Within a few days, Zhong Yun was promoted to Assistant Engineer. Besides completely conquering his instructors in skill, the most significant factor was the acute shortage of capable engineers.

As for why he was only an Assistant Engineer and not a full Engineer, that was due to the ingrained precedents at play. The Mingse Kingdom—no, not just the Mingse Kingdom—in the wider galactic civilization, most nations had enjoyed millennia of peace, developing sophisticated promotion systems for every aspect of society.

Especially in technical professions, there were strict and detailed regulations. For instance, to attain the title Zhong Yun currently held as an Assistant Engineer, there was a fundamental, non-negotiable requirement: a Level One professional certificate in fields such as Mechanical or Architectural engineering.

To even qualify for the Level One certificate, one had to complete five or more years of advanced study at a specialized school after obtaining a university degree, thereby gaining professional accreditation, before being eligible to sit the professional examination. After passing the exam to earn the Level One certificate, candidates still faced a mandatory three-year probationary period. Only after certification was the Level One certificate formally awarded.

Typically, a standard Assistant Engineer would be no younger than thirty. Of course, this world was never short of geniuses. There were a handful of individuals whose objective qualifications fell short but whose talent and potential were boundless, leading to their exceptional promotion. Zhong Yun was merely one such example.

As an Assistant Engineer, Zhong Yun now had his own office. Nominally, he was an Assistant Engineer, but he performed the duties of a full Engineer.

After a period of observation, all the engineers at the Engineering Command Post unanimously agreed that Zhong Yun possessed the competence of a full Engineer. Though incredible, it was an undeniable fact.

For an Assistant Engineer to be elevated to a full Engineer required over ten years of work experience. Therefore, even with his demonstrated ability, they could not simply break convention and install him in the Engineer's position.

Nevertheless, the elevation of Zhong Yun’s status was clearly visible. Among the surviving students from the Academy, only eleven, including Zhong Yun, had been exceptionally promoted to Assistant Engineer, and he was the only one among them who received the full emoluments of an Engineer.

The instructors in the engineering departments had already begun discussions to poach Zhong Yun from the Archaeology Department. To allow such a gifted youth to remain in the Archaeology Institute was a profound waste of talent.

They had also tentatively sounded out Zhong Yun’s intentions. Zhong Yun felt it made no difference; he wouldn't be staying here long anyway, so any department was the same. He only felt a slight guilt toward his Archaeology mentor, who had always treated him exceptionally well.

That mentor, however, proved remarkably understanding. Since the Engineering Department offered Zhong Yun a far brighter future, he saw no reason to obstruct his path.

The first structures the Academy built were classrooms. Once the equipment allocated by the provisional government arrived, Kedo Academy resumed classes.

On the day classes resumed, all faculty and students ceased their work. The suspension lasted one day, during which a small commencement ceremony was held. This suggested that the Dean of Kedo Academy, at least in certain respects, held rather antiquated views.

The Dean of Kedo Academy was not a member of the Kedo family. Rumor had it he originated from the Capital Star. He had enrolled in Kedo Academy, pursued advanced studies at a specialized school on Kedo Star, and after obtaining his professional certification, had taught at Kedo Academy for fifty years. He was elected Dean ten years prior.

Zhong Yun sensed that this Dean was a formidable master, his power unfathomably deep. He felt the same way he did about Uncle Rich from Vivi’s circle. This gave him pause. Kedo Star was indeed teeming with experts; his own Level Nineteen strength felt insufficient for true mastery here.

The Dean had not been on Kedo Star when the riot occurred; he had been escorting over a hundred outstanding students to another prestigious school on the Capital Star for an exchange program. He returned with the military forces dispatched to quell the unrest.

Legend had it that upon disembarking from his vessel, he immediately raced to the school, leaving even the military behind. Once inside, he unleashed his terrifying might, slaughtering countless rioters and rescuing hundreds of students along the way.

Now, the Principal, whose complexion was unnaturally pale, stood solemn and severe upon the podium before the grounds, officially announcing the reopening of Kedo Academy.

After classes resumed, Zhong Yun and the other students acquired an additional task: attending classes. To avoid delaying the engineering progress, instruction was scheduled for the evenings. This stripped them of what little remaining leisure time they possessed.

However, having endured such a catastrophic upheaval, the students’ morale was somewhat dampened, and with few forms of recreation available, few objected to the school's decision.

The school also hoped that giving the students meaningful tasks would help them move past their psychological trauma sooner.

