Chapter 65: Becoming Friends

In the city of the steel forest, the rapid advancement of technology had filled the narrow sky with countless dazzling light screens. The crowds below moved with the density of migrating ants, each person like a walking corpse.

Above the light screens, a flying car sped through the air. Inside, Dawson Carl held a cup of coffee, rubbing his brow. "Uncle, you've worked hard this time, but I wonder if our plan will succeed!"

Across from him sat a middle-aged man with a ruddy complexion—his uncle, Blake Carl. Smiling, Blake replied, "Of course it will succeed! If I were in his position, having such a powerful partner would be wonderful."

"He's a young man, and a genius in plant science," Dawson said worriedly. "He probably guessed the identity of last night’s assailant. I think he must be furious and won't cooperate with us."

Blake laughed heartily. "What if you were him?"

"I would definitely choose to cooperate," Dawson nodded. "An equal partnership, a chance to reach the peak of life! After all, only interests last forever."

"Do you think he is inferior to you?"

"No," Dawson replied decisively. "Yesterday’s confrontation ended with my defeat. He watched my act from start to finish, while I had no choice but to keep acting."

"So you can be sure he isn’t the sort to grovel for small gains or curry favor with the elite. But—"

"But I can’t be sure he won’t see last night’s assassination as an insult and remember it forever," Dawson interjected.

"I bet he’ll keep playing along," Blake said confidently. "The latest model of the Phantom Voyager!"

"Deal!" Dawson agreed without hesitation. After some thought, he added, "Uncle, there's one thing we haven't determined: what organization is behind his protector?"

"Maybe none, maybe there is," Blake shrugged. "But the R company already knows about this, so we can only negotiate peacefully. He’s clever—he only chose R company from the very beginning."

The flying car slowed and parked in the air. The two Carl gentlemen, accompanied by three assistants and five bodyguards, got out. The valet moved the car into the building.

They entered the elevator, and as they approached the front of Mustang Technology, the five bodyguards stopped, leaving only the two Carls to enter.

At the reception desk, Blake flashed a friendly smile. "Hello, beautiful lady. I am Blake Carl, and I have important matters to discuss with your boss. Please notify him at once!"

The receptionist was the same woman as yesterday. She glanced curiously at the two Carls, especially at the dejected Dawson, then said, "The boss told me, if anyone from the Carl family comes again, let them in immediately."

Blake and Dawson exchanged a look and followed the receptionist into the company.

Inside the office, Ma Jun wore a sports vest and was striking a newly acquired punching bag with loud, resounding blows. Qian Meiduo, dressed in a tailcoat, sat on the sofa, idly scrolling through a screen.

"Boss, the Carl family is here," the receptionist said, then closed the door and left.

"Wow, Dawson is back again?" Ma Jun stopped, grabbed a towel, and wiped his sweat as he spoke to Qian Meiduo.

Qian Meiduo sat grandly, sizing up the two Carls without speaking.

"You must be the genius, Ma Jun!" Blake Carl stepped forward with a friendly smile and extended his hand. "I’m Blake, Dawson’s uncle. I brought him today to apologize!"

Ma Jun gave a perfunctory handshake, then returned to his seat, taking out a cigarette to savor. "It’s an honor to see you, but I made it clear yesterday—I refuse to work in your laboratory!"

Blake was not angered by this righteous rejection; in fact, he smiled even more broadly and took a seat. "Today, I am here to apologize, Mr. Ma Jun!"

"Apologize?" Ma Jun asked, puzzled. "For—"

"For Dawson's rudeness yesterday," Blake replied. "This kid studied biobotany in school. When he learned about your research, he was overjoyed and wanted to work with you. But he’s not good with people, and his behavior can be off-putting."

Dawson said, "Yes, I’m sorry. I was just surprised by your research. You’re truly a genius!"

"In any case, please accept our apology!" Blake said. "I assume those traitorous college students won’t be allowed back by you, Mr. Ma Jun, and I will dismiss them as well. To show our regret, the Carl family is willing to offer one hundred million dollars!"

