After obtaining her intermediate childcare provider certificate, Lu Mingming prepared to leave the assessment site. She didn't want to stay, as other streamers who had finished their exams would soon arrive for scoring.
Shortly after the fat man exposed his plot, the little prince contacted the staff and was taken to another location. Lu Mingming was unaware of what happened next.
"Sister Mingming, add me as a friend on the StarNet. I'll definitely support your live stream."
The little prince excitedly showed his ID.
"Alright."
Lu Mingming didn't refuse. She added everyone as StarNet friends, treating them equally and not showing favoritism, thus expanding her network.
After finishing this, Lu Mingming bid farewell to everyone.
She had spent almost the entire day on the exam and was now feeling empty, her stomach churning.
As she retraced her steps, a familiar yet strange sense of dizziness washed over Lu Mingming. She attributed it to not eating and low blood sugar, and didn't think much of it.
As she neared the main entrance, a female voice called from behind.
"Wait, streamer Mingming!"
Lu Mingming rubbed her stomach to alleviate the uncomfortable cramping and looked back amidst her dizziness. The person approaching was the staff member who had been in charge of her during the intermediate exam.
The young woman hurried towards Lu Mingming, handing her a golden ticket.
Lu Mingming took it casually. The ticket was emblazoned with a string of ancient interstellar script she couldn't understand.
The staff member, panting slightly, said, "This is an auction entry ticket from the organizers. It's an apology for what happened."
"Ah? Thank you."
Lu Mingming hadn't expected the matter to reach their superiors so quickly.
"This is for the opening tomorrow. Entry is limited to two people, right before the competition. You can go and check it out. Additionally, this entry ticket comes with a credit of 10 million Star Coins as a gift."
The young woman pointed to the ancient script on the ticket and explained each character one by one, finally informing Lu Mingming of the auction's address.
"Wait, you said 10 million Star Coins?"
Lu Mingming suddenly became alert, her weakened mental state suddenly bolstered.
"Yes, it's an apology from our headquarters. We are affiliated with the Alliance's official channels and are directly managed by the heir's chief steward."
The staff member mentioned this with evident pride on her face.
The gift from the organizers was too generous!
Lu Mingming immediately thought of the fat man's actions towards her. If his scheme had succeeded and affected her reputation, 10 million Star Coins would have seemed insufficient compensation.
After much deliberation, she ultimately couldn't resist the allure of the entry ticket.
At worst, she'd just look around and spend her own money if she bought anything.
Besides, Lu Mingming was genuinely curious to see an interstellar world auction!
Seeing Lu Mingming accept, the staff member breathed a sigh of relief.
The young woman didn't linger, leaving immediately after delivering the gift.
Hooray, she had completed the chief steward's request!
The young woman recalled that when she discovered Lu Mingming's exam content was incorrect, she was about to report it to her superior. However, she was caught by the patrolling chief steward, who inquired about the situation and then gave her this entry ticket.
...
Back at the hotel, Lu Mingming's discomfort had significantly eased.
With a pale face, she went to the buffet restaurant to grab some bread to fill her stomach and also to report her safety to her little cub.
Other streamers returning from their exams saw Lu Mingming and cast glances her way. When their eyes fell on the certificate in her hand, they froze in place, mouths agape, utterly stunned.
"Is that... is that an intermediate certificate or...?"
"Pinch me, did I see that right? How come I'm seeing two certificates in her hand??"
"Did she actually succeed...? By the way, why didn't that mentor come back?"
"When in doubt, I'll take a photo and upload it to the StarNet to expose it."
Over time, the streamers unconsciously formed concentric rings of human walls around Lu Mingming, occasionally interjecting with discussions as if observing a rare animal.
Lu Mingming had no intention of arguing with them and continued to reply to messages on the StarNet.
"Excuse me, please let me through, I'm here to pick someone up."
Cheng Shiqin squeezed through the crowd. His tall frame extended an arm, parting the onlookers.
Behind him followed a dog and a tiger, with a small cat perched on his shoulder. They carved a wide path through the crowd.
