Distinguished Guest

"Teacher, how dense do they have to be to come down here to study? Even though they're all ordinary advanced academies, their facilities and environment are so much worse."

Cheng Ran said helplessly.

"Alright, let's not talk about unimportant things. The most important thing is to find a way to improve your grades. The school is already closed, so we can't count on the training pods. It's also hard to find them outside, and if we do, they're overpriced. You simply can't afford them. So, the focus must be on the comprehensive exams. Starting today, if you're willing to come during the day, I'll tutor you for free. I hope you can have a bright future."

Tang Yan said very seriously to everyone.

"Okay!"

Everyone responded with confidence.

"Also, Minke, give the other classmates a call and see if they're willing to come. If not, then forget it."

Tang Yan then instructed Minke.

"Okay!"

Minke immediately responded.

Evening.

Su Ming walked towards home, a hint of melancholy in his eyes.

Although Teacher Tang Yan was going to tutor them, Teacher Tang Yan's skill level was also limited. A crash course for this month might be enough to get into an ordinary school, but the hope of getting into Imperial Court Academy was slim!

What was worse was that he didn't have a training pod to practice with anymore. If it were usual times, he could have asked his parents for help, but the family situation wasn't optimistic right now.

His father had been taken away days ago, and there was no news at all.

Who could he turn to?

Just as Su Ming, with a face full of worry, was approaching his doorstep, he saw a man with white hair, wrinkled skin covered in dark spots, a serious expression, and wearing a black suit standing at his door, talking to Chen Hui.

Looking at the man before him, Su Ming felt a strange sense of familiarity, as if he had seen him somewhere before, but he couldn't recall where.

"Since Madam is not here, I will take my leave."

Jiang Yu said politely as he bid farewell.

Su Ming suddenly remembered at this moment. This man was Mr. Jiang Yu. He seemed to be his father's former teacher, held a high position in the family, and had visited their home a few times before.

The most crucial point was that he was not only an information expert but also a seasoned scholar and strategist.

Su Ming quickly stepped forward and greeted him enthusiastically.

"Mr. Jiang Yu."

Jiang Yu was slightly taken aback. He turned to look at Su Ming, sized him up, and then asked with a smile.

"You must be the young master, right? It's been many years, you've grown so big."

"Yes, are you looking for my mother?"

"Mm, but Madam isn't here, and her phone isn't going through."

"My mother went out to handle some matters and might be back later. Why are you standing at the door? Please come in and sit!"

Su Ming enthusiastically invited Jiang Yu inside.

Jiang Yu had been about to leave, but seeing Su Ming's invitation, he couldn't refuse and could only follow him in.

Su Ming entered and said to Chen Hui.

"Aunt Hui, quickly get my father's treasured white tea and bring out some fruit!"

"Uh, okay."

Chen Hui was stunned. These were treasured luxury items in the house that the master and madam rarely touched, but since Su Ming had spoken, she went to get them.

"There's no need for this."

Jiang Yu was also stunned.

"It's necessary, Mr. Jiang, please sit down."

Su Ming pulled Jiang Yu to the living room and gestured for him to sit.

"Mr. Jiang, please sit!"

"Young master, you are too kind."

Jiang Yu quickly stood up. Although Su Yuan didn't have much ability and wasn't well-regarded at home, which meant Su Ming didn't have much status either, and he himself had been working in the family for a long time with a high position and status. However, the distinction between master and servant still needed to be understood, and boundaries could not be crossed.

"It's alright, you are my father's teacher, which makes you an elder of my elders. This is what I should do."

Su Ming said very politely.

At this moment, Chen Hui brought over the brewed tea and fruit.

Su Ming immediately picked up the teacup and handed it to Mr. Jiang Yu.

"Mr. Jiang, please have some tea!"

"Good, good."

Jiang Yu accepted it, flattered.

Su Ming then stood up, picked out a bright red apple, and very solicitously handed it to Jiang Yu, saying.

"Mr. Jiang, please have some fruit. It's rare for you to travel so far."

"This is too much, it's too valuable."

Jiang Yu knew exactly how expensive the fruit was, as it was grown and distributed by the Su Family, who themselves didn't cultivate much.

Natural produce, on one hand, had scarce seeds and demanding growing conditions. On the other hand, control, monopolies, and large-scale cultivation required vast amounts of pollution-free resources.

"It's fine, you are an honored guest."

Su Ming, without further ado, placed the red apple into Jiang Yu's hand.

"Thank you."

Jiang Yu accepted the gift, unable to refuse the warm gesture, though he was a bit surprised. He remembered the young master as very introverted and dull, barely speaking. Now, he was hosting him with such enthusiasm.

"By the way, Mr. Jiang, what is it you need to see my mother about?"

"It's like this, I came down specifically to investigate the matter of your humiliation. I've already made some progress."

"Oh!"

"Young master, rest assured, we will soon be able to identify the person who humiliated you."

Jiang Yu assured Su Ming.

"Actually, this matter isn't urgent. The real trouble is..."

Su Ming sighed. He could roughly guess who was behind the incident. However, the City Exam was looming, and failing it wouldn't just mean missing an opportunity; it could even lead to being sent to the battlefield as cannon fodder.

"Young Master Su Ming, what trouble have you encountered?"

Jiang Yu looked at Su Ming in confusion. Normally, the young master should have been overjoyed to hear that the person who humiliated him was about to be investigated. Why wasn't he reacting much, instead worrying about something else?

"It's like this, the City Exam is approaching, and the school has been suspended due to an attack by a Chilami larva. I can only study at home now, but I'm falling behind, and there's no one to teach me."

Su Ming explained with a worried expression.

Jiang Yu was stunned upon hearing this. He then looked at the son of his least promising student and said after some thought.

"I can tutor you, but I have too much work on my hands and can't stay in the Thirteenth District for long."

"Ah, what a shame."

Su Ming sounded somewhat disappointed at Jiang Yu's words.

Seeing Su Ming's eagerness to learn, Jiang Yu sighed, then said.

"However, it's not without a compromise. Since the young master wants to learn, I am certainly willing to make time. How about this: after I return, I'll use my evenings to tutor you remotely via video call?"

"That's wonderful, thank you, Mr. Jiang."

Su Ming stood up, overjoyed, and bowed to Jiang Yu.

This arrangement was perfect. He could attend Teacher Tang's classes during the day and receive Mr. Jiang's remote tutoring online in the evenings.