Rebirth 08: Equipment God

Chapter 153 Embedded in the "Era"

Initial results have been achieved in the research on "equipment modification".

Although the "poor student desk and chair" was ruined, the original two-piece set was pieced together and only a stool remained. It had to be swung over the student's head to achieve a good effect.

However, Zhai Da gained valuable experience, especially the good results of the "painless scalpel," which greatly expanded its application scenarios.

For example, surgery can be performed without anesthesia.

What? You're saying Zhai Da doesn't know medicine?

He has to perform the surgery, so who cares about medical skills? It's a matter of life and death! It must be an emergency!

Inside the dimly lit workshop, the glaring welding light flickered intermittently, and an unpleasant odor permeated the air. Teacher Lu, who was waiting for Zhai Da to come home, could only stand outside upwind, leaning against the wall to read a book.

As time went on, Lu Wei became more and more adept at teaching. In her spare time, she no longer delved into high school mathematics, but instead returned to higher-level fields according to her interests.

Inside the workshop, flames and lightning flashed as Zhai Da lifted his mask to observe the welding points.

Smooth, burr-free, and gap-free for easy handling!

Such a trivial welding job, how laughable!

Xu Xuejun has become accustomed to performing such simple tasks at a high level, even for first-timers.

Therefore, he habitually suppressed Zhai Da:

"It's still early. There are twelve welding methods in total, but I can only support five of them. If you learn quickly, you can learn more. I'm going to university next month."

Zhai Da changed to a different welding rod and said, "No rush. At this speed, I'll definitely find out everything about you before I leave."

Xu Xuejun pursed his lips: "I've been working on this for decades, and you've only scratched the surface. Go to Harbin Institute of Technology and continue your studies there. I've heard they're particularly strong in welding."

Zhai Da nodded. He was familiar with the majors offered by various universities, especially Harbin Institute of Technology.

It is one of the few universities that has directly designated "welding" as a distinctive major, and even as a "national distinctive major".

They're not the kind of people who weld steel bars on construction sites; they're trained to weld rockets, missiles, and airplanes.

As for whether to include him in his "training program," we'll see when he gets there. Although he can learn whatever he wants, he still understands the principle of not trying to learn too much at once.

He doesn't have to be an all-rounder.

Half an hour later, the workshop temporarily closed, and the three of them sat on small stools around a small table to eat.

The food was brought back as takeout, and the aroma of the food gradually replaced the unpleasant smell of welding. The workshop was no longer noisy, but became quiet and cozy.

This scene has happened many times, but Xu Xuejun still occasionally feels a moment of disorientation.

It's been so long since this place has been this lively. In the past, during summer vacation, his daughter would bring her grandson back, which was one of Xu Xuejun's most anticipated moments. But in the past two years, the pressure of studying for the junior high school entrance exam has been great, and he has to attend tutoring classes.

He was a lonely man when he was a teenager, and it seems that nothing has changed by the time he turned sixty.

No one likes living alone; it's just that some people are willing to endure loneliness.

Zhai Da's appearance brought many changes to Xu Xuejun's life; even meals tasted better than before.

why?
Because that kid Zhai Da only picks the biggest pieces of meat! He doesn't give an old man any leeway; you have to snatch them!

Look, in the short time I was stunned, two more pieces of good meat were gone from the bowl.
"Old Xu, when are you going to give me those four notebooks completely?"

Xu Xuejun came to his senses and said, "Take it to Harbin Institute of Technology to continue your research before you go to university. Anyway, I've already made a copy."

"It's a promise, don't go back on your word later, and also that pocket watch of my grandfather."

Xu Xuejun snorted twice: "You're far from being five-thousandths accurate. Besides, as I said, I can't be sure if that pocket watch belongs to Master Yu. There's no name engraved on it."

They bickered while eating, which made it quite lively.

Zhai Da suddenly remembered something and said, "You've gone to so much trouble to teach me, even neglecting your own business. Can you handle it? If you can't, tell me, and I'll give you some money."

I used to see Xu Xuejun taking on jobs and making things often. Recently, I've been either teaching him or preparing to teach him, even though most of the materials are scrap, the tools are worn out, and I've even added a lot of things.

However, Xu Xuejun was used to retorting: "How much money do you have? He's just a student, you don't need to worry about this."

