98: Chapter 81: Great Harvest, Abundance Overflowing_2 98: Chapter 81: Great Harvest, Abundance Overflowing_2 Li Ming sat in the chair, calculating.

Now burdened with a large sum due to the Sixth Patrol Fleet having departed two days ago, the Black Hole Network had resumed distribution.

But he wasn’t in a hurry to convert it all to metal energy, as the remaining metal energy was still more than sufficient at Level D.

However, the metal energy required for a Level C Controlled Object could easily drain him completely.

By early August, the turmoil in Silver Grey City had passed, and the recent events felt like a dream.

In the family apartment of the city guards.

“Here I come…” Yang Yu, wearing a long coat that revealed her luminous, pale thighs, carried a bowl of milky white fish soup to the center of the table.

Yang Peng was busy in the kitchen, while Elder Yang fidgeted on the sofa.

“Elder Yang, still not used to it after all this time?” Li Ming asked with a smile.

“This place is like a birdcage, used to it my ass,” Elder Yang grumbled, “I’d rather move back since there’s no one to talk to on regular days.”

Although he spoke like this, Elder Yang did not insist on moving back, knowing that Yang Peng’s current status was extraordinary, and moving back might not be beneficial.

“Ah… once Yu’er goes off to school, it will just be me at home,” Elder Yang said, seeming somewhat desolate.

“Grandpa, don’t worry, I’ll video call you often then.

Have dad set up a holographic projection at home.

It’ll be no different than if I were there,” Yang Yu said nonchalantly, the girl showing no sadness about leaving, only anticipation for the future.

“Ha-ha, the outside world is so exciting, by then you probably won’t remember grandpa,” Elder Yang said with a grin.

After having lunch, at the dining table, Yang Yu couldn’t wait to ask, “Li Ming, hasn’t the Police Academy made a special recruitment offer for you yet?”

Seeing Li Ming shaking his head, Yang Yu looked toward her father and frowned, “Dad, what’s going on?”

She had wanted to go to the Capital Star with Li Ming.

“How should I know?” Yang Peng said, looking puzzled.

He didn’t have control over the Police Academy.

After finishing their meal, he and Yang Peng left, heading toward the Guard Building.

“The new director has been confirmed, being transferred from another star system, and is currently on the way, estimated to take more than a month to arrive,” Yang Peng casually said in the hovercar.

“Uncle Yang, we need to keep a low profile.

Don’t stir up something that would make the new director pay a visit to acknowledge us,” Li Ming said earnestly.

“Kid, no need to remind me,” Yang Peng said, exasperated, then glared at him, “Almost got distracted by your chatter.

The guy is a director, it’d be good enough if he doesn’t make life difficult, why the heck would he come to pay respects?”

“Ha…” Li Ming laughed, “You have the support of many officials, what’s there to fear?”

“What support of many officials… you’re talking about that USB drive,” Yang Peng’s voice suddenly lowered, he sighed, “I don’t even know if it’s right or wrong.”

Li Ming emphasized, “Of course it’s right.

How would you investigate those who received one or two thousand Star Coins?

If you investigated everyone, would Silver Grey City still function?

It’s fine as long as they don’t do it again.”

Yang Peng snorted, “Don’t comfort me.”

The USB drive had appeared at their doorstep not long ago, the monitoring probes hadn’t captured anything, and the contents had been shocking to Yang Peng.

But he ultimately chose to keep it concealed.

Arriving at the building, the two went their separate ways, Li Ming to train.

Although he had the Thunderclap training ball, he didn’t necessarily have to stay in the training room, but the training room had unrestricted nutritional fluid, free to use.

“22%”

Progress was good, Li Ming began to pre-test his own development progress, using it for records.

By mid-afternoon, someone came to call him, saying Yang Peng was looking for him.

Upon reaching the top floor, in what used to be Qin Xiao’s office, Yang Peng saw him come in and said helplessly, “Silent mode again, huh?”

Li Ming shrugged.

Yang Peng really had no way to handle Li Ming, and then said, “The Capital Police Academy just sent a notice, they want to recruit you through internal channels of the city guard.”

“You’ll start with the new students, your age fits just right, prepare to buy your ticket,” Yang Peng advised.

Li Ming nodded, then said, “Uncle Yang, please turn them down for me.”

