Card maker? No, I'm a mechanic!

Passing through the somewhat exaggeratedly high entryway.

Jiang Zhe followed the two sisters through the indoor space to the terrace in the back garden.

The midday sun was shining brightly around a simple round table.

A chef dressed in pristine white is meticulously watching the charcoal fire before him.

He had a solemn expression, and after grilling each piece of meat, he would carry it on an exquisite tray, then bow slightly and present it to the group, explaining his preparations.

"Okay, okay!"

But after only a few bites, Lin Xiaoyou couldn't resist anymore.

She stood up and interrupted the chef's rambling somewhat impatiently:

"Master Wang, you're going too slowly."

"Besides, you've been talking so much that it's hard for us to have a conversation."

"...?"

The chef was a little confused, and the tongs in his hand stopped moving.

"Alright, alright, we can handle the rest ourselves. You can go and rest."

Lin Xiaoyou snatched the tongs and half-pushed, half-shoved the chef away.

"Finally, some peace and quiet."

After getting rid of the third wheel, the girl didn't care about her posture and plopped down on the chair next to Jiang Zhe.

Because of the large movements, the already loose neckline of the garment swayed slightly.

She turned her head and blinked at Jiang Zhe.

"Brother Jiang Zhe, the food we ate earlier wasn't very interesting. We need to relax a bit more when we eat barbecue."

"My family isn't home, and I don't want to live a life with so many rules."

"Hmm, nobody's here?"

Jiang Zhe was somewhat surprised. Was there really only these two people in such a large manor?

"Yeah," Lin Xiaoyou said casually, picking up a slice of beef and throwing it into the hottest part of the charcoal fire.

"They've all gone to other places to do business, and while they're at it, they're also taking care of their branches in those areas."

"It'll probably take several months."

"Now, my sister basically calls the shots in Tianlan City's industries."

As she spoke, she gestured towards her older sister with her lips.

Is that so?

Jiang Zhe was somewhat surprised; it turned out she was already quite wealthy.

"Don't listen to her nonsense," Lin Xiaoya smiled modestly.

"My parents just wanted me to gain some experience and entrusted me with managing some of their businesses here."

"Oh……"

"Wait a minute!"

Just then, seeing that the piece of beef was about to turn into charcoal, Jiang Zhe quickly took the tongs and temporarily interrupted the conversation.

Isn't grilling like this a waste of resources?

"Let go of that piece of meat, let me have it."

Zzz...

With a sizzling sound of oil popping, a rich, caramelized aroma instantly filled the air.

The process of flipping, spreading ingredients, and removing the food from the oven is smooth and efficient.

"Try it."

Jiang Zhe picked up a piece and placed it on Lin Xiaoyou's plate.

"Mmm! Delicious!" The girl's eyes lit up, and she gave a thumbs up, ignoring the heat.

"It tastes much better than what that guy grilled."

The atmosphere became relaxed and lively.

With no third wheel around, the three of them ate the barbecue prepared by Jiang Zhe and chatted casually.

"But you seem to have something on your mind?"

Jiang Zhe casually picked up a piece of beef tongue for Lin Xiaoya.

He keenly noticed that although Lin Xiaoya was constantly agreeing with their conversation.

But there was still a hint of fatigue between his brows.

"Is it that obvious?"

Lin Xiaoya paused for a moment, then put down her chopsticks and rubbed her temples.

"Actually, it's nothing major, just some business issues."

"But my family isn't here, so all the pressure is on me, and it's making me a little upset."

"I can too, I won't cause trouble..." Lin Xiaoyou added, but her sister ignored her.

How could she not know what her own sister was like?

She gently stroked the inside of the cup with her fingers.

"Our Lin family previously discovered a vein of magic-suppressing black gold in the eastern mining area."

"Anti-magic black gold?" Jiang Zhe raised an eyebrow. "What kind of is that?"

"As its name suggests, this ore is immune to most elemental attacks."