"Yes!" Dawson said excitedly. "You can use it to hire new assistants. I don’t want a genius to fall into despair!"

Ma Jun’s face grew serious. After a moment’s silence, he beckoned Qian over and whispered in his ear.

Qian nodded and left the room.

Ma Jun stared at the transfer button on the table, slowly reached out to touch it, and finally said, "I accept your apology. I don’t want my experiment to stall either."

Blake’s smile grew even brighter. He glanced at his watch and stood. "I’m very sorry, but I have many matters to attend to. Mr. Ma Jun, I wish you greater success!"

Ma Jun personally escorted them out. When he returned to his office, Dawson followed him inside.

"Is there something else?"

Dawson didn’t answer. He took a cigarette from Ma Jun’s desk, lit it, and slumped onto the sofa. "What do you think of my uncle?"

"A very amiable man," Ma Jun replied.

Dawson laughed mockingly. "You know, yesterday’s operation was orchestrated by him!"

"What?" Ma Jun feigned surprise.

"Heh," Dawson took a deep drag. "These old men are all foxes, putting interests above all else! He coveted your research, so he had me pretend to be a spoiled brat to intimidate you. He promised me the latest Phantom Voyager spaceship, so I came. For some reason, he brought me again today to apologize."

Ma Jun laughed inwardly—this Dawson was truly slippery! But his face remained shocked as he said, "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you are a true genius!" Dawson grew excited. "After thinking it over last night, I realized your research could solve humanity’s food problem—a potential savior of the future! Our country, our Earth, is scarred and needs a real hero to step forward. And heroes shouldn’t be tools of power!"

Yet, often, heroes are just tools.

Ma Jun handed Dawson a cup of coffee and sat beside him. "I don’t want to be a hero. I just love science and research. Technology should make life better, not turn Earth into a wasteland."

"Cheers to that!" Dawson exclaimed. "Technology makes life better!"

Their relationship seemed to thaw, and they sat together, laughing and chatting like old friends.

Around noon, Dawson’s phone rang. After answering and hanging up, he said to Ma Jun, "Hey buddy, there’s a new indoor golf course on the Moon. Interested in playing? Scientists need fun, too! We’ll dine at the Shabir Hotel first—they offer privately grown organic vegetables and Pandora’s delicious meat products. Then we’ll fly to the Moon and get you back tonight. Deal!"

Earth is about four-thousandths of a light-year from the Moon, and about forty-four light-years from Pandora. The Pioneer ship takes roughly five years and nine months to travel from Earth to Pandora.

Of course, shuttles aren’t nearly that fast, but a two- or three-hour trip between Earth and Moon is perfectly feasible!

So Ma Jun had no objections—he already knew these facts.

"It truly is my honor!" Ma Jun smiled. "I’ve never tasted Pandora’s meat products. But I’ll bring an assistant—the one in my office earlier."

"No problem! He looks tall. Oh, were you boxing when my uncle and I arrived? You’re in great shape! If you attend parties, you’ll surely captivate the ladies!"

The two left the building and went to the parking area. When Qian Meiduo arrived, they started the flying car.

Along the way, Dawson Carl shed yesterday’s arrogance, displaying refined manners and eloquence.

During the ride, there was never an awkward moment.

The Shabir Hotel towered into the clouds, its entire structure wrapped in a three-dimensional hologram—beautiful and dreamlike.

Numerous flying cars entered and exited the building.

Dawson was clearly a regular; the staff all knew him and even joked with him.

The food here was rarely found elsewhere. Besides various fruits and vegetables, delicacies from distant Pandora were astonishing.

Before leaving, Dawson insisted on gifting Ma Jun a top-tier membership.

Ma Jun feigned hesitation, then accepted.

Next, they headed to the spacecraft terminal—a wide, open field near the outskirts of New York.

According to Dawson, this was the Carl family’s private port.

Several shuttles stood ready for launch, and others were stored in the warehouse.

As they boarded, Ma Jun praised, "Technology makes life better!"