Chapter 24: Mutual Aid Society
Chapter 24: Mutual Aid Society
On the first day of August, Chen Chuan arrived at Wu Yi University early, cycling through the side gate as usual. Outside, cars occasionally drove in, heading straight for the main entrance and the steps leading to the grand hall.
As he stepped into the campus, he noticed a larger crowd than the day he had come for the entrance exam. After all, that day had only been one of many batches, and those were just the local candidates.
In reality, every year, hundreds of thousands of local and out-of-town applicants of the right age applied to this prestigious university. Many gained admission through the various examination centers set up by the university in different counties and towns, accounting for more than half of the enrolled students. This proportion seemed to be increasing annually.
Following the signs posted along the road, Chen Chuan joined several other applicants and made their way to the old examination building from the previous time.
This time, under the guidance of senior students standing outside the building, they entered the original practice hall, where they registered and filled out forms. Soon after submitting their forms, they each received a reddish-brown student ID.
Chen Chuan opened his ID to find his previously submitted photo inside. The ID displayed his temporary student number, and with this ID, he could now confidently introduce himself as a student of Wu Yi University.
Even though he hadn't taken the re-examination yet, just holding this proof in his hand lifted his spirits. He heard a cheer and turned to see an excited student who had just received their ID. Chen Chuan smiled in understanding.
Having this student ID meant having one foot on the ladder to success. While it was uncertain how far one could climb, at least there was a path forward.
According to the booklet provided by the university, he knew that with this ID, he could apply for a dormitory room from the school. However, this accommodation was temporary, intended for students from out of town or those without a place to stay. After the re-examination, the housing would be adjusted based on the re-examination scores.
Initially, Chen Chuan had planned to move out immediately, as agreed with Nian Fuli. But since there was no pressure from home and considering he might need to continue training with Yu Gang for another month, moving in now would be inconvenient due to the distance and the school's management. So, he decided to wait until after the re-examination this month.
Now, it was time to clarify the details of the re-examination.
As he exited the registration area, he noticed a sign on the side of the cement stairs that read "Admission Re-examination Guidance." All the students were heading upstairs, so he followed and went up to the second floor.
Upon reaching the top, he saw that the original practice hall had been divided into sections by partition boards. A student was leaving with the items they had received, and Chen Chuan took their seat. Across from him sat a gentle-faced senior student wearing glasses. "Please show your student ID, fellow student," the senior said.
Chen Chuan handed over his newly acquired ID, and the senior, after verifying it, asked, "Chen, may I ask if you have any difficulties paying the tuition fees?"
Chen Chuan looked at him and asked, "Why do you ask?"
The senior explained, "Every year, many students at Wu Yi struggle to pay tuition due to financial hardships. Some end up in long-term debt, while others resort to borrowing or underground fighting. To address this, the student council has established a mutual aid society."
He smiled, "As long as both parties sign an agreement, the mutual aid society provides sponsorship. Students can repay the sponsored fees after graduation, benefiting both parties and allowing students to focus on their studies."
Chen Chuan understood; this was essentially a sponsorship organization, a unique feature of the Da Shun region. By providing financial or other forms of support to individuals or groups with potential, they expected a certain return.
While it sounded good on the surface, in most cases, the sponsored party became a tool for the sponsors to exploit. Therefore, it was best to avoid such arrangements if possible. Besides, the tuition fees wouldn't be an issue once he passed the re-examination.
"Thank you, senior, but I don't need it for now," Chen Chuan politely declined.
The senior smiled and didn't bring it up again. Instead, he rummaged through a stack of manila envelopes, pulled one out, and slid it towards Chen Chuan. "Here, fellow student, this is information about the senior students you might face in the re-examination."
Chen Chuan thanked him and opened the envelope, extracting five mimeographed papers. Each paper contained information about a senior student's specialization and proficient skills.
But Chen Chuan felt something was amiss. He raised his head and asked, "Five people?"
The senior nodded, "Yes, five. The university won't reveal the actual opponent to the examinees. You need to make your own judgment. However..."
He smiled slightly, "If an examinee accepts sponsorship from the mutual aid society, they will help analyze which senior student you're most likely to face. I can't guarantee 100% accuracy, but the seniors in the society have always been highly reliable."
Seeing Chen Chuan's silence, he continued earnestly, "I understand your hesitation, fellow student. You're afraid of being bound by the agreement and having to give more. But the agreement isn't that restrictive, and we won't force you to do anything. The mutual aid society provides more than just financial support. We offer various study suggestions and conveniences. You'll see the benefits once you join."
He smiled again, "But the re-examination is meant to select truly capable students. If you have the confidence and believe you can pass without the mutual aid society's help, you're free to decline the offer."
"I need some time to consider," Chen Chuan replied.
The senior nodded in agreement, "That's understandable. If you've made a decision, feel free to come back to me. Here's my contact information."
He handed Chen Chuan a prepared note with his contact details. "Oh, and here's the receipt. Please sign it."
Chen Chuan took the receipt, signed it, and returned it. He then took the contact information, placed it with the mimeographed papers into the manila envelope, and stood up. He nodded to the senior and left the room, heading downstairs.
