Just as dinner was about to be served and Chen Chuan sat down, his uncle, Nian Fuli, suddenly said, "Chen Chuan, you've graduated from middle school now. We don't have any universities here in Yangzhi City, and on my meager salary from the Patrol Bureau, I can't afford to send you to study in a high-class place like Central City. Have you thought about what you want to do?"
The dinner table fell silent. His aunt, Yu Wan, looked at Chen Chuan worriedly. His two younger cousins held their bowls, their little heads turning from side to side.
Nian Fuli said, "If you haven't decided and have nowhere to go, I can arrange something for you. Don't complain that it's too hard, and don't whine about being tired. If you don't want to do it, just say so now and find your own way."
Chen Chuan looked at Nian Fuli and smiled. "Uncle, are you in that much of a hurry to kick me out?"
Nian Fuli glared at him. "Just 'Uncle.' Enough with the fancy titles."
He habitually reached for his shirt pocket. His fingers had just touched his cigarette case when he glanced at his son and daughter, then pulled his hand back. He frowned and said, "Stop messing around and give me a straight answer. Your older cousin is successful; I don't have to worry about him. But your two younger cousins are still little, and they'll be starting school in a few years. The household expenses are only going to get bigger. You're already sixteen. I'm not asking you to repay me for anything. In the future, just being able to support yourself will be enough. Don't you think that's reasonable?"
Chen Chuan nodded. "You're right, Uncle." He thought for a moment, then said, "Uncle, I was thinking I'd find my own path."
"On your own?"
Nian Fuli studied him for a moment. "Fine. School usually gives you a two-month break, right? Then I'll give you two months. After two months, you stand on your own two feet. From then on, I won't have to manage your affairs anymore."
His aunt, Yu Wan, looked like she wanted to say something but held her tongue.
Chen Chuan said, "Alright. We'll do it your way, Uncle."
Nian Fuli looked him up and down. "See that you do." He picked up his chopsticks and said, "Let's eat." Only after he started eating did the rest of the family begin their meal.
Chen Chuan also reached for his chopsticks. But just then, as if sensing something, he looked up. Over by the wall, a boy who looked exactly like him was standing there, watching him with a spectral gaze. His uncle's family was focused on their food, completely unaware. It seemed only he could see him.
He naturally lowered his gaze and continued eating, his mind on the future. Before he knew it, he had finished the last bite of his rice. His aunt had been watching him and quickly said, "Just leave it. I'll wash up. You should focus on your own affairs."
Chen Chuan glanced at his aunt, then at the expressionless Nian Fuli. He put down his bowl and chopsticks. "Alright. Uncle, Aunt, I'm heading back to my room then."
Nian Fuli picked up some food with his chopsticks, put it in his mouth, and chewed slowly without a word.
After Chen Chuan left, Yu Wan said, "He's still just a boy."
Nian Fuli snapped, "Just a boy? He's sixteen! When I was his age, I was already on the battlefield!"
"Alright, alright, I know how tough you are."
Seeing that he had also finished eating, Yu Wan got up from the table, brought over a bottle of yellow wine to pour him a glass, and said, "I'm going to check on the children."
"Go on, go on." Nian Fuli waved his hand impatiently. He picked up his cup and took a sip, a sense of ease washing over him. At the same time, he muttered to himself, 'This kid... he's a little different than before...'
"Dad, when I'm sixteen, are you going to kick me out too?"
Nian Fuli turned his head to see his young son, Nian Mo, looking up at him with wide, expectant eyes.
His little daughter, Nian Lu, a three-year-old toddler, said in a childish voice, "He'll definitely kick you out. You eat the most meat!"
"I... I don't eat that much! Dad..." Nian Mo clutched his bowl, looking pitifully at Nian Fuli.
Nian Fuli laughed heartily and patted the back of Nian Mo's head. "You little rascal, you're my son. You think I wouldn't take care of you? I'm saving my post for you. Now go, turn on the radio."
"Okay."
Nian Mo happily hopped off his stool and scampered over to twist the knob on the old-fashioned radio. A crackling sound came from within.
"...The railway maintenance department reports that due to the mudslide at Xieshan, the section of track originally scheduled for repair in early June will once again be delayed..."
"...A group of criminals has escaped from Qiguang Prison. An arrest warrant has been issued. The primary wanted fugitives are as follows: Fang Dawei, male, age thirty-five, well-built, committed multiple home invasion robberies and street shootings; Tong Baitao, male, age twenty-seven..."
"...The Blood Mark Gang and the Iron Chain Gang clashed at the intersection of Xinqu Park and Rice Warehouse Street. Multiple residences were damaged in the conflict, with dozens killed or injured..."
By this time, Chen Chuan had returned to his room. The space, which served as both a study and a bedroom, was about eight or nine square meters. The windowsill and the old, red-lacquered wooden floor were spotless, and the furnishings were all in perfect order, a clear sign that it was tidied and cleaned daily.
Movie posters were taped to the walls. As he looked at them, their titles naturally surfaced in his mind: *Lone Blade Hero*, *High Ridge Beast*, *The Final Conquest*...
He walked across the creaking floorboards to the window. On the corner of a worn writing desk sat a picture frame. Inside was a young couple. The woman was young and beautiful, the man tall and handsome. The material of their clothes was exquisite, and they were smiling at him.
To the right of the desk was a bookshelf over two meters tall, packed with books. A quick glance revealed that, apart from some old textbooks, most were for leisure reading, such as *Great Expansion*, *15th Year of Jianzhi*, and *Mysterious Machu*.
He couldn't help but mutter to himself, "It's a shame there's no *Military-Civilian Dual-Use Talent* or *Civilian Military Training Manual*. At the very least, you'd think there'd be something like a *Ten Thousand Whys*."
"'Why' what? Chan'Er, can Auntie come in?" Yu Wan's voice came from outside the door.