Searching for someone in northern Myanmar, and you call that earning tuition fees?

Jiangnan University, President's Office.

A place where you wouldn't even dare to cough too loudly on a normal day was now like a bustling market.

"Li Changfeng! You shameless old man! Su Ming is a student at Jiangnan University! His records are with us! His student status is with us! What right do you have to take him away like this?!"

The speaker was Dean Chen of the School of Physics at Jiangnan University. He was usually a refined and gentle man, but now he was so angry that he was blowing his beard and glaring at Su Ming, holding Su Ming's perfect score science exam paper in his hand and waving it around like he was wielding a royal sword.

Opposite him stood a middle-aged man in a training uniform, with an upright posture. The man wore the badge of the National University of Defense Technology on his chest, and his face carried the undeniable toughness characteristic of a professional soldier.

"Mr. Chen, please calm down." Li Changfeng adjusted his sunglasses, his tone calm, but every word felt like a stab in the back. "The files can be transferred, the student status can be changed. The abilities Comrade Su Ming has displayed, placed in your esteemed school... forgive my bluntness, it would be a waste of his talent."

"Bullshit!" Dean Chen cursed outright. "Our physics department at Jiangnan University is among the top three in the country! How is that a waste of talent?"

"Before he went to the high seas, he studied finance," Li Changfeng added casually.

That was a brutal cut.

Dean Chen fell silent instantly, then abruptly turned his head and glared angrily at the finance department head, who was practically curled up into a ball: "Old Zhang! Look at the mess you've made! This unparalleled physics genius, you've got him calculating compound interest?!"

The head of the finance department, Zhang, looked as aggrieved as a 200-pound child: "Well... that was his own choice! He said finance would make it easier to find part-time jobs..."

"part time?!"

Li Changfeng sneered, took out an official document from his briefcase, and slammed it on the table, making the teacup jump.

"Alright, our National University of Defense Technology will grant Comrade Su Ming special permission. As long as he nods, he will be directly awarded the rank of major, enlisting upon joining the army, enjoying special national allowances, and able to choose any independent laboratory he wants! Can you afford this 'part-time' treatment?"

The office fell silent instantly.

Everyone was stunned by the phrase "major rank".

Promoting a freshman to the rank of major? Is this kidnapping? This is outrageous, they've gone completely mad!

Just then, the office door was pushed open.

Su Ming walked in wearing a faded tracksuit and carrying a backpack. He looked completely innocent as he looked at the group of big shots in the room who were about to start a fight.

"Um... Hello everyone, I'm here to report back from leave."

Swish!

Dozens of eyes fell on him simultaneously, their eagerness as if he were the flesh of Tang Sanzang.

"Su Ming!" Dean Chen was the first to rush forward, shaking his hand tightly. "We've been waiting for you to come back! Come to the Physics Department! You'll get a combined Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degree, and I'll personally supervise you! You'll stay on as a faculty member after graduation!"

"Comrade Su Ming!" Li Changfeng stepped forward, giving a crisp military salute. "On behalf of the National University of Defense Technology, I sincerely invite you to join the 'Deep Sea Sword' program! The nation needs your wisdom!"

Su Ming was caught in the middle, feeling like a sandwich filling.

He looked into those expectant eyes and sighed inwardly.

Going to the National University of Defense Technology? That's good, but it also means being locked up in a classified base, dealing with data and machines every day. What about those mysterious coordinates he hasn't been to yet? The remaining puzzles in Grandpa's notes can't be solved in the military.

More importantly, he didn't want to be a hero. Being a hero is too tiring and often leads to a short life.

"Distinguished leaders and teachers."

Su Ming withdrew his hand, took a step back, and bowed deeply.

"Thank you all for your kindness. But... I still want to stay at Jiangnan University."

"Why?!" Li Changfeng and Dean Chen asked in unison.

Su Ming raised his head, his eyes so sincere it was heartbreaking: "Because the food in the cafeteria here is delicious. And... I promised Dean Zhao I would work part-time, and there are quite a few part-time opportunities here."

Everyone was stunned.

Li Changfeng's lips twitched: "You just did this... for a part-time job?"

Su Ming nodded seriously: "Yes, part-time. I don't want to be some kind of national sharpshooter, nor do I want to be some kind of academic giant. I just want to be an ordinary college student with some skills, occasionally taking on a few jobs to earn some living expenses."

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, feeling that their own perspective had been completely overshadowed by this kid.

Why abandon the path of a major with the rank of major and the important national equipment, just for a few part-time jobs and braised pork in the cafeteria?

This operation is something that happens in the atmosphere; they can't understand it!

Li Changfeng stared at Su Ming for a long time before finally sighing helplessly.

He understood Su Ming's subtext.

This kid doesn't want to be tied down by the system. If you put a bridle on a wild horse like him, he might not be able to run.

"Alright, everyone has their own ambitions." Li Changfeng put away the documents and gave Su Ming a meaningful look. "But Su Ming, the doors of China are always open for you. Also, I have a personal reminder... be careful when you take on orders in the future. Don't sink other countries' warships so easily; the guys at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are practically bald from all the work."

Su Ming grinned, revealing two rows of big white teeth: "I understand, I understand. I'll definitely pay attention to the method next time."

This matter can be considered barely put to rest.

Final result: Su Ming retained his student status at Jiangnan University, but was nominally transferred to the Department of Physics, enjoying the privilege of a "fully free credit system"—in other words, he could skip classes but still get his degree.

As he walked out of the administration building, Su Ming stretched out a long yawn.

The sun is just right, the breeze is not dry.

Finally, I can work as a part-time worker in peace and quiet.