Chapter 3: The Waste Merchants' Guild

After buying groceries, He Kui and Shi He arrived at the Helan Design Bureau's staff dormitory in May City's first colony satellite.

The room was about fifteen square meters, with no living room, just a bedroom. However, it was well-equipped with a separate wet and dry area. Although small, it was significantly better than the pigeonhole He Kui had lived in before, both in terms of security and living conditions. The room felt a bit empty due to the lack of furniture.

"How is it? Tasty?" He Kui asked, having put his all into the braised pork dish.

"Mm, it's delicious."

Even Shi He, who wasn't particularly fond of heavy flavors, had to admit she was getting hooked. She had thought He Kui could only cook to survive, but his cooking rivaled that of small restaurants. It was a pity that since the Earth Alliance imposed a food embargo, the prices of meals had skyrocketed. As a future junior researcher at the Helan Design Bureau, her salary would be decent but not enough for extravagant meals every day.

"That's good."

Seeing He Kui thoughtfully hand her a glass of water after they finished, Shi He felt her heart soften. Despite the current hardships, there was a glimmer of hope in her heart. If He Kui could stabilize his life and continued to be so caring, the possibility of walking through life together didn't seem as daunting as it once did. As this thought crossed her mind, her heart began to race a little faster.

After finishing their meal, He Kui didn't rush to leave. Instead, he and Shi He began chatting.

Naturally, the conversation quickly turned to her research topic: the miniaturization of beam weapons.

This topic was somewhat related to He Kui's micro-operational skills. Miniaturizing beam weapons essentially meant shrinking various precision components. If they could achieve proportional scaling, it would solve many challenges, although energy compression technology remained a significant hurdle.

Though He Kui lacked Shi He's depth of knowledge, they found common ground in their discussion.

"However, He Kui, your operating skills should be enough to consider applying for a rating in the Skills Department," Shi He remarked.

He Kui had already reached C-level status, and after being rated, there would be corresponding subsidies. It was better to get rated sooner rather than later.

"I will," He Kui replied.

After their conversation, He Kui returned to his dormitory at the military academy in December City.

The hiring notification would be issued in three days. After informing his parents, who were still on Julius 6, about the news, He Kui sold all ten Haros he had saved up after a day's stall. The demand was high, and with lower parts costs, he made even more profit—1,500 technical credits. Adding the 5,000 bonus from the Helan Design Bureau, He Kui suddenly found himself quite wealthy.

The main reasons for his profit increase were the recent turbulent situation and rising tensions between factions, leading many to join the Waste Merchants' Guild. More parts were becoming available, and people increasingly yearned for peace, pursuing Lacus's ideals. Thus, his Haros gained popularity.

Time flew by, and the day arrived for He Kui to move out of the military academy dormitory. Ed looked at him with envy, admiring the large bags He Kui carried.

With a fiancée and a job at the Helan Design Bureau, He Kui had transformed from a lower-tier existence to an employee at a prestigious organization. Although he was just an intern, it was still better than Ed, who was still fighting on the battlefield. Was this the power of having a fiancée?

Ed glanced at his wristband, feeling a pang of jealousy.

"Bro, don't forget your roommate now that you're doing well!"

He eagerly grasped He Kui's hand, practically begging for attention.

"I won't," He Kui replied, surprised to see this 'lively' side of Ed.

After sending his luggage to the dormitory in May City, He Kui headed to the Waste Merchants' Guild branch in December City.

Though the name sounded unappealing, the guild wielded significant power, allowing free trade between the Earth Alliance and PLANT. They had numerous spaceports and their own development teams, making them a massive commercial organization.

He Kui sighed as he entered the imposing building, equipped with cameras and reinforced glass, safer than a bank.

"Hey, He Kui! Back so soon? Business is good?" the old man at the entrance greeted warmly, despite being the head of the guild.

"Yes, I sold everything."

"Great! We just received a new batch of materials."

"Actually, I'm here to buy some design blueprints."

"Ah, the retractable blast shield you asked about? That requires C-level operating skills to complete."

The old man chuckled, "Well, it seems I need to congratulate you."

Skills like these relied more on innate talent than experience. With so few Coordinators around and the looming threat of war, there was little time to cultivate craftsmen. It was like He Kui's past—if you didn't qualify, you were sent to the battlefield, and when you returned, they'd find you a position. Quite humanizing, right? Thus, He Kui reaching C-level was indeed commendable.

"Thanks! Also, please give me ten sets of materials, including ten for the Haro."

"Sure thing."

The old man grinned as he swiped most of He Kui's technical credits.

Compared to finished products, the market for blueprints was limited, especially for equipment that most people didn't need. Mercenaries would usually buy completed items.

After the transaction, the old man pressed a button on the screen, and a suitcase-sized transport robot approached, carrying the goods.

"The design blueprints and related patent authorization documents have been sent to your email. If you pass the C-level rating, you can apply for membership at the nearest Waste Merchants' Guild, granting you a 5% discount."

"Okay."

Leaving the guild, He Kui spent 5,000 technical credits on the blueprints and around 1,500 on materials. After sending money home to his parents, he found himself once again broke.

However, these materials could be converted into money. His plan was simple: with everyone worried about war, if he integrated various survival functions into the Haros, he could sell them at a higher price to mercenaries and ordinary people seeking safety. 

Suddenly, He Kui realized he might not need to work at Helan to support his family. For now, making Haros seemed feasible, but if Lacus betrayed them in the future, would anyone buy his Haros? Working at Helan would give him more opportunities to access ZAFT's core. As he considered this, He Kui's ambitions began to take shape. If he accelerated his progress and got promoted, he could secure more personal time. Everything seemed manageable.