Zhao Qingke was stunned.

Lu Yuanji was confused.

Special quota?

What is a special quota?

How come they've never heard of a special quota for a round of competition?!

An unbearable silence spread in the narrow corner, and Lu Yuanji heard faint cheers - without looking back, he knew it was Gu Qiongsheng and her teammates cheering.

Zhao Qingke stared at the screen with a stiff expression, his fingers twisted unnaturally under the table, his fingertips piercing into his palms fiercely, as if he wanted to pick off the golden words "A1056" above the ranking list.

Although it is called a special quota, the ranking is clearly very particular.

The examiner must have thought that Team A1056 was better than everyone else, so he placed them at the top of the rankings.

Otherwise why not put it at the bottom?

Otherwise, why would special font effects be used to number the team?

As for why they didn't participate in the rankings... is it because they think they are too low and can't even touch the corner of A1056's clothes, so they just give them an exception?

This hidden meaning and subtle irony made Lu Yuanji feel like he was having a heart attack.

On the side, Sheng Zhang was holding a small cream cake and whistled with interest: "Wow, this is amazing."

"A last-second comeback and a crushing victory over the entire stadium. How cool!"

Lu Yuanji: “…”

The cupcake in his hand was subconsciously clenched, and the cream squeezed out and flowed all over the table, sticking to the young man's cuffs, but he didn't notice it at all, just staring stiffly at the ranking list in front of him.

Even when the competition was almost over, he took a quick look and confirmed that Gu Qiongsheng's team was ranked around 50% and it was impossible for them to break through.

But now, the facts were before him.

The row of large "special quotas" with a gold background looked like a face with the corners of its mouth raised in mockery, staring at him and making silent laughs.

Laugh at his stupidity and arrogance.

Even Ling Kaixuan, who had been uninterested, raised his head and took a few glances: "...Did they solve the additional questions?"

"That shouldn't be the case," he lowered his head slightly, his black turtleneck sweater hiding his sharp jawline, "That question is not something a high school student can answer."

It's not just college students who can't answer it. There are probably only a handful of people in the entire federation who can answer it.

But the other party was able to ask the organizer to set a precedent, and even risked being questioned, to be rated as a "special quota", which shows that the score the other party got on this question was definitely not low.

Ling Kaixuan was silent for a long time, then spoke lightly.

"Interesting."

Lu Yuanji: “…”

What's interesting about it?

It's meaningless!

He stared at his personal terminal in frustration, wishing he could see through it with his eyes.

On the other side, Zhao Qingke's eyes were also dull, and her hands were placed on the table in confusion. "How is this possible? Did Gu Qiongsheng cheat? Did she bribe the examiner?"

Lu Yuanji's ears twitched, and the turmoil in his heart seemed to have finally found a breakthrough. He nodded repeatedly and hurriedly: "Yes, that's right, that must be the case. Such a difficult question, we have no idea at all, how could they possibly answer it?"

But just as he finished speaking, Sheng Zhang on the other side said slowly: "It's difficult, right?"

"Isn't the Gu family in dire straits? How can she bribe the examiner?"

"Besides, this inter-school league is the first pilot program, and the Federation wants to make it a benchmark. Who would dare to do something tricky at a time like this? Are they tired of living?"

Lu Yuanji: “…”

Even though he was unwilling in his heart, Lu Yuanji had to admit that what Sheng Zhang said made sense.

But the more this happened, the more uncomfortable he felt.

The same goes for Zhao Qingke.

The inexplicable jealousy came from nowhere, took root quickly like thorns, grew luxuriantly when the wind blew, and planted a series of fine thorns in her heart.

Beyond that, there was a hint of hidden fear.

It lingered faintly, like a big hand quietly grasping her heart, reminding her of what she had done all the time.

The two of them sat at the long table, with no appetite at all and feeling very irritable.

Just at this moment, someone came in hurriedly from outside.

He was a man in a suit and tie, his mature face exuding the steadiness unique to a polymath, and a pair of black-framed glasses added a bit of solemnity.

But when he rushed into the restaurant, his hurried movements and nervous expression showed that he was not calm at all.

Lu Yuanji glanced at it and was stunned for a moment: "Professor Wei?"

This person is a true God!

In this interstellar age where life expectancy has increased significantly, he was promoted to a first-class researcher at the institute at the age of less than 35. He is currently a hot figure in the field of mecha research and development in the Federation. Even Lu Yuanji's father always speaks of Wei Lan with respect.

Moreover, this person is obsessed with research and rarely appears in public, making it extremely difficult for outsiders to contact him.

The reason why Lu Yuanji knew him was because a year ago, when he followed his father to the military district to watch the test of a new type of mecha, he had the honor of meeting Wei Lan.

