Genius Mechanic

3. Job Application

The recruitment notice is concise, unlike the lengthy ones from other teams seeking engineers. KID's advertisement can be read at a glance, especially the last item about salary.

8000 star coins per month? Project sharing? Event bonuses to be negotiated? Meals and accommodation included?

Are they recruiting engineers or assistants?

[How much is the salary? 8K???]

[As we all know, KID is very poor. Don't bother applying.]

The requirements are indeed not high, but the salary isn't high either. Initially, netizens felt sorry for the KID team for having their data sold, but upon seeing the salary, they changed their minds.

It's widely known that the KID team is financially struggling, especially since a major management overhaul two years ago, and the investors pulled out. Currently, the KID team's management is practically single-handedly supported by the boss, Shen Xingtang. The team operates on a shoestring budget, making them appear like a small workshop compared to other top teams.

[Speechless, you were so frugal before, and now you won't even spend money to hire engineers???]

[There are so few engineers, yet you're offering this salary, are you taking people as fools???]

-

When Doctor Wu entered the consultation room, he saw the young man sitting in the chair lost in thought. It had been two weeks since they last met, and the man's complexion seemed even paler. His face was mostly concealed by the brim of his cap and long bangs covering his forehead.

Noticing the sound, he turned his head slightly. "Doctor Wu."

Doctor Wu asked the assistant robot to fetch the necessary tools. "Let's first assess the situation."

Ying Chenglin quickly took a seat in the examination position. He was dressed in loose long sleeves, and his right sleeve was rolled up, revealing a slightly muscular arm... However, the smooth muscles stopped at the elbow, where a delicate mechanical prosthetic began, connecting seamlessly with the flesh, appearing both peculiar and harmonious.

Doctor Wu sat upright, and the assistant robot skillfully handed him a mechanical knife, with several parts neatly arranged on a sterile tray. A mechanical prosthetic was placed horizontally in front of him, and the outer mechanical plate had been removed, revealing the intricate mechanical nerves inside.

Doctor Wu was performing routine adjustments on the mechanical prosthetic, while Ying Chenglin was browsing virtual screen news about mecha in the distance.

At the moment, the virtual screen in the hospital room was playing entertainment news from the mecha community, and the host's exaggerated voice seemed almost ready to pierce through the virtual audio, prompting Doctor Wu to quickly signal the nearby robot to lower the volume.

After lowering the volume, the young man sitting across from Doctor Wu continued to stare intently. Doctor Wu shifted his gaze away and proceeded with steady hands, skillfully working inside the intricate prosthetic. He continued, "After the surgery, you need to be moderate. Your body is not as strong as before, and your physical condition has dropped to B-level. Rehabilitation should be done in moderation, understand?" When Doctor Wu glanced up, he noticed that the other person's gaze had returned to the nearby display screen. He refrained from saying what was on his mind and continued examining the prosthetic.

With the rapid advancement of technology, the physical and mental qualities of the StarNet people have also changed. Powerful physical attributes stem from their inherent genetic makeup, but external factors can interfere and make this genetic makeup unstable.

His patient was a mecha pilot, a rare SS-talent, 18 years old, with a seemingly limitless future. However, during his routine genetic examination upon reaching adulthood, early signs of a genetic disease were discovered.

Doctor Wu informed this young mecha pilot about the surgical plan – to remove the affected right hand and replace it with a specially crafted mechanical prosthetic. For a mecha pilot, such an operation meant the end of their professional career. Yet, Ying Chenglin agreed to it.

After the surgery, his mental strength dropped from S-level to A-level, and his physical condition from S-level to B-level.

The sounds in the examination room had quieted down a bit. The virtual screen nearby still played news from the mecha arena, and Doctor Wu's examination movements slightly quickened.

Ying Chenglin watched the mecha on the virtual screen, calmly scanning it with his gaze. It seemed that he could discern the details of the mecha through these brief images. He observed intently until he noticed a short recruitment message rapidly scrolling in the upper section of the screen. His eyes brightened, following the movement of the light-colored text.

[KID Team Recruiting mechanic–]

Doctor Wu noticed the muscles in his patient's body tensing for a moment, but the tension dissipated quickly.

Doctor Wu still caught it. "What are you looking at?"

Ying Chenglin looked away. "Nothing."

"After this examination, you won't need to come in every week. The instructions for the subsequent recovery have been transferred to your light brain," Doctor Wu said, skillfully reassembling the remaining components on the sterile tray inside the mechanical arm, and finally closing the metal plate. "Try it."

