Lin Xiaohe blinked and reminded him, “Director Xie, aren’t you forgetting something?”
Xie Tingfeng hesitated for a moment, then extended his right hand. “A handshake and a photo?”
Lin Xiaohe’s lips curled downward, and she got straight to the point: “So all I get is a medal?”
Xie Tingfeng looked even more surprised than Lin Xiaohe. “Isn’t that enough? The Star Ring Guardian Medal is a second-class medal of the Federation. Across the entire Federation, the number of people who receive this medal each year is absolutely no more than ten.”
Lin Xiaohe’s eyes shifted slightly. She was a country bumpkin and had assumed this medal was like the ones back on Blue Star, where some countries hand out hundreds of them a year.
“What does this medal actually do?”
Xie Tingfeng said, “It gives you medical priority, covering three generations of your direct family. You can also use civilian rescue boats three times a year.”
There were too many privileges to list, so Xie Tingfeng simply sent her the digital version.
Lin Xiaohe read it line by line, word by word. Besides the two things he had already mentioned, there were many other priority rights.
For example, if Lin Xiaohe wanted to go to the core star rings, she would have priority in queues or reserved seats when choosing orbital transportation and public accommodation facilities.
After entering the core star rings, she wouldn’t need to wait through the lengthy application process and background checks like regular tourists. She would only need to pass a basic security check.
In addition, the holder of the Star Ring Guardian Medal also has a dedicated liaison officer to assist with privilege-related access, appointments, and other matters.
After completing the Federation’s medal awarding process and identity registration, the medal recipient is invited to join the “Star Ring Guardians Group.”
This group is an exclusive social network composed of past medal recipients. There are frequent exchanges and collaborations, and members regularly receive exclusive digital briefings and analytical reports on the star rings’ operational status, major scientific discoveries, future development blueprints, and more.
Lin Xiaohe said, “The medal is great, but aren’t you forgetting something very important?”
Xie Tingfeng was confused. “What is it?”
Lin Xiaohe was heartbroken. Her immense disappointment made it impossible to maintain any dignity. “Star coins! Medical priority is great, but don’t I still have to pay the medical bills? Transportation priority is also great, but it’s not free either, is it?”
“If I don’t have any money, all these privileges are just flowers in a mirror or the moon reflected in water—completely useless to me.”
“You give me honor but no money. That really breaks my heart and disappoints me so much!”
Xie Tingfeng took a step back and wiped the spit off his face with a blank expression.
To be honest, people who earn medals like this usually aren’t short on money.
So after the Federation handed out the medal, the thought of a cash reward never even crossed their minds.
After all, the medal itself represents privilege and crossing social classes—something that no amount of money can buy.
“Captain Lin, please calm down. Regarding your reward, the Federation has already processed it through the fast track, and it’s been finalized. It cannot be changed.”
Xie Tingfeng didn’t understand why Lin Xiaohe cared so much about star coins. “What you have is the Star Ring Guardian Medal. That’s an unparalleled honor. The other exam candidates who escaped with you only received a mere ten million star coins each as their reward.”
Crack.
That was the sound of Lin Xiaohe’s heart breaking.
A mere ten million star coins…
Listen to that. Is that how a human being talks?
And Xie Tingfeng, completely unaware, kept rubbing it in. “They only got money, but you got a medal!”
Lin Xiaohe’s tears flowed like a river. Who could understand her sorrow? In this battle, she had used up all her skills and all her star coins, only to receive a single medal in return.
Clutching onto her last shred of hope, she looked at Xie Tingfeng expectively. “Can I exchange the medal for money?”
Xie Tingfeng looked shocked and reproachful. “How could you have such a thought?! Forget it. The medal is bound to your real-name authentication.”
Lin Xiaohe burst into tears. “If you do this, you’re going to lose me.”
Xie Tingfeng was as hard as stone. He wasn’t moved at all.
Just then, Melina walked in and greeted Xie Tingfeng with a smile. “Director, you’re here to visit Xiaohe too.”
Xie Tingfeng nodded reservedly.
Wesley, following behind Melina, said loudly, “Now that the big boss and the exam candidates are back, shouldn’t we tell the public the truth?”
Melina gently patted Wesley on the back and scolded him lightly, “What are you talking about, kid? The Federation’s publicity department has been working overtime for days. By now, the Fourth Star Ring probably knows that the Federation government turned the tide and resolved the crisis.”
She was clearly scolding her son, but her eyes darted toward Xie Tingfeng. “If we change our story now, won’t that affect the Federation’s credibility?”
Wesley was unconvinced. “Then what about the big boss? What about the exam candidates? They gave so much and sacrificed so much. Are they just supposed to be unsung heroes?”
Xie Tingfeng’s mouth twitched. Wow, this mother-and-son duo were putting on a double act, practically begging him for something.
“We awarded the Star Ring Guardian Medal.”
Melina applauded. “Lin Xiaohe and the exam candidates’ actions truly protected our Fourth Star Ring. They deserve this medal. The government is so generous!”
Then she said casually, “Now that the reward is settled, what about compensation?”
“Compensation?!”
Melina said matter-of-factly, “They encountered such great danger during the exam entirely because of our Federation’s mistake. If the Supermeta Group hadn’t left a backdoor, the Giant Sound Whale wouldn’t have been able to attack the Star Network exam hall through it.”
“In addition to paying a fine, the Supermeta Group has also agreed to give each exam candidate ten million star coins in compensation.”
Lin Xiaohe’s eyes lit up instantly. See, this is a true public servant of the Federation!
Melina noticed Lin Xiaohe’s reaction and the corners of her lips curled up slightly. She knew Lin Xiaohe would be satisfied with this.
Melina added, “On top of that, our Ministry of Education has decided to reward the candidates one million star coins each for their outstanding performance.”
Xie Tingfeng’s face turned dark.
The Giant Sound Whale’s attack had dealt a heavy blow to the Fourth Star Ring.
In the coming days, they would have to move key departments from Haige Star to another planet.
At the same time, they also had to conduct a comprehensive security check across the entire star ring.
Every single action required money!
Although the Federation had controlled public opinion, some large corporations could still catch wind of things through various channels, which was extremely detrimental to the Fourth Star Ring’s economic development.
One million star coins per person, times more than seven hundred people, comes to over seven hundred million star coins. That’s not a small sum.
And Melina kept going. “Regarding public opinion, our government should also compensate the candidates for that…”
“Stop. One million star coins each. Our fiscal spending for this year is almost over budget. Go over that amount, and you can argue with the Audit Bureau yourself. Unlike the military, we don’t have our own ways of making money. We’re so broke we have to pinch every penny.”
Xie Tingfeng fled in a panic, terrified that Melina would open her mouth and ask for ten million.
“Tsk.” Melina looked at Lin Xiaohe with a smile and said regretfully, “This is the best I could get.”
“It’s fine! More than fine! Thank you so much, Mrs. Melina.”
Lin Xiaohe felt that Melina was the most beautiful woman in the world, bar none!
After Melina exchanged a few pleasantries with Lin Xiaohe, she finally revealed the real reason for her visit. “Wan Tianming from the Command Academy wants to see you. Do you want to see him?”
Lin Xiaohe was finally about to start living the good life.
Add an extra chapter every day? Oh, woe is me, I just can’t do it…
