Chapter 456: Homecoming
Chapter 456: Homecoming
As the Gaud Car left the last checkpoint of Central City, the vibrant lights gradually faded into the night behind Chen Chuan and Lu Fang.
Within minutes, both their Boundary Tokens lost their effectiveness, and they reached up to remove them from their heads.
Chen Chuan turned on the radio, and lively music filled the air.
Lu Fang commented, "I'm not used to being without the Boundary Token. It feels strange." He glanced back and sighed, "Time flies. It's been over a year already."
Then, turning back to Chen Chuan, he said, "I still remember what you told me, Chen. In Central City, without strength, there is no future. You can't achieve what you want."
"I've been working hard all this time, and I believe that one day, I'll be able to obtain the knowledge I seek on my own."
"What stage are you at now, Senior Lu?" asked Chen Chuan.
Lu Fang thought for a moment and replied, "I still have a long way to go. Optimistically, I think I'll need at least one or two more years of hard work."
Chen Chuan nodded in agreement. Typically, graduates from the Wu Yi Academy's Central City campus would reach Tier Three within three to five years, as they were all recommended from various places with a certain level of talent, regardless of their background.
However, this was achievable only with sufficient resources.
Although Lu Fang had obtained many medications from Chen Chuan and possessed exceptional talent, reaching Tier Three was not an easy task.
But he had an advantage that others lacked—an unwavering will, a pure mind, a strong desire for power, clear goals, and he was still in his prime age-wise.
As long as he didn't encounter personal issues, there was a high chance he would make it to the top one day.
"Senior Lu, I once said something to my classmates when I left school," Chen Chuan said.
Lu Fang nodded, "I've heard about it." He gazed ahead at the National Highway stretching into the distance and said with determination, "For us, there are no limits ahead."
Chen Chuan smiled and stepped on the accelerator. The car sped up, its headlights piercing the darkness, and they drove forward to the upbeat rhythm of the music.
By 6 a.m., as the morning sun shone, the two approached Yangzhi City. Chao Ming's rooster crowed loudly.
Lu Fang gazed at the sunlight streaming through the car window, and an intense longing to see his family suddenly filled his heart.
After passing the checkpoint smoothly, they left with the patrol officers' salutes and entered the city's southern district. Along the way, they heard the continuous sound of firecrackers, and shops were decorated with colorful lights and banners, creating a festive atmosphere for the New Year.
"I don't know where you live, Senior Lu. Let me drive you home," Chen Chuan offered.
Lu Fang shook his head, "No need. Just drop me off at the station, Chen. I can go back on my own."
Chen Chuan didn't insist. When they reached a tram station, he stopped the car and helped Lu Fang with his luggage from the trunk. He also handed Lu Fang a gift box, saying, "Senior Lu, take this home with you."
Lu Fang was taken aback, "This...?"
Chen Chuan smiled, "Didn't you leave something for me in the trunk? It's almost the New Year, Senior Lu. Happy New Year."
Lu Fang smiled and accepted the gift without further politeness. "Thank you, Chen. I'll take it. Happy New Year. If I have time during the holidays, I'll invite you for tea."
Chen Chuan laughed, "Just call me, Senior Lu."
Lu Fang nodded.
After saying goodbye, Chen Chuan returned to the car, waved once more, and restarted the engine. The car drove off from the residential area of the Patrol Bureau.
Since he had sent a telegram earlier, Nian Fuli and his wife, Yu Wan, were waiting for him at the alley entrance, expecting his return around this time. When they noticed the Gaud Car approaching, Yu Wan's face lit up with joy, and she gently tugged at Nian Fuli's sleeve, saying, "Old Nian, our little Cicada is back."
"I see him, I see him," Nian Fuli replied.
The car pulled up nearby and came to a stop. Chen Chuan, dressed in the uniform of an Executive Captain, stepped out and asked, "Aunt Yu, Uncle Nian, why are you out here?"
"It's not far. It won't tire us," Yu Wan assured him.
At that moment, Nian Fuli noticed his uniform and asked, "Chen Chuan, have you been promoted again?"
He examined the shoulder insignia carefully. Impressive! An Executive Captain of the Processing Bureau—that was two ranks higher than Guan Bureau.
In terms of rank, only the Administrative Director of Yangzhi City outranked Chen Chuan. Nian Fuli couldn't help but exclaim, "Promotions in Central City are so fast!"
Yu Wan elbowed him, "That's all thanks to our little Cicada's abilities. You think you can climb the ladder by flattering and bootlicking?"
"Brother-in-law got promoted again," Nian Mo clapped, then looked up and asked, "Dad, when will you get promoted?"
Nian Fuli's gaze lowered, "Have you finished your homework?"
Nian Mo immediately lowered his head and started kicking the ground. Nian Lu raised her hand and said, "I finished mine!"
