NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: Dream
Hearing the question, Pan Wei thought for a moment and shook his head. "I have no idea. You know that I'll eventually take over the factory unless my parents have another child."
Lin Yun laughed slightly. Pan Wei was an only child, and his parents always threatened him by saying they would have another baby.
He looked at his friend and asked, "Don't you have any dreams?"
Pan Wei smiled bashfully and asked, "Does staying at home and doing nothing count as a dream?"
"Of course, it does," Lin Yun chuckled. "But to do that, you must first be financially free, earning money while sleeping. If you truly want to achieve this, I suggest you study finance. With your family background, your starting point is much higher than most people. As long as you are good enough, that dream won't be just a dream anymore."
Pan Wei was surprised and thought about it carefully. Math was his best subject. It shouldn't be a problem for him to study finance.
"I understand, Brother Yun," Pan Wei said with a rare serious expression. "What about you, Brother Yun? What's your dream?"
"Me?" Lin Yun smiled and said, "I want to be the richest tech tycoon in the world."
"Tech tycoon?" Pan Wei was puzzled.
"Well, it's about technology. Think of computers," Lin Yun explained briefly. "Do you believe me that in the next decade, computers will become an important part of human life?"
"What do you mean, Brother Yun? Is it the same as Gigaman?" Pan Wei was even more confused.
"Gigaman?" Lin Yun was taken aback.
"Yes. It's a blue robot that can shoot energy balls. Have you forgotten?" Pan Wei explained.
"Oh," Lin Yun immediately understood. Pan Wei was talking about Megaman. It was called Gigaman here.
He shook his head and said, "What I mean is that everything in our daily life will depend on computers more. For example, instead of writing in a notebook, we can write on the computer and print it out, which is faster and more efficient. We can also communicate with people around the world through the internet."
"Ah? It's so powerful?" Pan Wei was shocked. He hadn't used computers much.
"Yes. Not only that, but you can also use it for entertainment, like listening to music, watching movies, and playing games," Lin Yun said.
Pan Wei's eyes lit up. "I will ask my father to buy one later," he said excitedly.
"Tsk. It's really good to be a rich young master," Lin Yun said enviously.
"What are you talking about, Brother Yun? You can come to my house and use it," Pan Wei quickly said.
Lin Yun laughed. "I was just joking. I will buy one myself later."
He paused for a moment and said, "However, there aren't many games currently. You might be disappointed. It will take a few years for the game industry to start."
"Is that so?" Pan Wei was immediately disappointed.
Lin Yun smiled and said, "Alright. Let's go. You can go back to the classroom first. I have something to do."
"Oh. Okay," Pan Wei nodded, and they left the canteen after taking care of their dishes.
Lin Yun headed straight for the teachers' lounge, knocking gently before entering.
As the door creaked open, Xu Qing spotted him and beckoned him over with a warm smile. "Can I help you with something, Lin Yun?" she inquired.
"Teacher," Lin Yun called out respectfully. "I've changed my mind. I'm no longer going to the Capital City."
Xu Qing was surprised. Lin Yun, consistently ranked at the top of his class, was a prime candidate for Capital University. She was curious why he had suddenly changed his mind.
"Please, sit down and tell me what's on your mind," she invited.
Lin Yun sat down on a nearby chair and explained, "I'm planning to major in computer engineering, but I'm torn between West Lake Institute of Technology and the Far East Institute of Technology. I'd like your advice on which one might be a better fit for me, Teacher Xu."
"Computer engineering? Excellent choice! The demand for skilled professionals in this field is sure to grow significantly in the future." Xu Qing nodded in agreement. "From what I understand, the Far East Institute of Technology has the strongest program in computer engineering. They've made significant investments to enhance their curriculum and facilities."
She paused, her mind turning to Lin Yun's situation. The high cost of living in Far East City could be a problem for him.
In contrast, West Lake City was more affordable. While the city had developed rapidly, it still lagged behind Far East City in overall advancement.
"With your dedication, I'm confident you'll achieve excellent results in the exam," she reassured him. "I'll also do my best to negotiate with these universities on your behalf. Securing a scholarship that covers living expenses is a strong possibility."
Lin Yun felt a wave of warmth wash over him. Xu Qing's unwavering dedication to her students, a constant throughout both his current and past lives, solidified her position as the most admirable teacher in his heart.
"Thank you, Teacher Xu," Lin Yun expressed his gratitude. "I actually have another request. Would it be possible to access the computer room today? I have some material I'd like to study."
Xu Qing was surprised, glancing briefly at her watch before saying, "No problem. Come with me."
Lin Yun was relieved and quickly followed Xu Qing to the computer room.
The computer room, a stark contrast to the vibrant hub of student life, was quiet.
Rows of beige boxes, reminiscent of ancient relics, lined the long tables.
Lin Yun's gaze swept across the room, a nostalgic pang hitting him. These bulky monitors, with their grainy displays and flickering CRT screens, were a stark reminder of the technological limitations of this world.
"The computer room is usually closed during lunch break," Xu Qing explained, her voice echoing softly in the otherwise silent room. "But considering your dedication, I've made an exception."
"Thank you, Teacher Xu," Lin Yun replied gratefully.
Xu Qing smiled warmly. "Remember, don't strain your eyes too much. Take breaks and stretch your legs every now and then."
With a final nod, she turned and left, the door clicking shut behind her.