Chapter 1: Yangzhi Wu Yi
Chapter 1: Yangzhi Wu Yi
As the evening meal approached, Chen Chuan finally sat down, and his uncle, Nian LiFu, suddenly spoke up, "Chen Chuan, you've graduated from middle school, and we don't have any higher education institutions in Yangzhi City. As your uncle, I only have my meager salary from the Patrol Bureau. I don't have the means to send you to study in the prestigious central city. Have you thought about where you want to go?"
The dinner table fell silent, and his aunt, Yu Wan, looked at Chen Chuan with concern. His two cousins, a boy and a girl, held their bowls, their little heads turning left and right.
Nian LiFu said, "If you haven't decided, I'll arrange something for you. Don't complain about the hardships, and don't whine about being tired. If you don't want to do it, say so early on, and find your own way out."
Chen Chuan looked at Nian LiFu and smiled, "Uncle, are you in such a hurry to send me away?"
Nian LiFu glared at him, "Uncle is just uncle, don't add 'little' to it."
He instinctively patted his jacket pocket, and just as his fingers touched the cigarette box, he glanced at his son and daughter, then took out his hand, frowning, "Don't be cheeky. Give me a straight answer. Your cousin has a bright future, and I don't need to worry about him. Your two younger siblings are still young, and they'll be starting school in a few years. The family expenses will only increase. You're already sixteen, and I don't expect you to repay me. All I ask is that you can support yourself in the future."
Chen Chuan nodded, "Uncle, you're right." He thought for a moment and said, "Uncle, I want to find my own way."
"By yourself?"
Nian LiFu looked at him for a moment and said, "Alright, usually schools have a two-month vacation, right? I'll give you two months. After that, you'll be on your own, and your uncle won't have to worry about you anymore."
Aunt Yu Wan wanted to say something but stopped.
Chen Chuan said, "Okay, I'll do as Uncle says."
Nian LiFu looked him up and down, "You're a man of your word." He picked up his chopsticks, "Go ahead and eat." Only then did the family start eating as he began to eat.
Chen Chuan reached for his chopsticks as well, but he suddenly felt something. He lifted his head, and there, by the wall, stood a teenager who looked exactly like him, staring at him with a mysterious gaze. Aunt Yu Wan's family was engrossed in their meal, unaware of this, as if only Chen Chuan could see it.
He naturally averted his gaze and continued eating while contemplating his future. Before he knew it, he had finished his last bite. Aunt Yu Wan, who had been watching him, quickly said, "Leave it, I'll wash it. You focus on your own matters first."
Chen Chuan glanced at his aunt and then at Nian LiFu, who showed no expression. He put down his bowl and chopsticks and said, "Okay, Uncle, Aunt, I'll go back to my room first."
Nian LiFu took a bite of the dish and chewed slowly without speaking.
After Chen Chuan left, Yu Wan said, "He's still young."
Nian LiFu huffed, "What's so young about it? He's already sixteen. I was already on the battlefield at his age!"
"Alright, alright, I know you're amazing."
Yu Wan saw that he had finished eating too, so she stood up from the table and took a bottle of yellow wine.
"Go on," Nian LiFu waved his hand impatiently. He took a sip from the wine cup, feeling instantly relieved, but also secretly thinking, "This kid seems a little different from before..."
"Dad, did you send me away when I was sixteen too?" Nian Mo, the younger son, turned his head and looked up at Nian LiFu with pleading eyes.
The youngest daughter, Nian Lu, a three-year-old girl, said in a babyish voice, "You definitely sent him away. You eat so much!"
"I, I don't eat that much! Dad..." Nian Mo held his bowl, looking pitifully at Nian LiFu.
Nian LiFu laughed and patted Nian Mo's head, "You're my son, how can I not take care of you? I've got a spot for you under my butt, so don't worry."
"Oh."
Nian Mo happily jumped off the chair and ran to turn on the old radio, from which a crackling sound emerged.
