Chapter 230: The Beginning
Chapter 230: The Beginning
After receiving the notice from the University, Chen Chuan began preparing for his trip to Central City. To avoid distractions, he moved to Cheng Zitong's martial arts gym in South City for his daily combat training.
The gym was also close to the client company, so Chen Chuan took the opportunity to meet up with Ren Shu and the others for a meal, informing them of his upcoming departure to Central City.
Although Ren Shu felt a bit sad and regretful, he expressed his understanding, with a mix of envy and admiration in his heart. Especially among them were a few who deeply admired Chen Chuan, and their eyes shone with a restrained admiration and excitement.
After all, it was Central City, the place where the Wu Yi University was located. Even those who were once held up as role models among the powerful and influential, only a select few had the opportunity to study there.
But Chen Chuan had no family background; he relied solely on himself to reach Central City. He was the kind of person they admired but could never become.
Before leaving, Chen Chuan gave them a small booklet he had written in his spare time. It was a summary of the Three Mountains Legend and some of Cheng Zitong's information, along with some solutions to haunting tales. If Ren Shu and the others were determined to continue taking on such commissions, it would be of great help.
After settling the matters at the company, Chen Chuan considered one task completed and returned to the gym, fully focused on his combat training.
Time flew by, and on December 15th, Chen Chuan changed into formal attire and took a car to a private club in South City.
Today was Director Lei and He Nan's wedding, and he was there to celebrate with them.
Due to Director Lei's status, the wedding was low-key, with fewer than twenty guests in attendance.
He Nan had inherited the family business at a young age and had no living parents, so besides her disciple Lin Xiaoti, only one distant relative attended as a witness.
Director Lei was not a local, and his parents' situation was unclear. Instead, a superior from Central City came as a representative.
The couple drank the ritual wine under the guests' blessings, completing the wedding ceremony. Then, they went around to toast the guests.
As a fighter, Chen Chuan did not drink alcohol, but He Nan thoughtfully provided him with a beverage resembling wine. He drank with the couple, wishing them a long and happy marriage.
After the toasting concluded, Director Lei approached with a five or six-year-old boy in hand.
"Xiao Ying, this is the big brother you've been wanting to meet. He's the one who chased away the fake Xiao Ying, allowing your father to find you again."
Xiao Ying looked up and said, "Big brother, if my dad makes a mistake and loses me again, can you help him find me?"
Director Lei, usually restrained in front of others, couldn't help but have slightly reddened eyes as he caressed his son's head.
Chen Chuan gently replied, "The fake Xiao Ying is locked up by me, and he will never escape again. Your father has also found a way to identify you, so he won't lose you again."
Xiao Ying became excited and asked, "Really?"
Chen Chuan assured him, "Yes, it's true."
Although Xiao Ying was young, he could sense Chen Chuan's sincerity. He politely said, "Thank you, big brother!"
He Nan walked up at this moment, taking Xiao Ying's hand. "Big brother and dad have more to talk about. Xiao Ying, come with mom."
Xiao Ying obediently waved goodbye to Chen Chuan, saying, "Goodbye, big brother," and followed He Nan.
Director Lei smiled and said, "Chen Chuan, I'd like you to meet someone." He led Chen Chuan to the elder and introduced them, "This is Vice Director Cao from the Secret Sect Review Bureau in Central City. Vice Director Cao, this is Chen Chuan."
Vice Director Cao was a lean old man with loose skin and sunken cheeks, but he had thick eyebrows and large eyes, with a particularly sharp and spirited gaze. His head of salt and pepper hair looked sturdy.
Chen Chuan politely greeted him, "Vice Director Cao."
Vice Director Cao looked Chen Chuan up and down, his sharp gaze softening slightly. He seemed pleased with Chen Chuan's address. "Young man, I've heard Guangcheng mention you frequently, and I've been curious about you. Meeting you today exceeded my expectations.
Guangcheng told me you'll be heading to Central City soon. If you encounter any difficulties or troubles there, you can come directly to me."
Chen Chuan was straightforward in his response, "Since Vice Director Cao has said so, I will remember it."
Vice Director Cao showed a hint of a smile. He preferred straightforward conversations and disliked beating around the bush.
He picked up his hat, adjusted it, and said to Director Lei, "I have other matters to attend to in Central City. Guangcheng, I'll take my leave. He Nan is a good person. Don't be too serious in your work; focus more on He Nan and your child.
You can accomplish more if you're stable in your position. Don't try to do everything in one go; take it easy."
