Chapter 722: Chapter 529: Heading South_3 Chapter 722: Chapter 529: Heading South_3 After discussing with Mary, Duanmu Huai returned to his room, logged onto the foundation’s website, and requested them to enquire whether the Royal Academy planned a scientific expedition to the Antarctic.
The foundation’s information resources were impeccable, and it didn’t take long for Duanmu Huai to receive a response. According to the information they had gathered, the Royal Academy indeed planned to conduct geological surveys in the Antarctic. However, as previously mentioned, the Antarctic wasn’t a destination for everyone. Apart from the time required for such a trip, the astronomical cost was also a deterrent. It seemed improbable that an institution under the royal patronage like the Royal Academy would shell out such a hefty amount to sponsor a group of people going to dig up rocks in the Antarctic.
However, thankfully, this kind of purely altruistic research expedition itself wasn’t difficult to get approved. The only issue lay in the financing.
As long as someone agreed to fund it, there would be no problems at all.
“Mr. Duanmu Huai, I am extremely grateful for your sponsorship.”
Professor Palmer of the Royal Academy’s geology department, flushed with excitement, vigorously shook Duanmu Huai’s hand. The professor, in his early fifties, differed from other professors, evidently accustomed to the wear of weather given his tanned appearance, indicating a life spent mostly outdoors. Despite his reputable stature, and even having received royal honors, he was unable to fund his Antarctic expedition.
But Duanmu Huai could.
“I’ve always yearned to go to the Antarctic to investigate its geological layers, but unfortunately, circumstances haven’t cooperated, I’ve never been able to go … thanks to your sponsorship…”
“You need not be overly polite, Professor Palmer.”
Duanmu Huai waved his hand, interrupting the professor’s praises.
“In fact, I only have two requests. If you can fulfill them, I can fully fund your scientific expedition.”
“What are the requirements?”
As Duanmu Huai spoke, he raised a finger.
“I have never been to the Antarctic, so I want to go along to see the scenery there. Is that acceptable?”
“Of course it’s acceptable, I can add your name to the expedition team list… It’s just unexpected that you’d want to go yourself…”
“There’s nothing wrong with getting out and about. As for the second issue… I hope you add one more person.”
“Add another person?”
In response to Professor Palmer’s puzzled look, Duanmu Huai slightly smiled.
“Her name is Mary Clarissa Christie, a second-year student from the history department of the Royal Doctoral Academy. She also wants to go to the Antarctic. I’d appreciate it if you could invite her to join your expedition team.”
Admittedly, faced with Duanmu Huai’s request, Professor Palmer was taken aback. He’d heard of the student Mary. She indeed was quite bright, her grades were remarkably good. However, he wasn’t her professor and hadn’t paid much attention to her.
Typically, he would provide such opportunities to students from his study group, making it unlikely for an outsider like Mary to be considered.
But this was the benefactor’s request… What could be his motive for proposing such a request?
Suddenly, as if he had thought of something, a look of realization crossed Professor Palmer’s face.
Could Mary Clarissa be this man’s lover?
Such things were not rare. Generally, though, as a professor, Palmer refrained from commenting on such behavior. Still, someone willing to finance his scientific project for their lover’s sake…
Soon, a smile spread across Professor Palmer’s face, and he nodded.
“I have taught Mary Clarissa, she indeed is an intelligent student. Conveniently, if she’s willing, I also wish to invite her to join my study group.”
While Professor Palmer was unaware of the couple’s plans to honeymoon in the Antarctic or something else, he didn’t care one way or the other.
As long as there were enough funds to support his scientific research, everything else was irrelevant!