"The second one was the same. His own older brother was taking such an important exam, and he still didn't come. He needs to get over that bad temper."
Xue Wenhui said helplessly.
"That's because you spoil him!"
Zhao Jincheng scolded.
"How do I spoil him? He was born without any talent for martial arts. I just feel sorry for him!"
"Feeling sorry for him doesn't mean you should coddle him like this. Just look at him, lazing around all day."
"I feel like we've always doted on him more than anything! How can this child not understand how much his parents care about him?"
Zhao Jincheng was just as baffled. Why had his second son grown more and more withdrawn after starting high school, to the point where he wouldn't even talk to his own older brother?
He seemed distant in every way.
He even nitpicked over the smallest things.
"Once Rui has finished the Gaokao, let's find a chance to have a proper talk with both boys!"
"Mm! I was thinking the same thing!"
After the couple talked it over, Xue Wenhui took a taxi home ahead of him and started making lunch.
The exams lasted three days in total. The subjects were much the same as in his previous life, except English had been demoted from a core subject to a minor one, and there were several additional courses unique to this world, such as martial arts fundamentals.
In the silent examination hall, broken only by the soft scratch of pens, the candidates bent over their desks and wrote furiously.
Cicadas sang outside in waves. Their cries drifted slowly into the room through the cool breeze of the air conditioner, like sutras being chanted in an ancient temple atop a mountain.
Solemn and grand!
The exams went on for three days.
As soon as the final exam ended, a lively chorus of greetings rose outside the school gates.
The candidates wore every expression under the sun, some happy, others worried!
It was more or less the same as in his previous life. People could never escape the seven emotions and six desires.
"How did you do, son?"
Seeing Zhao Rui stroll leisurely out of the examination hall, Zhao Jincheng still couldn't help asking anxiously.
"Pretty well, I guess. About the same as usual."
Zhao Rui smiled and said.
"That's good. With your usual performance, getting into an undergraduate program should be a sure thing."
After saying that, Zhao Jincheng continued, "Now that the exams are over, you can relax a little. Come on, let's go home for lunch. Your mom made your favorites: soy-braised beef and stir-fried tomatoes and eggs."
"Mm!"
Zhao Rui smiled and nodded, then followed his dad into the old Baojun they'd had for ten years.
"Dad, once I start making money, I'll buy you an Audi!"
Zhao Rui ran his hand over the seat, old but clean and well-kept, and spoke up.
"Just hearing you say that is enough for me."
Zhao Jincheng laughed. Just then, he spotted a little shop nearby, so he parked and went to buy an ice pop.
"Here. The Gaokao's over, so now you can have one!"
"Thanks, Dad!"
Zhao Rui took the ice pop and smiled.
As a martial artist, he could handle more than just eating an ice pop. He could stay in an ice cellar for days, relying on his Internal Energy.
But in a parent's eyes, no matter how capable you were, you were still a child. You still had to avoid cold food and drink, and still needed special care.
Maybe that's just how it was: your own child was the one you cherished most!
Having awakened memories of his previous life, Zhao Rui could naturally understand his parents' good intentions and their love for him.
After all, in his previous life, he had loved his own children just as much.
At the thought, memories of his previous life surfaced in his mind, and his eyes grew damp.
The memories of his past and present lives mingled together until he could no longer tell what time it was, or whether he was Ziyu or a fish!
"What's wrong?"
Zhao Jincheng sensed something was off with his son. He glanced back and asked.
"Nothing. I'm just happy the holiday's finally here!"
Zhao Rui brushed it off with a casual excuse.
"Just don't go too wild!"
Zhao Jincheng smiled knowingly, which was as good as giving him permission to enjoy himself during the summer vacation.
Since he was already here, he might as well make the best of it!
Zhao Rui pushed down the jumbled feelings in his heart, put on the excited, carefree look a boy his age ought to have, and called out to Zhao Jincheng, "Thanks, Dad!"
"If you do well on the exam, I'll buy you a laptop."
Half an hour later, the ten-year-old car slowly entered the residential complex and stopped in an unassigned parking spot.
Zhao Jincheng and his son got out, carrying the fruit they'd bought on the way.
"Brother Zhao, Rui's finished his exams?"
They'd barely taken a few steps when a plainly dressed middle-aged woman came toward them and called out to the father and son as they returned home.
"Mm, he just finished. Were you out buying groceries?"
At that, the woman's expression turned slightly awkward, and she shifted the grocery basket in her hand to her side.
She mumbled an affirmative, then changed the subject. "Rui looks like a promising boy. He must've done really well, right?"
"Who knows? The results aren't out yet."
Zhao Jincheng smiled.
"I'm sure he'll get into a good university!"
The woman smiled warmly as she spoke.
"Thanks for the good wishes. Well, we'll head home now."
"Go on, go on!"
The woman hurriedly gestured for the two of them to go ahead.
Zhao Jincheng gave a brief acknowledgment and headed home.
When they reached the entrance to the stairwell, Zhao Jincheng looked back at Zhao Rui and said, "Stay away from her family from now on."
Zhao Rui asked in surprise, "Why?"
"You're a kid. Don't ask so many questions. Just keep your distance."
"Oh, okay!"
Zhao Rui nodded, though he was left a little puzzled.
The woman lived in the neighboring apartment building. They used to sit downstairs together to enjoy the evening cool and chat.
They'd been fairly familiar with each other.
But lately, they hadn't seen much of her.
He hadn't expected that, after so long without seeing her, his dad would say something like that.
Still, he wasn't interested in gossip. He acknowledged his dad and didn't ask any more.
Before long, they returned home, where Xue Wenhui naturally had plenty of questions for him.
Only when she heard him say he'd done all right did she finally relax. All right was good enough, as long as he hadn't done poorly or underperformed.
All things considered, that was good news.
After a little casual conversation, the family sat down at the dining table for dinner.
His younger brother, Zhao Ke, remained silent, as though everyone owed him a couple of silver coins.
Zhao Rui couldn't be bothered with him either, and only chatted with his parents.
During their conversation, Xue Wenhui happened to bring up the middle-aged woman they'd met earlier. She said she'd seen her at the market that afternoon, picking up rotten vegetable leaves people had thrown away.
Only then did Zhao Rui recall the woman's furtive manner when they'd met.
So she'd been afraid someone would see the rotten leaves in her basket.
"What's happened to her?"
At that, Xue Wenhui sighed. "She's had a hard life, too. In this world, it's hard to be a good person!"
"Don't talk about that in front of the kids. Anyway, don't talk to her much. Keep your distance!"
Seeing this, Zhao Jincheng quickly cut Xue Wenhui off.
Zhao Rui raised an eyebrow but didn't ask anything. Still, a seed of curiosity had been planted in his mind.
After dinner, everyone cleared away the dishes and sat on the sofa to watch TV.
Zhao Rui rarely got a chance to relax. After watching for a little over an hour, he left the living room and returned to his room to meditate and practice.
Martial arts were much more interesting than TV.
That sensation of his meridians brimming with energy was every bit as satisfying as a rush of dopamine!
Before you continue