Director Lei spoke solemnly, "Director Cao's teachings, Guangcheng, I will remember them well."
"Alright, go be with the person you should be with. Don't bother with this old man, and you, young man."
Deputy Director Cao turned around and extended his hand, shaking hands with Chen Chuan. "To be honest, I didn't want you to come find me. That would only prove that you're doing fine."
Chen Chuan could tell that the old gentleman was stern on the surface but didn't nitpick. He bowed slightly and said, "Then I can only try my best, sir."
Deputy Director Cao chuckled and, under the protection of two guards at the door, left.
Although the wedding banquet had few attendees, most were familiar and trustworthy, creating a pleasant atmosphere. At 8:30 pm, the banquet concluded.
Chen Chuan and several guests exited the house, bidding farewell to Director Lei and his wife at the door. He then boarded a vehicle arranged by He Nan and headed back to the training hall. After a short drive, he noticed snow beginning to fall outside. By the time he returned to the training hall and exited the vehicle, a silver blanket had already covered the ground.
Breathing in the cool air outside, he gazed at the falling snowflakes in the sky. The new year was approaching. With a faint smile, he entered the training hall.
Ten days later, Chen Chuan returned to school. Accompanied by Cheng Zitong, he arrived at the Admissions Office, where he filled out an application for an early graduation certificate from Yangzhi Wu Yi University Hall in front of Teacher Gao, Teacher Bian Feng, and Teacher Yue Hong.
After he finished writing, he handed the application to Cheng Zitong for his signature. Teacher Gao took it, glanced at it, and said, "Chen, after this seal is stamped and the principal signs it, you will no longer be a registered student at Yangzhi Wu Yi University Hall. Instead, you'll be a student at the Central City Academy."
Before stamping the seal, Teacher Gao added, "Since you're graduating from Yangzhi Wu Yi, wherever you go in the future, students from Yangzhi will look up to you as a role model. So, when you act, consider the impact your actions will have on them, whether good or bad."
"But I can't constrain you. Fighters' hearts are their own, and how you act is up to you. I'm just saying what a teacher should say."
Without further ado, Teacher Gao stamped the seal on the two documents and instructed Yue Hong, "Take this to the principal's office."
Yue Hong nodded and left with the documents. Teacher Gao then pushed the prepared graduation certificate towards Chen Chuan, saying, "Take good care of this."
Chen Chuan stepped forward and took it, thanking Teacher Gao.
Cheng Zitong said, "Xiao Chuan, we've completed the procedures here. Let's go."
Chen Chuan bid farewell to Teacher Gao and Teacher Bian Feng, taking ten steps before hearing Teacher Bian Feng's voice. He stopped and turned, asking, "Teacher Bian, is there something else?"
Teacher Bian Feng approached and said, "Chen, follow your heart and do what you believe is right. Don't be swayed by others' words, and don't carry too much burden." He looked at Chen Chuan, "Compared to yourself, no one has the right to say anything to you."
Chen Chuan understood his meaning. The past incident with Senior Shen might have left this teacher with lingering concerns. Chen Chuan replied seriously, "Teacher Bian, there's no need to say that. You've always helped me a lot, and I'm grateful for that." As he spoke, he took a few steps back and bowed deeply to Teacher Bian Feng.
The school's convenience wasn't limited to Cheng Zitong; these administrative teachers had also been very supportive, without which he wouldn't have obtained so many conveniences.
Teacher Bian Feng said, "Chen, work hard, and I wish you find what you seek in Central City."
Chen Chuan thanked him again and left with Cheng Zitong. Shortly after they left, Yue Hong approached and asked, "Hey, Old Bian, why did he bow to you and not me?"
Teacher Bian Feng replied, "Because you weren't here. Don't worry, there's a share for you and Teacher Gao. I'm just accepting it on your behalf."
Yue Hong spoke earnestly, "Old Bian, does that mean you'll bow one-third to me? I'll accept Teacher Gao's share, so you can bow half to me."
Teacher Bian Feng glanced at him and started walking towards the office, saying, "Later, I'll bow three times to you."
"Hey, Old Bian, what do you mean?"
Chen Chuan and Cheng Zitong exited the administrative building. Cheng Zitong said, "I've contacted the Central City Academy, and we can set off on the 10th. I'll accompany you part of the way, and someone from Central City will meet you there. Xiao Chuan, remember to prepare in advance."
