Celestial Human Diagram-Chapter 42 - 33: Reverberations

Inside the examination hall, Zhongwu was wheeled out. His weight of over two hundred kilograms was one thing, but he was so wide that his arms and legs dangled off the stretcher. The paramedics had no choice but to have several people each hold a limb as they carried him to the emergency treatment room next door.

But the physicians in the treatment room all shook their heads, indicating they couldn’t handle his injuries, so he was sent back out.

All this back and forth was causing a commotion. Plus, they were now short one senior student for the combat portion of the exam. They would need to find a replacement and post a new public notice, which only made the disturbance bigger.

Once the other candidates figured out what was happening, they all grew excited. "It’s Zhongwu! It’s Zhongwu!" they exclaimed. "The senior student in charge of the exam! Look, quick, he’s the one on the stretcher!"

"They wheeled him back out? The emergency team isn’t treating him?"

"Looks to me like they *can’t* treat him."

"Even the emergency team can’t help him? How bad did he get beaten? Haha, was it one of the candidates? Damn, who’s that awesome?!"

"Definitely! It must have been the student who went in just now! I wonder which one it was? Good riddance! He’s a lifesaver! Haha, if he were in front of me right now, I’d have to kneel down and thank him."

For some reason, an inexplicable sense of satisfaction washed over the remaining candidates. It was as if they could finally exhale a breath of foul air that had been building in their chests. Even the candidates who kept quiet to maintain their composure were cheering inwardly.

"No shouting!"

the female teacher chided. This time, however, she didn’t use the rules to suppress them. She only told the candidates to return to their seats and didn’t stop them from talking.

She knew of Zhongwu, too. He was a very capable upperclassman who had received a great deal of resources. ’To be beaten this badly... was it the work of that last candidate?’

She recalled the feeling she got when Chen Chuan had walked past her just moments before and immediately confirmed her suspicion.

Inside the emergency treatment room, Fang Mingming also saw Zhongwu get wheeled in and then pushed back out. ’Wait, I just got in here, and you followed me? Oh, now you’re leaving...’

While he found it hard to believe, he suddenly relaxed, realizing what must have happened. With a triumphant "Heh!" he threw a fierce punch, but the movement pulled at his injuries, making him grimace. After a moment, he looked up at the ceiling and began to laugh with joy.

In the eastern part of Yangzhi City, on National Path, a stretched Lan-Hui luxury sedan slowly pulled up and stopped.

Meng Shu sat in the back seat of the car. Beside her was a female assistant wearing black-framed glasses. She asked, "Is the Wuyi re-examination today?"

The female assistant answered dutifully, "Yes, Miss."

Meng Shu said, "Go find out. I want to know the result now." The assistant immediately opened the door, got out, and began giving instructions to the people following behind them.

From the front passenger seat, an elderly man who looked like a butler turned around and said, "Miss, do you truly think so highly of that former classmate of yours? You may have played together as children, but people’s hearts are fickle. Can he still meet your expectations now?"

Meng Shu replied, "Elder Yi, my evaluation of him isn’t colored by any childhood nostalgia, nor will I let my emotions cloud my judgment.

I’m almost eighteen. I need a trustworthy delegate with a clean background by my side—someone to serve me, to serve the family, so the company can continue to prosper long-term. He is the most suitable candidate I’ve ever seen."

Elder Yi said, "I’ve reviewed Chen Chuan’s file. He had good grades in middle school. Before testing for Wuda, he never joined any Boxing Clubs or had any experience training at a gym. Yet, he managed to get into Wuda on his own merits. Your eye for talent is indeed sharp, Miss. A person like this would be an excellent choice with just a little cultivation."

Just then, the sound of footsteps approached. The assistant leaned toward the car window and said cautiously, "Miss, that Chen Chuan... he passed the Wuyi re-examination."

Meng Shu didn’t say much. She looked ahead and said, "Let’s go."

"One moment, Miss," Elder Yi said suddenly. "If you wish to secure this young man’s services, perhaps I can devise a way."

Meng Shu looked at him. "Elder Yi, I recall you’re from Yangzhi, aren’t you?"

"Yes." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Elder Yi said with a sigh, "I’m getting old. In my younger years, I traveled everywhere with the Fifth Young Master. My body is still fine, but my heart has grown weary. I might as well retire in my old hometown and, while I’m at it, keep an eye on this talent for you, Miss."

Meng Shu said, "I know Chen Chuan’s personality. He cannot be coerced with heavy-handed tactics. You may stay, but do not do anything unnecessary."

Elder Yi replied, "I know my limits, Miss, and I won’t do anything to put you in a difficult position. It isn’t easy being an upper-house student at Wuyi, especially for someone without the right background. The more outstanding they are, the more pressure they face." He smiled placidly. "Miss, I won’t proactively do anything. I will simply be there to offer him a choice when he needs one. I trust he will come to understand the kindness of your intentions."

Meng Shu said, "Elder Yi, remember your promise."

The car’s front and back doors opened simultaneously. The female assistant got in, while Elder Yi got out. He pushed the door shut from the outside, took two steps back, and gave a small bow and wave toward the car.

Meng Shu looked forward. "Let’s go. Back to Central City."

The headlights in front flared to life, illuminating the road. A lead car pulled out first, followed by the luxury sedan. Behind it, a long procession of sedans and armored vehicles fell in line, heading down the boulevard toward Central City.

Inside Wuyi University Hall, Chen Chuan stood outside the examination hall for a while, finishing a stick of beef jerky before finally walking out the school gates. He picked up his bike from the plaza and started for home.