It turns out that he was the chief examiner of this competition. No wonder he could write such a difficult question!

Lu Yuanji cheered up and immediately put the idea of ​​"Gu Qiongsheng cheating" behind his mind.

——Given Wei Lan’s reputation among the federal high-level officials, he would never get involved in such a self-defeating thing.

He quickly stood up and took a few steps forward: "Hello, Professor Wei!"

"Do you remember me? My father is—"

Wei Lan: "Sorry, please make way."

The man turned his head, looked over Lu Yuanji's stiff shoulders, and looked around. When he saw Gu Qiongsheng's team sitting on the other side of the long table, his black eyes suddenly lit up under his glasses.

He strode over and took a deep breath. "Excuse me, are you from Team A1056?"

"I'm the chief examiner for this round of the competition, Wei Lan. Um... I did set that question, primarily to broaden your thinking. I didn't expect your answers to be so brilliant, unexpectedly brilliant. However, the reasoning in some paragraphs was blurred. Was it because of time constraints?"

"Can we come to my lab and discuss this in detail?"

"...Ah, cake? Don't worry, I'll have it packed and delivered to the office right away. You can eat and chat while you eat. You can have as much as you want... No problem, I'll pay."

Lu Yuanji stood there awkwardly, watching Wei Lan, who had coldly pushed him away, put on a smile when facing Gu Qiongsheng's team. He even hurriedly promised to "pay the bill" to get several students to accept his invitation...

The young man's expression froze little by little, and his smile fell apart on the spot.

Are you kidding me!

Lu Yuanji stared and roared in his heart - that was Wei Lan's laboratory. Those who could step in were either senior researchers or top bosses in the federation!

Eating cake in a laboratory like this...are these people crazy?

Do they even know who Wei Lan is? !

But no matter how turbulent Lu Yuanji's heart was, Gu Qiongsheng and his group happily followed Wei Lan out of the restaurant.

Lu Yuanji saw Tan Yao quietly take a yogurt cup before leaving. Wei Lan saw it, but not only did not stop him, but also asked him kindly: "Which flavor do you like? Sour or sweet?"

"Or maybe I can ask them to send a little of each over later?"

Lu Yuanji: “…”

Fuck, destroy it.

The worldview collapsed.

He turned around in frustration and walked back to his seat silently.

As soon as I sat down, I heard students from other schools not far away lowering their voices and pointing: "Look at that person, there's so much cream on his sleeves and the table - oh, it's even on the back of the chair!"

"It's so indecent, it's really driving my obsessive-compulsive disorder to death."

"That's right, the seed team, just like a country bumpkin."

“…”

Whispers were everywhere. Lu Yuanji lowered his head stiffly, and then he found that all the cream he had squeezed was stuck to his cuffs, and now it was smeared on a large area of ​​the exquisitely patterned tablecloth as he moved.

The young man was anxious and angry, and quickly grabbed a tissue to wipe the cream off.

But the feelings of embarrassment, awkwardness, and shame were still rising and falling in his heart. He sat in his seat holding his breath, and forced himself to become a pufferfish about to explode.

…

On the other side, Gu Qiongsheng and his group followed Wei Lan into the elevator.

The students in Class F were carefree, and no one had heard of Wei Lan. As they walked, Han Tianming grumbled quietly, "Who is this guy? He's so young. Is he really the examiner?"

"Captain, you have to be careful and don't let anyone fool you."

Gu Qiongsheng smiled and comforted her: "It's okay. What thief would have the courage to pretend to be the chief examiner at the main competition venue?"

Being young is also a reason. Gu Qiongsheng never believed that achievement must be linked to age. Even though she didn't know Wei Lan, since the man in front of her could be chosen as the chief examiner, he must have extraordinary abilities.

She looked up at Wei Lan a few times and lowered her voice: "Keep your voice down, stop eating, and leave a good impression on others."

Tan Yao scooped up the yogurt with a few spoonfuls, stuffing his mouth full and mumbling, "Yeah, I got it."

...It’s really delicious.

You won’t know how delicious the desserts on Tianyuan Star are until you try them.

Weng Wei suppressed a laugh and whispered, "Brother Tan, who just said that sweets would affect his thinking speed?"

"Haha," Tan Yao said calmly, "Sweets break down quickly, providing ample nutrients to brain cells and increasing their activity, which is actually beneficial for thinking. You don't even know this bit of common sense, are you stupid?"

Weng Wei: “……?”

The little fat man was stunned for a moment, thinking that this was clearly a fallacy.

