Ding!
[Option 1: Accept the offer -- become a Nancang Pharmacy University student! Completion reward: raise one chosen potion's proficiency to Grandmaster level.]
[Option 2: Flatly refuse -- and tell him directly that his school isn't good enough for you! Completion reward: Herculean Fruit!]
[Option 3: Ask: "Can your school walls withstand a nuclear bomb?" Completion reward: Unlock Lightning Potion formula codex!]
Chen Shu blinked. He wasn't surprised by the options -- he was surprised that the other party actually wanted to offer him guaranteed admission.
Even I, Chen Shu, get to be a guaranteed-admission student someday?
Nancang Pharmacy University might not have been on the same level as Huaxia Academy, but it was absolutely a top-tier university. Its ace major, Pharmacology, even ranked in the top ten nationwide.
Unfortunately, the school's Beast Taming department was way too weak. It really didn't suit Chen Shu at all.
"Holy shit, does this university have a death wish?"
Fang Si and Zhang Dali had both heard the voice on the phone.
The two exchanged a look, and the exact same thought crossed their minds:
What kind of school is this reckless? They're trying to recruit the Bandit early?
Sure enough, Chen Shu's next line didn't disappoint.
"Hey, uh -- can your school walls withstand a nuclear bomb?"
"Hm? HM?!"
Zhou Yujiang hadn't taken the question seriously at first, but the moment the meaning sank in, his brain short-circuited.
What does that even mean?
Chen Shu let out a sigh and said, "If it can't withstand one -- I'm sorry, I won't be choosing it."
Zhou Yujiang's eyes went wide on the other end of the line, his composure shattering instantly.
What the fuck?! What school's walls can withstand a NUKE?!
And besides, what the hell does guaranteed admission have to do with nuclear bombs?! How does your brain even WORK?!
"Hey -- does the guaranteed admission come with a scholarship? I might not attend, but I think you should still send the money!"
"???"
The corner of Zhou Yujiang's mouth twitched violently. He hung up on the spot.
What kind of bandit logic is this?! This is just straight-up robbery!
"A university teacher that rude? Just hangs up on me like that!"
Chen Shu muttered under his breath and shook his head, figuring he had no choice but to let it go.
He looked up -- and found Fang Si and Zhang Dali both giving him a thumbs up in perfect unison.
Chen the Bandit. Truly worthy of the title.
The three of them gamed for a while, and soon it was time for dinner.
Everyone gathered together, chatting about everyday life, watching the Spring Festival Gala on TV, and enjoying the feast. Smiles lit every face at the table.
Tonight, the warmth of reunion permeated every corner of the city...
After the New Year's Eve dinner.
Zhang Dali patted his belly and asked, "Chen Shu, wanna go set off some fireworks tonight?"
"Sure, got nothing else going on!"
Chen Shu nodded. It was New Year's Eve -- there was nothing better to do anyway.
Fang Si spoke up. "Hold on, let me invite Qinghan too."
Wang Qinghan and her sister were on their own now, just the two of them. It had to be a little lonely, especially on a holiday like this.
Chen Shu thought of someone too, and dialed a number.
"Hey, Committee Member Xia Bing -- come out and light some fireworks with us?"
At Xia Bing's home, only she and her mother remained. It was supposed to be a holiday for reunions, but the house felt exceptionally cold and empty.
A flicker of surprise crossed Xia Bing's heart. She hadn't expected Chen Shu to call.
But thinking of her mother being left alone, she could only say, "Me? I was about to go to sleep. I'll pass."
"It's New Year's Eve and you're going to SLEEP? Get over here and have some fun!"
Chen Shu continued, "Bring your mom too. If you don't come, I'm assigning you a ten-thousand-word praise essay when school starts."
"..."
Xia Bing's mouth twitched. She tested the waters with her mother -- and her mother actually agreed right away.
The two of them left their quiet, empty home and stepped out onto the bustling streets. Smiles crept onto their faces without them even noticing.
Before long, the whole group met up at Xiafei Road.
"Big Brother Chen Shu."
Wang Qingxue's face was full of smiles as she ran toward Chen Shu.
Chen Shu grinned wide and scooped her right up.
"Did you memorize what I taught you last time?"
"..."
Wang Qinghan's eyes went wide. You little shit -- the FIRST thing you say?!
"Qingxue memorized it all! I'll definitely bring glory to Nanjiang Second High!"
Wang Qingxue's little face was dead serious. She even clenched her fists.
Hearing this, both Wang Qinghan and Xia Bing froze for a beat. Then a single thought filled both their minds:
It's over! It's OVER!
Wang Qinghan was thinking: My sister's already been corrupted.
Xia Bing was thinking: Nanjiang Second High is finished...
...
An hour later.
The group arrived at the outskirts of Nanjiang City. Fireworks and firecrackers were banned in the main urban area, so this was the only option.
Plenty of people were already there, the air filled with laughter and cheer. Fireworks of every kind bloomed overhead, painting the sky in breathtaking color.
Everyone gazed upward, smiles spreading across their faces without any conscious effort.
Life, when you really thought about it, was genuinely beautiful.
Fang Si spoke up. "Qinghan, make sure you study hard for the college entrance exam. Try to get into a Capital school -- I'll have your back!"
"I'll do my best, Sis Fang Si!"
Wang Qingxue said with pure childlike earnestness, "You can do it, Sis!"
Off to the side, Xia Bing and her mother wore smiles too.
Xia Bing's mother gazed at her daughter's profile and said softly, "Xiao Bing, do you ever regret staying with me?"
Xia Bing turned to face her, shaking her head firmly. "Mom, the problems in our family -- they're because of me. If I'd been a genius, or if I'd been ordinary with no talent at all, maybe none of it would've happened."
"Xiao Bing, it's not your fault..."
Her mother pulled her close and held her. "If you have to blame something, blame fate."
Even if Xia Bing had been born without talent, the tragedy would have happened all the same.
Because their family couldn't give Xia Yan the best resources.
The real reason Xia Bing's father had left was the Wu Family's resources.
He'd never amounted to anything his whole life, and had pinned every hope on his son, Xia Yan.
To mold Xia Yan into someone exceptional, he was willing to do anything -- including abandoning his wife and daughter.
Mom, I'll surpass my brother.
Xia Bing leaned into her mother's embrace, the silent vow echoing in her heart.
"Your classmates are all really nice, you know."
Xia Bing's mother suddenly said with a teasing smile, "Especially that classmate Chen. He's sunny, upbeat -- clearly a wholesome, upstanding young man.[1] I think he's a good kid. When you're in college, you could consider--"
"MOM!"
Xia Bing's cheeks flushed red, but she quickly followed up, "That's because you don't know him..."
This was the first time she'd ever heard someone praise Chen Shu like that. If her mother knew his track record, she would've already called the police...
Just then, Fang Si frowned and glanced around.
"Huh? Where's Chen Pi?"
A bad feeling crept up inside her. That bastard didn't go off to cause trouble, did he?
"Everyone! EVERYONE!"
A voice rang out from behind them. The whole group turned around.
"Check out the Bandit Edition custom giant fireworks your brother ordered!"
Chen Shu was dragging a cart behind him with a four-meter-tall box sitting on top.
Zhang Dali's jaw dropped. He immediately rushed over and started running his hands across the box in sheer awe.
"Holy shit! When did you get this done?! It's THIS big?!"
Chen Shu shrugged. "It's New Year's Eve -- of course you've gotta come prepared!"
"Tonight, your brother will be the idealistic young man setting his dreams free on New Year's Eve!"