687 Thank you for supporting me till the end (1/2)

On Academy Drive in San Fran, young and energized faces filled and crowded the street. On this lovely weekend, even the most hardworking students who spent the majority of their days inside the library and lab decided to spend some quality time with their friends outside.

At a coffee shop at the corner of the street, a young-looking barista hustled between the coffee tables. Under his black hair was a clean and handsome face. His black pupils were profoundly unsuited to his age and had a deepness contrasting the brightness outside the window.

His eyes quickly met with a pair of green eyes.

”Do you have to leave?”

Bathing in the sunshine scattered through the window, her blonde hair was bright. Her watery eyes expressed a longing for him to stay, but he couldn't respond to her message.

Li Ming dodged her eyes, let out a sigh, and gently put the coffee cup on the table.

”Sorry, Louise. Something happened to my family and they can no longer afford to support me studying aboard…”

His father was a Doctor at the Han Academy of Science. His father's work inspired him from an early age and he possessed an extraordinary talent in science. He had always been interested in science. While reading relevant science books, he also wrote articles.

After completing high school, he was admitted to San Fran State University from his excellent TOEFL and SAT scores and he majored in bioengineering. However, close to the end of graduation, bad news came from his family.

Three years ago, to cover his expensive tuition, his father, who was humble and honest, collected a sum of money that shouldn't be collected and helped a person who shouldn't be helped… Normally speaking, it wasn't a big deal, but the person he got involved with was Director Li at the Material Science Research Institute.

A week ago, the higher-ups suddenly ordered the Han Academy of Sciences to thoroughly investigate the rats in the system; Director Li was immediately sacked along with a large number of others. It seemed to be related to the Nobel Prize-winning nominee, which received scrutiny from the top and even alerted the Commission for Discipline Inspection.

The original minor problems were magnified. If his mother hadn't used up their family savings, his father wouldn't just be facing an investigation but would already be thrown in jail. In order to settle the matter, the family spent six hundred thousand already.

The family had no money to support him anymore...

The eyes of the girl called Louise slowly became wet.

”Are you going to give up three years of school and give up… on me?”

Li Ming was afraid to meet her determined eyes. He quietly said,

”Sorry, you're a good girl. I'm not good enough for you.”

Working part-time in the coffee shop wasn't enough to support him in his last year of school.

Upon hearing his answer, the sadness in Louise's eyes was replaced by determination.

”I don't need your apology!”

Then she slapped a newspaper on the table and stared directly into Li Ming's eyes.

”I already signed you up. I read the novels you wrote before - you have the ability to compete in this!”

”This is...?” Li Ming paused for a second as he looked at the newspaper and read its headline.

But what attracted him wasn't the headline; it was the following sentences.

The deadline for submission is within one week with an unlimited number of words. Works that have been published are not excluded as long as proof of copyright is provided.

Interested parties can submit their scripts on Future Technology's official site!>

[One million US dollars, if I have this money ...]

Li Ming was moved by the opportunity, but he then shook his head.

With such an attractive price, all the sci-fi authors around the world would try for it. He was just a casual writer. While he shared his work on sci-fi forums before and although he had published his work in magazines back home, he had no courage to compete in this world-class competition.

Even if he did submit his work, it would be forgotten in the flood of submissions.

”Are you just going to give up?” Louise gazed at him.

”This isn't about giving up or not.” Rather than gambling on the probability, it was better to buy the lottery.

”So you're not willing to even try?”

Her voice smashed the hesitation in Li Ming's chest.

[That's right…]

[Am I afraid to even try now?]

[I arrogantly said that I want to become a world-famous writer, have my work translated into 12 languages, and stand proudly atop the Hugo Awards podium! Now, however, an opportunity is in front of me and in the face of an opportunity that may change my destiny, I don't have the courage to reach for it…]

”I…”

Louise watched him. She held his hand and gave him the courage through her warmth. ”I saw your novel. It was the first time I was fascinated by science fiction. You know, I never read those types of stories before. ”

”Thank you.”

Looking back at her encouraging eyes, Li Ming's eyes no longer had any hesitation. A bright expression returned to his face and he dropped the tray in his arms.

”Go now. I'll tell your boss that you quit.”