Ying Chenglin instinctively flexed and closed his hand. The numbness in the joints gradually subsided. "Thank you."

The connected mechanical arm was incredibly agile, functioning like a real hand. Ying Chenglin knew that even the most flexible mechanical limb was still an intelligent assistant, and the mental link was slow, but it was already much better than his previous life.

"Don't mention it," Doctor Wu said, looking at the young man in front of him. He observed how Ying Chenglin gradually adapted to the prosthetic, his expression carrying an indescribable calmness. Doctor Wu sighed faintly and glanced at the dazzling mecha on the virtual screen.

Ying Chenglin loved mechas and couldn't take his eyes off them during the matches. Such an outstanding mecha pilot, all because of a genetic disease...

At this moment, Doctor Wu noticed the gray suitcase beside Ying Chenglin.

Ying Chenglin stood up, the loose sleeves covering the mechanical limb as he firmly held the suitcase's handle.

Doctor Wu asked, "I haven't asked you yet, but are you planning to go to another star for recuperation with that suitcase?"

---

In the slightly deserted training room of Sirius A District, a young man dressed in blue sat cross-legged. A virtual light screen illuminated by the holographic computer was playing recent mecha news in front of him.

After a while, the lights in the training room were turned on, and a young man with a suitcase walked in. Seeing someone in the training room, he paused briefly. "Lin Yao, up so early?"

The young man with the suitcase was Xu Yaojun, formerly a mecha pilot for KID Team. During the transfer period a few days ago, his profile had been transferred to DE Team.

Lin Yao shifted his gaze away from the holographic computer and saw the suitcase Xu Yaojun was holding. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to pick up some things," Xu Yaojun said as he walked directly to the machine in the training room. "Hmm, there's a training plan during the offseason over there, and the coach asked me to go ahead."

Lin Yao's tone was flat. "Done picking up?"

"Yes," Xu Yaojun looked at Lin Yao and bit his lip decisively. "KID can't find any technicians like this. There's an opening for a Guardian mecha position in DE, and their coach appreciates you. If you..."

"Xu Yaojun, you're still not leaving?" The person who entered the room wearing a flashy coat was Ji Qingfeng, a mecha pilot of KID Team.

At this moment, Ji Qingfeng still held two takeaway boxes in his hand. When he saw Xu Yaojun, he raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "Chatting with Lin Yao? Coincidentally, I just bought two breakfasts."

Xu Yaojun's expression darkened when he saw the newcomer. "It's nothing."

Ji Qingfeng didn't hold back either. "Oh, that's really embarrassing. You'll have to stand here and watch us eat. Where were we in the conversation? Chat with me too."

Xu Yaojun's mood didn't seem too good, especially when he saw Ji Qingfeng. His tone turned cold. "No need to chat."

He continued, "So many mechas in the league are damaged, and the people from the base have all left. Do you still expect some idiot mechanic to come and repair your mechas? Ji Qingfeng, you probably don't even have a mech now, right?"

Lin Yao interjected, "Xu Yaojun, what do you mean?"

Xu Yaojun sneered, "KID has no one left. Don't waste your effort. Dissolving the team now might still allow you to retain some dignity." He glanced at Lin Yao once more, then picked up his suitcase and left.

Seeing Xu Yaojun leave, Lin Yao wanted to follow, but Ji Qingfeng held him back. "What are you doing? Seeing him off?"

"Seeing him off, my foot."

"Why are you giving him face?" Ji Qingfeng took out one of the takeaway boxes and said to Lin Yao, who hadn't moved, "What are you waiting for? I got up early to order breakfast. If you don't want to eat supplements, move."

Lin Yao suppressed his anger. "Are you afraid you can't beat him?"

"Nonsense. I can take on eight of him." Ji Qingfeng grinned.

Lin Yao gritted his teeth and said fiercely, "Tang Jie treated him so well in vain. Initially, I thought he was just close to that person because of their good relationship, but who knew he transferred to DE."

"And the matter with your mech, isn't the damage his fault? Who else is being ambiguous about it?" KID Team had encountered too many issues recently; it could be said they were facing a string of misfortunes. Two years ago, many active mecha pilots were taken away by the management, resulting in a disastrous season for KID. The investors withdrew their funding when they saw this situation, and the other managers were busy dividing up what was left of KID, leaving only Shen Xingtang to keep the crumbling KID base and reorganize the team.

