On my second playthrough, they were full of malice towards me.

[Note: VIP membership only unlocks usage rights and does not include access to internal video playback. If needed, please activate Super VIP membership to enjoy a smooth playback experience.]

Liao Ji: "."

[We recommend Package B, priced at 3280 Ash Coins. Upon activation, you will immediately become a Super VIP3, enjoying exclusive services including access to TV and in-flight video dramas, control of the sofa and reclining chairs, B-level cabin crew meals, three hours of in-flight internet, and a range of other premium services.]

"There are 3 more Super VIPs?"

To better serve each customer and meet diverse needs, we have established ten VIP levels, from Super VIP1 to VIP10. The highest level, V10, requires only a cumulative expenditure of 888888 Ash Coins. This not only grants access to all services but also unlocks an exclusive, customized V avatar, making V your personal virtual idol and ensuring you're never alone on your future flights!

Upon hearing Liao Ji inquire about more advanced VIP services, the adorable virtual flight attendant who had previously disappeared returned, accompanied by a pleasant and sweet voice. The virtual flight attendant in front of Liao Ji gave him a beautiful smile, as if she were a real electronic idol, with sparkling eyes that seemed to think that he was the only person in the world.

Just as Liao Ji fell silent, a stranger's voice suddenly came from behind his seat.

"Brother, don't be impulsive! You have to trust me, this thing isn't worth driving at all!"

"Let me tell you, I was fooled by this 'virtual idol' gimmick before. I got hooked and only after I signed up for V10 did I realize that the virtual idol that was exclusively for me was all fake! After signing up, besides saying some sweet words and coaxing me like a child, the rest is just using various methods to swindle your money!"

"If you don't plan to frequently use the 'Pioneer' series aircraft, you can simply use our Shanghai ID cards. Although we're here for tourism, we were invited by Kyle Technology, and as the organizer, they've given each of us a VIP3 membership, which should be enough to pass the time on the aircraft."

Liao Ji turned around and looked in the direction of the enthusiastic voices that were trying to strike up a conversation. He saw a young man who was about his age.

Unlike most scholars on the aircraft, the other person wasn't wearing a formal research uniform. Instead, he was dressed in a brown casual outfit that looked even more casual than Liao Ji's. When he saw Liao Ji looking at him, he chuckled and scratched his head.

Liao Jixian didn't reply. Instead, he took out his Shanghai ID card, inserted it into a slot in front of his seat, and after reading it for less than a few seconds, Xiao V's voice rang out again.

[Identity confirmed. Dear Dr. Liao Ji, on behalf of all the staff of KEL Technology, I extend to you the warmest welcome. We look forward to meeting you and have prepared a welcoming ceremony for you upon arrival. You can view the subsequent procedures and detailed arrangements for the exchange meeting in "More".]

After the usual pleasantries, Liao Ji saw that in the upper right corner of the TV screen, just as the young man had said, the ordinary "gray frame" had automatically upgraded to a golden "VIP3" membership frame.

Before Liao Ji could even express his gratitude, the young man behind him seemed to become excited again.

"Dr. Liao Ji? Wow, brother! What a coincidence! Can you believe it? We even share a character in our names! No way, I'm making you my friend today!"

"Brother, let's get acquainted. My name is Luo Xiaoji. Luo is the Luo of Senluo, Xiao is the Xiao of Daxiao, and Ji is the Ji of Jiyuan, just like you!"

Seeing the enthusiastic young man across from him extend his hand, Liao Ji didn't hesitate much and politely shook it back, saying, "Hello."

Seeing that Liao Ji had shaken hands with him, it seemed that he already considered Liao Ji a friend.

This very outgoing young man immediately sat down in the empty seat next to Liao Ji. Before Liao Ji could say anything, Luo Xiaoji glanced around, then mysteriously leaned closer to Liao Ji and whispered in a very low voice:

"Brother Liao Ji, if I'm not mistaken, you probably got in through connections, just like me!"

Chapter 179 The True Face of Academic Exchange

Go back door

Liao Ji's brows furrowed immediately, his vigilance rising rapidly, but outwardly he appeared amused, asking the young man in front of him in a relaxed tone and with obvious interest:

How did you come to this conclusion?

