Echoes

Inside the examination venue, Zhong Wu was wheeled out. His weight of over two hundred kilograms was manageable enough, but he was simply too broad. His arms and legs dangled over the edges of the gurney, forcing several medics to hold up his limbs individually as they carried him into the adjacent emergency first-aid station. Yet the physicians inside the first-aid station only shook their heads, saying they could not handle it, so he was wheeled right back out. All this back-and-forth caused quite a commotion. Furthermore, with one sparring senior out of commission, a replacement had to be found and publicly announced, creating an even bigger stir. Once the candidates pieced together what had happened, excitement rippled through them. They shouted in agitation, "It's Zhong Wu! It's Zhong Wu, that senior student running the exam! Look, quick, look at the one on the gurney!" "He was wheeled back out? The emergency station won't treat him?" "More like they can't save him, right?" "Even emergency first-aid can't handle it? How badly was he beaten? Haha, did one of the candidates do that to him? Holy crap, who is that badass?!" "It's got to be! It was probably one of the candidates who just went in! Wonder which one it was? Serves him right! What an absolute lifesaver! Haha, if he were standing in front of me right now, I'd drop to my knees and kowtow to him on the spot." For reasons none could fully name, a wave of inexplicable gratification welled up inside the remaining examinees. The resentment stifled in their chests could finally be vented! Even those who held their tongues to maintain a good impression were secretly cheering inside. "No shouting!" The female instructor barked a reprimand, but this time she did not invoke the rules to crack down on them. She merely directed the examinees back to their seats and made no move to stop them from continuing their conversations. She knew of Zhong Wu as well—a senior student of formidable strength who had received substantial resources. For him to be beaten like this... could it really have been that examinee from just now? She recalled the impression Chen Chuan had given her when he brushed past earlier, and her conviction instantly hardened. Inside the emergency first-aid station, Fang Zhiming also witnessed Zhong Wu being wheeled in and then right back out. *Wait, I just got in here and you followed right behind? Oh, and out you go again...* Stunned in disbelief, he then suddenly relaxed as he pieced together what must have transpired. He let out a chuckle and pumped his fist hard, though the movement jostled his injured arm and made him wince. After catching his breath for a moment, he stared up at the ceiling and began laughing with sheer delight. *** In the eastern district of Yangzhi City, on National Boulevard, an extended Lanhui luxury sedan glided smoothly onto the roadway and pulled to a halt. Meng Shu sat in the rear seat, beside a female assistant wearing black-rimmed glasses. She asked, "Is the Wuyi re-examination today?" The assistant answered earnestly, "Yes, Miss." Meng Shu said, "Go inquire. I want to know the outcome now." The assistant immediately pushed the door open and got out, passing instructions to someone in the trailing vehicles. In the front passenger seat, an elderly man who looked like a butler turned around and asked, "Miss, do you truly think so highly of that classmate of yours? You played together as children, but hearts change easily. Can the person he is today still live up to your expectations?" Meng Shu said, "Uncle Yi, my assessment of him carries no childhood nostalgia, nor do I act on sentiment. I am nearly eighteen. I need a trusted agent by my side with a clean background to serve me and the family so the company can endure in the long run. He is the most suitable candidate I have ever seen." Uncle Yi said, "I have reviewed Chen Chuan's file. He had solid marks in middle school, and before taking the martial arts college exam, he had never joined any boxing club or trained at a gym. Yet relying solely on himself, he passed into Wuyi College. Your judgment is indeed keen, Miss. A talent like this would make an excellent recruit with just a little grooming." At that moment, footsteps approached. The assistant leaned close to the car window and said cautiously, "Miss, that Chen Chuan... passed Wuyi's re-examination." Meng Shu said nothing more. Looking ahead, she instructed, "Let's go." "Wait a moment, Miss," Uncle Yi spoke up suddenly. "If you wish to secure this young man's service, I might be able to help find a way." Meng Shu looked at him. "Uncle Yi, if I recall correctly, you are a native of Yangzhi?" "Indeed." Uncle Yi sighed softly. "I am getting on in years. In my younger days, I traveled far and wide in service to the Fifth Young Master. My health is still decent, but my spirit is weary. It would be better to retire in my old hometown and keep an eye on this talent on your behalf, Miss." Meng Shu said, "I know Chen Chuan's character. It is impossible to compel him through heavy-handed means. You may stay, but do not do anything unnecessary." Uncle Yi replied, "I know my bounds, Miss, and I would never put you in an awkward position. Being an Upper Hall student at Wuyi is no easy feat—especially for someone without the right background. The more outstanding one is, the greater the pressure." He smiled with a placid expression and added, "Miss, I will not take aggressive action. I will merely offer him a choice when the need arises. I trust he will come to appreciate your good intentions." Meng Shu said, "Uncle Yi, remember your promise." The front and rear doors of the sedan opened at the same time. The assistant stepped in while Uncle Yi climbed out. He shut the door from the outside, stepped back two paces, and bowed slightly as he waved toward the car. Meng Shu gazed forward and said, "Let's go. Back to Center City." Ahead, headlights snapped on, illuminating the road. A lead car pulled away first, followed by the luxury sedan. Behind it, one car and armored vehicle after another fell in tightly, driving down the boulevard toward Center City. *** Inside Wuyi College, Chen Chuan stood outside