Zhao Chen was somewhat surprised to see Chu Xuan here, but it also made sense.
During the incident at Quicksand City Starship Fortress, General Song had said he would keep the secret for Zhao Chen, but he also mentioned Governor Chu He. The implication was already quite clear.
The Chu Family must have taken notice of him.
They would definitely send someone to make contact.
And now it seemed that person was the Chu Family's Eldest Daughter, a woman Zhao Chen had met a few times before.
What was surprising was how quickly she had arrived.
"Since Student Zhao Chen and Miss Chu Xuan already know each other, I won't need to introduce you. Please, have a seat." Vice Dean Hong smiled as he looked at the two young people.
For a student of their academy to be valued by the Chu Family was a source of pride for their North Star Starship Military Academy.
Moreover, the relationship between the North Star Starship Military Academy and the Chu Family had always been good.
Otherwise, that T4 Boreas-class Heavy Star Battleship wouldn't have been jointly developed by their respective parties.
Zhao Chen glanced at the sofas on either side. Vice Dean Hong was sitting on one, and Chu Xuan was on the other.
He certainly couldn't sit next to Vice Dean Hong, so he had no choice but to sit beside Chu Xuan.
"Do I have thorns on me?" Chu Xuan teased humorously, looking at Zhao Chen, who was sitting quite far from her.
"Someone of my humble status dares not disturb the Chu Family's Eldest Daughter," Zhao Chen offered a clumsy excuse.
Although you, Miss, may not have thorns on you, the reputation of the Chu Family is simply too imposing.
"Then, Vice Dean, why don't you discuss the main matter first? Just pretend I'm not here." Chu Xuan didn't mind Zhao Chen's words and smiled as she looked at the vice dean.
Vice Dean Hong nodded and then turned to Zhao Chen: "According to the mission report provided by the Imperial Army, Cadet Zhao Chen performed excellently in this mission and is eligible for additional assessment credits.
Your total credits have already exceeded three times the required credits for the fourth-year assessment. We will now arrange for you to skip a grade. Does Cadet Zhao Chen have any objections?"
Zhao Chen shook his head: "No."
Vice Dean Hong raised his hand and opened an electronic document, made some modifications, and then said: "From now on, you are a student of Class One, Fifth Year.
However, if you fail to accumulate enough assessment credits for the fifth year before the academic year ends in June, you may be held back. Does Cadet Zhao Chen understand?"
"Understood," Zhao Chen replied.
"Good." The serious expression on Vice Dean Hong's face faded, replaced by a kind one: "Zhao Chen, you are outstanding. To receive commendation from the Imperial Army and a recommendation from a One-Star Brigadier General shows that your abilities are strong.
As the vice dean of the academy that nurtured you, I am proud of you.
I hope you will continue to strive and create your own brilliance."
"Thank you for your guidance, Vice Dean. This student will work hard," Zhao Chen also spoke formally.
"Now, let's talk about something else. You know this person as well—Miss Chu Xuan. The Chu Family's Eldest Daughter. She will be studying at our North Star Starship Military Academy for a period of time.
You will be responsible for receiving her." As soon as Vice Dean Hong finished speaking, Zhao Chen was about to refuse.
"This will also count as an academic task, and you can earn 30% of the fifth-year assessment credits," Vice Dean Hong added.
Zhao Chen immediately smiled and looked humbly at Chu Xuan: "It is my honor to serve Miss Chu."
For the sake of assessment points, I'll endure it!
"I still have some matters to attend to here. Zhao Chen, why don't you take Miss Chu Xuan for a casual stroll around the Academy first?" Vice Dean Hong suggested.
"Understood."
Zhao Chen and Chu Xuan left Vice Dean Hong's office.
"It seems you're not very welcoming of me," Chu Xuan remarked, her hands clasped behind her back as she smiled at Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen observed Chu Xuan in her casual attire. Compared to when she wore the Imperial Army uniform, her presence was entirely different. Now, she seemed more like an ordinary, beautiful young woman.
