Chapter 19 - I’ve got this Scholar’s back (1)
Chapter 19 I’ve got this Scholar’s back
Normally, the main system would delay acceptance for a dozen or so days but Gu Yuan’s application was submitted and approved the same day.
As a probationary staff member, Gu Yuan still had to finish his original job. Lu Deng led him to live in the main world for a week before leaving with him and personally sending him into the docking space.
Gu Yuan was still in his probationary period and thus he still needed to go through various worlds, continuing to serve as the set cannon fodder. He would do this without any of his previous memories. Once the probationary period passes and he becomes an official staff member, all his previous memories would be automatically restored.
Watching Gu Yuan’s figure disappear into the starry sky, Lu Deng retracted his gaze and opened the virtual light screen, searching for the location of the world where the other had been thrown to.
His task was to care for and save cannon fodders, to improve their treatment and to change their fate. There were a lot of cannon fodders that needed saving and the main system has invested in a lot of staff, it didn’t really matter in which world he completed his missions so long as he completed them.
If he could find the world where Gu Yuan was in, even if the other party temporarily couldn’t remember anything, completing his mission would still be much easier and more enjoyable.
Thinking of their kiss and agreement before parting, Lu Deng moved his hand lightly and fiddled with the golden bell between his fingers. The corners of his lips curled slightly.
Naturally, he also ignored the never-ending buffering icon in his mind as the system kept wanting to talk but hesitating.
They quickly managed to narrow the search. In the blink of an eye, they were able to identify the serial number of the target world. Lu Deng’s eyes faintly brightened. He had just raised his hand and pressed to confirm, when the system’s mechanical voice sounded urgently in his mind: “H-ho-host——!”
The system had certain privileges accorded to it because of its role as support to the host and the details it could see were much wider than Lu Deng could. It must have seen something.
Lu Deng raised his eyebrows slightly. When the information for the new world had finished loading, he scrolled through the text on the virtual light screen. The smile on his lips shrunk just a little bit.
This was an advanced world where the plot line played out in a campus setting.
The protagonist’s name was Jiang Zhou, a student of the Department of Biology of Z University. He has just enrolled this year. With the talent and luck given by the protagonist’s halo, he has overcome all obstacles and finally won the highest honor in the field of scientific research. It was a pure Gary Stu rising-to-the-top story.
The cannon fodder who needed saving was named Gu Chuanbai and he was Jiang Zhou’s senior. Both of them got in through a recommendation. Both of them were brilliant and talented. But he didn’t have the luck of the protagonist. He met a mentor completely without any moral integrity during his graduate studies.
Where there is light, there will be darkness. There are scholars with high morals, and naturally there are also scholars who merely take the opportunity to make profits.
The tutor’s name was Zhan Pei, an associate professor in the Department of Biology. Not only does he wantonly oppresses the graduate students under his care but he also repeatedly suppressed Gu Chuanbai’s thesis, maliciously obstructing him when he unexpectedly made new discoveries. Use of equipment needed layers upon layers of approvals, bribes were frequently accepted, and the greater part of the wages of the graduate students under him were handed over to him.
Gu Chuanbai came from an average family. Under Zhan Pei’s oppression, he could only repeatedly shorten his rest time. Due to excessive fatigue, he died when an apparatus accidentally exploded during an experiment.
This incident did not cause much waves at the time, but it became the buried catalyst for the subsequent plot.
When the protagonist Jiang Zhou proceeded forward in triumph, obtaining the results to his scientific research, this instructor jumped out once again to block his way. Jiang Zhou managed to uncover Gu Chuanbai’s story from that year, and many students he had victimized also came forward to speak up. This finally forced the tutor to admit responsibility and resign, removing a malignant tumor from the scientific research community.
Evil got its retribution but the dead could not be resurrected. People could only sigh in regret at the loss of such a genius and the interrupted experiment stopped along with that explosion.
Lu Deng silently dropped his gaze, took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. His thoughts and feelings were all tangled.
Compared with the previous world, the tasks in the current world were undoubtedly much easier to complete, but this wasn’t the point.
This world belonged to the system’s ‘campus’ classification. Since it was a campus, there must be homework. Since there is homework——
Lu Deng raised his head and knocked on the system in his mind. “Weren’t all those exercise books already blown up?”
“They are all backed up in a data mode and they won’t be destroyed just because they were physically blown up. In time, they may will still appear before the host in different forms.”
Disappointment could clearly be heard in its mechanical sounding voice. The system responded carefully but kindly concealed the cruel fact that perhaps the mission target’s wish was to accompany the host to do homework. “In short, we still have to do homework…”
Lu Deng looked pensive and then nodded slightly.
Since they couldn’t set about from the root cause, they could only try to reduce his homework load through carefully adjusting his role. He had just passed his twentieth birthday. The ages of the available characters he could take on for this mission were from 18 to 24 years old. They were all most probably students, so there was still no way to escape the abyss of homework.
