Book 4, Chapter 236: Cast Away The Old And See A New Path

While holding Chen Chuan’s hand, Zhu Xian said, “Director Chen, my colleagues and I were delighted when we heard that you were coming back and came over here to welcome you.”

“I’m only back to celebrate the New Year with my family. I didn’t want to alarm any of you, but thank you for preparing such a grand welcome for me,” Chen Chuan said.

“It’s nothing. You’re a Yangzhi City local. Everyone is looking forward to your return. As the administrative officers, we listen to the voices of our people, so it’s only natural for us to come here and welcome you. If we didn’t, the people wouldn't be happy, and my colleagues would say that I’m not being sensible.” As Zhu Xian spoke, he cast a glance at the people around him, and the administrative officers laughed in agreement.

Zhu Xian was great at striking the right balance. He knew that Chen Chuan was a martial arts master and not a government official who got his position through bureaucracy. He stood where he did purely through his martial prowess. If he applied all the political social niceties on Chen Chuan, he would just be annoyed. So, after just a few formalities, Zhu Xian conveyed his wish to welcome him and observed the proper etiquette. Then, he stopped talking.

Guan Yuming walked over. He had watched Chen Chuan grow as a martial artist, and now, he was ranked lower than him. It was impossible for him to not feel complex emotions over this, but he didn’t present himself as a senior and saluted Chen Chuan sternly. In a loud voice, he greeted him, “Director Chen.”

His salute told everyone that he didn’t have an ordinary relationship with him.

Chen Chuan saluted him right back and nodded. “Director Guan.”

After that, all the important government officials came forward to shake Chen Chuan’s hand, regardless of whether they knew him or not. Some of them were friendly, and some were solemn. However, since Zhu Xian had arranged a time for them to talk to Chen Chuan, none of them spent too much time conversing with him. After exchanging some pleasantries, they tactfully stepped back.

It was only at this point that Chen Chuan had time to turn around and tell his team that they could step away. They saluted him before leaving.

Then, after straightening his clothes, he walked to his family. Even from the distance, he could see his cousins jumping around while waving at him and shouting his name loudly, “Chen Chuan! Chen Chuan!”

He laughed and went to stand in front of Nian Fuli and Yu Wan. “Uncle, Aunty, I’m back. How have you been?”

Yu Wan teared up, but quickly wiped away her tears with the back of her hand. When she lowered her hand, she smiled. “I’m fine.”

Meanwhile, Nian Fuli watched him. Chen Chuan’s uniform made him look heroic, and he felt a well of emotion rise in his heart. He nodded. “We’re all good, Xiao Chuan.”

The two cousins raised their hands. “We’re good too!”

Chen Chuan smiled and patted their heads before calling out to Dawncall. The Bird Reptile flew down and landed beside the family. It had become much larger, and the people around them cried out in shock. Nian Mo and Nian Lu, though, gasped in amazement after staring at it for a few seconds and hugged Dawncall. They almost drowned in its soft feathers.

Yu Wan watched with a smile before saying, “Let’s go back. Chan’er.”

Chen Chuan nodded.

While they walked away, Wei Changan removed his hat and went to Wei Laohu. “I’m back, Dad.”

Wei Laohu straightened his back and looked around before smacking him in the chest. “Not bad, kid. You made me proud. That’s a good uniform you have. You look dashing. Everyone has to admit that!”

He said the last sentence so loud that half the residential area heard him.

Wei Changan didn’t know whether he should laugh or cry. “Dad, it’s because Chen Chuan helped me.”

“You’re right. You need to thank him,” Wei Laohu said and drew closer to Wei Changan. “Work honestly with him. Your junior is amazing. I’ve seen plenty of capable people being destroyed under the foot of those above them. They couldn’t climb up the ladder because no one helped them up. He did you a great favor by promoting you. Don’t let your ego swell up so much that you forget that. We don’t want someone so stupid in the family.”

“I know that, Dad,” Wei Changan replied solemnly.

Wei Laohu nodded in satisfaction before grabbing his arm and glaring at him. “Also, how could you only greet me? What about your uncles? They’re all people who watched you grow up. Don’t you forget that!”

He then turned around and shouted toward his colleagues, “You’re not missing a single one!”

Wei Changan felt resigned, but what could he do? His father was happy today, so all he could do was to go along with it.

Wei Laohu’s colleagues came forward with smiles while they rolled their eyes at Wei Laohu in their hearts. Some of them even decided to go back and nag at their sons for not doing anything to make them proud.

***

Zhu Xian moved to the back, and Xiao Pan handed two drafts to him. “These are today and tomorrow’s news drafts. Please take a look.”

