IMAO Chapter 40

“Of course, it’s to hug your thigh¹“hugging thigh” is a slang term in Chinese culture that means to curry favor with someone who is powerful or influential. It comes from the image of someone literally hugging the big thighs of a person they want to please or seek help from. The origin of this slang is related to the practice of Buddhist devotees hugging the legs of Buddha statues when praying.!” Ji Yang replied.

Just as he finished, Ji Yang heard Armand beside him draw in a sharp breath.

“What’s wrong?” Ji Yang looked up and asked.

Armand glanced around before lowering his voice, “I just heard some gossip.”

“What is it?” Ji Yang pressed.

Armand leaned in and whispered, “Professor Xu didn’t leave campus after class today. He went to the principal’s office. I don’t know what happened, but someone saw the principal leaving later with eyes like a panda’s.”

Ji Yang: “…”

He immediately turned and relayed the gossip to Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan felt embarrassed. He didn’t expect the old man to react so strongly. No wonder He Chuan had mentioned special training in three days, and that chubby principal had been so restless. Apparently, they had already arranged the curriculum for three days later.

This incident couldn’t be entirely blamed on Xu Chen’s unreasonableness. When arranging the schedule, he had specifically adjusted the time of his own class to avoid conflicting with the Mecha Department’s courses, ensuring Jiang Yuan could attend.

The Federation had relied on him for decades, but how much longer could Xu Chen live? He couldn’t live forever! Future mecha design, modification, and invention would eventually fall to the younger generation. While there were geniuses at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, they still fell short compared to Jiang Yuan.

He simply didn’t want a genius like Jiang Yuan to be wasted, which was why he was so adamant about Jiang Yuan transferring departments, even agreeing to Principal Ike’s conditions.

The old man, who was now at home, felt a surge of frustration. He had arranged the class specifically for Jiang Yuan, but the boy didn’t show up! It was infuriating!

With this in mind, Xu Chen took out his communicator from his pants pocket and scrolled through his contact list. Though each entry was just a simple name, any one of them was a heavyweight figure if mentioned.

Xu Chen finally dialed a number. After a moment, the person on the other end answered, their voice tinged with surprise, clearly not expecting a call from Xu Chen. “Hello, Professor.”

Xu Chen grunted in acknowledgment and said, “Marshal Alfonso, hello. I need a favor.”

Upon hearing Xu Chen’s words, Alfonso immediately sat up straight. Xu Chen was a national treasure-level scientist; the title of “Mecha Patriarch” was no joke. If Xu Chen needed help, it had to be done, even if it seemed impossible!

Xu Chen rarely sought assistance from the military, so this must involve some crucial research. With this in mind, Alfonso’s expression turned serious. “Professor, please tell me. If it’s within my power, I’ll do it. If not, I’ll find a way to make it happen!”

Xu Chen hastily replied, “This is something you can definitely help me with. It’s a small matter, but I don’t know anyone else, so I had to trouble you with a call, Marshal.”

Alfonso was taken aback and asked, “What is it?”

Xu Chen explained, “It’s like this: one of my students supposedly participated in this year’s mecha selection competition… and was taken to a warship for training.”

Alfonso was completely stunned. He remembered Xu Chen only had three students, all accomplished scientists in their own right, but far too old to participate in the mecha competition.

The mecha competition was an interstellar event held every four years. The host country was chosen through voting by an international organization, and participants were strictly limited to ages 16-25.

Xu Chen’s youngest student was at least thirty, far beyond the age limit for participation.

Alfonso hesitated before asking, “Your student? I thought you only had three…”

Xu Chen quickly replied, “This is my fourth student, whom I just accepted a few days ago.”

Alfonso immediately sensed something unusual. Xu Chen had indeed taken three students before, but never on his own initiative. This one seemed different…

“I wonder who the lucky kid is, to have such good fortune,” Alfonso remarked with genuine admiration. Being accepted as Xu Chen’s student would undoubtedly elevate one’s status and identity.

Xu Chen could only sigh helplessly and smile bitterly. Anyone else would be overjoyed to be his student, but Jiang Yuan was reluctant. He hadn’t even added Xu Chen’s contact information and missed the first day of class.

“He’s a first-year student at the First Military Academy, named Jiang Yuan. An officer called He Chuan took him for special training. He was doing well in scientific research, but he insisted on going. Now I can’t even find him!” Xu Chen explained, exasperated.

Alfonso nodded in agreement. Though he hadn’t met Jiang Yuan, a student personally chosen by Xu Chen must be exceptionally gifted. But what were his subordinates thinking, taking a Manufacturing student for special training? Wasn’t that just tormenting the student?

“I’ll have them send the boy back immediately!” Alfonso declared.

Xu Chen quickly interjected, “No, no, that’s not what I meant.”

If Jiang Yuan were forced to return, wouldn’t he hate Xu Chen?

Xu Chen clarified, “I don’t want him to come back. I heard from the young officer that Jiang Yuan is quite skilled in mecha operation. It’s good for him to bring glory to our country. However, I’ve heard that living conditions on warships aren’t great… I’m just a bit worried.”

Alfonso now understood. Xu Chen wasn’t asking for the boy’s return; he was simply concerned about the child’s well-being, like a protective guardian. Alfonso chuckled softly, “Don’t worry, Professor. I’ll make sure they take good care of him.”

Xu Chen hummed in acknowledgment and added, “Please don’t tell him I called about this.”

With that final request, Xu Chen ended the communication.

In the vast expanse of space, a small spacecraft docked with the Apollo warship. As the airlock opened, Jiang Yuan caught his first glimpse of the warship’s interior.

