63: Longguo Academy of Sciences

“Dragon Country Academy of Sciences: Committed to the global cutting-edge scientific and technological fields, targeting the core battlefield of economic development, responding to Dragon Country's major strategic needs, and taking the lead in achieving leapfrog progress in science and technology.”

Opening the Academy of Sciences' official website, Xiao Yun first saw this slogan.

“As expected of the Dragon Country Academy of Sciences, the scope immediately broadened!”

Xiao Yun sighed inwardly.

The slogan on the homepage didn't mention the Forbidden Zone at all, yet it encompassed the Forbidden Zone everywhere.

In this era where the Forbidden Zone merges with reality and everyone is a runner.

Whether it's cutting-edge technology or economic development, both are deeply intertwined with the Forbidden Zone.

And many academies of sciences in the world are the intermediate institutions connecting Forbidden Zone technology and real-world technology.

The Dragon Country Academy of Sciences is one of the most authoritative and influential academies of sciences in Dragon Country.

“Selling high-grade materials directly to the Academy of Sciences is definitely the best way to handle them.”

Xiao Yun thought to himself.

According to the information he had previously found, the Dragon Country Academy of Sciences had always been acquiring large quantities of special materials from the Forbidden Zone.

Especially for precious materials of red quality or above, the acquisition price was only higher, not lower, than the market price.

What's more.

Selling materials to the Dragon Country Academy of Sciences also contributes to the scientific and technological development of Dragon Country and even the world.

Therefore, Xiao Yun no longer hesitated, directly clicked on “Contact Us” on the homepage, and immediately jumped to a special interface.

“Address: Jinghai City, Xicheng District xxxx Contact number: xxxx Contact email: xxxx”

As Xiao Yun expected, the Dragon Country Academy of Sciences was located in Jinghai City.

Opening the map, it was even right next to Qingbei University.

So, Xiao Yun simply edited an email, stating that he had red quality Forbidden Zone materials he wanted to sell, attached his contact information, and sent it directly to the Dragon Country Academy of Sciences' email address.

As soon as he sent it, he immediately received an email reply.

“Dragon Country Academy of Sciences: We have received your email. Our staff will reply within 30 to 60 business days.”

“It will take 30 days to get a reply… The Academy of Sciences' staff are really busy.”

Xiao Yun sighed.

Seeing this, he was no longer in a hurry.

Anyway, Qingbei University's guaranteed admission spots would be announced tomorrow, and there were still about two months until the college entrance examination.

After the college entrance examination in two months, Xiao Yun could personally visit the Academy of Sciences in Jinghai City during the summer vacation.

Although he knew the address, such a place would certainly be difficult for ordinary people to enter.

However, Xiao Yun believed that if he pulled out a Highly Classified Server at that time, someone would definitely help him find his way.

Buzz buzz —

Just then, Xiao Yun's phone suddenly vibrated.

He opened it to see that it was a message from Lu Xueqing, asking him what he wanted for dinner that night.

“I thought the Academy of Sciences replied so quickly.”

Xiao Yun sighed, it seemed he had overthought it.

But looking at the time, it was indeed dinner time.

Since things were already like this, he might as well eat first.

......

In the evening, Xiao Yun arrived at Lu Xueqing's home.

He had completely not expected that when Lu Xueqing said she would treat him to dinner, it wouldn't be at an outside restaurant, but rather an invitation to her home as a guest.

“Master, you're here! Please sit down quickly.”

Lu Xueqing, wearing an apron, was busy in the kitchen.

What Xiao Yun also didn't expect was that Liu Shihhan was also in the kitchen, helping to prepare dinner.

“Why are you here?”

Seeing Liu Shihhan, Xiao Yun was immediately a bit surprised.

“What? Can't I be here?”

Liu Shihhan pouted, a little displeased.

“Shihan helped us so much, of course I invited her over.”

Lu Xueqing turned back and smiled faintly at Xiao Yun, but to prevent the stir-fried shredded pork with green peppers in the pot from burning, she didn't say too much and quickly turned back to stir-fry.

