Old Zane couldn't help feeling reluctant to part with Lingwind.
Back then, he'd taken her in purely out of sympathy after she was eliminated by another club. But after spending so much time together, how could there be no feelings involved? Now that Lingwind was about to leave, memories of all her good points suddenly flooded his mind.
Compared to Broken Moon, who did nothing all day and acted like some pampered lord, Lingwind was completely different. She helped with chores, followed him every time he went to restock supplies, carried things for him, and even wiped his sweat when he got tired. Later, when Broken Moon followed Hansen away, he was desperate to win her back. Lingwind followed him into underground races without a single complaint—never once saying she was tired or suffering, even proactively volunteering for modifications. When Mr. Xavier locked him up, it was Lingwind who cooked for him every day, took care of him, and kept him company to pass the time…
All along, Lingwind had played a quiet, unremarkable, yet utterly irreplaceable role.
It was hard to imagine how miserable his life would be without her.
But now, Lingwind really was about to leave.
Who was there to blame?
Zane lowered his head with a bitter smile. This was all his own fault.
"Whoa—Lingwind, did you hear that?!" Stella rushed up to her, face full of excitement, deliberately raising her voice. "Join the Pineapple King's camp! Then you'll be my Pineapple King's good sister! From now on, half of all my pineapples are yours!"
Derek Su's mouth twitched.
What the hell was this "Pineapple Grand King" nonsense?
Just because Stella crowned herself the Pineapple King, did that automatically make him the Pineapple Grand King?
He also looked at Lingwind. It was obvious Stella really liked her. For Stella's sake, recruiting Lingwind as a secondary Mecha Girl would be acceptable. But right now, he clearly didn't have many resources—MP resources and modules would definitely go to Stella first.
In the end, it all depended on Lingwind's choice.
"Stella, I…" Lingwind looked at Stella's enthusiastic face, a trace of apology flashing in her eyes.
She really did want to become Derek Su's Mecha Girl, and she also wanted to fight side by side with Stella.
But she couldn't accept Stella's kindness.
"I'm sorry… I think I want to give Master one more chance." Lingwind bit her red lip and spoke softly. "When I was eliminated by the club and about to be sent back for recycling, it was Master who pulled me out. Even though I didn't get many resources, that's just how secondary Mecha Girls are treated. Later, when Broken Moon was poached, Master was in such a rush that he didn't even let me get modified… Everyone makes mistakes. I don't think one mistake should be a death sentence. Now that I've improved my techniques, I shouldn't abandon him just like that."
After finishing, Lingwind bowed repeatedly to Derek Su and Stella. Her eyes were bright and firm—clearly a decision she'd thought through carefully.
Stella's sapphire-blue eyes flickered, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.
In truth, she'd already guessed Lingwind would choose this.
Lingwind and Broken Moon were fundamentally different kinds of Mecha Girls. Broken Moon chased profit, while Lingwind understood gratitude.
If Lingwind were the type to leave as soon as she succeeded, would Derek Su really have taught her cornering techniques?
"Lingwind, you…"
Zane looked up in shock.
He truly hadn't expected Lingwind to choose to stay with him. What virtue or ability did he have to deserve this?!
As he looked at her, his nose suddenly stung, tears welling up in his eyes.
He knew too well what it felt like when a Mecha Girl left. He'd already prepared himself for the blow—only for things to turn around at the last moment.
Derek Su glanced at Zane, thinking that with a Mecha Girl this good, he should be secretly celebrating.
After all, Lingwind hadn't even signed a core imprint with Zane. That she could still maintain such sincerity in this situation said everything about her character.
"No way!"
Stella suddenly stepped between Lingwind and Zane, arms spread wide, face stern—like a hen protecting her chick.
"Why should this dumb egg get off so easily?!"
She pointed angrily at Zane. "This dumb egg looked down on Lingwind's performance before! He doesn't get off that cheap!"
Derek Su had no idea what Stella was planning, but since it was his own Mecha Girl's idea, he naturally supported it. He nodded along.
"That's right. Zane, getting Lingwind's forgiveness this easily is way too convenient for you."
Zane stood there in a daze. He wanted to promise something, but whatever he said felt useless.
Words meant nothing—action mattered. Better to stay quiet and wait for Derek Su and Stella's judgment. No matter what it was, he'd accept it.
"Let me think…" Stella tapped her head, then her eyes suddenly lit up. "Starting today, this dumb egg has to train like crazy. Only when his skills are worthy of Lingwind can he apply to be her driver. Whether he passes or not will be decided by me, the Pineapple King, and my master, the Pineapple Grand King!"
"Hey, Zane, say something already." Derek Su shot him a fierce look.
"Oh—I—I can! Of course I can!" Zane was so excited he was practically incoherent. "Thank you, Lingwind! Thank you, Stella! Thank you, Derek Su…"
He bowed deeply to everyone around him, including Xavier Young and Lumina.
