Chapter 33: Lingering Echoes
Chapter 33: Lingering Echoes
Inside the examination hall, Zhong Wu was pushed out, his massive frame weighing over two hundred kilograms. His size made it difficult for the medical staff to manage, as his hands and feet slipped off the stretcher. Several staff members had to lift his limbs individually and carry him to the nearby emergency room.
However, the doctors in the emergency room shook their heads, indicating they couldn't treat him, so he was brought out again.
This back and forth was a real ordeal, and with one less student to handle the confrontation, a replacement had to be found, and a new announcement had to be made. This caused quite a commotion.
The other examinees, upon understanding the situation, became excited and shouted, "It's Zhong Wu! The senior student in charge of the exam! Look, look, he's on that stretcher!"
"They're taking him out? Aren't they going to treat him in the emergency room?"
"I don't think they can save him, can they?"
"If even the emergency room can't help, how badly must he have been beaten? Who did this? Who's so tough?"
"It must be the student who just went in! I wonder who it was? Well done! He's like a savior! If he were in front of me, I'd kneel to him."
For some reason, the remaining examinees felt a surge of inexplicable satisfaction, as if a long-held grudge in their chests had finally been released. Even those who held back and didn't speak felt a sense of silent approval.
"No loud noises!"
The female teacher scolded them, but this time she didn't enforce the rules strictly. She only asked the students to return to their seats and didn't stop them from continuing their conversations.
She was also familiar with Zhong Wu, a senior student with considerable strength. He had access to many resources, and now he was beaten to this state. Was it the work of the student who just went in? She recalled the feeling when Chen Chuan passed by her and confirmed her judgment.
In the emergency room, Fang Zhiming also witnessed Zhong Wu being brought in and then taken out. "You came in right after me? Oh, and now you're leaving again..."
He was both incredulous and relieved at the same time, understanding what had happened. He clenched his fist and grimaced, easing the pain. Then, he looked up at the ceiling and laughed heartily.
In the eastern part of Yangzhi City, along National Highway, a stretched Orchid Jasmine luxury sedan slowly drove up and came to a stop.
Meng Shu sat in the backseat of the car, accompanied by a female assistant wearing black-framed glasses. She asked, "Is the Wu Yi final exam today?"
The assistant replied earnestly, "Yes, Miss."
Meng Shu said, "Go and ask. I want to know the result right now." The assistant immediately got out of the car and went to speak with the people following them.
In the front passenger seat, an elderly butler-like man turned around and said, "Miss, do you have such high hopes for this young man? People change, and he may not live up to your expectations now."
Meng Shu responded, "Uncle Yi, my evaluation of him isn't clouded by childhood memories, and I won't let my emotions get in the way.
I'm almost eighteen, and I need someone with a clean background and someone I can trust to serve me and the family. Only then can the company thrive in the long run. He's the most suitable candidate I've seen."
Uncle Yi said, "I've reviewed Chen Chuan's records. He performed well in middle school and was admitted to Wu University without any prior martial arts club experience or training. Miss, your judgment is indeed excellent. With a little cultivation, he could become an ideal candidate."
At that moment, the assistant's footsteps approached, and she leaned towards the car window, saying cautiously, "Miss, Chen Chuan... has passed the Wu Yi final exam."
Meng Shu didn't say much. She looked ahead and said, "Let's go."
"Wait a moment, Miss," Uncle Yi suddenly interjected. "If Miss wants to secure this young man's service, I might be able to help."
Meng Shu looked at him and said, "Uncle Yi, aren't you from Yangzhi?"
"Yes."
Uncle Yi sighed, "I'm getting old. I used to travel with the Fifth Young Master, but now my body is still holding up, but my heart is tired. It's better to retire in my hometown and keep an eye on this talent for you."
Meng Shu said, "I understand Chen Chuan's personality. He can't be forced by harsh means. You can stay, but don't overstep."
Uncle Yi assured her, "Miss, I know my boundaries, and I won't do anything to trouble you. Especially for students without the right background, the more outstanding they are, the more pressure they face." He smiled peacefully and added, "Miss, I won't take the initiative, but when he needs it, I'll offer him a choice. I believe he'll understand your good intentions."
Meng Shu said, "Uncle Yi, keep your promise."
Both the front and rear doors of the sedan opened simultaneously. The assistant got back in, while Uncle Yi stepped out and closed the door from the outside. He took a couple of steps back, waved at the car, and then retreated.
Meng Shu looked ahead and said, "Let's go back to Central City."
The headlights of the leading car suddenly lit up, illuminating the road. The escort car drove off first, followed by the luxury sedan and a string of other cars and armed vehicles heading towards Central City.
At the Wu Yi University, Chen Chuan stood outside the examination hall for a while, finished his beef jerky, and then left through the school gates, heading home.
Mr. Nian LiFu, Aunt Yu Wan, and their two cousins were waiting inside. As the sound of a bicycle bell rang from outside, Aunt Yu Wan hurried to go out, but Mr. Nian LiFu held her back, saying solemnly, "Don't show too much concern. If the kid doesn't pass, it'll be hard on him too."
Aunt Yu Wan hesitated for a moment and stayed inside.
The door creaked open, and Chen Chuan walked in. He glanced around and saw his cousins sitting quietly, their round eyes fixed on him, while Mr. Nian LiFu was lounging on the sofa reading a newspaper.
Aunt Yu Wan was knitting a sweater. Seeing Chen Chuan enter, she feigned nonchalance and asked, "Chanchun, how did the exam go?"
Chen Chuan smiled and replied, "Aunt, Uncle, I passed."
"Phew..."
Aunt Yu Wan relaxed, letting go of the sweater and exhaling deeply. She glared at Mr. Nian LiFu and said, "It's all your fault!" Then, as if remembering something, she turned away and wiped her tears.
Mr. Nian LiFu, upon hearing the news, couldn't hide his joy, but he maintained his composure and said casually, "That's enough, Yu Wan. He passed, it's not like he failed. It's no big deal."
Aunt Yu Wan turned back and said, "Am I not happy? Am I not happy?"
Mr. Nian LiFu muttered, "When Xiao Qian passed the military exam, I didn't see you this happy..."
"How can you compare? Xiao Qian has your military brothers to look after him."
"I'm not arguing with you."
Aunt Yu Wan stood up and walked over, snatching the newspaper from Mr. Nian LiFu's hands. She huffed, "What are you pretending for? You don't even know when you're being annoying."
Mr. Nian LiFu was a bit embarrassed and coughed, "We need to change the lightbulb at home. My eyesight has been getting worse lately."
The cousins could sense their parents' emotions and started shouting "Ohhh!" and clapping their hands, celebrating together.
Mr. Nian LiFu said, "Chuan, have you eaten yet?"
Chen Chuan replied, "Not yet."
Aunt Yu Wan said, "Your uncle said he'd wait for you to come back, and now it's the perfect time."
Mr. Nian LiFu stood up and waved his hand, saying, "Let's eat. Chuan, today, you and I will have a drink."
"Dinner's ready! Dinner's ready!" the cousins cheered.
Aunt Yu Wan smiled and went to the kitchen, bringing out dishes of hot food. After everyone was seated, she brought over a cup and poured a glass of yellow wine for Mr. Nian LiFu. Then, she turned to Chen Chuan and said, "Chuan, you're a martial artist, so you don't need to drink. Your uncle will drink, and I bought you some soda."
"I want some too! I want some too!"
Mr. Nian LiFu gave a short laugh and muttered something about being bothersome, but he didn't force Chen Chuan to drink.
Chen Chuan smiled and waited for Mr. Nian LiFu to take a few bites before picking up his cup. He treated the drink as a substitute for wine and toasted Mr. Nian LiFu. Then, he said, "Uncle, Aunt, after the semester starts, I'll move to the school residence."
Mr. Nian LiFu sighed and said, "That's right. You've made something of yourself now. Your aunt and I can rest easy. Study hard at Wu University, and who knows how far you'll go. I might not have the vision to see it, but remember to come back often to visit your aunt and your brother and sister."
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "Uncle, Wu University is not far. It's just a few steps away. If you don't mind me, I'll come back often to taste Aunt's home-cooked meals."
Aunt Yu Wan beamed and said, "Chanchun loves it. Aunt will cook for you every day."
At that moment, Mr. Nian LiFu suddenly slammed his hand on the table, startling Aunt Yu Wan, who glared at him and complained, "What's wrong with you? Always startling me!"
Mr. Nian LiFu rubbed his head and said, "That Wei Laohu, I need to go back and find him. Yeah, find him."
"What are you talking about?" Aunt Yu Wan was confused.
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "There's no rush. School hasn't started yet. Captain Wei needs to get the news, which will take a few more days."
Mr. Nian LiFu chuckled and rolled up his sleeves, picking up his chopsticks and pointing with them, "He wants me to feed him, so I'll feed him. Let's see if he eats. This Wei Laohu, I want to see how he'll act in front of me from now on."
Aunt Yu Wan muttered, "I don't know what you're talking about."
Mr. Nian LiFu waved his hand and said, "It's a man's business, don't worry about it."
Aunt Yu Wan huffed, "I don't want to deal with you."
Chen Chuan then turned to Aunt Yu Wan and said, "Aunt, I have some things that are not convenient for me to carry. I'd like to leave them here with you."
Aunt Yu Wan thought for a moment and said, "Are these your sister and brother-in-law's things? Leave them with me, and when you graduate and settle down, you can take them back."
At the same time, in the Wu Yi University, the entire re-examination had concluded. Gao Shi returned to his office and picked up the phone. He dialed a number and said to the person on the other end, "You know about what happened in the examination hall, right? That kid is interesting. In my opinion, he fought well, and a student like that should be nurtured. But whether he can stand firm or not, it's up to him."
The voice on the other end responded, "Don't put too much pressure on this promising talent. We need to support him for a while to ensure he doesn't collapse."
Gao Shi said, "How can there be good talent under someone else's roof? Oh, you think everyone is like you, finding a good wife and relying on a powerful father-in-law?"
The voice said, "Okay, Old Gao, you're making fun of me. It seems your mood is good, so I should give you more work to do..."
Before the person could finish, Gao Shi's expression turned serious, and he said, "Enough of that. I'll do what needs to be done. As for Jiang Weiban, you're on the school council, so you handle it."
The voice replied with a calm assurance, "As long as it follows Wu Yi's rules, I can support you!"
...
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(End of Chapter)
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