Chapter 42: Chapter 34: The Banquet Ends, Setting Off for School

As they were about to leave, his eldest uncle, Zhao Jinguo, frowned and said to Zhao Jincheng.

“No need. The restaurant is quite good, so just come along, Big Brother! I’ll send the address to the group chat.”

This was what annoyed Zhao Jincheng most about his older brother. ’If you really wanted to give me money, you’d just transfer it to my account. What’s the point of all this empty talk?’

“Mm.”

Zhao Jinguo grunted in acknowledgment and got into the Mercedes-Benz van he had driven, his face devoid of expression.

Most of the relatives had their own cars, and those who didn’t just squeezed in with others, so getting around wasn’t a problem.

Soon, everyone drove to the reserved five-star hotel.

When they arrived, Zhao Jinguo got out of his car, glanced at the restaurant, and nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied with the choice his second younger brother had made this time.

The group strode toward the hotel.

Inside the hotel, Zhao Ke had arrived early. He didn’t want to stay at home listening to the relatives’ fake-sounding praise.

He figured it was better to come here, keep an eye on the private room, and greet any early guests.

Zhao Rui followed his old man, busily greeting friends and relatives, putting on a bashful expression as he accepted the guests’ compliments and encouragement.

Although it was a bit boring and childish, he was enjoying himself.

As the saying goes: life has few moments of pure joy, and acing the big exams is one of them!

But Zhao Rui wasn’t the happiest one there. The happiest person was his old man, Zhao Jincheng.

His son getting into one of the province’s top-tier universities was a brilliant splash of color in his otherwise ordinary life.

It was a reason for him to hold his head high with pride.

Throughout the entire banquet, the smile never once left his face. He’d be grinning from ear to ear before he even started talking to someone.

Even though his son hadn’t gotten into a Martial Arts Academy, the prestige of a top-tier university was more than enough to make him happy.

For events like a college acceptance banquet, most people just came to show their support. It was a matter of social reciprocity. Some offered their sincere congratulations, but most were just going through the motions—eat, drink, and offer a few compliments.

Having seen the ways of the world in his past life, Zhao Rui didn’t want to overthink things this time around. His philosophy was simple: if you’re good to me, I’ll be good to you.

But if you’re not good to me… well, sorry, but I happen to be skilled with my fists and feet. I’m best at convincing people with “force.”

Besides his own relatives and friends, Zhao Rui’s teachers and people from the Martial Arts Hall were also at the banquet.

As Zhao Rui’s revered Martial Dao master, Li Cunxin was naturally one of the primary guests of honor.

Li Cunxin took attending his disciple’s acceptance banquet very seriously. He had dressed immaculately early that morning, even putting on a traditional long gown with a center opening. Paired with his flowing white beard, he had the air of an immortal sage.

Zhao Jincheng specially arranged for his eldest and third brothers to accompany him, showing the utmost respect.

The banquet didn’t last long. By around one-thirty in the afternoon, most of the guests—like Zhao Jincheng and his wife’s friends, colleagues, and distant relatives—had already taken their gift bags and left the hotel. Only the close family remained.

Li Da Nao also returned to the Martial Arts Hall, drunk and supported by a few of his disciples.

The remaining close relatives helped pack up the leftover drinks, gift bags, and other items, loading them into the cars.

Then, after Zhao Jincheng settled the final bill at the front desk, they all returned to Zhao Rui’s house together.

After all, it was a rare opportunity for everyone to get together. It would be a waste not to stay a while longer and chat.

Once everyone was back at Zhao Rui’s house, they naturally fell into idle chatter about family matters.

Meanwhile, Zhao Rui led the younger cousins into his bedroom, where they excitedly played video games to pass the time.

He hadn’t had a real break in a long time, so he figured he should take this chance to really unwind.

Even though he had classes during the break, he had also been working as a sparring partner and a private tutor, which kept him quite busy.

Zhao Xin watched his cousin, who was having the time of his life playing games with their younger cousins, and couldn’t help but shake his head.

The path of the Martial Dao is one of constant progress or regression. ’What level is he even at? He has no talent to speak of, yet he’s still addicted to games.’

’A hopeless case.’

’Does he really think getting into college means everything’s settled?’

’How childish!’

Zhao Xin’s father constantly drilled grand principles into his head. Combined with his own talent and diligence, he naturally looked down on Zhao Rui’s indulgence in video games.

As for Zhao Rui’s younger brother, Zhao Ke, he gave him even less thought.

