With Ding Meng's personality, it was normally very difficult for him to waste time on food. However, Qu Xiaoqing had treated him quite well in the dojo. Without the tip, he would not have been able to buy so many nutrient solutions. It was also because of that batch of nutrient solutions that he had enough supplies to successfully construct the fourth node. Thus, it was not easy for him to reject her.
However, the "simple meal" that Qu Xiaoqing spoke of was not a simple meal in Ding Meng's eyes. It was a true feast in the truest sense.
Qu Xiaoqing had booked dinner at a restaurant called "Lakeside Flower Garden" two kilometers away from Listin Academy. This was the most prosperous district of Qiu Ze City, and the restaurant was one of the most luxurious restaurants in the city.
He sat down by the window and looked out. The scenery of the mountains and rivers in the east was panoramic, while the lights of the houses in the west gave him a different feeling. The decorations here were rich and grand, and the environment was quiet in the midst of chaos. It was indeed a good place to invite people to dinner.
Accompanying Ding Meng was Yu Man. Qu Xiaoqing was obviously well-informed. She had already found out what had happened in the training room during the day, so she invited Yu Man to dinner.
For Yu Man, this was something that she did not even dare to imagine before.
Qu Xiaoqing was not considered a celebrity in Listin Academy, but many people knew that the Qu Family was one of the investors of the academy. It was said that they held a large proportion of the investment and had a great say in the school's board of directors. This was also the reason why Lei Bao respected her so much.
From another perspective, Listin Academy belonged to the Qu Family. Qu Xiaoqing was the pride of the Qu Family. Such a person would not normally walk together with a girl from a poor family like Yu Man. Of course, this was all because of Ding Meng.
All along, Yu Man's impression of Ding Meng had stopped at the concept of a "galactic refugee". However, everything was turned upside down today. Not long after Ding Meng went to the northern district, Zhu Fei came again and transferred a huge sum of 2,400 Star Coins to Zuo Min.
Following that, the news of Hong Mei being crippled spread like wildfire within the school. It was reported that after Hong Mei was rescued, more than half of her origin ability had dissipated. Although her origin ability was still there, it was quite difficult for her to operate it. She could be considered a cripple.
Ding Meng's name was still unknown to everyone. The students in the school only knew one thing. It turned out that there was a Classical Swordsmanship Department in the Western District, and this department had produced a fierce male student who had actually taken care of that arrogant and despotic Little Red from the Boxing Department in the Northern District.
The person who was the angriest about Little Red being crippled was Jia Fa. Just like Xu Weimin, Jia Fa would naturally demand an explanation. The person he looked for was not Zhao Yue, but the school's higher-ups.
However, the school didn't favor anyone this time. Their explanation to Jiafa adhered to the Norse Empire's philosophy:
Don't blame others if your skills aren't as good as others. If everyone was like you, would the soldiers on the frontlines still have to ask the "Frogman Kingdom" for an explanation when they lose?
You'd better go back and reflect on yourself.
However, Hong Mei was a top student with a high chance of passing this year's "exam." Her being crippled all of a sudden made the school a little angry. It was impossible to expel Ding Meng. Look at how Teacher Zhao Yue was walking around the school now. It was obvious that Ding Meng had done him proud. Although Ding Meng had never displayed any "classical swordsmanship," Ding Meng was obviously a talent. He had to be a student of the Listin Academy.
Therefore, the school said that they must punish Ding Meng. The specific punishment was to let Ding Meng go back to his hometown for a while before returning to school.
This result made Jia Fa so angry that he vomited blood, but Ding Meng was not satisfied. What about Zuo Min?
Should Zuo Min be crippled?
Shouldn't Lei Bao and his gang be punished?
"Brother Ding."
Zhu Fei magically appeared at this time. He didn't have the right to eat at the same table as Miss Qu, so he could only stand behind Ding Meng obediently. "The money has been transferred to Zuo Min. Not a single cent less. It's 2,400 star coins."
