Chapter 74: The Relationship Finally Acknowledged

The restaurant was filled with the aroma of gourmet food, with waiters moving quietly and only the soft murmurs of guests conversing.

Seles’s voice was quite loud in this space, almost ringing out. Xie Jianxun jumped in surprise and instinctively took a step back.

The young man immediately wilted like an eggplant hit by frost, even the neatly styled strands of his hair drooping down. He stammered incoherently, “…Sorry, I lost my mind just now. What the hell was I saying…”

Xie Jianxun tilted his head up slightly to look at him and said politely, “Sir?”

Seles scratched his hair in frustration. “I mean, uh, want to have dinner together?”

Xie Jianxun glanced at his messy plate, and Seles hurriedly hid it behind him. Then he looked at the many empty seats by the window, genuinely puzzled.

He tilted his head. “Sir, there are plenty of empty tables over there.”

The implication was clear: they could each sit separately without bothering each other. Seles understood but pretended not to.

He had no choice but to continue, “Are you a local, or a tourist visiting Silver Watchtower? I’m the second son of the first director of Surging Group. If there’s anything you don’t know about here, I can introduce it to you…”

He suddenly clamped his mouth shut and thought desperately, What the hell am I saying again?

Not only did he say it, but he said it twice.

Who tried to strike up a conversation by flaunting their status like that? If the other was just an ordinary citizen, they’d be scared off; if their status was higher, they’d look down on him entirely.

Shut up! Stop saying stupid things. He looks like he’s about to leave! he roared inwardly.

But the other’s soft voice saved him. Seles looked up in surprise.

“Your eyes are really sharp, Mr. Seles. Yes, I just arrived at Silver Watchtower and am quite unfamiliar with it.” Xie Jianxun smiled. “If possible, shall we eat and chat together?”

He saved me, Seles thought.

“…Is it that exaggerated?!”

While getting more food, his friend grabbed him in disbelief. “He’s good-looking, I have to admit even I was moved… But bro, look at how pathetic you were earlier—what’s the difference from throwing yourself at him?!”

Seles stammered, “Do you think… if I threw myself at him, he’d accept?”

His friend: “…”

He speechless shoved a big piece of steak onto his plate. “You’ve only known him for two minutes! Eat more to clear your head.”

They both turned to look. Xie Jianxun sat by the floor-to-ceiling window under the night sky, his light-colored hair strands glossy, the bit of exposed skin fair and flawless. He cut his food with knife and fork, occasionally sipping juice.

The two turned back and sighed deeply.

His friend: “I have two tickets to the Intelligent Mecha College League. Think he’d accept if I gave them to him?”

Seles said coldly, “Give them to me.”

His friend was incredulous. “What?!”

Seles repeated, “Give them to me. The tickets.”

His friend cursed, “You bastard!”

When Xie Jianxun was eating his second piece of grilled meat, Seles finally returned with his plate—this was already his third round of getting food.

Xie Jianxun had a small appetite and ate slowly.

This guy ate fast but seemed reluctant to leave early, so he got a third round, wanting to linger with his new friend a bit longer.

As soon as Seles sat down, he couldn’t wait to show off the tickets he’d snatched.

“Do you know? Next week at Central Stadium, there’s the Intelligent Mecha College League. There’ll be a full hundred thousand people on site, and billions watching online!”

Xie Jianxun asked curiously, “Intelligent Mecha College League?”

Seles: “You know, Silver Watchtower as the Mechanical Capital has mostly related majors in its universities—it’s a specialty industry. All the intelligent mecha in the college league are made independently by students, pretty novel, and lots of people love watching… If you’re interested, I have two league tickets here.”

At this point, he grew a bit shy, not daring to pull out the tickets.

“But… but the seats aren’t great. I mean the tickets.”

He tried to make peace with his own tongue. “They’re in A-section viewing area, a bit farther than S-section, so the view might be discounted a little.”

“If you don’t mind, you can come with me. I understand a bit, so I can give you live commentary. Ask me anything you don’t get.”

After speaking, Seles cautiously watched his reaction.

