Chapter 27: The Mecha Manufacturer

Since Chongming was supposedly malfunctioning, Brian led the group directly to his fourth-floor workshop.

The fourth floor featured a long corridor flanked by orderly, silver-white metallic doors. Each door was locked, clearly housing precious mecha components within.

Brian walked to the very end of the corridor and, after retina verification, opened the metal door before him.

The space inside was vast, nearly the size of two football fields, filled with an array of various instruments. Mo Han had visited intelligent spaceship manufacturing facilities before and recognized most of the common equipment. He watched as Brian activated a black mecha diagnostic machine, then turned back to Luo Fei and said, “Summon Chongming. I’ll perform a thorough check.”

Luo Fei immediately awakened Chongming from his mecha spatial button.

Moments later, an enormous mecha materialized before everyone’s eyes. This mecha was indeed modeled after the mythical Chongming Bird: standing over twenty meters tall, with wings spanning a formidable fifty meters when fully unfurled. Its entire body was coated in silver, the gleaming metallic sheen dazzling under the lights, its lines sleek and fluid—like a gigantic bird poised to take flight.

As the mecha activated, a dazzling beam of light suddenly shot from its eyes, pure white radiance instantly illuminating the area ahead.

Mo Han’s eyes lit up. This was his first time seeing Chongming’s original form. Truly worthy of an S-Class intelligent mecha—its very silhouette exuded majesty.

Seated on the diagnostic machine, Brian elevated it to the level of Chongming’s cockpit, connected to its intelligent system, and started the inspection.

He quickly identified the cause, and a sense of confusion arose within him. Chongming’s system showed no signs of external breach; rather, it seemed like an internal lockout. Such a condition typically occurred when the mecha determined an external party was attempting to invade its system to steal stored data and memories. To prevent the loss of crucial information, the mecha would initiate a self-sealing protocol, locking down all data.

Chongming was, after all, the First Prince’s mecha. After their mental matching, their memories were essentially linked. Chongming’s system would contain the entirety of its master’s memories, even the thoughts of his mental world.

Brian had incorporated this self-sealing system during its design precisely for such contingencies. If a situation became so dangerous that destroying an enemy was impossible, the priority shifted to entering a dormant state, completely sealing all system data, rather than allowing anyone to extract extensive secrets about the First Prince and the Royal Family.

Brian turned his gaze to Luo Fei. The flash of embarrassment in the First Prince’s eyes confirmed his suspicion.

Chongming had self-sealed its system. The First Prince hadn’t faced any recent dangers. For it to do this, it was clearly at Luo Fei’s instruction.

Brian raised an eyebrow slightly. “Luo Fei, come up here too. Chongming’s issue is somewhat unique. We need your mental power to force the system’s restart. Let’s check this inside.”

Until he understood Luo Fei’s motive, Brian naturally wouldn’t expose him, giving the Prince a way to save face.

Smiling gratefully, Luo Fei swiftly followed Brian into the cockpit, closing the hatch.

Only then did Brian ask with a smile, “So, tell me. Why did you have Chongming lock its system?”

As Chongming’s creator, Brian would, of course, instantly detect the issue. Luo Fei had expected this and didn’t hide the truth any longer. “Uncle Brian, it’s like this. I asked Chongming to lock its system just to have an excuse to come see you. Because I’ve discovered that… Iman seems to like Mo Han. I have to stop this. Iman and Mo Han cannot be together.”

Upon hearing this, Brian couldn’t help but laugh. “Could it be that you’re in love with our Iman?”

Luo Fei looked bewildered. “…No, that’s not it.”

Brian gave him an appreciative look. “Our Iman has a lively personality. Since childhood, he’s loved to tease and bully you. But honestly, Iman is quite adorable and doesn’t have a bad bone in his body.”

He walked over to Luo Fei and gently patted his shoulder. “You have excellent taste, falling for our Iman. Is this a feeling nurtured by growing up together as childhood friends? Iman’s dad and your dad are cousins, so the blood relation between you and Iman isn’t direct lineal. Marriage would be permissible. But you’re both still young right now. I wouldn’t recommend marrying so soon.”

Luo Fei: “…”

Uncle, your ability to leap to conclusions is even stronger than mine!