"...The railway maintenance department reports that due to the mudslide in the mountain, the repair section originally scheduled for early June will be delayed once again..."
"Several criminals have escaped from the Qiguang Prison, and a wanted notice has been issued. The main fugitives are as follows: Da Wei, male, 35 years old, robust build, responsible for multiple home invasions and street shootings; Tong Baitao, male, 27 years old..."
"The Bloodstain Gang and the Iron Chain Gang clashed in the intersection of Xinqu Park and Micang Street, resulting in damage to multiple residences and dozens of deaths and injuries..."
At this moment, Chen Chuan had returned to his room. His study-bedroom was about 8-9 square meters in size. The windowsill and the old red-painted wooden floor were spotless, with everything neatly arranged around, indicating daily tidying and cleaning.
On the wall were some movie posters, and as he looked at them, the movie titles naturally came to mind: Lone Blade Knight, High Mountain Beast, Final Conquest...
He walked across the creaking floor to the window. On one corner of the half-old desk was a framed photo of a young couple. The woman was young and beautiful, while the man was tall and handsome, and their clothes were made of exquisite materials. They smiled at him.
To the right of the desk was a bookshelf over two meters tall, filled with books. A quick glance revealed that most of them were extracurricular books, such as Great Expansion, Year 15 of Jianzhi, Mysterious Machu, and more.
He muttered to himself, "It's a shame there's no Military and Civilian Talent, Militia Military Training Manual, or even the Ten Thousand Whys."
"What whys? Little Cicada, can Auntie come in?" Yu Wan's voice came from outside the door.
"Little Cicada" was the nickname given to Chen Chuan by his parents. Now, only Yu Wan and his annoying cousin called him that.
Chen Chuan said, "Auntie, come in. I'm thinking about a topic."
"You're still so diligent even after graduating from middle school, Little Cicada." Yu Wan entered the room. She was in her late thirties, with fair skin and an ordinary appearance. In contrast, Chen Chuan had delicate features, red lips, white teeth, and a tall stature. The two of them only vaguely resembled each other in their facial features.
Yu Wan said, "Little Cicada, don't blame your uncle for today. He has his own difficulties. And don't be stubborn. I'll talk to your uncle about it later."
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "Auntie, don't worry. I'm not being reckless; I have a plan."
Aunt Yu Wan hesitated for a moment before asking, "Chan'er... are you going to look for the Meng family's girl?"
Hearing this name, Chen Chuan involuntarily recalled the image of a young girl from his memories. He shook his head and said, "I'm not going to see her."
Aunt Yu Wan said, "That's good. Their family is of high status, and the people around her look down on others. You've always been stubborn, and you two were close as children, but it's different now."
Chen Chuan replied, "Auntie, you're right. Things from childhood don't count anymore. Now, everyone goes out with their guardians and attendants. Why would I bring trouble upon myself?"
Hearing this, Aunt Yu Wan felt much more at ease. She took out a handkerchief-wrapped package and, in front of Chen Chuan, unfolded it layer by layer to reveal a stack of ten-yuan Jianyuan Currency.
The currency featured a blue landscape pattern on the front, with a round dome and square land, and on the back, rice and wheat fields covered a nine-tiered crown. The watermark was a felt hat.
She took Chen Chuan's hand and pushed the money into it, saying, "Take it. Use it when you need to, and don't be frugal. If it runs out, I still have more."
Chen Chuan didn't reach out, asking, "Does Uncle know about this?"
Aunt Yu Wan said, "This is the money I saved for you." She then lightly tapped his arm, adding, "Don't call him Uncle, he doesn't like it."
Chen Chuan smiled and accepted the money, saying seriously, "Auntie, consider this a loan. I'll pay it back."
"Oh, we're family, don't talk about paying back. Keep it safe." Aunt Yu Wan waited until Chen Chuan put the money away safely, then said, "Auntie is leaving now. You're graduated, so don't overwork yourself. Remember to turn on the light when you read, don't ruin your eyes."
"Okay."
