Chapter 108: New Year's Gift
Chapter 108: New Year's Gift
On the first day of the New Year, the firecrackers rang out early in the morning.
Chen Chuan woke up from his sleep, resting his hand behind his head and lying still. Although the dormitories at school were comfortable, this place gave him a warm and cozy feeling.
After lying down for a while, he got dressed and opened the curtains, letting the sunlight stream in. It had snowed all night yesterday, but today the sun was out, and the snow on the roof and ground looked like it was covered in a quilt.
He took a few deep breaths, then went outside to wash up. He greeted Nian Fu Li and Yu Wan, wishing them a happy new year, and then called Cheng Zitong, Bian Feng, and a few other teachers to wish them a happy new year.
After breakfast, Chen Chuan went outside to check the mailbox and brought back a stack of greeting cards. Most of them were from his former and current classmates, but one was particularly exquisite. Inside, written in elegant handwriting, were six words of blessing: "Wishing you good fortune in the new year."
He nodded, knowing that Miss Meng always paid attention to such details, sending cards regardless of the distance. He had also sent her a New Year's card following the annual tradition.
However, there was no direct postal service between Central City and Yangzhi, so he could only send it to his old residence. Whether it would reach her or not was beyond his control.
At that moment, two small heads poked into the room, both wearing tiger-head hats, and they shouted in unison, "Happy New Year, Cousin!" Their eyes were fixed on him expectantly.
Chen Chuan laughed and went to the drawer, taking out red envelopes and handing one to each of them.
"Thank you, Cousin!" This was the polite Nian Lu. As for his younger cousin, Nian Mo, he took the red envelope and ran off, shouting with excitement.
Chen Chuan took out another red envelope and gave it to Nian Lu, winking at her. Nian Lu looked up at him, then tugged at his sleeve. When Chen Chuan bent down, she whispered in his ear, "Don't worry, Cousin. I won't tell Mo Mo."
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "Okay." He patted Nian Lu's head and straightened up.
After the little ones left, he returned to his desk and picked up the booklet sent by He Xiaoxing, flipping through it. Today, he didn't plan to train; it was a rare day off, and he would just do some simple breathing exercises.
Soon, he heard the sounds of children's laughter and shouting from outside. It seemed that Nian Lu, Nian Mo, and a group of children were having a snowball fight.
He thought about how unfortunate it was that his aunt had told him that his older cousin, Nian Qian, was busy with his studies at the military academy and was said to be at a critical moment, so he couldn't come home for the New Year this year.
After 9 am, people started to arrive to pay their respects for the New Year, one after another. They were all Nian Fu Li's subordinates, but this year, there were especially many visitors. Even those who usually didn't socialize much came to visit, and the house phone kept ringing. As soon as one call ended, another would come in.
Yu Wan secretly told Chen Chuan that Nian Fu Li would be promoted to captain after the New Year. Chen Chuan couldn't help but realize that this explained Nian Fu Li's radiant appearance these past few days.
He couldn't help but think of Wei Chang'an's words about Wei Laohu's bad temper these days. Could it be because of this?
Many of the calls were also for him, and Feng Xiaoqi was the first to call and wish him a happy new year, followed by Ding Jiao, Luo Kaiyuan, and Wei Chang'an, all calling to thank him for the New Year's card.
From the first to the fourth day of the New Year, Chen Chuan followed Nian Fu Li and Yu Wan as they visited neighbors and close relatives and friends, just like in previous years.
He had planned to visit Yu Gang, but after learning from Nian Fu Li that Yu Gang had joined the Iron Chain Gang and was no longer at his original location, he couldn't make the visit.
On the fifth day of the New Year, Nian Fu Li and Yu Wan had left early in the morning, and he received a call. A lazy voice came from the other end, "Cousin, are you there? I'm at the alley entrance. It's the New Year, and you still have people guarding the place."
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "I'll come out to meet you."
This area was the residential area for the patrol officers, and while it seemed free to enter and exit, strangers were closely monitored. Even during the New Year, only familiar faces were allowed to bring guests inside.
Chen Chuan walked out of the courtyard and went to the alley entrance. He saw a tall and thin youth leaning against a silver-gray sedan. The youth wore gold-rimmed glasses and had a parted hairstyle, with a lazy smile on his face.
He was dressed in a brown padded gentleman's suit and a deep blue patterned tie. Although he was handsome, his narrow and long eyes gave him a rather effeminate air.
When the youth saw Chen Chuan, he straightened up and waved, "Cousin."
Chen Chuan smiled and nodded, "Gao Ming." He invited, "Don't just stand there, come in."
"Oh, I have some things in the car. Help me carry them."
Chen Chuan walked over and waited for Gao Ming to open the trunk. As Gao Ming lifted the items, Chen Chuan effortlessly picked them up with one hand, which made Gao Ming envious. He couldn't help but exclaim, "The students of Wu Yi Academy are truly extraordinary!"
