Chapter 536
Machines are inanimate, but people are alive!
Chapter 536 Machines are inanimate, but people are alive!
After he finished speaking, he turned to leave.
"stop."
Rowan's voice was soft, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.
Ma Defu paused for a moment, but he forced himself not to turn around.
"What? You want to make a move?" he sneered. "I advise you to think carefully. This is Apocalypse City, not your Mysterious Bureau's territory. If you dare to cause trouble here—"
Before he could finish speaking, he felt a gust of wind brush past him.
The next moment, he found a hand on his neck.
That hand was as cold as iron, gripping his throat tightly, preventing him from uttering a single word.
“You…you…” Ma Defu’s eyes widened, and his face turned bright red.
The burly men tried to step forward to help, but as soon as they moved, they felt an invisible pressure descend upon them, freezing them in place and rendering them unable to move.
Rowan's face was inches away; his eyes were like two cold gems, devoid of any warmth.
“I’ll say it again,” he said, emphasizing each word, “give the device back to Master Lu. Otherwise, I’ll show you what it means to wish you were dead.”
Madford felt the aura of death enveloping him, a fear he had never experienced before in his life.
“I…I still…” he managed to squeeze out a few words.
Luo Wen let go, and Ma Defu sat down heavily on the ground, panting heavily.
“I want to see that device by this afternoon,” Rowan said, looking down at him. “If I don’t see it, I’ll come to your house to get it. Then things won’t be so simple.”
He turned around and helped Lu Xiang walk towards the direction of the Mysterious Bureau.
Behind him, Ma Defu slumped to the ground, trembling all over, his crotch already soaked.
The empty rooms in the backyard of the Secret Service headquarters were originally used to store miscellaneous items. But after some tidying up, they became spacious and bright.
Sunlight streamed through the window lattices, casting golden dapples on the bluestone pavement. Several osmanthus trees stood in the courtyard; although it wasn't yet flowering season, their verdant branches swayed in the breeze, adding a touch of life to the small courtyard.
Lu Fang stood in the center of the courtyard, looking around at his new residence.
“This place is quite nice,” he stroked his gray beard, a satisfied look in his eyes. “Much better than my run-down workshop.”
“I’m glad you’re satisfied,” Rowan said, standing to the side. “This will be your workshop from now on. That room over there can be used as a bedroom, and this larger one can be used as a workspace. Materials and tools can be stored in the corner.”
Lu Fang walked into the big room and looked around carefully.
Several sturdy wooden tables had already been set up in the room, and a few empty wooden shelves were placed against the wall to store parts and blueprints. In the corner was a small stove, specially prepared for Lu Fang so that he could smelt metal.
“This stove is quite good,” Lu Fang said, walking over and touching it. “It’s made of high-quality cast iron, much better than my old one.”
“Deacon Chen specifically had these brought out from the storeroom,” Rowan said. “Some commonly used tools and materials were also sent along with them. Please see if you need anything, and I’ll go and get it for you.”
Lu Fang walked to the wooden box by the wall, opened the lid, and found all sorts of tools neatly arranged inside—hammers, pliers, files, chisels, and everything else, all of them top quality.
“These things are worth a lot of money,” Lu Fang remarked with some emotion. “The Mysterious Bureau is really rich and powerful.”
"It's all worth it as long as you can make something useful."
Lu Fang nodded and said nothing more.
He walked to the window, looked at the osmanthus trees in the yard, and a complicated expression flashed in his eyes.
Yesterday's events were a devastating blow. Those machines and blueprints, the culmination of decades of hard work, were destroyed in an instant by a group of thugs. Although Rowan said he could start over, he's already over sixty years old. How much time does he have left? How much more can he create?
“Master Lu,” Rowan seemed to see through his thoughts, “don’t overthink it. Even though the blueprints are ruined, the information is still in your head. If you’re willing, I can help you redraw them.”
“Yes,” Lu Fang withdrew his gaze, “you’re right. As long as everyone is alright, things can be made again.”
He turned around and looked at Rowan.
"Oh, right, that device..."
“Madefu will be here this afternoon,” Rowan said. “Don’t worry.”
Lu Fang nodded and didn't ask any more questions.
He knew what Rowan had done to Madford that morning. Although he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he could guess the gist of it from the snippets of conversation among the servants.
This young man was more terrifying than he had imagined.
Just then, footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate, followed by a woman's voice.
"Oh dear, where is the new guest? Let me see..."
Before he finished speaking, a middle-aged woman walked into the courtyard.