“Alright, Shihan, go chat with Xiao Yun. I'll handle things here.”

Smelling the wafts of fragrance coming from the kitchen, Xiao Yun also felt a warmth he hadn't experienced in a long time.

In this world, he had always lived with his father.

From childhood to adulthood, he either ate out every day or made instant noodles at home from the small shop.

Only occasionally, when Xiao Qingtian caught two fish, would they cook and eat them at home.

But Xiao Yun didn't like eating them; they had too strong a fishy smell.

“Speaking of which, disciple, are your parents not home?”

Xiao Yun asked.

“Uh… mm, they're not.”

Lu Xueqing replied faintly.

Seeing she was busy, Xiao Yun didn't disturb her.

Lu Xueqing's home was in a somewhat remote location, in a small community on the outskirts of Haibei City, a two-bedroom apartment.

From the decorations in her home, it was also evident that her family's financial situation was likely not very well-off.

Xiao Yun understood why she, despite her excellent academic performance, would still risk going to the Forbidden Zone and be so cautious within it.

However, judging by her extraction rate, it seemed to have improved her family's conditions quite a bit.

“Xiao Yun, don't talk to Xue Qing about her family.”

Liu Shihhan gently nudged him with her elbow, speaking as quietly as possible.

“Xue Qing's parents left her a long time ago. She's always lived with her grandmother.”

“And just last year, her grandmother also fell seriously ill and could only stay in the hospital.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yun was startled.

He hadn't expected that Lu Xueqing, the top student, had such a complicated family situation.

If Xiao Yun had known this earlier, he should have given her more of the materials from that run today.

However, it's better to teach someone to fish than to give them fish.

Xiao Yun taught Lu Xueqing some running techniques, which could be considered helping her indirectly.

“Alright, everyone, let's eat!”

Lu Xueqing finally finished preparing the last dish and called for the two of them to sit down.

“Mm-hmm, delicious!”

As soon as he picked up his chopsticks, Xiao Yun gave a thumbs up.

He praised Lu Xueqing's cooking skills endlessly.

Especially a braised beef dish, which made him, who ate instant noodles every day, feel as if he had arrived at the Immortal Realm's Peach Banquet.

“Master, thank you so much today. Without you, I might not have earned that much money in a year.”

“Especially the running technique you taught me, it was truly easy to understand!”

“I don't know how to thank you, but I'm very good at cooking, so I thought of inviting you to my home as a guest.”

“I was originally afraid it wouldn't suit your taste, but seeing that you like to eat, I'm relieved!”

Lu Xueqing said, and also put a piece of braised beef into Xiao Yun's bowl.

“If you like to eat, I can make it for you every day!”

“Oh! Really?”

“Mm…”

Xue Qing replied with a blush.

Meanwhile, Liu Shihhan next to them suddenly glared at Xiao Yun.

“Hey, don't trouble Xue Qing every day.”

“Cough cough, you're right, you're right.”

Xiao Yun laughed awkwardly, feeling a bit regretful.

He thought about how he used to eat different flavors of instant noodles every day; what kind of life was that!

If he could eat such delicious meals every day, how happy that would be.

“Hey, Xiao Yun.”

Liu Shihhan picked up a chopstick full of shredded pork with green peppers and, without allowing refusal, put it into Xiao Yun's bowl.

“Thank you too today for helping me complete the 600,000 extraction.”

“I'll keep a close eye on Li Wenzhe's situation.”

“Based on his current performance, his highest record is 400,000 extraction, which is far from meeting the criteria for guaranteed admission, so we can relax for now.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yun also nodded silently.

Although he had no interest in other people's affairs.

However, since they were going to the same university, it would be better to be classmates with Lu Xueqing and Liu Shihhan.

No choice, after all, that Li Wenzhe was truly too idiotic!

If he caused any trouble then, it would also ruin Haibei City's reputation.

“Oh, by the way, can you teach me your running technique?”

Just then, Liu Shihhan suddenly asked.

“Goodness, showing your true colors, are we?!”