Chapter 7

For the next half month, Feng Yan felt like a rubber band pulled at both ends.

During the day, he was assigned by Section Chief Wang to run between those "high-tech enterprises" with loud names on the list.

Listening to those bosses talk endlessly about financing plans and market prospects.

When he came back, he had to rack his brains to write those watered-down observations into reports that looked "solid."

At night, he plunged into Li Yang's warehouse.

What he faced were real torque, sensor data, and bugs that could never be tuned.

"Little Feng, the few visit reports written recently are good, especially the analysis of that 'Frontier Biological' company, very grounded."

"Pointed out the problem that their R&D is detached from reality."

Section Chief Wang one day flipped through the report and rarely gave specific praise.

Feng Yan's face instantly leaked a professional smile:

"All thanks to your guidance, Chief, letting me start more from reality."

While complaining wildly in his heart:

Can it not be grounded?

Their laboratory, I suspect even E. coli can't survive.

If I don't write that their R&D is detached from reality, should I write that they are expected to conquer cancer?

He felt like he was going to have a split personality.

What he wrote and said during the day was all "industrialization," "ecosystem," "valuation."

What he thought and chatted about at night was all "code optimization," "structural stress," "control frequency."

Once at the section morning meeting, he listened to colleagues reporting.

His brain twitched, and he almost asked "Has the robustness of this scheme been considered?"

The words reached his lips and he braked dangerously, forcibly changing it to "Has the... anti-risk capability of this scheme been evaluated?"

Causing Section Chief Wang to look at him twice more.

In contrast, the days in the warehouse, although hard, seemed exceptionally pure and... hopeful.

The materials pointed out by Professor Han and the components Feng Yan got by thickening his face.

Indeed, it was like a dying patient being transfused with blood.

The new aluminum alloy joint parts reduced the weight of the exoskeleton by several kilograms.

Li Yang used this to optimize several load-bearing structures, and the movements were visibly much smoother.

The data provided by the newly replaced sensors was also more stable and reliable.

Although that annoying delay problem still hovered in front of his eyes.

But at least it wouldn't suddenly "lie flat" at critical moments.

Progress is real, but trouble also follows.

New materials require higher processing precision.

Li Yang's old machine tool squeaked and screamed while working, as if it would fall apart and ascend to heaven in the next second.

New sensors need to rewrite drivers and integrate into the original control system.

This consumed countless nights and countless noodle cups for the two of them.

During this period, besides serving as a fixed human background, spiritual encourager, and noodle procurement specialist.

The most important work was to exert his potential as a "human vein excavator."

He almost harassed everyone in his address book who had something to do with industry and technology.

Humbly asking if it was possible to borrow, or rent at a low price, some basic test equipment.

He even held the mentality of "just in case," and contacted a distant uncle who was in management at a large auto repair factory in the south.

Asked if the hydraulic test platform eliminated by their factory could be handled to them at a "friendship price."

The uncle replied quite quickly, the voice message clicked open, the loud voice carried noise: "Big nephew! Aren't you working in a government department?"

"Why are you thinking about this? That broken thing, the money for selling it as scrap iron."

"It's not even worth the fraction of the shipping fee for mailing it to you! What do you want it for? Taking up space!"

Feng Yan: "..." Okay, the road of indigenous steelmaking is still long.

The night before the exhibition, the final full-system joint adjustment.

Li Yang, wearing the exoskeleton, was already able to complete walking, small-radius turning relatively stably.

Standard squats and the action of lifting a 20kg counterweight box.

Although the posture was still carrying a distinct mechanical feel.

Couldn't be called elegant, but at least the core functions were stable.

Wouldn't perform the high-difficulty action of "flat-ground wrestling" while walking.

"Okay! That's it!"

Feng Yan looked at this steel creation that still had exposed wires but exuded hardcore vitality.

Let out a long, real sigh of relief:

"Tomorrow, whether it's dead or alive, whether it's a mule or a horse, we'll know after taking it out for a walk!"

Li Yang didn't speak, just found a clean soft cloth.

Silently, extremely focused, wiping every dust and fingerprint on the surface of the exoskeleton armor.

That expression, not like wiping a machine, more like tidying up the military uniform for a comrade about to step onto the battlefield.

The next day, at the Industrial Innovation Exchange Meeting site.

Good guy, people mountain people sea, colorful flags fluttering.

The exhibition booths of major manufacturers were more luxurious than the next, huge LED screens flashing expensive light effects.

Business people in bright clothes were chatting and laughing with coffee in their hands, the air mixed with the smell of perfume and money.

Feng Yan and Li Yang, carrying their "comrade" hard.

The exoskeleton parts that were still full of weight after disassembly, and the quadruped robot dog acting as green leaves.

Following the signs, searching all the way, finally found the legendary "Special Invited Personal Innovation Project Display Point."

Then, the two stood in place, falling into a brief philosophical contemplation.

This location, not just remote... it's simply a redefinition of the two words "exhibition"!

Close to the wall of the safety exit, behind it was a huge power distribution box emitting heat and low-frequency noise.

The so-called booth was a simple long table that looked fragile, not even a tablecloth to cover shame.

Beside it, a huge classification trash can stood majestically, exuding a faint, fresh breath belonging to reality.

Compared with the "metaverse" booth opposite them that had an immersive experience area.

Models in futuristic costumes and non-stop distribution of exquisite gifts.

This corner of theirs was as desolate as a self-retained land opened on the edge of civilization.

