Chapter Sixty-Two
Huang Ze watched documentaries for seven consecutive days, covering topics from the universe, military affairs, humanities, history, to law—every aspect imaginable. Each time, he was utterly focused, eyes glued to the screen, vividly embodying the image of a curious and knowledge-hungry black dragon. As time went on, he even pretended to take the initiative to learn Summerian, and his attitude towards the staff improved greatly. He no longer wore a constant scowl but treated them kindly, even allowing the staff to approach him closely.
Such a transformation in the black dragon naturally delighted the masses, who found it both amusing and uplifting. Those following the black dragon’s live broadcast easily noticed that his body was visibly swelling—he had put on several tons in just half a month, a testament to how well he was being fed and how content he was with his new environment, almost reluctant to leave.
For a time, online discussions about granting the black dragon citizenship soared in intensity.
However, the production team felt that the narrative wasn’t quite there yet. While granting the black dragon citizenship and party membership might satisfy the domestic audience, it would hardly fool the intelligent beings abroad. Moreover, the black dragon had already been in the country for half a month. By ordinary logic, a supernatural creature should be feeble and dispirited after so long in a magicless environment. If the black dragon continued to thrive with such vigor, the secret would be out.
Therefore, to maintain authenticity and reasonability, the production team decided to move up the plotline of releasing the black dragon back to the wild. This would not only showcase the magnanimity of the Summerian nation but also serve as a strategy—first restraining, then encouraging, laying the groundwork for the dragon’s eventual return.
After experiencing the advanced system and productivity of Summer, the black dragon would return abroad, wandering and witnessing the injustice and darkness of the outside world. Suddenly, he would realize he no longer fit in with that world. Enlightened, he would decide to return to Summer, embrace progress, and join the revolution.
With this, the dragon’s awakening and inner journey would be complete, making the plot of the dragon’s naturalization all the more convincing.
…
Around four in the afternoon, on the news channel:
“This just in: due to a prolonged lack of magical energy and the strain of intense study over the past few days, the foreign black dragon fell into a sudden coma at midday.”
“Experts from the Summerian Academy of Sciences, after thorough examination and diagnosis, unanimously concluded that the dragon’s current state makes it unsuitable to remain within the country. It must be returned abroad as soon as possible.”
“A central leadership emergency meeting was convened, and a decision was quickly passed to accept the Academy’s recommendation: the black dragon will be released back abroad today.”
Before the anchor finished, footage began to play: the black dragon being hoisted onto a truck and transported toward the border.
…
Releasing the black dragon was undoubtedly a major event. The national broadcaster quickly assembled a team to provide live coverage.
“Good afternoon, viewers. I’m Wang Xiaobing, reporting for Central Television. I am now at the No. 2 Beilong River Trade Port. In the past five months, countless goods have been exported abroad from here every day, making it one of our nation’s busiest ports.”
…
Yet now, the entire port was deserted, for in half an hour, the black dragon would be released back to foreign lands. For safety, all staff had already been evacuated and would only return to work after the dragon’s departure.
…
Wang Xiaobing led the cameraman around, then suddenly spotted a familiar face. Delighted, she said, “We see Researcher Yu Xiaomin from the Academy of Sciences struggling to load some boxes onto a pickup truck. Let’s go over and see if we can help.”
“For viewers who frequently watch the black dragon livestream, Researcher Yu Xiaomin must be a familiar figure. She is the staff member who has appeared most often and has had the most harmonious interactions with the black dragon. She’s affectionately called the dragon’s keeper by many netizens.”
…
“Researcher Yu, let me help you.”
Wang Xiaobing handed her microphone to the cameraman and hurried over.
“No need, really, there are just a few boxes left…” Yu Xiaomin tried to decline, but seeing Wang Xiaobing already lending a hand, she relented, “Well, thank you.”
“It’s nothing, just a small favor… whoa, it’s heavy!” Wang Xiaobing tried to lift a box and immediately felt its weight, prompting her curiosity.
“Researcher Yu, may I ask what’s inside?”
“Books,” Yu Xiaomin replied, wiping her brow with a smile. “My dragon friend is going back abroad, and I thought it best to give him a parting gift. After much consideration, books seemed the most fitting.”
…
“Books for a dragon as a gift… that’s certainly a unique idea. Do you think he’ll like them?”
“I’m sure he will.” Yu Xiaomin nodded confidently. “My dragon friend is incredibly inquisitive and loves learning. Knowledge is the most precious and captivating treasure. I bet he’ll love the gift I’ve carefully prepared.”
“Could you open the boxes and show us what you’ve chosen?”
“Of course.”
Yu Xiaomin opened one of the boxes.
“Let’s see… ‘Picture-based Literacy,’ ‘New China Dictionary,’ ‘One Hundred Thousand Whys,’ ‘First Grade Language,’ ‘First Grade Mathematics’… Wait, are you giving him an entire set of elementary school textbooks?”
“Not just elementary school,” Yu Xiaomin laughed, patting the other boxes, “There’s also a full set of middle and high school textbooks. I hope my dragon friend will become a cultured, thoughtful, and progressive dragon through self-study.”
“What about the other boxes? Are they books too?”
“Yes.”
“This one contains popular science books on physics—‘A Brief History of Time,’ ‘Popular Astronomy,’ ‘The Power of Planets,’ and so on.”
“This one has mythological novels—‘Classic of Mountains and Seas,’ ‘Investiture of the Gods,’ ‘Journey to the West,’ and similar titles.”
“And this one holds books on philosophy and sociology—‘The Wealth of Nations,’ ‘Das Kapital,’ ‘Selected Works of the Chairman,’ and so forth.”
Yu Xiaomin introduced each box in turn.
…
Giving a dragon ‘Das Kapital’ and ‘Selected Works of the Chairman’… Even Wang Xiaobing, well-versed as she was, was left speechless by Yu Xiaomin’s bold move. After a few seconds, she said, “It’s clear you’ve put a lot of thought into selecting these books and gathering them must have been quite an effort. Was this something you planned from the beginning, or did the idea come to you suddenly?”