"I'll definitely work hard to become a qualified driver!"
"Please supervise me anytime, Su and Stella!"
His face flushed red as he spoke, just about to raise his hand in salute—
when his freshly reattached arm went crack. The sudden movement dislocated it again.
…
Inside Zane's nutrient solution shop.
Derek Su and Stella each carried a box of prize money, while the other held two pineapples, staring intently at the four people seated around the table.
Zane and Lingwind sat on one side. Hansen and Broken Moon sat opposite them.
There were two others in the room: Xavier Young, the owner of Foxfire Club, and the official in charge of the Echo Valley training races. The official was holding a copy of the agreement signed by Zane and Hansen. Since the agreement was based on the outcome at Echo Valley, the arbitration was handled by Echo Valley itself.
"According to the terms of the agreement, the final ruling is that Lingwind and Zane are the winners. Any objections?"
"I object!" Hansen raised his hand, trying to sound fierce. "The agreement required Zane and Lingwind to race together, but in the end only Lingwind competed. That doesn't meet the conditions!"
Derek Su gave him a look like he was watching an idiot.
Xavier Young crossed his arms and let out an amused snort.
The official adjusted his glasses and said flatly, "However, as far as I know, Zane did arrive to compete. An accident occurred before the race that prevented him from driving Lingwind. Furthermore, even without that accident, Lingwind alone is sufficient to represent both herself and Zane. Therefore, the victory of Zane and Lingwind is completely valid."
Hansen's face went pale. "I—I don't accept this!"
The official's mouth twitched. "If you don't accept it, then hold it in."
He still had dinner to get to.
Hansen's expression darkened even more. "Is this how Echo Valley treats its customers? I even have a membership!" He slammed a black VIP card onto the table.
"Oh, so you're one of our distinguished VIP customers." The official nodded, then took out a glass jar and pushed it over. "Thank you for supporting Echo Valley Track. You'll continue to enjoy an 80% ticket discount for future training races. This is soil from the Echo Valley track—feel free to take it home as a souvenir."
Hansen: "..."
He felt like his fists were about to explode.
"How about this," the official added indifferently. "If it really doesn't work, we can let Lingwind and Broken Moon run the Echo Valley track again—free of charge."
Hansen was about to say something, but Broken Moon had already had enough.
"I concede!"
At worst, she'd just go back to Zane. Maybe she could even learn some techniques from him.
Hansen had lost all his value. There was no point sticking with him.
"Broken Moon, you—" Hansen reached out to grab her, but she dodged him and signed the agreement without hesitation.
It was over. Completely over.
He collapsed onto the table as if all the bones had been pulled from his body.
If this job failed, wouldn't Ethan Yang skin him alive?
"Zane, feel honored. I'm your starting Mecha Girl again."
Broken Moon walked up arrogantly. She expected Zane to greet her with his usual ingratiating smile—but today, he didn't even look up.
"Zane? Hey! Zane! Old Debt!"
Zane ignored her and instead smiled at Derek Su beside him.
"Derek Su, Broken Moon is yours from now on."
Derek Su nodded.
Broken Moon froze.
Had Zane just sold her to Derek Su?
She instinctively glanced at Derek Su—the King of Knox. Young, handsome, powerful, and rich beyond measure. Compared to Zane, he was on a completely different level. The humiliation she felt a moment ago instantly vanished, replaced by excitement.
Zane hadn't sold her at all.
He'd found her a big daddy.
She hurried over to Derek Su, hands resting on her ample chest, smiling sweetly.
"Master?"
"Master what?" Derek Su rolled his eyes, then turned to Xavier Young. "Send Broken Moon over to your side as a modified car. Duel match profits are split seventy–thirty. If a driver wants to buy her, that's fine too."
Xavier Young flashed a toothy grin and gave a thumbs-up. "No problem."
Modified car? Duel matches?
Broken Moon's face changed instantly. Was Derek Su sending her to the black market?
Did that mean she'd never be able to race on a proper track again?
"Zane, you— I followed you for five years! Is this how you treat me?!"
Broken Moon looked at Zane pitifully, but Zane just raised his head and counted the tiles on the ceiling.
She turned desperately to Hansen. "Hansen, buy me back, okay? Please? We're such a perfect match, you—"
Hansen shook his head weakly, forcing a bitter smile. "Where would I get the money to buy you?"
"Aren't you a rich second generation?"
"I'm a rich second generation if you beat Lingwind. If you lose, I'm just a street bum."
Seeing the despair in Hansen's eyes—deeper even than her own—Broken Moon finally lost all hope and slumped back into her seat.
Just then, someone knocked on the shop door.
Everyone turned to see a tall, slender figure walk in. She glanced around curiously before her gaze landed on Derek Su and Stella. Her lips curved into a smiling crescent.
"Derek Su, you came to Tianyuan City without even telling me. I had to look everywhere for you… What's going on here? It's pretty lively."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser