IMAO Chapter 37

Xu Chen was interrupted and turned to look at He Chuan, who burst into the office. He glared with bristling whiskers, “W-What do you mean ‘no’?!”

Due to his special status, no one in the Federation would directly tell him ‘no.’ It had been many years since anyone had contradicted him like this. Xu Chen’s face flushed red, and he suddenly found himself at a loss for words, even stuttering a bit.

Ike sat in his chair, pushing up the golden-rimmed glasses on his nose bridge. Seeing his old classmate’s flustered expression, he couldn’t help but smirk.

This old classmate of his had always been shy, easily blushing, and stubborn during their school days. However, due to his outstanding achievements in mecha technology later on, with all of the country’s advanced mechas coming from Xu Chen’s hands, he became a national hero. Because of his status and position, he probably hadn’t been contradicted like this in years, had he?

He Chuan saw Xu Chen glaring at him with puffed-up cheeks. Though his own position wasn’t low, he unconsciously lowered his posture when facing Xu Chen. He explained gently, “Hello, Professor Xu. Maybe you’re unaware, but Jiang Yuan has consistently ranked first in the Mecha Department. He’s very talented.”

“First place?” Xu Chen heard He Chuan’s words with a skeptical expression. “You’re not lying to me, are you?”

He Chuan immediately shook his head. “I wouldn’t dare. As you know, student numbers in the Mecha Department change based on grades.”

“Look, this is Jiang Yuan’s student number in his class.”

He Chuan took out the teaching record device and handed it to Xu Chen. He noticed Xu Chen’s brow furrow for a moment upon seeing Jiang Yuan’s ranking, and He Chuan let out a long breath.

Then, he glanced at the device on Xu Chen’s desk and saw many complex data sets. He could understand some of it. Part of it was mecha performance tests, but he couldn’t comprehend the rest.

He Chuan couldn’t help but feel a surge of surprise and doubt. Jiang Yuan understood this stuff? From what he’d overheard of Xu Chen and the principal’s conversation earlier, it seemed this was designed by Jiang Yuan?

Just how many more secrets did Jiang Yuan have?

Xu Chen initially thought that the young man who had barged in was trying to deceive him, but when he saw Jiang Yuan’s 01 student number, his whiskers twitched.

Recently, Liu Zheng and the others had been working overtime to modify the mecha. After testing, its performance was excellent. This modification could be called perfect. Even if he had done it himself, it would have been at most this good.

That’s why he had the idea of having Jiang Yuan transfer departments. Wouldn’t it be a waste for Jiang Yuan to stay in the Mecha Department?

But he really didn’t expect… Jiang Yuan’s performance in the Mecha Department to be this outstanding. This made things a bit difficult…

Xu Chen glanced at his old classmate Ike, placed the teaching record device on the desk, and after some thought, said to He Chuan in a gentle tone, “Young man, what if I told you that if both a military officer and I were held hostage, and you could only save one, who would you choose?”

He Chuan replied, “Of course, I’d save you.”

Hearing this, Xu Chen patted He Chuan’s shoulder and said, “That’s right! So listen to me, transfer Jiang Yuan to a different major!”

He Chuan looked utterly bewildered, suddenly finding himself trapped. “No… no… that’s not what I meant…”

Xu Chen raised an eyebrow. “No what? You won’t save me?”

He Chuan shook his head frantically. “You misunderstand. Of course, I’d save you!”

Xu Chen nodded with satisfaction, a smile spreading across his face. “Mm, good boy. You know how to prioritize. So, listen to me. It’s the right thing to do!”

He Chuan was left speechless. Who said scientists couldn’t talk? Liars! He never knew Professor Xu could be so persuasive, twisting his words in a matter of seconds!

He Chuan quickly shot a pleading look at Principal Ike beside him, his eyes seemingly saying, ‘Principal, I can’t out-talk him. Please help!’ He hoped the principal would say something.

He had planned to include both Jiang Yuan and Ji Rong in this year’s special training quota, then take them to participate in the competition at Hoyt. Initially, it was because one student couldn’t compete due to special circumstances, so he thought of selecting another student from the First Military Academy.

At first, he thought it would only slightly lower the team’s strength, but… as it turned out, not only was this person capable, he was exceptionally so! He even beat his own instructor!

This wasn’t lowering their strength; it was like adding wings to a tiger.

What amazed him most was that this class not only had Ji Rong but also Jiang Yuan, whose abilities were on par with Ji Rong’s!

How could he only take one back? That wouldn’t do at all! He wanted them all, all of them!

With an extra person on the competition team, he decided to have everyone re-rank, with the lowest-scoring person being eliminated. This was the fairest method.

This year, their Federation’s performance would surely astonish everyone, absolutely bringing honor to the Federation. He had it all planned out when suddenly Xu Chen appeared, wanting Jiang Yuan to transfer… No way!

No one could change this, not even if the emperor himself came!

Ike, understanding the situation through He Chuan’s signals, cleared his throat and said, “Lao Xu, I’m the principal, but in this matter, we should still inform the child, right?”

“Well…” Xu Chen hesitated for a moment. He knew they should say something, but… Jiang Yuan hadn’t chosen the Manufacturing Department when he first applied to the First Military Academy. He had clearly already made his choice! Between the Mecha Department and Mecha Manufacturing Department, that child had already decided. If they asked him directly, he would surely refuse…

He Chuan quickly picked up the conversation, “Yes, yes, yes, Jiang Yuan is right outside!”

Hearing this, Xu Chen glared at He Chuan.

