Most of the apprentices signing up don’t have a high level of education, struggling even to write, and haven’t learned basic knowledge. Even if they learn to dismantle and assemble, they can only become skilled workers. The more they do, the harder it is for them to become technical backbones capable of independently developing and repairing advanced equipment.

However, anyone with self-discipline would not stop at the Mechanical Bureau to settle. They would either choose to venture out for better opportunities or seek further study at the Industrial Zone.

"Then why does Master Sang stay here?" Cheng Ye asked curiously.

The question was quite direct, but Sang Hezheng answered without care, "At my age, I don’t have the energy to learn new things, nor the drive to venture out. Besides, once you have a family, you must take care of them. Although my two sons don’t like refurbishing old parts here, they are very interested in mechanics. Maybe with some nurturing, they might succeed?"

Regarding his two sons, Sang Hezheng intentionally showed some exaggerated helplessness.

Cheng Ye seemed contemplative but acted as if he hadn’t caught any implied meaning.

As they spoke, they reached a large warehouse with a "12" sign, and above the warehouse door, a wooden plaque with the words "Old Parts Refurbishing" painted in big red letters.

Inside, there were scrap cars everywhere, dozens in total at a glance, each surrounded by three or five people.

"This is the warehouse I’m responsible for, filled with parts removed from scrap cars – motors, electric controls, wiring harnesses, and many parts from various equipment like bearings and sensors. Take a look around first; I’ll go to the main building to get a few foundational manuals compiled by master craftsmen, suitable for beginners to enter the field, and also for Chief Cheng to quickly understand the mechanics trade. They’re much more useful than my explanations."

With that, he turned his head and shouted toward the corner of the warehouse, raising his voice slightly, "Sang Tao! Stop dawdling under the car and come over to help me entertain the guest!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a young man in blue overalls crawled out from under a scrap truck.

About twenty or so in age, his hair covered in dust, and two black oil stains on his face, he clutched a wrench with a sleepy, unenthusiastic look in his eyes, clearly reluctant as he was interrupted from his work.

But when he looked up and saw Cheng Ye, Sang Tao’s expression immediately turned serious. How long had it been since his father brought such a young man here?!

Unlike those apprentice workers, Cheng Ye standing at the doorway had a tall and upright physique, clearly not just an ordinary person.

"This is Inspector Cheng, show him around the workshop."

"Inspector Cheng?" Sang Tao was stunned.

"Didn’t expect me to be younger than you, did you?" Cheng Ye noticed his surprise and couldn’t help but laugh, speaking lightheartedly, "Don’t worry, Master Sang, go get the manuals. I’ll chat with Sang Tao. It’s easier for young people to communicate."

"Sure! You guys take a look around, I’ll be right back."

Sang Hezheng left with peace of mind, not forgetting to give Sang Tao a look to perform well before departing.

The Mechanical Bureau is busy and chaotic with little reward; it’s not a place to stay forever.

With the Satellite City construction about to begin, contacting Matthew Lee and Cheng Ye to dismantle scrap cars, the purpose was clear.

If his son could catch a connection leading outwards, he could be at ease as a father.

Only the two of them remained in the warehouse; Cheng Ye extended his hand proactively: "I’m Cheng Ye, no need to be so formal, you can just call me by my name."

Sang Tao hurriedly stretched out his hand, then suddenly remembered his hands were covered in engine oil, quickly wiping them on the hem of his overalls.

But the sticky engine oil wouldn’t come off no matter how hard he wiped.

As Sang Tao was feeling awkward and at a loss, Cheng Ye had already grasped his hand, not minding the grime at all.

"Let’s not be too particular." Cheng Ye released his hand, smiling, "I heard from Master Sang, you have a brother?"

"Yeah, a younger brother, Sang Zhe." Sang Tao also smiled, raising his hand to point towards the corner of the warehouse.

A younger guy than him was squatting in front of equipment resembling a server cabinet, intently fiddling with the lines inside the cabinet.

"He’s more introverted than me, just likes tinkering with those electronics no one else understands." Sang Tao’s tone had a hint of pride mixed with a trace of helplessness, "Unfortunately, the electronics sent to the Mechanical Bureau are mostly scrapped old items; no one expects them to actually be repaired, just for us to practice on."

"Those cars and equipment mostly just require a part replacement to function, but the cost of new parts is too high, so they are brought here for refurbishment, and we make do for as long as possible."

"That’s true, I heard that many electronic devices use Source Rail technology, which probably isn’t something the Mechanical Bureau can fix, right?" Cheng Ye followed up.

"They can be repaired, but the threshold for this technology is very high..." Sang Tao’s smile faded a bit, his tone filled with helplessness, "If something using Source Rail technology breaks, it’s either thrown away or sent to the research institute for maintenance. Even my dad doesn’t have the authority to know the core details of Source Rail technology, let alone us, so we have no way to start, and what we can know about has long been obsolete technology."

The two walked and chatted, with Sang Tao becoming more enthusiastic the more he spoke, as if he hadn’t discussed these things with outsiders in a long time.

They talked about the common types of scrap machinery in Happiness City, to his visions for Source Rail technology.

From routine maintenance of ordinary low-voltage harnesses, to the impact of high-voltage harnesses on vehicle performance, even discussing which parts are more durable on transport trucks, which are more agile on pickups, and even secrets about apprentice workers sneaking out small parts from the Mechanical Bureau to sell to caravans.