The Real Daughter Just Wants to Pilot Mechas - Chapter 7

The two stared each other down for a moment.

“What’s going on here?” Jiang Yuan came downstairs and found himself stuck on the stairs. He looked at Jiang Momo and demanded an explanation.

Jiang Momo tilted her head up. “Getting my bank card!”

“Why block the way just to get a card?” Jiang Yuan asked, looking past Jiang Yingying directly at her.

“I’m asking nicely, see? We’re just having a civil discussion here,” Jiang Momo replied confidently, not budging an inch.

Jiang Yuan glanced down and met Jiang Yingying’s eyes. He immediately looked away like he’d been burned. “Just give it to her. Why bother arguing with a country bumpkin? She’s never seen money before. Of course, she’s obsessed now. You think you can win an argument with someone like that?”

After that, Jiang Yingying straightened up, pulled a thumb-sized card from her wrist light brain, and handed it over with an air of superiority.

“Password is six sixes. Move. I’m going to eat.”

Jiang Momo took the card and stepped aside to let her pass.

“You’ve got the money but nowhere to spend it. What’s the rush?” Jiang Yuan scoffed, shooting her a contemptuous look. He raised a finger and pointed at her. “This is the only time, got it? If I catch you bullying Jiang Yingying again, you’re out!”

Jiang Momo swiftly grabbed his finger and squeezed slowly, mimicking his tone, “This is the only time, got it? If I catch you pointing at me again, I’ll snap this off!”

“Let go!” Jiang Yuan hissed.

Jiang Momo eased up just a bit and Jiang Yuan yanked his hand back, quickly blowing on his reddened fingertip.

“What the hell do you eat? You nearly crushed my finger!”

Jiang Momo ignored him, lowering her head to examine her hard-won bank card.

It was a thin, thumb-sized chip, soft and semi-transparent, etched with irregular lines that shimmered faintly under the light.

“Stop staring at it. It only works with a light brain. Without the password, all you can do is deposit money, not spend it.” Jiang Yuan, having recovered, rolled his eyes and snatched the card from her. He tapped it against his own light brain, moved his fingers slightly, and then handed it back. “There. I transferred you two star coins. Ask one of the house robots to read it out for you.”

Jiang Momo sincerely praised him, “Wow, you’re so generous.”

“You don’t even have a light brain, so what’s the point of having a bank card then?” Jiang Yuan felt like her words were mocking him, scoffed, and walked toward the dining table.

Seeing this, Jiang Momo quickly put away the card and rushed over to the table.

“Why are you running so fast? You think the Jiang family would let you starve?” Jiang Yuan asked as he reached the table, one hand resting on the back of her chair.

“But the last two times, I was only a few seconds late sitting down and there was no food left for me,” Jiang Momo looked up, dead serious. “At this rate, you guys are going to starve me to death. I’ve been back for so long and haven’t had a single full meal.”

“You’re saying the Jiang family is mistreating you?” Jiang Xian came slowly down the stairs, her gaze sweeping over Jiang Momo with a hint of amusement. “As a member of the Jiang family, punctuality is the most basic quality. But you’re never on time.”

Jiang Momo shook her head. “It’s not me who’s not on time.”

“Let me teach you another rule. Don’t talk back to your elders.” Jiang Xian walked up to the table and waved her slender fingers lightly. “No dinner for you today either. Go back to your room and reflect.”

Eight small robots, under Jiang Xian’s command, surrounded Jiang Momo and forcefully shoved her back into her room.

Just then, Little Eight had just finished tidying up and was about to head out when Jiang Momo was abruptly shoved inside.

The door slammed shut from the outside.

[What happened?] Little Eight tried using its access rights to open the door but it didn’t budge.

“I got punished again, obviously,” Jiang Momo flopped onto the bed, skillfully pulled out some dried meat from her backpack, and sighed as she held up the nearly empty pouch. “Only a few pieces left. The food here is great but I never get to eat it.

“I’m starving,” Jiang Momo rubbed her empty belly. “I feel like I’m running out of energy.”

[Do you want to go out?] Little Eight asked, pushing the leftover clutter near the door out of the way.