On the third day after classes resumed, many more students returned—a welcome surprise. It turned out a contingent had escaped the chaos and hidden outside without returning. Upon hearing the news that Kedo Academy had reopened, they made their way back.

Among those who returned were Wen Zhu, Odin, and Liu Ming—students who had fled with Zhong Yun and his group.

Zhong Yun only encountered them on his way back to the dormitory after finishing his evening class.

“Third Brother—” came an exaggerated shriek. Zhong Yun turned to see Liu Ming charging toward him, arms wide open in excitement. A little further back, Piggy Odin stood beside the girl who had fled with them initially, waving her hand.

Zhong Yun crashed into Liu Ming as he reached him, wrapping him in a fierce bear hug and pounding his back. “It’s so good you guys are safe.”

Liu Ming’s face turned crimson, feeling as if his bones were about to shatter from the blows. He coughed and forcefully pushed Zhong Yun away. “Are you trying to murder someone?”

Odin and the others approached then. Zhong Yun gave Odin an enthusiastic hug before moving toward the girl. Liu Ming instantly leaped up, blocking Zhong Yun, and exclaimed in exasperation, “You scoundrel, even hugging my wife?”

The rather delicate-looking girl blushed faintly, biting her lip without contradicting him.

Zhong Yun punched Liu Ming lightly on the chest and laughed, chiding, “Good man, you managed to land her so quickly.” He then took a few more looks at the girl, noting her delicate features, fair skin, and tall figure—a rare beauty.

“What, aren’t you going to introduce me?” Zhong Yun asked with a smile.

Liu Ming turned away to his girlfriend and said, “Xiao Chun, remember this guy, his name is Zhong Yun. Stay away from him next time; he’s a big pervert.”

“Now you’re ruining my reputation again,” Zhong Yun laughed heartily.

After exchanging pleasantries, the five walked toward Zhong Yun’s dorm while recounting their experiences since the separation. Liu Ming and the others had indeed followed Wen Zhu to a safe location and only returned when they heard Kedo Academy was reopening.

“What about Wen Zhu? Did she come back with you all?” Zhong Yun asked, seemingly casually.

“Sure, we all came in her vehicle,” Liu Ming replied, then a mischievous smile crossed his face as he recalled something. “You and Vivi snuck off secretly back then. How did it go? Did you win her over?”

“Snuck off? Why do you make it sound so sordid?”

Hearing this, Liu Ming felt irritated. “I find you utterly disloyal, prioritizing romance over friendship, and completely heartless, secretly taking Vivi away.”

Zhong Yun felt profoundly wronged. “It wasn’t me who took her away; she secretly followed me…” Seeing the other four glaring at him, their expressions all reading the same four characters—We don't believe you—he relented.

“Fine, I was wrong. I accept the penalty.” Zhong Yun thought the situation was ridiculous, but it was the truth.

“Thirteenth Restaurant…” Liu Ming stopped mid-sentence. Not just him, but everyone’s expression darkened simultaneously. During the riot, the Thirteenth Cafeteria had been destroyed. They had all been avoiding any mention of that violent episode, yet somehow, it had surfaced.

“Thirteenth Cafeteria? How about this, I’ll treat you all at the Cloud Sail Pavilion,” Zhong Yun said with a smile, breaking the heavy atmosphere. The Cloud Sail Pavilion was one of the top-tier restaurants on Kedo Star, located nearby. Its prices were staggeringly high.

“You said it, you can’t back out now,” Odin called out.

The atmosphere began to lighten again.

They chatted late into the night before returning to their respective accommodations.

The next day at work, Zhong Yun was quite surprised to see Wen Zhu at the Design Institute. However, Wen Xiu did not see him.

It seemed Wen Zhu had also been assigned to the Design Institute. Currently, the Design Institute was the most understaffed section of the entire Engineering Command Post, and since Wen Zhu was an excellent mechanic, her placement there was hardly unexpected.

It wasn't until lunchtime that Zhong Yun saw her again. Their Engineering section had its own separate dining hall, distinct from where the general student body ate.

Zhong Yun walked over and greeted her. “What a coincidence.”

Hearing his voice, Wen Zhu abruptly turned her head. Seeing Zhong Yun, surprise flashed in her eyes, followed closely by raw anger. She suddenly grabbed the collar of his shirt and shouted, “Where is Xiao Wei? Where did you take Xiao Wei?”

Her voice was so loud it drew the attention of everyone in the cafeteria, but she paid no mind, glaring fiercely at Zhong Yun, her gaze seeming capable of devouring him whole.