Chen Chuan replied earnestly, "Okay, Teacher, I'll remember."
After parting ways with Cheng Zitong, Chen Chuan returned to his dormitory, organizing his remaining belongings. He then went to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at Spring Autumn Lake below and the distant scenery. After standing for a while, he turned and left, carrying his suitcase and slowly closing the door.
Chen Chuan made his way downstairs, about to leave the dormitory when he returned the room key to the dormitory supervisor. "Teacher, I'm off," he said.
The supervisor smiled and said, "Chen Chuan, this is from them." He handed over a photo album.
Chen Chuan flipped through it. It contained scenic photos of the school and pictures of familiar classmates, each with a message of blessing. There were messages from Wu Han, Feng Xiaoqi, Luo Kaiyuan, and Wei Dong, and even the supervisor's photo was included, looking particularly handsome and stylish among all the photos.
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "Thank you, Teacher."
The supervisor laughed and said, "Just remember to increase my retirement fund."
Chen Chuan smiled and bid farewell to the supervisor. As he stepped out of the dormitory building, he noticed the quietness of the surroundings, probably due to the upcoming holiday break.
However, as he approached the school gate, he saw many students waiting there, some he knew and others he didn't. Shu Han emerged and said, "Chen, we heard you're leaving, so we came to see you off."
Chen Chuan looked at everyone and said, "Thank you all for coming to see me off."
"Goodbye, Chen!"
"Have a safe journey, Chen!"
"Remember to come back and visit us, Chen!"
The students responded, and Chen Chuan saw the anticipation and hope in their eyes as they looked at him. He understood that they were placing their aspirations and expectations for Central City upon him.
As he reached the school gate and was about to step out, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and faced the vast sky behind him. Looking at everyone, he spoke in a resonant voice, "My friends, there are no boundaries ahead of us!" After saying this, he strode out into the world beyond.
Soon after his departure, he heard the students repeating his words in loud voices from behind. The sound reverberated through the treetops, and a flock of birds flew across the square, entering the sky behind him.
As he reached the edge of the square, a silver-gray Taotu sedan pulled up and stopped in front of him. The window rolled down, revealing Wei Chang'an's face, now noticeably rounder. "Chen, I drove you on your first day, and now I'll drive you on your last day," he said, patting the car.
Chen Chuan smiled, opened the car door, and got in.
Upon returning to the Inspector Bureau Residential Area, Chen Chuan and Wei Chang'an parted ways at the alley entrance. Chen Chuan spent the remaining time before his departure to Central City with his family.
This year, his cousin Nian Qian couldn't make it back, but he sent a telegram saying that he should be able to return next year when the railway opens and wished Chen Chuan well on his journey to Central City.
In the following days, Chen Chuan didn't go out much and spent the New Year with his aunt's family.
In the blink of an eye, it was the 94th year of the Great Prosperous Republic.
During the holiday, Chen Chuan accompanied Nian Fuli to visit friends, watch tournaments, and meet up with Ding Jiao. He also spent time preparing for his journey to Central City.
On the tenth day of the new year, Cheng Zitong called, "Little Chuan, are you ready?"
"Teacher, I'm ready," Chen Chuan replied.
"Good, I'll come to pick you up. I'll be there soon."
After hanging up, Chen Chuan turned to Nian Fuli and Yu Wan, "Aunt, Uncle, I'm leaving now."
"Remember to call when you arrive," his aunt said.
"I will, Aunt," Chen Chuan replied. He then said to Nian Fuli, "Uncle, I'm off."
"Take care, Chuan," Nian Fuli said. "It's a big world out there, so look after yourself."
"Goodbye, Cousin!" The two little ones chimed in.
Chen Chuan smiled and nodded to them. After bidding farewell to his aunt's family, he picked up his suitcase, held the Snow Lady Sword, and stepped out of the courtyard. His family saw him off as he gradually departed.
At the alley entrance, it wasn't long before Cheng Zitong's sedan arrived. The window rolled down, revealing his now plumper face, "Little Chuan, put your things in the back."
"Hello," Chen Chuan said as he placed his luggage in the trunk and took the passenger seat, fastening his seatbelt.
Cheng Zitong smiled, "All set?"
"All set," Chen Chuan replied.
"Good, I'll drive you a bit further."
"Thank you, Teacher."
"You're too polite, my student."
The car slowly started, and under the post-snow sunshine, it drove along the highway, passing through the city towards a brighter and more dazzling horizon.
...
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(End of Chapter)
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