Chapter 17: A Heart with Far-Reaching Aspirations
Chapter 17: A Heart with Far-Reaching Aspirations
As Han Shu made his move, the students, both boys and girls, immediately shifted their attention to him, knowing that something interesting was about to happen. Several of them showed signs of excitement and anticipation.
Han Shu approached Chen Chuan's desk and greeted him with a smile, "Chen Chuan, it's been a while. I haven't heard from you in ages. What have you been up to lately?"
Ding Jiao clicked his tongue.
Chen Chuan remained calm and replied, "What else could I be doing? After graduation, we all have to find our own paths."
Han Shu gave a surprised 'oh' and glanced at him. He tried asking, "I wonder if you plan to stay in Yangzhi City or..."
Chen Chuan said, "I'll be staying in Yangzhi City."
Han Shu feigned surprise and said, "With your grades, aren't you going to attend a higher academy? You should try applying to schools outside. Look at me, my grades aren't as good as yours, so I can only stay in Yangzhi City."
Ding Jiao couldn't stand his attitude and spoke up, "Enough, Han Laosan. Who doesn't know that you got into the Mo Lan Corporation? Stop showing off!"
Chen Chuan said, "I also want to apply to schools outside, but I don't have enough money. Even if someone is willing to sponsor me, I'd still need a recommender, and it's not easy to live in Central City."
"Yeah, yeah," echoed some of the other students in the class, resonating with his words.
class when you walked over here?"
Strictly speaking, those who could attend City First High School were from families that were neither wealthy nor poor. However, the desire to study in Central City was still a distant dream.
After the Algae Liquid Revolution, massive Central Cities were established worldwide, becoming hubs for major companies and even giant enterprises. The level of biotechnology in these cities far surpassed that of their surroundings, creating two distinct worlds. Without a certain social status and connections, not only was studying there out of the question, but even setting foot in those cities was nearly impossible.
Take, for example, the three students in their class who obtained recommendation slots this time. To ensure their chances of studying in Central City, the school actually needed these students more. To put it bluntly, without a certain family background and social status, having a recommendation slot was useless, as others wouldn't accept them.
At this moment, Han Shu noticed the advertisement paper next to Chen Chuan and exclaimed in surprise, "What's this?" He picked it up and examined it, and his face soon revealed an excited expression as if he had seen through something. He waved the paper and said, "Chen Chuan, don't tell me you're planning to learn martial arts?"
Chen Chuan didn't deny it and smiled at him, "Learning martial arts is a good thing."
"You're really going to learn martial arts?" Han Shu's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but laugh, "Martial arts gym? Become a fighter? You really have some ideas, haha."
Upon hearing this, the classmates looked at Chen Chuan with strange gazes.
Across the country, learning martial arts at a martial arts gym was indeed a path for the lower class. However, most of the students at City First High School didn't see it that way.
In the teachings of their parents' generation, those who came out of martial arts gyms were often gang members. More often than not, they would join gangs and engage in illegal activities. If they were lucky, they might become action actors, but most would only play minor roles, serving as stunt doubles for others. While they earned a decent amount of money, the injury rate was high, and almost none of them could make a name for themselves.
In their eyes, this was equivalent to being at the bottom of society. Chen Chuan, who usually had excellent grades, now choosing this path, seemed incomprehensible to them.
Ding Jiao suddenly became anxious and banged the table, "Han Laosan, what are you saying? Chen Chuan's uncle is a captain at the Police Department. If he wants to work there, he'll go to the Police Department, not some martial arts gym, right? Chen Chuan?"
Han Shu went 'oh' again, feigning confusion, "I thought Chen Chuan had a cousin? Chen Chuan, are you planning to compete with your cousin for the succession position? That doesn't seem right."
"What are you talking about? You..." Ding Jiao became agitated, looking like he was about to swear. Chen Chuan quickly stopped him and stood up as well, looking at Han Shu calmly, "Learning martial arts is what I like. When someone does what they enjoy and doesn't harm others, is there a problem with that?"
Han Shu was taken aback by his calm gaze and took a step back, feeling a bit intimidated as Chen Chuan seemed to have grown taller. He responded with a hint of sarcasm, "Nothing, it's good. It suits you. Then I wish you success."
Chen Chuan took it as a compliment and said, "Thank you for your kind words."
Han Shu thought he was just being stubborn and hummed, leaving with Ding Jiao's angry gaze following him.
"Han Ge, over here!" After taking only a few steps, a classmate eagerly waved him over.
Han Shu immediately felt like he had regained his rhythm and nodded politely. He went to their table and sat down. The classmate who called him said, "Han Ge, why bother with them? You're now an employee of the Mo Lan Corporation. Even the staff at the Water Supply Bureau has to treat you with respect. Some people are just shouting at you now, but once they're outside, they'll know their place."
Han Shu nodded. Now that he had joined the Mo Lan Corporation and had a promising future, Chen Chuan could only roam the streets or perform stunts.