Aunt Yu Wan gave a few more instructions before leaving the room.
Chen Chuan closed the door, pulled the lamp cord by the door, and a small hanging lamp on the ceiling lit up, casting a soft yellow glow.
He walked to the bookshelf, casually pulled out a book, and sat on the edge of the bed, flipping through it with interest.
After a while, he heard the wall clock chime ten times. Since he had important matters to attend to the next day, he put the book back, washed up, and went to bed.
In the darkness, a boy identical to him stood by the bed, watching him with a faint, distant gaze.
In his dreams, he seemed to return to his previous life. After working for a few years, he went on a hiking trip and passed through a city where he visited a museum hosting an ancient mirror exhibition. When he entered the hall with curiosity, he saw a Dome Mirror hanging from the ceiling. At that moment, the figure inside the mirror also looked back at him.
The moment their gazes met, everything blurred, and his body seemed to regress to infancy, growing from a child to a teenager. One day, a cobalt blue car appeared in his vision, and as the sound of the car faded away, everything plunged into darkness.
Bright light seeped through the gaps in the curtains, dispelling the night's drowsiness.
Chen Chuan opened his eyes, turned to the alarm clock on the bedside table, and saw it was 5:50. He shook his head, got up, dressed, and went to the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth.
Mr. Nian LiFu was on duty at the Patrol Bureau and had already left early. His two younger siblings were still asleep, and Aunt Yu Wan had gone out to buy groceries, leaving breakfast prepared for him.
After finishing his breakfast, he returned to his room and put on his only set of student formal wear. The suit was made of wool, in a grayish-black color, and looked very neat, making him appear spirited.
He buttoned his collar, put on his student cap, and after adjusting his appearance in the mirror on the wardrobe, he took a gray canvas shoulder bag from behind the door, filled it with water, and slung it over his shoulder. He then went to the front yard, found his bicycle, and pushed it out of the gate.
Looking at the rising sun, he thought, "Well, let's follow my plan for now."
He got on the bike, rang the bell with his thumb, producing a series of clear chimes, and pedaled out of the alley. After turning two corners, he reached a main road.
Mr. Nian LiFu was a Patrol Captain at the Patrol Bureau Division, and this area was home to Patrol Officers and their families, so the neighborhood was relatively safe and the roads were wide. Sycamore trees lined the streets, and the bright sunlight of late May mixed with the deep green leaves, lifting one's spirits.
After cycling for half an hour, he entered the central square of Yangzhi City, where the tallest buildings were concentrated. Most were built during the Great Expansion period, about sixty years ago. Due to the tense situation at the time, the materials used were extremely solid, giving them a heavy, cold tone.
After waiting for a trolleybus to pass, he saw a group of seven or eight disreputable-looking people approaching from the other end of the road.
One of them, who seemed sensitive to gazes, suddenly turned to look at him with a fierce expression. However, upon seeing Chen Chuan's shoulder bag, he muttered something, spat at Chen Chuan's retreating back, and turned away.
Chen Chuan crossed the square and turned left onto the northbound avenue. About five minutes later, a grand flying eave appeared on the east side of the road. As he approached, he could see the entrance to an academy. The gate was wide, about a hundred paces, and the stone plaque above the central gate was inscribed in elegant calligraphy with the words "Wu Yi University."
He squeezed the brake, put one foot down, and stopped in front of a stone stele, which read, "Wu Yi University was established in Year 15 of Jianzhi and officially renamed in Year 35 of Jianzhi. The first president was Cheng Yunbo..."
The academy gate faced a flat, open area. The sun was bright at around 7:00 AM, illuminating the gate and the surrounding buildings, making the scene look particularly elegant and solemn.
His gaze wandered as if searching for something. After a while, he saw an inconspicuous sign near the side gate that read, "Admission Registration Office this way."
He took a deep breath, dismounted, and, noticing the figure almost identical to him standing by the gate and looking back at him, he calmly pushed his bike and entered the academy through the side gate.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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