Thank heavens, his new friend smiled without refusing. “Sure, I haven’t seen Silver Watchtower’s specialty matches yet. Next week?”

Seles beamed with joy and laughed along. “Monday next week. Let’s add comms codes so we can head to the stadium together.”

Xie Jianxun said, “I’m curious about something.”

Seles: “Go ahead.”

Xie Jianxun: “Where’d your friend go? Turned around and he was gone.”

Seles: “He had to pee.”

Back in his room, Xie Jianxun’s Light Brain popped up with a message from his new friend: “Forgot to say earlier, you can call me Seles. Can I call you Jianxun?”

Xie Jianxun sat in the chair and typed: “Of course, Mr. Seles.”

The other seemed a bit downcast: “…I mean, without the honorific.”

Xie Jianxun smiled amusedly: “Thanks, Seles.”

A good while later, the other continued: “The match is still days away. I’m free these days. Got time? Want to check out Silver Watchtower’s sights? I can be your guide!”

Xie Jianxun was a bit surprised—this guy was overly enthusiastic, like he wanted something from him.

But he’d just arrived at Silver Watchtower with nothing on him. What could he want?

Oh, he still had countless credits in his account. But honestly, this guy didn’t seem like a scammer short on cash.

Xie Jianxun hesitated as he opened his Light Brain and searched the group name.

Star Net pulled up some entries, including board members—the photo looked at least eighty percent like Seles.

He clicked in, checked family info, confirmed, and closed Star Net.

Seemed like a genuine young master, not a scammer.

Plus, this hotel was pricey; a casual couple days could cost tens of thousands—not something average scammers could afford.

He slowly opened the input keyboard and typed: “Seles, I want to know where the Advanced Mechanic Association in Silver Watchtower is. I need to find an advanced mech engineer, preferably specializing in biological mecha.”

Instant reply: “I know!”

“No need to go to the Advanced Mechanic Association. I know a few. Need connections? I’ll introduce you. Tomorrow? Or the day after? I’ll book right now!”

Xie Jianxun was shocked—his new friend was so capable, knowing several advanced mech engineers!

He happily typed: “Either works, I’m free anytime. Thanks so much, Seles. Otherwise, I’d have to go to the Mechanics Association and hunt one by one.”

No instant reply this time; a pause, then: “Glad I could help.”

Xie Jianxun sincerely replied: “Thank you.”

Two minutes later, with no new messages, Xie Jianxun thought the chat was over and prepared to pack up for a shower.

Then his Light Brain pinged: “I know a famous breakfast buffet nearby, just across the street from the hotel. Interested?”

Sounded delicious. Xie Jianxun typed: “Sure, where?”

Seles volunteered: “How about I take you tomorrow? I go there often too.”

Five minutes later.

Light Brain pinged: “Sweet or savory? I prefer savory, but I can do sweet—no taste discrimination.”

Xie Jianxun: “…I like sweet, but both work.”

Ten minutes later.

“Eight tomorrow morning? Or nine? I like sleeping in full, but maybe you prefer early…”

Xie Jianxun: “…”

Good lord, this guy could really chat!

He hadn’t noticed at dinner, but online, he was desperately fishing for topics… Star Net extrovert?

Xie Jianxun had to be direct: “I’m gonna browse Light Brain a bit then sleep. Good night.”

A long while later, a single “Okay,” then another long wait for a droopy-eared sad dog emoji.

Xie Jianxun scratched his chin puzzledly, a bit troubled.

He wasn’t great at ending conversations, especially with new acquaintances. Should he soften it? Send an emoji?

He hunted for a while and sent a pic of a puppy shaking its pillow.

Instant reply: “!! Good night good night!”

The next day, Xie Jianxun woke early, lounged leisurely until past eight, then went down to the hotel lobby per their agreement. Sure enough, the young man stood in the center waiting.

Seeing him descend, Seles tugged at his collar and smiled as he approached.

The young man greeted somewhat awkwardly, “Morning. How’d you sleep yesterday?”

Xie Jianxun smiled. “Very well. The hotel’s bedding and service exceeded expectations.”