"Using a regular Level 1 card is like scratching an itch, but using a Level 2 card is too expensive."

"We also tried physical mining, but the hardness was just outrageous, and the drill bit wore out incredibly fast."

"Often, you might dig out a ton of ore, but the money you make isn't even enough to cover the costs."

Lin Xiaoya sighed.

"The mine is stuck there now. Continuing to invest money in it is a losing proposition."

"But if we give up directly, all the initial investment will be wasted."

"It's tasteless to eat, but a pity to throw it away."

"Can't it be cut...?"

Jiang Zhe stroked his chin, seemingly lost in thought.

Have any of you tried waterjet cutting?

"A water jet?" Lin Xiaoya was taken aback, then shook her head. "I've tried it, of course I've tried it."

"The engineering team tried it a few days ago, but it was completely useless against that kind of hardness."

"Water is just too gentle, unless you use a higher-level water blade card, but that's not cost-effective at all."

"It's obviously not cost-effective to try and compete head-on by simply increasing quantity..."

Jiang Zhe smiled, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

"But what if I said I had a way to pressurize the water jet?"

"Pressure?"

"Yes, it's not about stacking card levels, but about using other techniques to increase pressure."

Jiang Zhe put down the clip and held up two fingers to indicate the position.

"By utilizing a multi-stage pressurization structure, the strength of the water jet card is directly enhanced to a higher level."

"If modified properly, the effect can be increased tenfold or even a hundredfold."

In my previous life, this pressurized water jet could easily cut through diamonds.

And in this world with energy and cards.

The effects of ultra-high pressure water jets are unimaginable.

"Ten times... a hundred times?"

"Modify the waterjet card?"

Lin Xiaoya looked at Jiang Zhe with some surprise.

Although she didn't understand what Jiang Zhe meant, his confident tone still made her feel a little hopeful.

But it was just a sliver of hope.

After all, they had tried countless times on that mine, and had been disappointed far too many times.

I really don't want to spend a lot of money on that.

"Jiang Zhe, your idea is very interesting."

Lin Xiaoya considered her words carefully, her tone sincere.

"But as you know, the Lin family is currently planning to ignore that project and is unlikely to approve any budget for research and development."

"I see."

Jiang Zhe nodded in understanding, and his expression was relaxed.

"I don't need you to invest now, otherwise it would be like I'm scamming investors."

"It just so happens that I have an idea about ultra-high pressure water cutting."

"Even if it weren't for that mine, I still plan to make it and use it."

"So, give me some time."

"Let's try it out after I finish making the finished product. If it can really be cut, then we can talk about payment."

This is exactly the effect Jiang Zhe wanted.

Offering help in times of need is the true way to help.

For projects that have already been abandoned, their value can only be maximized when you present them with a truly finished product.

"Of course, no problem!"

Lin Xiaoya breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled broadly.

"Anyway, that mine is just sitting there. If you can really make it, Jiang Zhe..."

"As long as it can be proven effective, the Lin family will definitely not be stingy with even a sample."

"And if you need any materials, just ask me as long as they're not too outrageous. Consider it my personal investment."

It's a deal.

Jiang Zhe raised his juice glass and gently touched it to Lin Xiaoya's.

We've temporarily secured the client's agreement; now we're just waiting for the finished product to be delivered and for payment to be received.

"By the way, Brother Jiang Zhe."

Seeing that the two had finished their business conversation, Lin Xiaoyou finally found a chance to chime in.

"Now that the assessments are over, you're going to report to Tianlan Academy in the next couple of days, right?"

"My sister and I had been studying at home for a long time, and this time we finally passed the Level 1 Card Master exam and can go to the academy."

At this point, she excitedly waved her oil-stained fist.

"From now on, we'll be classmates. Even though you're a bit older... it's okay."

"classmate?"

Jiang Zhe wiped his mouth and looked at the innocent-looking Lin Xiaoyou and the expectant Lin Xiaoya.

His expression began to look strange, with a hint of amusement.

"No, no, no... let me correct you."