Whoosh.
The tightly shut office door slid open, revealing a dazzling world within-azure Holographic Projections filled with all kinds of data occupied the entire office.
At the center of those enormous Holographic Projections, a small figure sat in his chair with his head lowered.
Judging by his movements, he seemed to be working on some important calculations.
"Academician Wang, take a seat."
A familiar voice came from ahead.
"Of course!" Wang Man hurriedly answered, carefully squeezing into this world of formulas and data.
Despite all his care, he inevitably brushed against the light of the Holographic Projections, sending ripples across their surfaces.
"Give me a moment to finish what I'm working on," Lü Yongchang said softly.
Feeling gravity for the first time in a long while, Wang Man nodded silently.
A mechanical-arm robot deftly fetched a cup of hot tea and gently placed it on the coffee table in front of him.
Watching the steam curl above the tea, then turning to look at the endless stars beyond the porthole, Wang Man instinctively let out a deep sigh.
"What? Giving up already?"
As that familiar teasing voice rang out, a figure blocked the light of the Holographic Projections and stood before him.
"P-Professor Lü... I..."
Wang Man stood up awkwardly and rubbed his hands together. Looking embarrassed, he said quietly, "Professor, I've let you down."
The corners of Lü Yongchang's mouth lifted slightly. With a faint smile, he waved a dismissive hand.
"What are you talking about?"
"This isn't your fault."
"Running megastructure engineering and the Starship replacement project simultaneously really does put the fleet's material reserves to the test."
Wang Man's expression shifted slightly at those words. "Then, Professor, do you mean..."
"We should suspend one of the projects?"
Lü Yongchang glanced at Wang Man with an enigmatic smile.