Chapter 11: It's Time to Learn

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Lying low for now, Zhang Yuan was unwilling to casually find an institution to test the composition of the remaining liquid. Who knows, maybe it might unintentionally expose some secret.

If things get blown out of proportion then, it would not be worth the loss.

He understood the principle of hiding one's wealth. The benefits his father gave him were enough for him alone to enjoy.

"Sigh, forget it, what's meant to be known will eventually be known. What shouldn't be known, it's better not to meddle unnecessarily… Since Dad was vague and didn't explain the reason, he must have his own reasons."

Zhang Yuan suppressed his curiosity and cast the matter out of his mind.

There were many shops on the pedestrian street, including convenience stores, clothing stores, restaurants, and fruit shops.

The fruits here were cheap and fresh. There was a type of sea plant called "Pu Pu Grass," a new species cultivated a hundred years ago, known as "God's gift to humankind from space."

This stuff tasted sweet, much like grapes, and its flesh was rich in a B-group vitamin with antioxidant properties, which was very beneficial to human health.

Long-term consumption could even directly increase the average human lifespan.

Zhang Yuan bought several pounds of "Pu Pu Grass" at 3 federal coins per pound, intending to take them home to savor slowly.

Next were the clothing stores, an endless row of them.

Even now, with highly developed logistics and cheap online shopping, women still couldn't shake the bad habit of shopping. To them, online shopping and going out shopping were two completely different matters.

This was because, in this era, there was no petroleum, and clothes were a bit expensive.

Owning a wardrobe full of diverse clothes required a significant economic cost. As a result, women loved shopping even more; just looking and touching was fine for them.

Zhang Yuan walked into a store selling underwear and casually bought several pieces of underwear, panties, and socks.

"After an eighty percent discount, it totals 887 yuan!"

"Make it cheaper, boss," Zhang Yuan attempted to haggle.

"Sorry, no bargaining!"

The reason there were sales clerks in the store was to increase employment. Even with Xia Country's productivity and social welfare system capable of supporting many idle people, if the overall unemployment rate got too high, these people would be idle, and the crime rate would rise.

So, it was better to increase some low-end jobs without technical content.

Really expensive! Four pairs of panties, three pieces of underwear, five pairs of socks, none of them brand names, yet they cost more than eight hundred yuan. An average person's salary was only about four to five thousand a month.

Zhang Yuan twitched his nose, deeply realizing how poor his bargaining skills were, or maybe it was because the other party was a man.

If it had been a female clerk, she might have been swayed by his looks and given a discount.

However expensive it was, these were all clothes made of nanomaterials, very high quality, not easy to get dirty, and they wouldn't wear out for several years. Considering it like this, it was still a bargain.

He planned to take these clothes for use on the spaceship.

As he walked out of the store, he glanced at the latest clothing advertisement from a well-known fashion manufacturer, "Nano-plastic fabric clothing, icy texture, an unprecedented silky enjoyment…"

He casually touched this white dress that resembled stockings; it really was cool and refreshing.

Ordinary clothes would block infrared radiation, but this nano clothing had no insulation capability; the nanopores in the material could let infrared radiation through, helping the body to dissipate heat.

Of course, because the new material was thin and soft, when girls wore it, it accentuated their figure. Its price was quite steep as well, one piece costing more than two thousand.

Nanotechnology changed the world, including fashion.

Zhang Yuan felt it several times, the texture was incredibly good, and his mind wandered aimlessly: "Looks somewhat like white stockings, pretty soft."

"Petroleum is truly a wonderful thing, why were old-time clothes so cheap?"

"They actually burned petroleum as fuel!"

Zhang Yuan sighed.

He then thought of some countries on Earth, whose people, to this day, just barely had enough to eat, yet still couldn't afford clothes, submerged in misery.

He didn't have much sympathy in his heart because most of these countries were former petroleum producers.

They used to be the wealthiest on Earth, but now their current condition could only be described in one word: depletion.

A flower doesn't stay in bloom for a hundred days, and people aren't good for a thousand days, there have been countless countries that have declined in history, whether individuals or civilizations, everything has its lifespan.

Rising during times of crisis, declining in comfort and enjoyment, this is an unchanging truth. In times of prosperity, if one doesn't plan for the future, then they could only suffer when hard times come.

Next, Zhang Yuan walked into a life insurance company, wanting to buy two extra retirement insurance policies for his Young Aunt and Young Uncle.

Even if their family wasn't short on money right now, society changes, fortunes change, what if something happens in the future?

Having more insurance is always better.

"… Could you please not inform the involved parties for now, and do it two years later, is that possible? Pay the fees in one lump sum, no need for installments."

"Of course it's possible!"

The pretty clerk was exceptionally enthusiastic, her face flushed.

Selling insurance comes with a commission, especially big deals like this, she couldn't be happier. Moreover, the other party was handsome, his manner was so cultured, giving people a very pleasant feeling.

"The total cost for two people… three hundred thousand. Post-retirement, each person receives a refund of 2,000 federal coins per month, break even in 75 months without considering inflation."

"Alright!" Zhang Yuan cheerfully signed, then paid in full.

Even though it was a splurge, his heart didn't ache; it was like a small parting gift for these relatives before he left.

Having finished this, there weren't too many trivial matters to bother with.

Zhang Yuan returned home and organized his current tasks.

Regarding various memos, for some trivial matters, he simply abandoned attempts to fix them, now he only wanted to study.

Study tirelessly!

In the following days, Zhang Yuan joyfully browsed through various books, initially attempting to review all university courses, including "Mathematical Analysis," "Real Analysis," "Near-contemporary algebra," "University Physics," etc.

The days passed by quickly.

His biggest wish at the moment was to understand the articles his father left on the tablet.

These articles were somewhat like casual notes, apparently recorded when Dad had inspirations at work, appearing somewhat disorganized.

But Zhang Yuan had no doubt about their value...

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