Chapter 252 - 172: The Auto Repair Industry Soaring to the Heavens

Jiangning, Feixiang Internet Cafe.

Starting at eight in the morning, the internet cafe has been bustling with hundreds of people coming in, even more lively than the day it opened with free internet.

"What’s going on?"

Zeng Dexing, who went downstairs to buy breakfast, was puzzled when he saw this strange scene.

He was familiar with Feixiang Internet Cafe.

This internet cafe was opened nearby, and he often went there. But as far as he knew, not many people were surfing the internet now, and the cafe’s computers were rarely fully occupied.

Why are there so many people today?

And it’s early morning, isn’t it unusual for people to be going to the internet cafe to surf the internet? Who would go to an internet cafe early in the morning for no reason?

Curious, Zeng Dexing brought his just-purchased steamed buns and followed the crowd into Feixiang Internet Cafe, wanting to see if there was any special event today.

Turns out there is!

As soon as he entered the internet cafe’s main hall, his eyes were immediately drawn to a huge poster about three meters high and two meters wide.

[Jiangchuan Vocational Technology Association First Vocational Skills Competition in Automotive Repair and Outstanding Member Commendation Conference...]

What the heck?

Upon seeing the poster, Zeng Dexing, who prided himself on being worldly and experienced, was momentarily stunned.

Automotive repair skills competition?

Outstanding member commendation conference?

These two events are easy to understand, probably an internal competition organized by the vocational association, mainly focusing on automotive repair skills.

But the problem is...

Why host such a vocational competition, especially in the automotive repair industry, in an internet cafe instead of a repair shop?

What’s the deal?

Are they not only skilled at car repair but also computer repair?

"You don’t understand, do you!"

Seeing Zeng Dexing’s confused and puzzled face, a veteran automotive repair technician standing next to him said with a smile, "Today’s competitors are mostly apprentices."

"Apprentices, after all, haven’t studied for long and haven’t mastered their skills, so how can they work on real cars?"

"Plus, with so many competitors, we couldn’t gather enough real cars for the competition, so we’re using computer simulation instead."

"Will that work?"

Zeng Dexing was shocked, biting into a steamed bun, "Using computer simulations for car repair, isn’t this too trivial?"

"Hey! What’s that supposed to mean..."

The technician wasn’t happy and started explaining the simulation software used in today’s competition, which was also a game called "Speeding Frenzy."

Under his introduction, Zeng Dexing roughly understood.

What?

There’s actually such an impressive racing game that can simulate the most realistic car repair procedures and faults, and it’s even designated as a teaching software by many vocational schools.

"This game is just amazing, no doubt about it!"

The technician seemed pleased and praised with thumbs up, "I used to train apprentices, it was exhausting and frustrating. Simple problems were taught dozens of times and still couldn’t be grasped."

"Now it’s great! To train apprentices, you don’t need to do anything. Just buy them a game, let them learn the basics and theory through the computer."

"There’s that... Tianba Community! Right, right, in this community, there are many teaching and guide posts. As long as you’re not a complete blockhead, following these posts you can basically become a qualified automotive repair apprentice."

"Still an apprentice?"

"What else? Even with enough theoretical knowledge, lacking practical experience requires hands-on testing."

The technician chuckled, "But generally speaking, once you get the hang of this game, you can quickly advance to a formal automotive technician."

Is it that incredible?

After the technician’s introduction, Zeng Dexing became very interested in the game "Speeding Frenzy."

There’s one thing he didn’t say out loud.

That is, Zeng Dexing is currently in urgent need of a job, one that he can earn a living from.

He doesn’t want to screw bolts in an electronics factory, as he feels there’s no future in such repetitive and mechanical assembly line work.

He’s long wanted to learn a skill!

This skill is meant to be a practical livelihood skill, like being a chef, carpenter, or electrician—skills that remain in demand no matter where you go or how many years pass.

"Automotive repair seems pretty good too?"

Zeng Dexing thought this, then asked the technician about some basic information regarding the automotive repair industry, including average salary.

"If you’re not afraid of dirt and exhaustion, then you can definitely give it a try. I’m also looking to take on apprentices, what do you say, young man?"

"Sounds good!"

Zeng Dexing didn’t think much, immediately called him ’Master,’ and the two quickly became familiar with each other.

As they chatted, today’s competition officially started.

Competitors from various districts and counties under Jiangning sat in front of computers, warmed up their hands, and at the referee’s signal, began repairing the vehicles in the game.

All these game vehicles were the same model, on the same track, at the same speed, at the same collision point.

In other words, this ensured that each competitor faced almost identical situations. There wouldn’t be cases where some cars were very difficult to repair while others were easy.

The competition was timed!

Competitors were ranked based on their time, with the top five entering the next round. After the second round, it was the most thrilling and exciting finals.

"So fast?!"

Seeing that the first round started and within just ten minutes, some competitors had finished, Zeng Dexing was stunned.

"It’s decent, above average!"

The technician’s standards were much higher. Although finishing the repair job in fourteen minutes for such a damaged car was quick, he was still not completely satisfied.