"Stop looking, stop looking. What's so interesting? Haven't you seen people before?"
After Cheng Shiqin's dispersal, a large portion of the onlookers dispersed.
Cheng Shiqin unceremoniously sat down opposite Lu Mingming.
"Finally found you. It wasn't easy."
The little furry cub hopped onto the table and nudged Lu Mingming's face with its forehead.
The two older cubs sat on either side, exuding a sense of steadiness. Lu Mingming could reach out and pet them.
If it weren't for the public setting and the dirty ground, they would have immediately bared their soft bellies to be petted.
Cheng Shiqin gulped down a cup of hot water, and after catching his breath, he asked, "Why did you come back so late? We usually finish exams in an hour. Did the rules for this session change?"
"No, I was just 'reasoning' with the invigilator."
Lu Mingming said casually.
"They were talking about you!"
Cheng Shiqin almost spat out his water. Facing the little white tiger's somber expression and bared teeth, he slowly swallowed the water back down.
On his way here, he had encountered many streamers returning from exams to relax at the hotel. Cheng Shiqin vaguely overheard their discussions and learned that there was a candidate in the exam hall this year who clashed with the invigilators.
But he never expected it to be Lu Mingming!
"...What were you arguing about?"
Cheng Shiqin asked tentatively.
Lu Mingming calmly explained the whole story.
"Nonsense!"
Upon hearing the part where the fat man slandered her, Cheng Shiqin slammed the table with a loud "bang," attracting the curious gazes of those who had just left. He had to restrain himself, sit down, and drink water to calm his temper.
"Don't be angry."
Lu Mingming smiled and presented two qualification certificates: "Fortunately, I passed."
Cheng Shiqin couldn't hold back and sprayed the water onto the floor. The water choked his throat, causing him to cough violently.
"You cough... you're not joking... cough cough..."
As soon as he recovered, Cheng Shiqin eagerly picked up the qualification certificates to confirm, his eyes gleaming with admiration. "You're amazing. I think you can get first place this time."
"Don't flatter me."
Lu Mingming shook her head, pulling out the auction entry ticket.
"By the way, does anyone want to go to the auction with me tomorrow?"
This time, Cheng Shiqin didn't drink water. He stared at the ancient script on the ticket, his lips trembling. "Do you know what level of auction this is?"
Lu Mingming's face was blank.
"This is an internal auction of the Alliance's official channels. Many items are unique or rare. How did you get this?"
At this point, Cheng Shiqin's mental state was a little broken.
Why did he go out, get taken advantage of, and sign a slave contract, while Lu Mingming managed to get so many valuable things after her exam?
"Oh, this is a gift of apology from the organizers."
What organizers?
The little white tiger raised its head alertly.
What good deed had the chief steward done behind his back?
"Backed by the Alliance's official channels, I heard there's a credit of 10 million Star Coins."
Lu Mingming added.
The ability to provide a credit of 10 million Star Coins indicated that the products would likely start at 10 million Star Coins.
The little furry cub, fully aware of his own financial situation, slowly withdrew from this battle.
"I don't have the money! Forget it. It's good that you can take your own cubs to have some fun."
Cheng Shiqin voluntarily moved aside, making space for the cubs.
Morian, upon hearing "backed by the Alliance's official channels," understood that the chief steward of Ornal had secured it for her.
He had no interest in taking credit for others' achievements.
The little Samoyed stood up and walked to Cheng Shiqin's side. Suddenly, only the little white tiger and Lu Mingming were standing together.
The little white tiger seemed to sense something. The tip of its fluffy tail twitched and nuzzled into Lu Mingming's palm. Its large, sturdy body rubbed against her legs, leaving its scent.
"Alright, Tangyuan will accompany me tomorrow."
Lu Mingming made her decision.
The little white tiger naturally moved closer, its cute but heavy tiger head resting on Lu Mingming's lap. The tip of its ear twitched, making its ice-blue eyes appear even more charming and dewy.
In reality, Ornal was worried.
If these people wanted him to go with them, had they considered what would happen if he were recognized by acquaintances at the auction house?
Alas, this was a predicament.