From a well-known mecha base in the league to now a makeshift squad of only a few people.

Last year, KID's performance began to decline, and one after another, mecha pilots transferred out. During this period, they also discovered that their former team doctor and mechanic had leaked KID's mecha data. Shen Xingtang had been busy resolving this issue during this time.

There is no concrete evidence of the leaked data being sold to anyone. The other party is cautious in their transactions, and currently, the Mecha League has no concrete evidence. However, in this year's competition, the DE team's mechanic presented an adjusted gun weapon that bears a striking resemblance to one of the core weapons from the leaked data.

Xu Yaojun has an extremely close relationship with the previous offending team doctor, and they often went in and out together. At first, they didn't think much about it, until not long ago when Xu Yaojun's contract expired, and he did not renew it, instead transferring to the DE team.

Without any evidence, Shen Xingtang couldn't say anything either.

After a brief silence, Ji Qingfeng was the first to speak, "What's the use of being angry? When we are full and prepared, we'll meet the DE team in the competition. Why are you watching this program? The host wasn't serious the last time he met us. They're just recruiting a mechanic. How come he's speaking sarcastically about us not working hard? I'm truly thankful to him."

Lin Yao responded, "That's true. We are putting in the effort. Tang Jie even spent money on an advertisement."

Ji Qingfeng was taken aback, "Where did she buy it?"

Lin Yao pointed to the scrolling banner above the program, "This one. It changes every half an hour. Tang Jie bought it for two days!"

"I'll be darned!" Ji Qingfeng muttered, "Having sold the Mecha Arena, they're indeed wealthy enough to buy advertisements."

Last week, their boss sold the Mecha Arena, and they earned a considerable sum.

At this moment, an access notification sounded in the training room, suddenly startling the two who were still focused on the advertisement.

"Who's ringing the bell?" Ji Qingfeng turned his head, "Is there anyone in front?"

Lin Yao mumbled, "I don't think so."

Ji Qingfeng walked over and glanced at the surveillance camera. Just as the call was connected, he saw a suitcase. Before he could see the person's face, he turned around and headed out, saying, "Damn it, Xu Yaojun has the nerve to come back? I'll go check it out."

"Wait, I'll come too," Lin Yao said.

The training room was located in the basement of the KID building. Since the KID building was put up for rent, their headquarters had been relocated to the basement. Today, the team's boss, Shen Xingtang, and the coach, Jiang Simiao, were out for something, and the access notification from the smart door automatically reached the training room.

Ji Qingfeng rushed to the door with fierce momentum, but as he opened the door and saw the suitcase, he almost couldn't control his rage. He quickly restrained himself and came to a halt, asking, "Xu Yao— Who are you?"

The young man stood tall, wearing a hat that obscured his face, and the only thing visible was the smart brochure he held in his hand. 

Ji Qingfeng recognized it; it was a special custom-made brochure by their boss, Shen Xingtang, placed in the advertising column in front of the KID building.

 He caught a glimpse of the words "KID Mecha Arena for Sale" written on the brochure, 

"The Mecha Arena has already found a new owner, and it changed hands last week."

The young man said, "I'm not here because of the Mecha Arena."

"Oh, then you must be here to rent the building?" Ji Qingfeng sneered, pointing to another location, "The contact information is over there."

The desolate entrance of the building was empty, and on the bright advertising screen, the words were displayed prominently:

[KID Headquarters Building for Rent, interested parties contact communication number jhk14581248 Shen Xingtang]

The young man looked at the words and appeared slightly stunned.

Ji Qingfeng saw that the person didn't move and was about to ask more questions when he suddenly noticed the hand pressed on top of the suitcase.

It was a mechanical hand. Nowadays, with the rapid development of Star Alliance's medical technology, very few people need prosthetic limbs due to illnesses.

"Why are you stopping at the entrance?" Lin Yao squeezed out from behind Ji Qingfeng and blinked when he saw Ying Chenlin. He asked in a daze, "Hello, who are you looking for?"

Ying Chenlin snapped back to reality, removing his gaze from the information about the building for rent. He politely said, "Hello."

Seeming to confirm, he asked, "Is this KID headquarters? I'm here to apply as a mechanic"

TN:

I changed the title from Genius Repairman to Genius Mechanic. I'll also be referring to the occupation as "mechanic" instead of "maintenance technician" although it's the literal translation but after some research, I found that "mechanic" is better suited in terms of job description, skills and scope.