She was about fifty years old, slightly plump, with a kind smile on her round face. She was dressed in coarse cloth clothes, the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, and she was holding a broom in her hand.
"You must be Master Lu?" She walked over with a smile. "My name is Aunt Zhang, and I'm in charge of cleaning this area. Please don't hesitate to ask if you need any help in the future."
Lu Fang paused for a moment, then nodded.
"Yes, I am Lu Fang."
"Master Lu, hello, hello!" Aunt Zhang said warmly. "I heard from Steward Chen that you are a master craftsman of mechanical devices, which is very impressive."
"What master chef? He's just a grumpy old man," Lu Fang waved his hand. "Just call me Old Lu."
"How could that be?" Aunt Zhang quickly shook her head. "You're a capable person; I wouldn't dare call you that. By the way, have you had breakfast yet? I just cooked a pot of porridge; it's still warm. Would you like a bowl?"
“This…” Lu Fang was a little embarrassed.
“Don’t be so polite,” Aunt Zhang said, pulling his arm without waiting for a reply. “Come on, come on, I’ll take you there.”
Rowan watched the two figures as they walked away, a slight smile playing on his lips.
This Aunt Zhang is a veteran of the Mysterious Bureau headquarters, having worked here as a cleaner for over a decade. She's warm-hearted, kind-hearted, and always greets everyone with a smile. Having her take care of Lu Fang is a good arrangement.
He didn't follow, but turned and left the courtyard.
He hadn't finished dealing with things on Madford's side yet; he needed to check if the device could be delivered on time.
In a small kitchen in the backyard of the Mysterious Bureau, Aunt Zhang was busy serving Lu Fang porridge.
The kitchen wasn't large, but it was spotless. Several pots sat on the stove, some firewood was piled in the corner, and various cooking utensils hung on the wall. A faint aroma of rice filled the air, making one feel warm and comfortable.
"Here, drink it while it's hot," Aunt Zhang said, placing a bowl of hot porridge in front of Lu Fang. "I've also cut up a few pieces of pickled vegetables; please eat them with this."
"Thank you so much," Lu Fang said, taking the bowl and smelling it. "It smells so good."
“This is rice I grew myself; it tastes much better than what you buy outside,” Aunt Zhang said, sitting down opposite him and smiling at him. “Master Lu, are you from the west side of the city?” “Yes,” Lu Fang took a sip of porridge, “I’ve lived on Blacksmith Street for decades.”
“Blacksmith Street, I know it,” Aunt Zhang nodded. “It’s quite lively over there. Why did you move here? Did the Mysteries Bureau invite you?”
Lu Fang paused for a moment, then said, "It was that kid Luo Wen who arranged it. Something came up on my end..."
"Something's happened?" Aunt Zhang asked worriedly. "What happened? Is it serious?"
"It's nothing," Lu Fang said, not wanting to elaborate. "It's all in the past."
Aunt Zhang could tell he didn't want to talk about this topic, so she tactfully changed the subject.
"Master Lu, you live here alone, how do you eat? The Secret Service's canteen is a bit far from here, it's inconvenient for you to go back and forth every day."
"It'll have to do," Lu Fang said. "I'm eating alone, so anything will do."
“How can that be?” Aunt Zhang shook her head repeatedly. “You’re so old, how can you manage on your own? How about this, I’ll bring you meals every day from now on, so you don’t have to worry about it.”
"This...this is too much to ask!" Lu Fang said, somewhat flustered. "I'm not a member of the Mysterious Bureau, how can I let you serve me for nothing?"
“What do you mean by ‘serving’?” Aunt Zhang said generously. “It’s just something I can easily do. I cook every day anyway, so making an extra meal won’t take much effort. Please don’t refuse.”
Looking at the warm-hearted woman in front of him, Lu Fang felt a long-lost warmth welling up in his heart.
He had lived alone for decades and was used to loneliness and solitude. He never expected to meet such a warm-hearted person on his very first day at the Bureau of Mysteries.
"Well... then I'll have to trouble you," he said somewhat apologetically, "How much should I pay you?"
"Don't worry about money," Aunt Zhang waved her hand. "If you feel bad about it, just help me fix those broken things in the future. I have a few hoes and buckets that have been broken for a long time, and no one has helped me fix them."
“No problem,” Lu Fang nodded quickly. “Repairing things is my specialty, so please bring it.”
"Then it's settled," Aunt Zhang said with a smile. "Please enjoy your meal, I'll go tidy up your area."