After frowning and enduring it for a while longer, he got up, left the bedroom, and walked out to the living room. “Let’s go,” he said to his father. “I have to get back to my training!”

“Oh, alright!”

Zhao Jinze basically granted any request his son made regarding his Martial Dao Cultivation. Who wouldn’t be proud of a son so talented and hardworking?

“Oh my, is this Xinxin? You’ve gotten so big in the blink of an eye! And more handsome, too!”

“You’re in your first year of high school now, right? What’s your Martial Dao level?”

A few relatives chimed in with praise.

Zhao Xin listened with a blank expression, showing no intention of responding.

Zhao Jinze laughed and said, “This kid’s a bit shy from all his training. Uh, you all stay and chat, we’re going to head out!”

With that, he and his wife got up. After saying a quick goodbye to Zhao Jincheng’s family and the other relatives, they were the first to leave Zhao Rui’s house.

Seeing Zhao Jinze leave, Zhao Jinguo’s family, who had seemed uncomfortable from the start, also took the opportunity to say their farewells.

Once those two families were gone, only the relatives from Zhao Rui’s maternal grandmother’s side were left in the living room. The atmosphere instantly became more relaxed and lively.

Since his maternal grandmother and grandfather were both there, his uncles and aunts’ families stayed through dinner, not leaving until they had chatted until eight or nine in the evening.

After everyone had finally left, Zhao Jincheng stretched his back and said, “Finally, it’s all over! Son, take the next few days to get ready and pack everything you need for school. Weren’t you the one who wanted a laptop the most? We’re buying it!”

Zhao Jincheng declared magnanimously with a grand wave of his hand.

“Dad, you don’t have to. I earned money from my summer job, I can buy it myself!”

Zhao Rui quickly refused.

“That’s money you earned yourself. This is from your mom and me. Dad’s got money! Xiaoke, when you get into college, Dad will buy one for you, too!”

After saying this, Zhao Jincheng didn’t forget to use the opportunity to encourage his second son, Zhao Ke.

“You’ve had a few sips and already don’t know your own name! Go on, get to bed.”

From the side of the living room, his wife glared at him, seeing her husband had drunk too much and was talking big.

“I’m not drunk! I’m happy today! Happy!”

As he spoke, Zhao Jincheng was already staggering toward the bedroom!

The summer night breeze was cool, blowing gently from the balcony into the living room. It carried the hot smell of alcohol out with it.

The earlier boisterousness gave way to tranquility once more.

“Bro, congrats!”

Just as Zhao Rui was walking to his bedroom and about to open the door, he heard his younger brother Zhao Ke’s voice from behind him.

“Yeah, thanks, little bro!”

Zhao Rui stopped, turned around, and smiled at Zhao Ke.

“Let’s get to sleep! It’s getting late!”

“Yeah!”

…

The sun and moon race on, and time flows by in an instant.

In the blink of an eye, it was August 31st.

At Lincheng High-speed Railway Station, Zhao Rui, a backpack on and a huge suitcase in hand, boarded the high-speed train to the provincial capital, Jeju, all by himself.

He didn’t let his parents see him off. For one, it was a long way, and driving wasn’t convenient. For another, his brother still had school, and his parents had to work.

Even if they came, they wouldn’t be able to stay long.

It would be better to wait for a holiday, once Zhao Rui was familiar with the university, for the whole family to visit Jeju together.

After boarding the train, Zhao Rui checked the car and seat numbers on his ticket and followed the stream of people into the carriage.

He only walked a few steps before reaching his seat. Zhao Rui casually lifted his suitcase and placed it on the luggage rack.

Just as he was about to sit down, a sweet, delicate voice came from nearby. “Hey handsome, could you help me put my suitcase up?”

Zhao Rui turned his head to look, and his gaze instantly froze. The girl who had spoken also wore a look of astonishment.

“It’s you!”

The two of them exclaimed at the same time.

Zhao Rui’s cheek twitched. He glanced at the small suitcase next to the girl and sat down in his seat without a word.

He had no intention of helping her with her luggage.

The girl’s pretty face flushed red. She grabbed the suitcase with one hand and, with a light lift, placed it on the luggage rack herself.

Their seats were very close, with only one person between them.

A moment later, that person arrived.

He was also a young man dressed like a student.

It was peak travel time for students heading back to school, so most of the passengers going to Jeju were college students.

The newcomer wore a pair of black-rimmed glasses and had a thin, scholarly appearance.

He was delighted to see a pretty girl sitting nearby.

Having a beauty to chat with on a tedious journey was certainly a welcome prospect.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep