Seeing Han Shu's move, the eyes of the other students, both male and female, snapped over to them. They knew a good show was about to start, and several of them wore looks of excited anticipation.
Han Shu walked over to Chen Chuan's table and greeted him with a smile. "Chen Chuan, long time no see. Haven't heard anything from you lately. What have you been busy with?"
Ding Jiao scoffed.
Chen Chuan, however, was perfectly natural. "What else could it be? We've graduated. A man's got to find his way."
"Oh," Han Shu said. He looked Chen Chuan over and asked probingly, "Are you planning to stay in Yangzhi City, or..."
Chen Chuan said, "I'll stay here in Yangzhi City."
Han Shu feigned surprise. "With your grades, you're not going to a higher institution? You should try applying elsewhere. Look at me—my grades weren't as good as yours, so I'm stuck here in Yangzhi City."
Ding Jiao couldn't stand his act and cut in, "Give me a break, Han the Third! Who doesn't know you got into Molan Company? What's there to show off about!"
Chen Chuan said, "I'd like to apply elsewhere, but I don't have the money. Even if someone were willing to sponsor me, I'd still need a letter of recommendation. Besides, the Central Cities aren't easy places to make a life for yourself."
"Yeah, that's right." Hearing his words, other classmates murmured in agreement, striking a chord with many of them.
Strictly speaking, anyone who could attend City No. 1 Middle School came from a family that was better off than most, but not truly wealthy. The thought of studying in a Central City was still a pipe dream.
After the Algae Fluid Revolution, massive Central Cities were established across the world. These were hubs for major corporations and even mega-corps, with biotechnology far surpassing that of the surrounding cities. The Central Cities and the outside were fundamentally two different worlds. Without a recommendation from someone with a certain social standing, one couldn't even dream of studying there, let alone gaining a foothold.
Take the three students from their class who received recommendations, for example. To ensure its matriculation rate to the Central Cities, the No. 1 Middle School actually needed those students more than they needed the school. To put it bluntly, for someone without a certain family background and social status, getting a recommendation slot was useless. No one would accept you.
Just then, Han Shu noticed a flyer by Chen Chuan's hand. "What's this?" he asked in surprise. He snatched it up and took a look. An excited expression, as if he had just discovered a juicy secret, spread across his face. He waved the flyer and said, "Chen Chuan, don't tell me you're planning to learn how to box?"
Chen Chuan didn't deny it. He just looked at Han Shu with a faint smile. "Boxing is pretty good."
"You're really going to learn boxing?" Han Shu's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but laugh. "A boxing gym? To become a fighter? You're really... something else. Heh heh."
Hearing this, the other students all turned to look at Chen Chuan with strange expressions.
Across the country, learning to fight at a boxing gym was a viable path for people from the lower class, but most students from the No. 1 Middle School didn't see it that way.
Their parents had taught them that people from boxing gyms were all just punks. Nine times out of ten, they'd join gangs and get involved in illegal activities. The lucky ones might become prize fighters, only to end up riddled with injuries in their old age. Some became action movie actors, but most were just extras or stunt doubles. The pay wasn't bad, but the rate of injury and disability was high, and almost none of them ever made a real name for themselves.
In their eyes, that was the equivalent of being at the bottom of society. And since Chen Chuan's grades were usually so good, they found his choice completely incomprehensible.
Ding Jiao suddenly grew anxious. He slammed his fist on the table and stood up. "Han the Third, what are you talking about? Chen Chuan's uncle is a captain in the Patrol Bureau! If he were going anywhere, it'd be the Patrol Bureau. Why would he go to a place like a Boxing Club? Right, Chen Chuan?"
"Oh?" Han Shu said, feigning confusion. "I seem to recall Chen Chuan also has a cousin, right? Chen Chuan, are you planning to fight your cousin for the succession spot? That's not very nice, is it?"
"What the hell are you talking about? You..." Ding Jiao got agitated and looked like he was about to start cursing. Seeing this, Chen Chuan immediately pushed him back down. He then stood up himself, looked at Han Shu, and said slowly, "I like learning how to fight. Is there a problem with someone doing what they love, as long as it doesn't bother anyone else?"
Han Shu felt a wave of discomfort under his calm gaze. He also realized that Chen Chuan had grown much taller; he himself was almost a full head shorter. He couldn't help but take a timid step back, though his tone remained passive-aggressive. "No problem at all. It's great. It suits you. In that case, I wish you success."
Chen Chuan grunted in acknowledgment. "Thank you for the well wishes."
Han Shu assumed he was just being stubborn, snorted, and walked away under Ding Jiao's furious glare.
"Brother Han, over here!" He had only taken a few steps when a classmate waved at him eagerly.
Han Shu immediately felt like he had found his rhythm again. He gave a reserved nod and went to sit at that table. The classmate who had called him over said, "Brother Han, why bother with them? You're an employee of Molan Company now. Even city officials have to be polite to you. Some people might run their mouths now, but they'll learn the difference between you once you're out in the real world."
