An Unusual First Day of School

September 1st, the opening day of Wu Yi University.

At six in the morning, Chen Chuan straightened himself in the full-length mirror beside his wardrobe. He put on the formal student uniform of Wu Yi University, which Yu Wan had long since ironed neatly for him.

He reached for his student cap and put it on properly, then smoothed his clothes. Turning to the door, he picked up a suitcase, stepped outside, gave the room one last look, and slowly pulled the door shut.

Yu Wan was waiting in the living room. She reminded him, "Xiao Chuan, no one will be there to look after you at Wu University. Remember to eat more. Don't study too hard, either. Go to bed early, and don't exhaust yourself."

Chen Chuan smiled. "Don't worry, Aunt. The school has always been generous with food and lodging, and we get a break every ten days. I'll come back to see you and Uncle."

Yu Wan came over and adjusted his cuffs, then patted them. She stepped back two paces and said with satisfaction, "My Chan'er is so handsome."

Chen Chuan said, "Aunt, I'm leaving. Please say hello to Uncle for me."

"Alright. Be careful on the road."

Chen Chuan pushed the door open and stepped outside, greeted by a breath of fresh air. He did not ride his bike today, choosing instead to walk directly to Wu Yi University.

He ran through the day's schedule in his mind. The opening ceremony would probably begin at nine. Before that, he needed to go to the dormitory and put down his luggage. After the ceremony, upperclassmen would lead them around the campus and explain the main direction of their future studies. After that came free time, and tomorrow, his new academic life would officially begin.

Less than an hour later, he could already see the school gates.

Just as he was about to walk over, a silver-gray Tuotu sedan drove up and stopped not far in front of him. The door opened, and a tall young man stepped out. He had neat, short black hair and wore a crisp navy imported suit with a tie, along with a pair of polished black leather shoes shiny enough to reflect a person's image.

"Junior Chen Chuan, is that you?" The young man smiled, walked over, and proactively offered his hand. "Let me introduce myself. Wei Changan, third-year student at Wu Yi University."

Hearing the name, Chen Chuan's heart stirred. He shook the man's hand and said, "Hello, Senior. Are you Captain Wei... Captain Wei's son?"

Wei Changan smiled. "That's right. I'm Wei Laohu's son. There's nothing embarrassing about that nickname. Just call him Tiger."

Chen Chuan looked him over. He had met Wei Laohu before. The man had been boisterous, fierce, and powerfully built. He had not expected his son to be such a refined gentleman. Since this man had clearly come specifically to find him, he asked, "Senior Wei, what did you need from me?"

"Well..." Wei Changan grew slightly more serious. "Junior Chen Chuan, there's currently an off-campus assignment that requires your cooperation. I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you won't be able to attend today's opening ceremony on time."

Chen Chuan was somewhat surprised. "An off-campus assignment? Senior Wei, are you sure? I'm only a freshman who hasn't even enrolled yet..."

At that moment, the rear window rolled down, and a somewhat familiar deep voice came from within. "Student Chen, go with him. This is an assignment from the school. Wei Changan will explain the details to you."

Chen Chuan looked over and discovered that he knew the man as well. It was Bian Feng, the lecturer who had admitted him during the entrance examination. He hurriedly greeted him. "Hello, Teacher Bian."

Bian Feng said, "Student Chen, having passed the reexamination, you are now a Class A Student of the academy. You have the obligation and responsibility to cooperate with the Department of Civil Affairs and its subordinate departments." He took out two forms and said, "Wei Changan, give this to him and have him sign the other one."

Wei Changan jogged over to take them, then returned and handed one to Chen Chuan. "This is the Departure Form issued by the school. With this form, you may be excused from school activities and granted limited rights of self-defense."

Chen Chuan took it and glanced over it. It bore the seals of three school departments: the Recruitment Office, the Affairs Office, and the Executive Office. It also carried the signature of Vice Principal Gu Botang.

Wei Changan handed him a pen. "Please sign the second one, Junior. Teacher Bian needs to take it back for the records."

Chen Chuan thought it over. This appeared to be a decision made by the school administration, so he could only comply. He just did not know what exactly the assignment was, or whether the reason they had chosen him had anything to do with that reexamination.

He took the pen and signed it.

Wei Changan took it, checked it, then walked back and handed it to Bian Feng. Bian Feng placed it in the briefcase he carried with him, then stepped out of the car and said, "I'll return to the school first. I'll leave this matter to you two. Make sure it's handled properly."

Wei Changan said, "Don't worry, Teacher Bian."

Bian Feng carried his briefcase toward the school gates, while Wei Changan held out his hand and said, "Junior, let me put your luggage in the trunk."

Chen Chuan thanked him. Wei Changan took the suitcase to the back of the car, opened the trunk, and placed it inside. Then he went around to the front, opened the door, and gestured with his hand. "Junior, get in. We'll head out now. The sooner we finish, the sooner you can come back."

Chen Chuan walked over, sat in the passenger seat, and fastened his seat belt.

Wei Changan got in from the other side, fastened his own seat belt, placed a hand on the steering wheel, and turned the key. After a series of practiced movements, the algae-oil engine roared to life, and the car drove onto the main road.

After driving for a while, he saw that Chen Chuan had not spoken and smiled. "What, disappointed you can't attend the opening ceremony? If you ask me, what's so great about an opening ceremony? A bunch of old men and women talking up there—it's irritating just listening to them. If there's anything you want to know, just ask your Brother Wei."

