Chu Huaizhi was furious. He demanded, “Which bastard in the federation is trying to make a move on my apprentice again?! They fobbed my apprentice off with just a second-class medal, and I haven’t even settled that score with them yet!”
Kassian had a bitter look on his face. Being the president of the Central Military Academy was just way too hard.
“Marshal Chu, Wan Tianming from the Command College, the president of Gaia University, and representatives from various other colleges are all trying to recruit her. I’ve also heard that Chris from the Aimpoint Strategic Military Academy flew directly from the Third Star Ring to Satellite 3, all for Lin Xiaohe.”
Chu Huaizhi realized it wasn’t someone trying to target his student, but rather trying to pull up the roots and just take his apprentice away entirely!
This was outrageous!
Did these people have any sense of morality, any respect for the rules, any conscience at all?
Kassian was so anxious that a ring of cold sores had broken out around his mouth. “Oh my, Marshal Chu, have you forgotten how you used to poach people from others? What goes around comes around, but it can’t land on Lin Xiaohe! If I lose her, I’ll die.”
He’d die from anger, from regret, from being mocked—basically, he’d die in every possible way.
Marshal Chu’s heart was pounding nonstop. There was no way he could just stand by and watch Lin Xiaohe fall into someone else’s hands.
But the Central Military Academy was too far from the Fourth Star Ring. If he tried to get there now, it would probably be way too late.
Chu Huaizhi steeled himself, downed a bottle of psychostimulant, and logged onto the Starnet to see Lin Xiaohe: “Tell Wan Tianming that I’m on the Starnet.”
…
Back in the hospital room, Lin Xiaohe was dazzled by the generous conditions offered by the various schools.
The Lin family members, huddled in a corner, were whispering among themselves.
Grandma Lin: “Going to a political science college wouldn’t be bad. You could become an official after graduation.”
Grandpa Lin shook his head in disagreement. “People in politics have dirty hearts. You could tell from how they handled the memorial and the crisis PR. People in power can’t be too upright. Our Xiaohe is smart, kind, honest, and loves to stand up for what’s right. She’s not suited for politics.”
Lin Chiyang offered an idea: “How about a medical school? As long as she doesn’t become a military doctor, being a regular doctor would be pretty carefree.”
Lin Jingqiu gestured with her hands. Her little sister probably didn’t have much talent in that area.
After all, her little sister didn’t like following rules. She always had sudden inspirations when mixing potions. If she went into medicine, people would really worry about her having a sudden flash of insight while operating on a patient.
Lin’s father asked from the heart: “What does Xiaohe like the most?”
“Star coins!” Lin Chiyang answered confidently, eager to be first, but he got glared at by the rest of the Lin family.
Grandma Lin said disapprovingly, “How could Xiaohe be such a shallow person? She has ideals and ambitions. She’s an outstanding young person of the federation.”
Lin Jingqiu shot Lin Chiyang a sharp look. How could her big brother think of their little sister that way? That was just too much.
The only reason her little sister was so interested in star coins was purely because the family was poor, and she had to support them.
Grandpa Lin looked at Xinbao and the others on the windowsill and said with certainty, “She probably really likes raising those strange plants of hers.”
The others fell into thoughtful silence.
The hospital room was as noisy as a bustling market.
Some of the military academy admissions staff, who weren’t good with words, started rolling up their sleeves, ready to fight.
Just as a massive brawl seemed about to break out, Wan Tianming’s voice suddenly shouted from outside the door: “Lin Xiaohe, Marshal Chu wants to see you!”
The words “Marshal Chu” seemed to have a magical effect, silencing the scene instantly.
The crowd parted to make way for Wan Tianming. He squeezed his way in front of Lin Xiaohe, tears in his eyes: “Marshal Chu wants to meet you on the Starnet.”
Lin Xiaohe’s restless heart slowly began to calm down.
Marshal Chu wasn’t just her idol; he was also the person directly responsible for giving her the special admission notice to the Central Military Academy.
In a way, without that special admission status to the Central Military Academy, she and her second sister probably would have died in that grand theater.
“Okay, when?”
“Now.”
Lin Xiaohe looked around and gave an apologetic smile. “Sorry everyone, but I need to go see Marshal Chu first.”