“Of course,” Jiang Momo mumbled through her dried meat. “But this place is a floating island. I have no idea how to get down.”

The Capital Star was the Federation’s political and economic center. Compared to other planets in the Central Star System or even the Border or the Chaos Star Systems, it was extremely prosperous. With such a high population density, to ensure the upper class’s quality of life, the Federation built multiple floating islands at various altitudes above the surface of the Capital Star.

The Jiang family’s villa was in the central area of the lowest and largest floating island. The island was the only one accessible to wealthy commoners and its individual villas, compared to the pigeonhole-like buildings of the Capital Star, symbolized affluence and high status.

[Here’s a map of the floating island. There’s a sky ladder connected to the ground about five kilometers directly east. Someone is heading that way right now. If you get there in ten minutes, you can catch the elevator.]

“Got it!” Jiang Momo was instantly recharged and sprang off the bed.

The upper part of one wall in her room had a small window made of special material. Pressing the button beside it would allow airflow but it couldn’t be opened.

“Jiang Yuan’s toolbox is perfect for this.” Jiang Momo pulled out the toolbox from under her bed, grabbed a small, delicate screwdriver, and expertly pried the window loose. She placed it gently on the bed, then grabbed the windowsill with both hands, turned to Little Eight, and gave a bright smile.

“I’m off! I’ll bring you something tasty when I’m back!”

***

Ten minutes later, at the sky ladder on the floating island, E Mingjun who was standing by the control panel saw someone running toward him in the distance and frantically hit the door close button.

The elevator doors slowly started to close.

A second later, two hands wedged into the gap.

The doors groaned under the pressure and slowly opened again.

A girl with a half-ponytail darted inside, stopped beside him, and casually wiped the sweat off her forehead, her movements carefree and cool.

“Glad I made it! Thanks!” Jiang Momo looked up and froze.

Green hair?

Nice!

Jiang Momo had never seen that hair color before and thought she was being subtle as she snuck several more glances.

E Mingjun glanced at her expressionlessly and shifted two steps to the side.

He hated being in enclosed spaces with others.

“Why isn’t this elevator moving?” Jiang Momo turned her head and looked around, finding nothing but smooth walls. She looked at the only other person there. “Hey, bro, do you know what’s going on?”

“You have to scan your light brain on the door to verify your identity,” E Mingjun said.

“Where do I scan it?” Jiang Momo asked.

E Mingjun pointed at her. “Behind you.”

“Oh, sorry.” Jiang Momo stepped aside.

E Mingjun didn’t move. They stared at each other for a moment.

“Well, scan it,” Jiang Momo raised a hand and gestured.

“You don’t have a light brain?” E Mingjun didn’t want to move. If he stepped forward, they’d be standing too close.

“Obviously not,” Jiang Momo lifted her bare wrist, pressed her hands together, and pleaded, “Please, I really, really, really need to get out of here. It’s an emergency.”

…This person is strange.

E Mingjun focused his gaze on Jiang Momo.

“You’re not a resident here?” Jiang Momo suddenly realized, staring at the huge pack on E Mingjun’s back in surprise.

“Yeah,” E Mingjun nodded. “I’m here as a tutor. Are you, too?”

“Tutor?” Jiang Momo scratched her cheek, the caution in her eyes fading a little.

“Yeah, working part-time while studying,” E Mingjun said.

“Part-time?” Jiang Momo stepped closer. “Are you a student at Central Mecha Academy?!”

E Mingjun saw Jiang Momo getting closer and raised his hand to stop her. “Sorry, I have social anxiety. Please keep your distance.”

“Sorry.” Jiang Momo backed up two steps and stared at him expectantly for a while. When he didn’t seem interested in answering her earlier question, she changed the topic. “By the way, is your hair dyed? It looks really good. I want to dye mine green too.” She grabbed a handful of her own hair.

“It’s natural,” E Mingjun replied briefly.

“Oh.” Jiang Momo nodded. Two seconds later, she asked, “If you can’t verify your identity, don’t you have to wait here every day for someone to show up? That’s pretty annoying.”

“It’s okay,” E Mingjun replied.

