Chapter Seven, He is an Unaware Genius

Unfortunately, there are not so many assumptions in the world, so Feng Yu remains just an ordinary middle-aged citizen without children, who only knows how to drink and chat. Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, he sits idly in the appliance repair shop on Fourth Street of Xianglan Avenue, drooling at the uniformed female police officers who occasionally pass by outside the shop.

Business is doing well, and the income remains stable. Therefore, during the three statutory rest days each week, Feng Yu habitually closes the shop and frequents various wellness centers in Hexi Prefecture, where he has met quite a few young women and spent a considerable amount of money. The neighbors in the area have long been aware of this middle-aged man's lecherous side, so they are not particularly surprised.

Feng Yu fell silent, not saying a word, lying on the sofa and starting to watch television, yet his gaze fell upon Xu Le's silhouette.

Xu Le shot a glare at the middle-aged man on the sofa, sighed, took the dishes from the stove beside him, and placed them on the table, saying, "It's time to eat." As he spoke, he went to fetch a warm towel to wipe the middle-aged man's face.

Feng Yu sat down at the table and began to chew on the somewhat tough meat with a crunching sound. Suddenly, he spoke up: "Why is this www.hetushu.com beef jerky getting tougher and tougher?"

Xu Le was taken aback and said earnestly: "Passing the conscription examination means becoming a mechanical repair soldier, which has a higher starting point."

However, no one knows that during the weekends of these past two years, Feng Yu has not gone to indulge his desires every time. Instead, he has come to a remote mine pit that is extremely far from the city. This mine pit has long been abandoned, especially after the mining accident ten years ago, which led to the bankruptcy of the United Company. Since then, no one has come here, to the extent that the miners' lounge from back then was converted into a repair shop, and no one noticed it. This mine pit has long been abandoned, especially after the mining accident ten years ago, which led to the bankruptcy of the United Company. Since then, no one has come here, to the extent that the miners' lounge from back then was converted into a repair shop, and no one noticed it.

"What else can you do besides using a stun baton?" Xu Le said dejectedly, "It's been two years, and all I've learned from you is how to repair televisions, refrigerators, toys, and cars... In another two years, the Ministry of Defense will start recruiting for the military, and I haven't even seen a mech or a warship. How am I supposed to pass the exam?"

His tone suddenly paused for a moment, and he said with some frustration: "I know I am not a genius. After studying for two years, I have only learned to make an electric baton. But I always feel that I truly enjoy interacting with books and these machines, so I want to try taking the exam"

This statement is not exaggerated; if he were willing to take more baths, shave more often, fix his decayed teeth, wear a few suitable outfits, and perhaps reduce his age by a few years, he might indeed possess that kind of charm

This appliance repair shop has consistently enjoyed good business, as Feng Yu's skills are indeed remarkable. Whether it is the latest roll-up crystal screen or an antique LCD screen, whether it is an overclocked room thermostat or electric skateboards that children play with, he can always repair anything related to machines and electricity.

Xu Le had heard such words many times, so naturally, he did not react much. He helplessly said: "Stop bragging. Last time, it was not easy to find a piece of the mecha's central control system in the junkyard, but you looked at it for five days and nights and didn't even dare to touch it for repairs"

"Why is idealism shameful?" A glimmer of determination appeared on Xu Le's face, "My first ideal in life is to become a battleship officer, and my second ideal is to enter the research and development department of a large company in the Capital Star Circle, to live a good life"

The two of them ate very quickly. Xu Le had already begun to clear the dishes while responding, "For sixty years, the people of the Donglin District have never seen what the people of the Empire look like, except for having seen their envoys on television. What is there to be afraid of?"

The smoke ring slowly drifted away, weaving into Feng Yu's already graying hair, disappearing without a trace. ... Feng Yu thought to himself, everyone in the world claims to be a genius, but in certain aspects, this little fellow Xu Le is actually ... more of a genius than himself

Common electrical appliances that are damaged are not particularly difficult to repair However, Xu Le approaches the task with utmost seriousness as if he were dealing with the most advanced instruments in the federation Perhaps he has never noticed that whenever he immerses himself in this work, a glow of earnestness appears on his youthful face

"The Xilin District is still engaged in battle with the Empire," Feng Yu's voice suddenly sounded somewhat calm. "Forget your first ideal; as for the second one, it is actually not that difficult."

Feng Yu's complexion turned pale, and after coughing twice, he sternly reprimanded: "That is an old relic from the Fourth Military District! Who the hell has seen things from hundreds of years ago? Of course, I must view *books* with an appreciative eye."

Feng Yu is a middle-aged man who, in his own words, is a mature, steady, reliable, and handsome gentleman, with just a hint of weariness and a touch of worldliness, enough to captivate all beings, especially young girls, as an extraordinary middle-aged uncle.

Feng Yu lowered his head and chewed on the meat, muttering in a low voice: "You haven't even completed twelve years of compulsory education, and you're not from a military academy. What makes you think you can pass? The Ministry of Defense does recruit cannon fodder soldiers; do you want to give it a try? Every Marine Corps would definitely want you."

Regardless of how troubled Xu Le's mood was at that moment, he was always habitually soft-hearted and kind. Seeing the middle-aged man in a state of despair, he could not help but want to take care of him

Uncle Feng Yu, who had a story to tell, lit a cigarette and squinted through the glass at Xu Le's busy figure, thinking it was time to reduce the dust level in the operation room by another notch. He then recalled Xu Le's earlier words, and a slight smile appeared at the corners of his lips as he exhaled a smoke ring

"You still haven't answered the question I asked earlier." Xu Le suddenly put down his chopsticks and asked seriously, "I know you were a repair technician in the military back in the day, and because you offended your superiors, you became a deserter. But the electric baton you taught me to make is just too similar, don't you think? Look... it's been several days now, and Bao Longtao has really been scared off by me; he doesn't even dare to ask who Li Wei is."

Feng Yu raised his head, looking in disbelief at the young man he was so familiar with, and lamented, "You still haven't given up on that shameful ideal of yours"

"I told you two years ago that I am a person with stories." Uncle Feng Yu clearly did not care about the regurgitative effect of his words, and he indulged in his own reverie, saying: "Given my position and the classified information I had access to during my time in the military, let alone a mere electric baton, even a standard cannon, as long as you have the materials, I could make it for you."

"No matter what kind of meat, if it is stored in the freezer for six months, it will become somewhat unpalatable." Xu Le had no expression on his face as he served himself a bowl of rice and sat down at the table. Their eating habits had become somewhat peculiar over the past two years, and to the average residents of Donglin District, they seemed excessively extravagant.

After washing the dishes, Xu Le habitually entered the workshop and began to operate the tools and instruments he was as familiar with as his own fingers, restoring the old appliances piled up beside him to their original condition with an exceptionally steady pace