The boss wasn't entirely trying to help Meng Huai; he genuinely fancied the two ink paintings. The young girl was short on funds at the moment, making it a timely transaction.
Moreover, the boss found the items the girl presented to be quite impressive and was willing to foster a friendship.
Finally, after paying fifty thousand, the boss happily said, "Come to me anytime you have good stuff. Let's add each other to communications. If you don't have time to come over, you can have a delivery person bring it, or I can send someone to pick it up."
It seemed the boss was truly looking to collaborate with Meng Huai long-term.
Meng Huai added the boss on communications and then took out a peace charm to give to him, saying, "This is for you, it can keep you safe. But don't tell anyone about it! And definitely don't say I gave it to you!"
Meng Huai gifted the peace charm simply to reciprocate the boss's kindness, but she didn't want to be apprehended again. She wasn't sure if this talisman fell within the scope of what their interstellar police referred to as ancient metaphysics, but it was better to be cautious.
The boss was momentarily stunned by the object presented to him. Subconsciously, he felt it was something valuable and kept it safely.
After Meng Huai left, the boss opened it to examine it. It was a piece of paper with some drawings in red ink. It looked neither like writing nor a painting. The boss decided to consult some ancient texts at home.
"I could also ask on a culture forum, but I'll check at home first."
After bidding farewell to the boss, Meng Huai and her companions returned in a group to the mecha shop they had just visited.
Tao Tao greeted them with joy upon seeing them return.
Meng Huai said to Tao Tao, "You can process the payment now."
Tao Tao happily replied to Meng Huai, "Okay."
She then operated the hand-held device to finalize the contract, asking Meng Huai, "Would you like any modifications to your mecha? Our shop can handle that."
Meng Huai waved her hand and said, "No need, this is fine as it is."
Big sister was truly out of money!
After a final series of operations, Meng Huai signed, made the payment, and left with the mecha necklace.
Unlike Li Wei's mecha, which required time for modifications, hers could be taken away today.
Meng Huai looked at the necklace hanging around her neck and mused, "This mecha necklace is quite convenient."
Hearing Meng Huai's words, someone said, "Meng student, this necklace also requires sensory operation. Why don't you try to deploy the mecha first to see if you can."
Wang Ziming had a feeling he had forgotten something. It wasn't until they left that he remembered. He wasn't sure if Meng Huai's ability to operate an A-class mecha was due to a miscalculation in the sensory test, but if she could operate an A-class mecha yet couldn't deploy the mecha necklace, wouldn't that be awkward?
The others heard Wang Ziming's words and understood his meaning.
"That's right, it's still within the seven-day return and exchange period, so let's try it first."
Upon hearing everyone's words, Meng Huai channeled her perception into the mecha necklace. A mecha suddenly appeared before them on the street.
The boss of Wen Xin Tang was also observing Meng Huai and her group. He saw the group of young people emerge from the mecha shop, and then witnessed the sudden appearance of a mecha.
He surmised that the young girl must have sold some items to buy this mecha.
Seeing the scene, the boss called out to Meng Huai, "Young girl, is this your new mecha? It's very imposing!"
"Yes."
Meng Huai replied to the boss and then recalled the mecha. Seeing this, her classmates finally relaxed.
Ju Yiqiu asked, "So, where do we go next?"
Meng Huai already had an idea: "There are some things I want to modify on this mecha. I want to buy some materials, will you all accompany me?"
"Okay."
They readily agreed. Meng Huai led them to the shop of the middle-aged uncle they had met before, waving goodbye to the boss of Wen Xin Tang as they passed.
They went directly to the middle-aged uncle's shop. There weren't many people inside. The uncle was lying on a lounge chair with his eyes closed, it was unclear if he was asleep.
The uncle heard the noise and opened his eyes, seeing Meng Huai.
"Good morning, young girl!"
Meng Huai said to the middle-aged uncle with a hint of exasperation, "Uncle, it's already afternoon."
The middle-aged uncle glanced out the window and said, "It's afternoon already? Time flies so fast."
Meng Huai wondered if this uncle spent his days in such a dazed manner, just sitting in the shop all day.
Seeing so many people, the uncle called out, "Oh my, so many people! My shop hasn't been this lively in a long time. Feel free to look around!"
As the middle-aged uncle greeted them, Meng Huai walked directly to the counter and said, "Uncle, I want to buy some materials. There are quite a few items this time, could you record them?"
The middle-aged uncle was quite surprised. Hearing Meng Huai's words, he sat up from his lounge chair. He then walked to the counter and operated the machine in front of him, saying, "Go ahead."
Meng Huai first pondered the modification plan in her mind and then listed the materials needed one by one.
The middle-aged uncle initially thought Meng Huai's list of materials wouldn't be that extensive, but seeing the long string of information now, he thought, This is indeed quite a lot.
"Young girl, did you strike it rich?"
Meng Huai's sore spot was touched: "I'm bankrupt, uncle. You have to give me a discount."
The middle-aged uncle's materials were already reasonably priced, but hearing Meng Huai's words and seeing her pained expression, he agreed, "No problem."
Finally, after calculating the price, he gave Meng Huai a ten percent discount. Gu Ping, witnessing this scene, thought to himself, Why haven't I ever encountered such a kind shop owner!
The middle-aged uncle looked at the order and said, "That's quite a lot of things. Just leave an address, and I'll send someone to deliver it to you."
So much stuff would be quite heavy, and for a girl like Meng Huai, who wasn't a solo combatant, it would be quite strenuous to carry. The middle-aged uncle thought this, and Meng Huai was overjoyed to hear this news.
"Thank you, uncle."
She left her address, and the middle-aged uncle looked at it with an indescribable emotion in his eyes, though no one noticed.
After Meng Huai and her group left the shop, Gu Ping asked Meng Huai, "Meng student, are you going to modify the mecha yourself?"
"Yes."
The middle-aged uncle was preparing the materials Meng Huai had requested in his shop. He vaguely overheard their conversation. The uncle took the materials from the highest shelf of the counter and muttered, "They're from the Imperial Military Academy."
The conversation on the street continued, and Gu Ping worriedly said, "Meng student, you've only been to class for a few days..."
Gu Ping really didn't want to discourage Meng Huai, but he was truly afraid Meng Huai might damage the mecha, after all, it was her entire savings!
"It's alright. If there's anything I'm unsure about, I can ask you all or the teacher. I won't mess around blindly."
Hearing Meng Huai's words, Gu Ping felt relieved. As long as Meng Huai approached the mecha modifications without arrogance or complacency, it would be fine.