Chapter 177 (2/2)
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It had been a full day since the conclusion of Poseidon’s Sounds of Nature benefit performance However, the school was still a fairy dreaet-me-nots
The Poseidon entertain it a ‘gift’ of a fine view to the students and faculty of the NEU Of course this didn’t hold true for the auditorium The harnesses, decorations and myriad crystal sea creatures had all been safely stoay This was to be expected, of course, since this certainly wouldn’t be the one and only Sounds of Nature performance There were bound to be other shows on other planets
Even though the shoas long over, the excitement remained Every teacher and student atched the show left a loyal fan
Excitement was in the air, but truth be told it wasn’t entirely from the concert The NEU still had one ie competition
A single black high-alt verti-car was parked quietly outside of the caates
An elderly man who had been present for the performance stood inconspicuously nearby Director shi+ and Director Wu were behind hied in conversation
Upon seeing the car, Director shi+’s eyes lit up He immediately walked to the car and pulled open a door
An aged man, tall with a head of silvery hair, stepped out
He was strikingly tall – very nearly two rey suit toon his shoulders He was advanced in age, but that didn’t seem to detract from the manly charm of his face, which looked like it had been chiseled froer, he’d be quite the sight
“Ruchao, it’s been ages!” The stocky, elderly orously shake his hand
The other gentle I think Maybe a year But I must say, Renjian, you look like you’ve put on a few! You need to take better care of yourself”
Renjian chuckled good-naturedly “Oh it’s nothing, I just take up a little extra space So long as the wife doesn’t run off with anotherto worry over”
An inexplicably sullen expression flashed across the taller man’s face “Shall we head in?”
The fatter one stepped aside and y hand The two of theates shoulder to shoulder They were a soht – Ruchao was at least a head taller than the other
After a few long moments, both Director shi+ and Director Wu followed behind them
The newcomer was the Dean of Lir University, Han Ruchao Of course the fatter gentleman was his counterpart, the Dean of the NEU, Xu Renjian
Their na in the education circles of the Eastern Alliances Both were responsible for raduates, ent on to live successful lives in their own right
The two traded words as the a? Is your university prepared?”
Xu Renjian shtly “As expected All the best pilots were stolen away by you, naturally What can we do about it? We make the best of e have”
Han Ruchao laughed pleasantly at the candid remark “You’re far too humble, my friend Who knohat the result of this year’s coht all be pleasantly surprised In fact, why don’t we er?”
Xu Renjian’s flabby face twitched at the prospect Again, he thought ruefully The last year his friend walked aith a b-ranked power ge for o unmet, that would be weak
“What sort of wager are you thinking?”
Han Ruchao didn’t es this time since we have two co part seems fair Sa a little em strike you?”
Xu Renjian felt a pang of fear in his chest after hearing the offer He was very faa Clearly coer he must be very confident in his school’s chances for success in the R&D competition
“We’ll forget about the a-ranked gem You know I’m a man of limited means!” Despite his tone Xu Renjian wasn’t in the least interested in negotiating a fair exchange He was simply embarrassed at his lot
“Ahh, I see” Han Ruchao shook his head piteously at the shorter ling like that – I suppose you haven’t had any decent researchers co the case, I suppose we’ll just stick with our fore contest”
Xu Renjian’s brow furrowed as their chat continued
Is this so, for fear I’d delay the exchange further?
He found himself in a proverbial pickleHis hesitation and speculation were not lost on Han Ruchao As the silence stretched, so too did his enigmatic smirk
Eventually Xu Renjian spoke up “We’ll put a b-ranked gem on the R&D contest After all the coainst us, bad luck you know It’s fair this way”
The old fox! A surprised displeasure took root in the visiting Dean’s heart He wasn’t fooled, the slippery snake
“Excellent!” Han Ruchao belted his acceptance with only the slightest hesitation He’d already gotten what he wanted, anyway
The two smiled pleasantly at each other But in their hearts it was a different hed and talked as they strolled to the reception hall
Really, Lan Jue? That’s your line? Come on TJSS, you can do better than thatSee? That’s what happens when you use a stupid line like that chives nonsenseNot a literal pickle