Yesterday’s incident was nothing but a minor interlude. The zoo staff apologized to Chenzhou and gave him 10 boxes of Qi Replenishing Agents, leaving Chenzhou feeling quite pleased with himself.
"I hope Brother Scar runs out more often so I can ’bump into him’ for some compensation."
This way of making money is truly comfortable.
It is said that Brother Scar is a habitual offender; he had escaped once before and was then clawed across his face by a student using the Eagle Claw Technique. Now Brother Scar’s "certificate of honor" has an additional merit. Having challenged the students of Fangshan twice, he has every right to be proud. In this regard, Brother Scar is not as good as Tiger Bro, who seemed to have slipped out in the earlier years but just took a stroll to digest his meal and then returned by himself... Tiger Bro exhibits strong self-management skills.
This tiger resembles Chenzhou!
After finishing his punches, Chenzhou smiled and said,
"Tiger Bro, I brought honor to our tiger clan last night."
Tiger Bro, staring at the monkey talking to himself, growled,
Tiger Bro saw Brother Scar being carried back last night with a bruised and swollen face.
Inside, Tiger Bro felt an inexplicable sense of elation.
I, Tiger Bro, am willing to admit that you, as a horse’s companion, are the strongest in our tiger clan!
Chenzhou finished his punches and came down from Tiger Garden.
July 30 and 31 are the days of Dragon City High School’s big competition. As long as one can place in the top thirty, they will receive a box of the Nourishing Organ No.1, valued at fifty thousand. The rewards for the top ten start from a hundred thousand and up, which is much more generous than the rewards from the Martial Arts Academy exchange matches. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novèlfire.net
This summer’s exams eliminated 6 students from the first-year class, leaving 25.
The second-year class eliminated 7 students, leaving 23.
The upcoming third-year class, which is not required to take the summer exams, does not have to worry about elimination.
Now that there are fewer people, those who remain are the elite. The cultivation levels of the first and second-year classes start at Fourth Rank, while the third-year class starts at Fifth Rank. Those who were eliminated were not likely to pose a threat to Chenzhou in the first place, but he still needs to prepare carefully and cannot take it lightly.
o’clock in the morning.
Building 3, Apartment 2802 in Stone Lake Garden.
Chenzhou now comes home once every half a month.
Li Xianghua was busy making breakfast.
Chenzhou wandered around the house but did not see Lu Guoping.
"Mom, where’s Dad? Isn’t today Sunday?"
Li Xianghua’s expression grew heavy as she pondered before saying,
"Ah, your... your dad is unemployed now. He’s gone for a job interview at a new place today. He asked me not to tell you, worried it might concern you at school and affect your Martial Arts Cultivation."
Chenzhou had thought it was something very serious. Unemployment, not a big deal... Now, with just a bump into Brother Scar, he could make a hundred thousand or more.
"When did he lose his job?"
"About a month ago, I guess. That company just, out of the blue, you know."
"Do we still have money at home?"
"Yes, we do. You don’t need to worry. We saved up quite a bit when we were getting the new house, but most of it is tied up in fixed deposits and can’t be withdrawn."
"I’ll give you thirty thousand."
"No, no need, really."
"Just take it. I’m not lacking money. Electricity costs alone for special equipment like the Yang Flame Lamp must be quite an amount each month, right? Until we move to the university’s residential compound, you must keep the lights on at home and not skimp on the electricity."
Chenzhou spoke firmly, leaving no room for refusal.
He understood his parents’ cautious mindset all too well.
The old way of thinking is hard to change.
Li Xianghua could only accept the money, her eyes reddening slightly.
Chenzhou comforted her,
"Mom, I might get a higher qualification rating from the school. Then my welfare at school will increase too, with a guaranteed scholarship of at least ten thousand a month. Honestly, we’re not short on money."
"My son is really accomplished."
After a year of "tempering," she could now face her son’s sudden surprises with a relatively calm composure, proud that her son was the best.
"Of course, but it’s not a done deal yet, so don’t mention it to Dad."
"Mhm, won’t say a word."
"What kind of job did Dad go to interview for?"
"I don’t know, something about sales at a loan company?"
"Why would a technician like him go to such a place? Besides, most of these lending companies nowadays are swindlers, and it’s a hotspot for cults."
Chenzhou immediately called Lu Guoping.
"Dad, be careful about finding a job. Try to find something near home, and don’t go to lending companies or any of those messy places. Just find something stable."
There was a silent pause on the other end of the line from Lu Guoping.
"Okay, son. Dad understands."
"Did your last company give you severance pay?"
"No... The boss is stalling and not giving it to us. Those of us who were laid off have formed a rights protection group and plan to consult a lawyer for labor arbitration. Why should they not pay? I’ve been with the company for so many years, receiving ’Outstanding Employee’ for five consecutive years. Can they just fire me like that?"
Lu Guoping became more agitated as he spoke, losing his composure.
"Dad, don’t get worked up, it can be solved."
After hanging up the phone, Chenzhou looked around the house. Being focused on Martial Arts, and with his parents nurturing him so well, sometimes he couldn’t fully comprehend the helplessness of ordinary people.
"Son, don’t you have classes to attend? You better go."
"Yeah, I’m leaving, Mom."
"Was Dad’s company called Baokang Machinery Co., Ltd.?"
"Yes, what about it? Chenzhou, don’t act rashly."
Li Xianghua’s expression changed immediately, and she quickly cautioned him.
She was afraid that Chenzhou, being young and impetuous, might cause trouble by confronting the company’s boss.
While it was acceptable to act in self-defense against a cultist, if he were to injure or kill the boss over unpaid wages, he would undoubtedly be convicted and squander his bright future.
"Don’t worry, Mom. I have a client who has worked in corporate legal affairs, and we have a good relationship. I’m going to see him today and ask for some advice to help Dad."
Chenzhou smiled as he finished speaking and then turned to leave.
During this period of teaching, Lin Ruojun had mixed feelings about Chenzhou. Objectively speaking, Chenzhou indeed taught well, but he was so strict. Classes were exhausting.