255: Sally

Listening to the discussions rising and falling around him, Li Yang’s heart couldn’t help but ripple with excitement.

Indeed, as everyone said, with another two years reduced from his advanced studies, he only had a few months left before leaving this place of study.

Thinking of this, his eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“Oh, you guys are lucky. You all got excellent ratings last time, and now again. You’ll be leaving soon. But me, I have to stay here for another year.”

Hill lowered his head slightly, sighing silently, his tone filled with helplessness and regret.

After all, in the last assessment, he only received a good rating, narrowly missing an excellent one, which was truly a pity.

“Alright, it’s only a year, not that long.”

Hai An, with a faint smile, walked steadily to Hill’s side, gently patting his shoulder, trying to comfort him.

“In this year, you can further improve yourself, and maybe achieve even better results later.”

“Go away, you’re talking without feeling the pain.”

Hill gently pushed Hai An’s hand away, feigning anger, but the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but turn up slightly, clearly indicating that Hai An’s comfort had some effect.

Once the assessment results were announced, the Students in the meeting hall began to disperse one after another.

Just as Li Yang and the others were about to leave, Number Zero walked directly towards them, or more accurately, his gaze was fixed on Li Yang.

“Comrade Li Yang, please come with me.”

Number Zero’s tone was calm but conveyed an undeniable authority.

Seeing this, Li Yang nodded slightly, then turned to Hill and the others.

“You guys go first; Instructor Number Zero must have something important for me.”

Hill and the others understood, nodded, and then left the meeting hall first.

Subsequently, Number Zero led the way, with Li Yang following behind, as they walked along the wide and quiet corridor.

Along the way, footsteps echoed on the polished floor.

Number Zero led Li Yang through several doors and around a few corridors, finally arriving at the Management Department of the Officer Cadre Advanced Studies Branch.

“Minister Sha, I’ve brought him.”

Number Zero stood at the door, his voice steady and strong, gently knocking on the Management Department office door. After receiving permission, he stepped aside, gesturing for Li Yang to enter.

“Come in!”

A loud and authoritative voice came from inside the room.

Li Yang walked steadily into the room, and as his gaze swept around, he saw two people sitting on the spacious sofa.

He was slightly taken aback, his eyes instantly fixed on one of them, surprise clearly written on his face as he blurted out.

“Commander Wan? Why are you here?”

Li Yang truly hadn’t expected to see Wan Yi in person here, rather than the usual holographic projection.

It was well known that Wan Yi was always stationed on the expanding front lines, a critical strategic area for the empire, with numerous complex duties, making it rare for him to be able to come here in person.

“Hahaha, surprised, aren’t you?”

Wan Yi laughed heartily, stood up to greet Li Yang, his face full of gratified smiles.

“Thanks to you, you little rascal, you directly eliminated that blood heart, which made our subsequent work much smoother. So, I asked for a leave from above and specifically came to see you.”

Wan Yi said, looking at Li Yang with approving eyes.

“Oh, I almost forgot to introduce you.”

Wan Yi turned and pointed to the middle-aged man beside him who was smiling at Li Yang.

“This is Sha Li, Minister Sha, the head of your Officer Cadre Advanced Studies Branch Management Department.”

“Hello, Minister Sha!”

Upon hearing this, Li Yang quickly straightened his attire, stepped forward briskly, and extended his hand with respect and humility.

“Hello, Comrade Li Yang!”

Sha Li smiled, stood up, and actively extended his hand to firmly grasp Li Yang’s, his eyes full of admiration.

“I’ve been closely following your performance in the assessment; it was truly outstanding!”

Sha Li’s tone conveyed genuine affirmation, communicating his high recognition of Li Yang’s excellent performance.

“Haha, Minister Sha, you flatter me.”

Li Yang lowered his head slightly, still wearing a humble smile on his face.

“Being able to successfully complete the mission this time was just good luck.”

He knew in his heart that while his own efforts were indispensable, his various experiences on the Flesh and Blood Planet were indeed accompanied by many lucky factors.

“Alright, stop being so modest.”

Wan Yi shook his head gently from the side, a mysterious smile on his face, and said meaningfully.

“Because of you, Minister Sha has also joined our Mutual Aid Society.”

Wan Yi’s eyes sparkled with a hint of anticipation, as if he was looking forward to Li Yang’s reaction.

Hearing this, Li Yang’s heart suddenly thumped, and a look of shock instantly appeared on his face as he involuntarily looked towards Sha Li.

A thought quickly flashed through his mind.

Does this mean that this head of the Management Department is also preparing to invest in me?

Li Yang knew that although Minister Sha did not have direct military power and command authority in his hands, as the head of the Officer Cadre Advanced Studies Branch Management Department, his position was extremely crucial.

In other words, the network of connections Sha Li had accumulated throughout the entire officer system was something Wan Yi and the others could not easily match.

These connections were like a vast and complex network, containing immense energy and infinite possibilities.

“That’s truly wonderful!”

Li Yang quickly recovered, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, and he quickly said.

“I believe with Minister Sha’s joining, our Mutual Aid Society will definitely reach a higher level.”

Li Yang’s words were full of enthusiasm and anticipation.

“Hahaha, you rascal, I like you!”

Hearing Li Yang’s sincere and appropriate words, Minister Sha couldn’t help but laugh heartily. He happily reached out and heavily patted Li Yang’s shoulder.

In Minister Sha’s eyes, young comrades like Li Yang, who possessed outstanding ability, great potential, were well-versed in social etiquette, and showed no arrogance, were truly rare in the current environment.

Such talent was undoubtedly a star of hope for the empire’s future development, worthy of careful cultivation and support.

“As for me... although the space for me to directly provide you with substantial help in the military is limited...”

Minister Sha narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze showing sincerity and concern, and slowly said.

“But if you have people you trust and believe have potential that you want to recommend, you can certainly tell me. As long as you speak up, I will arrange opportunities for them to study. However, let me be frank, please do not recommend people with mediocre qualifications and no outstanding qualities, otherwise, my old face really can’t handle such trouble.”

Minister Sha said half-jokingly, yet with a hint of seriousness in his tone.

Since he had already decided to support and invest in Li Yang, Minister Sha naturally would not be petty.

He knew clearly that an excellent and highly potential person like Li Yang would certainly need to cultivate his own core team in the future to better realize his ambitions.

And as the head of the Officer Cadre Advanced Studies Branch Management Department, he could be of great help in this regard, cultivating the talents Li Yang needed.