"You are the eldest daughter of the Chu Family. Who would dare not welcome you wherever you go?" Zhao Chen replied with a light chuckle.
"But I don't like this identity," Chu Xuan suddenly said, her gaze dimming slightly.
Zhao Chen looked at her, puzzled. "Why? This is a status and position others dream of."
"I know this is the life others yearn for, and perhaps in your eyes, I'm simply ungrateful for my blessings. But the identity of the Chu Family has indeed placed many restrictions on me. For example, during my mission at the Cosmic Insect Nest, I believed I was only doing what a soldier should do. Yet, in the end, my grandfather forcibly brought me back to the family, simply because, in their eyes, I was taking risks." Chu Xuan shrugged helplessly.
At that moment, Zhao Chen and Chu Xuan happened to walk beneath a transparent canopy within the Academy, offering a view of the cosmos outside. They could see several starships navigating through space.
Chu Xuan paused, gazing at the starships as she murmured, "My dream is actually quite simple—to become an outstanding Imperial Army officer like my parents, commanding my own interstellar fleet to fight for the people of the star system and protect our stellar territory. Yet, because of my current identity, I can't even achieve this."
"From this perspective, it does seem your grandfather is being overly strict with you," Zhao Chen muttered.
"Right? My grandfather acts as if he's terrified something might happen to me. He even assigned that One-Star Brigadier General, Xiao Song, to monitor me. It's so annoying!" Chu Xuan couldn't help but complain.
But then, she added quietly, "Though I can understand what my grandfather is thinking. He's worried I might follow in my parents' footsteps."
A piece of information Lilith had once mentioned to Zhao Chen flashed through his mind.
Chu Xuan's parents were both Imperial Army soldiers. However, during a military operation, the interstellar fleet they commanded was surrounded and annihilated by a Mechanoid interstellar fleet, resulting in total casualties.
It was after that battle that Governor Chu He personally led tens of thousands of interstellar fleets on an expedition across dozens of star systems, not retreating until he had completely wiped out the Mechanoid interstellar fleets that had participated in the encirclement of his son and daughter-in-law's fleet.
During this campaign, for every Mechanoid-controlled star system they passed through, if it harbored intelligent mechanical life, Governor Chu He ordered orbital bombardments from the starships, leaving no trace of life behind.
If those had been sentient beings rather than intelligent mechanical life, such actions would likely have branded him a ruthless butcher in the eyes of his own people.
Nevertheless, a portion of the Stellar Glory Empire's populace still strongly disapproved of Governor Chu He's extreme measures. After all, such actions were undeniably radical!
There is also a group of advocates who believe peace talks with the Mechanical Race are possible, viewing Governor Chu He's actions as the slaughter of life, a butcher's behavior that should be brought before the Military Tribunal!
Of course, because this small group holds little influence, it naturally has no significant impact on Governor Chu He's standing.
It is precisely because of this incident that Governor Chu He has been extremely doting on his granddaughter, unwilling to let her face any danger.
He is even more reluctant to let her become a true Imperial Army soldier. Previously, she had to sneak off to her maternal grandfather's North Wind Star Domain just to experience the thrill of being an Imperial Army officer.
Chu Xuan chatted with Zhao Chen about many things, with Chu Xuan doing most of the talking and Zhao Chen responding.
To be honest, if it weren't for the identity behind Chu Xuan, Zhao Chen would quite admire this girl.
"After talking for so long, I think you can probably guess why I'm here.
I don't like beating around the bush."
Chu Xuan suddenly stopped walking and looked directly at Zhao Chen: "My grandfather has reviewed your relevant information, including the Zero Blizzard, the T2 Black Rhinoceros-class interstellar heavy assault frigate, and the T2 Queen Bee-class Heavy Carrier Starship in your possession!
My grandfather's intention is to ask whether you are willing to cooperate with our Chu Family!"
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