After skimming through them, he gave a twitch of his fingers, and Xiao Pan immediately handed him a pen. Once he changed some areas, he said, “Send them to the newspaper companies. I want to see the photos once they’re developed.”

“Don’t worry. I’m keeping a close eye on them. The moment they’re out, I’ll bring them over,” Xiao Pan said respectfully.

Zhu Xian stared at the airship for a bit before saying, “Let’s go back. Make sure there are no commotions inside and outside Yangzhi City over the next few days.”

Xiao Pan immediately agreed to it. “Director Guan has already made arrangements. You don’t have to worry.”

Zhu Xian walked to his car.

***

The airship crew was busy getting Chen Chuan’s luggage and car down. Once everything was set on the ground, the logistics officer brought them to Nian Fuli’s house.

Chen Chuan and his family walked down the alley with most of their neighbors surrounding them. They chattered the whole time. There wasn’t a single moment of silence throughout their entire way back.

Many neighbors stood by the sides of the alley. When they saw Chen Chuan’s family walk past their houses, they started talking.

“Xiao Chuan has grown even taller, and that uniform makes him look so handsome.”

“Didn’t you hear? Xiao Chuan has become a martial arts master or something like that. He’s even a director. A director, you know? How can he not be dashing?”

“Stop it, you two. Why are you still calling him Xiao Chuan? It’s Director Chen!” The speaker stuck his thumb up. “That’s a major position in Central City. He’s of equal rank with the highest-ranking official in Central City! They can go toe-to-toe with each other!”

“That’s right. I saw it outside just now. Mr. Zhu was smiling so much that his whole face was covered in wrinkles. He even bowed so deeply that his head almost touched the ground. That’s what I call licking boots.”

This caused the group to laugh. For some reason, they felt great hearing that, as if Zhu Xian was licking their boots.

***

Once Chen Chuan’s family got home, the neighbors helped him move his luggage inside. He took out some things to distribute to them.

He brought back quite a lot of gifts this time. Some of them were from Veshahan, some from the island nations, and some were even from Border Fusion. Yet even after giving away a large number of gifts, what remained still managed to fill up the entire living room.

His cousins were delighted, because they got plenty of gifts. Each of them had also gotten a White Furball. This was a creature from the merged space, but it was harmless, so it had been domesticated and turned into a pet.

The White Furball had a furry appearance. It also resembled a huge ball, just like a fat rabbit. If a person patted it, it would start bouncing around like a ball and squealing in delight. Once it got hungry, it would bury itself in the ground to absorb nutrients. All it needed was a large flower pot and some dirt to stay alive. It was a favorite among children.

Yu Wan sent the kids to the courtyard to have fun while Chen Chuan sat down to catch up with the adults. After telling them about Central City, he finished his tea and asked, “Uncle, Aunty, would all of you come to Central City with me this time?”

Nian Fuli patted his chest, and Yu Wan stood up to hand him a pack of cigarettes before whispering, “Don’t smoke too much.”

Nian Fuli lit a cigarette and thought over his words. “You asked us that before, and I discussed it with your aunt. We thought that Yangzhi City would be better, because we’ve been staying here for most of our lives. Our friends and neighbors here are people we grew up with. I couldn’t bear parting from them.

“But after you came back today, I wonder if they will continue to treat us like before. Perhaps even Xiao Lu and Xiao Mo will be affected.”

He took a long drag of his cigarette and shook his head. “It’s not going to be the same anymore.”

Chen Chuan nodded. This was certain. He had a high rank now, and those who wanted to earn his favor and those with ulterior motives would all surge over. If they couldn’t find him, they would approach his family.

The better he treated his family, the more often this would happen. He had just come back, but he was sure that before long, the phone was going to start ringing nonstop. Plenty of people were going to ask questions. It wouldn’t be good for his cousins to grow up in such an environment. It wasn’t safe either.

After finishing the cigarette, Nian Fuli snuffed it out in the ashtray. “What do you think, Yu Wan?”

She took his hand. “You’re the head of the house. You decide.”

“Okay.” Nian Fuli looked up. “Xiao Chuan, we’ll go to Central City with you.”

Chen Chuan was happy when he heard this, and he said, “Don’t worry. I’ll get everything ready in Central City. I’ll also hire a good teacher for Nian Mo and Nian Lu, or send them to some school.

“Yangzhi City isn’t too far away from Central City either. If you miss home, I can have someone send you back, and if some neighbors want to visit, I can get someone to pick them up. You can tell me any requests you may have.”

“Sure. That’s very considerate of you,” Nian Fuli said.

Chen Chuan schooled his face. “There’s another thing that I’d like to discuss with you. It’s about why I’d like you to move to Central City.”

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