She stood up, picked up a broom, and walked out of the kitchen.
As Lu Fang watched her departing figure, he felt a strange, indescribable feeling.
Although the woman was of average appearance, her eyes crinkled when she smiled, making her very pleasant to look at. Moreover, she was straightforward in her speech and actions, without any empty formalities, which made her very approachable.
"What a good man," Lu Fang murmured to himself, then lowered his head and continued drinking his porridge.
The afternoon sunlight softened, filtering through the window and casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Lu Fang sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, holding a hoe and carefully repairing something. Aunt Zhang stood beside him, watching his skillful movements with admiration in her eyes.
“Master Lu, your craftsmanship is truly excellent,” she said. “This hoe has been broken for over half a year, and I’ve consulted several blacksmiths, but none of them could fix it. I never expected you to fix it in such a short time.”
"What's this?" Lu Fang handed her the repaired hoe. "I could fix something like this with my eyes closed."
"You're really amazing," Aunt Zhang said, taking the hoe and looking it over. "It's even sturdier than a new one. Master Lu, you're truly a master craftsman."
“What skilled craftsman?” Lu Fang said somewhat embarrassedly, “I’m just an old blacksmith.”
“You’re too modest,” Aunt Zhang said with a smile. “I heard from Luo Wen that you can make things that move on their own; that’s something not everyone can do.”
A hint of sadness flashed across Lu Fang's face when those machines were mentioned.
"What used to be possible, now... has all been ruined."
Aunt Zhang noticed that he was in a bad mood and quickly changed the subject.
"It's alright, it's alright, we can always make another one. With your skills, you're not afraid of not being able to make it again, are you?"
She sat down next to Lu Fang, took out a small cloth bag from her pocket, opened it, and found some roasted melon seeds inside.
"Here, have some sunflower seeds," she said, handing Lu Fang a cloth bag. "I roasted them myself, added a little salt, they're so fragrant."
Lu Fang paused for a moment, then reached out and grabbed a few melon seeds, putting them in his mouth.
"Yes, it's really good."
"Isn't it delicious?" Aunt Zhang said with a smile. "My skill in roasting sunflower seeds is famous around here. Back in my hometown, every year during the Spring Festival, the whole village would come to me to roast sunflower seeds."
"Where is your hometown?" Lu Fang asked.
“A small village in the north of the city,” Aunt Zhang said, “is called Willow Bay. Have you heard of it?”
“No,” Lu Fang shook his head, “I grew up in the west of the city and rarely went anywhere else.”
“Willow Bay is a small place, it’s normal that you haven’t heard of it,” Aunt Zhang said. “There’s a small river there, and lots of willow trees grow along its banks. It’s so beautiful in spring. When I was little, I often played by the river, picking willow leaves and catching small fish…”
As she spoke, a nostalgic look appeared in her eyes.
"Then why did you come to Tianqi City?" Lu Fang asked.
Aunt Zhang paused for a moment, then said, "I married into the city when I was young, but later... later my husband died, and I've been living alone ever since."
“Oh,” Lu Fang nodded, and didn’t ask any more questions.
The two remained silent for a while, each eating sunflower seeds.
The courtyard was quiet, with only the occasional chirping of birds. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the osmanthus tree, bringing a refreshing scent.
“Master Lu,” Aunt Zhang suddenly spoke up, “Do you…do you have family?”
“No,” Lu Fang said, “I’ve spent my whole life studying mechanical arts; I’ve never married and have no children.”
"Ah," Aunt Zhang said, somewhat surprised, "you've lived alone for so many years, haven't you felt lonely?"
"Lonely?" Lu Fang thought for a moment. "Maybe. But you get used to it. Anyway, with those machines around, I don't feel bored."
“Those machines can’t keep people company,” Aunt Zhang shook her head. “Machines are inanimate, people are alive. People need to be with other people to avoid feeling lonely.”
Lu Fang glanced at her but didn't say anything.
Aunt Zhang's face flushed slightly, and she quickly lowered her head to continue eating sunflower seeds.
Just then, a burst of laughter and chatter came from outside the courtyard gate.
"Lin Feng, be gentle! Don't step on my foot!"
"You stood crookedly, why are you blaming me?"
Before he finished speaking, Lin Feng and Zhao Xue walked into the courtyard.
The two were bickering as they walked when they saw Lu Fang and Aunt Zhang sitting together eating sunflower seeds, and they immediately stopped.
(End of this chapter)