It was fine if he didn't mention it, but the moment he mentioned money, Ding Meng got a little angry, "I remember yesterday, didn't Lei Bao want Sister Man to pay 4000 star coins as tuition fee?"
"This …" Of course, Zhu Fei was aware of these details. However, he couldn't help but feel a sense of sympathy for Little Red after being tortured to such an extent. Ding Meng might be impressive now, but if Ding Meng were to be killed by his enemy in the future, what would he, Zhu Fei, do?
The first person who wouldn't let him go was Lei Bao.
Ding Meng didn't care what he thought and always followed his principles. "Go and tell Lei Bao that I said it. Within three days, ask him to prepare 8,000 star coins as tuition fees for Zuo Min. I don't care if he has the money or not. If he can't pay in three days, I'll go and find him personally. By then, it won't be just 8,000 star coins, I'll continue to double it …"
"Yes, yes, yes, I'll go now."
Zhu Fei turned and ran. If Ding Meng made any more strange requests, he would be in a difficult position as an errand boy.
At this time, Qu Xiaoqing, who was sitting across the table, said, "Ding Meng, if Sister Man doesn't have a good place to go in the future, she can consider working at Anvil Corporation. What do you think?"
Ding Meng didn't say anything, but Yu Man was surprised and happy. She quickly got up and bowed to thank Qu Xiaoqing. "Thank you so much, Miss Qu."
Qu Xiaoqing smiled and waved her hand. "Sister Man, you're too polite. There's no need to thank me. There were some problems with the school's management, and this time, it's been solved."
Ding Meng also knew that the school didn't pursue the matter because of Qu Xiaoqing, but seeing how Qu Xiaoqing was taking extra care of Zuo Min, he knew that she definitely wasn't just treating him to a meal.
"Miss Qu, do you want me to be your sparring partner again?" Ding Meng took the initiative to ask.
"That's not it. It's really too much for you to be a sparring partner," Qu Xiaoqing replied with a smile.
Qu Xiaoqing replied with a smile, "Ding Meng, if nothing unexpected happens, you should also be participating in the academy's examination, right?"
By now, Ding Meng was no stranger to the "examination". The so-called examination was a large-scale comprehensive test for Origin Energy Practitioners, so it was called the examination in short. It wasn't only held by the Listin Academy, but also by all the middle schools in the Norse Empire. The purpose was naturally to provide the empire with talents.
In reality, the examination itself didn't have any obstacles. The hard data were all there. If you met it, you'd naturally pass the test. If you didn't, then you'd have to go back and continue cultivating, waiting for the next examination.
The Norse Empire's examination was held once a year. The Listin Academy was located on a planet at the edge of the empire. It was poor in terms of resources and conditions, so there weren't many talents. Thus, the academy held the examination once every two years.
For people like Qu Xiaoqing, Lei Bao, and Sister Red, it wasn't difficult to pass the examination. The real difficulty was the choice after that.
Enlisting in the army, choosing a talent show, studying, joining a sect, joining a faction, or continuing to cultivate. In short, there were many choices. Of course, whether or not the empire's nobles would take a liking to them was not up to them.
Qu Xiaoqing suddenly stopped smiling and her expression became serious. "Ding Meng, I really want to know. If you pass the examination, how will you think about your future?"
Ding Meng also looked serious. His gaze fell outside the window, as if he was staring into the distance. His expression was a little dazed.
Qu Xiaoqing saw that he was silent, so she took the initiative to reveal her cards. "Ding Meng, let's put it this way. My goal is to go to the Fertile Chalk Star System."
Ding Meng didn't answer, but Yu Man was so shocked that she almost stood up. "Fertile Chalk Star System?
That's the war zone between the Norse Empire and the Frogman Kingdom. Miss Qu, you … you want to go to the frontlines? "
"Yes." Qu Xiaoqing nodded seriously. "My goal is to go to the frontlines."