“What do you tutor in?” Jiang Momo dug through her pocket and pulled out her last two pieces of dried meat, offering one with her left hand. “Want one?”

“No.” E Mingjun declined.

Jiang Momo popped both into her mouth and chewed while waiting for an answer.

E Mingjun, seeing her staring at him, thought for a moment and said, “Mecha piloting.”

“Wow, I’ve always wanted to learn that. It seems super hard though. I could never even get a mecha to start,” Jiang Momo said.

E Mingjun paused. “If it won’t start and it’s not the mecha’s fault, then it’s a mental strength issue.”

“The mecha should be fine.” Jiang Momo waved her hand.

“Have you tested your mental strength?” E Mingjun’s words came faster now that they were on a topic he knew well. “Anyone with even a bit of mental strength can start a mecha. The Federation Mecha Group once did a test and even newborns can start one.

“The stronger your mental power, the more precisely you can control a mecha. That also determines what grade of mecha you can pilot. Our mecha piloting courses mostly focus on techniques and improving combat ability. But basic control is like moving your own limbs, so you don’t need to learn it.”

“Wait, does that mean I have no mental strength?!” Jiang Momo looked like she’d been struck by lightning. “Then I’ll never be able to pilot a mecha?! But I was planning to apply to Central Mecha Academy!”

“Then you probably can’t. Piloting, manufacturing, and repairing mechas all require mental strength,” stated E Mingjun.

Jiang Momo suddenly calmed down and clapped her hands. “Then I must have mental strength. I can manufacture mechas!”

E Mingjun went silent. He felt like she was messing with him.

There’s never been a mecha manufacturer so young in the Federation’s history. If she had said she could repair them, maybe he could believe that.

“What’s wrong? Why’d you suddenly stop talking?” Jiang Momo waved a hand in front of his face.

“Nothing.” E Mingjun walked over and pressed his wrist against a section of wall beside Jiang Momo.

The ground beneath them gave a slight jolt.

The next second, they began descending rapidly.

The elevator dropped from eleven kilometers above the surface and landed smoothly in just 59 seconds.

Jiang Momo was sitting on the floor, dazed by the sensation of weightlessness.

“I thought you didn’t have access?”

“Didn’t you say you were in a hurry?”

E Mingjun stepped out.

Jiang Momo followed.

“Why are you following me?” E Mingjun turned his head.

“I’m not following you. I’m just going the same way,” Jiang Momo said.

They stood in awkward silence for a moment, until Jiang Momo gave in first.

“I’m in a rush. Can I go ahead?”

“Go ahead.” E Mingjun stepped aside.

***

Outside the Central Mall Tower on the Capital Star.

“This is the emergency you were talking about?” E Mingjun leaned against the wall, asking in disbelief.

Jiang Momo was seriously eyeing the shop sign with a solemn expression. When she heard E Mingjun speak, she didn’t even look his way. “Of course. If I’d waited any longer, I would’ve starved on the way.”

In front of Jiang Momo was a tiny steamed bun shop.

How tiny it was? There was a square window just wide enough for a single person’s shoulders, about 1.2 meters off the ground. Above it hung a small rectangular sign with a short line of text.

[Vegetable buns: 2 star coins. Meat buns: 5 star coins.]

“Why are you picking so carefully? These are all made by machines, no soul at all,” E Mingjun said, arms crossed. After speaking, he was surprised at how naturally he was chatting with someone he’d only just met.

It was so strange that he gave Jiang Momo a once-over.

Jiang Momo didn’t care about his gaze. Her full attention was on the bun prices, looking like some harmless little animal.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m not eating the soul,” she replied casually.

She had scouted around earlier. The buns were the cheapest food she’d found.

She had 3,002 star coins. If she bought vegetable buns, she could get 1,501 of them. If stored in her spatial-folding storage box, they wouldn’t spoil and would last a long time.

But she actually preferred meat over vegetables.

“I’ll take one vegetable and one meat bun,” Jiang Momo said into the microphone protruding from the storefront.

[Please make payment.] A robotic arm extended.

Jiang Momo handed over her bank card.

[Insufficient funds. Unable to purchase.]