The First Order

Frankly, Ren Xiaosu could already tell the girl named Meng Nan was not particularly interested in Liang Ce.

Or rather, most women were not particularly interested in men their age. That was because girls usually matured earlier while men tended to be more childish than girls of the same age.

But this did not mean there was no chance for Liang Ce. As long as he persevered, he might be able to move the other party when his luck got better.

Right now, Ren Xiaosu felt that Liang Ce stood no chance at all. After all, who could fall in love with someone so dumb?

Liang Ce walked back over to Ren Xiaosu sadly. He knew he was done for the moment he uttered those words, but he could not blame Ren Xiaosu for it since there was nothing wrong with what Ren Xiaosu had taught him. He was the one who did not execute the line.

Ren Xiaosu comforted him softly, “Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time until we reach the Kong Consortium. You’ll get another chance.”

“I hope so.” Liang Ce gave a long sigh.

“I’m very curious about something.” Ren Xiaosu asked Liang Ce, “How often does the Trinity Institute go to the Kong Consortium for an academic exchange?”

“Once every three years, I think that’s how the name of Trinity Institute came about,” Liang Ce replied. “It’s been held for over three decades, and there’s always some medical takeaways gained after each exchange. It seems like this is the only way for the medical field to get past the consortiums’ technological roadblocks. In the early years, the consortiums did not allow such academic exchanges to be organized. Back then, Elder Wang’s father pushed for it to happen by staging a sit-in in front of the head of the Wang Consortium’s official residence. He said that any technology in the world could be clamped down on except for medical knowledge, because it involves the lives of hundreds of thousands of people to even millions of them. What could be more important in the world than the lives of people? Afterwards, he sat in protest at the entrance for three days and passed away after suffering a heart attack. That was what led to the medical exchange becoming a tradition and also how the Trinity Institute came to be.”

This was the academic freedom Wang Jing’s father had traded his life for.

Ren Xiaosu looked at Wang Jing. So that man had inherited his father’s will and spent his entire career working hard for this cause?

Was this why Wang Shengzhi assigned Ren Xiaosu to the medical exchange group? Because it would be a good cover for them to travel to the Kong Consortium since there was already precedence of the medical exchange program spanning back several decades, and it happened that it was time for it to be held again this year?

Ren Xiaosu suddenly asked, “I saw that y’all gave away the medicine for free to the patients. Is it all paid for by the Wang Consortium?”

“No,”—Liang Ce shook his head—”Elder Wang Jing raised the money through charity dinners. All of the donations received would be used entirely on purchasing medical supplies to treat the refugees outside the strongholds. That’s why everyone is getting such respect from the Wang Consortium refugees. But even so, the amount of medical supplies is still inadequate for the number of refugees.”

At this moment, Wang Jing went to check on the medical supplies they brought along. “How much medicine do we still have left?”

Meng Nan put down her boxed lunch and took out a ledger. “We still have two-thirds left.”

Wang Jing was taken aback. “There’s still so much of it left?”

Under normal circumstances, the medicine they brought along would be used up by the end of the morning. But it seemed they did not use much this time.

However, Wang Jing realized it was probably due to that young man’s contribution. Ren Xiaosu had used his own medicine to treat the patients’ injuries without having to draw from their inventory at all.

Some refugees had gathered outside the makeshift medical tents. All of them had rushed over from the various factories to see the doctor. As some of the factories were situated quite far away, it took them almost two hours to get back here.

Wang Jing turned around and saw Ren Xiaosu taking out a huge box from the trunk of the luxury off-road vehicle. He asked, “What’s in this box of yours?”

“Oh, it contains my family’s ancestral medicine.” Ren Xiaosu beamed as he looked at the patients waiting outside.

Wang Jing was touched. Even though the young man sounded really easygoing, Wang Jing knew his medicine was probably extremely valuable.

This person named Ren Xiaosu might be young, but he was so kind. How admirable!

Wang Jing said, “I would like to ask you something. Are you Mr. Cao Qingju’s student?”

Ren Xiaosu was stunned before saying with a smile, “No, no, I’m not qualified to be Mr. Cao Qingju’s student.”

Wang Jing was absolutely delighted. “Good, that’s really great!”

They probably still had a month together for this exchange, so Wang Jing felt he would have enough time to observe this young man.

Ren Xiaosu did not continue chatting with Wang Jing. After all… how could Wang Jing be more important than earning gratitude tokens?!

“Liang Ce, come here and give me a hand. Meng Nan, you’ll suture the patients’ wounds. Hurry up and get the patients over!” Ren Xiaosu shouted.

Liang Ce was immediately overjoyed. However, Meng Nan did not say anything. She just took out her medical equipment immediately and prepared for suturing.

The refugees came and consulted Ren Xiaosu about their injuries one by one, and Ren Xiaosu treated them one after another. When the treatment was completed, he would calmly accept their thanks and watch them as they left.

In just an afternoon, Ren Xiaosu’s gratitude tokens increased from a 1,000-odd to more than 2,000.

Ren Xiaosu had thought he was still far off from unlocking the palace’s next weapon. Where was he supposed to find 10,000 gratitude tokens?

But now he realized Wang Shengzhi had actually given him a big gift!

All of a sudden, Ren Xiaosu heard the voice from the palace say, “Host has received 1,888 gratitude tokens in one day. ‘A Grateful Heart’ achievement unlocked. Awarded: Five Basic Skill Duplication Scrolls!”

Ren Xiaosu was stunned for a moment. Why hadn’t he heard of such a thing before? There was even a reward for unlocking an achievement?

Before this, Ren Xiaosu knew there were still a lot of secrets waiting to be discovered about the palace. For example, he unintentionally gained the “City Crusher” powerup when both his Strength and Dexterity attributes hit 10 points each.

And there was even an achievement system?!

Ren Xiaosu asked in his mind, “What other achievements can I mass unlock… No, I mean, are there any other achievements for me to unlock?”

“Unauthorized to answer,” the palace answered emotionlessly.

“Alright,” Ren Xiaosu said, feeling like he hadn’t gotten enough rewards yet. Although the reward was only the Basic Skill Duplication Scroll, it gave out five.

Thinking of this, Ren Xiaosu became even more enthusiastic in his work. By evening, his gratitude tokens had finally reached 3,000. This was because he had been using gratitude tokens to trade for the black medicine. Otherwise, he would’ve had even more!

Ren Xiaosu thought happily that if Yang Xiaojin wanted to use the black bullet next time, he would no longer have to be despised by her for being too stingy.

As the sky darkened, Wang Jing came to Ren Xiaosu and said in concern, “Xiaosu, why don’t you get some rest? You’ve been working the entire day, so it’s best that you take a break. Our health is our most precious asset.”

Ren Xiaosu said with a strong sense of righteousness, “When it comes to saving lives, do my personal sacrifices really matter that much!”

Wang Jing felt deep veneration for him. “My young friend, I really admire your noble character and integrity!”

“Don’t stand on ceremony, Elder Wang. I’m willing to stay in town for a few more days to attend to more patients!” Ren Xiaosu said in a serious tone.

Yang Xiaojin got out of the vehicle and pulled Ren Xiaosu aside. She asked in a whisper, “Aren’t we gonna save Wang Yun?”

Ren Xiaosu asked, “Who’s Wang Yun?”

Yang Xiaojin was speechless.