After receiving his admission notice from the main campus, Chen Chuan began getting ready to go to Central City. In order to avoid too many people bothering him, he moved to Cheng Zitongâs martial arts training center to do his daily training.
The martial arts training center was also close to the company, so he took some time out to ask Ren Shuâs group out for a meal and also tell them that he was about to leave for Central City.
While Ren Shu found the situation regrettable and was reluctant to let Chen Chuan go, he was still understanding. He was also envious and impressed. Some of his business partners had always been impressed with Chen Chuan too, and their eyes shone with admiration and excitement when he told them the news.
After all, Chen Chuan was going to Central City. Even among those privileged children once held up as role models, only a few ever had the chance to study at the main campus.
But Chen Chuan didnât come from any powerful family, and he still managed to go to Central City all by himself. This was the type of person they longed to become but knew that they could never be.
Before Chen Chuan left, he gave them a notebook he had taken time out to write. These were notes he had written based on
the Legend of the Three Mountains
and Cheng Zitongâs notes. From this information, he wrote down some ways to get rid of supernatural beings. If Ren Shuâs group intended to continue taking up supernatural-related missions, this notebook would surely be of help.
Once he finished handling company business, he had one matter settled. Then, Chen Chuan went back to the martial arts training center to throw himself back into training.
Time flew by, and it was the fifteenth of December. Chen Chuan changed into formal wear and took the bus to a private club in the south of the city.
It was Lei Guangcheng and He Nanâs wedding today. Chen Chuan wouldnât miss it for the world.
Due to Lei Guangchengâs identity, they kept their wedding low-profile, and there were fewer than twenty guests.
He Nan had inherited her familyâs business at a young age after losing her parents, so aside from Lin Xiaodi, only a distant relative of hers came over as a witness.
Meanwhile, Lei Guangcheng wasnât a Yangzhi City local, and no one knew whether his parents were still alive. The one who came in their place was a superior from Central City.
After drinking the nuptial wine amid the guestsâ cheers, the wedding ceremony came to an end.
As a martial artist, Chen Chuan couldnât drink alcohol. Out of consideration, He Nan had given him something similar to wine. After exchanging a toast with them, he wished them a happy ever after.
Once Lei Guangcheng and He Nan toasted all the guests, Lei Guangcheng came over with a boy of around five or six years old.
âXiao Ying, this is the person youâve been wanting to meet all this while. Heâs the one who chased away the fake Xiao Ying, and thatâs why I was about to find you.â
Lei Ying looked up. âMister Chen Chuan, if Daddy mixes me up with someone again, and Iâm taken away, could you help him find me, just like last time?â
Lei Guangcheng had always had a tight control over his emotions when he was in front of other people, but now, he still couldnât help but tear up as he caressed his sonâs head.
âIâve locked up the fake Xiao Ying. He wonât come out again. Your daddy has also found a way to tell if any Xiao Ying takes your place again. You wonât get taken away anymore,â Chen Chuan said gently.
âReally?â Lei Ying cheered up.
âReally,â Chen Chuan answered seriously.
While Lei Ying was still young, he could sense how serious Chen Chuan was, and he said politely, âThank you, Mister Chen Chuan!â
He Nan then came over and held Xiao Yingâs hand. âMister Chen Chuan has something to say to Daddy. Come with me, Xiao Ying.â
ââKay,â Lei Ying said and gave Chen Chuan a wave. âBye bye, Mister Chen Chuan.â
Then, he left with He Nan.
Meanwhile, Lei Guangcheng said with a smile. âIâd like you to meet someone.â
He then brought Chen Chuan to his superior and made the introductions. âThis is Mr. Cao, the deputy director of Central Cityâs Cult Investigation Bureau. Uncle Cao, this is Chen Chuan.â
Mr. Cao was a thin old man. While his skin was sagging and his cheeks were hollow, he had bushy eyebrows, and big, sharp, lively eyes. His white hair also appeared prickly.
Chen Chuan greeted him politely, âHello, Mr. Cao.â
Mr. Cao sized him up. Then, his sharp gaze softened a little, seemingly pleased with Chen Chuanâs politeness. He said, âGuangcheng has been talking about you nonstop, young man. Iâve been really curious about you and wanted to meet you. After seeing you today, youâre even better than I thought you were.
âGuangcheng told me that youâre about to head to Central City. If you encounter any problems while there, you can come to me.â
Chen Chuan didnât reject the offer and said, âIâll keep your offer in mind, Mr. Cao.â
Mr. Cao smiled. He always did like youngsters who were frank and didnât hesitate in anything they did.