Han Shu pretended to be magnanimous and said, "I feel sorry for him, honestly. He used to have such good grades, and it's a shame he wasted so much time studying. Forget it, let's not talk about it. It's a rare class reunion, so let's just enjoy ourselves."
Under the dimming sky, as the stars began to emerge, the classroom buzzed with activity as almost everyone had arrived. The class leader took the opportunity to make a few welcoming remarks, and the students started eating and drinking, the atmosphere lively once more.
Ding Jiao, noticing that no one was paying attention to them, leaned in and whispered, "Hey, brother, are you really going to learn fist techniques? Are you lying to him?"
Chen Chuan patted his shoulder and said, "I do like learning fist techniques, but it's not like you can only learn them at the Fist Society..."
As they spoke, the surrounding voices gradually quieted down. A girl with delicate features walked in, her hair in a single ponytail, wearing a blue and white short jacket, and a black ankle-length skirt. She was followed by an attendant and two bodyguards.
Her stride exuded an aura, and as she entered, the students instinctively fell silent, their eyes occasionally glancing her way. A few girls timidly greeted her, and she acknowledged them with a slight nod.
Ding Jiao also spotted the girl and gestured to Chen Chuan, "Hey, Meng Shu is here. Why don't you go talk to her? I heard she's from Central City. With your relationship..."
The girl, ignoring the others, approached Chen Chuan's table. With her cold gaze fixed on him, she said, "Chen Chuan, I need to talk to you. Come with me."
Her words carried an undeniable authority, causing Ding Jiao to immediately fall silent. The only one who remained composed was Chen Chuan. "I'm talking to an old classmate. Why don't you get a chair and join us?"
Ding Jiao looked around and quickly stood up, "You guys chat, you guys chat..." He then whispered to Chen Chuan, "It's all up to you now."
The girl glanced at the nearby table, and the students quickly got up, moving away to give her space.
Her attendant brought over a chair that no one had sat on, carefully wiping it with a handkerchief before pushing it to the table and making a respectful gesture of invitation.
The girl walked up and smoothed her skirt with both hands, then sat down properly.
In the evening sky, about to reveal a multitude of stars, the two sat facing each other, separated by a table that divided them equally, like a symmetrical painting.
Driven by a certain curiosity, the surrounding students strained their ears, eager to hear their conversation. Ding Jiao, not too far away, leaned forward, half-lying on the table, afraid to miss a single word.
Chen Chuan picked up a drink and gestured to the girl, asking, "Want something to drink?"
Seeing no response from the girl, he poured himself a cup. She watched him and said, "I know you've been admitted to Wu Yi University."
Wu Yi University?
Wu University?
Chen Chuan got into Wu University?
These words instantly stirred up a commotion among the students. Ding Jiao was stunned for a second, then exclaimed, "Wu University? No way! Chuan Bro, you're amazing!"
Han Shu abruptly turned his head, staring at Chen Chuan in disbelief, hoping for a contradictory answer from Chen Chuan's mouth the next moment!"
Chen Chuan pondered for a moment. This news must have come from the Police Department. Since it was out, he didn't deny it, saying, "Your information is accurate. I can't hide it from you."
Han Shu's expression became somewhat stiff, and at that moment, the excited chatter of his classmates reached his ears:
"So, Chen Chuan's talk of learning fist techniques was about this. I said, with such good grades, why would he go become a gang member?"
"Yeah, that's Wu University! He's really something! Our Class 4 is going to shine this time."
"Oh, right, does anyone have Chen Chuan's home phone number?"
Learning fist techniques and learning fist techniques are different. If you enter Wu Yi University and don't do badly, the most common path is to take on senior positions in the government and various companies. Not to mention the social connections, which are beyond compare. Having a classmate from Wu University is a matter of pride.
The girl ignored the commotion outside and spoke in a calm tone, "That place isn't suitable for you. Your future should be in company management, as a senior employee, commissioner, or a clan manager, doing brain work, not fighting."
Chen Chuan took a slow sip of his drink and said, "I think it suits me just fine."
The girl looked at him and said, "You've always been excellent. I'm not surprised you got into Wu Yi Academy, but there's no way you can pass the Wu Yi University entrance exam. This experience will not only be unhelpful for your future but will also be harmful."
Chen Chuan merely smiled.
The girl took out an exquisite name card and said, "I'm returning to Central City at the end of August. Come find me with this card at that time." After finishing, she stood up directly, no longer greeting anyone, and headed out. Her attendant and two strong bodyguards immediately followed.
Chen Chuan didn't look at the name card. Instead, he rested his arms behind his head and leaned back comfortably. His gaze turned upwards, as if the vast night sky was embracing him, and the surrounding commotion seemed to fade away. Meanwhile, in a place unseen by others, his parallel self stood behind him, smiling, and said, "You don't understand the real fun in this."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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