Seeing Han Shu's movement, the boys and girls turned their eyes toward them all at once. Knowing a good show was about to unfold, several of them took on excited, expectant looks.
Han Shu arrived beside Chen Chuan's table and greeted him with a smile. "Chen Chuan, long time no see! Haven't heard a peep from you lately. What have you been busy with?"
Ding Jiao gave a scoff.
Chen Chuan, completely at ease, said, "What else? Now that we've graduated, I had to find a path forward."
Han Shu let out an "oh," looked him over, and probed, "Are you planning to stay in Yangzhi City, or...?"
"Staying in Yangzhi City, most likely," Chen Chuan said.
Han Shu feigned surprise. "With grades like yours, you're not going to an institution of higher learning? You should try testing into one out of the city. 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 spoke up bluntly: "Cut it out, Han Number Three. Who doesn't know you got into Molan Company? What are you showing off for?"
Chen Chuan said, "I'd like to take the entrance exams outside too, but I don't have that kind of money. Even if someone were willing to sponsor me, you still need a recommendation. Besides, Center City isn't an easy place to get by."
"Yeah, that's true." Hearing his words, the other classmates around them resonated immediately.
Strictly speaking, those who could attend No. 1 High School were neither exceedingly rich nor truly poor, but wanting to study in Center City was still an extravagant dream.
Following the Algae Solution Revolution, colossal Center Cities had been erected across the globe. These were the stomping grounds of major corporations and even mega-enterprises, where biotechnology was far more advanced than in the surrounding cities. They were practically entirely different worlds from the outside. Without an introduction from someone of decent social standing, let alone going there to study, gaining a foothold was out of the question.
Take the three classmates who received recommendation slots this time: to ensure its acceptance rate into Center City, No. 1 High School actually needed these students. Put plainly, without a certain family background and social standing, even if someone managed to get a recommendation slot, it was useless—people there wouldn't accept you in the first place.
Just then, Han Shu noticed the flyer beside Chen Chuan's hand and said in surprise, "What's this?" He snatched it up to look, and an excited look of having uncovered some secret immediately spread across his face. Waving the flyer, he said, "Chen Chuan, don't tell me you're planning to learn boxing?"
Chen Chuan didn't deny it, smiling at him. "Learning boxing is quite good."
"You're really going to learn boxing?" Han Shu's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help chuckling. "A boxing club? Becoming a fighter? You sure have... ideas. Heh."
Hearing this, the classmates all looked at Chen Chuan with strange expressions.
Nationwide, learning boxing at a club was indeed a way out for the lower class, but most students at No. 1 High School didn't view it that way.
In their parents' teachings, those who came out of boxing clubs were punks and ruffians who would nine times out of ten join gangs and engage in illegal activities. The lucky ones fought in prize rings, ending up battered and diseased in old age. Some became action actors, but most only played extras or worked as stunt doubles; while the pay wasn't bad, the injury and disability rate was extremely high, and almost no one ever made a name for themselves.
In their eyes, that was equivalent to sinking to the bottom of society. With Chen Chuan's usually outstanding grades, hearing that he made such a choice left them utterly bewildered.
Ding Jiao immediately grew anxious. Thumping the table, he stood up and said, "Han Number Three, what nonsense are you spewing? Chen Chuan's uncle is a captain in the constabulary! If he goes anywhere, it'll be to the constabulary. Why would he go to a place like a boxing club? Right, Chen Chuan?"
Han Shu let out an "oh," pretending to be puzzled. "I remember Chen Chuan still has a cousin, right? Chen Chuan, are you planning to fight your cousin for the succession slot? That doesn't seem quite right, does it?"
"What bullshit are you on about? You..." Ding Jiao grew heated, looking ready to curse him out. Seeing this, Chen Chuan immediately held him back. Chen Chuan stood up as well, looked at Han Shu, and said slowly, "Learning boxing is what I like. When someone does what they enjoy without getting in anyone else's way, is there something wrong with that?"
Han Shu felt uneasy under his calm gaze. Moreover, he noticed that Chen Chuan had grown much taller again, standing nearly a head above him. Han Shu couldn't help taking a guilty step back, though he sneered with a sarcastic lilt, "Nothing at all. It's great. Fits you well. Then I'll just wish you success."
Chen Chuan hummed in acknowledgment. "Thanks for the kind words."
Assuming Chen Chuan was just putting on a brave face, Han Shu scoffed and walked away under Ding Jiao's furious glare.
"Brother Han, over here!" He had only walked a few steps when classmates eagerly waved him over.
Han Shu immediately felt he had regained his groove. Nodding with reserved pride, he walked over and sat at their table. The classmate who had called him over said, "Brother Han, why even bother with them? You're an employee of Molan Company now. Even municipal clerks have to treat you with courtesy. Some folks can only yap at you now, but once they step out into the real world, they'll see the gap clearly enough."
Han Shu nodded. Now that he had entered Molan, a bright future lay before him. Meanwhile, Chen Chuan would only be loitering on the streets or rolling on beds of nails doing sideshow stunts. How could there be any comparison?
