Zhao Chen stopped in his tracks, looking at the news displayed.
He could also hear some passing cadets pointing at the T1 Wolf Louse-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer and commenting. It was clear that even though it was only a T1 starship, this model had quite a high rate of turning heads.
"The T1 Wolf Louse-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer is so popular right now. I heard if you order now, you have to wait half a year before you can receive the starship!"
"Yeah, I heard many lords are ordering this model. The unit price is only thirty thousand Star Coins—it's just too affordable!"
"It's said this starship has a chance to become the best-selling T1 starship of 3031, maybe even break previous T1 starship sales records!"
Listening to these comments, Zhao Chen looked at the promotional advertisement below the holographic projection, which even featured Li Yaqi speaking personally.
"The T1 Wolf Louse-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer—the best value T1 starship. Please follow the North Goose Starship Technology Group, dedicated to providing you with the finest starships!"
It seemed that in the few months since Zhao Chen handed over the T1 Wolf Louse-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer to Li Yaqi, she had successfully promoted it.
This was an outcome Zhao Chen had long anticipated. This T1 starship was the most cost-effective combat-type starship in his system's T1 store—it couldn't possibly not sell well.
The construction cost was only ten thousand Star Coins.
Now Li Yaqi was pricing it at thirty thousand Star Coins. Even accounting for advertising costs, operational expenses, labor costs, and various other factors, the profit per unit was still between ten thousand and fifteen thousand Star Coins!
If the pre-orders had already reached five hundred units, that meant as long as these orders were fulfilled, Li Yaqi could directly earn nearly six to seven million Star Coins.
Compared to the three million Star Coins she gave Zhao Chen, that number had doubled!
However, this was predicated on building and delivering five hundred T1 Wolf Louse-class Medium Interstellar Destroyers—the projected total profit for Li Yaqi over the next half year.
At the time, Zhao Chen didn't have the luxury to wait that long.
Only a buyout could secure three million Star Coins all at once.
But thinking about it now, maybe if he had asked for four million, Li Yaqi would have agreed.
"Forget it, forget it. Better not dwell on past regrets," Zhao Chen covered his face, feeling like crying but having no tears.
But this time, when he planned to approach Li Yaqi, he was well-prepared.
And it was going to be a big move!
Just as Zhao Chen was thinking about these things, his handheld terminal buzzed.
It was a message from Li Wei.
"Zhao Chen, come quick! Your sister is being bullied!"
Zhao Chen's expression changed. He headed to the address Li Wei sent with Lilith.
It was a Starship Duel Arena.
...
No. 1 Starship Simulation Duel Arena
In the arena, a T2 Firecrow-class Heavy Interstellar Battlecruiser with a deformed hull and black smoke billowing from one section was slowly being towed out of the arena by an interstellar barge.
Several shuttles were transporting crew members from inside the T2 Firecrow-class Heavy Interstellar Battlecruiser.
In the arbitration zone nearby, Zhao Wan'er, who had just disembarked from a shuttle, glared furiously at the people opposite her.
Opposite her was a group wearing uniforms different from those of the North Star Starship Military Academy.
"What's the matter? Can't you people from the North Star Starship Military Academy handle losing?"
"We won fair and square. If you want to blame anyone, blame yourselves for being incompetent."
"So this is all the North Star Starship Military Academy amounts to. Some genius girl—still beaten by us in the end."
A group stood there, sneering and mocking. In their midst was a woman with brown wavy hair and an arrogant expression.
The twin-tailed loli Xue Xiaoxiao jumped forward, pointing angrily at the haughty woman. "You're despicable! We already surrendered, so why did you keep attacking!
And you arbitrators, didn't you see it!"
The arbitrators Xue Xiaoxiao scolded guiltily averted their eyes.
These arbitrators weren't from the North Star Starship Military Academy, and they all feared the identities of these young nobles—these ancestors were from the Tianyao Noble Starship Military Academy!
The students there were either wealthy or noble.
Not to be trifled with, absolutely not.
The woman spread her hands and sneered. "I didn't have time to stop it, and who could have guessed your T2 Firecrow-class Heavy Interstellar Battlecruiser was so fragile?
It was my oversight. I apologize to the students of the North Star Starship Military Academy."
Though her words were an apology, her face still wore a mocking expression.
Just then, a shuttle docked, and several injured starship crew members were carried off, covered in blood. One of them was unconscious.
"How are my crew members!" Zhao Wan'er, putting aside the argument, hurried to check on her crew.
The medic who had accompanied them said, "One is seriously injured but has been given a cardiac stimulant and is out of danger.
The other seven have minor injuries and will recover after a few days of rest."
Zhao Wan'er looked at the seriously injured crew member—a junior from her academy.
When recruiting her, the junior had said Zhao Wan'er was her idol and really wanted to join her starship.
The two had gotten along quite well in private.
But now, to see her in such a state...
Zhao Wan'er felt guilt, remorse, and anger. She glared furiously at the woman across from her.
"Oh my, what a scary look. It's just a commoner—even if they died, so what? Nothing to fuss over.
You people at the North Star Starship Military Academy really are something, recruiting commoner students.
Not like us at the Tianyao Noble Starship Military Academy—we only recruit students of noble status. As for crew members, we just recruit retired soldiers from the Imperial Army.
Fine, fine. I'll cover your crew's medical expenses later." The woman covered her mouth and laughed.
"Don't you dare insult my crew!" Zhao Wan'er roared at the woman.
The woman's smile vanished, replaced by a cold, mocking stare. "And what if I do insult them? If you have the guts, fight me again! I'll take you on in a starship duel anytime!
But next time, when your crew ends up dead or crippled, don't come crying."
Zhao Wan'er naturally wanted revenge, but she had no starship now.
Her crew was injured.
She felt a deep sense of defeat and helplessness.
For a moment, she actually thought of her older brother—the one she had always considered useless.
If... if he were here...
"If you want to fight, then let's keep fighting. We, the Zhao family, will see this through to the end."
A voice rang out at that moment, drawing everyone's attention.
Zhao Wan'er trembled, her gaze turning excitedly toward the source. She saw a familiar figure.
In the past, she had disliked this figure, but now, the moment she laid eyes on it, she felt a sense of security.
Tears welled up uncontrollably in her eyes, and a wave of grievance flooded her heart.
Zhao Chen, with his hands in his pockets, walked over to Zhao Wan'er's side. He didn't comfort his sister.
Instead, he asked, "Crying?"
"You're the one crying!" Zhao Wan'er turned her head away, quickly wiping away her tears.
"If you're not crying, then go fight that bitch again." Zhao Chen's words immediately enraged the woman with big waves across from them.