Chapter 2, Slum
Indeed, there are not so many considerations in the slums. In the slums, the law is merely a joke. For the sake of a meal, murder and robbery occur every minute. In the slums, the fist is the law.
This is a job that Liu Fei stumbled upon, creating handicrafts for a small shop with a long history. The so-called handicrafts involve carving pieces of wood into various artistic shapes, a profession that has become forgotten in today's thriving mechanical civilization
For Liu Fei, the soldering iron head is a mysterious presence, entirely unlike the shortsighted poor and scavengers. Although the soldering iron head is not very literate, he resembles someone who has received higher education. He knows many strange and unusual things that the poor do not. He is very skilled at understanding the psychological activities of others, and most importantly, he knows how to protect himself and Liu Fei in the complex environment of the slums.
This ancient heavy fighter aircraft is covered in scars, bite marks, and claw marks, which are striking to behold; however, it generally retains its overall appearance intact
The facilities in the restroom are environmentally friendly products, capable of generating electricity from waste. The equipment can also collect moisture from the air for recycling. This restroom not only provides basic living necessities for Liu Fei, but also allows him to enjoy a luxurious hot shower every three days
The slum is vast, covering hundreds of thousands of square meters. From a bird's-eye view, the Zhaor Mecha University and the slum are separated by only a wall. However, the actual distance between the main gate of Zhaor Mecha University and the slum is more than one kilometer.
It is said that the first generation of residents who formed the slums were the mech warriors protecting Zor Mecha University. After the battles against the alien xenomorphs concluded, many injured soldiers remained, becoming the original inhabitants of the slums. Later, with the development of interstellar exploration, an increasing number of impoverished individuals gathered, leading to the scale we see today
In the slums, possessing an abandoned mech as a residence is actually a rather luxurious affair. Liu Fei is an orphan who was taken in by an elderly scavenger at a young age. A few months ago, the old man passed away, and Liu Fei inherited this "vast" wealth.
Due to the presence of the soldering iron head, Liu Fei is viewed with mystery by the residents of the slums. Most people avoid approaching Liu Fei for fear of provoking that madman with the soldering iron head. In an environment lacking friends, Liu Fei has also developed a habit of being taciturn. Whenever someone approaches him, they immediately sense a coldness that keeps them at a distance.
Perhaps influenced by the first generation of residents, most of the inhabitants of the slums rely on the income from the Zuoer Mecha University, much like scavengers in the school. Of course, that is just one way of surviving; there are many other methods, such as providing drugs to students, offering sexual services to students, or colluding with campus delinquents for extortion and petty theft.
Liu Fei's gaze fell upon a wooden carved tiger on the bed, a tiger that was perched on a rocky outcrop, exuding a majestic presence and a fierce demeanor. Although it was quite small in size, it displayed the regal bearing of the king of beasts, looking down upon the world with an air of superiority.
The derelict street stretches approximately 200 meters, flanked by numerous tea houses, restaurants, and small inns, with hidden illicit activities within. The school has sealed this entrance at least a hundred times, yet each closure has never lasted more than two days before being violently dismantled. In this prolonged tug-of-war, the school has ultimately acquiesced to the existence of this entrance, as it significantly impacts the livelihoods of hundreds, if not thousands, of people. In light of humanitarian principles and the concept of a harmonious society, it is deemed necessary to keep this entrance open.
Liu Feiyi does not wield the law, but rather a fist. Liu Fei's adoptive father has a fearsome nickname, known as "Iron Head." While Iron Head's fists may not be particularly strong, he is ruthless enough. At least half of the trash bins at Zhuoer Mecha University bear Iron Head's label. Anyone daring to rummage through the trash bins risks life-threatening assaults, for although Iron Head is exceedingly frail, he is merciless and fights without regard for his own life. Even some small gang organizations in the slums do not dare to offend him lightly. At least half of the trash bins at Zhuoer Mecha University bear Iron Head's label. Anyone daring to rummage through the trash bins risks life-threatening assaults, for although Iron Head is exceedingly frail, he is merciless and fights without regard for his own life. Even some small gang organizations in the slums do not dare to offend him lightly
Six months ago, after the death of the Iron Head, mhetushu.com, the people in the slums who survived by scavenging celebrated for three whole days. The trash bins of Zhaole Mecha University were emptied within minutes, illustrating the formidable influence of the Iron Head in the slums.