"That's too easy. To be honest, Brother Liao, I noticed you the moment you boarded our aircraft. Firstly, look around us. Apart from the assistants who do odd jobs, how many PhDs and professors are young people like us?"

"Even if there are a few, aren't they all handsome and talented? I saw them all walk up on stage to receive the 'Top Ten Outstanding Youths of Shanghai' award without any sense of incongruity. They may be used to it, but that arrogant and domineering air of theirs, ugh! I could hardly stand it from a distance!"

"But you're different, brother. Just from your taste in clothing, I instantly felt a strong connection with you!"

Luo Xiaoji clearly scoffed at the "Top Ten Outstanding Young People of Shanghai" award, which also reveals his attitude towards these talented young people.

Liao Ji couldn't refute this point. Indeed, most scholars, especially those at the doctoral and professor levels, are mostly middle-aged people in their forties or fifties, if not all of them are old men.

Thirty-something is considered young, let alone someone like them who looks to be only in their early twenties. In addition, he has been quite low-key since boarding the aircraft, never showing off and just staying in his seat. So it's not an exaggeration to say that the young man opposite him feels a sense of "friendliness".

But if you can't just assume that you got in through connections based on being "young" and having "good taste in clothes," that's not a valid argument, is it?

soon.

As Luo Xiaoji spoke his next sentence, Liao Ji realized he was wrong.

"So, Brother Liao, you really are this person."

Luo Xiaoji gave himself a thumbs-up, then his expression turned mischievous as he winked at him and said:

"Actually, if I only looked at you, I wouldn't be so sure. What truly convinced me that we are definitely the same kind of people was when I saw that beautiful female assistant who was with you!"

"To be honest, I, Luo Xiaoji, have been quite the ladies' man, and I've had quite a few girlfriends. Look, some of them are even law students! Pretty, right? But even I wouldn't dare to openly bring them into the lab. But Brother Liao, you not only recruited girls, but you even dared to bring them to this kind of event. That's why I say, Brother Liao, you're really awesome!"

As Luo Xiaoji spoke, he took out his phone to show Liao Ji pictures of his girlfriends, especially the girl from the law department. However, he smacked his lips and looked at Liao Ji with an admiring look that said, "I can't compare."

Liao Ji: "Actually."

Seeing that Liao Ji seemed about to explain something, Luo Xiaoji widened her eyes and quickly blurted out:

"Hey, hey, hey! Brother Liao, don't tell me your female assistant is actually an academic. Do you think this is a novel? In reality, there's no such thing as a vibrant, beautiful girl willing to wear black stockings to do scientific research!"

"Look at the assistants that other professors bring. Even if there are girls, which one of them is as youthful and beautiful as this? Which one of them would dare to wander around like a tourist after boarding the spacecraft?"

Liao Ji: "."

Seeing the young man opposite him with an expression that said, "No need to say more, everyone understands," Liao Ji changed the subject.

"Aren't you afraid of being found out if you use back channels here? Using back channels is one thing in other matters, but we've been hired by Kyle Technology as consultants. If you don't know anything when asked, won't you be exposed?"

After hearing Liao Ji's words, Luo Xiaoji was taken aback at first, then looked at Liao Ji with a strange expression and asked in confusion, "Brother Liao, you don't know the nature of our so-called advisory and academic exchange, do you?"

"nature?"

Liao Ji frowned slightly this time, suddenly feeling a bad premonition. It seemed that the young man had indeed used "tourism" to describe this academic exchange from the very beginning when he greeted him.

Seeing Liao Ji's reaction, Luo Xiaoji became even more certain that Liao Ji had definitely gotten in through connections, and that he hadn't done much preparation.

Since they were all of the same kind and friends, Luo Xiaoji quickly explained to Liao Ji, "Brother Liao, our so-called academic exchange with the Mechanical Alliance has been going on for several times now. It's a tradition, and we do it every year. Although they call us here as consultants, in reality, they just invite us to show off their latest research results!"

"Showing off your achievements?"

