Leaving Old Master Barut of the Neanderthal tribe, Chen Fei hurriedly scampered to the hangar and arrived at the mechanic crew right on time for work.
Mechanic Chief Xiao Ming was holding a cup of steaming hot coffee, and upon seeing Chen Fei rushing into the hangar, panting and gasping for air, then stopping to take a long breath of relief, he spoke unhurriedly, "Little Chen, I was just about to approve a leave for you to rest for two days."
Chen Fei looked at the mechanic chief, completely baffled.
Boss, are you firing me?
After glancing at the dumbfounded Chen Fei, Xiao Ming continued to speak leisurely, "I already know about yesterday's incident."
As time passed, the news that Chen Fei and his old neighbor from the Aircrew Base, Patan Elementary School teacher Shen Fei, had been kidnapped by unidentified armed personnel spread gradually within the base.
However, the reaction of the Aircrew Base was extremely fast, and they immediately undertook a rescue operation, with the newly appointed Executive Manager Hanna Gagel personally leading the team.
Wind-type supernatural power users were simply not something that a group of entirely ordinary armed personnel could withstand; Chen Fei returned to the base safe and sound in less than twelve hours.
As Chen Fei's direct supervisor, mechanic crew leader Xiao Ming getting related information was not surprising at all.
Actually, one could guess some clues from the Genuine Fragrance Combat Flight Squadron's overnight collective sortie.
"Truly, truly sorry!"
Chen Fei didn't know what he should say, so he started with an apology.
Big Brother Xiao genuinely wanted to help him take a leave; this kind of intention absolutely needed to be appreciated.
Holding the coffee cup, Xiao Ming said indifferently, "No need to apologize, it's not your fault. When you are out and about, you have to learn to protect yourself."
"Mechanic chief, I'll remember that."
Chen Fei nodded earnestly.
Compared to Big Brother Xiao who could pin down and pummel Chekhov of the Big Bear Squadron to the ground, he indeed had a lot to learn.
Especially facing Manager Hanna and Teacher Shen Fei, who would start unclothing at the slightest disagreement, boys had even more of a need to learn to protect themselves.
Mechanic Chief Xiao Ming said, "Go back and rest for two days, I'll approve your leave."
However, Chen Fei unexpectedly insisted, "No, I want to work!"
"Alright, starting from tomorrow, you'll follow me and get your hands on those attack aircraft."
Xiao Ming glanced at the technical manuals marked G and the tablet computer that Chen Fei had tucked under his arm, draining the coffee in his hand in one gulp.
He had almost finished reading the seven technical manuals of the A-39B "Big Mouth Monster" Light Turboprop Attack Aircraft; it was just the right time to put theory into practice.
"Yes, mechanic chief!"
Chen Fei was also very pleased; he finally wouldn't have to cling to these thick technical manuals from dawn till dusk every day.
Even if he had gotten used to dealing with dull charts and data, and could accurately name every component, its specifications, and functions, without the chance to get hands-on experience, it was still armchair strategy. He wouldn't dare say he truly understood these combat aircraft.
Big Brother Xiao's new instructions aligned perfectly with Chen Fei's wishes.
The rookie's claws were already itching with eagerness.
Thanks to the vigorous coffee generously provided by Chef Abel, Chen Fei was able to maintain his concentration and stay awake all day, flipping to the last page of the final technical manual.
Busy dealing with the new challenges about to be posed by the new executive manager, the "Genuine Fragrance" Squadron had no time to continue training this newcomer.
The work on waste decomposition and regeneration had also temporarily come to a halt, so Chen Fei was glad to have the chance to briefly review the previous six technical manuals again, making thorough preparations to take on the "Big Mouth Monster" tomorrow.
Seeing as one who was able to attend university surely had unquestionable learning abilities, it wouldn't be easy for most people to digest such voluminous seven technical manuals in this amount of time.
In the afternoon, the female executive manager, Hanna Gagel, finally returned to the 911 Aircrew Base, bringing not only the remaining seized materials but also an unexpected survivor, a prisoner.
