Chapter 206: Farewell
Chapter 206: Farewell
After leaving the headquarters of the Patrol Bureau, Chen Chuan stood in front of the spacious entrance, deep in thought. Since his decision to confront the Mutual Aid Society, he hadn't returned to the company or contacted them. The company's location wasn't far from here, so it was time to pay a visit.
Chen Chuan recalled that Ren Shu and these wealthy heirs had business dealings with influential families, and to some extent, they relied on them. However, in Yangzhi City, anyone doing business couldn't avoid those people.
Ren Shu and his peers were actually not valued much by their families. They weren't groomed as heirs nor sent to the Wu Yi Academy, which was why they chose to start their own company.
Chen Chuan wasn't sure if they had been affected by this matter.
Just as he was about to leave, a Patrol Bureau vehicle drove out of the headquarters. A man stuck his head out of the window and called out, "Chen Xiao Ge?"
Chen Chuan recognized him as Xu Gui, the patrol officer he had met at the station after the training some days ago. He responded, "Oh, it's Brother Xu."
"Alone? Where are you going? Do you want a ride?"
"Brother Xu, aren't you on official duty?" Chen Chuan asked.
Xu Gui replied, "It's nothing serious. We're ordered to confiscate some people's assets, but they won't escape, so there's no rush."
Chen Chuan politely declined, "No need, thank you, Brother Xu. It's just a short walk for me."
"Alright, then. Give my regards to Captain Nian," Xu Gui said without insisting further. He turned his head towards his colleagues in the vehicle and shouted something before retracting his head. Soon, the armed vehicle drove off, leaving a trail of dust and smoke.
After leaving the Patrol Bureau, Chen Chuan walked a few streets and arrived near the company building. The security personnel, delighted to see him, opened the gate and said, "Mr. Chen, Manager Ren and the others are here too?"
Chen Chuan was surprised, "Oh, they're here?"
"Yes, they're all here," the guard confirmed.
As Chen Chuan entered, Ren Shu emerged from the elevator, his face beaming with joy. He hurried towards Chen Chuan and said excitedly, "Mr. Chen, I'm so relieved you're safe." Then, with a hint of apology, he added, "When we heard about your situation, we wanted to support you, but our families restricted us."
Xiao Jiang, standing nearby, spoke up, "Chen Ge, you don't know. Our families heard about our connection with you and demanded we remove your name from the company records and warned us not to associate with you anymore."
"Who listens to them?" Chen Chuan asked.
"Exactly. They even threatened to cut off our funding and make us shut down the company. Pfft, we started the company with our own pocket money and assets from our elders. They think we're using their money?"
"I say Chen Ge did a great job," Xiao Jiang continued. "Those Shao Xiao Bie and his gang, they always look down on people, and it's annoying."
The others nodded in agreement, indicating that they had endured quite a bit of mistreatment. This was mainly because their family elders often compared them to Wei Jun, Jiang Wei, and Shao Xiao Bie, and they were fed up with it.
Chen Chuan observed their reactions and realized that they hadn't faced any significant repercussions yet, but the future was uncertain. He cautioned, "Ren Ge, the situation might change soon, so be careful."
As it was close to lunchtime, Chen Chuan joined the group for a meal at the company before leaving. He then returned to his aunt's home in a car driven by Xiao Jia's driver.
From that night on, the sound of the Patrol Bureau's patrol cars never ceased.
The next morning, Chen Chuan turned on the radio, which broadcasted news about influential families in Yangzhi City colluding with the Mo Lan Corporation to seize water sources and use toxic substances to threaten the citizens around Yangzhi City in opposition to the government.
Upon hearing this news, Chen Chuan was certain that the Mo Lan Corporation's matter had been resolved. He believed that from that day forward, anyone associated with the Mo Lan Corporation would be publicly denounced, and Yangzhi City would turn a new leaf, entering a fresh chapter.
After a morning workout, the phone rang in the living room. Chen Chuan picked it up, and Cheng Zitong's cheerful voice came through, "Xiao Chuan, did you hear the news? The Mo Lan Corporation has fallen."
"Yes, Teacher, I know. I listened to the radio this morning," Chen Chuan replied.
Cheng Zitong laughed, "School starts in a few days. Xiao Chuan, I've prepared your application materials for a transfer to Central City. If there are no issues, it should be approved soon after the semester begins."
Chen Chuan raised his head and said sincerely, "Thank you, Teacher."
Cheng Zitong let out a hearty laugh, "You're too polite, my student. Well, you were quite tense these past few days. With school starting soon, take some time to rest. We can talk more when we meet."
After the call, Chen Chuan stepped out of his room and stood on the doorstep, gazing at the morning sun shining down. He watched the green leaves rustling in the wind and felt a rare sense of relaxation.
He extended his hand into the sunlight, feeling the gentle breeze, and then slowly clenched his fist. From the living room, his aunt's voice called out, "Chan'er, it's time for lunch."
"Okay, I'm coming," Chen Chuan replied.
The voices of his cousins echoed, "Lunch is ready! Lunch is ready!"
Chen Chuan responded, "Coming!"
Year Fuli's voice came from the room, "I have work at the bureau today, so I'll be leaving early."
"I know, remember, one pack of cigarettes a day, no more," his aunt reminded him.
"Alright, I've been telling you this every day. My ears are getting calloused from hearing it."
"You never remember, so I have to keep reminding you."