At the same moment, on the other side of the grand hall, Shan Xiong, Liu Cai, and several other second-year students stood in a row, each waiting beside a waist-high black shell typewriter.
Before long, a group of well-dressed young men and women walked up the steps of the hall and entered through the bright doorway, approaching their location.
One of the students approached Liu Cai and handed him a delicate hard card, saying with a smile, "Sorry to trouble you, Senior."
Unlike the admission cards issued to students who entered through examinations, the admission cards for those admitted through recommendations were in the form of name cards, and the students had received them well in advance of their enrollment.
Liu Cai hurriedly said, "No trouble, Junior, don't mention it."
After receiving the card, he placed it into the typewriter's slot and, comparing it to the color-coded print on the card, typed out a series of numbers. He then shook the handle, and a page of smooth, crisp paper slid out from the output slot below.
This page contained detailed information about a senior student's file, including height, weight, speed, blood type, heart rate, fist and foot power, action habits, limb dimensions, and body proportions—information so thorough it bordered on tedious.
Liu Cai picked up the paper, placed it in a prepared official document bag printed with the school's name, and handed it over to the student across from him, along with the metal card.
"Thanks, Senior," the student smiled, taking the bag and waving before walking down the corridor.
Liu Cai finished his task, but Shan Xiong, feeling a bit distracted today, was slower in his actions. The student across from him immediately showed dissatisfaction and snapped at him, "Why are you so slow? Are you even capable?"
Shan Xiong silently cursed, wanting to lash out but unable to do so. These students, admitted through recommendations, had powerful backers, and even as newcomers, they were not someone he could afford to offend.
His face twitched, and he quickly gathered the paper and card, hastily handing them over. The student across from him still looked displeased, snatching the items and quickly walking inside.
Liu Cai glanced at Shan Xiong and whispered, "Keep your temper in check. These influential students are not to be provoked. There are only a few dozen of them, and it's best to endure it for now."
Shan Xiong huffed, wishing he had taken the entrance exam instead of being assigned here. He thought about the news from his brother outside, who had said they found that kid and would give him a lesson. Why hadn't they heard anything all day? Had they failed to catch the kid, or were they delayed by something else?
Meanwhile, Chen Chuan walked out of the old building and made his way out of the Wu Yi Academy, arriving at a phone booth across the square. Inside, a student was making a call, seemingly asking for money from home. After a long wait, the student emerged, looking dejected, as if they hadn't received the funds.
After the student left, Chen Chuan stepped into the booth, picked up the receiver, and took out a dozen coins from his bag, inserting them one after the other. He dialed a number, and a sweet female voice answered, "Mi Law Firm, how may I assist you?"
Chen Chuan said, "I'm looking for Associate Lawyer Gao Ming. No, I don't have an appointment. I'm his cousin."
"Please hold."
After a while, a relaxed voice came through, "Cousin Chen Chuan? What brings you to call me?"
"Gao Ming, it's me. I got into Wu Yi University two months ago, and the re-examination is next month."
The person on the other end paused upon hearing this news, but it was clear they knew he wasn't calling to boast. Their tone turned serious, "Cousin, I'm listening."
Chen Chuan slightly shifted his position and said, "There's a student mutual aid society at Wu Yi University that provides financial support to students and seems to offer suggestions and selection for the re-examination content. I thought perhaps you might know something about the mutual aid society."
The voice on the other end laughed, "Mi Law Firm is one of Wu Yi University's partners, and as an associate lawyer, I can access the files. The consultation fee is ten yuan per minute."
Chen Chuan confirmed, "I'm sure."
A ticking sound came from the other end, followed by, "The clock starts now. According to the firm's files, the mutual aid society at Wu Yi University originated from within the student council, initiated by influential students.
The society offers financial support for the re-examination and subsequent studies to sponsored students. For outstanding talents, the society recruits them through agreements, ensuring their service to the influential students and their underlying teams and factions after graduation.
For mediocre students who are unwilling to comply, the society assigns their agreements to various companies and senior lawyers, who then handle the matters."
Chen Chuan listened quietly, not asking how these matters were handled. After all, it would be challenging for an individual to confront these companies and firms. He thought for a moment and asked, "What about Wu Yi University's stance on this?"
The voice on the other end was concise, "Only the most valuable students are worth the attention of the university's upper management."
Chen Chuan nodded and asked, "I recall Wu Yi University also provides financial support to students?"
The other end flipped through the pages and replied, "According to the files, Wu Yi University offers financial support to students, but the conditions are strict, and the selection process is rigorous. Only the most outstanding students are chosen, and even then, the support is limited."
Chen Chuan understood. He thanked the associate lawyer and hung up after exchanging farewells.
Stepping out of the phone booth, he stood in the spacious square with his hands in his pockets, facing the Wu Yi Academy across the way.
At that moment, numerous people were entering and exiting the academy.
It was clear that the financial support from the mutual aid society came with expectations of a substantial return. If he wanted to avoid being controlled by the society, he would have to rely on his own abilities to pass the re-examination.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
