After this so-called Welcome and Victory Banquet began, it had been Governor Bilan and Chairman Feng engaging in casual conversation with Zhao Chen, discussing trivial matters all along.
Marshal Huang Zhixiong, on the other hand, paid no attention to Zhao Chen, his gaze sweeping over the female guests at the banquet, lingering for most of the time on the three women beside Zhao Chen: Senior Su Lan and the others.
During this period, many banquet participants also came up to toast Zhao Chen, but he declined each time, citing that students should not drink alcohol, and instead returned the toast with tea.
Soon, three rounds of tea had passed.
Governor Bilan smiled at Teacher Qin. "Teacher Qin, we have some private matters to discuss with Student Zhao Chen here. I wonder if you could take these two female students and step aside for a moment."
Teacher Qin's expression turned somewhat flustered. When it came to teaching and nurturing students or commanding starship battles, she was capable.
But in a situation like this, she was like a young girl fresh out of school, completely unsure of how to handle it.
"Governor, Teacher Qin and these two are my confidantes. Whatever matters you have, you can speak directly; there's no need for them to avoid, Zhao Chen said, leaning back on the sofa and casually draping his arms over the fair necks of Senior Su Lan and Teacher Qin, resting his hands on their fragrant shoulders.
Teacher Qin stiffened, her eyes looking at Zhao Chen with a hint of panic.
Having been a teacher for so many years, much like her father, the dean, she had been devoted to research and teaching, with virtually no intimate contact with men.
Senior Su Lan, however, remained expressionless, sipping her juice and staying silent all along.
Xue Xiaoxiao, sitting to the side, pouted, somewhat unhappy.
Why was this guy only holding Senior Su Lan and Teacher Qin?
Where was she inferior to Senior Su Lan and Teacher Qin?
Xue Xiaoxiao glanced sideways at a certain area on Senior Su Lan and Teacher Qin, then lowered her head to look at herself, her mood worsening even further.
She picked up a papaya drink from the table, claimed to have some special effect, and gulped down several mouthfuls.
Don't lose heart, Xiaoxiao! You're still young, you're still developing!
"Oh... I didn't expect Student Zhao Chen to prefer beauties older than himself. Coincidentally, I have a niece in her thirties. If Student Zhao Chen is interested, I can introduce the two of you," Governor Bilan said without the slightest reservation.
A Seduction Scheme right off the bat?
"If Student Zhao Chen isn't interested in the Human Race, our Hurricane Consortium has recently acquired a batch of female slaves from other interstellar civilizations, which could be given to Student Zhao Chen as gifts," Chairman Feng said with a smile.
Oh ho, now it's the Sugar-Coated Bullet.
"Young people should have Lofty Ambitions, venturing into the interstellar seas, exploring the vast stars! They should not linger in Carnal Pleasures! Zhao Chen thanks both of you in advance," Zhao Chen said, putting on a very upright appearance, yet his arms around Teacher Qin and Senior Su Lan did not loosen in the slightest.
Xue Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes beside him.
Teacher Qin's cheeks flushed slightly.
Carnal Pleasures?
What did that mean? Why didn't she understand it, yet it gave her a very improper feeling?
Senior Su Lan squinted her eyes, glancing sideways at Zhao Chen, sipping her juice without saying a word.
"Good, good, good! Young people should indeed have such Lofty Ambitions!" Governor Bilan clapped and praised.
He smiled at Zhao Chen. "Since these confidantes of Student Zhao Chen are not outsiders, let's speak frankly then.
Actually, we are very interested in Zhao Chen's outstanding starship manufacturing and research technology, especially your two interstellar warships: the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser and the T2 Black Rhino-class Interstellar Heavy Assault Frigate.
Chairman Feng here is very eager to collaborate with Zhao Chen, so he asked me to act as the intermediary.
As long as Zhao Chen is willing, we can offer him thirty percent of the profits!"
Chairman Feng chimed in from the side, "We are also willing to provide Zhao Chen with the best starship research institute, resources, and equipment free of charge to support his future starship research.
If... Zhao Chen has a team behind him, we are also willing to hire them at three times the salary offered by the Stellar Glory Empire!"
This old fox is quite cunning. Thirty percent?
What a joke. Governor Chu, at the very least, offered me a technology licensing fee thirty times the construction cost of my T3 interstellar warship. If sold on the market, the price would be around forty to fifty times the construction cost.
That essentially amounts to a seventy-thirty split, with Zhao Chen taking seventy and Governor Chu taking thirty.
Vision!
Vision!
Compared to Governor Chu, you two old foxes clearly lack vision.
"Starship technology? I think there might be a misunderstanding. I didn't develop or manufacture those starships myself. During an interstellar journey, I encountered an accident and crash-landed on a planet.
Just when I thought I was going to die, by sheer coincidence, I stumbled upon a starship construction base belonging to a certain influential figure.
That figure saw something in me and gifted me these interstellar warships." Zhao Chen wore an expression of innocent sincerity, as if everything he said was the absolute truth.
Interstellar accident? Encountering a mysterious figure? Seeing something in you? Gifting you interstellar warships?
Xue Xiaoxiao spat out the papaya milk in her mouth, splattering it all over her face.
What a cliché web novel trope.
"Sorry... sorry..." Xue Xiaoxiao immediately grabbed a tissue to wipe the papaya milk off her face, though she still struggled to hold back her laughter.
"Then, Zhao Chen, could you tell me where this influential figure's starship construction base is located? I would like to pay a visit!" Governor Bilan smiled as he stared at Zhao Chen, his eyes carrying a chilling undertone.
He definitely didn't believe a word of this kid's nonsense.
"I'm afraid that's not possible. Not long ago, that figure mentioned he was taking his fleet to travel the stars, so he's temporarily unavailable.
What a shame, truly a shame." Zhao Chen sighed with regret.
"Zhao Chen, you really know how to joke. We've investigated your background. Before you went to study at the North Star Starship Military Academy, you never once left the Fierce Dragon Star System. How could you have encountered an accident and met this influential figure?
Moreover, the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser and the T2 Black Rhino-class Interstellar Heavy Assault Frigate have never appeared in any other interstellar faction.
Could this influential figure really be so mysterious that his interstellar warships left no trace anywhere?" Governor Bilan took a sip of wine, narrowing his eyes as he stared at Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen replied with an innocent expression, "But everything I said is true!"
Thud!
Marshal Huang Zhixiong crushed the wine glass in his hand, the wine spilling onto the floor. His face darkened as he said, "Kid, don't push your luck!
The Hurricane Consortium offering to collaborate with you is a blessing for you.
Otherwise, forget about these thirty percent profits—you, a mere little Baron, won't even get ten percent.
As long as you cooperate honestly with us, the three of us can guarantee you wealth and honor. We can even arrange for you to have a prosperous star system in the Azure Star Domain, so you won't have to stay in that godforsaken Fierce Dragon Star System."
Zhao Chen's smile remained unchanged: "As the saying goes, a son does not despise his mother's ugliness, nor does a dog despise its master's poverty. No matter how barren the Fierce Dragon Star System may be, it is the foundation left by our Zhao family ancestors. I would still prefer to stay in my own little corner of the world and live happily as a Carefree Lord.
As for the wealth and honor you offer, Zhao Chen is not fortunate enough to enjoy it."
At that moment, the atmosphere in the room where these people were gathered began to turn tense.
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