Chen Chuan said, "Senior, may I ask what this assignment is?"

"Don't call me Senior. Just call me Brother Wei. Hmm..." Wei Changan looked ahead. "This matter actually has something to do with you."

"Hm?"

Chen Chuan was slightly surprised.

Wei Changan said, "Do you remember that someone attacked you on the road before the reexamination?"

Chen Chuan thought for a moment, then said in surprise, "Is this related to that?"

Wei Changan said, "The person who attacked you was called Dou Qi. He was responsible for guarding an underground drug exchange. When the Patrol Bureau went to arrest him that day, they discovered a fugitive named Tong Qianjiang. Oh, he's an associate of a group of fugitives. That group escaped from Qiguang Prison three months ago and still hasn't been captured..."

At this point, he switched on the right turn signal and drove onto a side road. Chen Chuan checked their direction. They should be heading toward East City.

Wei Changan continued, "After discovering this lead, Captain Yu... oh, the Xigang District Patrol Bureau captain who led the team that day, reported the matter and conducted an interrogation.

"Dou Qi's employer is called Lao Hei. He controls a channel for prohibited drugs, and Tong Qianjiang came this time to buy Anti-Alienation Drug. Now that's interesting."

Chen Chuan thought aloud, "Anti-Alienation Drug? I feel like I've heard of it somewhere."

Wei Changan glanced at the rearview mirror and continued, "Implant Bodies, know about them? Global conglomerates and major companies use biologically cultivated bodies to replace human limbs and organs, allowing people to gain functions beyond the human body itself. Of course, military-grade and civilian models are different. Most of what circulates outside now are civilian models. They say everyone in Central City uses them, but these things require long-term doses or injections of Anti-Alienation Drug. Otherwise, alienation reactions will occur, and the consequences are severe.

"Implant Bodies aren't very common outside Central City. Perhaps that's because implantation requires a certain level of technical support. Even Anti-Alienation Drug is classified as a prohibited drug outside Central City.

"Now here's the interesting part. Tong Qianjiang and his group didn't have any Implant Bodies when they were arrested. Why would they need Anti-Alienation Drug? Did they get Implant Bodies after breaking out of prison, or were they buying it for someone else? The Patrol Bureau investigated and found that Lao Hei got his drugs from his supplier, Chou Huzi. According to his testimony, Tong Qianjiang's group had most likely obtained drugs from Chou Huzi before, but were later referred to him instead. However, Lao Hei kept a safeguard in place. He was afraid of being implicated, so he didn't show himself and had uninformed subordinates make contact with Fang Dawei's people.

"To find Fang Dawei's group, the Patrol Bureau needs to trace the lead through Chou Huzi. That man is under the protection of one of the Blood Scar Gang's bosses. We're going to find that man now and make him hand Chou Huzi over."

Chen Chuan was somewhat puzzled. "Since this involves a gang, why doesn't the Patrol Bureau just go arrest him directly? Why have Wu Yi students go looking for him instead?"

"Why not arrest him directly? Heh, the Blood Scar Gang is backed by Mo Lan Company. The company the gang has set up publicly is listed under Mo Lan Company. Not only do they have their own lawyers, they also have Mo Lan Company's legal team supporting them. If we go through official channels, there's no evidence on the surface, so we can't hold anyone."

"As for why this matter was handed to us..." Wei Changan smiled, leaned forward, pulled a business card from the storage compartment in front of him, and handed it over. "Take a look."

Chen Chuan accepted it and saw the words: "Registered Member of the Commissioners Association, Handler of Essential Affairs, Wei Changan."

Wei Changan said, "Wu Yi Academy students begin internships in their second year. By their third year, they can take positions in departments of the Department of Civil Affairs, or strike out on their own. I'm now a member of the Commissioners Association, specifically responsible for handling negotiations and communications with non-government organizations."

Chen Chuan had heard of commissioners before. The commissioner system was not only popular in the Great Shun Republic, but abroad as well.

When a department or individual needed to manage or contact another individual or organization outside its own system, it would entrust the matter to a commissioner in order to save costs and avoid cumbersome procedures, leaving that person responsible for communication and handling the various affairs.

These commissioners controlled extensive connections and resources. They both cooperated and competed with one another, and some Senior Commissioners were even granted authority.

Now that he understood Wei Changan's current identity, he also understood why this man could be involved.

Wei Changan said, "Don't worry, Junior. The commissioner company I belong to has already communicated with the Blood Scar Gang boss. They've agreed to hand the man over to us. We're just going over there to go through the motions."

Chen Chuan asked, "You brought me along just because this matter is connected to me?"

Wei Changan gave a dismissive wave. "Brother Wei is doing you a favor. Do you know that off-campus assignments like this are tied to academic evaluations? This affects your future certifications. You know, those certificates that can only be earned through Wu Yi anywhere in the country!"

"Then thank you, Brother Wei."

"Of course. We're both children of the Yangzhi Patrol Bureau. Such a large Patrol Bureau, and only four of us, including you and me, have passed the reexamination and are currently enrolled. If I don't help you, who should I help?"

Chen Chuan thought about it. There was indeed a tradition of solidarity within the Patrol Bureau, but...

His expression became slightly strange. Could it be that Wei Laohu was about to have to eat a mop, so he had sent his son over to do him a favor, making Uncle too embarrassed to bring it up again?...