Chen Fei did recognize this prisoner, the unfortunate soul who got kicked to "death" by Teacher Shen Fei; unexpectedly, he was still alive. However, even though he had escaped with his life, he was doomed to live the rest of his days as a living eunuch, a fate worse than death.
Having such a live captive, it was likely that the origins of this armed group could soon be clarified.
It didn't matter if they were stubborn, their own P-99 suggestion-acting drugs were available, just perfect for giving them a taste of their own medicine, an act of lifting a rock only to drop it on their own feet.
It wasn't long after the female executive manager's return that, following dinner and another large cup of super-concentrated coffee, Chen Fei, who had been busy working for Chef Abel, received some good news.
During his time held captive by the unidentified armed group, he had performed commendably, not only keeping the company secrets but also initiating a counterattack. As a result, he was awarded a tax-free cash bonus of 100,000 Star Yuan and, starting from the current month, a Special Ability Allowance of 5,000 Star Yuan per month.
Special Abilities could only be awakened by oneself and were impossible for others to learn, regardless of whether a company could utilize them or not. Enjoying a Special Skill subsidy was an industry norm and was defensible. To some extent, it could also help retain talent.
The 5,000 Star Yuan subsidy wasn't the highest but was also far from being the lowest; it was just slightly above average. If Chen Fei's Special Ability proved to have substantial practical value and generated economic benefits for the company, then the amount of his Ability Allowance would rise accordingly.
The double blessing composed of two favorable developments made Chen Fei feel not overly excited but rather relieved.
The reason was simple: the massive debt of 8.8 million had finally been slightly alleviated.
The 100,000 Star Yuan prize money, containing a bit of the significance of "buying a horse with a golden coin," wouldn't actually end up in his hands, yet it would automatically reduce his debt to 8.7 million Star Yuan. For Chen Fei, who wouldn't let even a lifesaving straw slip by, this sum was clearly worth much more than any straw.
Now that the salary from the mechanical repair team included the Ability Allowance, plus the flyer's subsidy after leaving the "Genuine Fragrance" Combat Flight Squadron, not to mention income from two part-time jobs — the kitchen work and night shift might not pay much, but every little helps — the various incomes added up gave Chen Fei hope he might live to see the day his debts were repaid, lest he toil a lifetime in vain, ending up with nothing.
Feeling somewhat relieved from the heavy burden on his heart, Chen Fei carried a large basket of drinks and dishes over to the steel-structured shack housing the Target Low Temperature Nuclear Fusion Energy Tower and knocked on the door.
"Old Master, open the door!"
Although last night's appointment was missed unintentionally, he didn't want to break his word again tonight. He decided to come an hour early and brought quite a few items with him.
"Ho! You brought so much with you?"
The Neanderthal old man, Grandpa Barut, saw Chen Fei's hands full with a big basket and immediately grinned with delight, his eyes nearly squinting shut as he hurriedly let him in.
That morning, Chen Fei had already brought a rich breakfast and a good bottle of alcohol. Now he had arrived with a large basket in the evening, which was very polite of him.
"It's nothing, today's a happy day, just to have a drink with you, or perhaps for you to have a drink with me, Grandpa Barut."
Chen Fei entered the shack and, familiar with the place, found the table and began unloading items from his basket onto it.
A bottle of Blue Star Erguotou he had wheedled from Big Bear Squadron Leader Chekhov, along with a large tin of caviar, freshly roasted pork knuckles and turkey from the kitchen, a dish of pagoda-shaped vegetables, and a bowl of fried peanuts, all perfect companions for a drink.
"Yes, it's time to celebrate!"
Grandpa Barut nodded. Having survived great peril, fortune indeed followed, deserving celebration; no wonder the young man was so happy.
Sharing joy with others only multiplies the happiness, and he felt it was not in vain that he had high hopes for this young companion.
Little Bird also joined in on the fun.