Liu Fei navigated through the crowd, unbothered by anyone. In the slums, he was an incongruous presence, as the iron-headed individuals strictly forbade him from associating with the residents of the area. Li Meng's ability to approach Liu Fei was also due to the fact that he had assisted Liu Fei in knocking out that one incisor.
Crawling from the engine room into the cockpit, the instruments in the cockpit have been completely dismantled, leaving only two narrow bunks, one belonging to Liu Fei and the other to the elderly man. The elderly man's bunk is devoid of any bedding, replaced instead by various wooden carvings and pieces of wood in different colors.
For a long time, Liu Fei has had a dream of returning to the birthplace of human civilization, Earth, to take a look. However, Liu Fei knows that it is impossible to achieve this dream in the short term. Besides being financially constrained, the main reason is that the entire solar system is under martial law, and Earth, in particular, prohibits any spacecraft from approaching.
However, Liu Fei remains very satisfied. The price of each sculpture he produces is quite high, and his commission is also very substantial. Based on his current workload, a year's time is more than enough for him to earn sufficient funds for four years of tuition and living expenses.
After picking up the carving knife, the indifference on Liu Fei's face vanished, replaced by an expression of intense focus. His eyes became exceptionally bright, and the sharp, delicate carving knife in his hand moved with remarkable agility, displaying great skill. With each stroke of the blade, the lines left on the wood seemed to possess an infinite vitality.
Liu Fei did not inherit the scavenging business from Lao Tietou, not because Liu Fei was unwilling, but because Lao Tietou was unwilling. Lao Tietou stated that Liu Fei was a person destined for great things and would never allow him to engage in scavenging work. Throughout Liu Fei's childhood, Lao Tietou never permitted him to scavenge, not even to follow from a distance.
The soldering iron head protects Liu Fei like a fierce hen, yet it is not as gentle towards Liu Fei as the outside world imagines. In reality, the soldering iron head has very high expectations for Liu Fei and imposes quite strict demands.
The delivery is due today
The slums are not quiet under the cover of night; rather, they become much more lively. In addition to some impoverished individuals returning home from work, groups of suspicious characters also begin to emerge. Small clusters of delinquents gather in various corners, and the air is permeated with the scent of drugs. Some streetwalkers, heavily adorned with cheap makeup, solicit clients in the dark corners, while the overpowering stench of low-quality perfume is nauseating
Except for Li Meng, anyone attempting to approach Liu Fei will incur the hostility of the Ironhead.
In fact, Liu Fei has never seen a real tiger, relying entirely on the data provided by the craft store for his carvings. It is said that this animal grows on the distant home planet Earth in the solar system, is inherently fierce, and is the king of beasts, a ferocious carnivore. Unfortunately, Liu Fei can only rely on his own carved works to imagine what a real tiger truly looks like
The Iron Head may lack formal education, yet he possesses his own unique teaching methods. His approach is quite simple: he makes Liu Fei recite books he has scavenged, and it must be done within a set time limit. Liu Fei will always remember the time he failed to complete the recitation task assigned by the Iron Head and was punished by standing on top of the mecha for an entire day and night without food or water
Time passed gradually, and the piece of wood, slightly larger than a fist, gradually revealed its form: a majestic eagle poised to take flight. Although it was merely a rough shape, it exuded a remarkable spirit.
The streetlights of the decadent night, illuminated by red wine and green lights, appear exceedingly prosperous. This place can provide students with affordable yet high-quality services, with countless students bustling back and forth. Some small inns are thriving in business. Young boys and girls, indulging in forbidden fruit, cautiously glance around as they enter and exit, their faces radiating shyness and excitement
... ...