If there was really no alternative, then he was left with no choice but to apply as a street vendor selling barbeque skewers at the entrance of the university! He’ll just have to try to meet Gu Chuanbai by chance.
He could actually use barbeque skewers!
Lu Deng pondered for a long time but decided to first click on list of personas he could choose from. He looked through them one by one. Finally, his attention was caught by the last identity.
Twenty-four, a newly-appointed professor of botany at the University of Z; has an independent laboratory and free funds at his disposal, It was a scholar-like role with super high IQ.
The personas were generated to fit his own circumstances. Lu Deng’s intelligence and stored knowledge were enough to assume this type of role. It probably wouldn’t be difficult to complete the task. He had a laboratory at his disposal. Who knows? Maybe this time around he could “provide” for the other instead.
Although he only needed to teach basic lecture courses, based on his position and rank, he could be regarded as Gu Yuan’s teacher. The other definitely won’t have any way to make him do homework!
Lu Deng nodded in satisfaction, finally abandoning his idea of being a barbeque skewers vendor. He slightly modified the shape of his schoolbag to be more mature and old fashioned. He asked the system to get ready. He then stepped into the vortex, turning into a data stream flowing into the boundless starry sky.
——————
Light and shadow were scattered under the tree-lined road and the summer sun was dazzling.
The young man carrying a schoolbag stood still on the gravel road. He looked up at the exquisite and imposing teaching building. He unbuttoned the top two buttons on the collar of his shirt, and walked towards the main building with his suitcase.
Z University was a well-known institution of higher learning in China. It had a strong academic atmosphere and a free and open-minded academic atmosphere. In the eyes of the outside world, it was a pure white ivory tower that everyone aspired to. Before Zhan Pei’s misdeeds were exposed, no one could have imagined that such things were happening under the surface.
The wheels of his suitcase pressed against the stone and it suddenly shifted to one side. Lu Deng managed to pull it back to stand steady in time. He rubbed his faintly aching arm.
In order to fit the design of his character, his suitcase was filled with books and materials, its weight was not at all light.
It was the height of midsummer and the weather was sweltering. Even the very air was scorching. His bangs were soaked in a thin layer of sweat. Lu Deng raised his hand and wiped it away. He folded his cuff up a few times.
It would be nice if he had something to drink.
The thought just came up in his mind when a shadow quietly appeared beside him. A gentle breeze blew, taking a bit of the sweat away.
Lu Deng raised his head. A tall young man blocked the white-hot sunlight. Smiling at him, he took the suitcase, and passed over the ice-cold soda can in his other hand. “I just bought it. Here, you can have it.”
Under the dazzling white sunshine, the young man appeared smart and dashingly handsome. He was more than half a head taller than Lu Deng, with curly short hair, clear eyes, and an open smile.
Although he had unexpectedly struck up conversation, it didn’t seem too abrupt because of his particularly sincere tone and expression.
Lu Deng’s gaze fell into his smiling dark pupils and Lu Deng’s heart gave a light thud. His expression relaxed imperceptibly. He took the soda can but he still went through the usual pleasantries, “Thank you, may I ask—”
“My name is Gu Chuanbai. I’m a first year graduate student in the Department of Biology.”
Gu Chuanbai had already guessed what he wanted to ask. Gu Chuanbai laughed and easily carried his suitcase with one hand. “Are you a new student for Z University? I went to college here. Where do you want to go? It’ll be quicker if I send you there.”
The youth in front of him seemed to be the same age as him. There was an influx of new students during the start of the school season and getting lost was a common occurrence. Although he was busy, it did not prevent him from helping as much as he could.
It really was him.
Lu Deng pursed the corners of his lips. A smile flashed across his eyes, and starlight glimmered in the depths of his dark eyes.
He was still in his probationary period and Gu Yuan didn’t have any memories of the previous world. Even his personality might have been fine-tuned to suit this new character. But when he looked at the young man in front of him, it still seemed to him like he was looking at a younger version of that silhouette in his mind.
He has yet to be polished by fate to be his calm and sharp self. He revealed a dazzling and jubilant spirit, confident and at ease, bright and shining——
He might as well flirt back.
Lightly shaking the cola can a couple of times, Lu Deng’s brows lightly smoothened out. He thanked him warmly, told him where he was headed and walked quickly beside him.
Gu Chuanbai’s clothes were simple. His T-shirt and jeans were already half-worn but they were neat and clean. The arm carrying his suitcase stretched beautifully, with smooth muscle lines and his wheat-colored skin appeared healthy and shiny.
He had no extra accessories on his body only a thin red line hung around his neck. The pendant hanging on the line was well-hidden beneath his clothes.
Walking all the way had made Lu Deng really thirsty. Lu Deng secretly retracted his gaze. He opened the tab and drank a couple of mouthfuls of the soda.
