Chapter 113: Just One WordI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.

“The universities in the Magic City said they can offer you double the resources that Xiangnan University is giving you! This is a sincere invitation! Are you really not considering it?”

Gulp.

Standing nearby, Li Ping, who hadn’t left, couldn’t help but swallow hard upon hearing Gong Yingjie’s words.

He had witnessed Director Zheng’s generous promises at Xiangnan University firsthand, and those offers were already quite substantial. Yet now, a university from the Magic City was offering double that amount.

Was Zhao Jie really worth it?

If Zhao Jie merely had a mature-stage Digimon, it might not be.

But the leaders of these prestigious universities had their own channels of information.

For an eighteen-year-old like Zhao Jie, whose Digimon had already achieved successful super-evolution, that was truly worth it.

Not to mention the national competition held this December — perhaps Zhao Jie’s abilities were still a bit lacking, but what about next year? The year after?

By then, his strength could become terrifying, perhaps unstoppable.

Securing Zhao Jie would be akin to guaranteeing a top finish, or even the championship, in the national tournament. Such a deal was far from unfavorable.

Of course, none of this was known to Li Ping, nor was Gong Yingjie aware.

The news of Zhao Jie’s Agumon having successfully super-evolved was not publicized.

“Double?” Zhao Jie was somewhat surprised. As someone who had only raised his Digimon to maturity, he never thought he was worthy of such an investment from a Magic City university.

The conclusion was clear: the Magic City university had already learned through their channels that his Agumon had super-evolved.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been willing to invest such resources.

“Chairman, I appreciate the kindness from the Magic City university, but I must stick to my decision,” Zhao Jie said, shaking his head regretfully.

If the invitation had come immediately after the Newcomer Cup, he would certainly have chosen the Magic City university.

But now, it was too late.

“Alright,” Gong Yingjie shrugged indifferently and cleared his throat softly.

“Since you’re not considering the Magic City university, what about the Imperial City university?”

“The conditions offered by the Imperial City university are the same as the Magic City’s. Would you consider it?”

“How about Jinling University? Their offer is even more generous—three times the resources that Xiangnan University provides!”

“And Chang’an University…”

Gong Yingjie flipped through a stack of papers over a foot thick on the table, revealing one sheet with each mention of a school.

Zhao Jie: ……

Have I become this sought-after?

Li Ping swallowed nervously.

The situation had far exceeded his expectations. At this rate, Xiangnan University was in danger!

No, he had to quickly inform his good friend at Xiangnan University!

“Ahem, Chairman, I need to step out for a moment,” Li Ping said hurriedly and left.

He pulled out his phone and dialed Zheng Qilin’s number.

Li Ping: Hello, Director Zheng? Please don’t be alarmed by what I’m about to say!

Zheng Qilin: ????

Zheng Qilin: Go ahead. I’ve been through it all—I’m not easily scared.

Li Ping: It’s about Zhao Jie, do you remember him? Something’s happened to Zhao Jie!

Something happened to Zhao Jie?

On the other end, Zheng Qilin was lazily soaking in a hot spring, momentarily stunned. That kid just returned from Yundian Province — what could have happened to him?

Hearing no reply, Li Ping softly called out a few times, glanced at his phone, and saw the call was still connected.

Why no response?

Li Ping: Hello? Director Zheng, are you still there?

Zheng Qilin: Yes, yes. What happened to the kid?

Li Ping: He’s fine. You’re the one in trouble.

Zheng Qilin: ??????

Question marks seemed to rise from his forehead. Why was the situation suddenly flipped onto him?

Come on, I’m a national champion—I can’t just get into trouble like that.

Zheng Qilin: Speak plainly.

Li Ping: Here’s the thing, Director Zheng. Today, our chairman met Zhao Jie. Guess what? Our chairman turned out to be a recruiter. Universities from the Magic City, Imperial City, Jinling, Chang’an—they’re all trying to lure Zhao Jie, and their offers are extremely generous.

What?!

Zheng Qilin, like a hedgehog whose quills had been ruffled, suddenly stood up in the hot spring but lost his balance and fell back in with a splash.

Li Ping: Hello? Director Zheng, are you alright?

The sound of his fall was loud enough for Li Ping to hear clearly through the phone.

Zheng Qilin: I’m fine. How did Zhao Jie respond?

His expression darkened. He suspected there might be poaching attempts, but hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly. Without Li Ping, he probably would have remained in the dark.

Li Ping: He’s very tempted. You don’t know how generous these universities’ offers are. Magic City, Director Zheng—you know Magic City, right? They said they would give double whatever Xiangnan University offered. Jinling University is even more shocking—they’re offering triple!

Zhao Jie: ?????? (I don’t remember saying that…)

Li Ping selectively ignored the rest of the conversation, only remembering the first line: Zhao Jie was tempted!

This cooked duck, could he really let others carry it off?

Zheng Qilin: Old Li, hold him steady for me. I’m flying to Wuling City immediately. That’s it, I’m hanging up!

“Goblin, book me a ticket to Wuling City on the earliest flight!”

“What? The earliest flight is tomorrow? Macha Eaglemon, evolve! We’re leaving now.”

After hanging up, he turned to his Digivice and the Macha Eaglemon standing blankly beside him.

“Phew!”

“All set!”

The call lasted nearly half an hour. After hanging up, Li Ping realized his legs had gone numb from squatting so long.

Zhao Jie, brother, this is the best I can do for you.

“Squeak!”

As Li Ping pushed open the bathroom door, Gong Yingjie, who had arrived earlier, instinctively stepped aside, feigning nonchalance.

“Chairman?”

“Ah, ha, you’ve been in there quite a while!”

“My kidneys, no choice.”

Gong Yingjie: ??????

What does hiding here to make a call have to do with your kidneys?

“By the way, Chairman, has Zhao Jie left?”

“He’s already gone. Why, do you need to talk to him?”

Gong Yingjie looked meaningfully at Li Ping.

He had assumed Old Li was an honest man, but it turned out he was Xiangnan University’s secret agent! You really can’t judge a book by its cover.

If he hadn’t come here to use the restroom, he never would have discovered Li Ping’s secret.

“No, no, just asking casually. But Chairman, you finished quickly. Your kidneys don’t look too good!”

Li Ping waved his hand dismissively and glanced at Gong Yingjie.

He shook his head ever so slightly, barely noticeable.

Only one word: no. And I’m only saying it once!