The Apollo was massive and capable of housing nearly 30,000 people, though typically only about 8,000 were stationed on board year-round. The warship usually patrolled near the Soma Star Region, a crucial trade route frequently targeted by pirates preying on transport ships. As a result, various nations dispatched their warships to escort vessels through this area.

Jiang Yuan and his companions were sent to the Apollo for special training.

He Chuan led Jiang Yuan and Ji Rong into the warship, where they were greeted by someone He Chuan clearly knew.

“He, you’re finally back! These kids have been driving me crazy!”

A man in a military uniform with messy hair and an equally unkempt beard rushed forward, hugging He Chuan. There were six young people following the man.

“Instructor He! Are these two the ones you mentioned?” A red-haired youth with narrowed eyes scrutinized Jiang Yuan and Ji Rong, making no effort to hide his hostility.

He Chuan smiled and said, “That’s right, Cyril. Don’t let their age fool you; they’re quite capable.”

Cyril carefully examined Jiang Yuan and Ji Rong but couldn’t discern anything beyond their good looks. He addressed them, “Very well. We’ll see if you’re really as impressive as Instructor He claims, enough to eliminate us!”

“Huh, we’ll find out soon enough. They just look pretty, nothing special. I expected something extraordinary.”

Jiang Yuan thought: Why such high hostility right off the bat?

A cute-looking boy among the six stepped forward, eyes brimming with curiosity. “I heard you two beat up Instructor He? Is that true?”

Jiang Yuan: …

He Chuan immediately glared at the cute boy. Didn’t he care about his reputation?

These six were students from the First Military Academy, selected at the end of last semester to participate in the mecha competition. They’d been training on the Apollo since then and hadn’t returned to school, so they didn’t know Jiang Yuan and Ji Rong.

Having spent so much time together, the group had bonded. Now, with two newcomers, there were eight trainees, but only seven spots in the competition. This meant… someone would definitely be eliminated!

It could be anyone, including themselves, so some of the six naturally developed hostility towards Jiang Yuan and Ji Rong. Cyril was one of them.

“Gu Bai, show Jiang Yuan and Ji Rong to their rooms,” He Chuan instructed after a moment’s thought. “It’s getting late. Get some sleep; tomorrow begins the hellish training.”

“Okay!” The cute-looking boy readily agreed to He Chuan’s order and led Jiang Yuan and Ji Rong away.

On the way to their rooms, Gu Bai glanced back cautiously. Once he was sure He Chuan was out of earshot, he grinned at Jiang Yuan and Ji Rong and asked, “Xuedi, did you really beat up Devil He?”

Ji Rong: “Yes.”

Hearing Ji Rong’s confirmation, Gu Bai burst into laughter. “He has this day too! That’s hilarious!”

“By the way,” Gu Bai continued, “don’t take Cyril’s words to heart. He’s one of the top performers among us six, so he’s unlikely to be eliminated. But he cares deeply about all his comrades, which is why he spoke that way. He’s actually a decent person. Once you get to know him, you’ll understand he’s just cold on the outside but warm-hearted.”

Jiang Yuan and Ji Rong nodded, “We understand.”

Gu Bai led them to the dormitory entrance and said, “4-215 is our room. On the warship, ordinary soldiers’ quarters are four-person rooms. Besides you two, it’s just me and Cyril. We’ll be roommates from now on!”

As he spoke, Gu Bai pressed his finger on the lock. With a crisp click, the door opened.

“Come in, Jiang Yuan!” Gu Bai opened the door, tilting his head towards Jiang Yuan.

Just then, Cyril returned. Seeing Jiang Yuan at the doorway, he gave him a disdainful look and sneered, “Hmph, another pampered young master.”

Gu Bai nudged Cyril with his elbow, grinning, “Weren’t you reluctant to share a room when you first arrived?”

Cyril, having his shortcomings exposed: …

However, Jiang Yuan at the door looked up at the room number in confusion… This wasn’t his assigned room…

Jiang Yuan: “This isn’t my room number.”

Hearing this, Gu Bai stepped forward to check Jiang Yuan’s room assignment message. He was dumbfounded and stared at Jiang Yuan with uncertainty, hesitantly asking, “Jiang Yuan, be honest… Which big shot in the military are you related to?”

Jiang Yuan replied seriously, “I’m not related to anyone.”

Gu Bai: “You must be lying…”

Cyril, now curious, leaned in to look at the message. His pupils constricted sharply — 7-005?

He remembered being told on his first day that floors 1-6 were four-person rooms, while the 7th floor was for single rooms, reserved for officers ranked Colonel and above! These officers each had their own private room, with only a few spare rooms kept for visiting military leaders during inspections.

Jiang Yuan asked, puzzled, “Is there something wrong with this room?”

Gu Bai patiently explained the room distribution on the Apollo. Jiang Yuan became even more confused. “Strange…”

Meanwhile, Ji Rong, having heard Gu Bai’s explanation, took out his communicator. He wondered if he’d be assigned to the room next to Jiang Yuan’s, as he hadn’t checked carefully before…

However, when Ji Rong looked at his assigned room number, it clearly showed 4-215, exactly matching the number on the door. His mouth twitched. Was his father not “big shot” enough, or had he been selectively forgotten?

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  “hugging thigh” is a slang term in Chinese culture that means to curry favor with someone who is powerful or influential. It comes from the image of someone literally hugging the big thighs of a person they want to please or seek help from. The origin of this slang is related to the practice of Buddhist devotees hugging the legs of Buddha statues when praying.