Chapter 297: Chapter 294 "How Many Years Has It Been?
Chapter 294: How Many Years Did You Say?
When Chen Nuo brought Sun Keke home, he happened to run into Old Sun, who had gotten off work early that day.
Old Sun had been sitting in the living room, reading a newspaper while smoking and sipping tea. When his gaze fell on the young couple—bah! I mean, the two classmates—affectionately walking into the house, he suddenly felt a pang of unease.
He stood up, sizing up Chen Nuo, his expression rather grim.
Chen Nuo gave a sheepish smile. "Old Sun, relaxing at home?"
"Hmph," Old Sun snorted, then turned to his daughter. "Where have you been?"
"Just out... for a walk..." Sun Keke replied softly, her face flushed.
"It’s your senior year. When you have time, you should be at home studying, reviewing. Don’t just wander around aimlessly. After the college entrance exams, there will be plenty of time to have fun." Old Sun sighed. He still doted on his daughter and couldn’t bring himself to speak harshly to her.
But when he turned to Chen Nuo, his reservations vanished.
"You!" Old Sun pointed his finger at Chen Nuo. "Don’t go taking Keke out all the time when it’s not necessary! Understand? And you too—if you have the time, you should be studying hard. Don’t tell me you’ve really given up on college?"
"Exams! Exams! Of course, I’m taking the exams!" Chen Nuo nodded, grinning.
"With what? Your grades?" Old Sun was fuming at his words.
Originally, when Chen Nuo had promised Sun Keke they would go to college together, she had been overjoyed and had accidentally let it slip at home.
At the time, Old Sun had been quite pleased. Good news! The boy finally understands he needs to work hard and aim higher!
He had even thought that once their senior year started and he became their homeroom teacher, he could properly supervise Chen Nuo’s studies.
But then, as soon as school began, that little rascal had actually transferred to the International Division!
The International Division, is that a place for serious study? Is that somewhere a proper student should go?
After that, the two kids had a falling out. It wasn’t clear if they were breaking up, so Old Sun hadn’t felt it was his place to say anything.
Seeing them today... Have they reconciled?
Old Sun felt a knot in his chest.
Noticing his daughter’s discomfort, Old Sun sighed and waved his hand. "Alright, alright. Go to your room and change. You have tutoring tonight."
He watched Sun Keke’s expression, as if all joy had left her life.
Chen Nuo sighed inwardly. Keke really is pitiful.
If this were twenty years later, cram schools would be cracked down on like organized crime, and Yu Minhong would be the biggest triad boss in the country.
Sun Keke lowered her head and went to her room. Before she left, she stole a glance at Chen Nuo, who gave her a smiling wave.
When they met earlier, Sun Keke had told Chen Nuo about her recent "abnormalities." After some thought, Chen Nuo decided to teach her a very simple meditation method. It was a very simple method, a common technique among Mentality Series Ability Users for training their control over spiritual power, used to improve their restraint and control skills.
Old Sun glanced at Chen Nuo and pondered for a moment. "You haven’t had dinner yet, have you?"
"Hmm, not yet. Are you inviting me to stay?" Chen Nuo asked with a smile.
"Go on! If you haven’t eaten, go eat at your own home!" Old Sun waved his hand impatiently. "I haven’t prepared dinner today either. Keke and I will just have some noodles to tide us over. There’s no food for you!"
Chen Nuo laughed. "Alright, alright, I’ll head home then. Say, Old Sun, now that you’re vice principal, don’t work yourself too hard. I heard you’ve been neglecting sleep and meals, working much more overtime than before."
"You just worry about yourself! What do you know about adult matters?"
With that, Old Sun began to shoo Chen Nuo out, but he himself also walked to the door and put on his shoes.
"Wait a moment. I’ll go downstairs with you. I need to buy some braised dishes anyway."
Chen Nuo knew full well that Old Sun had something to say to him that he didn’t want Sun Keke to hear, so he had found an excuse to go out and talk.
The two of them walked downstairs together and straight out of the building. They stopped only when they were outside, looking at the No. 8 Middle School campus, separated by only an iron fence from the faculty and staff dormitory area. Chen Nuo turned, a knowing smile on his face. "Old Sun, going out to buy groceries is just an excuse, isn’t it? You actually wanted to talk to me about something."