Feigning magnanimity, he said, "Actually, I feel quite sorry for him. His grades used to be so good, after all—what a waste of all that studying. Well, let's drop it. It's rare for all our classmates to gather, so let's just enjoy ourselves."
Since almost everyone in the class had arrived by now, the class monitor stood up to say a few polite words, and everyone began eating and drinking. The atmosphere livened up again.
Seeing that no one was looking their way anymore, Ding Jiao whispered, "Hey, bro, are you really planning to learn boxing? You were just lying to him, right?"
Chen Chuan patted his shoulder and said, "I do like learning boxing, but boxing doesn't mean you can only go to a club..."
As they spoke, the surrounding chatter gradually died down. A girl with exquisite facial features walked in from outside. She wore her hair in a single ponytail, dressed in a blue-and-white patterned front-opening short jacket and an ankle-length black skirt, followed by an attendant-like figure and two bodyguards.
Her stride carried an imposing aura. The moment she entered, the surrounding classmates subconsciously fell silent, only stealing glances at her from time to time. A few girls timidly greeted her; she merely glanced over and gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
Ding Jiao spotted the girl as well. He nudged Chen Chuan and gestured, "Hey, Meng Shu is here. Aren't you going over to talk to her? I heard her family came from Center City. With your relationship..."
Ignoring everyone else, the girl walked straight up to Chen Chuan's table. Looking at him with cool eyes, she said, "Chen Chuan, I have something to say to you. Step outside with me."
An unmistakable tone of authority rang through her words. Ding Jiao clamped his mouth shut at once. The only one completely natural was Chen Chuan, who said, "I'm catching up with an old classmate. Why don't you pull up a chair and sit with us?"
Ding Jiao took one look and hurriedly stood up. "You two chat, you two chat..." Then he whispered to Chen Chuan, "I'll leave it to you."
The girl glanced to the side. The classmates sitting at nearby tables all scrambled to their feet as well, quickly backing away to keep their distance.
The attendant behind her brought over an unused chair, wiped it down thoroughly with a handkerchief, pushed it up to the table, and made a respectful gesture of invitation.
The girl stepped forward, smoothed her skirt behind her with both hands, and sat down in proper posture.
Under the evening sky on the verge of revealing its starry expanse, the two sat facing each other, divided equally by the table between them, just like a symmetrical painting.
Spurred by curiosity, the onlookers all pricked up their ears, eager to catch whatever they would say. Ding Jiao, standing not far away, leaned forward and propped himself over a table, terrified of missing a single word.
Chen Chuan picked up the drink, gestured to the girl, and asked, "Want some?"
Seeing no response from her, he poured himself a cup. The girl looked at him and said, "I know you've been admitted to Wuyi College."
Wuyi College?
Wuyi?
Chen Chuan got into Wuyi?
These words instantly caused an uproar in the surrounding crowd. Ding Jiao froze for a second before crying out in shock, "Wuyi? Holy crap! Chuan, you madman!"
Han Shu whipped his head around, staring at Chen Chuan in disbelief. He desperately wished that Chen Chuan would deny it in the next moment.
Chen Chuan pondered for a moment. This news had probably leaked from the constabulary. Since she had brought it up, he didn't deny it, saying, "Your information is accurate. Nothing gets past you."
Han Shu's expression stiffened. Beside him, the excited murmurs of their classmates broke out:
"So that's what Chen Chuan meant by learning boxing! I knew it—with grades like his, why would he ever become a street punk?"
"Yeah, that's Wuyi! He's amazing. Class Four really gets to hold its head high this time!"
"By the way, does anyone have the phone number for Chen Chuan's house?"
Learning boxing could mean vastly different things. Once admitted to Wuyi College, so long as one performed adequately, graduates most often became senior employees of the government or various corporations. If nothing else, the connections alone were far beyond what ordinary people could muster. Having a classmate from Wuyi was a badge of honor to brag about.
The girl paid no heed to the commotion around them. In a calm tone, she said, "That place isn't suited for you. Your future should be in corporate management, as a senior litigator, a commissioner, or a majordomo for a prominent clan—doing things with your mind, not fighting and killing."
Chen Chuan took an unhurried sip of soda and said, "I think it suits me quite well."
The girl looked at him. "You've always been exceptional. It doesn't surprise me in the least that you passed the entrance exam for Wuyi College. But you have no chance of passing Wuyi's second-round exam. This experience won't help your future at all; on the contrary, it will only harm you."
Chen Chuan merely smiled.
The girl produced an exquisite card and said, "I'm returning to Center City at the end of August. When the time comes, take this card and come find me." With that, she rose directly and walked out without greeting anyone else. Her attendant and the two burly bodyguards immediately followed.
Chen Chuan didn't look at the card. Instead, he cradled his head in his arms and leaned back comfortably. He cast his gaze upward; the vast, boundless night sky seemed to embrace him, and the noisy clamor around him appeared to drift away. In a place hidden from everyone's sight, his Second Self stood right behind him. Smiling, he said, "The real joy in all this... none of you understand."
……
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Chapter 17