I don’t like your strange Omega son! The one I love is Mo Han…

Awkwardly, Luo Fei explained, “Uncle, I do not have feelings for Iman. We grew up together. Our relationship is much like real brothers. Of course I also hope he finds an Alpha who genuinely loves him. But it can’t be Mo Han. He and Mo Han are not suited.”

Brian rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “From what I see, Iman’s attitude towards Mo Han is just friendship. That’s just how our Iman is. He’s brought over a dozen Alphas home since he was small. You don’t need to worry; he won’t end up with Mo Han that quickly. And if he were serious about a boyfriend, as his father, I would certainly vet the person. I asked him about his thoughts before. He said he wouldn’t even consider marriage until after twenty-five. There’s still plenty of time.”

Luo Fei coughed lightly. “That’s a relief.”

As long as Iman didn’t end up with Mo Han, he could focus on pursuing Mo Han with peace of mind.

Luo Fei let his worries settle, and Chongming finally restarted normally.

Seeing Brian, Chongming immediately piped up eagerly, “Mr. Brian! While you’re at it, could you reinforce my defense net? I’m scared my system might get hacked!”

Brian raised an eyebrow. “Hacked? The systems of S-Class intelligent mechas are the most advanced in the empire. No hacker could easily breach your system.”

Chongming retorted, “But what if that hacker is exceptionally formidable?”

A smile touched Brian’s lips. “Why this sudden worry?”

Chongming thought, ‘Because my master has fallen for an exceptionally formidable hacker.’

Knowing exactly what it was thinking, Luo Fei quickly cut it off, smiling politely. “Uncle Brian, Chongming has just been excessively anxious ever since hearing about the spaceship’s circuit malfunction. It’s worried constantly about being invaded. Its system seems fine. We won’t trouble you further.”

Brian nodded. “Alright. If any issues arise, feel free to contact me anytime.”

While Brian and Luo Fei were in the cockpit inspecting Chongming, Iman had led Mo Han to sit down nearby, and they started chatting about intelligent mecha topics.

They conversed with remarkable synergy. Iman said excitedly, “Actually, I recently built a small mecha myself. Mo Han, could you take a look at its intelligent system for me? I’m stuck precisely on this part—I don’t know which system to install for it to run smoothly.”

Mo Han was also quite interested in his custom-built mecha. “Alright, I’ll take a look for you.”

Iman tugged him along. “Come with me. My mecha is conveniently here at home.”

Mo Han followed him into another room. Iman retrieved his mecha from storage. The creation was clearly the work of a novice: a humanoid mecha only about one and a half meters tall. Still, for a current university student, completing a mecha like this independently was already impressive.

Mo Han helped him inspect the system and quickly pinpointed the issue. “Does your mecha often make errors when executing commands?”

Iman nodded immediately. “Yes, exactly!”

Mo Han explained, “For a simple mecha like this, installing an overly complex system can actually hinder the smooth execution of commands. You could try version 2.0 of the intelligent mecha system previously released by Fengyang Group. That version would be more compatible with your mecha.”

Iman scratched his head. “But I don’t have that version on hand.”

Mo Han said, “No problem. I’ll modify it for you.”

With that, he pulled out his optical computer. Under Iman’s worshipful gaze, his expression calm, he swiftly began modifying the mecha’s internal system code.

When Luo Fei and Brian emerged from Chongming’s cockpit, Iman and Mo Han were nowhere in sight.

What had they been doing in those few short minutes?

Luo Fei’s expression stiffened. He immediately asked Ethan, who was still standing there expressionlessly, “Where’s your brother?”

Ethan’s voice was as flat and emotionless as a robot’s. “He dragged Mo Han off to study his homemade mecha.”

Feeling increasingly anxious, Luo Fei quickly grabbed him. “Take me there, quickly.”

Ethan led the way, Luo Fei hurrying after him to the neighboring mecha showroom.

This was the space Brian had specially cleared out for his son, filled entirely with Iman’s own creations. Luo Fei had visited before and felt great disdain for the bizarre mechas Iman produced.

Entering, he saw Iman sitting in a chair, chin propped on his hand, looking at Mo Han with an expression of sheer admiration.

Mo Han, meanwhile, sat in the adjacent office chair, his focus intense and serious.

