Chapter 108: New Year's Gift
Chapter 108: New Year's Gift
On the first day of the New Year, the crackle of firecrackers filled the air early in the morning.
Chen Chuan woke from his slumber, his hand resting behind his head as he lay still. Although the dormitories at the academy were comfortable, being back home gave him a warm and cozy feeling.
After lying there for a while, he got dressed and opened the curtains, letting the sunlight stream in. It had snowed all night yesterday, but the sun was out today, and the snow on the roof and ground looked like a blanket of cotton.
He took a few deep breaths, then went outside to freshen up. He greeted Nian Lifu and Yu Wan, who were already awake, and wished them a happy new year. He also made phone calls to his teachers, Cheng Zitong and Bian Feng, among others, to send his new year's greetings.
After breakfast, Chen Chuan went out to the mailbox and collected a stack of greeting cards, most of which were from his former and current classmates. However, one card stood out with its exquisite design. Inside, elegant handwriting conveyed a six-word blessing: "Wishing you good fortune in the new year."
Chen Chuan nodded in appreciation. Meng Xiaojie, his cousin, was always meticulous in sending these greetings, ensuring everyone received a card regardless of their relationship. He had followed the annual tradition and sent a New Year's card to her as well.
However, direct mail service between Central City and Yangzhi was not available, so he could only send it to her old address, unsure if it would ever reach her.
At that moment, two small heads poked into the room, each wearing a tiger-head hat, and they called out, "Happy New Year, Cousin!" They stared at him expectantly.
Chen Chuan laughed and walked to his drawer, taking out two red envelopes and handing one to each of them.
"Thank you, Cousin!" Nian Lu politely expressed her gratitude, while her younger cousin, Nian Mo, took his red envelope and dashed off with excitement.
Chen Chuan then handed another red envelope to Nian Lu and winked at her. She tilted her head to look at him, then tugged at his sleeve. As Chen Chuan bent down, she whispered in his ear, "Don't worry, Cousin, I won't tell Mo."
Chen Chuan smiled and patted Nian Lu's head before straightening up.
After the children left, he returned to his desk and picked up the booklet that He Xiaoxing had sent him. He began flipping through it, deciding to take a break from training and instead focus on some simple breathing exercises for the day.
Soon, the sound of children's laughter and play filled the air outside. Nian Lu, Nian Mo, and a group of kids had probably gone out for a snowball fight, Chen Chuan assumed.
He thought about how unfortunate it was that his aunt had told him Nian Qian, his older cousin, was unable to come home for the new year. Nian Qian was busy with his studies at the military academy and was reportedly at a critical juncture in his training, hence his absence.
After 9 a.m., a steady stream of visitors began arriving to celebrate the new year. Nian Lifu seemed to have an unusually large number of guests this year, including some who rarely visited. The phone kept ringing, and as soon as one call ended, another would begin.
Yu Wan secretly informed Chen Chuan that Nian Lifu was due for a promotion to the position of captain after the new year. Chen Chuan couldn't help but realize why Nian Lifu had been looking so radiant lately.
He wondered if this was the reason behind Wei Chang'an's recent irritability, as Wei Chang'an had mentioned that Wei Laohu had been in a foul mood lately.
Many of the incoming calls were for Chen Chuan as well. Feng Xiaoqi was the first to call, along with Ding Jiao, Luo Kaiyuan, and Wei Chang'an, they all wished him a happy new year and thanked him for his greeting card.
From the first to the fourth day of the new year, Chen Chuan accompanied Nian Lifu and Yu Wan on visits to neighbors and close friends and relatives, just like every year.
He had planned to visit Yu Gang as well, but after learning from Nian Lifu that Yu Gang had joined the Iron Chain Gang and was no longer at his usual location, Chen Chuan decided against it, as he had no idea where Yu Gang was now.
On the fifth day of the new year, Nian Lifu and Yu Wan left early in the morning, and Chen Chuan received a phone call. A lazy voice came through the line, "Cousin, are you there? I'm at the alley entrance, and there's still someone guarding your place during the holidays."
Chen Chuan chuckled and said, "I'll come out to get you."
His neighborhood was the residential area for the patrol bureau's families, and while it seemed freely accessible, strangers couldn't get in without being stopped. Even during the holidays, only familiar faces were allowed to bring guests inside.
Chen Chuan stepped out into the yard and made his way to the alley, where he saw a tall, lanky teenager leaning against a silver-gray sedan. The teenager wore gold-rimmed glasses and had a parted hairstyle, and his lazy smile gave him a scholarly yet untrustworthy air, despite his handsome features.
Upon seeing Chen Chuan, the teenager 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. Help me carry them, will you?"
