63: Chapter 63: The Princess's Etiquette Lesson - The Team Sets Off

Lin Zhou stood up and stretched, feeling a bit more relaxed.

"Then, the list of accompanying personnel is settled. Qin Yue, Zhang Zhe, and you."

"And one more," Chen Yuan added, "your sister, Lin Wan."

"Take Xiao Wan?" Lin Zhou was truly surprised this time. "Elder Chen, this isn't a vacation; it's a state visit. It's very serious."

"I know," Chen Yuan smiled. "It's precisely because it's serious that we must bring her. Don't underestimate the value of a princess in European diplomatic circles. Especially in a place like Vatican City that emphasizes tradition and symbolic meaning."

"A young and lively Eastern princess will be your softest and most effective card, alongside your tough stance and technical prowess. She can win you the favor of the conservatives in the Holy See and make your image appear more well-rounded and approachable in the eyes of the European public."

Chen Yuan looked at Lin Zhou and said meaningfully, "Politics is sometimes the art of human relations."

Lin Zhou was completely convinced. But thinking of his sister still in school, he hesitated. "Xiao Wan has always wanted to go out and see the world, so she'll definitely be willing. But she's at a key high school with closed-off management, and it's currently the final sprint phase. It might be hard to request leave."

"This is a state matter," Chen Yuan reminded him. "Make the call."

Lin Zhou nodded and dialed the number for Lin Wan's homeroom teacher, Teacher Wang.

On the other end of the line, Teacher Wang's voice sounded tired and stern. "Lin Wan's parent? It's not visiting hours yet. If this is about requesting leave, I suggest you reconsider. Lin Wan's recent grades have been very stable..."

"Teacher Wang, sorry for the intrusion. This is Lin Zhou." Lin Zhou's tone was calm but carried an unquestionable power. "Lin Wan needs a long leave of absence to accompany me on a visit to Europe. The relevant official documents will be sent directly to your principal's email by the relevant departments in five minutes."

"A visit? Relevant departments?" Teacher Wang was stunned. Just as he was about to scold the parent for being crazy, he heard a low, professional report from the other end of the phone: "Car 9 is ready."

The call disconnected.

Five minutes later, that closed-off high school, known as the "strictest in the province," was in a total uproar. An urgent coordination letter with a red seal lay in the principal's computer, carrying not only the signature of the local Education Bureau but even the endorsement of a higher-level Foreign Affairs Office.

The principal personally took the Dean of Students and jogged all the way to Lin Wan's classroom. Under the astonished gazes of the entire class, the principal, kind to the point of being humble, helped Lin Wan carry her backpack and quietly asked if she needed any further help.

"Lin Wan... who exactly is your brother?" Her desk-mate was dumbfounded.

When the black Hongqi car with special license plates that Lin Zhou had borrowed stopped at the school gate, Lin Wan stepped into the car under everyone's watchful eyes.

However, before Lin Wan could enjoy the joy of escaping school, the car did not drive home but instead went straight into a quiet State Guesthouse.

There, Chen Yuan had already arranged for three top etiquette experts and two senior stylists to wait for her.

"Miss Lin Wan, from now on, you have forty-eight hours." A stern-looking woman at the head of the group bowed slightly. "The content of our crash course includes Western state banquet etiquette, Holy See audience etiquette, basic Latin greetings, and how to maintain perfect royal posture while wearing ten-centimeter high heels."

The next two days were practically purgatory for Lin Wan. She had to practice walking with books on her head, correct her wine glass holding angle over and over, and there were even strict regulations on how many teeth to show when smiling.

Late at night, an exhausted Lin Wan slumped on the sofa, looking at her red and swollen heels, tears almost falling. Just then, Lin Zhou's call came through.

"Xiao Wan, not asleep yet?" Lin Zhou's gentle voice came from the receiver.

"Brother... I'd rather go back and do a hundred sets of math papers." Lin Wan's voice had a hint of a sob. "That Teacher Zhang is even scarier than the Dean. She said I walk like a little duck and won't let me have a midnight snack."

Lin Zhou gave a light chuckle on the other end, his tone becoming soft yet firm. "I've put you through a lot. But you must know, this time you are going as the eldest princess of the Cyber Republic. Those old-money aristocrats and clergy members value these rules that are etched into their bones. The better you do, the less they will dare to look down on our country."

"I know... I'm just venting." Lin Wan sniffled and said sensibly, "I'll keep going."

"Good girl. Training ends tomorrow afternoon; I'll send a car to pick you up. We'll meet up before departing for the airport, and I'll take you for a good meal to make it up to you."

"It's a deal, I want hot pot!"

"No problem, granted."

...

Time flew by.

During this period, many things happened in the Cyber Freedom Republic.

Wang Dong officially accepted Lin Zhou's recruitment, bringing the core team of Shanyue Technology with him to merge into the Cyber Republic's system, becoming the first batch of employees of the newly established Royal Department of Commerce. The first thing he did after taking office was to build an official e-commerce website called "Ark of Liberty."

The first batch of Liberty Dollar commemorative banknotes, printed by the China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation, and the "genesis" commemorative stamps were also successfully delivered. When Lin Zhou held those beautifully crafted banknotes that looked like works of art, even he found them hard to put down.

On the day the Ark of Liberty website went live, the commemorative banknotes priced at $998 and stamps at $199 were snapped up globally in less than ten minutes. A single sale by Wang Dong's Royal Department of Commerce brought in over ten million US dollars in net income for the national treasury. This result made Chen Yuan realize for the first time just how powerful the fan economy of this network nation truly was.

On the diplomatic front, Qin Yue also achieved new breakthroughs. Stimulated by the positive news that Vatican City was about to recognize the Cyber Republic, Saint Lucia and Grenada also proactively expressed their intention to establish diplomatic relations. At this point, the number of sovereign states recognizing the Cyber Freedom Republic reached seven.

Finally, the day of departure arrived.

Beijing Capital International Airport, VIP lounge.

Lin Zhou finally saw his sister, who had finished her special training. The young girl had clearly been meticulously dressed up, wearing a tasteful white Western-style dress with her long hair tied in an elegant bun. She had lost the greenness of her school days and gained a touch of poise.

"Brother, do I... look a bit too formal?" Lin Wan tugged at her skirt uncomfortably, but her standing posture subconsciously maintained the elegance from her training.

"You look very beautiful." Lin Zhou smiled and pinched her cheek. "From now on, you are Her Royal Highness the Princess of the Cyber Freedom Republic. You need to get used to these occasions."

Lin Wan stuck out her tongue, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

The three high-ranking officials—Qin Yue, Zhang Zhe, and Chen Yuan—were already waiting nearby. Seeing Lin Zhou appear, the three immediately stood up.

"Is everything ready?"

"Everything is ready."

Lin Zhou nodded and looked out the window at the massive airliner. He felt no nervousness, only a strong sense of anticipation.

This would be a direct exchange between technology and faith, and a crucial step in determining the future fate of the Cyber Freedom Republic.

The plane roared and soared into the sky.