Old Sun thought for a moment, then pointed to a sheltered spot beyond the complex gate. "Let’s talk over there."
"Sure."
***
CLICK.
The lighter flame flared. Old Sun took a light drag on his cigarette, its tip glowing brightly.
Chen Nuo pocketed his lighter with a smile and lit a cigarette for himself.
The two stood in a sheltered spot just behind the dormitory area’s large iron gate.
"Do you smoke often?" Old Sun squinted at Chen Nuo.
"Not much."
"Hmm, it’s better to smoke less. You’re still young. If you don’t have an addiction, it’s best to quit if you can."
Chen Nuo understood Old Sun meant well and nodded. "Yeah, I know. I’ll try to control it."
"How are things in the International Division? How do you find it?"
Chen Nuo chuckled at Old Sun’s question. "You know what kind of person I am, don’t you?"
"It’s precisely because I know that I’m worried." Old Sun frowned, not looking at Chen Nuo but at the distant campus behind the fence. He spoke slowly, "I heard Keke say that you plan to go to college with her."
"Yes, I did say that."
"Really? Were you just saying it to make her happy, or are you serious?"
"I’m serious," Chen Nuo replied with a smile.
Old Sun scrutinized Chen Nuo, then nodded. "Then you should start showing some real effort."
Chen Nuo remained silent for a couple of seconds, then nodded. "Mm."
"How did you manage to transfer to the International Division? You’ve never mentioned it." Old Sun frowned. "The paperwork didn’t even cross my desk; the school approved it directly. And..."
Chen Nuo thought for a moment. This did need an explanation.
He smiled. "Actually, it was quite simple: money plus connections."
"Hmm?" Old Sun looked at Chen Nuo, waiting for him to continue.
"You remember I joined that student union committee for receiving the school directors and foreign teachers? Our class president and I were assigned to assist the female school director. During that time, I performed pretty well, and the director and her assistant seemed to appreciate me. That’s the connection part. As for the money... Old Sun, you know I won the lottery. I have assets of several million."
"So, you used your connection with that foreign investor on the school board, asked her to pull some strings, and get the education group to process your transfer? And you also spent some money?"
"Yeah, that’s pretty much it," Chen Nuo nodded.
Old Sun sighed. "Why go to the International Division? If you had stayed in the main section, I would have been your homeroom teacher starting this semester. I would have personally overseen your studies, and you also..."
"Because I also do business," Chen Nuo smiled, casually offering another prepared excuse. "The students in the International Division are all from wealthy families—their parents are in business, or are officials, all sorts. Since I’m in business, I need to build up some connections for the future. You know the three ’ironclad’ relationships in life: classmates, comrades-in-arms, and... *ahem*..."
Seeing Old Sun’s eyes suddenly turn stern, Chen Nuo quickly backtracked with a laugh. Damn, slip of the tongue... "No, no, don’t get the wrong idea. You understand the gist. If I become classmates with these people, they become future business connections."
Old Sun considered this. The reasoning wasn’t entirely without merit.
"Then what are your plans for getting into college? The high school education in the International Division... its academic standards are good enough to fool those rich suckers who pay for their children’s futures. But you and I, we’re insiders; we know the truth. If you slack off in the International Division for a year, your studies will be completely ruined! When the college entrance exams come next year... what will you have to show for it?"
Old Sun frowned as he spoke, then looked at Chen Nuo and said in a low voice, "Keke’s academic performance has improved by leaps and bounds recently! By my estimation, she’s a shoo-in for a first-tier university next year. If she works hard this year, she has a great chance of getting into a prestigious university! Chen Nuo, how will you go to college with her then? Never mind whether you could even get in. With your grades, even if you did... You can’t expect Keke to lower her standards, choose a lesser school, and go to some third-rate institution with you, can you? That would jeopardize her future."
Old Sun’s tone was very serious.
Chen Nuo understood Old Sun’s meaning. He wasn’t trying to break them up; he was trying to use this to remind and warn Chen Nuo to work hard.
"Don’t worry, Old Sun, I already have a plan," Chen Nuo laughed. "You’re not unaware of the real tricks our International Division and the education group employ, are you?"
