The Real Daughter Just Wants to Pilot Mechas - Chapter 146

Jiang Momo walked out of the marshal’s office, glanced at her account balance, and immediately transferred the payment she had promised Xiang Jiuming and the remaining amount owed to Ling Yelin. Then she turned to look at Lu Feng who was walking beside her with a cheerful expression.

“In a few days, is the military planning a full deployment for the alien beast wave?” Jiang Momo asked.

Lu Feng paused for a moment, surprised. “How did you know? I was just about to tell you. You won’t be invited to participate in this battle. The President is paying close attention to the effectiveness of legendary mechas against the alien beasts, so he might lead the campaign personally.”

Jiang Momo hadn’t planned on joining anyway. Her question was mostly out of curiosity about the strength of the upcoming alien beast wave. After all, if it required a full-scale military mobilization, it was at least a medium to large-scale event.

However, hearing that the President would be personally involved, she immediately understood that most of the troops would be deployed just to protect him. Of course they’d need everyone.

***

After having lunch at the military headquarters, Jiang Momo returned to the academy. At the front gate, she happened to run into E Mingjun who had also just disembarked from a spaceship.

E Mingjun had his back to her as he walked inside. Jiang Momo quickly jogged a few steps to catch up and suddenly slapped his shoulder. “Hey!”

E Mingjun stiffened for a moment and then quickly turned around. Upon seeing it was her, he relaxed. “Oh, it’s you. Have you had lunch?”

“I have.” Jiang Momo nodded and walked beside him, chatting casually, “What’ve you been up to lately? I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.”

E Mingjun was silent for a while but didn’t reply.

Jiang Momo suddenly realized something. “Is it something you can’t talk about? Then forget it, I was just making conversation.”

“It’s not that I can’t say. It’s just… I saw how overwhelmed you’ve been lately and wanted to see if there’s any way I could help,” E Mingjun said.

Jiang Momo froze. “Help me?”

Then, a sudden thought struck her. “So that news was from you?”

“What news?” E Mingjun tilted his head, met Jiang Momo’s gaze, and then realized what she meant. “No, it wasn’t me.”

“Then was it Yan Chang?” Jiang Momo muttered under her breath.

From the goal and result of that news release, it was clearly aimed at promoting legendary mechas, which undoubtedly benefited the military’s overall strength.

“I thought you’d be more concerned about Ge Qing and Shi Qin,” E Mingjun said after a few seconds.

Jiang Momo nodded. “That’s true, yeah.”

Just then, she noticed her light brain flash in her peripheral vision. She looked up at E Mingjun.

He noticed her expression. “Go ahead, take care of it. Don’t mind me.”

Hearing that, Jiang Momo opened her light brain.

It was a message from Xiang Jiuming who had just left not long ago.

[Xiang Jiuming]: Teacher, I’m sorry! [Crying][Crying][Crying] I didn’t think this would happen! I had them all sign confidentiality agreements!

[Jiang Momo]: What happened?

[Xiang Jiuming]: Remember when we applied to the research institute after graduation? One of our classmates got in. She just heard that the news was leaked by someone from the research institute. The higher-ups had already become suspicious when the military started buying up B-grade mechas in bulk. So they sent spies among the gathered mecha manufacturers once the assembly was set up.

[Jiang Momo]: It’s fine. The key to legendary mecha production is the energy core. Even if they get their hands on one, they can’t replicate it.

[Xiang Jiuming]: That’s not the main issue. The real problem is they want to propose legislation in Congress to expand the monopoly to include all B-grade and higher mechas!

[Jiang Momo]: What? Are they insane?

[Xiang Jiuming]: I think so too! How can they do that? If they want to absorb all B-grade and above mecha manufacturers…

Jiang Momo didn’t read the rest of Xiang Jiuming’s messages. She smiled faintly and closed her light brain, meeting E Mingjun’s concerned gaze.

“What happened?” he asked.

Jiang Momo smiled. “The people at the research institute have lost their minds.”

Given how passionate the public was about protests lately, they wouldn’t even need to take action themselves. The moment that proposal went public, outrage would explode.

E Mingjun: “?”

Seeing his confusion, Jiang Momo explained her thoughts to him.

E Mingjun thought about it for a while before saying, “To most people, the research institute is a dream job with high pay, stability, status, and tough entry requirements. It’s the kind of place people would kill to get into. We know how toxic it is inside but the public doesn’t.”

“They’ll find out soon enough,” Jiang Momo said, casually tapping the light brain on her wrist.

E Mingjun watched her expression, then glanced down at the device on her wrist, and roughly understood her plan. “No matter what you’re planning next, I’ll support you.”

“Thanks.” Jiang Momo gave him a friendly slap on the shoulder.

***

The proposal hit faster than Jiang Momo had anticipated, shooting up the trending topics list even before Ge Qing’s second trial began. The public erupted in celebration.

At the Presidential Palace, the President paced anxiously, and finally, half an hour after the news broke, E Mingjun arrived fashionably late.

Before he could even stand still, the President blurted out, “B-grade mechas must not be monopolized!”

According to the constitution, once a bill is proposed by Congress, even if the President rejects it, it can still pass with two-thirds approval in a second vote. The President then has no further veto power.

“But most mecha manufacturers are eager to join the research institute,” E Mingjun said as he settled into his personal sofa, smiling.

“Which is exactly why I need your help!” the President insisted.

“What’s in it for me?” E Mingjun asked.

The President closed his eyes. “I accept your previous condition.”

“Deal.” E Mingjun pulled a hard drive from his pocket and handed it over.

The President hesitated for a second. “What is this?”

“A catalyst,” E Mingjun replied with a smile.

After a moment’s thought, the President plugged the drive into his light brain. A video started to play.

The footage was clearly shot from a hidden camera.

As the video played, the President’s expression grew darker and darker until suddenly, he burst out laughing. “Hahaha! You never fail to impress me!”