Chapter 4

Yan Kexing did not say much, but everything he said was well put. Even the way he ate fish was especially good-looking. One glance was enough to tell he was no ordinary person.

Shi Wen could not help wondering about his background.

The three of them polished off every dish on the table. By the end, even the hot pot broth had become a little bland.

Shi Wen poured the two of them cold drinks. "I haven't enjoyed a meal this much in ages."

Gong Jiang raised his glass and clinked it against his. "I haven't had such a satisfying meal in ages either. Eating at your place is a real pleasure."

Shi Wen smiled. "Then come again next time. I'll see if I can get some red willow to grill fish with. I've heard fish grilled over red willow is delicious too."

Yan Kexing said, "Mind the ecosystem."

Shi Wen said, "No problem! I definitely won't go chopping trees down indiscriminately."

After lunch, Yan Kexing and Gong Jiang helped wash all the pots, bowls, and utensils before they left.

When Shi Wen first invited them to eat, it had been partly because of Yan Kexing's face and physique. But when they started washing the pots, bowls, and utensils, he was genuinely touched.

While Yan Kexing went to clean up around the well, Shi Wen quietly asked Gong Jiang, "Gong Jiang, is Mr. Yan the teacher leading your group? Which university are you from?"

Gong Jiang nodded and quietly named a famous university. "He supervises doctoral students."

Shi Wen said, "D-doctoral students? Mr. Yan doesn't look that old."

Gong Jiang assured him, "You can look him up on the official website."

Shi Wen said, "You're all amazing."

Gong Jiang returned the compliment. "Everyone has their own specialty. You run such a big ranch—that's impressive too."

After the dishes were washed, Shi Wen seemed preoccupied.

He walked Gong Jiang and Yan Kexing to the ranch gate.

Because of the accident that morning, Yan Kexing and Gong Jiang had swapped horses. Yan Kexing was riding the one that had been bitten on the ear.

The horse looked unremarkable on its own, but with Yan Kexing riding it, it looked quite magnificent, almost like a tall, powerful steed.

Sitting on the horse, Yan Kexing looked down at Shi Wen. "Goodbye."

Shi Wen pulled himself together and waved. "Goodbye."

He did not know whether they would ever see each other again.

Shi Wen added, "You're welcome to come by whenever you have time."

Yan Kexing nodded, gave the horse a light kick in the belly, and rode away.

Gong Jiang followed behind him and turned to say to Shi Wen, "You don't need to see us any farther. Go back and get some rest."

Shi Wen smiled and waved, standing where he was as he watched them ride farther and farther away.

Chapter 4

After Yan Kexing and Gong Jiang left, Shi Wen went to the official website to look him up.

Yan Kexing's photo was right there on the homepage of S University's official website.

The photo was good-looking, but it did not capture even a tenth of his presence in person.

Shi Wen read on and discovered that Yan Kexing's team studied integrated environmental science and had published quite a few papers.

He scrolled down and opened one of the papers, intending to read it. To his surprise, the screen was full of foreign-language technical terms. He had long since forgotten his foreign-language skills after graduating, and he struggled through the paper, though he could tell roughly that Yan Kexing's team did quite a lot.

He really is impressive.

While Shi Wen struggled to read the paper, Yan Kexing was working at his desk.

Two enormous monitors stood on the desk, densely packed with foreign-language text.

A pair of non-prescription blue-light glasses rested on his high-bridged nose. The characters were reflected in the lenses before entering his eyes.

The text scrolled so quickly that its flickering reflection in his glasses looked almost surreal.

Yan Kexing was engrossed in the article when the phone beside him suddenly rang, its gentle music echoing through the study.

He pressed save on the computer, glanced at the caller ID, then picked up the phone and put it to his ear. "Zhu Ji."

Zhu Ji said, "I actually got through. What are you doing?"

Yan Kexing said, "Working. Do you have something important to discuss?"

He stressed the word "important," making his attitude perfectly clear.

Zhu Ji said, "Ah, yes. It's about the matter on the northern slopes of the Agouna Mountains. I wanted to consult you."

Yan Kexing gave a hum, signaling him to continue.

Zhu Ji hurried to make the most of the time and asked everything he wanted to know.

Yan Kexing listened and thought it over, offering his professional opinion.

The two went back and forth for more than half an hour.

Zhu Ji breathed a sigh of relief. "That's everything I wanted to ask. Sorry for the trouble today. When you come up to N City, I'll treat you to a meal."

"Don't mention it." Yan Kexing fiddled with a pen on the desk. "By the way, have you finished the first round of the closed beta we talked about before?"

"We have. We're contacting test subjects for the next round now. Are you interested?"

"I met someone today who fits your requirements quite well. His Ability is probably at the beginner level, he's lucky, and his character is decent too. If you need someone, I'll recommend him to you."

"That's high praise coming from you!"

"He helped my student out." Yan Kexing fiddled with the pen again and brought the conversation back on track. "I've met him myself, and I'm sure he meets your requirements."

"Who is it? Let me see if I recognize the name."

"His name is Shi Wen. His bloodline should be animal-related."

"Oh, I know him. Qilin Bloodline. His grandfather was here back in the day too, so you could say it runs in the family. It's just that his bloodline is a little thin, and his numbers keep going up and down. He only just met the standard this year, so that's when he was brought in."

"I think he has good potential."

"The Qilin Bloodline—he's the only person in the country we've found with it so far. If he can develop it, he really will be exceptional." Zhu Ji thought for a moment. "Since you say so, I'll move him onto this round's list. We originally had him in the second batch."

"I'm only recommending him. The rest is up to you."

"Hahaha, I know you're not one to play favorites. Don't worry. If he doesn't meet the requirements, even with your recommendation, I definitely won't approve him."

After hanging up, Zhu Ji pulled up Shi Wen's file on the internal network and studied it carefully before adding him to the first batch's list.