Nian Fuli tapped Nian Mo's head with his pipe, "Look at your brother, and then look at your sister. Don't just fool around all day.
Chen Chuan smiled and opened the car door again. Chao Ming jumped out, and the two little ones exclaimed in surprise, rushing over and circling around Chao Ming.
After taking some items from the trunk, the family carried their luggage and greeted the neighbors in the residential area as they made their way inside.
Once the family had passed by, the neighbors began discussing behind them.
"Little Chuan's uniform looks so majestic, like a grand coat. He seems extraordinary and has risen in rank again, hasn't he?"
"What rank is this? Look at the shoulder badge, it has one more star than Guan Bureau. Could it be higher than Guan Bureau?"
"How is that possible? Little Chuan is still so young."
Someone scoffed, "That's not the same. Year Squad's nephew is a fighter from Wu Yi Academy, a graduate of the Central City General Hospital. In the past two years, Yangzhi City has only produced one like him, and he's even working at the Processing Bureau in Central City. It's not surprising that he's rising quickly."
"Elder Chuan's family will surely prosper now."
As Chen Chuan and Yu Wan's family entered their home, a bright voice suddenly echoed, "Happy New Year! Welcome home, welcome home!"
It was the miniature parrot they had bought last year.
In the 1619 book, there was no mistake!
Nian Li Fu said, "This little thing never stops talking."
Yu Wan replied with a hint of annoyance, "It's all things you like to hear."
After placing the items on the table, Chen Chuan sorted them and distributed the gifts he had prepared for Nian Li Fu's family. This time, he gave Nian Li Fu a finely crafted mechanical watch.
This item wasn't popular in the lower levels of Central City, but the upper and middle classes enjoyed wearing them, making it a perfect gift.
In addition to some miscellaneous items, he also brought Yu Wan some skincare products from Qing Nang Yu Fang, which he had previously tested. Although he was no longer a trial user, his status had changed, and it wasn't difficult for him to obtain these products.
Yu Wan said, "I haven't finished using the previous batch. Don't waste money on buying more, okay?"
Chen Chuan smiled and agreed. Then, he distributed gifts to his cousins, giving them water guns, skateboards, and some large stuffed toys.
As he took out the items one by one, he finally pulled out a neatly folded package and said, "This is what I brought for the family."
He didn't specify what it was, but Nian Li Fu understood after examining it. He instructed Yu Wan, "Take Little Chuan's gift and put it away properly."
Yu Wan, seeing his attitude, didn't ask further. She nodded and took the package back to store it properly.
The family sat down together and chatted about the events in Central City and Yangzhi City over the past six months. However, they mainly listened to Chen Chuan's stories, as Yangzhi hadn't experienced significant changes.
Central City had a well-developed information network and a large population, constantly introducing new and exciting things. Even if Chen Chuan hadn't encountered them, he could quickly learn about them through the news channels.
As they chatted, it was already noon. After lunch, Nian Li Fu said, "Let's go out and walk off this meal."
The two walked outside, and Nian Li Fu asked, "Little Chuan, how did you get promoted again?"
Chen Chuan replied, "The bureau gave me the opportunity."
Nian Li Fu sighed, "You've achieved the position of Executive Captain at such a young age. I can't even imagine how far you'll go in the future." Then he asked, "Little Chuan, was that a protective suit you gave us earlier?"
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "It's an anti-stab vest produced by Fusion Boundary Company. It's suitable for daily wear."
Even without an Armor Permit, patrol officers from the Patrol Bureau couldn't wear protective suits unless they were on duty or during a mission. However, anti-stab vests were an exception.
This anti-stab vest had a slightly higher protection level, capable of withstanding small>
Chen Chuan's explanation made Nian Li Fu understand immediately, but he was concerned about something else. He asked, "Why did you bring this back?"
Chen Chuan explained, "The bureau informed me that someone had come here inquiring about my information. Uncle, since I work at the Processing Bureau in Central City, it's inevitable that I'll offend some powers and people."
Nian Li Fu was a captain in the Patrol Bureau, so he understood this well. He spoke in a low voice, "Yangzhi City is not small, but this area of the residential district is full of acquaintances. Outsiders can be sensed from several streets away, and since Instructor Wen returned, he's been living here in the residential area. You don't need to worry too much about this."
"Is that so?"
Chen Chuan was slightly surprised, but if Instructor Wen lived here, there was no problem. He said, "I don't know where Instructor Wen lives. Last time I came back, Instructor Wen gave me some guidance. I should visit him before the New Year."
Nian Li Fu pointed in a direction and said, "He lives in the central area. It's the courtyard where Deputy Han, who used to follow Old Lian, is. These last few days before the New Year, he should still be at the bureau. He'll definitely return on the 30th, so you can visit him at the beginning of the year."
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Chapter end
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