"How much money do I have? I'm quite wealthy, so if you don't take it, you'll miss your chance." Although he said that, Zhai Da still planned to give Xu Xuejun a big red envelope before leaving.

He is really quite wealthy. The sales of "The Long Road to Lu" have exceeded 20 copies, and a second printing is imminent, with the number set at 30 copies.

The initial response was positive, generating rave reviews. Phoenix Media began to expand its distribution channels, planning to stock the product in more bookstores across the country, and sales growth is expected to accelerate even further.

According to their predictions, it is very likely that sales will exceed one million this year, basically securing a place in the top three of the best-selling novel list. If no extraordinary works emerge in the second half of the year, it may even have a chance to win the honor of "Best-Selling Novel of the Year".

Then it seems the monster is about to appear.
A few days ago, when Editor-in-Chief Lou En was on the phone with Zhai Da, he had just discussed the possibility of a "bestseller of the year," which made Zhai Da quite confident. However, the second half of his sentence brought bad news.

"By the way, didn't we ask Guo Jinming to give us a recommendation through the publisher before? Now that you're at the peak of your career, being both a top scholar and a bestseller, they happen to have a new book this year and would like to ask for your recommendation as a way of returning the favor."

Zhai Da: "Sure, no problem. What kind of work is it?"

"Actually, it's not a new work. It seems that the other party serialized it in some magazine before. This year, a combined edition was published called 'Tiny Times.' I haven't read it. It's the kind of youth literature that's exaggerated, traumatic, and about love."

Zhai Da:
So, is "Tiny Times" a work from 08?

He certainly wouldn't remember the sales figures for "Tiny Times," since he'd never even seen it; what respectable man would watch that stuff?
However, it won't be too bad overall, though the annual bestseller status of "The Long Road of Lü" is probably not so secure anymore.

Of course, this was just an empty title, but having been reborn, he was able to leave his own "recommendation" in "Tiny Times".

Leave your mark on things you have clear memories of from your past life.
That feeling of fitting oneself into the "era" is quite unique.
It's not Tiny Times.

It is this magnificent era.

After the meal, Zhai Da and Lu Wei packed up the takeout containers, while Xu Xuejun sat down to the side and lit a cigarette.

Looking at Zhai Da's retreating figure, Xu Xuejun was stunned for a moment, then asked curiously, "Have you grown taller?"

Zhai Da gave a thumbs up: "Good eye, but it's a bit too high."

To be precise, he grew 1.5 centimeters taller, from 177 to 178.5 centimeters.

After a long period of systematic exercise and with the help of the [Extreme Wristband], Zhai Da's height, which had been dormant for many years, finally began to increase.

Of course, this data isn't very noticeable to the naked eye. The biggest change is in the visual perception of a person after losing weight. His lowest weight was 69KG. After that, his fat continued to decrease, but his muscle mass also increased, so it stabilized at this level.

But the visual effects are "higher" in more ways than just that.

He has abs now! Although they're not quite at the washboard level, the definition is already pretty impressive!
Xu Xuejun nodded and said, "Sure, your grandfather is 1.8 meters tall, you should still be able to grow taller."

"I think 183 cm is a suitable height."

In this way, his overall strength was consistent with that of his subordinates.

Zhai Da put all the trash, including leftover food and soup, into a bag and casually threw it into the trash can on the opposite side of the road.

I couldn't help but sigh, it's so great not having to sort garbage. In the past, throwing away takeout in Shanghai was like conducting a chemistry experiment, involving constant mixing.

He turned around and called Lu Wei to go home together.

As he left, he said to Xu Xuejun, "By the way, I won't be coming on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I have some things to take care of."

Xu Xuejun opened his mouth, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

“That’s great! I’m going to do square dancing. It’s been so long since I’ve done it, all my dance partners have run off with other people.”

Even if someone's words are sharp, deep down they still hope that Zhai Da will come every day.

"Why are you going?"

Zhai Da waved and hailed a taxi: "Let's go to Jinling and hold a book signing event."

By the way, I'll take my mom along to the best hospital in the provincial capital for a comprehensive physical examination.

It's time to do something I've been thinking about ever since I was reborn.

And Lu Wei, let's see if her previous malnutrition has left any hidden dangers.

This is the first time I've stepped out of this small pond in Dongyang County since my rebirth.
　Sorry for being a little late.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)