Card maker? No, I'm a mechanic!

"That's perfect," Jiang Zhe smiled and looked at Lin Xiaoya.

"I'll use this time to settle things at the college and get the lab up and running."

"After your report, maybe my waterjet prototype will also make some progress."

Lin Xiaoya pursed her lips.

"That would be perfect, Teacher Jiang."

"..."

The words themselves were fine, but the way they came out of her mouth felt a little strange.

"Alright, now that I've eaten and drunk my fill and have a job lined up, I should go back and get ready."

He glanced at the time and decided not to stay any longer.

"Are you leaving already?"

Lin Xiaoyou stood up somewhat reluctantly, because of her action.

The other slipper hanging on her toes finally gave way and fell to the ground with a thud, revealing her cute, fair little feet.

Her face flushed, and she quickly pulled her foot back.

"There's plenty of time in the future. We'll meet at the academy soon anyway."

Jiang Zhe suppressed a laugh and waved to the two of them.

"I'm gone."

……

Early the next morning.

"I mean... you really took everything?"

Looking at the pile of luggage in the back seat, Chen Ming almost dropped the cigarette from his mouth.

"This is nothing."

After stuffing the last heavy black box into the trunk, Jiang Zhe dusted off his hands.

For some reason, it seems that his mental strength has grown at an unusually rapid rate ever since he successfully created the Winter Fire.

So even without deliberate training, the feedback from his mental energy significantly increased his physical strength.

Perhaps this is the hidden benefit of original cards?

"This is already a simplified version. If it weren't for the fact that there was simply no room on the worktable, I would have had to take it all apart and bring it with me."

"Whisper, whatever makes you happy."

Chen Ming shook his head helplessly and started the car.

After a rumble of exhaustion, the dilapidated SUV slowly drove towards the center of Tianlan City, carrying the soon-to-be-appointed teaching assistant, Jiang.

"Oh, right, I have something to tell you."

Chen Ming, with one hand on the steering wheel, suddenly spoke, his tone somewhat casual.

"It seems like there's been some trouble at the company lately; they've dug up some old files."

"file?"

"Yes, they even go through some of the company's early archives."

"Old Wang was assigned a task yesterday afternoon, one of which was to make a copy of some files and submit it."

"He's really in a bad situation; he doesn't get paid for his job and has to work overtime."

"And I've checked, it's not just him, all the other processing stations are the same."

"I don't know what they're up to, but you should be careful, since the company also has a copy of your file."

"Even if you were just a contract worker at the time, who knows what might have happened."

"Is that so...?"

Jiang Zhe nodded and looked out the window, his eyes calm.

After an unknown amount of time, the majestic gates of Tianlan Academy came into view at the end of the road.

As the highest institution of learning in Tianlan City, this academy has put a lot of effort into its main gate alone.

Two white jade pillars, each tens of meters tall, stand on either side, with a somewhat blurry energy barrier in the middle.

"I won't send you in."

Chen Ming parked his car on the side of the road, a hint of envy flashing in his eyes as he looked at the magnificent gate.

"I'm afraid my beat-up car can't get into a place like this."

"Okay, thanks, Brother Chen."

He certainly wouldn't forget Chen Ming's investment.

However, he still has no clue how to help him devise the so-called core card.

Perhaps I should fight more to find inspiration?

Without much thought, Jiang Zhe got out of the car and began unloading the goods.

A large backpack containing stone tablets and materials, a toolbox full of tools, and that mysterious black box.

The entire outfit must have been quite heavy.

But at this moment, he seemed not to feel any weight at all, and his steps remained light and steady.

"I'm gone."

Watching Chen Ming's SUV disappear into the distance, Jiang Zhe turned and walked towards the gate.

Since there were still a day or two before the official report, the entrance wasn't as crowded as he had imagined.

Only a few freshmen, looking rather reserved, seemed to be from ordinary families who had traveled early to save money.

And right inside that gate, two figures dressed in academy uniforms were standing there.

One male and one female.

