Feng Yu is a middle-aged person. In his own words, he is mature, steady, reliably handsome, with a hint of thinness and pale vicissitudes, making him a charming middle-aged uncle who could captivate the hearts of young female students.
Although this description may sound exaggerated, if he were to take a bath, shave, fix his decaying teeth, and wear appropriate clothes while also appearing a few years younger, he might truly possess that graceful demeanor.
Unfortunately, the world doesn't always align with our assumptions. Feng Yu is just an ordinary middle-aged man without children, spending his days chatting with fellow middle-aged citizens and working at an electronics repair store on Xianglan Main Road in the fourth block of Xianglan City. Occasionally, he would glance at the attractive female police officers passing by the store.
The repair store thrives due to Feng Yu's exceptional craftsmanship. Whether it's the latest flat-screen TVs, antique CRT monitors, high-frequency air conditioners, or children's electric toys, if it involves machines and electricity, he can repair it with ease.
His success ensures a stable income, allowing him to close the store every week on the three legal holidays and visit various convalescent centers in Hexi Province. Feng Yu has gotten to know many girls in these centers, spending a considerable amount of money. His neighbors in the block have long been aware of his lascivious tendencies and no longer express surprise.
Little does anyone know that for the past two years, every weekend, Feng Yu doesn't satisfy his desires like one might expect. Instead, he travels to a remote and abandoned mine tunnel in an extremely distant city. This mine tunnel has been deserted for many years, especially after a mining accident that occurred a decade ago, causing the corporation to go bankrupt. Since then, no one has set foot in this mine tunnel, and the former miners' lounge has been transformed into a hidden repair shop, unnoticed by anyone.
Xu Le stared at the middle-aged man sitting on the sofa, let out a sigh, and brought out the food from the kitchen stove. He set the table and said, "Let's eat." As he spoke, he took a hot towel and handed it to the middle-aged man to wipe his face.
No matter how Xu Le felt at that moment, he maintained his usual tenderness and kindness. Seeing the despondent appearance of the middle-aged uncle, he couldn't help but want to take care of him.
Feng Yu sat at the table, starting to chew on the tough and coarse meat, and suddenly said, "Why is this bison meat getting tougher and tougher?"
"No matter what meat it is, if you leave it in the refrigerator for six months, it will become somewhat unappetizing," Xu Le replied without expression on his face. He served himself a bowl of rice and sat at the table. Their eating habits had become somewhat peculiar over the past two years, seemingly extravagant compared to the average residents of Area Eastwood.
"You haven't answered my question," Xu Le suddenly put down his chopsticks and asked earnestly, "I know you used to be a repair technician in the military, and you became a military deserter because you offended higher authorities. But the electric shock stick you taught me to make looks just like the real thing... It's been several days, and Bao Longtao is genuinely intimidated by it. He doesn't dare to ask about Li Wei's identity."
"I told you two years ago that I have a story of my own," Uncle Feng Yu said, seemingly unperturbed by the urgency in Xu Le's words. He indulged himself and said, "Based on my past position and level of secrecy in the army, even if it's just an electric shock stick, or even a standard chest artillery, as long as you have the materials, I can still make it for you."
Xu Le had heard these words before, so he didn't respond much, and reluctantly said, "Don't brag. Last time, when I salvaged the machine armor in the garbage dump and finally found the control system, you searched for it for five days and nights, but you didn't dare to start the restoration."
Feng Yu's face turned slightly blue, he coughed twice, and then sincerely reproached, "That was an antique from the Fourth Military Region back in the day! Who the hell looks for things from hundreds of years ago? I naturally had to examine it with an appreciative eye."
"What else can you do besides making electric shock sticks?" Xu Le said with dejection, "In two years, I've only learned how to repair televisions, refrigerators, toys, and cars from you... If I spend another two years, the Ministry of Defense conscription test will require registration, and I haven't even seen an online armor or battleship. How am I supposed to pass?"
Feng Yu lowered his head and continued chewing the meat, remaining silent for a moment before scolding, "You didn't complete your twelve years of mandatory education, and you're not from a military technical institute. How do you expect to pass? The Ministry of Defense also recruits cannon fodder soldiers. Do you want to try? Every Marine Corps would gladly take you."
Xu Le stared at him and said earnestly, "By passing the conscription test, I can become a machine repair sergeant. It's a slightly higher starting point."
Feng Yu raised his head, looking at the familiar youngster with an incredulous expression. Sighing with sorrow, he said, "Haven't you given up on your humble dreams?"
"Why are my dreams humble?" A rigid light appeared on Xu Le's face. "My first dream in life is to become an auxiliary officer on a battleship. My second dream is to enter the research and development department of a major company in the Capital Star Circle and have a prosperous life."
"The Westwood region is still at war with the empire," Feng Yu's voice suddenly turned somewhat tranquil. "Don't forget your first dream. As for the second dream, it's not that difficult."
They finished their meal at a rapid pace. Xu Le began tidying up the tableware, and as he did, he muttered to himself, "For 60 years, the people of Eastwood Grand District haven't seen what the empire's people look like. Aside from seeing their missions on television, there's nothing to fear."
His voice suddenly halted, a trace of frustration visible on his face. "I know I'm not a prodigy. I've studied for two years and only mastered making an electric shock stick. But I've always felt a strong affinity for machines, so I want to try taking the test."
Feng Yu fell silent, not speaking a word. He lay down on the sofa and started watching television, his gaze unconsciously fixed on Xu Le's back.
After washing the dishes, Xu Le entered the operation room out of habit. He began operating various familiar instruments and tools with a speed that seemed as natural as moving his fingers. He repaired the broken electronic devices piled up around him, one by one, just like he always did.
These common household appliances were relatively easy to fix. However, Xu Le approached the task with utmost seriousness, treating each repair as if he were working on the most advanced instruments in the federation. Perhaps he hadn't noticed it himself, but whenever he immersed himself in his work, a genuine and earnest brilliance would shine on his still-immature face.
Uncle Feng Yu, with his own story to tell, lit a cigarette. He narrowed his eyes, watching Xu Le's busy figure and realizing it was time to slow down his pace during the operations. Thinking about Xu Le's previous words, a slight smile formed at the corner of his lips as he blew smoke rings.
The smoke rings dissipated slowly, blending into Feng Yu's graying hair as they vanished. In his heart, Feng Yu pondered over the fact that while everyone claimed to be talented, Xu Le, in certain aspects, might truly possess a talent of his own.