But before he could even turn the corner, the elevator doors opened. Tan Yao casually tossed the bottom of his yogurt cup into the cleaning robot's backpack and leisurely walked past Weng Wei.

Inside the door is a spacious and bright office.

The decoration is simple and full of technological style. The tall floor-to-ceiling windows occupy nearly half of the wall. The bright sunshine shines generously, and the blue sky outside seems to be within reach.

Perhaps because it was on the highest floor of the building, it was particularly close to the sky. The atmosphere of Tianyuan Star was relatively thin, and even in the daytime, one could see through the gorgeous sky and see the faint glitter of countless stars.

The stars are brilliant and looming, like a casual and rhythmic piano score, floating against the profound background of the universe, composing an intoxicating song.

The team members stared blankly at the beautiful scenery before them.

Zhou Qing murmured: "It's really beautiful..."

Han Tianming nodded vigorously on the side.

Jiang Yuanliang came forward with a tray in his hand, his smile as stiff as a receptionist who was forced to work - he had just received urgent instructions from his mentor, and hurriedly ran to prepare 5 cups of hand-ground coffee, accompanied by a bunch of baked cookies, cream puffs and other snacks.

It’s despairing. Even though Jiang Yuanliang acts humble in front of Professor Wei, he is still praised as the “senior brother” by other researchers when he goes out, okay?

Now he has been reduced to pouring water and serving tea to a group of college students...

Alas, people’s hearts are no longer the same as they used to be.

Jiang Yuanliang was sighing inwardly when he suddenly heard his mentor laugh heartily beside him: "Tianyuan Star is also a beautiful planet, but it still can't compare to the First Star."

"The craters are connected end to end, and my laboratory is built on the top. The dome is made entirely of tempered glass, and you can see the starry sky by opening the skylight."

"At night, the stars shine brightly, and meteors trail their dazzling long tails. Even on rainy days, you can still see the beautiful aurora covering half the planet...right, Xiao Jiang?"

"..." Jiang Yuanliang was stunned for a moment, "...Yes, yes, yes."

...What the hell!

The night sky of the First Star is indeed beautiful, and there are indeed meteors and auroras.

But when has the dome of their laboratory ever been opened?

In the hands of Professor Wei, who is obsessed with scientific research, the glass dome is purely a decoration. Not to mention meteors and auroras, Jiang Yuanliang has only seen the snow-white ceiling of the research institute, which is so clean that it makes people feel creepy.

Fortunately, Wei Lan’s story now sounds like the truth.

Jiang Yuanliang looked at Wei Lan with a sad and helpless look as he cordially asked Gu Qiongsheng and others to sit down and asked them a few questions related to mechas.

The man listened, nodded frequently with a smile on his face, and finally asked sincerely, "I'd like to ask, which one of you is mainly responsible for answering this question?"

"If possible, I would like to invite him to the First Star and join my laboratory project."

Jiang Yuanliang's pupils shrank slightly, and his tiger body shook.

As expected!

As a sought-after researcher in the Federation, countless people were trying their best to get into Wei Lan's laboratory. Jiang Yuanliang had to go through many trials and tribulations before he finally got an interview opportunity.

Even now, when Jiang Yuanliang recalls that interview, he can still feel the tension and fear that seeped into his bones—the small white room, the indifferent Wei Lan, the rapid-fire string of questions that made it difficult for his brain to keep up. Every unconscious silence and shake of the examiner's head was like a sharp spike piercing his heart...

Damn, I break out in a cold sweat just thinking about it.

It’s not like now, Wei Lan is smiling like a flower. Jiang Yuanliang has not seen his mentor smiling more times in the past year than today.

Jiang Yuanliang felt jealous and looked at the young students in front of him with envy.

For a college student who has not yet graduated to directly join the research laboratory of a big boss, it is not an exaggeration to say that this is a step to heaven.

And judging by the instructor's attitude, the new junior/junior student will definitely become the lab's new darling, the kind who will be held in the lab until they drop it, or held in their mouth until they're afraid it will melt...

When the members of Class F heard Wei Lan's invitation, their reaction was strange.

Gu Qiongsheng was the first to react. He raised his finger and pointed at Tan Yao without hesitation: "Him!"

She was undoubtedly the core of the team. After she took the lead, the rest of the hesitant people also turned their eyes to Tan Yao.

Tan Yao: “???”

He had just raised his hand, but before he could point, he was pushed to the front of the stage by all the team members.

Wei Lan's gaze shifted and settled on Tan Yao.

The fiery look in his eyes made Tan Yao's scalp tingle.

But after hesitating for a moment, the boy slowly shook his head.

"Sorry," he said, "I... don't really want to go."

Jiang Yuanliang: "..."

Wei Lan: “???”