"Yes, I don't know the specifics of this matter, but it's said that the academic exchange was normal at first, until one time the Mechanical Alliance seemed to have made a major breakthrough and developed a very powerful thing. As a result, at that exchange meeting, our scholars from Shanghai were completely suppressed by the Mechanical Alliance and felt extremely frustrated. When they returned to Shanghai, how could our city lord tolerate it? He immediately provided strong support and made Shanghai develop a very advanced technology. Then he invited people from the Mechanical Alliance to come over for so-called exchange and discussion, but in reality, it was just to settle scores."

"Then, through this back and forth, it eventually evolved into what it is now. Every year, when either Shanghai or the Mechanical Alliance has a breakthrough technology, they will hire people from the other side to come over, show off their superiority to the other side, and also advertise their products. The idea is to get you to come and buy their products."

"It's a pity that in recent years, our research in Shanghai hasn't seemed to have made any major breakthroughs. On the other hand, the Mechanical Alliance seems to be on steroids, making technological breakthroughs for several years in a row, especially in the field of ancient studies. And this year, they took the initiative to invite Shanghai again."

At this point, Luo Xiaoji shook his head, seemingly sighing as he lamented that his city, Shanghai, had always been overshadowed by others.

Then he patted Liao Ji on the shoulder.

"So, Brother Liao, you understand now, right? They didn't really hire us as consultants. We were just there to be punching bags! They deliberately brought some of their latest research on ancient studies to discuss with us, knowing we wouldn't understand or be able to communicate with them! That way, they could sell us their goods later!"

"Since no one can answer this, what am I afraid of? Let's treat this as a publicly funded trip and use the money from Keltech, the organizer this year, to eat, drink, and have a good time at the Mechanical Alliance for a week. It'll be a way to save face for our Shanghai!"

"So, Brother Liao, we get along so well, how about we travel together when we get to Dream City?"

Chapter 180 Collapse Crisis

In response to the young man's enthusiastic invitation, Liao Ji shook his head regretfully and said, "I'm sorry, I have an old friend in Dream City, and I'm taking advantage of this opportunity to go and catch up with her, so..."

Before Liao Ji could finish speaking, Luo Xiaoji immediately had an "I understand" expression, especially after hearing Liao Ji refer to that "old friend" as "she," she nodded in understanding.

"Oh, I see. No wonder. I was wondering why Brother Liao had to go through the back door to get into this kind of event. Now I understand. It's really not easy to fly to another place openly to meet an acquaintance. Well then, I won't disturb your good time, Brother Liao."

Seeing Luo Xiaoji's regretful yet envious expression, Liao Ji didn't let the conversation end there. Instead, he pretended to be curious and asked:

"Brother Na Luo, what about you? This academic exchange doesn't seem to be of any benefit to us, so why did you still try to get in through connections?"

"Ugh, don't even mention it. If I had a choice, I wouldn't want to leave Shanghai. Staying at home is so much more comfortable. Besides, I'm not like you. You don't have any lovers in the Mechanical Alliance. The reason I came here is because Chun Chun got into trouble and was punished by her family. That's why she was sent here to serve her sentence!" Luo Xiaoji sighed dejectedly as she said this.

family

Liao Ji had already taken note of the moment the young man tried to dissuade him from buying the V10 membership. After all, V10 cost over 800,000 Ash Coins, a sum that even professors and doctors couldn't just pull out "on a whim," let alone in a place like this.

The young man's subsequent remarks about "getting in through connections" and his frivolous and casual manner of speaking led Liao Ji to label him as a rich second-generation.

That's why Liao Ji took the initiative to continue talking to Luo Xiaoji. In his view, this was also a kind of network and resource that could be utilized.

When Luo Xiaoji later mentioned what he had done, he immediately became furious.

"Well, the reason this happened is that my family bought the rights to a science fiction novel. That science fiction novel is quite famous and has a lot of fans. As long as it's adapted from the original work, there won't be any problems. That's why they entrusted this project to me. Although it's a win-win situation, I still take it very seriously. After all, I am a professor and a fellow cultured person. I also like such a good work."

"So I deliberately didn't look for small companies after that. Instead, I spent a lot of money to find a leading film and television company in Shanghai to be in charge of the production. I repeatedly emphasized the importance of this work to them. I thought that was a sure thing, so I didn't care about it anymore. But who would have thought that they would turn it into a disaster! Especially their devilish adaptation of the script, which turned the male protagonist in the original novel into a playboy who only knew how to throw sprees!"