"You mean... the immigration route for college entrance?" Old Sun was stunned.
"Exactly, the immigration route. I’ve already paid the fees. The education group is helping me find a suitable country for an immigrant investor program. If things go quickly, I should get my green card by the end of the year. Next year, I’ll apply to domestic universities as an overseas student. Whichever university Keke applies to, I’ll apply to the same one."
"Such crooked ways!" Old Sun scoffed. Given his character, he naturally despised such underhanded methods.
However... for Chen Nuo, it was perhaps a viable path.
Old Sun sighed.
Chen Nuo was well aware of Old Sun’s temperament and principles. But for him, this was the most suitable solution.
Taking the domestic college entrance exam... he could actually pass. Sun Keke, with a diluted version of Chen Yanluo’s Special Ability, could pass if she studied diligently. With Chen Yanluo’s full Special Ability, a little effort would make grades a non-issue. Even without effort, when it came time for the exam... with his spiritual power fully unleashed, he could easily copy his way to a good score. Believe it or not, he might even accidentally get the top score.
But doing that would be too conscienceless! Chen Nuo knew very well that he would essentially be a cheater. If he took the exam as a domestic student and applied to a prestigious university, as a cheater, he’d definitely get in. But every university has a fixed admission quota each year. If a cheater like him got in, it would mean unfairly displacing a student who had passed legitimately. That student would have endured ten years of hard study, carried the fervent hopes of their parents and the expectations of their entire family, diligently studied, ground through countless practice questions, and suffered for years to prepare for the grueling exam... Only to be pushed out by a cheater, their future ruined...
That would be too unscrupulous and harmful! Why do that?
So, Chen Nuo planned to take the immigration route. He wouldn’t steal the fortune of domestic students.
The immigration route was much easier. Applying to domestic universities as an international student had two advantages. Firstly, most universities in Huaxia never filled their annual quotas for international students. Secondly, a significant portion of the foreign students applying to Huaxia universities were... well, let’s just say their caliber was often questionable; everyone knew the score. If Chen Nuo took one spot, it might even mean one less piece of ’international trash’ getting in.
Although Old Sun wasn’t entirely satisfied with Chen Nuo’s approach, he had to admit it seemed like the best solution under the circumstances.
But admonishment was still necessary!
"Chen Nuo, I still have to advise you," Old Sun said seriously. "What you’re doing is taking a shortcut! Life won’t always offer you shortcuts! The main reason you can do this now is because of the few million you won from the lottery. What is that? It’s luck! A person can’t go through their whole life solving problems with luck alone. You still have to put in the effort when it’s needed! Only real strength will take you further."
Chen Nuo blinked. "If I can solve problems with luck, why would I need to rely on strength?"
"...You..."
"Alright, alright, Old Sun, I’m just kidding." Chen Nuo grinned and quickly soothed Old Sun’s temper with a few words.
***
The two said their goodbyes by the roadside. Old Sun went to the braised food shop at the intersection to buy groceries, while Chen Nuo hailed a taxi home.
In the car, Chen Nuo closed his eyes to rest, a peculiar smile playing on his lips.
Consciousness Space fissure repair: 12/17.
The 7th of 17 repairs was from the Ancestral Master Sword, via Wu Daodao’s wife.
The 8th through 11th repairs were from Wu Daodao and his three disciples: Iron Pillar, Erya, and Fatty. (The fourth disciple’s strength had not yet reached the Ability User level.)
Previously, Gray Cat, Old Jiang, Captain, Old Guo, the Fourth Lady, Xicheng Xun, and Wu Daodao’s family of five (Wu Daodao himself, his wife, Iron Pillar, Erya, and Fatty) had contributed the 11 repairs.
And today, after meeting Sun Keke, on the way home in the taxi...
Sun Keke had provided the twelfth repair.
At that time, Chen Nuo had used some tricks, hypnotizing Sun Keke. While she slept, the twelfth repair was completed.
Chen Nuo had now recovered to about two-thirds of his strength before the Brazil mission. Broadly speaking, his power was comparable to a top-tier Destroyer.
Hmm... still five heads short... Chen Nuo mused in the car.
