IMAO Chapter 47

Noticing several teachers taking notes on their learning devices, Xu Chen’s lips curved into a slight smile as he continued his lecture. He showed off with his chin slightly raised. After this class, those researchers would finally learn the meaning of staying quiet.

While taking notes, the professors exchanged uncertain glances. They now understood why Xu Chen came to teach at the school. This kid was wasted in the Mecha Department!

Such a promising seedling, completely wasted in Mecha Studies! What was so great about the Mecha Department?

Double major? Just a waste of time! The tedious training in the Mecha Department would only delay the child’s studies. If all that time were spent in the Manufacturing Department instead, this child would surely develop more unique insights.

Xu Chen made the right choice!

Absolutely right! This child was born to be a scientist!

Jiang Yuan noticed the professors in the front row occasionally turning back to look at him, which made him feel awkward. Whenever their eyes met, the elderly professors stiffly looked away.

Jiang Yuan rubbed his chin and raised an eyebrow, puzzled. Why did they keep looking at him?

He turned to Ji Rong beside him and asked quietly, “Ji Rong, is there something on my face?”

Hearing Jiang Yuan’s question, Ji Rong turned to examine his face carefully. Suddenly, he reached out and brushed his fingers across Jiang Yuan’s spotless left cheek, seriously spouting nonsense, “Yes, there was something there.”

Jiang Yuan’s brows furrowed slightly as he instinctively wiped his cheek. Ji Rong smiled and said, “I already helped you wipe it off.”

“Thanks,” Jiang Yuan replied without suspicion, relaxing. “No wonder they kept looking back at me. There was something on my face.”

Ji Rong stared directly into Jiang Yuan’s eyes and gave a soft sound of acknowledgment.

…

While Jiang Yuan focused on the lecture, Ji Rong, who had just told that bold-faced lie, stared at his palm with reddened ears. He nervously watched Jiang Yuan from the corner of his eye and let out a long breath. Fortunately, Jiang Yuan didn’t discover his true intention.

His fingertips burned as if touched by fierce flames. Jiang Yuan’s face had been perfectly clean, but he completely took advantage of the situation against his conscience.

…

After class, Jiang Yuan planned to leave first, but there were too many students in the classroom. After most people had left, just as he and Ji Rong’s group were about to leave together, he saw Xu Chen beckoning him over. What now?

Jiang Yuan quickly walked to Xu Chen’s side. Xu Chen examined him carefully for a moment, maintaining a stern expression, and said, “Hmm, you answered the questions well. Seems you’ve been studying.”

Jiang Yuan made a sound of agreement, then thought for a moment. He shouldn’t appear too impressive, so he added, “There are still some things I don’t understand.”

Xu Chen silently packed his things. After finishing, he said calmly, “What’s your comm number?”

Jiang Yuan: “?”

After exchanging comm numbers with Xu Chen, he heard the old man say in a calm tone, “It’s normal not to understand everything. If you understood it all, what would you need teachers for? If there’s anything you don’t know, you can message me. I’ll reply when I see it.”

Jiang Yuan: “Thank you… Professor.”

Xu Chen: “Not Professor, call me Teacher.”

Jiang Yuan: “Thank you, Teacher.”

Xu Chen: “Mm.”

After finishing, Xu Chen left the classroom. Jiang Yuan watched his retreating figure and pondered for a moment. When he had called him ‘Teacher,’ the old man’s eyebrows had noticeably lifted, and his steps had become much lighter. He even hummed a tune as he walked, clearly in a good mood.

Jiang Yuan watched the old man’s departing figure with amusement. After waiting a while, he finally left the classroom, only to be stopped at the doorway by a deep male voice.

“Jiang Yuan, come with me to the Principal’s office,” Horace said.

“What does the Principal want to see me about?” Jiang Yuan asked curiously.

“You’ll find out when we get there,” Horace replied, struggling to maintain his expression. “Hurry up, don’t waste time.”

Jiang Yuan had no choice but to tell Ji Rong and the others to go ahead while he followed Horace to the Principal’s office. Horace knocked on the door, and a voice came from inside.

“Come in.”

The voice was deep, powerful, and rough, completely different from Principal Ike’s voice. If not Principal Ike, who could be in the office?

As Jiang Yuan thought about this, Horace had already pushed open the door. Inside, Principal Ike sat facing them, wearing his gold-rimmed glasses. Another person stood with his back to Jiang Yuan.

The man wore a clean, crisp military uniform. His cap was placed on a nearby coat rack, revealing gray-white hair.

Seeing Jiang Yuan, Principal Ike immediately stood up and beckoned him over, introducing, “Jiang Yuan, this is Marshal Alfonso. He’s here to see you.”

Jiang Yuan was stunned for a moment. He certainly knew who Marshal Alfonso was. He was one of the Eight Marshals. As Earth’s Chief Commander, Alfonso frequently appeared at important diplomatic occasions, making him the most visible of the Eight Marshals.

“Marshal, hello.”

Jiang Yuan saluted first, then greeted him.

Alfonso smiled and waved his hand. “No need to be nervous. I happened to have some business with Ike and thought I’d meet you. I’ve seen your Thunder Fighter modification process. It was very impressive. The military plans to modify some Thunder Fighters and put them back into service.”

Jiang Yuan was stunned for a moment, then nodded. They were actually going to use his design.

