Over the course of three hours, the researchers in the entire laboratory went from initial bewilderment to shock and delight.
"Director Li, where did you get this starship technology from? Although only eighty percent of the data is here, with crucial starship technical information redacted, this starship technology is absolutely viable!
Moreover, the cost-performance ratio of this T1 Wolf Louse-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer is exceptionally high; I never imagined a starship with such a low construction cost could possess such impressive performance!
If this were released on the market, it would undoubtedly be a highly sought-after starship product!" The chief technical engineer of the laboratory, an elderly man with a head full of white hair, stood excitedly before Li Yaqi.
Li Yaqi held the data disk in her hand; in her eyes, it was now a treasure.
If she had previously fallen into an abyss, this data disk was the rope lowered from heaven.
"Set aside all your current research tasks and conduct an in-depth study of this starship technology!" Li Yaqi handed the data disk to the chief technical engineer.
"Director Li, where exactly did this starship technology come from..." Before the elderly chief engineer could finish his question, Li Yaqi had already rushed out of the laboratory.
Sitting in her flying car, Li Yaqi immediately began trying to contact her younger brother.
First attempt... declined...
Li Yaqi was puzzled.
Second attempt... declined again...
A sense of unease crept into Li Yaqi's heart.
Third attempt... still declined...
But this time, Li Wei replied with a text message: Sis, I'm taking a shower right now. Can we talk after I'm done?
Black lines appeared on Li Yaqi's forehead. Gritting her teeth, she sent a reply.
'If you value your life, answer my call right now, this instant. If you dare hang up again, the day you come home will be the anniversary of your death next year.'
Li Yaqi initiated a fourth communication request. This time, it wasn't immediately declined. After waiting nearly half a minute, the other side finally answered.
Li Wei appeared wrapped in a towel, looking as if he had hurriedly finished his shower.
"Sis... what's the matter? Why so urgent?"
Li Wei wore a resentful expression, as if he had been interrupted during something important.
"Who gave you that starship technical blueprint?" Li Yaqi asked directly.
"Oh, that... it was..." Li Wei paused, remembering Zhao Chen's request. He coughed and said, "Sis, my friend is quite low-key and prefers not to reveal his identity.
Just tell me, what do you think of that starship technology? Do you want it or not?
If not, I'll give my friend your answer."
"You won't even tell your own sister?" Li Yaqi stared at her younger brother, then tempted him: "Just tell me that person's identity, and I'll triple your living allowance for next semester!"
Li Wei hesitated, wrestling internally for a moment, but ultimately said firmly, "No, I promised him.
And think about it, sis. If he finds out I leaked his identity and gets angry, refusing to negotiate with you, what then?"
Considering this, Li Yaqi thought it made sense and could only suppress her burning curiosity.
She speculated it might be a 'work' produced by some instructor from the Starship Engineering Department at the North Star Starship Military Academy.
"Then help me contact this gentleman. I'm very interested in his starship technology.
Can we arrange a time to meet and discuss in person?" Li Yaqi asked.
"Ah? You're interested?" Li Wei was somewhat surprised.
"Didn't you look at the contents inside?"
"I didn't look. I'm not like you, sis. I'm not from the Starship Engineering Department, so even if I looked at it, I wouldn't understand." Li Wei waved his hand.
His older sister, Li Yaqi, graduated from the Starship Engineering Department, so she was very interested in starship research and manufacturing. Additionally, she came from a starship trading family.
Combining these, she wanted to engage in the starship arms trade business.
"Hurry up and go... as soon as there's news... never mind, don't hang up on your end. I'll wait right here for your news." Li Yaqi urged.
Without obtaining the license for that starship technology, she felt her mind would not rest for a moment.
This was her only lifeline now!
Under Li Yaqi's urging, Li Wei went to contact Zhao Chen.
More than ten minutes later.
Li Wei reappeared in the video communication window: "Sis, my friend said that meeting in person is unnecessary. If you have any ideas, just enter this network room to discuss."
After saying this, Li Wei sent a link to Li Yaqi.
"Discuss in a network room?" Li Yaqi was somewhat surprised that such an important matter would only be discussed in such an environment.
Well, the top priority was to acquire this starship technology.
"I understand." Li Yaqi clicked on the room link, and soon a new window appeared before her—not a video communication, but a text chat.
Li Yaqi took a deep breath and sent a message first: "Hello, I am Li Wei's sister; the head of the Starship Arms Trade Department at North Goose Interstellar Trade Group, Li Yaqi."
After sending the message, half a minute passed.
Finally, there was a response.
"Hello."
These two simple words gave Li Yaqi a feeling of having a fishbone stuck in her throat. It was the first time she had conducted business in such an environment.
"I am very interested in your T1 Wolf Louse-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer technology. I hope we can arrange a time to discuss the cooperation plan in detail!"
"There's no need to arrange a time. If you are sure you want this starship technology, just quote a price. If I'm satisfied, you transfer the money, and I will send you the complete technical data for the T1 Wolf Louse-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer."
Li Yaqi was shocked again—so straightforward?
Quoting a price...
At this moment, Li Yaqi was unsure how much to quote, as this development caught her completely off guard. She had no preparation at all, and it was entirely different from her previous business model.
The other party wasn't playing by the rules!
After thinking for a moment, she sent a message.
"What price do you think is appropriate?"
The other side remained silent for a few minutes before sending a number.
"Three million Star Coins."
Three million Star Coins? That licensing fee seemed a bit too expensive.
After all, this was just a T1 starship, with a market price of at most twenty to thirty thousand Star Coins.
At that moment, the other party sent two more words.
"Buyout."
Seeing these two words, Li Yaqi's heart skipped a beat.
"Are you sure it's three million Star Coins to buy out this starship technology?" Li Yaqi immediately sent a message to inquire.
Buyout meant that as long as she paid this amount, the starship technology would belong to Li Yaqi from then on.
And before, Li Yaqi had only wanted authorization.
"Yes, do you agree to this price?"
Seeing these words, Li Yaqi immediately sent two characters.
"Agree!"
On the other side of the communication window, Zhao Chen stared dumbfounded at these two words. Clutching his chest, he said with heartache, "Damn it! I quoted too low."
Just now, Zhao Chen had actually wanted to say that there was still room for negotiation on this price.
He thought his price was somewhat inflated.
But he never expected Li Yaqi to agree directly!