Dong Qianyi tossed a transparent light blue card at Xiang Ning. He caught it, then flipped it around in his hand. It felt cold, though it didn’t look like anything special.
Only Lei Zhongyuan widened his eyes. “Old Dong, I can’t believe you’re being this generous?!”
Xiang Ning’s ears perked up. Was this something good?
“You’re in luck, kid. With that card in hand, as long as you’re in China, you can use any equipment in any government research facility with that card in your hand!” said Lei Zhongyuan.
“Oh!” Xiang Ning immediately held the card more carefully, keeping it closer to his chest. He looked at the two men, afraid they would change their minds.
Dong Qianyi scolded him with a chuckle, “Don’t celebrate too early. Every person with this card has made significant contributions to society. If you truly want to own this card, show me results within three years.”
Xiang Ning vigorously nodded. He knew every piece of equipment in government research facilities was top-notch. Some weren’t even available on the market! Citizen scientists and inventors would rent the equipment from them, which cost a million dollars per day. That’s right, one million dollars per day. And research often required more than a hundred days! Not everyone could afford to rent them.
Xiang Ning had three years with this card. If he stayed in the facility every day, that was one billion and ninety-five million dollars!
This card was worth a billion dollars!
“You’re too kind, Master.” Xiang Ning almost kissed the card.
Dong Qianyi shook his head with a smile. “Here, let me introduce you to a refugee academician, Alia.”
As he spoke, a tall woman walked up. She was almost as tall as Xiang Ning at one point seven five meters tall, and looked sophisticated in a basic t-shirt that hugged her figure. She was clad in clean white robes and wore a pair of black-rimmed glasses; her skin was fair and clean. With her hair pulled back in a ponytail, she was completely different from the dusty, disheveled woman they had met in the wilderness.
“Alia!” Xiang Ning recognized her as the refugee he had saved from beasts and laughed, “I can’t believe you’re an inventor now!”
Dong Qianyi smiled. “Refugees are respectable people. Having lived in the wilderness for eight years, she’s contributed a lot of data the safe zones urgently need!”
Xiang Ning understood where he came from. The refugees living in the wilderness didn’t have cultivation beyond tier one, but still managed to keep themselves alive. They were extremely capable and skillful people. Almost all of them were stellar inventors and could be considered national treasures within the safe zones.
“Right, also, Alia and I will often be in Marsh City’s research facility. We’ll call you over when needed, but first we’ve got to talk.” Dong Qianyi bumped his glasses, turning solemn.
Xiang Ning furrowed his brows. After Alia left, Dong Qianyi said, “Xiang Ning, gossip about what you did in the wilderness has spread like wildfire. I’m telling you this now so you’re mentally ready. However, you don’t need to care what they think. When you get back to Marsh City, I’ll enroll you on a program for training. Once this storm passes, all will be well again.”
Then he and Lei Zhongyuan explained to Xiang Ning what people were talking about in Marsh City, to which Xiang Ning could only bitterly chuckle.
“They’re saying I refused to rescue someone in need? Those people didn’t deserve my help, and as for the rest of the accusations, I don’t think I was in the wrong, either.” Xiang Ning shook his head. He didn’t care about the comments.
“We understand what happened and it was indeed not your fault. However, it seems like someone is intentionally spreading the gossip and it’ll be difficult to defend yourself. Every school in Marsh City is talking about you, so.…”
“It’s fine, let them talk. Now I really need to get back to the city,” said Xiang Ning. It had been half a month since he’d last seen his younger sister. He didn’t dare fathom what would happen to his sister if his reputation was so terrible.
“Instructor Lei, Master, I would like to return home please,” he begged again.
The two men looked at each other and nodded. “You may, but remember to protect yourself. If someone provokes you, as long as no one dies, all duels and injuries are fair.”
“Thank you, Instructor Lei, Master.” Having said that, he turned to leave.
When he left, both men looked at each other in exasperation. “Old Dong, what’re we going to do now?”
“How should I know?” Dong Qianyi rolled his eyes. If they told him what had happened to Xiang Xiaoyu during the past few days, they were afraid he might leave in a rage. It had been too late when they got wind of the news, but thank goodness there were adults present so the problem hadn’t escalated.
“Heh, I’m curious to see how big of a splash he’ll make.”
Xiang Ning was on the way back to Marsh City.
…...
Meanwhile, within the conference room of Qiling Academy.
“Headmaster, I propose to kick Xiang Ning out of our school. Such a student of horrible ethics is dragging our school’s name through the mud!” Zhang Lian, the class teacher of Class 2, shot up to her feet.
Su Muhan frowned and looked at her. “No one is obligated to save anyone. Furthermore, Mo Longtang from the first school has already come forward and explained the truth. Haven’t you heard already?”
“Hmmph, that was a vague explanation. Alright, if we forget about this incident, what about the cases of him robbing other school teams? That is absolutely unethical! Do you think he was trying to protect other students by robbing them of their prey?!”
Su Muhan smirked. “Hehe... I, too, have heard about the situation. Our school was targeted since the beginning of the event and our scores were abysmal from the beginning! Why don’t you question the other students then? Ask them why they were shamelessly robbing our students?”
Zhang Lian didn’t know what to say.
“But it’s true Xiang Ning’s reputation has not been the best lately. I suggest he be suspended for two months, then return to school once the storm has passed,” suggested Liu Ouhai, aka Chicken-Killer Liu.
“Oh, he also has a younger sister in the lower secondary, let her take a break, too, so they can hide from the storm!” He smirked.
Su Muhan slammed the table and stood up. “Mr Liu, what has any of this got to do with Xiang Xiaoyu?”