Chen Chuan smiled and withdrew his hand, turning to walk back into the room.
After breakfast, Nian Fuli went to the bureau, and Aunt Qiu also took her nephew and niece out. Chen Chuan was left alone in his room, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.
As noon approached, a voice called out from outside, "Is Little Chuan home?"
Chen Chuan recognized the voice as belonging to the shopkeeper at the alley's entrance. Although she was also a relative of the Patrol Bureau, her son often helped deliver items to their home.
Chen Chuan stepped out and opened the door, asking, "Aunt Qiu, what's the matter?"
Aunt Qiu, a middle-aged woman in her fifties, replied, "Little Chuan, I saw you return yesterday and wondered where you were. There's a phone call for you. I asked who it was, and they said they studied martial arts with you. I thought you were a Wu Yi Academy student, but their tone didn't sound like someone from Wu Yi. So, I asked them..."
Before she could finish, Chen Chuan smiled and said, "Thank you, Aunt Qiu. I know who it is."
"You know who it is? Oh, I was just saying." Aunt Qiu seemed a bit reluctant to stop talking and walked with him towards the alley entrance. She asked, "By the way, is your aunt home? The sweater she knitted last time was so good; I'd like to ask her to knit another one for me... Nian... Nian Squad seems to be leaving earlier than usual today..."
Chen Chuan politely responded to her chattering as he walked to the small shop. He picked up the phone and said, "Hello, this is Chen Chuan. Is it Brother Lu?"
He guessed that the caller was Lu Ke because Yu Gang had a criminal record and couldn't leave his aunt's phone number. So, he had left the phone number of the shop at the alley entrance and had only done so once.
As expected, Lu Ke's voice came through the phone, "Brother Chen, it's me... Brother Chen, are you free? Can you come over? The teacher wants to see you. The usual place, Fist House...
At that moment, Chen Chuan suddenly remembered what Old Feng had said about the Iron Chain Gang the previous day. He didn't ask further over the phone, "Okay, I'll be right there."
After hanging up, Chen Chuan thanked Aunt Qiu and returned to the courtyard. He took out his bicycle, which he hadn't ridden before, and pedaled towards Fist House.
Since Yu Gang had joined the Iron Chain Gang, he seemed to want to avoid any association with Chen Chuan and hadn't contacted him since. When Chen Chuan went to look for him, he couldn't find him, and they hadn't been in touch since. It had been almost a year since their last contact.
After a quarter of an hour, Chen Chuan arrived at the alley entrance of Fist House. He dismounted and walked in, seeing Lu Ke sitting on an old tire as if waiting for him. Upon seeing Chen Chuan, Lu Ke immediately stood up, but when he recognized Chen Chuan, he paused for a moment.
Chen Chuan had grown taller in the past year, and as a Second Limit Fighter, he had even killed two Third Limit Fighters. His appearance was completely different from before, and Lu Ke was almost hesitant to acknowledge him at first glance.
Seeing Lu Ke, Chen Chuan smiled and said, "Brother Lu, it's been a while since we last met."
Recognizing Chen Chuan's familiar smile, Lu Ke approached him and smiled back. He patted Chen Chuan's hand and then sighed, "The teacher..."
Chen Chuan looked towards the building and asked, "What happened to Teacher Yu?"
Lu Ke pursed his lips and turned to walk into the room. Chen Chuan followed, and inside, he saw Yu Gang sitting on a chair. His face was pale, and his once robust physique now appeared thin. He had only one arm left, and his legs and the other arm were wrapped in gauze with traces of dark red blood.
Chen Chuan said, "Teacher Yu, you..."
Yu Gang remained calm, "It's nothing. Yesterday, I joined the Iron Chain Gang to block the Mo Lan Corporation. Since I agreed to help them, and they also solved my problem, I should repay them."
Lu Ke's eyes reddened as he said, "Teacher came back last night crawling on one hand."
Yu Gang shook his head, "Compared to those who died there, I'm much better off. At least I still have a life." He glanced at Chen Chuan, "It's evident that you've learned a lot at Wu Yi Academy this year. That's great. I called you here today to say goodbye."
Lu Ke added from the side, "The teacher plans to go to Central City for implant surgery. We're leaving this afternoon."
"I asked the Iron Chain Gang, and they said that with a good implant, the teacher can regain a normal life and even restore his previous strength."
Yu Gang nodded, "Yes, the Iron Chain Gang was quite reasonable this time. They gave me a substantial amount of compensation and retirement money. Since the conditions aren't available in Yangzhi City, I plan to go to Central City. Oh, and this is for you."
He handed Chen Chuan a booklet, and Chen Chuan quickly took it.
"I know Lu taught you how to throw, but that's just the simplest. This booklet has techniques for using strength and force, which shouldn't be difficult for you now. It's not some advanced skill, but in today's world, it's useful to have, and it's not entirely useless either. Keep it as a memento."
Chen Chuan carefully put it away and said, "Thank you, Teacher Yu." Then he said, "If there's anything you need help with, please let your student know."
Yu Gang said, "No need."
Lu Ke said, "The teacher had a student who settled down in the lower district of Central City. We've contacted her, and she said she could get in touch with an implant doctor, so it shouldn't be a problem."
Chen Chuan thought for a moment and said, "In that case, Teacher Yu, what time are you leaving? I'll come and see you off."
...
(End of Chapter)
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