Chen Chuan just smiled.
After entering the house, Gao Ming looked around and asked, "Aren't Aunt and Uncle home?"
"They went out."
Gao Ming said, "What a coincidence. These past few days, my father and uncle have been dragging me around. I have a case on the sixth day, so today is the only day I'm free."
Chen Chuan suggested, "Let's have a meal together later."
Gao Ming covered his stomach as he heard the question, "Oh, spare me. In our line of work, we have to deal with so many people during the holidays, eating eight meals a day. I feel like throwing up."
Chen Chuan laughed, "Okay, I won't force you." He and Gao Ming were both relatives and classmates, having grown up together since childhood, so they were always casual with each other.
Gao Ming, curious, asked, "Cousin, how did you get into Wu University? I don't remember you practicing much before."
Chen Chuan thought for a moment and gave an explanation, "I guess I have a talent for it. The teachers at school call it a gift that only a few people possess."
Gao Ming thought this was indeed a possibility. He remembered that when they were kids, Chen Chuan was the most formidable in fights.
He joked, "Cousin, you're a first-class student, and your future is full of potential. Investing in you would be a great investment."
Chen Chuan said, "Are you sure it's a good investment?" He smiled meaningfully and said, "If you want to invest, you might have to give a lot, and there's also a chance you won't get any return at all."
Gao Ming was taken aback. He pushed his glasses and looked at him for a moment, his expression turning serious and uncertain. "Cousin, are you thinking of... taking the exam for Central City?"
Chen Chuan looked at him, knowing that this cousin of his was always smart. He had guessed his thoughts from just a few words and some previous hints.
Chen Chuan admitted, "Yes, I've been thinking about it, but I can't do it alone. I need help from various sources, so I also want to discuss the possibilities here with you and see if you're willing to take on this task."
Gao Ming's face showed a hint of surprise at his response, but more than that, he was excited. He took off his glasses, wiped his eyes, and said, "Cousin, this is a big challenge."
When he put his glasses back on, his eyes sparkled with interest, and his voice revealed his genuine enthusiasm. "Cousin, I want to know about your current social connections at school. Who can help you, someone you can absolutely trust, and what's your current strength? I need this information to make a basic assessment."
Chen Chuan nodded.
Gao Ming already knew about his family and previous classmates, so he didn't need to elaborate on those relationships. Instead, he focused on the interpersonal relationships at Wu Yi Academy, primarily the school's management and Cheng Zitong.
These matters weren't secrets; anyone with the right intentions could investigate and find out. In the end, he also shared his main experiences during his time at the academy, including the eradication of Fang Dawei's gang and the handling of urban legends.
"What about your strength?" Gao Ming was most concerned about this because, regardless of any ideas, the ultimate measure of a Wu Yi Academy student was their martial power.
"Cousin, how strong are you now? How do you compare to the senior students at Wu Yi? How much do you still need to improve?"
Chen Chuan paused before answering, "I don't know how strong the first-class senior students are, but let me put it this way: if it's a fight with weapons and not a group battle, even some of the academy's ordinary coaches and teachers wouldn't be able to beat me."
He didn't say this out of arrogance. Without knowing about his second self, if it came to a life-or-death situation, he could use his weapons to fight with a life-for-a-life approach. Unless those teachers had reactions and speed far superior to his, it would be a one-strike affair.
Gao Ming's eyes lit up with brightness, and he exclaimed, "Cousin, you've given me a huge New Year's gift!" He took a deep breath and said, "Looks like I'll have to stay a few more days."
Chen Chuan smiled, "Don't you have business these days?"
Gao Ming removed his tie and tossed it on the table, saying decisively, "I'm not going. Nothing is more important than this right now."
Mi Family Law Firm and Wu Yi Academy had business dealings, and after learning that Chen Chuan had been admitted to Wu Yi, Gao Ming had been paying close attention to such matters.
Now, after hearing Chen Chuan's story, based on his own experiences, Gao Ming believed that Chen Chuan already possessed the basic qualifications to go to Central City, lacking only a few things.
That was fine; these were matters that could be arranged and compensated for.
If he could promote an ordinary person without connections to power to Central City, it would be a remarkable achievement in the legal world. Moreover, setting aside business, having a cousin who could enter Central City's Wu Yi Academy would be a significant help to his career.
Gao Ming thought for a moment and said, "I'll prepare a detailed plan for you, cousin, and I'll also analyze the situations you might need to avoid or face. But I might have to go back to the firm and check the relevant archives regarding this matter.
Chen Chuan said, "This isn't urgent. There's something else I need your help with right now. I need to sign a temporary agreement with a client company, and I'd like your assistance."
"That's a small matter," Gao Ming agreed readily. After inquiring about the client company, he showed interest, "Cousin, perhaps we should get to know this company better."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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