He Chuan pretended not to notice, rubbed his nose, chuckled, and turned his gaze to call out to Jiang Yuan and Ji Rong outside the door, “Jiang Yuan, Ji Rong, please come in.”

Outside the door, Jiang Yuan and Ji Rong, whose names had been called, were conversing in low voices.

Ji Rong: “What’s… going on?”

Jiang Yuan shrugged: “You’re asking me? Who should I ask?”

Ji Rong: “…”

Ji Rong put his hand on Jiang Yuan’s shoulder and asked, “So, are you going to transfer?”

Jiang Yuan: “No.”

Hearing Jiang Yuan’s words, Ji Rong visibly relaxed.

As their names were called, the two immediately entered the office, greeting in unison, “Hello, Professor Xu, Principal, Instructor!”

Ike waved his hand, nodding at the two with a smile, then asked Jiang Yuan, “Jiang Yuan, you’ve heard what we were discussing just now…”

Before Principal Ike could finish, Jiang Yuan interrupted, “Principal, I won’t transfer majors.”

As soon as Jiang Yuan finished speaking, Xu Chen immediately said, “Child, although we don’t go to the battlefield, what we do can equally strengthen the nation and protect it!”

Jiang Yuan: “Professor Xu, you’re right, but I’d rather be a soldier than work in a laboratory.”

Xu Chen said gravely, “Child, seeing your modification designs, I know you must love mecha manufacturing. If you change majors…”

Jiang Yuan: “I don’t like it.”

Finally, as if fearing Xu Chen didn’t understand, Jiang Yuan added another sentence. “I don’t like the Mecha Manufacturing Department.”

Hearing this, Xu Chen was so angry his stomach hurt. This kid could lie without blinking an eye. How could he not like it when he wrote such accurate modification procedures? Who was he trying to fool? Did he think he was stupid?

What was wrong with the Manufacturing Department?

Weren’t the mechas they piloted designed by them?!

Without their designs, would the Mecha Department be driving paper cars?!

The Manufacturing Department was ten thousand times better than the Mecha Department!

Xu Chen grumbled internally, then said aloud, “Jiang Yuan, if you just transfer majors, you’ll be my student. After graduation, you can come to the Chinese Academy of Sciences. I’ll guide you, and you’ll see a broader world!”

Jiang Yuan politely replied, “Thank you, Professor Xu, for your kindness. But I really don’t like the Manufacturing Department, and I have no plans to change teachers.”

Xu Chen: …

This kid was really going to be the death of him. What was wrong with being his student? So many people wanted to be his students, begging for the chance!

Seeing that Jiang Yuan couldn’t be persuaded, Xu Chen reminded himself that he was just a child and he should understand, not get angry. He turned to Ike and said, “Ike, you decide. Should he transfer or not?”

“Lao Xu, if the child doesn’t want to, I can’t force him to transfer…” Ike said, a bit awkwardly.

Xu Chen glanced at Ike and said, “What if I agree to teach at the school?”

Ike: “!!!”

He Chuan clearly noticed the chubby principal’s body trembling with excitement, and thought to himself, ‘This is bad!’

Professor Xu was using bribery!

How could he do this?

Ike looked at Xu Chen, his eyes narrowing into crescents, “Lao Xu, are you serious?”

Xu Chen: “Hmph, I’m a man of my word!”

Hearing this, Ike slapped the table and turned to look at Jiang Yuan. He cleared his throat and said, “Jiang Yuan, I’ve just looked at the design draft. You indeed have talent. With Xu Chen teaching you, the Manufacturing Department would be a better choice for you than the Mecha Department!”

Jiang Yuan: “I. Won’t. Transfer.”

He Chuan felt like coughing up blood. The principal had betrayed them in a matter of seconds… It was heartbreaking. But hearing Jiang Yuan’s words, he felt a little better. At least Jiang Yuan was firm!

Ike: “Child, you’re just too young to know how to judge. Your parents would understand better.”

Saying this, Ike quickly looked through Jiang Yuan’s school enrollment information and soon found Jiang Tianze’s contact details. He took out his communication device and made a call—

Jiang Tianze, who was in the military, saw an unfamiliar number on his communication device. He hesitated for a moment before answering and heard the person on the other end introduce themselves. “Hello, is this Jiang Yuan’s parent, Jiang Tianze?”

Jiang Tianze was stunned for a moment, his heart tightening. Did something happen to Jiang Yuan on Earth?

Jiang Tianze immediately replied, “Yes, I am.”

Ike cleared his throat and said, “Hello, I’m the principal of the First Military Academy. There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

Jiang Tianze’s heart was pounding. The principal of Jiang Yuan’s school was calling him? He couldn’t sit still. “Did something happen to Jiang Yuan?”

Hearing Jiang Tianze’s slightly nervous and hurried voice, Ike immediately understood the misunderstanding. “No, no, don’t misunderstand. Jiang Yuan is doing very well at school…”

Ike briefly explained the situation. Jiang Tianze listened, completely confused. Professor Xu insisted on taking Jiang Yuan as his student and wanted him to transfer departments? Jiang Yuan’s mecha modifications were excellent and impressive?

“Principal, the Professor Xu you mentioned… is he the Mecha Patriarch?” Jiang Tianze asked again, uncertain and surprised.

Ike: “Of course it’s him! Who else could it be?”

Jiang Tianze: “!!!” Is my son really that powerful?

While Jiang Tianze was still in shock, He Chuan, worried that Jiang Tianze might side with Xu Chen and pressure Jiang Yuan, immediately shouted, “Jiang Yuan’s father, Jiang Yuan is also ranked first in the Mecha Department! He can’t transfer! Really!”

Jiang Tianze: “!!!” First!!!

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