That fizz bubbled in his throat, quickly extinguishing the scorching heat of summer. The cold feeling descended all the way down to his chest and he gave a contended little burp. Most of the summer heat immediately dissipated from his body.
Lu Deng squinted his eyes, feeling comfortable and relaxed.
Walking along the gravel road with his suitcase, Gu Chuanbai turned his eyes to the young man beside him, and a gentle smile appeared from the depths of his eyes. “What’s your name and which department are you in?”
Being willing to help others was a virtue and an ice-cold soda, especially in this heat with no vending machines around, was undoubtedly a precious thing. It wasn’t something anyone could just give so casually.
Gu Chuanbai didn’t know him but for some inexplicable reason, he found the other very pleasing to the eye. It was like looking at a younger brother who he’d been acquainted with since his childhood. He couldn’t help but want to take care of him. He had already handed over the can of soda before he was even aware of it.
Giving it to him seemed more worth it than drinking it himself.
“My name is–”
Lu Deng looked up at him and was about to announce his name when his eyes suddenly shifted. He pursed his lips gently and said, “Lu Jingmo, biology department.”
The system could help him import this character into this world, changing his name would be an easy thing for it. Chuanbai is bitterly cold and Jiangmo is warm in nature. Since he was a distinguished professor specializing in botany, it was better to adapt his name to the role. This way, it will be easy for the other party to remember him.
Although based on the fact that the other party had been able to spot and close in on him amidst the vast sea of people, despite not remembering anything, even if he had taken on the name Lu Barbeque Skewers, it would have still been the same. However, according to how the story world’s force or habit, doing it this way would provide a layer of guarantee.
Gu Chuanbai revealed a slightly surprised expression. Seeing that he didn’t seem to be joking, he couldn’t help but laugh and nod gently. “It’s a very nice name.”
In response to the gentle light in his eyes, a smile swept past Lu Deng’s features. He handed over the can of soda to him.
The two of them shared a can of soda and chatted. Walking on the gravel road under the shade of the trees, after a short while, they had already reached the administration building.
Although Lu Jingmo was quiet and reticent, he didn’t let the conversation fall into a deadlock of self-questioning and self-answering. He always give a suitable and appropriate response. Gu Chuanbai also gradually opened up and chattered more freely, introducing to him the characteristic features of Z University.
“The street behind the school is very lively. At night there will be many stalls selling all sorts of things. There are Internet cafes, ring toss and shooting and roadside stalls selling barbequed skewers. To be honest, it tastes good — but they’re not exactly big on cleanliness. We sometimes secretly make it ourselves. The oven and induction cooker in the laboratory are very useful.”
The young man beside him was gentle and quiet. He looked like the standard good student. He probably never did anything out of bounds when he was attending school.
Feeling comfortable instilling something completely against laboratory rules, Gu Chuanbai raised his arm to put over the other’s shoulders and patted him with a smile.
“Z University’s academic atmosphere is very open. They’re very particular about rights and freedom. As long as it’s something that doesn’t completely go over the line, they’re not so strict with the students. I heard that graduate students were more relaxed. Later when you become more familiar, you can come to me to freeload off a meal.”
Lu Deng blinked, looked up at him, and nodded slightly.
At this time, Gu Chuanbai was still so bright and clear, still proud of his alma mater.
He would sneak over the wall and go out for a night playing around. He would cook hot pot with the induction cooker in the laboratory; secretly use liquid nitrogen to make ice cream and use a can of soda to abduct a new student he doesn’t even know from right off the road — just like a boy with smarts and too much energy.
He should always be like this.
Talented and brilliant, glowing with enthusiasm. He originally had such boundless prospects for his future.
A cold can of soda was pressed to his cheek and Lu Deng came back to his senses. Gu Chuanbai, dragging his suitcase, was standing in front of the elevator. He had already pressed the button to get on the elevator.
Seeing him in a daze, Gu Chuanbai was a little worried. He transferred the can of soda to his other hand and checked his temperature using the back of his hand on his forehead. “Are you feeling really hot? You can get heat stroke in this kind of weather. There’s central air conditioning in the building so it will be cool soon.”
Faced with the concerned light in his dark pupils, Lu Deng calmed his mind and shook his head gently.
Those sleek, dark eyes focused once again. It seemed that his mind really had just wandered off just now.
Gu Chuanbai breathed a sigh of relief. He smiled and patted him on the shoulder. Deliberately making a show of being earnest, he said, “Don’t worry. I’m familiar with this place. I’ll cover you.”
He raised his jaw, deliberately making the action a little bit rough. It unexpectedly, really made him look like he was the boss in charge.
Lu Deng couldn’t help laughing. A clear smile appeared on his eyes and lips. This image lightly entered Gu Chuanbai’s eyes, causing his heartbeat to stop suddenly.
The elevator chimed and the double side doors slowly opened.