The Mechanic

It was long past visiting hours, but the nurse on duty had been instructed not to stop him.

Adam was placed in a single ward, with two guard soldiers watching at the door. When they saw Zhang Xun, they all nodded slightly to him. This change of attitude surprised Zhang Xun a little. He put his hand on the doorknob of the ward, hesitated for a moment, and then slightly opened the door.

In the room soaked by the moonlight, Adam was lying on the sick bed with a pale face. The quilt was pulled all the way to his shoulders, and the left shoulder, where the arm was missing, could not be seen.

Zhang Xun quietly closed the door, and moved to Adam's bed like a weightless shadow. He knelt down, looked at Adam's face earnestly, looked at his bloodless lips, he only felt bursts of soreness in his nose, and he had to force himself to hold it back.

He has been wondering if Adam really has feelings. But would that kind of conditioned reflex lie?

Violating his own survival instinct, to save him... Even if he is himself, can he do this for anyone?

In Zhang Xun's life, no one has ever valued him so much. But he pushed Adam into danger again and again.

Zhang Xun has never hated himself so much.

But at this moment, Adam seemed to sense the presence of another human being in the room, his brows slightly frowned, and his eyelids opened hesitantly. At first, it was just a gap, and gradually the long eyelashes fluttered a few times before they opened further.

When Zhang Xun saw it, he almost wanted to thank the God he had never believed in, and a trembling voice came out of his throat, "Adam?"

"Axun..." Adam's voice was hoarse, as if he hadn't drank water for a hundred years. He coughed a few times and said, "Thirsty..."

Zhang Xun saw a glass of water on the bedside table, brought it over quickly, held Adam's back with his other hand, and helped him straighten up a little. The sheet slid down, revealing his mutilated left arm. Zhang Xun couldn't bear to look at it, but let Adam lean on his shoulder, and brought the water glass to Adam's lips.

Adam swallowed greedily with his hand, and drank the whole glass of water in one breath.

Zhang Xun looked down at Adam's profile, and asked softly, "Do you want more?"

"No need." Adam frowned, looked down at his left hand, but his expression was unexpectedly calm, and he frowned slightly displeased.

Zhang Xun hurriedly asked, "Does the wound hurt?"

"They gave me anesthesia." Adam said in a tone like talking about the weather, "It's just a pity..."

"Don't be afraid. I will build you the best prosthetic limb with enough sensors. In the end, you won't feel any difference with your left hand, and it may even be better." Zhang Xun promised in dry language, but I feel so despicable about my promises.

Adam sat up straight, turned his head to look at him, his eyes were deep, like a deep pool rippling under the moonlight, "It's a pity that I won't be able to touch you with human hands in the future."

Zhang Xun stared at him blankly, his mind went blank for a while, unable to speak.

Adam suddenly smiled, the smile was as sincere and gentle as ever, "Axun, don't be sad. I don't hurt anymore."

As soon as he said this, Zhang Xun suddenly turned his back to prevent Adam from seeing his gaffe. He took a deep breath, trying to regain his self-control, but found that this time, he couldn't find it no matter what.

A metal arm rested quietly on his shoulder, and Adam said softly, "Don't blame yourself either. It's not your fault. I'm glad you're okay, I'd rather it be me than you." He paused, then continued, "If it were you, I don't know what I would do."

Zhang Xun wiped his face fiercely with his hands, turned around and hugged Adam suddenly.

Adam was stunned for a moment, then smiled happily, and put his mechanical right hand on Zhang Xun's back.

"This hand, this life, I owe you." Zhang Xun whispered in his ear, although the voice was soft, but the oath was heavy, "I will definitely fix you, and I will make you stronger than before. Perfect."

…………………………………………………

When Adam was hospitalized, Zhang Xun hardly left the hospital. Fortunately, Fernandez and James came here a few times, bringing him and Adam a change of clothes and daily necessities.

From James, Zhang Xun learned that most of the hunters who went out with them had recovered and left the hospital, and he felt more at ease. The materials and equipment brought back from Feather Snake City were distributed to various relevant departments for disassembly and research, and most of them were sent to the Lab. Fernandez was so excited that he didn't sleep for several days. He was amazed at those ghostly designs beyond human imagination, and he was elated when he told Zhang Xun, completely unaware that the original authors of those designs and programs had brought them on the sick bed. Looking at him with a smile, as if looking at an ignorant child...

Zhang Xun simply suspected that Fernandez came here all day long to find excuses to look at Adam more, and it would be best if he could catch up with a few words...

"Okay, it's time for you to go back." Zhang Xun gave the order to evict the guest coldly, "Adam needs to rest."

Fernandez reluctantly wanted to continue asking Adam a few more questions, but Zhang Xun dragged him out by his collar. When Zhang Xun came back, seeing Adam in a good mood, he also chuckled a few times, "Isn't it very proud to hear others praise your work?"

"So this feeling is pride?" Adam suddenly realized, and then nodded, "I like this feeling."