In a world dominated by smart appliances and an abundance of renewable energy, Luo Di had almost forgotten the sound of a fuel engine at work.
The growl of this old-fashioned, fuel-powered chainsaw from a bygone era instantly brought back memories of his favorite movie.
Before he even realized it, he found himself standing in front of the display counter.
"Interested in chainsaws, young man? You look pretty strong. Want to give it a try?" The burly shopkeeper, with his body wrapped in layers of fat and muscle, naturally wouldn't miss the chance to make a sale. After all, very few people buy chainsaws these days.
"Just taking a look."
Most of the chainsaws in the shop were vintage fuel-powered models, but there were also a few new ones equipped with high-performance batteries. These new chainsaws surpassed traditional fuel-powered ones in terms of charging methods, portability, and operational power.
Luo Di ran his fingers over the teeth of the chainsaw blade, carefully sniffing the gasoline scent emanating from the engine compartment. It felt as if he had stepped into the most iconic hunting scene from the movie.
But reason quickly took over, and his gaze fell on the price tags.
The vintage chainsaws were priced between 2,600 and 3,000 rubles, which converted to just over two hundred in his country's currency. In contrast, the new chainsaws were at least three times more expensive.
At that moment,
A delicate face leaned in beside him, staring at the chainsaws along with Luo Di.
"You like this kind of thing? Well, it's not bad. Our fieldwork is tentatively set in some forested area, so this might actually come in handy. Who knows, we might need to cut wood for a fire.
Let's go with this one—it looks pretty good."
The class monitor pointed to a sleek, silver-plated portable chainsaw priced at a whopping 25,000 rubles.
For Luo Di, this price was obviously too high, so he waved his hand to refuse.
But the class monitor had already picked up the silver chainsaw and headed to the counter. "Where we're going, there's no gasoline supply. If the fuel runs out, these cheap models will be useless. Besides, their size makes them inconvenient to carry.
Don't worry about the cost. As long as we pass the fieldwork, its value will far exceed the expense of these items.
Even if I had my dad here, he'd definitely pick the most expensive and best one for you. It's called effective investment, got it?"
In his two years of high school, Luo Di had little interaction with the class monitor outside of classroom-related matters. This sudden enthusiasm caught him off guard.
Still, he didn't refuse.
The silver chainsaw she chose was indeed appealing—a brand-new product with a retractable feature.
With a press of the side button, the protruding "blade" could fold back, making it look like a compact silver suitcase. It was moderately weighted, easier to handle than a fuel-filled chainsaw, and boasted greater power.
Although Luo Di wanted to recreate the authentic movie scenes, he thought it best to play it safe given the unique nature of the fieldwork.
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"Thank you."
As he accepted the chainsaw, Luo Di noticed a well-known company logo engraved on its surface.
Loke Electronics (with the word "Lok" encased in an arched halo).
Specializing in the manufacture of modern smart power appliances, the quality was undoubtedly reliable.
While Luo Di was running his fingers over the chainsaw, appreciating its texture, the class monitor had already moved over to a knife shop ten meters away.
"Luo Di, why not pick out a knife while you're at it? After all, a chainsaw is a bit over the top. I've never seen anyone use one for self-defense.
Besides, my private tutor taught me one thing: relying too much on electricity isn't always a good idea. Tools powered directly by our own physical energy are the most reliable."
"Alright."
Luo Di didn't mind, especially since it was the class monitor footing the bill.
He ultimately chose a machete that suited his style, almost identical to the one from Friday the 13th. The moment he gripped the wooden handle, his arm instinctively lifted, slashing toward an empty area.
Swish!
The movement was almost identical to the scenes in the movie.
The heavy sound of the blade slicing through the air caught the attention of the others. Even the blonde-haired Anna found herself more intrigued by this boy, muttering softly:
"I have to arm-wrestle this guy someday."
The class monitor raised her arm high, signaling everyone to gather. "We've almost got everything we need. Now let's head to the research institute to confirm the details of this fieldwork, do a quick health check, and sign the forms."
"Thanks, my dear Wen Wen!"
Anna gave the class monitor a bear hug that almost crushed her, while Gao Yuxuan nodded politely in gratitude.
Luo Di had already thanked her earlier when buying the chainsaw, so he said nothing more.
The vehicle carrying the four high schoolers drove to the municipal research institute. Any city-level or higher institution had the authority to arrange "social practice" programs for students.
The class monitor had already taken care of everything, and the process went smoothly.
However, the research institute deliberately kept some of the rules and details under wraps, promising to explain them during the journey to the fieldwork area tomorrow.
"Make sure to get a good night's sleep, everyone. We need to meet at the institute's entrance at 6:30 AM tomorrow. Here's to a successful simulated fieldwork!"
"Got it."
After exchanging goodbyes,
Luo Di chose to take the most cost-effective option—the bus. But before he could reach the bus stop, a pure white sports car pulled up beside him.
The window rolled down, and the class monitor, lowering her sunglasses, waved at him quickly.
"Get in! If I get photographed here, I'll lose points on my license!"
Luo Di first walked toward the back seat, but it was already filled with various items, so he had no choice but to sit in the passenger seat.
"Class monitor, you can drive?"
"You can get a provisional license at sixteen. I passed with a perfect score, so don't worry. Where do you live? I'll drop you off."
"No. 13 Resettlement Community."
The class monitor immediately adjusted her posture, gripping the steering wheel tightly while mimicking an AI voice.
"Understood! Precision navigation activated. A 20-year veteran driver is at your service."
As she stepped on the gas, she glanced at the passenger seat, catching a fleeting smile on Luo Di's face.
"Well, look at that—you can smile. You've been so serious all day, just like Gao Yuxuan. So boring."
"No, I'm not."
"By the way, Luo Di, during today's health check at the institute, your physical condition met the standards but wasn't exactly healthy. You're missing a lot of trace elements."
The class monitor switched to one-handed driving, skillfully opened the glove compartment, and pulled out a bottle of vitamins.
"This is unopened. Take it. Don't be polite with me. As long as we pass this new fieldwork, I'll cover all your school expenses from now on if need be."
"Alright."
Luo Di didn't hesitate. He had a strong attachment to his physical health, and supplements like these were necessary.
"Class monitor, you didn't seem to buy anything today."
"Are you talking about self-defense tools? I prepared my own a long time ago. You'll see when the time comes."
"Okay."
Luo Di said no more, turning his gaze to the cityscape flashing past the window.
The class monitor glanced at him again, wanting to say something, but swallowed her words.
The rest of the ride was silent.
The car stopped at the entrance of the resettlement community. The class monitor leaned out, curiously observing the old housing complex built with government funds, her face full of intrigue.
"Which building do you live in?"
Carrying the bags he had purchased, Luo Di pointed straight ahead. "The one at the very back."
"Can I visit your house sometime? Maybe during the holidays?"
"Better not."
The class monitor keenly noticed a fleeting look of displeasure on Luo Di's face when this topic came up. His pupils seemed a bit unusual as well, prompting her to quickly change the subject.
"Alright then, see you tomorrow!"
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."