He put on his hat and straightened it before saying to Lei Guangcheng, âI still have some things to do back at Central City. I have to leave now, Guangcheng. He Nan is a good woman. Donât be such a workaholic anymore. Pay more attention to your wife and kid.
âItâs only when you have your position secured that you can do more things. Donât try to finish an entire lifetimeâs worth of work in one go. Pace yourself.â
âIâll keep your words in mind,â Lei Guangcheng said seriously.
âAlright. Go keep your family company. You donât have to stay here with me anymore. I have this young man with me.â
Mr. Cao then turned around and shook Chen Chuanâs hand as he said, âHonestly, I donât want you coming to me, because that means that youâre safe and well.â
Chen Chuan could tell at this point that while this old man appeared stern, he didnât fuss over minor details. He bowed to Mr. Cao and said, âIâll try my best not to bother you, then.â
Mr. Cao laughed and left with two security guards escorting him.
Although only a small number of people attended the wedding, most were familiar and trustworthy faces. The atmosphere was pretty great, and the banquet only ended at 8:30 p.m..
Chen Chuan and some of the guests left the club. He then said goodbye to Lei Guangcheng and He Nan before getting into the car He Nan had arranged for him to go back to the martial arts training center. Soon after the driver set off, it started snowing. When Chen Chuan got out of the car, the world was already covered in a layer of snow.
Chen Chuan sucked in a breath of fresh air. As he watched the snow falling from the sky, he marveled at the fact that the New Year was about to arrive.
With a smile, he went back into the martial arts training center.
Ten days later, Chen Chuan returned to the university. With Cheng Zitong accompanying, he went to the Admissions Department. Then, right before Gao Ping, Bian Feng, Yue Hong, and the other lecturers, he filled out the application to receive Yangzhi City Martial Valor Universityâs graduation certificate ahead of time.
Once he was done, he handed it to Cheng Zitong so that his mentor could sign it. Gao Ping then checked it before saying, âChen Chuan, once we put the universityâs stamp on this and the chancellor signs it, you will no longer be a registered student of Yangzhi City Martial Valor University. Instead, youâll be a student of the main campus in Central City.
âBefore we put the stamp on, let me say some things. Since youâve graduated from Yangzhi City Martial Valor University, no matter where you go, the students here will always regard you as their role model. Thatâs why you have to think carefully before you do anything. Your actions, regardless of whether theyâre good or bad, will create a deep and lasting impact.
âBut I wonât restrict you. Martial artists are independent-minded people. Youâre the one who ultimately gets to decide what you should do. Iâm just saying the things a lecturer should.â
He said nothing else and stamped the two forms before instructing Yue Hong, âSend them to the chancellorâs office.â
Yue Hong nodded and left with the forms.
Gao Ping then produced the graduation certificate they had prepared beforehand. âDonât lose it now.â
Chen Chuan took it. âThank you, Mr. Gao.â
âXiao Chuan, weâre done here. Letâs go,â Cheng Zitong said.
Chen Chuan then said goodbye to Gao Ping and Bian Feng before leaving the office. But after taking only ten steps or so, he heard Bian Feng calling out to him, so he stopped and turned around. âWhat is it, Mr. Bian?â
Bian Feng came over and said, âChen Chuan, keep walking down your path while staying true to heart. Just be yourself. Donât be affected by other peopleâs words or opinions. Donât shoulder too much responsibility. No one has the right to say anything to you but yourself.â
Chen Chuan understood what he meant. Bian Feng had always been bothered by what had happened to Shen Zheng, so Chen Chuan said seriously, âDonât say that, Mr. Bian. I know that youâve been a great help to me. Thank you.â
He then took a few steps back and bowed to Bian Feng.
Cheng Zitong wasnât the only lecturer who had been making his life easy in the university. The lecturers on the university management level had also been supporting him every step of the way. Otherwise, he wouldnât have enjoyed so many privileges.
âWork hard, Chen Chuan. I hope that you get what you want in Central City,â Bian Feng then said.
Chen Chuan thanked him again before leaving with Cheng Zitong. Soon after they left, Yue Hong came over and said, âHey, why did he bow to you and not me?â
âBecause you werenât around, obviously. Donât worry. He showed his gratitude to you and to Mr. Gao too. I was just receiving it on your behalf,â Bian Feng said.
âLao Bian, doesnât that mean that you have to hand over that one-third of his gratitude to me? Iâll receive Mr. Gaoâs share of Chen Chuanâs gratitude too. Give me a forty-five degree angle bow.â
Bian Feng gave him the stink eye before heading to the office. As he did, he said, âLater. I can even bow to you three times.â
âWhat does
that
mean?â