Seles looked relieved. They headed to the hotel entrance. “It’s close by. Walking takes less than ten minutes.”

As they walked, he brought up yesterday: “Also, I already booked the first advanced mech engineer—Joseph Luke. Here’s his mechanic ID; you can check the official site.”

This speed was superhuman!

Seles raised a brow smugly. “Called Joseph yesterday; he agreed right away to help. Said he’d do it at cost, just pay materials.”

Xie Jianxun felt hope dawn instantly. “Great!”

Seles boasted, “Am I awesome?”

Right after, he realized it sounded off.

Who asked to be praised outright? It just made him seem frivolous, arrogant, smug…

He hurriedly lowered his head, pretending to adjust his tie.

Then coughed, acting casual: “I mean, more friends more paths. More friends mean more ways to try…”

Before finishing, he wanted to strangle his five-seconds-ago self.

Shit… what crap is that… who talks like this…

But Xie Jianxun didn’t walk away. Instead, he beamed, eyes sparkling like he truly admired him.

He even agreed emphatically, praising louder: “You really are awesome! And having so many friends takes skill to get along with them.”

The 1.85-meter youth froze, then his cheeks tinted pink. He mumbled, “Let’s go. Breakfast place is ahead.”

As Seles said, the breakfast buffet truly offered a huge variety.

Of course, there were also huge lines to choose from—and join.

Xie Jianxun held his tray at the end of the flow, inching forward bit by bit.

Two buffet trays floated in the air, hopping past them. The crowd acted unfazed.

Xie Jianxun stared dumbfounded. “That, that’s…”

Had the trays come alive?!

Seles knew what he was thinking and quickly explained, “Intelligent mecha underneath—not really flying.”

Xie Jianxun squinted for a long time, finally spotting the tiny claws gripping the tray edge and the alternating mechanical legs below.

After about five minutes, they neared the food area.

Xie Jianxun took a bowl of light green porridge, a wrap with cheese, herbs, and meat sauce, and a plate of neatly shaped fried eggs.

Seles kept it simpler: a coffee, an egg cake with bacon—clearly familiar, not his first time.

With this odd combo, he led Xie Jianxun to the second floor.

First floor was main hall and buffet lines; second had simple private booths.

Seles walked ahead, balancing his tray one-handed, twisting the booth handle with the other. “Joseph!”

A chubby figure inside looked up and beckoned them to sit. “Seles! You’re here—come eat. I’m starving.”

Seles set his tray on the table, casually pulling out a chair for Xie Jianxun.

He grumbled, “You always eat so much, Joseph. Control your portions, or don’t whine why girls reject you.”

Joseph laughed. “You invited me for good eats—how could I refuse?”

Seles held out his hand and bumped fists with the other. “I’ll head to the gym tonight and find you a fat-loss trainer too—I’ll get you a yearly membership. So, you can’t refuse this either, right?”

The other cried out, “Seles! You’re so ruthless!”

Seles turned back and called out to Xie Jianxun to sit down. “Let’s eat quickly; breakfast is getting cold.”

Xie Jianxun sat down and gave Joseph a stiff smile across from him.

The chubby mechanic froze for a moment, nearly dropping the thumb-sized pan-fried bun in his hand, and hurriedly stuffed it into his mouth.

As he swallowed, he said to Seles, “You always have a better eye than ordinary people. Any treasure that passes in front of your eyes, and you can instantly sort them into nine grades… Where did you find this handsome… client?”

Seles laughed and cursed, “This is a new friend I just met. It’s his first time at Silver Watchtower—don’t scare him.”

Joseph said, “I’m willing to give your beauty a six-fold discount.”

Xie Jianxun was flattered. “You’re too generous.”

Joseph kept stuffing food into his mouth. Anyway, he had nothing better to do, so he asked first about what needed repairing. “What’s broken? I work on biomechanical stuff, like Bionic Persons.”

Xie Jianxun quickly said, “It’s a Mechanical Puppet.”

“Mechanical Puppet…”

Joseph’s eating slowed down, and a solemn expression froze on his chubby face, as if he were pondering something.