When Liu Fei was five years old, he had a front tooth knocked out by a little thug. The iron-headed man waited at the place where that thug frequented for three days and nights, using a hammer to knock out all of the thug's teeth and books
Liu Fei is not concerned about anyone intruding into his mecha. On any planet, the protection of private property is taken very seriously. If someone enters a room without the owner's permission, the law stipulates that the owner has the right to shoot on sight.
After that war, many damaged mechas were abandoned. Due to the chaotic situation at the time, these abandoned mechas were quickly utilized by homeless impoverished individuals. By the time the authorities intended to collect them, it was already too late. Of course, the fundamental reason was that the abandoned mechas had lost all economic value; the cost of recovering them far exceeded that of procuring a brand new combat mecha.
Unfortunately, until the moment the soldering iron head met its end, Liu Fei never fully understood what kind of person the soldering iron head truly was
Although Liu Fei is able to complete a carving quickly, this does not mean he can work continuously. In fact, Liu Fei's daily workload is essentially fixed, as the sales volume of that small handicraft shop has constrained his output.
Upon entering the cockpit, Liu Fei consumed a small amount of simple nutritional liquid and compressed food. He then turned on the lights in the cockpit, which immediately became brilliantly illuminated.
Although Liu Fei did not inherit the business of the Iron Head, he did inherit the ferocity of the Iron Head. From a young age, the Iron Head instilled in Liu Fei the belief that one should show no mercy to enemies; if one does not act, it is fine, but once action is taken, it should be decisive enough to make the opponent submit.
Additionally, there is another matter worth mentioning: Liu Fei's admission to Zhaor Mecha University is entirely attributed to Lao Tietou. It is said that in order to secure Liu Fei a position at Zhaor Mecha University, Lao Tietou persistently pursued the university's president for five years. During this five-year period, Lao Tietou was beaten to a pulp countless times. It is important to note that a university president is not a thug from the slums; they are always surrounded by a retinue of bodyguards.
Perhaps it was due to sincere efforts, or perhaps the principal had grown weary of the stubborn old man known as Laotou, but Liu Fei ultimately gained admission to the school, and even brought along Li Meng.
In every mhetushucom.com in the slums, everyone knows the fierce father and son duo, Lao Tietou and Liu Fei
Under the bright lights, Liu Fei picked up the carving knife and began today's work
Liu Fei turned back to glance at the towering mech, as if a pair of cold, icy eyes were watching him from the cockpit. Liu Fei sighed; it had been nearly six months since Lao Tietou had passed away, yet he always felt as if Lao Tietou was still living by his side, constantly urging him on, leaving him no room for complacency
Carefully wrapping the wooden tiger in velvet and placing it in a cardboard box, Liu Fei climbed down from the mech and headed straight for the commercial district of Zhaor Star
The sky has completely darkened, and the entire slum is shrouded in the night. Occasional lights dot the chaotic buildings, appearing particularly brilliant.
In fact, Liu Fei did one thing in the slums: at the age of five, he used a hammer to knock out all the teeth of a thug, of course, this was accomplished with the help of a heated iron. After that, no one dared to harass Liu Fei again
Satisfied, Liu Fei glanced at the prototype in his hand and then at the ancient watch on his wrist before setting down the wooden carving
Liu Fei climbed onto the rusted mech like an agile monkey and entered the engine room. Inside, the engine had long been disassembled and cleaned thoroughly. Liu Fei transformed the engine room into a comfortable bathroom, and the equipment for this bathroom cost him a significant portion of his savings
The strength possessed by the frail body of Iron Head has always intrigued Liu Fei. In Liu Fei's memory, Iron Head has seemingly never lost a fight. Although most of the time it ends in mutual injury, his opponents are certainly left worse off than he is. This is also the main reason why the people in the slums fear Iron Head
In addition to some unconventional means of survival, there are also relatively legitimate business practices. At the edge of the wall, 500 meters from the entrance of Zhaor Mecha University, there is a large hole that leads to a street in the slums. It is said that half of the female students at Zhaor Mecha University have lost their virtue here, which is why the students jokingly refer to this street as "Fallen Street"