The Real Daughter Just Wants to Pilot Mechas - Chapter 105

Although she had always known Shi Qin was smart, it still seemed almost impossible to Jiang Momo that he could catch such an abstract hint so quickly. But due to the confidentiality detection system, she couldn’t be too explicit, so she just handed him the material panel. “It’s good that you understand it.”

Shi Qin solemnly accepted the material panel, hesitated for a moment, then said, “I remember from our school history that after Dean Ge Qing created an S-grade mecha, he was forcibly recruited by the Federation’s research institute and only managed to leave after a long, difficult struggle.”

Jiang Momo hadn’t heard that story before and asked curiously, “Do you know what kind of struggle it was?”

“Rumor says he faked ‘mistakes’ and destroyed over a dozen S-grade mechas, which got him kicked out of the research institute,” Shi Qin said. “Apparently, he also ended up with massive debts that he only just paid off a couple of years ago.”

Little Eight popped out.

[The school history is fake. Dean Ge Qing never actually joined the research institute after he received the invitation. That’s why the Federation later made a law forbidding private construction of S-grade mechas.]

“Shi Qin and the students can’t build S-grade mechas on their own?” Jiang Momo was stunned.

[Correct,] Little Eight replied.

“But I looked into past news reports and found the school history is fictional, only the law is real. Teacher Momo, I’ll work hard to accomplish the task you gave me,” Shi Qin suddenly said.

“You alone?” Jiang Momo was surprised. “I said they don’t need to understand and you don’t need to finish it completely.”

Shi Qin shook his head firmly. “No need. Aside from me, no one will stay here.”

He couldn’t bet on how the Federation would interpret the legality of things. He had spoken with his classmates before. Most still dreamed of joining the research institute. They just wanted more free time before stepping into that cage. Since they would eventually be able to study S-grade mecha manufacturing openly, there was no need to take the risk with him now.

“No matter where they go in the future, it’s never wrong to learn more.”

A light bulb went off in Jiang Momo’s head and she suddenly remembered her previous discussion with Ge Qing about S-grade mechas. When she mentioned embedding metal neural fibers into energy pathways, there had been no warning.

“Embedding metal neural fibers into energy pathways isn’t a secret,” Jiang Momo said directly.

Shi Qin blinked, slightly confused. If it wasn’t a secret, then why the hints from her earlier?

So that was a test?

He looked straight at Jiang Momo’s face, waiting for her to clearly say that mental power was what enabled the embedding. But she didn’t.

“I understand.” Shi Qin nodded.

It was the use of mental power that was the secret.

Jiang Momo glanced at the warning and warning-revoked messages from her light brain and swallowed the second half of her sentence.

“Anyway, keep practicing. Diligence makes up for lack of talent.”

If her students could master embedding metal neural fibers before entering the workforce, unlike Li Yu who had struggled with it before, they’d have a faster track to promotions.

Shi Qin nodded knowingly. “I’ll pass your words along to them.”

“No need. This is the key teaching point of today’s class. I’ll talk to them myself. The rest is up to you, figure out some solutions.” Jiang Momo patted Shi Qin on the shoulder.

Soon, Jiang Momo strode toward the material storage, where the students were energetically searching through supplies. Shi Qin followed half a step behind her.

“Everyone, today we’re learning a new concept, something related to S-grade mechas,” Jiang Momo said loudly.

The students quickly gathered in a row, excited. After listening to her explanation, their jaws dropped.

Xiang Jiuming sucked in a breath. “Hiss, I’ve seen metal neural fibers before but I never thought of this!”

“You’ve missed way more than just that.”

Usually quiet in class, Shi Qin suddenly spoke, causing Xiang Jiuming to immediately look up.

“This is just an obscure point. It’s not a decisive factor in S-grade mecha construction and isn’t classified. No need to be so excited.” Jiang Momo poured a bit of cold water over their enthusiasm as their eyes gleamed, itching to start experimenting.

Xiang Jiuming continued to glare at Shi Qin, gritting his teeth and thinking that Shi Qin definitely got special tutoring from Teacher Momo again. Once Teacher Momo leaves, he will force it out of Shi Qin.

Jiang Momo noticed Xiang Jiuming’s look but she knew both boys had a good sense of boundaries and pretended not to see. She started checking each student’s learning progress and the difficulties they encountered building A-grade mechas, giving practical advice one by one.

The class ended quickly. As Jiang Momo left, Shi Qin followed to escort her out. Before they reached the hall, they saw Yan Chang leaning against the wall with his eyes closed, resting.

“Yan Chang,” Jiang Momo called.