“I’ll go with you,” the president of Gaia University volunteered.
The Lin family raised their hands: “We’re going too!”
This was Marshal Chu!
They couldn’t let this opportunity pass them by. Maybe they could even get a group photo.
The group quickly logged onto the Starnet.
Because the president of Gaia University had generously offered to pay for everyone’s internet access fees, Lin Xiaohe didn’t bring Xinbao.
After logging onto the Starnet using her own avatar, Lin Xiaohe spotted that tall figure in the vast crowd immediately.
He stood like a great mountain amidst the sea of people, exceptionally striking and conspicuous.
“Hello, Lin Xiaohe. I’m Chu Huaizhi.”
Lin Xiaohe quickly extended both hands to shake his outstretched hand, stammering slightly, “M-Marshal Chu, hello.”
Chu Huaizhi felt a little nervous. The young girl in front of him was so small and thin, she didn’t even reach his chest.
His old method of poaching people was simple: he’d fight them, beat them into submission, and they’d naturally follow him.
But this young girl in front of him—he was afraid that if he even raised his voice slightly, he might make her cry.
Using all the gentleness he possessed in this life, Chu Huaizhi lowered his voice and asked, “I heard that some schools are trying to recruit you?”
With his imposing aura radiating from him, the question sounded more like he was saying, “If you dare say yes, I’ll kill you.”
Lin Xiaohe waved her hands frantically. “No, no, that’s not true. Don’t say that. I only wavered just a tiny, little bit…”
She pinched her fingers together to show a tiny amount, looking troubled. “Really, just a tiny bit. Sigh, as everyone knows, my previous three assessments were full of danger and hardship. I really don’t have the courage to face the next three exams.”
The main issue was that Gaia University was offering too much. She didn’t feel like striving anymore. Switching to a civilian position seemed pretty good too.
Chu Huaizhi’s imposing manner softened, and he said with a slight hint of guilt, “The upcoming exams are very simple. No practical combat, just written tests.”
A memory from the past suddenly attacked Lin Xiaohe.
Just thinking about being hit in the face with “Devouring Ants, Armored Beetles, Establish a Forward Base” right after she first transmigrated, Lin Xiaohe deeply felt the fear of being an academically poor student.
Her face turned pale as she started to back out. “I might not be suited for…”
“Lin Xiaohe!” Chu Huaizhi interrupted her. A flicker of inner conflict crossed his face. “If you really don’t want to take the exams, I can apply to the academy to have all of them waived.”
Lin Xiaohe wanted to refuse, but when she met Chu Huaizhi’s sincere, passionate, expectant, yet slightly worried gaze, she couldn’t bring herself to say the words of rejection.
This was Marshal Chu! The most dazzling, brilliant living jewel in the entire history of the federation!
His achievements, his battle record—even the Empire admired him.
And he was asking her to become his student.
It felt like two little people were fighting inside Lin Xiaohe’s heart.
One was saying, “This is Marshal Chu, your idol. With him as your teacher, your future would be limitless.”
The other was saying, “Isn’t the ultimate purpose of going to university to make money? Gaia University is offering you a blank check!”
Just as Lin Xiaohe seemed about to be persuaded by Marshal Chu, the president of Gaia University stepped forward and asked, “I don’t mean to interrupt, but Lin Xiaohe is a treasure of the entire federation. Acting with a sense of responsibility towards the federation, I’d like to ask Marshal Chu a few questions.”
“First, what can the Central Military Academy provide for Lin Xiaohe? Star coins, technology, or a mentor?”
“Second, which major would Lin Xiaohe enter at the Central Military Academy? As far as I know, Marshal Chu, you haven’t taught a class in a long time, have you? Are you planning on one-on-one instruction?”
“Third, regarding Lin Xiaohe’s future, what plans do you have for her?”
Yes, yes, these questions were crucial.
Lin Xiaohe, the Lin family, and the president of Gaia University all stared intently at Chu Huaizhi.
Thinking about something, Chu Huaizhi’s pupils dilated sharply, and he started sweating profusely…
People always have to pay the price for their carelessness.
Even Marshal Chu is no exception.