"Uh... this location, well," Feng Yan forcibly squeezed out an optimistic smile.

"The advantages are still very obvious! Look, independent space, free from interference, sufficient power, and... emergency channel, free entry and exit!"

Li Yang was still silent, just started silently, meticulously assembling the exoskeleton parts one by one on the shaking table.

His movements were stable and precise, as if he were in the center station under the spotlight, and all the noise around him had nothing to do with him.

The exhibits were assembled, Feng Yan unfolded the roll-up banner he designed overnight with a "swish."

On it was the promotional slogan he racked his brains to think of: "Tie Lang Gong Fang: Assistance Innovation from Zero to One."

Beside it was a carefully rendered exoskeleton effect picture that looked extremely technological (after all, real photos always look a bit... too realistic).

Then, it was a long, almost stagnant wait.

The flow of people in the main channel surged like a tide, and the noise was endless.

Occasionally someone was attracted by the strange steel frame here, casting a curious glance.

But most of them, after seeing this shabby layout and abstract propaganda, showed confused or understanding expressions, then hurried away.

For a whole morning, only three people walked to their table and stayed for more than thirty seconds:

A temporary exhibition worker asking where to buy cheap boxed lunches.

A brother from a competing company distributing flyers (left awkwardly after finding the wrong target).

And a cleaning aunt asking if she could change a new trash bag for the trash can.

Feng Yan felt his facial muscles were about to spasm because of maintaining a smile.

Li Yang had completely entered the "meditation" state.

Sitting on a small stool behind the table holding a laptop, the screen was full of dense code.

Directly shielding the embarrassment of the outside world.

"Li Yang, the state of the two of us now, is it like playing an immersive experience game."

Feng Yan complained powerlessly, "The game is called 'Simulator of Sitting in Jail in the Corner of a Top Exhibition'."

The smart speaker at the adjacent booth was still playing tirelessly:

"Wisdom empowerment, linking the future...", the demonic sound effect seemed particularly harsh at this moment.

"No, if this continues, the two of us will have a mental breakdown before the exoskeleton succeeds."

Feng Yan rubbed his stiff face and leaned over to Li Yang.

"My Wolf Boss, let's save the scene, why not start a livestream!"

"Let the family in the livestream room see what is called 'good wine is also afraid of deep alleys'..."

"Although this wine of ours might be a bit astringent, this alley is really damn deep!"

Li Yang looked up from the code world and pushed his glasses.

Glanced at the direction of the main channel, looked around at their own booth that was too quiet, and nodded.

Rather than passively accepting the beating of reality, it's better to find some fun yourself.

He skillfully took out his phone, adjusted the small tripod, and clicked on the familiar livestream software.

【Holy crap! Missing person returns!】

【This background... Wolf Boss finally decorated his warehouse into an exhibition hall? (Manual dog head)】

【Industrial Innovation Exchange Meeting? Not bad Wolf Boss, mixed into the mainstream circle!】

【Wait... this perspective... Corner God of War is late but arrives! This position is so real it makes me tear up!】

【Is that the partner brother next to him? Dressed like a human today, almost didn't recognize him!】

As soon as the livestream opened, the familiar chat atmosphere instantly dispelled the coldness of the corner.

Although the number of online people wasn't many, that kind of intimate banter made Feng Yan almost moved to tears.

Li Yang was concise, into the microphone: "Yeah, exhibiting. Position, remote."

Feng Yan immediately squeezed his head into the camera, waving hands, his face regained vitality:

"Brothers! Family! See it! This is the country conquered by Tie Lang Gong Fang at an international-level exhibition!"

"Independent booth, industrial-grade background sound (referring to the power distribution box), adjacent to core infrastructure (referring to the trash can), just ask, who else!"

【Hahaha can't live! The organizer knows the traffic password (irony full)!】

【Brother is dressed in a suit today, looks like he's here to sell insurance and strayed into the exhibition area!】

【Hurry up and let the dog move! What about the exoskeleton? Can you do a live catwalk?】

【I bet a pack of spicy sticks, today there will definitely be a big boss attracted by this unique BGM!】

【The one in front, your prediction is a bit old-fashioned, even romance dramas don't act like this!】

【Exactly, this plot is too old, bad review!】

The two just relied on interacting with the chat in the livestream to find fun in bitterness.

Li Yang controlled the robot dog to perform crossing "complex terrain" like pencil cases, mineral water bottles, etc., in the limited table space.

Feng Yan performed passionate (and exaggerated) commentary on the side:

"Look! This elegant jump! This precise... uh, although the landing point deviated from the predetermined target by fifteen centimeters, this courage is commendable!"

Just as Feng Yan was blowing and chatting to the chat, trying to blow a failed jump of the robot dog into a "strategic probe."

His peripheral vision keenly captured that, on the side of the main channel, a group of people was moving towards his direction.

Leading was a middle-aged man with a calm temperament and glasses.

Accompanied by the smiling exhibition organizer leader, followed by several accompanying personnel with notebooks and serious expressions.

The aura of this group of people was clearly different from the ordinary visitors around.

Feng Yan's heart skipped a beat, and the posture he was gesturing with stiffened.

No way! Sir! It wouldn't really let that predictor in the chat say it right, would it?

This plot is too old-fashioned!

He suddenly had a feeling of being accurately checked and killed by a prophet in Werewolf.

Found a real prophet? Knife him, hurry up and knife him!