Yan Chang opened his eyes at once and saw Shi Qin trailing behind her with a blank expression. He raised an eyebrow and asked, “Did our Teacher Momo scold the class today? Why does the class monitor look so defeated?”

Shi Qin instantly snapped out of it and quickly explained, “No, no! I just have something on my mind. Teacher Momo never scolds students in class.”

Yan Chang continued joking with Jiang Momo, “See? You’ve got quite the presence.”

Jiang Momo rolled her eyes at him.

Shi Qin realized Teacher Momo’s friend was joking and bowed slightly to say goodbye, before leaving in a hurry.

Watching Shi Qin’s back, Yan Chang’s expression turned serious. He leaned down and quietly asked Jiang Momo, “Be honest, what’s up with him? I’ve seen that expression before. Do you know where people like that usually end up?”

“Prison?” Jiang Momo answered instinctively.

“Execution grounds,” Yan Chang whispered in Jiang Momo’s ear. “Did you just encourage him to build an S-grade mecha on his own?”

“Is it that serious to warrant execution?!” Jiang Momo’s heart skipped a beat. “That’s not written in the Capital Star’s laws.”

“This is federal law.” Yan Chang clicked his tongue. “Illegally possessing, hiding, manufacturing, transporting, or reselling S-grade mechas is punishable by death.”

“We have to stop him.” Jiang Momo immediately turned to chase after Shi Qin but was blocked by Yan Chang.

“He probably already understands the production process, right? Do you think a few words can persuade him?” Yan Chang advised. “There must be another reason behind his choice. Leave it to me. Once I find out, I’ll handle it.”

Jiang Momo tilted her head to look at Yan Chang and received a firm nod in return.

“Alright then,” Jiang Momo relented.

Although Shi Qin thought he understood her explanation, under normal circumstances, it would take at least two weeks before he could build an S-grade mecha. They still had plenty of time.

Jiang Momo figured out the key point and walked straight out. “What are we eating this afternoon? My treat.”

“Anything’s fine,” Yan Chang replied.

Jiang Momo nodded and muttered, “Weird. The Jiang family kept trying to reconnect with me a while ago but lately, they’ve stopped coming.”

“They hung around for days inside the jail. Maybe they suddenly came to their senses,” Yan Chang said casually.

Jiang Momo whipped her head around, catching a hint of tension in Yan Chang’s voice. “The Jiang family came to see me recently?”

Yan Chang smiled. “Of course not. They probably haven’t even finished cleaning up their own mess yet…”

“When did they come to see me?” Jiang Momo asked.

Seeing Jiang Momo’s resolute expression, Yan Chang’s smile faltered. “You still can’t let go of the Jiang family.”

Jiang Momo ignored that comment and stared him down.

Yan Chang clicked his tongue. “This morning.”

“What did they send me?” Jiang Momo’s eyes dropped to the pocket Yan Chang had absentmindedly touched earlier while speaking.

Yan Chang sighed and pulled out an envelope, stuffing it into Jiang Momo’s hand. “Here, here, take it. You have no determination at all!”

“Did Jiang Yingying bring it?” Jiang Momo didn’t open the envelope but tucked it into her pocket and asked.

“I saw her sneaking around downstairs this morning and snatched it from her,” Yan Chang said irritably. “Really, hasn’t the Jiang family hurt you enough? Why are you suddenly bringing them up again?”

If it weren’t Jiang Momo standing before him, he would’ve scolded anyone acting so muddleheaded.

Jiang Momo said, “Their kindness to me doesn’t even measure one ten-thousandth of yours.”

That sentence stunned Yan Chang, leaving him flustered. “Then why…”

“I’m going back to take what doesn’t belong to them,” Jiang Momo said, a small smile playing on her lips.

Yan Chang immediately caught on. “Their shares are worth some money but it’s not worth compromising yourself. If you need money, I’ve got plenty.”

Jiang Momo shook her head. “I’m not just after the shares.”

She was after the energy core that the Jiang family stole from the interstellar pirate group. She wanted to study it and find out how such a tiny piece could drastically boost a mecha’s performance.

“Alright! What’s your plan?” Yan Chang’s imagination took off, picturing the Jiang family utterly ruined, and he grew excited.

If it’s not just shares, then it must be status, reputation, and glory!

Jiang Momo scratched her head. “I haven’t thought it all through yet.”

Yan Chang froze. “Huh?”

“For now, I plan to snatch up some shares or gain their trust, then visit their HQ or factory,” Jiang Momo said.

She didn’t even know where the energy core was, so she’d have to investigate step by step.