Everyone's playing Red Giant? I, Black Hole, devour everything!

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, then Chen Wang's voice rang out again, carrying a faint hint of amusement: "Lu Xuejian?"

"Um."

"I knew it." Chen Wang sighed softly. "But Lin Tian, ​​I have to remind you first that Xinghua University is not a place that just anyone can get into. Even with your status, you still have to go through the proper procedures to bring in an unofficial staff member."

"I don't bring any external staff," Lin Tian said calmly. "She is my personal secretary and assistant researcher at the Black Hole Research Institute."

Chen Wang fell silent.

This operation is indeed correct in terms of the rules.

Lin Tian is the highest-ranking official at the Black Hole Research Institute and has considerable autonomy in personnel appointments.

If he wanted to, recruiting a few people into the research institute was entirely within his authority.

Just a private secretary and assistant researcher?

This position seems to have a somewhat personal aspect to it.

However, Chen Wang didn't say anything more.

He's lived for over forty years; he still has that much insight.

"Okay, it's your decision." Chen Wang paused for a moment, "But you need to contact her first and tell her to pack her things as soon as possible. We're leaving tonight; we can't delay any longer."

"Yes, there's one more thing."

"What's wrong?"

"The star mines of the Zhao family." Lin Tian's tone was calm. "After I swallowed Zhao Rutie, I also recorded the coordinates of all the star mines under his control. They are all unclaimed now."

Chen Wang was clearly taken aback for a moment.

All the star mines under the Zhao family's control...

There are at least a hundred such sites, including at least a few dozen high-quality mining areas!

Even for Xinghua University, this is a considerable asset.

"What do you plan to do?" Chen Wang asked.

"I don't plan to manage it myself." Lin Tian's answer was straightforward. "I want to hand these star mines over to you. You can find a reliable person to manage them. As for the profits, a fixed portion will be used for the funding of the Black Hole Research Institute, and the rest will be distributed normally."

Chen Wang was filled with emotion.

This young man is much more thorough in his work than he imagined.

If an ordinary person destroys the Zhao family, they will either be eager to seize all the resources to strengthen themselves, or they will be afraid of getting into trouble and be eager to distance themselves from the situation.

But Lin Tian is different.

He knew that the economic value of the star mine far exceeded its intrinsic value, and that it was better to keep it as a long-term meal ticket than to waste it.

More importantly, he knows how to delegate.

Leave the professional tasks to the professionals, and focus on the core issues yourself.

This kind of thinking is not something that an average eighteen-year-old can have.

"Alright, leave this to me." Chen Wang's tone revealed a hint of appreciation. "I know a few old guys at Xinghua University who do research on the star mining industry. I'll have them help me find the right people. I guarantee you won't suffer any losses."

"Thank you, Teacher Chen."

"What are you thanking me for? In the end, this money will still go to the research institute. It's your own money after all." Chen Wang chuckled. "Anything else? If not, I'll hang up now."

"That's all."

After hanging up the call, Lin Tian did not hesitate and dialed Lu Xuejian's number directly.

The communication was quickly established.

"Lin Tian?" Lu Xuejian's voice came through, sounding much better than before, at least no longer so weak.

"Xuejian, everything is ready. You can come anytime and come with me to Xinghua University."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the communication.

Then, Lu Xuejian's voice rang out softly, with a hint of gentleness: "Okay... I'll be right there."

She didn't ask how to get there, what to prepare, or what to do once she arrived.

With just a simple "good," all their trust was placed in his hands.

As Lin Tian listened, a strange feeling welled up inside him.

It's like you've been walking alone in the dark for a very long time, and suddenly someone comes up to you and says, "I'll walk with you."

"I'll wait for you," he said.

……

Lu Xuejian arrived very quickly.

She had only been on the phone for a few minutes when she appeared at Lin Tian's door.

Her eyes were still slightly red, clearly from crying.

But his mental state was much better than Lin Tian had expected.

"Lin Tian." She stood at the door, her gaze fixed on Lin Tian, ​​as if confirming something.

"Come in." Lin Tian stepped aside to make way for him.

Chen Wang is already here.

He looked Lu Xuejian up and down for two seconds before saying, "Student Lu, I am Chen Wang from the Admissions Office of Xinghua University."

Lu Xuejian nodded: "Hello, Teacher Chen, thank you for your help."

"It's no trouble at all," Chen Wang shook his head.

This girl was originally supposed to be admitted to Xinghua University through a special recommendation program—if the Lu family hadn't experienced this unexpected turn of events.

Thinking of this, Chen Wang felt a pang of sadness.

Lin Tian glanced at her and suddenly asked, "How is your father doing?"

Lu Xuejian's gaze dimmed slightly: "Father... he has already dismissed the family guards and plans to take the rest of the family back to the countryside to settle down."

"He said... he's worked too hard in his life and it's time for him to rest. The last remaining assets of the Lu family will be left to the old folks who have always followed the Lu family, as a way of giving them closure."

Lin Tian's gaze shifted slightly.

Although he had never met Lu Huaifeng, he could sense something from Lu Xuejian's few words.

This person is definitely not simple; he has been able to fight Zhao Rutie in the Seventh Star District for so many years.

Now that he has suffered a crushing defeat, he has not complained or blamed others, but has calmly chosen to withdraw from the game—this kind of magnanimity is not something everyone can have.

"That's fine." Lin Tian nodded. "The countryside is quiet and suitable for retirement."

……

The three of them did not stay in Lancheng for long.

Half an hour later, a silver-white aircraft slowly landed on the open ground below Lin Tian's house.

The aircraft's hull was printed with the emblem of Xinghua University—a star composed of countless points of light, emitting a pale blue glow.

This is the dedicated aircraft of Xinghua University.

It's not particularly large in size, but its internal configuration is top-notch.

It has a holographic projection system and an independent nutrient solution supply tank.

Even during long-haul flights, crew members can enter observation mode at any time.

Chen Wang boarded the aircraft first, followed closely by Lin Tian and Lu Xuejian.

The moment the hatch closed, Lu Xuejian suddenly tugged at Lin Tian's sleeve.

Lin Tian turned around and looked at her.

Her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she swallowed her words and simply shook her head gently: "It's nothing... I just wanted to say thank you."

Lin Tian glanced at her but didn't say anything more: "Sit down, it's a bit of a long journey."

The aircraft slowly ascended into the air and flew towards the capital city.

Lu Xuejian looked through the porthole at Lancheng, which was shrinking below.

She knew that from this day forward, her life would be completely different.

The Lu family was destroyed, and my father returned to the countryside.

She was going to follow this man to a place she had never been before and begin a life she had never imagined.

But Lu Xuejian wasn't too confused.

Instead, it gives me an indescribable sense of security.

Because she is not alone.

Because he's there.