He had already ’sheared’ all the Ability Users he knew and could find in his circle. For the rest, he would have to think of other methods.
There were many Ability Users in the Underground World...
Maybe I should go on the Octopus Monster’s website, fabricate some content, and go fishing? Lure a few Ability Users to Jinling for a mission, like... assassinating me. Get a few heads that way, wouldn’t that solve it? Besides, I could also do a little dog-eat-dog action. Nah, forget it... dog-eat-dog is out. Too despicable!
***
「Tangzi Street Car Shop.」
Inside the office.
The boy hopped off the sofa with a smile.
He looked around the room. Brother Lei and Zhu Dazhi were both fast asleep, snoring loudly.
Leftover food was piled on the table, and many beer bottles littered the floor.
The boy had long seen through what these two humans were trying to do. Just eating and drinking, trying to get him to lower his guard.
The food was actually quite good. As for human alcohol, the boy wasn’t particularly fond of it, but he had a few glasses.
Then, with a casual wave of his hand, the two men had passed out.
In the room, the boy looked at the two snoring figures slumped in their chairs and smiled.
One ordinary person, and one who has barely glimpsed the method to stimulate human potential...
The boy thought for a moment, then raised his hand. A tendril of power extended, then slowly divided into several smaller tendrils that entered the bodies of the two men.
***
Zhu Dazhi woke with a start. The wall clock showed it was already past five in the morning.
Brother Lei was still fast asleep, snoring loud enough to shake the heavens!
The table was piled high with dishes, and beer bottles were scattered all over the floor.
Zhu Dazhi’s mind was foggy at first, then he suddenly leaped to his feet!
"Damn it! I’m going to be late for practice!"
"Huh?" Startled awake, Brother Lei propped himself up from the table and looked at Zhu Dazhi in a daze. "What’s all the noise... Hey?"
Brother Lei looked blearily at the table laden with food, his eyes filled with confusion.
Zhu Dazhi shook his head. "Brother-in-law, you’re awake?"
"No... what’s going on with us? Why is there all this food?"
Brother Lei scratched his head, then looked at Zhu Dazhi. "When did you get back yesterday?"
Zhu Dazhi looked completely baffled. "I don’t remember... I just remember coming home from training with my master... and then... Huh? What happened after that?"
Brother Lei stared, blinking, at the food and drinks in the room. "Uh... so... we ate and drank together... and then we both got so drunk we blacked out?"
He instinctively picked up his phone, and a jolt went through him. "Damn!"
Over a dozen missed calls! All from his girlfriend!
"I’m screwed, I’m screwed! Your sister called me more than a dozen times last night!" Sweat beaded on Brother Lei’s forehead.
Just then, the phone rang again. The caller ID showed Zhu Dazhi’s sister.
Brother Lei took a deep breath and pressed the answer button.
"Wu Lei!!!" a tigress roared from the other end. "Where the hell have you been! You didn’t come home all night and didn’t even say a word! You didn’t answer your phone! I went to the shop last night and banged on the door for ages, but no one was there! Tell me the truth, where did you go messing around this time?!"
Brother Lei swallowed hard. Once the roaring subsided, he quickly said, "Don’t, don’t be angry, listen to me. I didn’t go anywhere last night; I was right here in the shop! I, uh, drank too much, got drunk..."
"You’re full of crap! I went to the shop! I pounded on the door for a long time, and no one answered!"
"It’s true!" Brother Lei said, his face a mask of woe. "I’m not lying! I... Oh, right! I was with Dazhi! Dazhi was drinking with me last night, right here in my office. We both got so drunk, probably blacked out, and only just woke up! If you don’t believe me, I’ll put Dazhi on. He wouldn’t lie to you!"
Saying this, he thrust the phone into Zhu Dazhi’s hand. "Quick! Explain to your sister!"