After a moment, he followed up, “Is it the body, the limbs, or an even more core part?”

Xie Jianxun was silent for a moment before softly describing, “It’s broken from the waist and abdomen; the impact wave damaged the Mechanical Core.”

Joseph: “…”

He glanced at Xie Jianxun and said somewhat awkwardly, “I might need to take a look first to know if I can fix it.”

Joseph then explained the reason.

The technology for manufacturing Mechanical Puppets had peaked over twenty years ago.

Afterward, with technological progress and the iteration of biomechanical tech, Mechanical Cores were replaced by smaller chips, and Mechanical Puppets evolved into their second generation: Bionic Persons.

Then, bionic technology developed rapidly, while the even more ancient and exquisite mechanical structures of Mechanical Puppets gradually declined. Related specialties were replaced by bionic sciences.

The original techniques mostly existed only in data archives, with very few people studying them.

After Joseph finished explaining, he glanced at their expressions.

Xie Jianxun felt a bit disappointed, but he also knew that One was an old antique; it was only natural that it wouldn’t be easy to repair.

Besides, it wasn’t like it was completely impossible.

What if, after seeing it, there was still hope?

Seles carefully observed Xie Jianxun’s expression and quickly transferred all the pan-fried buns from his plate to Joseph’s bowl. “Eat up, eat up. We still have work to do after breakfast.”

Breakfast time ended, and the three of them went to Joseph’s workshop at the street corner.

Xie Jianxun rubbed his Light Brain and released One along with that pile of parts, occupying a large space in the workshop.

The handsome Mechanical Puppet lay quietly on its back on the ground, eyes tightly closed, with curly black hair draped over its forehead and nose bridge, also covering half of its pale cheeks.

It was as if the next second, it would come alive, smile at Xie Jianxun, and say in a hoarse voice, You’ve awakened me once again.

Incredibly lifelike.

Except it only had the upper body.

Joseph was shocked again. In his impression, Mechanical Puppets shouldn’t have such exquisite craftsmanship; its appearance was like it was made with modern bionic technology—practically indistinguishable from a real person.

He stammered, “If you hadn’t said it was a Mechanical Puppet, I probably would’ve mistaken it for a Bionic Person!”

But the internal structure and operating mechanisms were indeed those of a Mechanical Puppet.

He settled his mind and carefully inspected it, finally shaking his head at the damaged Mechanical Core.

“This is the most important part,” he pointed at the Mechanical Core and said to Xie Jianxun. “Fix this, and the Mechanical Puppet will have a soul.”

“I’m sorry, the damage is really too severe. My skills are limited; I’m afraid I can’t help you.”

He said tactfully, “You’ll probably need to find a more experienced mechanic who’s seen more of the world. They might know… The younger generation of mechanics probably haven’t even seen one of these.”

Leaving Joseph’s workshop and walking on the sidewalk, Xie Jianxun was lost in thought, head down, watching his toes as he walked.

Seles followed behind him, looking at him with concern.

“Don’t give up,” he encouraged Xie Jianxun. “Joseph is still young; it’s normal he hasn’t learned some things. I know other mechanics; I’ll ask them all for you.”

Xie Jianxun barely pulled himself together and shook his head at him. “Thank you…”

He said listlessly, “Let’s head back to the hotel.”

Seles reached out as if touching a freshly bloomed flower, placing his hand on Xie Jianxun’s shoulder with the lightest touch. “Is this your friend? I swear, I’ll definitely help you find someone who can fix it…”

Xie Jianxun said softly, “That’s my boyfriend.”

He had finally acknowledged it—that segment of memories and love from the golden Desert.

The Little Adventurer thought in confusion: Did he still have a chance to say it aloud in front of the Mechanical Puppet?

Or, in the journey ahead, could he only sift through fragmented memories on the hard drive to reminisce about the existence of such a Puppet Commander once upon a time?

Xie Jianxun smiled, his fingers resting on his chest.

That was where the hard drive hung on a string around his neck.

Looking back, Seles was already stunned like a wooden chicken.