The boy was tall and had his hair neatly combed. He was currently talking to the girl next to him.

And that girl...

Jiang Zhe's gaze paused for a moment.

She was a girl with a high ponytail and gold-rimmed glasses.

However, the originally formal school uniform seemed somewhat overwhelmed when worn by her.

The fabric at her chest was stretched taut, and with each breath, her already breathtaking curves rose and fell slightly, outlining a full arc in the sunlight.

The black bodycon skirt hugged her waist and hips, highlighting her exaggerated waist-to-hip ratio to the fullest.

Further down were those shapely, long legs clad in black stockings, fleshy yet not at all bulky.

Even just standing quietly, it exudes a natural allure like a ripe peach.

"You're the new teaching assistant Professor Lin mentioned... Jiang Zhe?"

As Jiang Zhe approached, the girl quickly walked up to him.

With each step she took, the weight that seemed about to burst forth trembled slightly, carrying a certain visually striking inertia.

"My name is Su Man, and I am Professor Lin's student."

Su Man extended her hand with a polite smile, her gaze behind her glasses also carrying a hint of curiosity as she sized up the newly arrived teaching assistant.

"Jiang Zhe," Jiang Zhe nodded, lightly clenched his fingers and then released them.

"This is Li Kai. He's from the Relics Exploration Department and he's here to help out."

Su Man turned to the side and introduced the boy behind her.

"Teaching Assistant Jiang...is that right?"

As Li Kai's gaze swept over Jiang Zhe's face and his cheap casual clothes, a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes.

Professor Lin actually hired this kind of person as a teaching assistant?

That's really rare.

"Teaching Assistant Jiang has a lot of stuff; it looks quite heavy."

Su Man didn't pay attention to Li Kai's little scheme. She pushed up her glasses and glanced at the two boxes in Jiang Zhe's hands.

Out of politeness, she stepped forward.

"Let me help you with one of them."

As she spoke, she leaned slightly forward and reached out her hand towards the black box.

Because of Su Man's forward leaning motion, the already taut fabric instantly endured even greater pressure.

Jiang Zhe raised an eyebrow, about to remind him of the weight of the box.

But Li Kai, who was standing to the side, couldn't sit still any longer.

How could I miss this opportunity to impress my goddess?

Moreover, how could he tolerate Su Man carrying the suitcase for this guy who appeared out of nowhere?

"Hey, Suman, don't touch it, you'll get your clothes dirty. This box looks covered in dust."

He reacted quickly, stepping in front of Su Man and grabbing the handle of the box first.

"This kind of physical work is best left to us boys. Assistant Professor Jiang needs to train more often; you can't be too weak."

Seeing this, Su Man did not insist, or perhaps she had expected it.

She straightened up, smiled, and gently patted the hem of her skirt, which was stretched a little too tight.

"Okay, thank you for your hard work."

"It's no big deal."

Li Kai smiled confidently. After all, he was a player at the half-step level two card master level, and his physical attributes were undeniable.

Besides, this teaching assistant doesn't look like a strongman. How heavy could that box be?

It weighs at most 60 or 70 pounds.

"rise!"

Li Kai bent down, casually flicked his wrist, and prepared to stylishly pick up the suitcase and leave.

However, the next second, his expression froze.

The box didn't move at all, not even a sway.

This sudden contrast caused Li Kai to lose his balance and almost bump into Jiang Zhe.

"Ouch!"

He staggered a couple of steps before barely managing to steady himself, and his face instantly turned red.

"What the hell is this?"

Li Kai looked at the box with a suspicious expression.

What the hell is this? A box full of weights?

But Jiang Zhe clearly looked very relaxed.

"I already said it's a bit heavy."

Seeing Li Kai's awkward posture, Jiang Zhe's lips curled up slightly.

You're really putting on airs with this sample? I almost threw out my back the first time I tried it. Do you think it's easy for you?

"Li... how about I do it myself?"

"No...no need!"

"I was careless and lost my balance, so my foot slipped."

He took a deep breath and exerted his strength again.