Chen Chuan walked over as Gao Ming opened the trunk, and they carried the items back to the house. Gao Ming watched as Chen Chuan effortlessly carried the items with one hand, feeling a twinge of envy. He couldn't help but admire, "The students of Wu Yi Academy are truly exceptional."
Chen Chuan merely smiled.
Once inside, Gao Ming looked around and asked, "Aren't Aunt and Uncle here?"
"They've both gone out."
Gao Ming sighed, "What a coincidence. These days, my dad and uncle have been keeping me busy running around, and I have a case on the sixth day. Today's the only day I have free."
Chen Chuan suggested, "How about we have a meal together?"
High Ming winced and rubbed his stomach as he heard the question, "Oh, spare me, please. In our line of work, we have to deal with so many people during the holidays, and I've had enough of it."
Chen Chuan laughed and said, "Alright, I won't force you." He and High Ming were both relatives and classmates, having grown up together since childhood, so they were always very casual with each other.
High Ming asked curiously, "Cousin, how did you get into Wu Yi University? I don't remember you practicing much before."
Chen Chuan thought for a moment and offered an explanation, "I guess I have a natural talent for it. The teachers at school call it a gift, and they say only a few people have it."
High Ming thought this was indeed a possibility, as he remembered that Chen Chuan was the strongest when they fought as kids.
Joking, High Ming said, "Cousin, as a Class A student, your future is full of potential. If I invest in you, it could be a great investment."
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "Are you sure it's a good investment?" With a meaningful smile, he continued, "If you want to invest, it may require a lot from you, and there might not be any return at all."
High Ming was taken aback. He adjusted his glasses and looked at Chen Chuan for a moment, his expression turning slightly uncertain. "Cousin, are you thinking of... taking the Central City exams?"
Chen Chuan glanced at him. His cousin was always clever, and with just a few words and some previously revealed information, he had guessed his thoughts.
Chen Chuan admitted, "Yes, I have been considering it, but I can't do it alone. I need help from various sources, so I also want to discuss this with you. It's up to you whether you're willing to take on this task."
High Ming's face showed a hint of surprise when he heard Chen Chuan's response, but he was even more excited. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes, saying, "Cousin, this is a huge challenge."
But when he put his glasses back on, his eyes sparkled with interest. His voice reflected his enthusiasm as he spoke seriously, "Cousin, I want to know about your current relationships at school. Who can help you, and who can you trust? I need to know these things to make a basic assessment."
Chen Chuan nodded.
High Ming was already aware of Chen Chuan's family and classmate relationships, so there was no need to elaborate. Chen Chuan focused on explaining the interpersonal relationships at Wu Yi University, particularly with Cheng Zitong and the school management.
These matters weren't secrets; anyone who cared to investigate could easily find out. Chen Chuan also shared some of his experiences during his time at the school, including the eradication of Fang Dawei's gang and the clearing of the urban legends.
"What about your strength?" High Ming was most concerned about this aspect because, regardless of any plans, the final outcome for a Wu Yi University student was always determined by their martial prowess.
"Cousin, how strong are you now? How do you compare to the senior Class A students at Wu Yi? How much of a gap is there?"
Chen Chuan paused, then said, "I don't know how strong the senior Class A students are, but to put it this way, if it's a one-on-one armed fight, even some of the school's regular coaches and teachers wouldn't be able to beat me."
He didn't say this out of arrogance. Without knowing the extent of his second self's abilities, if he were to truly fight to the death, he could use his weapons to exchange injuries and employ life-threatening techniques. Unless his opponents' reactions and speed far surpassed his own, it would be a one-hit affair.
High Ming's eyes lit up, 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, "Aren't you busy with work these days?"
High Ming removed his tie and tossed it onto the table, saying decisively, "No, nothing is more important than this right now."
Mi Family Law Firm and Wu Yi University had business dealings, and after learning that Chen Chuan had been admitted to Wu Yi, High Ming had been paying close attention to this matter.
Now, after hearing Chen Chuan's story, and based on his own experiences, he believed Chen Chuan had met the basic requirements to go to Central City. There were still some missing pieces, though.
However, that was manageable. They could find ways to make up for it.
If they could send an ordinary person who wasn't a disciple of the shareholders to Central City, it would be a remarkable feat in the legal world. Moreover, apart from his career, having a connection to a Wu Yi University student in Central City would be a significant help to High Ming's business.
High Ming thought for a moment, "I'll prepare a detailed plan for you, cousin, and I'll help you identify situations that need to be avoided or faced. But I might have to go back to the firm and check the relevant archives regarding this matter."
Chen Chuan said, "There's no rush for this. But there's something else I need your help with right now. I need to sign a temporary agreement with a client company."
"That's easy," High Ming agreed readily. After asking about the client company, his interest grew, "Cousin, perhaps we should get to know this company better."
...
(End of Chapter)
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