Han Shu nodded. 'I'm at Molan now, with a bright future ahead of me. But Chen Chuan? He's destined for the streets or some painful sideshow act. Is there even a comparison?'
He said with feigned magnanimity, "Actually, I feel sorry for him. His grades were so good back then. All that studying, wasted. But let's not talk about it. It's a rare class reunion. The important thing is for everyone to have a good time."
Since almost everyone in the class had arrived by now, the class monitor came forward to say a few words. After that, everyone started eating and drinking, and the atmosphere livened up again.
Seeing that no one was looking their way, Ding Jiao leaned in and asked in a low voice, "Hey, man, are you really planning to learn how to box? You were just messing with him, right?"
Chen Chuan clapped him on the shoulder. "I do like learning to fight, but a Boxing Club isn't the only place you can do that..."
As they were talking, the noise around them gradually died down. A girl with delicate features walked in from outside. She had her hair in a single ponytail and was wearing a short, blue-and-white patterned jacket over a black, ankle-length skirt. Following her were an attendant and two bodyguards.
She carried herself with a powerful presence. The moment she entered, the surrounding students subconsciously fell silent, their eyes darting toward her from time to time. A few girls timidly greeted her. She merely glanced at them and gave a slight nod in response.
Ding Jiao saw the girl too. He nudged Chen Chuan. "Hey, Meng Shu's here. Aren't you going to talk to her? I hear her family is from a Central City. With your relationship..."
The girl ignored everyone else and walked directly to Chen Chuan's table. She looked at him with her cool, clear eyes and said, "Chen Chuan, I have something to say to you. Come outside."
Her words carried a tone that brooked no argument. Ding Jiao immediately went quiet. The only one who remained completely at ease was Chen Chuan. He said, "I'm talking with an old friend. Why don't you pull up a chair and join us?"
Ding Jiao glanced between them and hurriedly got up. "You two talk, you two talk..." Then he whispered to Chen Chuan, "All yours, man."
The girl glanced to the side, and the students at the nearby tables also quickly stood up, moving far away.
Her attendant brought over an unused chair, wiped it down carefully with a handkerchief, pushed it to the table, and made a respectful gesture for her to be seated.
The girl walked up, smoothed down her skirt with both hands, and sat down with perfect posture.
Under the evening sky, where stars were just beginning to appear, the two of them now sat facing each other, the table between them dividing the space equally, like a symmetrical painting.
Driven by a certain curiosity, everyone nearby perked up their ears, trying to hear what they would say. Ding Jiao was even leaning forward from a short distance away, half-sprawled on his table, afraid he might miss a single word.
Chen Chuan picked up a drink, gestured with it toward the girl, and asked, "Want some?"
When the girl didn't respond, he poured a glass for himself. She watched him and said, "I know you were accepted into Wuyi University Hall."
Wuyi University Hall?
Wuda?
Chen Chuan got into Wuda?
Her words instantly caused a commotion. Ding Jiao froze for a second, then exclaimed, "Wuda? Holy crap! Way to go, Brother Chuan!"
Han Shu whipped his head around, staring at Chen Chuan in disbelief. He desperately hoped Chen Chuan's next words would be a denial.
Chen Chuan thought for a moment. 'The news must have come from the Patrol Bureau.' Since she already knew, he didn't deny it. "Your information is accurate. Nothing gets past you."
Han Shu's expression stiffened. Meanwhile, the excited chatter of his classmates rose up around him:
"So when Chen Chuan said he was learning to fight, *that's* what he meant! No wonder. With grades like his, why would he become a punk?"
"Exactly! That's Wuda we're talking about! He's amazing. This really brings honor to our Class Four."
"By the way, does anyone have Chen Chuan's family phone number?"
Learning to fight and *learning to fight* were two very different things. After graduating from Wuyi University Hall, as long as one didn't do poorly, the most common careers were as high-level employees in the government or various corporations. Nothing else needed to be said; the connections alone were beyond what an ordinary person could compare to. And having a classmate from Wuda was something to be proud of.
The girl paid no mind to the commotion outside. She said in a level tone, "That place isn't suitable for you. Your future should be in corporate management, as a high-level Litigation Master, a commissioner, or a steward for a great clan—doing things that require intellect, not fighting and killing."
Chen Chuan took a slow sip of his soda. "I think it suits me just fine."
The girl looked at him and said, "You've always been exceptional. I'm not the least bit surprised you could get into Wuyi Academy. But there's no way you can pass Wuyi's practical examination. This experience won't just be unhelpful for your future; it will be a detriment."
Chen Chuan just smiled.
The girl took out an exquisite Name Card. "I'm returning to the Central City at the end of August. Come find me with this card then." After speaking, she stood up directly, and without a word to anyone else, walked out. Her attendant and the two burly bodyguards immediately followed.
Chen Chuan didn't look at the Name Card. Instead, he laced his fingers behind his head and leaned back comfortably. His gaze drifted upward, as if the vast, boundless night sky were embracing him. The noisy chatter of the crowd seemed to recede into the distance. And there, where no one could see, the Second Self stood behind him. He smiled and said, "The real fun in all this... none of you understand."
...
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