Chapter 23

After reading through all the test papers for half an hour, all three papers obtained high marks, and Professor Wang Zhong could not be even more satisfied with the young man. The stern expression on his face had disappeared long ago.

A talented young man… how could he possibly rely on connections?

His position was what he ought to deserve!

Professor Wang Zhong asked in an amicable tone, “What’s your major?”

“Space mechanical engineering!”

“Why are you taking that major? Such a waste of talent!”

These kinds of majors covered everything on the surface level, including biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and mechanics. However, the human mind was limited, meaning learning everything would mean being sloppy in everything. The number of people who really learned anything during their undergraduate studies in those majors were very little.

“Good young seedlings should focus purely on mathematics instead of space mechanics. The jobs of maintaining spaceships can be done by others!”

Wang Zhong shook his head and sighed before he felt that his thought was unrealistic.

There were half a million people on the spaceship and everyone had their assigned jobs. Only Earth’s civilization could afford to support those who devoted themselves to scientific research.

“After boarding the spaceship, the conditions for doing any scientific research are greatly lacking and the majority of the tasks would just be mindless administrative work and maintaining the existing system. Even though administrative work is important, it’s too time consuming and it’s only suitable for retired old men like me. There are tons of trivial matters to settle every single day. I don’t even have the spare time to mentor research students, and could only mentor postgraduate students…” Professor Wang Zhong said as he sighed.

Xu Yunjing rolled her eyes—she did not know what to say. Professor Wang Zhong made it appear as if mentoring postgraduates was extremely easy, but perhaps in the eyes of these academicians, it was indeed very easy.

“However, even if the conditions are lacking, you have to continue your studies seriously. Because once humans start being lazy, it’s very difficult for them to regain their diligence. You must pay great attention to this!” Wang Zhong ordered.

Zhang Yuan nodded in agreement.

Wang Zhong continued asking. “Have you published any good thesis during your undergraduate studies?”

Zhang Yuan answered in all honesty, “No.”

Wang Zhong furrowed his brows and subconsciously attributed the problem to Zhang Yuan’s major.

On the other hand, he was only an undergraduate so it was normal that he had not published any particularly outstanding articles…

“Oh well, it doesn’t matter as you’re still young. As for your mentor, you should decide in accordance to your research direction. You must be careful, extremely careful when you make the decision!”

…

Zhang Yuan gleefully exited from the office around nine in the evening, as Professor Wang Zhong promised to write him a recommendation letter. For such things, there were times when the letter was only an icing on a cake, but also times when it was extremely crucial for him to find a competent mentor.

“In any case, as long as I’m capable enough, would I fear not finding a mentor?” Zhang Yuan did not worry much about that problem.

On a side note, there was now a temporary student card in his hands.

That meant that he could temporarily stay in Xisha University for several days and borrow books for free in the library.

Both were extremely good news to him.

Nighttime in Xisha University was ablaze with lights and since it was the summer vacation, there were still some students staying behind for summer camp activities. For example, the teams participating in digital model competition and robotics competition would undergo intensive training during summer vacation.

There were several couples having a great time on the beach. All sorts of sounds such as screams and cheers were mixed together with the billowing waves

As expected, universities situated by the seaside were fun.

The tide would soon rise, so some patrol robots were honking their horns to warn everyone not to go for a swim. And if someone were to drown to death, it would be their fault and not the school’s.

“I’m so hungry!” Zhang Yuan suddenly recalled that he had not eaten dinner yet, so he excitedly trotted towards the east gate.

The food stalls near the east gate were extremely popular—one could smell the heavy scent of seafood from afar.

Zhang Yuan gulped and ordered a serving of seafood noodles and two sticks of roasted octopus to go.

“Ordered successfully. Please kindly wait.” A electronic voice sounded

“Hey, student! Student over there!”

When he turned back, a blonde-haired blue-eyed woman pulled his arm.

A foreigner?

It was no surprise as Xisha City was an international city so there were foreigners all around. At least 35% of the Xisha University students were all international students.

“Erm… Can I help you?” Zhang Yuan furrowed his brows and asked.

“Did you meet Professor Wang? Prof. Wang!” The foreigner hurriedly asked. Zhang Yuan was slightly surprised as a foreigner who was fluent in their mother tongue was rarely seen.

AI translation systems were widespread nowadays, just a single mobile phone was already capable enough to translate many different languages without flaw. As a result, there were very little people who were willing to spend the energy and effort to learn other languages nowadays.

In Xia Country’s university entrance examinations, English had become an optional course, not a compulsory one.

“Yes, I’ve met him. What about it?” Zhang Yuan answered in response.

“Can you bring me to meet him? I’m Angelica, a reporter from the Humanist Association of Lan Country. I wish to interview Professor Wang, the scientific advisor of the Deep Space Foundation…”

“What? The… Humanist Association?”

When he heard of those words, Zhang Yuan instantly shuddered.

He immediately acted as if he had not heard anything and walked on without a care.

“Hey student, please do me this favor. I have some questions I wish to ask Prof. Wang. I’m not lying. Please.”

Angelica grabbed onto him as her eyes twinkled.

“What’s your purpose of meeting him?” Zhang Yuan asked.

The foreigner explained her intentions and said, “I wish to interview him and request for electricity subsidies for the poorer countries in passing…”

Zhang Yuan thought about it for a second and did not wish to get involved in such baffling problems.

Even without much thought, Zhang Yuan knew that the foundation itself was lacking money and that Professor Wang would definitely not wish to meet her. Moreover, these Humanist Associations were usually heavily involved in politics, making them very annoying.

Zhang Yuan did not wish to help, but suddenly, he had a great idea. “Sorry, our beliefs are different so I can’t help you. I’m a member of the Animal Protection Association so if you wish to apply for subsidies, we will be competitors…”

The blond-haired lady widened her eyes and said, “Animal… Protection Association?”

“Animal protection, understand?” Zhang Yuan pretended to be serious and continued talking, “we should love animals, love them like we love ourselves. We shouldn’t eat animal meat, but switch to environmentally friendly synthetic meat and vegetables instead…”

The blonde-haired lady said in a tone filled with camaraderie, “So you’re also a humanitarian. You’re right, synthetic meat should replace real meat and we should reduce killing in the future to protect the environment…”

“Customer 719, your roasted octopus and seafood noodles have been packed.” A robotic voice suddenly prompted.

Zhang Yuan was extremely embarrassed by the fact his lie had been exposed so quickly, ‘This d*amned robot is mocking me!’

The blond-haired lady looked at Zhang Yuan and the piping hot octopus stick with disdain and her expression turned strange.

Zhang Yuan’s face turned red. Suddenly, he revealed a holy expression. “Actually… that association of mine is mainly a cat and dog animal protection association. We mainly advocate refraining from eating cat and dog meat. I feel that cats and dogs should be raised like our own children.”

“Cats and dogs less than a week old should be placed in cradles and fed with milk powder. We should let them enjoy the greatest care and protection that humans experience!”

“Ah?” The blond-haired reporter, Angelica, could not help but shudder.

And, while she was distracted, Zhang Yuan had already escaped far away.

Only then, did Angelina realize she had been teased. She stomped her foot and swore in Xia Country’s language. “Trash!”