Nian Fuli, Yu Wan, and their two children—his younger cousins—were waiting. When they heard the sound of a bicycle bell outside, Yu Wan rushed to go out, but Nian Fuli held her back, saying seriously, "Don’t look too eager. If the boy didn’t pass, this will just make him feel worse."

Yu Wan hesitated, then stayed put.

The door to the house creaked open, and Chen Chuan walked in. He glanced around and saw his younger cousins sitting obediently, their round eyes fixed on him. Nian Fuli was leaning back on the sofa, reading a newspaper.

Yu Wan was knitting a sweater. Seeing him come in, she feigned nonchalance and asked, "Chan’Er, how did the exam go?"

Chen Chuan smiled. "Auntie, Uncle, I passed."

"PHEW..."

Yu Wan seemed to deflate, letting the sweater fall into her lap as she let out a long breath. She shot Nian Fuli a glare and said, "It’s all your fault!" Then, as if remembering something, she turned away and wiped her tears.

Nian Fuli’s face lit up with joy upon hearing the news, but he managed to maintain his composed facade. "Alright, alright, Yu Wan," he said, feigning calmness. "He passed, he didn’t fail. It’s not that big a deal."

Yu Wan turned back. "Can’t I be happy about it? Is there something wrong with being happy?"

Nian Fuli muttered, "You weren’t this happy when Xiaoxian got into the military academy..."

"How is that the same? Qian’Er has your brothers from the service to look after him."

"I’m not arguing with you."

Yu Wan got up, walked over, and snatched the newspaper from Nian Fuli’s hands. "Still putting on an act?" she huffed. "You don’t even realize you’re holding it upside down."

Nian Fuli looked a little embarrassed. He coughed. "We need to change the lights in this house. My eyesight’s been getting worse lately."

The two cousins could read their parents’ mood. They jumped up, cheering "OOH! OOH! OOH!" and clapping nonstop. All that mattered was that everyone was happy.

Nian Fuli said, "Xiaochuan, you haven’t eaten, have you?"

Chen Chuan replied, "Not yet."

Yu Wan said, "Your uncle insisted we wait for you. The timing is perfect."

Nian Fuli stood up and waved his hand. "Set the table! Xiaochuan, you and I are having a couple of drinks today."

"Dinner time, dinner time!" the two little ones cheered.

Yu Wan smiled and went to the kitchen, bringing out platters of reheated dishes. Once everyone was seated, she brought over glasses, poured Nian Fuli a cup of yellow wine, and then said to Chen Chuan, "Xiaochuan, you’re a martial artist, so you don’t need to drink. Your uncle can drink. I bought you a soda."

"I want some, I want some!"

Nian Fuli grunted, muttering something about them being a handful, but he didn’t press Chen Chuan to drink.

Chen Chuan smiled. He waited for Nian Fuli to have a few bites of food before picking up his glass. Using his soda in place of wine, he toasted his uncle. "Uncle, Auntie," he said, "after school starts, I’ll be moving into the university dorms."

Nian Fuli said emotionally, "That’s as it should be. You’ve made something of yourself now. Your aunt and I can finally put one of our worries to rest. Now that you’re in Wuda, study hard. Your uncle’s horizons are too narrow to see how far you’ll go, but just remember to come back often to see your aunt and your little cousins."

Chen Chuan chuckled. "Uncle, I’ll just be at Wuda. It’s not far from here, just a stone’s throw away. As long as you don’t find me a nuisance, I’ll have to come back often for a taste of Auntie’s home cooking."

Yu Wan said joyfully, "If Chan’Er likes it, your auntie will cook for you every day."

Just then, Nian Fuli suddenly slapped the table—BANG! Yu Wan jumped and shot him a glare. "What are you doing, making me jump like that?" she complained.

Nian Fuli rubbed his scalp. "That mop for Wei Oldhu... I have to go find it. Yes, find it."

"What mop?" Yu Wan asked, confused.

Chen Chuan smiled. "There’s no rush. School hasn’t started yet. It’ll be a few more days before Captain Wei gets the news."

Nian Fuli chuckled. He rolled up his sleeves and pointed with his chopsticks. "He wanted me to feed him, right? Fine, I’ll feed him! Let’s see if he eats it! That Wei Oldhu... I’d like to see how he’s going to crow in front of me now!"

Yu Wan muttered, "I have no idea what you two are talking about."

Nian Fuli waved his hand. "This is men’s business. Don’t you worry about it."

Yu Wan retorted, "I can’t be bothered with you."

Chen Chuan then said to Yu Wan, "Auntie, there are some things that would be inconvenient for me to take. I was hoping to leave them here with you for now."

Yu Wan thought for a moment. "They’re your mother and father’s things, aren’t they? Leave them here with your auntie. Once you graduate and are settled, you can take them back."

At that same moment, back inside Wuyi University Hall, the re-examination had concluded. Master Gao returned to his office, picked up the phone, and said to the person on the other end:

"You heard what happened in the examination hall, right? Yes, that kid is interesting. If you ask me, he did the right thing. A student like this must be cultivated properly. But whether or not he’ll make it, whether he can stand firm, that’s still up to him."

The voice on the other end replied, "This good seedling has only just sprouted. Don’t pile too much on him, or he might collapse. We need to support him for a while first."

Master Gao said, "What good seedling ever grew up under the eaves? Oh, you think everyone can be like you, finding a good wife and relying on a good father-in-law?"

The voice chuckled. "Well now, Old Gao, making fun of me, are we? Sounds like you’re in a good mood. I should probably find you some more work to do..."

Before the other person could finish, Master Gao’s expression turned serious. "Alright, enough of that. I’ll do what needs to be done. As for the Jiang Commission Office, you’re on the university council. You handle it."

The voice responded steadily, "As long as it’s within Wuyi’s rules, I can keep it all under control for you."

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