"Let me tell you, that's not the most infuriating part. The most infuriating part is that when I was interrogating the production team, that damn director actually said it was all for me, that he deliberately adapted the male lead to be based on me, just to curry favor with me. I'm so ashamed! Brother Liao, tell me, do I, Luo Xiaoji, look like the kind of playboy whose mind is only filled with women and opening silver handkerchiefs?!"

Liao Ji recalled the photos of several girlfriends and law students that the young man had shown him on his phone, and shook his head, saying, "Absolutely not."

"Right? Even you, Brother Liao, who I've only known for less than an hour, could see it. Those directors couldn't? It's infuriating!"

"So that's why you did it?"

"No, that's not it. Although this show is being heavily criticized online and has a terrible reputation, it hasn't stopped its viewership from skyrocketing. In fact, it has exceeded my family's expectations and made a lot of money for them thanks to the viewership. Sigh, now I know why our Shanghai can't produce any results year after year. With this level of quality, how can we compete with the Mechanical Alliance?"

Luo Xiaoji sighed, unsure whether to be happy or sad.

"So, shouldn't your family be happy? Why are they punishing you again?"

"Indeed, my family thought I had made something of myself and were quite proud of me. But then came the news that the Dragon Kingdom was going to declare war on the Holy Kingdom. When I heard this, and since I had just made a lot of money from film and television, I figured that since the money was just sitting idle, and two super powers were going to war, the stocks in the arms industry would definitely soar. So I made a tough decision and used not only the money I made from adapting the film, but also all my savings over the years to buy stocks in the Mechanical Alliance. Yes, the stock of Kyle Technology, which is famous for its weapons and equipment."

"As you know, the war in China never even started. I heard that an internal revolution broke out first, and they even arrested that minister. A lot of things were exposed. That minister was involved in a traitorous collaboration with Kyle Technology for personal gain. You can imagine how China could possibly continue to cooperate with Kyle Technology. Future weapons orders would definitely plummet, so Kyle Technology's stock crashed almost overnight! By the time I realized what was happening and tried to sell, I had already lost everything!"

Speaking of this, Luo Xiaoji, remembering his account where he had lost everything, looked filled with grief and indignation, and couldn't help but interject with his complaints to Liao Ji:

"I'm truly impressed. Isn't the Empress of the Dragon Kingdom supposed to be a woman of her word, never taking it back once she speaks? Brother Liao, who do you think is so capable as to persuade that Empress? And even instigate her revolution? The most outrageous thing is that it actually succeeded in less than three months?"

Liao Ji: "From a generally rational point of view, it is indeed a bit excessive."

"Right, right, who would have thought of this? You can't blame me, can you?" The young man nodded vigorously in agreement as if he had found a kindred spirit.

"But my family wouldn't listen, and in a fit of anger, they kicked me out. And coincidentally, the Mechanical Alliance sent out an invitation much earlier than in previous years. This time, the organizer was Kyle Technology, which I had voted for, so they just threw me in. Sigh, life is unpredictable."

Just as Luo Xiaoji was still feeling very sad and wanted to continue crying to Liao Ji, the sound of high heels approached from afar and soon came to their side. It was Irene, who had gone out to observe the interior of the aircraft, returning.

Irene looked at her with suspicion. Not long after she left, Liao Ji had a young man by his side who seemed to be having a lively conversation. She was even more surprised that this time it was a man!

When Luo Xiaoji saw Yilin arrive, he immediately waved his hand knowingly, gave Liao Ji a knowing look, and then got up from his seat.

"Brother Liao, since your girlfriend... cough cough, your female assistant is back, I won't bother you any longer. I'll head back now. Oh, wait, I almost forgot, Brother Liao, could I have your contact information?"

Adding contact information is very simple; just tap each other's Shanghai citizen ID cards together.

Before leaving, Luo Xiaoji even shared his V10 membership from the "Pioneer" series with Liao Ji, and gave Liao Ji a mischievous smile:

"There's another feature in the V10 membership, Brother Liao. Once you activate it, a protective barrier will rise up in the area where you're sitting. That way, no matter what you're doing inside, people outside won't be able to see you!"