Zhong Yun felt a pang of awkwardness and whispered, “Let’s talk outside.”

Wen Zhu stared at him, released his collar, and marched toward the exit. Zhong Yun straightened his clothes and followed her out, ignoring the curious glances directed their way.

“If you don’t give me an explanation today, I will never let you off!” Wen Zhu was clearly filled with hatred for him, her chest heaving violently as she spoke the words.

Zhong Yun glanced briefly at her chest and quipped with a smile, “That statement of yours is very easy to misunderstand.”

Wen Zhu gasped, her face turning bright red with rage. “You—”

“Vivi was taken away by her family,” Zhong Yun’s expression shifted instantly; the joking demeanor vanished, replaced by seriousness.

“Home?” Wen Zhu, forgetting her previous fury, looked at him doubtfully. “Are you telling the truth?”

“An old man named Rich took her away, escorted by a mech squad of at least a company. Quite an entourage. What exactly does Vivi’s family do?” Zhong Yun asked curiously.

Hearing the name Rich, Wen Zhu finally believed him; he couldn't have possibly invented that name. Hearing his final question, she said, “You should ask her that yourself.”

“Then forget it. It has nothing to do with me anyway,” Zhong Yun shrugged indifferently.

Wen Zhu gave him a strange look and couldn't help but ask, “Aren’t you worried?”

“Worried about what?” Zhong Yun found her question odd.

“If Xiao Wei’s family background is too prominent, there will be many obstacles for you two to end up together.” Wen Xiu truly didn't know whether to call him obtuse or naturally thick-skinned.

Zhong Yun’s expression turned peculiar. “Ending up together with Vivi? You mean marriage?” (Wen Xiu nodded matter-of-factly) “What kind of joke is that? Who said I was going to marry her?”

Wen Zhu’s face changed drastically, and she snapped, “You refuse to take responsibility!”

“Is your brain waterlogged?” Zhong Yun said with amusement. “We pretended to be a couple, held hands a few times, and now I have to be responsible? Please, do you think this is some historical drama being filmed?”

Wen Zhu’s face flushed and paled alternately from sheer anger, leading her to speak without thinking. “You’re not a man! You won’t own up to what you’ve done. Vivi told me everything!”

“What did I do?” Zhong Yun felt completely baffled. Suddenly, his expression flickered slightly. “What exactly did Vivi tell you?”

“Hmph, she told me everything. You still want to argue!” Wen Zhu held utter contempt for men who acted but refused to admit their actions. “I never realized you were this kind of man. I truly misjudged you.”

Zhong Yun patted his forehead and groaned, “She didn’t tell you that we… slept together?”

“She gave you her most precious first time, and you still say things like that?” Wen Zhu trembled with anger. She felt indignant on behalf of her close friend, who had fallen for such an irresponsible man.

Zhong Yun was speechless. If he had actually done it, he would have admitted it and accepted the scolding. But he genuinely hadn't. He had intended to save his first time after reincarnation for Yun Qi.

This massive, undeserved black mark had been dropped onto his shoulders, making him feel incredibly wronged. Regarding Vivi, he didn't know what to say anymore. Although it was a little unkind, at this moment, he genuinely felt she was a bit infatuated, going so far as to actively pursue a man like this!

In truth, he wasn't particularly interested in forward women. Take Xiao Ruo; she was stunningly beautiful and utterly devoted to him, yet he had always remained cool and distant. Part of that was already having Yun Qi, but the other reason was that he enjoyed pursuing women but disliked being chased by them.

Zhong Yun realized Vivi had thoroughly set him up. She had verbally agreed to help him pursue Wen Zhu, but behind his back, she had executed this devastating maneuver.

Since Wen Zhu knew his best friend had given herself to him, given Wen Zhu’s personality, how could she possibly remain entangled with him? Even if she had harbored some lingering affection for him, it would have evaporated by now. Moreover, after today’s conversation, Wen Zhu had developed nothing but contempt and disgust for him.

Zhong Yun offered no further defense. Even if he had a hundred mouths, Wen Zhu wouldn't believe him. One was a friend she had known since childhood; the other was a man she had known for less than a year. Whom would she trust?

That path was definitively closed. However, a small measure of relief washed over him. Pursuing a woman for a specific objective—that felt truly repulsive to him. While he wasn't exactly a saint, he hadn't sunk so low as to deceive and exploit a woman's feelings.

P: One more chapter to go. I really can't find the writing momentum during the day. I intended to write a chapter this morning when I had some time, but I only managed two thousand characters. That’s why this is only being posted now. My apologies.