His portable optical computer was open on the desk. The blue holographic screen displayed a string of code so complex it was dizzying. He was rapidly inputting and modifying the code. His slender fingers danced across the keyboard as line after line of intricate code streamed rapidly down the screen.

The blue light of the screen cast its glow on his fair face, accentuating the already striking handsomeness of its defined features.

This was the first time Luo Fei had witnessed Mo Han so deeply focused, modifying code like this.

Back on the spaceship, when Mo Han was summoned to the cockpit, Luo Fei had been kept outside and hadn’t witnessed it—he only knew Mo Han restored the system in 35 seconds. At the KM Airlines press conference, Luo Fei had watched through a screen as Mo Han used a laser pointer to explain the Locke Virus, but he hadn’t seen how Mo Han actually neutralized it.

But today, he finally saw Mo Han at work.

This Mo Han was somehow different from the usual Mo Han.

Mo Han hammered out code at a furious pace, his pale, slender fingers seeming to dance across the keyboard.

His focused expression and perfect profile were so captivating that one couldn’t look away.

Luo Fei heard his own heart pounding heavily in his chest.

In that instant, a strong impulse seized him to wrap his arms tightly around Mo Han from behind and tell him, ‘Mo Han, you are so incredibly handsome when you focus on your work. I want so badly to tie you to my side, to make you mine alone. And I’m terrified that someone else might steal away someone as brilliant as you.’

But with Iman present, he couldn’t say such things. All he could do was gaze tenderly at Mo Han’s profile.

Ethan glanced at his adored-expression-wearing brother, then at the besotted-looking Luo Fei… It was like they were Mo Han’s two little fanboys.

He gave a soft scoff and turned to leave the workshop.

When Brian entered the room, Mo Han had just finished writing the system code. He pressed the confirmation key with a final tap. “Done. Try installing it.”

Excitedly, Iman loaded the system Mo Han had modified into his mecha.

Sure enough, the mecha’s movements became much more fluid with this version. Iman directed his little mecha person to walk around, bend down, pick up objects. Once the mecha successfully executed the full set of commands, Iman finally breathed a sigh of relief. He walked over to stand before Mo Han and declared, “Mo Han, you’re amazing! How about this: this mecha is my current highest-completion work, and it’s largely thanks to your help. Let me give it to you, okay?”

Mo Han politely refused. “No need. Keep it yourself as a memento.”

Iman scratched his head, thinking. “Alright, I suppose. This mecha is too crude anyway. It wouldn’t be of use to you even if I gave it. When I build an S-Class super mecha in the future, I’ll give the first one to you.”

Luo Fei: “…”

Wait a moment, Iman? What’s with that look of admiration? Surely you haven’t actually fallen for Mo Han, have you?

Luo Fei was just about to step forward and interject, when Iman spoke again. “Father, may I take Mo Han to the fifth floor for a tour?”

Brian wouldn’t refuse his son’s request. He nodded. “Of course.”

“Fantastic!” Iman said to Mo Han, “The fifth floor holds many precious materials, including the manufacturing blueprints for every existing S-Class mecha in the empire. My father usually doesn’t allow anyone up there. You’re a rare guest today, so it’s the perfect chance to show you!”

“Thank you, Uncle,” Mo Han said, giving Brian a small smile. “I’ll be able to feast my eyes.”

“Don’t mention it, feel free to look around,” Brian responded good-naturedly.

Then, Mo Han turned and left with Iman, chatting happily as they walked away.

Watching their close interaction, Luo Fei’s heart was already submerged in a vat of vinegar, intense sourness bubbling up ceaselessly, making it impossible for him to stay still. He decisively turned to follow Iman. Seeing his swift reaction, Brian couldn’t help but sigh softly. He turned back to Ethan. “Could it be that Luo Fei has truly fallen for your brother? He says he doesn’t like him, but perhaps he’s just embarrassed?”

Ethan: “…”

Meeting his son’s frosty expression, Brian said with a smile, “What, you don’t approve?”

Ethan said flatly, “I think Father is overthinking it. Brother used to bully Luo Fei all the time when they were children. He probably avoids Brother if anything.”

Puzzled, Brian asked, “Then what is he so tense about?”

Ethan watched Luo Fei’s retreating back coldly, thinking to himself, ‘He’s likely tense about the other person instead.’