the examination grounds for a good while until he finished the stick of beef jerky. Only then did he walk out the school gates, retrieve his bicycle from the plaza, and head back home. Nian Fuli, Yu Wan, and the two younger cousins were waiting for him. When the ringing of a bicycle bell sounded from outside, Yu Wan hurried to go out, but Nian Fuli caught her arm and warned sternly, "Don't act too anxious. If the boy didn't pass, fussing like that will only make him feel worse." Yu Wan hesitated, then stayed inside. The front door opened with a creak, and Chen Chuan stepped in from outside. He glanced around and saw his little cousins sitting obediently, their round eyes fixed on him, while Nian Fuli leaned back on the sofa reading a newspaper. Yu Wan was knitting a sweater. Seeing him enter, she feigned nonchalance and asked, "Chan'er, how did the exam go?" Chen Chuan smiled. "Aunt, Uncle, I passed." "Whew..." As if a weight had dropped from her shoulders, Yu Wan set down the sweater and let out a long breath. She shot Nian Fuli a glare. "It's all your fault!" Then, as if something struck her, she turned her face aside and wiped away tears. Nian Fuli beamed with joy upon hearing the news, yet he still managed to keep up his composed facade, saying with feigned indifference, "All right, all right, Yu Wan. He passed, he didn't fail. What's the big fuss?" Yu Wan turned back around. "Can't I be happy? Am I not allowed to be happy?" Nian Fuli muttered, "When Xiao Qian got accepted into military academy from the army, I didn't see you this thrilled..." "How is that the same? Qian'er had your brothers in the military to look after him." "I'm not arguing with you." Yu Wan stood up, strode over, and yanked the newspaper right out of Nian Fuli's hands, snapping, "What are you putting on airs for? You didn't even notice you were holding it upside down." Caught in his embarrassment, Nian Fuli gave a dry cough. "We need to replace the lamp in here. My eyesight's been getting worse lately." Sensing their parents' high spirits, the two young cousins jumped up cheering and clapping non-stop—happy simply to share in the excitement. Nian Fuli said, "Xiao Chuan, you haven't eaten yet, have you?" Chen Chuan said, "Not yet." Yu Wan said, "Your uncle insisted on waiting for you to come home. The timing is just right." Nian Fuli stood up with a wave of his hand. "Set the table! Xiao Chuan, the two of us are having a couple of drinks today." "Dinnertime! Dinnertime!" the two little ones cheered. Smiling, Yu Wan headed into the kitchen and brought out the reheated dishes one by one. Once everyone was seated, she brought over cups and poured Nian Fuli a cup of yellow rice wine. Then she said to Chen Chuan, "Xiao Chuan, you practice martial arts, so you shouldn't drink. Just let your uncle drink. I bought you soda." "Me too! I want some too!" Nian Fuli chuckled and grunted under his breath about her fussiness, but he didn't press Chen Chuan to drink. Chen Chuan smiled. Waiting until Nian Fuli had taken a few bites, he raised his glass to toast his uncle with soda, then said, "Uncle, Aunt, once the semester starts, I'll be moving into the academy's dorms." Nian Fuli sighed with feeling. "As you should. You've made something of yourself now, and your aunt and I can finally lay our worries to rest. Study hard once you enter Wuyi College. As for how far you'll go in the future, my sights are too narrow to see, but just remember to come back often to visit your aunt and your little brother and sister." Chen Chuan laughed. "Uncle, I'll be right at Wuyi College—it's only a short walk from here. As long as you don't find me an eyesore, I'll definitely come back often to enjoy Aunt's home cooking." Yu Wan said delighted, "If Chan'er loves it, I'll cook for you every day." Nian Fuli suddenly slapped the table with a loud *thwack*. Startled, Yu Wan glared at him and complained, "What are you doing, making such a ruckus?" Nian Fuli rubbed his scalp and said, "Wei Laohu's mop... I need to go find it. Yes, find it." "What mop?" Yu Wan asked, completely bewildered. Chen Chuan smiled faintly. "No rush yet. School hasn't started, and it'll be a few days before Captain Wei gets the news." Nian Fuli chuckled, rolling up his sleeves and pointing with his chopsticks. "Didn't he say he wanted me to feed it to him? Then I'll feed it to him and see if he eats it! That Tiger Wei, let's see how loud he barks in front of me from now on!" Yu Wan muttered, "I have no idea what you two are talking about." Nian Fuli waved a hand. "Men's business, don't worry about it." Yu Wan snapped, "As if I care to pry." Chen Chuan then said to Yu Wan, "Aunt, there are a few things that aren't convenient for me to take with me. I'd like to leave them with you for now." Yu Wan thought for a moment and said, "Belongings of your mother and father, right? Leave them with me. Once you graduate and get properly settled, you can take them back." *** At the very same time, back inside Wuyi College, the entire re-examination had concluded. Master Gao returned to his office, picked up the telephone, and once connected, spoke into the receiver: "You've heard about what happened at the exam venue? Yes, that kid is interesting. If you ask me, he fought well. A student like that definitely deserves proper nurturing, but whether he can make the cut and stand firm will depend on himself." The voice on the other end answered: "A fine seedling has only just sprouted. Don't pile too much on him lest he break. We need to support him for a while first." Master Gao retorted, "What good seedling ever grew under the eaves? Oh, do you think everyone can be like you—finding a fine wife and leaning on a wealthy father-in-law?" The voice replied: "All right, Old Gao, teasing me now? Sounds like you're in a good mood. Maybe I should find you some more work to do..." Without waiting for him to finish, Master Gao's expression turned stern. "Enough nonsense. I'll do what needs to be done. As for Commissioner Jiang, you're a member of the college board of directors—it's your job to handle him." The voice responded steadily, "So long as it complies with Wuyi's rules, I can keep him under control for you!"