After the Jiade cleared the final checkpoint out of Center City, the kaleidoscopic lights gradually receded, fading into the night behind Chen Chuan and Lu Fang.
Within a few minutes, their boundary credentials ceased to function one after the other. Both of them reached up and took them off.
Chen Chuan switched on the radio, and brisk, upbeat music filled the car.
Lu Fang said, "Once you get used to the boundary credential, suddenly going without it really feels strange." He glanced back and sighed with feeling. "Without realizing it, more than a year has gone by."
Turning back toward Chen Chuan, he said, "I've always remembered what you told me, Junior. In a place like Center City, without strength, there is no future, and you can't accomplish what you set out to do. I've been working hard all this time, and I believe that one day in the future, I'll be able to learn the things I want to know by my own strength."
Chen Chuan asked, "What stage are you at now, Senior?"
Lu Fang thought for a moment. "Still quite a ways off. At an optimistic guess, I think I'll need at least another year or two of hard work."
Chen Chuan nodded. If a student graduated from the Wuyi Main Academy in Center City, three to four years—or perhaps four to five years—of standard training would typically get them to the third limit. After all, regardless of background, they were talented individuals recommended from across various regions.
However, that was only achieved when resources were not lacking.
Although Lu Fang had received plenty of medicine from him and did not lack talent, reaching the third limit was still by no means simple.
Yet he had advantages few others could match: an exceptionally steadfast will, a pure mindset, a fierce drive to pursue strength, a clear goal, and an age still within his prime development window. As long as nothing went wrong with himself, there was a very strong chance he would persevere until the day he made his breakthrough.
Chen Chuan said, "Senior, back when I left school, I said something to a classmate."
Lu Fang nodded. "I've heard about it." He looked ahead at the National Boulevard stretching endlessly into the distance, his voice firm and resolute: "Before our kind, there are no limits."
Chen Chuan smiled and stepped on the accelerator. The vehicle picked up speed, its headlights piercing through the dark night ahead as it drove onward to the brisk, driving rhythm.
Around six in the morning, illuminated by the early rays of the sun, the two drew close to Yangzhi City. At that moment, Chaoming let out a high-pitched cry.
Looking at the sunlight streaming through the car window, Lu Fang hadn't felt it on the road earlier, but now a yearning to see his family surged within his heart.
After clearing the checkpoint smoothly, the car departed under the salutes of the constables and drove into the city from Yangzhi's South District. As they drove along the roads, the endless popping of firecrackers filled the air, and shops were hung with colorful lanterns and New Year scrolls. Everywhere was steeped in a festive atmosphere.
Chen Chuan said, "I still don't know where you live, Senior. Let me drop you off at home."
Lu Fang shook his head. "No need. Just drop me off at the tram station, Junior Chen. I can head back on my own."
Chen Chuan didn't insist. When they reached a tram station, he pulled over, stepped out, opened the trunk to help Lu Fang retrieve his luggage, and handed him a gift box. "Senior, take this with you."
Lu Fang paused. "This..."
Chen Chuan smiled. "Didn't you also leave something for me in the trunk, Senior Lu? The New Year is almost here. Happy New Year, Senior Lu."
Lu Fang broke into a smile and, dropping further polite refusal, accepted it. "All right, I'll take it then. Thank you, Junior. Happy New Year. If you're free over the holidays, tea is on me."
Chen Chuan smiled. "Just call my home phone, Senior."
Lu Fang nodded.
After parting with him, Chen Chuan got back into the car, waved once more, restarted the engine, and drove toward the constabulary residential quarter.
Since he had sent a telegram well in advance, Nian Fuli and his aunt estimated that he would arrive around this time. So the family had come out to wait for him at the entrance of the alley.
Noticing the Jiade driving up, Yu Wan's face lit up with joy. She gave Nian Fuli a gentle tug and said, "Old Nian, Chan'er is back."
Nian Fuli said, "I see him, I see him."
The car came to a steady halt nearby. The door swung open, and Chen Chuan stepped out, wearing his enforcement captain uniform. He said, "Aunt, Uncle, why did you come out here?"
Yu Wan said, "It's only a few steps. It's not like it's tiring us out."
Nian Fuli looked at his uniform and asked, "Chuan, did you get promoted again?"
He took a closer look at the epaulets. Good grief—an enforcement captain in the Disposal Bureau. That was a double jump in rank, putting him one tier higher than Director Guan.
In terms of rank alone, only the chief executive of Yangzhi City was one level above Chen Chuan. He couldn't help marveling, "Promotions really happen fast in Center City."
Yu Wan nudged him with her elbow. "That's because Chan'er is capable! Do you think anyone can rise like that just by flattering superiors?"
"Cousin got promoted again!" Chen Chuan's younger cousin Nian Mo clapped, then tilted his head up. "Dad, when are you getting promoted?"
Nian Fuli looked down at him. "Have you finished your homework?"
Nian Mo immediately lowered his head and started scuffing his feet on the ground. Little cousin Nian Lu raised her hand and piped up, "I finished mine!"
