Jiang Yuanrui, now left unattended in District 2, was like a ripe fruit hanging from a branch, there for the taking.
The only thing they didn't know was whether this was a trap or an oversight.
But Qin Siyang thought that if he were Lu Daoxing, he would probably make a move.
Jiang Hao wasn't there, and Ma Shi wasn't there either. There probably wouldn't be a better opportunity.
But Qin Siyang also felt that things wouldn't be this easy.
"Principal Zhao… if you can get in touch with Professor Lu, could you tell him not to rush into making a move?"
Zhao Longfei helplessly scratched the scarred top of his head, "Little Qin, if I had the ability to contact him on my own, the first thing I'd do would be to stop him from going to kill [Remnant Thought]. Professor Lu is a good person. I don't want him to put himself in danger."
After hearing this, Qin Siyang nodded to show that he understood.
If Li Tianming could contact Lu Daoxing, he would definitely be like Zhao Longfei and try to stop Lu Daoxing from doing something this risky.
So, only he could actively contact other people, while other people couldn't actively contact him.
That made sense. After all, Lu Daoxing was already hanging high on the K of Spades of the Snake card.
Even the J of Clubs' [Remnant Thought] was extremely cautious, so Lu Daoxing naturally had to be even more careful.
Not only for his own sake, but also to avoid bringing trouble to people like Li Tianming who cared about him.
Thinking of this, Qin Siyang could only silently wish Lu Daoxing well in his heart.
———
[District 2, Inside Jiang Yuanrui's Residence]
Jiang Yuanrui sat upright on the sofa, his expression calm and unmoving. His entire person was as steady as a mountain.
Directly opposite him, Guo Jiuxiao was playing with the teacup in his hand.
Guo Jiuxiao took a sip of tea and said with a smile, "I didn't expect you to call me here to deal with Lu Daoxing."
Jiang Yuanrui nodded, "I've always wanted to make sure that nothing can go wrong when I do things. I'm very grateful that Professor Guo's true self could come here to support me and support the Jiang family."
Guo Jiuxiao stared at the tea leaves swirling in the cup, the smile in his eyes gradually disappearing, "I'm helping your Jiang family, yet you're investigating me behind my back?"
"Professor Guo, you may not believe me, but I didn't investigate you."
Guo Jiuxiao slowly raised his head and scrutinized Jiang Yuanrui, seemingly verifying Jiang Yuanrui's teasing words.
Jiang Yuanrui's tone was even, "The feeling I got from meeting you the previous few times and the feeling I got from meeting you this time are too different. Any Sequence ability user with some strength and even a little sensitivity can discover that you're not the same person."
After hearing this, Guo Jiuxiao was silent for a moment, then nodded, "You're right. Fine, I admit I wrongly accused you just now."
Jiang Yuanrui smiled, "The thing I find most comfortable about communicating with you researchers is that I can convince you with objective facts. There's no need to use boring emotions or morality to pressure you."
Guo Jiuxiao put down his teacup and said somewhat solemnly, "Emotions and morality can't pressure facts and truth."
"Actually, that's the same thing I just said."
"What do we do now?"
"There's nothing to do. Just wait for Lu Daoxing to come."
"Speaking of which, the crystal coin issuance ceremony in District 7 should have started by now, right?"
Jiang Yuanrui glanced at his watch, "Yes. Gu Weiyang is probably giving his speech right now."
———
["Today, I'm very honored to preside over the [Crystal Coin Issuance Ceremony]. I'm also very happy that the problem that has plagued the trading of rare items in the Safe Zones for many years has finally found a solution."]
Qin Siyang stared at Gu Weiyang on the stage.
He had heard the name Secretary-General Gu Weiyang countless times.
As the United Government's highest-ranking leader on the surface, he had always seemed like an unreachable existence to Qin Siyang.
Gu Weiyang's appearance wasn't particularly striking. He fit perfectly with Qin Siyang's stereotypical image of a meticulous middle-aged politician. One could vaguely tell that he was the brother of Gu Weirong and Gu Weihong.
His only distinctive feature was that when Gu Weiyang smiled, the corners of his mouth turned slightly down, giving him a serious and steady air.
After Gu Weiyang finished speaking, Zhao Longteng spoke.
After that came speeches from people from various fields accepting the issuance of the crystal coin.
Han Shuo, president of Central Glory University, represented academia; Qin Yingguang, commander of the Qin Legion, represented the military; Jiang Hao, president of the Haori Chamber of Commerce, represented the business community; Hu Chan, Holy Son of the Zephyr Church, represented the religious community, and so on…
This time, Qin Siyang had no chance to take the stage and give a speech.
He could only sit in the last row and listen to everyone else speak.
After everyone had finished speaking and declared their acceptance of the crystal coin, the real main event finally arrived, the division of crystal coin quotas.
Although the crystal coins had been minted through the Zhao family's efforts and were issued with the United Government's backing, it took two to tango.
If they wanted to establish the crystal coin's position as a new currency, they had to put it into circulation on the market and give it transactional value.
If it was to circulate, it had to be recognized by the major powers.
And the fastest way to gain recognition was for everyone to have crystal coins in their hands.
To establish the allocation quotas, a round-table meeting would be held.
The largest round table Qin Siyang had ever seen was taken out of a storage box by Zhao Longju and quickly assembled in the venue.
Metal nameplates were embedded at every position around the round table.
Gu Weiyang sat in the center.
Starting from his left were, in order, the four United Government ministers attending the meeting, the president of the Three Prosperities and Five Virtue Wude Research Institute, and the presidents of the four Glory and five Pillar universities.
On his right were the Six Legion Commanders, the presidents of the three major chambers of commerce, the chairmen of the four major mining companies, three church leaders, Zhu Haifeng, Zhao Longfei, and Zhao Longteng.
Everyone else who had come with them stood behind their respective faction's representatives.
The entire venue instantly became silent and solemn.
Everyone was waiting for a game of interests.
And Qin Siyang stood behind Zhao Longfei, casually picking at his fingers.
He had provided the Crimson Crystal, so of course he had a quota as well.
But Zhao Longteng had already confirmed and settled his quota with Secretary-General Gu, so there was nothing to discuss.
All he had to do today was sit back and watch the show.
Gu Weiyang said, "Today, we're going to discuss something concerning the structure of the Safe Zones over the next ten or even twenty years, the crystal coin. All the representatives who can obtain a quota in the first crystal coin issuance have already taken their seats…"
At this point, Gu Weiyang's gaze suddenly fell on Qin Siyang behind Zhao Longfei, directly across the round table.
He sighed, "Sorry, that was my oversight. I forgot that Student Qin Siyang also has a quota."
As he spoke, he pointed to his side, "Please add a chair here. Student Qin Siyang, come sit here."
'What?'
The air froze for a moment.
'Qin Siyang is going to take a seat too?'
In an instant, everyone's gaze fell on Qin Siyang.
The various gazes contained probing, appreciation, curiosity, indifference, and resentment.
All kinds of thoughts ran through their minds.
And Qin Siyang's eyes became wide, his face full of disbelief.
Even though Gu Weiyang's tone was completely calm, Qin Siyang couldn't help but shudder when he heard him.
"Huh? I'm taking a seat at the table too?"