Chapter 19: Mediation

The homeroom teacher of Class A quickly intervened, saying, “Yes, you’re all classmates. You’ll be seeing each other all the time, so don’t make things too ugly.”

Jiang Tang didn’t even furrow his brows; his tone was laced with sarcasm. “I recall that Gu Xue was about to drop out.”

The Class A homeroom teacher was inwardly annoyed at Jiang Tang’s lack of gratitude.

Who was Gu Xue? The eldest daughter of the prestigious Gu family from Polar Star—a family with an impeccable lineage and exceptional talent. How could someone like Jiang Tang, an orphan deemed useless, afford to offend her?

He himself was a distant branch of the Gu family. His position as Class A homeroom teacher was thanks to the Gu family’s influence, so Gu Xue absolutely had to be protected!

The dean’s expression was also unpleasant.

She hadn’t anticipated that merely calling Jiang Tang in for a question would stir up such a huge issue.

She had only wanted to curry favor with the Gu family but ended up shooting herself in the foot. Not only did the goddess of resonance dislike it, but the reputation of Nebula Academy was also now on shaky ground.

In any case, Gu Xue could not be made to apologize publicly!

The dean cleared her throat. “Arthur, you may step out for a moment.”

Arthur, having seen enough drama, nodded obediently and withdrew from the “battlefield,” gently closing the office door behind him.

The dean and the Class A homeroom teacher flanked Jiang Tang, each taking turns urging him.

“Making a public apology would affect you as well; we’re only considering your privacy.”

“You’re all still young, and you’re classmates. There’s no need to tear each other apart…”

Jiang Tang treated their words like water off a duck’s back, lounging in his chair with an air of indifference, unmoved.

The two adults grew anxious, their mouths dry from speaking, but Jiang Tang gave no response, resembling a cold, uncaring woman.

“Gu Xue, you need to take a stand and apologize to Jiang Tang!” the Class A homeroom teacher pressed the other party.

Leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, Gu Xue showed no reaction, her cold demeanor unshaken despite the homeroom teacher’s growing frustration.

Suddenly, the Class A homeroom teacher had an idea and tried to leverage Sheng Huaian: “Jiang Tang, rest assured, Gu Xue will never trouble you again, nor will she pester Sheng Huaian!”

Jiang Tang gave him a look as if he were a fool and said nothing, but Gu Xue grew agitated.

“Impossible!” Gu Xue shouted, glaring at Jiang Tang as if he were her mortal enemy. “I will never yield to this loser!”

The Class A homeroom teacher’s eyes darkened; he cursed silently, thinking that this melodramatic couple had somehow produced a master of romantic conflict.

But Jiang Tang believed Gu Xue didn’t actually like Sheng Huaian that much; she simply couldn’t stand seeing him do well.

If Jiang Tang shifted his affections elsewhere, Gu Xue would immediately abandon Sheng Huaian without a word and continue competing with Jiang Tang as a romantic rival.

“Jiang Tang, Gu Xue is just speaking in anger; don’t take it to heart…” the Class A homeroom teacher hurriedly tried to mend the situation.

The dean added, “Gu Xue will be punished appropriately; there will be no favoritism!”

Sighing as if resigned, Jiang Tang feigned a deep breath. “Since you both say that, if I don’t back down, I’d seem unreasonable.”

The Class A homeroom teacher’s face lit up in delight, but the smile faded just as quickly.

---

“I want a hundred-year usage right to twenty shipping lanes on the Gu family’s territory, and over the next century, Cangwu Star will operate at its own expense.”

Cangwu Star was rich in resources but suffered from a lack of shipping lanes. Materials and products couldn’t flow freely, and high tariffs were imposed on imports and exports.

To develop, connectivity both internally and externally was crucial.

“No way!”

Jiang Tang’s gentle smile appeared like the grim reaper’s beckoning to the Class A homeroom teacher.

He instinctively refused, even under the dean’s glare.

This was no different from robbery!

Polar Cold Star only had a total of one hundred shipping lanes!

He paused, then forced a smile. “There’s no need to escalate this to higher authorities, is there?”

Jiang Tang snorted quietly, running his slender fingers over the injury reports on the screen. “Really? I hope you say the same in court.”

The Class A homeroom teacher wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and glanced nervously at the silent Gu Xue. “Th-this…”

Jiang Tang then turned to Gu Xue, asking gently, “Gu Xue, do you think this is fair?”

Gu Xue kept a calm expression but was inwardly panicking.

She never imagined Jiang Tang had the foresight to preserve evidence!

If this went to court, the Gu family certainly wouldn’t want an heir whose record was stained.

Through clenched teeth, Gu Xue said two words: “Ten lanes.”

She resented Jiang Tang trying to snatch benefits from her but had no choice but to yield.

Jiang Tang stood and prepared to leave.

He likely understood Gu Xue’s thoughts: new shipping lanes could be developed, but Sheng Huaian must never be lost—that was indisputably part of Jiang Tang’s marriage contract.

Jiang Tang felt a bit gleeful. If Gu Xue knew he had five marriage contracts, she’d be overwhelmed.

“Fifteen lanes!” Gu Xue quickly raised her offer.

That was her limit; she only held eighteen lanes under her name.

Jiang Tang pushed further: “Fine, plus fifty starships—thirty cargo and twenty passenger ships—the latest models from Shengshi Conglomerate.”

Gu Xue clenched her fists and closed her eyes. “Agreed.”

They signed the contract on the spot.

Jiang Tang gave Gu Xue a thumbs-up. “Miss Gu, you’re generous!”

With real gold and silver on the table, whether or not she apologized was irrelevant; a little grievance was acceptable.

Jiang Tang was a magnanimous person.

---

“Don’t get too cocky!” Having delivered her parting shot, Gu Xue stormed out of the office.

Only the dean, the Class A homeroom teacher, and Jiang Tang remained.

The dean relaxed her expression. “Then this matter is settled…”

Jiang Tang shook his index finger. “No, no, no, Director, let’s discuss the compensation the school owes me!”

The dean was speechless.

At that moment, Jiang Tang’s delicate face seemed no different to him than an alien species.

An hour later, Jiang Tang left the office refreshed, leaving the two adults pale and staring at each other in stunned silence.

He had made a killing!

Jiang Tang forwarded two contracts to his steward on distant Cangwu Star.

One was for Gu Xue’s fifteen shipping lanes.

The other was a special talent support contract from Nebula Academy to Cangwu Star.

It included annual free talent assessments for eligible children; poverty subsidies far exceeding those on other planets; and mandatory protection services lasting fifty years.

The dean alone couldn’t have negotiated such a contract, but with the inter-school competition approaching and Nebula Academy’s leadership unwilling to let a scandal break, they reluctantly agreed.

The steward immediately replied with a shocked emoji and sent a communication request.

“Young master!”

“Sis!”

A round little face squeezed into view.

“Oh, little piggy, have you finished your homework?”

Jiang Qing on the other end was wildly waving her arms, shouting, “Finished! Finished!”

Jiang Tang teased his sister while discussing the use of the fifteen shipping lanes with the steward.

“We also need to ensure poverty subsidies are distributed properly. The Federation doesn’t lack card masters, but Cangwu Star does. We’ll cultivate every card master we can!”

Jiang Tang was eager to strengthen their capabilities—not just for himself but for the entire Cangwu Star.

The steward nodded, hesitated, then cautiously asked, “Young master, are you doing well?”

Jiang Tang felt a warmth in his heart and smiled sincerely. “Life here is quite interesting.”

To be precise, this world was fascinating, and he was already eager to make a name for himself.