Dong Qianyi tossed a transparent light blue card at Xiang Ning. He caught it, then flipped it around in his hand. It felt cold, though it didn’t look like anything special.
Only Lei Zhongyuan widened his eyes. “Old Dong, I can’t believe you’re being this generous?!”
Xiang Ning’s ears perked up. Was this something good?
“You’re in luck, kid. With that card in hand, as long as you’re in China, you can use any equipment in any government research facility with that card in your hand!” said Lei Zhongyuan.
“Oh!” Xiang Ning immediately held the card more carefully, keeping it closer to his chest. He looked at the two men, afraid they would change their minds.
Dong Qianyi scolded him with a chuckle, “Don’t celebrate too early. Every person with this card has made significant contributions to society. If you truly want to own this card, show me results within three years.”
Xiang Ning vigorously nodded. He knew every piece of equipment in government research facilities was top-notch. Some weren’t even available on the market! Citizen scientists and inventors would rent the equipment from them, which cost a million dollars per day. That’s right, one million dollars per day. And research often required more than a hundred days! Not everyone could afford to rent them.
Xiang Ning had three years with this card. If he stayed in the facility every day, that was one billion and ninety-five million dollars!
This card was worth a billion dollars!
“You’re too kind, Master.” Xiang Ning almost kissed the card.
Dong Qianyi shook his head with a smile. “Here, let me introduce you to a refugee academician, Alia.”
As he spoke, a tall woman walked up. She was almost as tall as Xiang Ning at one point seven five meters tall, and looked sophisticated in a basic t-shirt that hugged her figure. She was clad in clean white robes and wore a pair of black-rimmed glasses; her skin was fair and clean. With her hair pulled back in a ponytail, she was completely different from the dusty, disheveled woman they had met in the wilderness.
“Alia!” Xiang Ning recognized her as the refugee he had saved from beasts and laughed, “I can’t believe you’re an inventor now!”
Dong Qianyi smiled. “Refugees are respectable people. Having lived in the wilderness for eight years, she’s contributed a lot of data the safe zones urgently need!”
Xiang Ning understood where he came from. The refugees living in the wilderness didn’t have cultivation beyond tier one, but still managed to keep themselves alive. They were extremely capable and skillful people. Almost all of them were stellar inventors and could be considered national treasures within the safe zones.
“Right, also, Alia and I will often be in Marsh City’s research facility. We’ll call you over when needed, but first we’ve got to talk.” Dong Qianyi bumped his glasses, turning solemn.
Xiang Ning furrowed his brows. After Alia left, Dong Qianyi said, “Xiang Ning, gossip about what you did in the wilderness has spread like wildfire. I’m telling you this now so you’re mentally ready. However, you don’t need to care what they think. When you get back to Marsh City, I’ll enroll you on a program for training. Once this storm passes, all will be well again.”
Then he and Lei Zhongyuan explained to Xiang Ning what people were talking about in Marsh City, to which Xiang Ning could only bitterly chuckle.
“They’re saying I refused to rescue someone in need? Those people didn’t deserve my help, and as for the rest of the accusations, I don’t think I was in the wrong, either.” Xiang Ning shook his head. He didn’t care about the comments.
“We understand what happened and it was indeed not your fault. However, it seems like someone is intentionally spreading the gossip and it’ll be difficult to defend yourself. Every school in Marsh City is talking about you, so.…”
“It’s fine, let them talk. Now I really need to get back to the city,” said Xiang Ning. It had been half a month since he’d last seen his younger sister. He didn’t dare fathom what would happen to his sister if his reputation was so terrible.
“Instructor Lei, Master, I would like to return home please,” he begged again.
The two men looked at each other and nodded. “You may, but remember to protect yourself. If someone provokes you, as long as no one dies, all duels and injuries are fair.”
“Thank you, Instructor Lei, Master.” Having said that, he turned to leave.
When he left, both men looked at each other in exasperation. “Old Dong, what’re we going to do now?”
“How should I know?” Dong Qianyi rolled his eyes. If they told him what had happened to Xiang Xiaoyu during the past few days, they were afraid he might leave in a rage. It had been too late when they got wind of the news, but thank goodness there were adults present so the problem hadn’t escalated.
“Heh, I’m curious to see how big of a splash he’ll make.”
Xiang Ning was on the way back to Marsh City.
…...
Meanwhile, within the conference room of Qiling Academy.
“Headmaster, I propose to kick Xiang Ning out of our school. Such a student of horrible ethics is dragging our school’s name through the mud!” Zhang Lian, the class teacher of Class 2, shot up to her feet.
Su Muhan frowned and looked at her. “No one is obligated to save anyone. Furthermore, Mo Longtang from the first school has already come forward and explained the truth. Haven’t you heard already?”
“Hmmph, that was a vague explanation. Alright, if we forget about this incident, what about the cases of him robbing other school teams? That is absolutely unethical! Do you think he was trying to protect other students by robbing them of their prey?!”
Su Muhan smirked. “Hehe... I, too, have heard about the situation. Our school was targeted since the beginning of the event and our scores were abysmal from the beginning! Why don’t you question the other students then? Ask them why they were shamelessly robbing our students?”
Zhang Lian didn’t know what to say.
“But it’s true Xiang Ning’s reputation has not been the best lately. I suggest he be suspended for two months, then return to school once the storm has passed,” suggested Liu Ouhai, aka Chicken-Killer Liu.
“Oh, he also has a younger sister in the lower secondary, let her take a break, too, so they can hide from the storm!” He smirked.
Su Muhan slammed the table and stood up. “Mr Liu, what has any of this got to do with Xiang Xiaoyu?”
