113: Chapter 113 This is Ceres

The Asteroid Belt was just ahead.

Gao Yuan began summoning the Space-Time Gate, instantly traversing to the Future World.

The Asteroid Belt in the Future World was completely different.

Numerous transport ships could be seen in space, shuttling along fixed routes.

There were also massive mining ships directly swallowing smaller asteroids, converting them into various minerals.

Gao Yuan's goal this time was the human mining headquarters in the Asteroid Belt—Ceres!

Ceres is the only dwarf planet in the main belt, with a diameter of 950 kilometers, about one-fourth that of the Moon!

After years of mining, the Asteroid Belt had become empty, with a vast number of asteroids having been transformed into human industrial products.

On Ceres, there were not only branches of the Development General Administration but also a branch of the Mineral Resources Bureau of the Administrative General Administration.

Gao Yuan didn't know where Gao Qiu was.

But for his first stop, he was definitely going to Ceres, because he wanted Su Muyan to know his whereabouts.

When Gao Yuan appeared at the Ceres spaceport, the staff there had already received the information.

This was because identity chips had to be scanned for entry.

The staff here were surprised by the arrival of Gao Yuan, the Director of the Department of Information from the Development General Administration.

After all, the high-level officials of the Development General Administration rarely visited the Asteroid Belt.

They would rather go to Mars to watch the sunrise than come here to eat dust.

The Asteroid Belt was cold and barren; the entire belt could only produce a small portion of its own water, while most of the water and all the air had to be provided by Earth.

Compared to Earth, this place was like a penal colony.

When Gao Yuan arrived on the surface of Ceres wearing a protective suit, Mu Ming, the Governor of the Ceres Development General Administration, arrived.

Just moments ago, he had contacted the Earth headquarters, wanting to know the intentions of this young second-generation official from headquarters.

He couldn't be here to investigate corruption, could he?

To appease the public, the Development General Administration had conducted several anti-corruption campaigns over the years, but they had never reached the Asteroid Belt; here, Mu Ming was like a feudal lord.

Aside from the officials from the Administrative General Administration being a bit of an eyesore, everything else was quite good.

The reply from headquarters was that this young Director was a member of the Gao Family.

At the Development General Administration headquarters in Shangjing, Su Muyan looked puzzled. Why did Gao Yuan run off to Ceres? What was he doing there? How did he get there? How did he disappear on the far side of the Moon and then reappear at Ceres...

However, that place, Ceres, aside from some worthless mines, was just a bunch of disobedient miners; there were no factories and no supplies...

Su Muyan ordered Mu Ming to closely monitor Gao Yuan's movements but not to interfere; let him do whatever he wanted!

Hearing that Gao Yuan was from the Gao Family, Mu Ming understood that this uninvited guest was not on the same side as those big shots at headquarters.

But he still had to show some respect.

After all, he was a member of the Gao Family.

Gao Yuan came here ostentatiously for two reasons: one was to let Su Muyan know he was here, and the second was to check the records.

After all, as the Director of the Department of Information, checking records was part of his job.

If he was lucky, he might be able to find a clue in those records to locate Gao Qiu's whereabouts.

Gao Qiu was the former Chief Executive; he certainly wouldn't be high-profile, but his coming here definitely wasn't for a vacation; there had to be something unusual...

At this moment!

Mu Ming greeted Gao Yuan from a distance.

"Director Gao, a pleasure to meet you!"

"And you are?"

Gao Yuan asked with a frown.

At this moment, Gao Yuan wore an arrogant expression; navigating society relies on one's persona.

A domineering playboy with a powerful background was likely a headache for all grassroots officials.

This was Gao Yuan's strategy; such a persona had an advantage.

It meant that no matter what he did next, the other party wouldn't be surprised. Conversely, if he were polite, he would likely come for nothing and see nothing; these old foxes were masters at playing Tai Chi and stalling.

But a playboy was the perfect cure for old slickers.

"I am Mu Ming, the Governor of the Ceres Development General Administration!"

Mu Ming saw Gao Yuan's mannerisms and felt a hint of disdain, but it quickly vanished, replaced by an exaggerated smile.

He was naturally a member of the Development General Administration and inherently at odds with the Gao Family, but his position was too low. If the Gao Family wanted to deal with him, the Development General Administration would definitely hand him over!

Therefore, he couldn't afford to offend this Gao Yuan!

"Oh, so you're the Governor here!"

Gao Yuan sized up Mu Ming!

"It is our honor for Director Gao to visit Ceres! The conditions here are harsh..."

"What a dump. Take me to your base!"

"The flying car has been arranged. Director Gao, please follow me to the vehicle!"

...

The Ceres base was a giant glass dome. The temperature outside was extremely low, but inside the base, there was not only a temperature control system but also an artificial gravity device. The air and humidity were very comfortable; if one didn't look up, it was almost no different from a city on Earth...

Gao Yuan observed Mu Ming; he was a bit taller than himself and lean, but compared to the women from the Asteroid Belt he had seen in the i-bar, he was much sturdier!

After getting out of the car, Mu Ming began his introduction!

"Director Gao, this is our Ceres base, where various institutions are stationed! The Asteroid Belt is one of our three major mining bases. The various minerals produced here now surpass the Moon and are second only to Mars... making an indelible contribution to human development!"

"Heh... what is there to do for fun around here?"

Gao Yuan asked.

"Uh... how about I arrange for a few girls unique to the Asteroid Belt?"

"What hasn't this young master seen before? Forget it! Where is your Information Center?"

"Director Gao, what do you need the Information Center for?"

"I am the dignified Director of the Department of Information; isn't it only right for me to conduct spot checks on local records? Is that something you should be asking?"

Gao Yuan gave him no face at all, directly reprimanding Mu Ming.

Mu Ming's expression immediately darkened.

"Director Gao, checking records requires authorization from headquarters..."

"Are you an idiot? I am the Director of the Department of Information at headquarters. I'm authorizing myself, alright? Stop the nonsense and open the records room. I want to see all the records from the past year..."

"This..."

"What, do I need to contact Secretary-General Su before you'll open it?"

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare... I'll take you there right away!"

Gao Yuan was here to find Gao Qiu; how could he waste time here?

Gao Gan had said that Gao Qiu would take the initiative to come see him, but Gao Yuan couldn't wait any longer. Since Gao Qiu wasn't looking for him, he would go find Gao Qiu.

Gao Yuan was actually a bit excited now.

"Old Mu..."

"Huh?" Mu Ming turned his head.

"You... you're so ugly, don't take me there. Send a younger sister instead!"

"This..."

Mu Ming was a bit worried; there were indeed some records in the Information Center that weren't suitable for public disclosure! If it were one of their own, it would be fine, but Gao Yuan was not one of them.

So he wanted to follow along to prevent anything from leaking out.

But now Gao Yuan was trying to drive him away.

He immediately accompanied him with a smile: "Director Gao, this isn't according to the rules. Only the recorder and I can enter the Information Center..."

"Then find a pretty recorder... I'm annoyed just looking at you. Why is your chin so pointy?"

Mu Ming was very angry, but... there was really nothing he could do.

After hesitating for a moment, he called his secretary over and instructed her: "Keep a close eye on Gao Yuan. He must absolutely not discover the encrypted data. If all else fails, cut the power... understand?"

"Understood... Governor!"