu Fan answered offhandedly and said nothing more.
Early the next morning, Xu Fan arrived at the warehouse.
The warehouse doors opened.
Xu Fan froze completely.
Despite having prepared himself mentally, he was still stunned by the huge thing before him.
The mecha's overall structure had already been assembled.
Manufacturing and installation of the remaining components were underway.
The five-meter-tall mecha gleamed with a cold metallic luster.
Even without paint, it already had tremendous visual impact.
The nimble mechanical arms swiftly welded and installed one precision component after another.
Welding sparks fell from above, splashing into clusters of light.
Xu Fan walked up to the mecha. Even at 1.8 meters tall, he only reached its lower legs.
The corners of his mouth lifted.
"The more futuristic, the better, huh?"
"I wonder if this is enough..."
As the night deepened, Xu Fan dozed in his chair.
[Ding-] [Unnamed Mecha Version 1.0 construction complete. Awaiting designation...]
Hearing the system notification, Xu Fan jolted, all his drowsiness gone.