At this moment Zhao Chen didn't yet know that, because of the recruitment notice he'd had Zhao Wan'er post, the whole of Northstar Academy had boiled over — the forums above all. The hottest thread was about: Viscount Zhao Chen's Owl Dragon Fleet recruitment benefits!
As a rule, at graduation season, private fleets coming to recruit was nothing strange. But this time, the recruitment benefits Zhao Chen's Owl Dragon Fleet offered truly dropped jaws. Not only meals made from natural ingredients, but wages of at least three star coins a month besides. As for the wages, perhaps it wasn't much. But three meals a day of natural ingredients — even the Imperial military's elite fleets wouldn't dare be so extravagant. The noble scions might look down on these terms, but for ordinary cadets it was, without question, the most superior recruitment offer going.
ShipKing9112: Right, how could this possibly be real. Food made from natural ingredients is pricey as anything — a ten-star-coin meal allowance is only good for a few meals, surely?
Zhao Chen's Lil' Fangirl: Up there — you didn't read the notice properly. That food has an internal supply price; a ten-star-coin monthly allowance, so long as you're not too wasteful, covers all three meals a day.
I-Own-a-Battleship: Everyone, I'm a fifth-year! Senior Zhao's meal allowance — I can vouch it's real. I was on the two-academy fleet back then, and one of those Senior Zhao rescued; I won't go into the details. I can confirm the meal treatment aboard Senior Zhao's ship is exactly this!
In one of the academy squares set aside for crew recruitment at graduation season, Zhao Wan'er faced a whole crowd of graduating cadets.
"Excuse me — are the benefits written here for real?"
"Can you really eat natural food?"
"I'm not here for anything else — I just want to know whether I can meet Senior Zhao!"
Zhao Wan'er looked at the crowd of students before her, and helplessly hopped straight up onto a table, switched on an electronic bullhorn, and called out, "Everyone — I've written the recruitment information out clearly; every line of it is true. But remember one thing: we recruit women soldiers only! Women only! Women only! The important things get said three times. Any student with an interest may register here with us; we offer a one-month probation. If you're not satisfied within the month, you may leave at any time — and we'll even provide travel and board expenses for the departure!"
Xue Xiaoxiao, beside her, watched Zhao Wan'er hollering away with such effort, looked at the recruitment notice before her, and said with a pout, "I'd so love to join Senior Zhao's fleet too — if I could eat those delicious meals every day…" At the thought of the delicious food she'd eaten aboard the T3 Blizzard before, Xue Xiaoxiao felt her mouth begin to water.
"Oh? You'd sell yourself off for the sake of a meal?" Su Lan teased beside her.
Xue Xiaoxiao said in all seriousness, "If it were just the food, then no — but if Senior Zhao could arrange a T3 warship for me, I wouldn't mind selling myself at all! Actually that T3 Blizzard would do fine too… no great cannon, sure… but the speed — fast!"
Su Lan rolled her eyes. This junior sister of hers was hopeless. Nothing left in her head but starships.
"Senior, you're graduating this year too. Where do you plan to go after?" Xue Xiaoxiao asked, looking at Su Lan.
Su Lan said, "I'll probably join the Imperial fleet of our Su family's Purple Perilla Star Region, temper myself in the fleet a few years, then build a fleet of my own."
"Aiya, once you leave, Senior, there'll be only me and Wan'er left at the academy. And I have a feeling Wan'er won't be staying long either." Xue Xiaoxiao pouted, rather unhappy.
"It's something everyone must go through. And we can always find time to gather. If you miss me, just send me a video call." Su Lan consoled her.
Just then, a voice sounded beside them. "Lanlan, have you settled where you'll go in future? Why not join me in the Imperial military of the Starglow Central Star Region? I have people who can arrange it — they'll set us up with fine posts!"
A flicker of distaste crossed Su Lan's eyes. "I've already made my arrangements. There's no need for your concern, Classmate Han."
Faced with Su Lan's coldness, Han Tianwang was somewhat put out. Ever since last year, when he'd asked Su Lan to handle the Zhang Haoran matter for him, Su Lan's attitude toward him had greatly changed.
"Su Lan, you know I've always felt, toward you—"
Before Han Tianwang could finish, Su Lan cut him off. "Classmate Han, I have a few matters to see to; would you kindly not disturb us?"
Han Tianwang's expression was a tangle. "Then I'll… wait until you've finished your business."
Su Lan paid him no mind, and went to help Zhao Wan'er with the recruitment.
Just then a man in a hat and sunglasses walked straight past the recruitment table and around to the back.
"Excuse me, we don't recruit male soldiers here." Su Lan stepped out to block the hatted man.
The hatted man took off his sunglasses and winked at Su Lan before him. "Senior Su Lan — I trust you've been well."
"Zhao—" Xue Xiaoxiao, beside them, was so excited she was about to cry out Zhao Chen's name, but Zhao Chen signaled her to keep quiet.
"Don't give away who I am — or what do you think this getup is for?" Zhao Chen said in a low voice.
"You're a sixth-year graduate yourself now; calling me 'Senior' hardly suits, does it?" Su Lan said teasingly.
"That won't do — once my senior, always my senior." Zhao Chen laughed.
"Come to think of it, offering benefits this good — aren't you worried the fleet won't be able to keep running?" Su Lan pointed at the recruitment notice.
Zhao Chen looked at Su Lan, and said with a teasing smile, "Oh? Is my senior tempted? How about it — consider joining my fleet? I could arrange a captain's post for you!"
"Me! Me! Me! I want to be captain of a T3 battleship!" Xue Xiaoxiao thrust up her hand.
"We don't recruit children here," Zhao Chen said, deliberately.
Xue Xiaoxiao pouted. "I'm not little!"
"If you can make me captain of a T3 carrier, I might just consider it," Su Lan said beside them, feigning deliberation. A T3 carrier — of those there weren't many even in the whole Starlight Empire. Its standing could, to a degree, rival even a T4-grade warship.
"You said it — when I have a T3 carrier, you'll come be my captain." Zhao Chen looked at Su Lan with a smile.
Su Lan rolled her eyes. "Fine — then come find me with your T3 carrier."
"It's a promise."
Off to the side, the ignored Han Tianwang watched, his face dark, as the Su Lan who'd just cold-shouldered him with "matters to see to" now chatted and laughed with that Zhao Chen. This was humiliating him! A slap in the face!
Zhao Chen! I was still hesitating whether to move against you — but of all things you should not have done, you touched the woman I've set my heart on! Han Tianwang glared viciously at Zhao Chen, cursing him venomously within. He turned and left. He meant to go tell Zhang Haoran to set that plan formally in motion. He'd have Zhao Chen die in that Reef Star Region!