Card maker? No, I'm a mechanic!

Chapter 160 How come he's such a softie...?

Just as the maid got very close, preparing to launch a further offensive.

Professor Lin, who was walking in front, subtly retreated and stood directly in front of Jiang Zhe.

He didn't waste any words, only slightly revealing a certificate in his hand, his voice icy.

"Little girl, this trick might fool some naive girls, but we're on stage, not off stage."

"hiss----"

The woman's expression changed instantly.

The once warm smile instantly turned into disappointment and grievance.

"Excuse me for interrupting."

She took back the flyer with some regret, and finally gave Jiang Zhe a resentful look.

Then, twisting his waist, he quickly darted into the crowd to find his next prey.

"Mr. Lin, you have quite the presence; you scared him away immediately."

Professor Lin raised an eyebrow and casually explained.

"These people are all here to pick up bargains."

"After all, bidding for projects is extremely competitive; apart from the final winner, the rest are just there to make up the numbers."

"Of course, this applies to all qualified participants, even those whose proposals were not selected."

"It is also extremely valuable to those mid-sized forces."

"And these outsiders are all small and medium-sized forces that are not qualified to enter the market."

"They're just waiting for those disheartened card players to emerge, so they can take advantage of their vulnerability."

"So that's how it is—"

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Jiang Zhe's eyes.

"Oh, so it's welfare."

"It's quite interesting that talent is flowing to lower-tier cities and they're taking advantage of the situation to buy up assets at rock-bottom prices."

"Buying at the bottom?"

Professor Lin glared at him irritably, his mustache standing on end.

"If you dare to be rejected and end up on welfare, I'll put pressure on you when we get back."

1

"Make me proud. My old face is counting on you to bring me honor today."

"Don't worry, Mr. Lin," Jiang Zhe smiled confidently, "I only like to copy other people's work."

The entrance to the inner venue of the Starry Dome.

"The bidding process for the Star Tower's inner area is different from that of the outside; it's very strict."

Professor Lin handed over his identification documents and the supplementary cards for Jiang Zhe and the others while explaining in a low voice.

"Unauthorized personnel and businessmen are absolutely not allowed to enter."

"They must be properly registered card researchers, or be brought in by a professor-level figure as an assistant."

1

"This is also basically to prevent those conglomerates from using off-the-books tactics to exert pressure and interfere with technical evaluations."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhe immediately understood.

Keeping the nouveau riche out does ensure a certain degree of fairness, and it also sounds more sophisticated.

While they were thinking, their identities were confirmed, and the three of them passed through the heavy detection gate without any problems.

The moment I entered the venue, the scene before me suddenly opened up.

This is an extremely magnificent circular venue.

-

Instead of traditional lighting fixtures, the dome features a projection that simulates the cosmos.

The flow of technology further demonstrates its exceptional technical capabilities.

Meanwhile, researchers from the top workshop families had already taken their seats in their respective areas.

"Um?

'

As soon as he sat down, Jiang Zhe's gaze began to casually sweep across the room, but he suddenly froze.

Because in the front row, he spotted a somewhat familiar guy—the same goatee professor's student from the Cloudtop Pavilion a few days ago.

At this moment, this originally proud and arrogant genius was wearing an exquisite custom-made suit.

His face was full of smiles, like a dutiful male servant, fawning over a young girl beside him.

The girl was dressed extremely glamorously, even flamboyantly.

She leaned back in the soft chair, her long legs crossed.

He was idly fiddling with a crystal in his hand, looking somewhat impatient.

Jiang Zhe narrowed his eyes and thought to himself.

"This woman doesn't look like a research scientist at all, and judging from that guy's appearance—"

"Could this person be one of his big spenders?"

"Like smoke, these kinds of technology-related activities are indeed a bit boring."

The short-haired young man held a cup of special drink in both hands, and spoke in an extremely gentle tone.

"It's kind of you to insist on coming with me. If you feel stuffy, shall we go to the observation deck outside for some fresh air?"

"What's the point of being controlled at home every day?"

Upon hearing this, the girl snorted coldly and didn't even glance at the drink.

Then her gaze swept arrogantly across the entire room.

"I just want to see what tricks you so-called geniuses can pull."

"I'll be angry if it's too boring and makes me come all this way for nothing."

"You won't get a single penny of your allowance for this month."

"No, no, no," the short-haired youth said with a forced smile, adopting an extremely humble posture.

"Tonight's project is led by Star Tower, so all parties involved will definitely be pulling out all the stops."

"And Ruyan, don't worry, my teacher has already teamed up with several researchers."

"The proposal they came up with this time is definitely among the best."

"At that time, you'll definitely have a better reputation within the family."

"Is that so? Then I'll wait and see."

Yun Ruyan gave a noncommittal reply, then turned her gaze back to the stage and ignored him.

And seeing the other party's dismissive and indifferent attitude.

Although Xue Mu maintained his warm smile on the surface, from an angle the other person couldn't see...

The humiliation in his eyes was almost bursting forth.

God knows how much of a subservient man he acted in front of this woman just to get some resources.

Not only do they have to serve tea and water, but they also have to provide emotional support at all times. They live a life worse than a dog!

"But it doesn't matter—as long as I use your resources to climb up—as long as I enter the Star Tower—"

Xue Mu gritted his teeth inwardly, a hint of fanaticism flashing in his eyes.

"At that time, even the head of the Yunhai family will have to curry favor with me!"

"As for you, you wretched woman, I'll make you beg me on your knees!"

However, what he didn't know was—

At this moment, Yun Ruyan, who seemed bored, was actually harboring similar calculations in her heart.

She didn't come here to keep a dog.

In order to escape the predetermined fate of an arranged marriage, she must cultivate her own team.

Tonight's bidding will be her first step in finding suitable candidates and expanding her influence.

"Um?

'

It was at this time that the two of them harbored their own secrets and had different thoughts.

Xue Mu seemed to suddenly realize something, and his gaze subconsciously swept backward.

When he saw Jiang Zhe sitting there and Lin Ye beside him, his face instantly darkened.

Especially when he saw Lin Ye, who was just as quiet as an ordinary follower.

Xue Mu's jealousy instantly reached its peak.

"On what grounds?"

"Why should I be acting like a pushover while he gets to do it so easily?"

"How dare he live off his wife while standing up!"