Nian Fuli tapped Nian Mo's head with his pipe. "Look at your cousin, and look at your sister. Stop fooling around all day long."
Chen Chuan smiled inward. He pulled open the car door, and Chaoming hopped out. The two little kids let out an "ooh!" and rushed over, circling around Chaoming.
After taking the rest of the items from the trunk, the family carried bags and parcels, greeting neighbors in the residential quarter as they walked all the way in.
Once they passed, the neighbors began murmuring among themselves.
"Chuan's uniform looks almost like an overcoat—it's so imposing! He looks extraordinary. Did he get promoted again?"
"Hey, what rank is that? Looking at the epaulets, he has one more star than Director Guan. Could he actually outrank Director Guan?"
"How could that be? How old is Chuan?"
"Age?"
Someone scoffed, "That's completely different. Captain Nian's nephew is a fighter who tested out from Wuyi and a student of the Main Academy in Center City. Yangzhi has only produced one like him in the past two years, and on top of that, he's serving in the Center City Disposal Bureau. What's so strange about him advancing quickly?"
"Old Nian's family is really striking it big now."
As Chen Chuan and Yu Wan's family stepped inside the house, a shrill, crisp voice suddenly called out: "Happy New Year! Welcome home! Welcome home!"
It turned out to be the miniature parrot bought the year before.
Nian Fuli remarked, "That little thing never stops running its beak."
Yu Wan retorted in mock annoyance, "Everything it says is what you love to hear anyway."
After setting the gifts on the table, Chen Chuan sorted them out and presented what he had brought for Nian Fuli and his family. This time, he gave Nian Fuli a precision mechanical wristwatch.
Such items had little market in Center City's lower tier, but upper-middle-class society favored wearing them, making it a perfect gift.
Besides some miscellaneous goods, he brought Yu Wan another set of the Qingnang Jade Workshop skincare products he had brought before. While he was no longer a medicine tester, his status was different now, so acquiring them was no trouble.
Yu Wan said, "I haven't even finished the last set, and here you are buying more, Chan'er. Don't waste money on this next time, all right?"
Chen Chuan smiled and agreed. Then he distributed gifts to his younger cousins: water guns, skateboards, and several large plush toys.
As the items were taken out one by one, he finally produced a neatly wrapped package and said, "This is something I brought for the family."
He didn't specify what it was. Nian Fuli took a look, felt it with his hands, and immediately knew what it was. He instructed Yu Wan, "It's Chuan's thoughtful gesture. Take it and put it away safely."
Seeing his demeanor, Yu Wan didn't ask questions. She nodded and took the package away to store it carefully.
Afterward, the family sat together and chatted about the events of the past six months in Center City and Yangzhi City, mostly listening to Chen Chuan since Yangzhi hadn't changed much.
Center City, by contrast, had rapid information flow and a massive population; novelties sprang up constantly, and even if Chen Chuan hadn't encountered them personally, he could quickly learn about them from the news channels.
The conversation carried on until noon. After lunch, Nian Fuli said, "Come, walk with me outside to digest our meal."
Once outside, Nian Fuli asked, "Chuan, how did you get promoted again?"
Chen Chuan replied, "The bureau gave me the opportunity."
Nian Fuli sighed with feeling. "Making enforcement captain at your age... your uncle can hardly imagine how far you'll go in the future." He added, "Chuan, what you gave us earlier was protective gear, wasn't it?"
Chen Chuan smiled. "Stab-resistant vests produced by Fusion Boundary Company. They're perfectly fine for everyday wear."
Without armor certification, even constables in the constabulary were not allowed to wear protective gear unless they held the proper rank or were on active duty, but stab-resistant vests did not fall under that restriction.
This model pushed the boundaries slightly, boasting a somewhat higher protection rating that could stop small-caliber bullets. In theory, however, a buyer wouldn't know the exact performance before actually testing it, so wearing it wouldn't cause any legal trouble.
Hearing this, Nian Fuli understood immediately. But what concerned him was another matter, and he asked, "Why bring this back?"
Chen Chuan said, "The bureau told me earlier that people came here inquiring about me. Uncle, serving in the Center City Disposal Bureau means inevitably offending certain factions and individuals."
Nian Fuli was a constabulary captain himself, so he naturally understood this. He said in a low, steady voice:
"Yangzhi City isn't small, but this residential compound is full of familiar faces inside and out. We can smell an outsider from blocks away. Besides, ever since Instructor Wen returned, his residence has been right here in the compound, so you don't need to worry too much about that."
"Is that so?"
Chen Chuan was slightly surprised, but if Instructor Wen lived here, there truly was nothing to fear. He said, "I don't know where Instructor Wen lives. When I came back last time, he gave me some guidance. Around New Year's, I ought to pay him a visit."
Nian Fuli pointed in a direction. "Right over in the central section, in the courtyard that used to belong to Vice Han, who served under the Old Company Commander. These last two days before the New Year, he's probably still at the bureau, but he'll definitely be back by New Year's Eve on the thirtieth. You can visit him early in the New Year."
Chapter 455