The Real Daughter Just Wants to Pilot Mechas - Chapter 9

“…I think so.” Jiang Momo was a bit hesitant.

She actually wasn’t sure. When the old butler came to pick her up, she was so excited she didn’t even look at the report he brought. If she had, she would’ve realized she couldn’t read.

But there were only three star systems in the Federation and the desolate planets were all in the most remote areas, so it was impossible for her to be from the Central Star System.

Since Jiang Momo couldn’t remember, she stopped trying and looked up at the brightly lit sign of the Mecha Maintenance Center in front of her. “Do you have a mecha being repaired here?”

“No, I work part-time here,” said E Mingjun.

His main job there was to test-pilot repaired mechas to see if they were functioning properly. The pay wasn’t as good as tutoring, only 600 star coins per job but it didn’t require much interaction. Test it, get paid on the spot, and it was paid per job.

“You have two jobs? That’s amazing,” Jiang Momo said sincerely.

“…Actually, not just two.” E Mingjun said, “The school’s curriculum is slow and there’s not much to learn, so I have plenty of time to earn money.”

“You’re studying at Central Mecha Academy?” Jiang Momo asked again.

E Mingjun nodded.

“I’m planning to apply this year too!” Jiang Momo smiled.

When Ling Yelin found Jiang Momo, he happened to catch her smiling brightly, showing all her teeth, and quickly walked over.

“Hello, I’m the owner of the Mecha Parts Exchange. This is the item you sold earlier, correct?” He opened the isolation box in his hand.

Jiang Momo’s smile froze. “Is there something wrong with it?”

“After evaluation, I’m afraid the transaction can’t go through.”

Jiang Momo raised her head to look at Ling Yelin. “Can I ask why?”

“Because the price paid was unreasonable,” Ling Yelin said directly. “So I came to return this to you.”

“Alright.” Jiang Momo looked dejected, pulled out her bank card and handed it over. “I’m short twenty. Can I owe you for now? I’ll write an IOU.”

Ling Yelin looked down and noticed her bare wrist, then his gaze moved to the keychain on her bag, made of material even rarer than the Golden Crow ore. She clearly had no idea of its value, wearing it openly. If it weren’t for the fact that so few people could recognize rare materials, her behavior would be the same as a child walking through a market holding gold.

Ling Yelin suddenly changed his mind.

He had initially come to cancel the transaction to avoid trouble if she found out the ore’s true value and caused a scene. But now, it was obvious there was potential for a long-term connection.

“You misunderstood. We’re not here to take back the money.”

Jiang Momo quickly looked up. “Huh? What do you mean?”

“It was our mistake in evaluating the material. Consider the payment as compensation.” Ling Yelin smiled. His golden hair gleamed under the bright light and his green eyes shimmered with a depth that seemed oddly charming. “Miss Jiang Yingying, if possible, could I get your contact information?”

“My name is Jiang Momo.”

Jiang Momo didn’t notice the uniqueness of her keychain but she did catch the name error and quickly corrected him.

“Your bank card shows the holder as Jiang Yingying,” said Ling Yelin.

“That belongs to a family member. I don’t have Capital Star Residency, so I can’t apply for a light brain.”

“You don’t need Capital Star Residency for that. As long as you’re registered with the Civil Department, it’s enough. If you want, our company has a light brain tech branch. We can give you one.” Ling Yelin thought she was rejecting him and his competitive nature kicked in.

He was not someone who gave up just because of rejection. He’d never failed to get what he wanted.

“I don’t have money right now. I’ll trade this ore for it,” said Jiang Momo immediately.

“No need. That ore is worth far more than you think. Don’t sell it easily in the future.” Ling Yelin handed her the isolation box, then pulled out the latest light brain from his pocket, the one he had taken while inspecting earlier.

Jiang Momo took the box but didn’t dare accept the device. “This must be really expensive. I can’t afford it.”

“Think of it as me buying a spot on your friend list. My contact is already in it.” Ling Yelin raised his hand and pushed the device in front of Jiang Momo. His tone was slightly forceful, with a subtle pressure he himself didn’t notice.

E Mingjun stepped in and stood protectively in front of Jiang Momo, like a mother hen guarding her chick. “She said she doesn’t want it.”

He had seen many like this man using various excuses to get a girl’s contact, all for sleazy intentions. Disgusting.

Their gazes clashed, neither backing down.

“She didn’t even speak. Can you decide for her?” Ling Yelin took a step forward. When he got the name wrong earlier, this guy’s reaction didn’t seem like someone who knew her real identity.

Clearly, he was just another person trying to curry favor after discovering her hidden value but with nothing real to offer, he could only tag along shamelessly. So petty.

That was why he despised those lowly people, clinging to the scent of profit like sharks to blood.

Both were about the same height, roughly 1.9 meters, but their auras were vastly different.

E Mingjun’s eyes were sharp and fierce, his clenched fists veined and muscular, exuding raw strength.

Ling Yelin was arrogant, accustomed to authority, and his gaze casual yet oppressive.

Jiang Momo, at 1.74 meters, looked up at the tense standoff, completely confused.

What’s going on with these two?

Why did it feel like they were about to fight?

Just as the confrontation was about to explode, Jiang Momo quickly jumped between them and pulled them apart. “Don’t fight. It’s just a light brain! Bro, lend me some money and I’ll just buy it myself,” Jiang Momo said.

E Mingjun restrained his anger and let her pull him away. “Even if you buy one, not from him. Who knows if it’s got a virus?”

An almost 30-year-old man giving a light brain with only his contact inside to a young girl, trying to gift her something for free, there’s no way the intention was pure. Even if he had a pretty face, that kind of sleaze was disgusting.

Yes, even as rivals, he had to admit that the guy looked good. Golden hair, perfect features, great body proportions. With a face like that, scamming people probably worked wonders.

“If you buy one, can you add me as a friend?” Ling Yelin ignored E Mingjun’s bristling dog act and looked at Jiang Momo seriously.

“You might not know me. I’m Ling Yelin,” he introduced himself, modestly. After all, no one in the Federation didn’t know the Ling family. But to his surprise, Jiang Momo genuinely seemed unaware.

“Ah, hello. I’m Jiang Momo.” Jiang Momo remembered Little Eight once said that introductions were polite in this kind of situation.

Then she turned to E Mingjun.

She suddenly realized that she still didn’t know her bro’s name.

The green-haired puppy nodded coolly. “E Mingjun.”