“Hmm… what?” Yang Peng was looking down, searching for something, when he was startled and looked up at Li Ming, “What did you say?”

“I will go to the University of Science and Technology in the capital,” Li Ming continued.

“The University of Science and Technology?!” Yang Peng’s voice rose a notch.

“How… how did you get in?” He felt it was inconceivable, then suddenly realized something, and said gravely, “Through special channels?”

“Yes.”

“‘Phantom’?” Yang Peng suddenly blurted out.

Li Ming looked at him, his eyes a mix of confusion, perplexity, astonishment, and a bit like looking at a lunatic.

“… What did you say?”

“Nothing.” Yang Peng shook his head, then scoffed inwardly, thinking he was really hysterical.

“Which channels?” he inquired.

“A recommendation letter, my father bought it for a hefty price,” Li Ming explained.

“Changhai…” Yang Peng’s eyes, which had dismissed the suspicion, became serious again.

“Tell me the truth, does your father have any secrets?”

“You suspect too?” Li Ming’s expression shook, “I always had this suspicion, his death was too suspicious, and despite such a long time, we haven’t figured it out.

Even after you became the acting minister and used quite a lot of resources, we still couldn’t find any clues.”

Yang Peng’s face became embarrassed, feeling like Li Ming’s next words would be “What are you good for?” His eyes wandered, and he said soberly, “Alright, alright, I won’t ask anymore, let’s go, hurry up.”

Li Ming stood up, preparing to leave, when he suddenly heard Yang Peng say, “Yu’er, she doesn’t know yet.”

“I haven’t had the chance to tell her yet,” Li Ming responded, faintly hearing the sound of grinding teeth.

Good lad, good lad… Yang Yu was now eagerly hoping that Li Ming could go to the capital star with her.

But Li Ming kept quiet, leaving it hanging, planning to give her a surprise later.

Poor girl, utterly controlled by this lad.

“If you…” Yang Peng initially wanted to warn him, but then thought, considering the vast distance involved, a round trip would take over a month, so what use was a warning?

Suddenly disillusioned, he waved his hand, “Forget it, just take good care of her.”

“You can count on me,” Li Ming smiled.

…

On August 16, the starport of Silver Grey Star looked somewhat dilapidated, with only three docking lanes and patched, blemished repairs visible on the platform edges, seemingly bumped numerous times.

Usually, non-human races are almost unseen, and even humans are sparse.

The hall could be described as desolate, and a ticket for interstellar travel, even the most basic, costs no less than ten thousand Star Coins.

Today, however, it was somewhat lively, as the education ministry of Silver Grey Star had specifically sent people, including students from the University of Science and Technology and other schools, all departing today.

With the education ministry stepping in, the tickets had a discount.

Excitement mingled with melancholy created a rare scene.

Yang Yu tiptoed, looking around nervously, and said, “Where’s Li Ming?

Why hasn’t he come?”

“Hasn’t he told you yet?” Catching a break to come to see her off, Yang Peng’s face looked fierce.

Good kid, keeping it up for so long!

“Told me what?” Yang Yu frowned deeply.

Yang Peng originally wanted to blurt it out, watching his daughter’s eyebrows knit together with anxiety and unease, then thought of her excitement and happiness when she saw Li Ming later.

His lips parted and closed, ultimately deciding not to ruin the surprise, and said, “It’s nothing… he might be busy.”

“Oh,” Yang Yu’s eyes dimmed as she waved goodbye.

Old Yang couldn’t help but move a few steps forward, his eyes filled with reluctance.

As she boarded the spaceship, her luggage was scant.

Yang Yu seemed dispirited as she carelessly shoved her baggage into the rack and sat next to the window, resting her cheek in her hand, deeply worried.

“Dear passengers, welcome aboard the Piccolo Star Interstellar Spaceship.

This voyage will take five days, headed for Xiaoyun Port.

Please keep the noise down during the journey, maintain decorum during rest periods, and have a pleasant trip,” announced the pleasant voice over the intercom.

“…”

With the graceful announcement, the spaceship gradually left the orbit.

The drab Silver Grey Star shrunk even smaller, its deep pits and ravines clearly visible, the atmospheric clouds shifting unpredictably as boys and girls crowded at the windows.

After the initial excitement, the cabin grew somewhat silent.