Zhu Dazhi blinked and took the phone. "Sis? Yeah, it’s me... Hey, don’t yell, Sis! Really, really, I’m with Brother-in-law. We’re together, right here in the shop, in the office! Yes, yes, yes... we were drinking... um... there’s a whole table of food. Neither of us knows how much we drank... We were totally wasted, completely blacked out, and unconscious until now. Really! I’m your brother; would I lie to you? He really didn’t! He absolutely did not go out looking for other girls! Hey, neither did I! I didn’t betray you! For real! I’m your brother; would I do something like that? You think I’m a scumbag like Brother-in-law? Hey, Brother-in-law, stop glaring at me! I’m not wrong... You..."
The phone was quickly snatched back by Brother Lei. He glared at Zhu Dazhi, kicked him aside, and then said into the phone, "See? Your brother confirmed it. We really didn’t do anything last night, just drinking in the shop. Banging on the door... Ah, we must have been too drunk and out cold, so we didn’t hear it... Uh... Alright, alright, I’ll come home right away, immediately! What? You’re coming over? Fine! Come and see! Take a look at my office; we haven’t even cleaned up yet! You’ll believe me when you see it!"
He hung up and glared fiercely at Zhu Dazhi. "I asked you to explain, not to make things worse for me! When nothing even happened, why did you have to say all that nonsense!"
After a pause, Brother Lei said, "Your sister will be here soon. You’d better help me explain in person!"
Then, he scratched his head again...
What on earth happened? How did we get blackout drunk, this drunk? What were we drinking yesterday? I vaguely remember letting the shop close early in the afternoon... And then... what happened then? When did Dazhi get back? And how did Dazhi and I start drinking? And get this wasted? With this whole table of food?
He glanced at the leftover dishes on the table.
What idiot ordered these dishes? They’re all sweet! Isn’t that sickeningly sweet?
He looked up to see Dazhi rushing out the door.
"Hey! Where are you going? Your sister’s coming; you have to help me explain!"
"No time, Brother-in-law! I’m rushing to Master’s place for practice!!"
***
Around six in the morning, Zhu Dazhi hurried to the small woods to meet Old Jiang.
Even from several paces away, Old Jiang could smell the strong stench of alcohol on Zhu Dazhi and felt a wave of displeasure. Drinking wasn’t an issue for young men, but addiction was another matter. Especially for martial artists, excessive alcohol consumption was detrimental to their cultivation!
"Master, Master, I’m not late, am I?" Zhu Dazhi chuckled.
Old Jiang frowned. "You reek of alcohol. Didn’t you go home last night? Where were you gallivanting? Are those yesterday’s clothes too? Been out all night? Didn’t even have time to shower and change?"
Zhu Dazhi thought for a moment. "It’s all my brother-in-law’s fault! I don’t know how, but after I got back, I ended up drinking with him. Then I got drunk and only woke up this morning..."
"Drink less; it’s bad for your health," Old Jiang waved his hand dismissively. He didn’t want to meddle too much in his disciple’s affairs—after all, times had changed; it wasn’t like the old days.
He first had Zhu Dazhi wash his face at the pond near the park. Then Zhu Dazhi began practicing a set of fist forms.
"Did you practice the Inner Breath Cultivation Technique I taught you yesterday?"
"I’ve mastered it! Absolutely remembered it! I know it by heart!!" Zhu Dazhi nodded eagerly.
"Then... show me." Old Jiang composedly brought over a small basin of water and dropped a glass marble into it. "Let’s practice like this today. Start by circulating the microcosmic orbit ten times." After saying this, Old Jiang pulled over a small stool, sat down to one side, and quietly watched his disciple.
Zhu Dazhi nodded, walked to the basin, spread his feet, sank into his stance, and assumed the ’embracing circle’ stance...
He extended one palm and slowly lowered it.
"Your palm must descend lightly, softly. Hold your internal energy; don’t release it..." Old Jiang instructed from the side.
As Zhu Dazhi’s palm gently descended, the surface of the water remained perfectly still...
Old Jiang was about to say more when—
POP!
A glass marble suddenly shot up from the bottom of the water and landed on the ground!
It rolled right to Old Jiang’s feet.
Old Jiang: "!!!!????"
He looked up, his eyes practically bulging out of their sockets as he stared at this disciple of his.
Zhu Dazhi looked utterly bewildered. He opened his mouth, looked at Old Jiang, and subconsciously blurted out, "Master, how many years did you say you practiced this yesterday?"
Old Jiang: "................."
***
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