“You’ve done the military a huge favor, kid. Most of these fighters are well-maintained, and the military was reluctant to scrap them. But their propulsion power falls far behind current mechas. With this modification, these mechas can serve for at least another ten years,” Alfonso said.

Jiang Yuan smiled slightly. Come to think of it, shouldn’t the Marshal give him something? After all, he saved the country a fortune! He heard from Ji Yang that professors at the Academy of Sciences got paid whenever they produced something. Surely he deserved no less?

Yet after half an hour of conversation, Alfonso didn’t mention money once, and Jiang Yuan could only keep chatting.

An ordinary student would have been overwhelmed just meeting Alfonso, certainly not thinking about something as mundane as ‘money.’ But Jiang Yuan, the ‘Interstellar Explorer,’ was different. Never mind marshals. He had met heads of state countless times and even negotiated prices across the table with them.

…

One day remained before leaving Earth. In the room, a handsome, tall man wearing a white shirt and black trousers sat at the dining table, speaking quietly to the boy sitting across from him.

“Pff!” Ji Rong suddenly choked on the water he was drinking.

“Cough cough…” Ji Rong covered his mouth. “Cough… you’re saying you’re also going to Hoyt? To watch my competition?”

Ji Chong looked at Ji Rong’s incredulous face with perfect composure, showing almost no ripple of emotion. “Yes, the military gave me leave. It’s perfect timing to watch your competition.”

Ji Rong’s mouth twitched. If his dad came along, the whole world would know he was Ji Chong’s son… He forced himself to maintain a natural expression and said, “Dad, when the military gives you leave, you could do other things. I’m grown up now. I don’t need a parent accompanying me.”

Ji Chong: “I want to be with you.”

Hearing these words from Ji Chong, Ji Rong froze for a moment. Ten years ago, his father had said similar words—

“Dad, when are you coming back?”

“Sorry, military duties are keeping me busy. Maybe in a couple of days.”

“But Dad, I miss you. I’m lonely by myself at home.”

“…Sorry.”

“It’s okay, go ahead with your work.”

“Mm. I’ll come back and cook for you the day after tomorrow.”

“Okay!”

Then on the third day, Ji Rong waited and waited at home, until eleven at night when his father finally returned. He hadn’t eaten all day, waiting for Ji Chong.

When Ji Chong came home and learned he hadn’t eaten, he immediately went to cook for him. During the meal, his father sat at the table keeping him company, fighting to keep his eyes open, but still staying with him. Actually, Ji Rong knew his father had been busy with border issues at the time…

“Dad, go to sleep. You look very tired.”

“I want to be with you.”

That day, he finished his meal in just two minutes, but when he woke up the next morning, his father was already gone. His father had actually had many tasks that day but made time to come see him, and after he fell asleep, Ji Chong returned to his military ship.

His father rarely showed his love, but Ji Rong knew this man loved him. His father just wasn’t good at expressing it, and was very busy.

When he was younger and didn’t understand, he had held some resentment. But once he understood what that military uniform his father wore represented, he realized how heavy the burden on his father’s shoulders was, and felt only admiration.

…

Ji Chong: “Hmm? Why are you staring at me?”

Ji Rong shook his head, finished his meal as quickly as possible, then said to Ji Chong, “Coming together is fine… but Dad, could you not tell others you’re my father?”

Ji Chong raised an eyebrow and asked, “Why?”

Ji Rong explained with a pained expression, “Once people at school know, your son will change from being ‘Ji Rong’ to ‘Ji Chong’s son.'”

Ji Chong was well aware of how the base personnel had evaluated Ji Rong over the years. Excellent, they said, but such excellence was expected, mandatory even, simply because he was Ji Chong’s son. Ji Chong knew that as a father, he had become an invisible mountain looming over his son, an unprecedented pressure.

“You’ve always been excellent,” Ji Chong said gravely.

Ji Rong lifted his chin. “I know!”

…

After three wormhole jumps through the glittering cosmos, their spacecraft arrived at Hoyt. When they reached their assigned quarters, everyone’s eyes widened in amazement.

“Holy shit!” Liu Shan’s jaw dropped as he stared at their accommodation. Could it be any more luxurious? It was almost ridiculous!

The architecture was very typical Hoyt. The only difference was every building was pure white, pristine as snow and gleaming with silver light.

As they were admiring the dazzling scenery, a shriek pierced the air behind them.

“Oh my god, it’s gorgeous! This is the Silver Palace!”

Obviously, the other competitors were equally astounded by the sight before them. Among the crowd, someone seemed particularly knowledgeable about the Silver Palace’s history, speaking in hushed tones.

“Oh my god, the Silver Palace is just the current Hoyt Emperor’s private residence, and he only stays here occasionally. If it’s this beautiful here, imagine what the Imperial Palace must look like!”

“The Hoyt Emperor’s lifestyle is so luxurious.”

The Silver Palace was vast. This year, all participating nations were housed here. Being first-time visitors, Gu Bai and his group dragged Jiang Yuan and Ji Rong around the palace, taking photos frantically!

Even Alfonso couldn’t resist. It was the Silver Palace’s first time opening to outsiders. He invited Ji Chong, “Let’s go explore.”

Ji Chong waved his hand dismissively. “The snow scenery in Noth is just as impressive. If you like the view here, you can visit Noth in the future.”

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