Inheriting Dad's Position

Yang Wei and Gao Wan had no choice but to agree to fulfill the contract, but Xia Ping had no interest in watching any longer; it was already quite late, and he needed to go home for dinner.

As soon as he stepped into the house, Xia Ping immediately caught the scent of rich, savory meat. It was so fragrant that every cell in his body seemed to crave it, and he couldn't help but swallow his saliva.

"Mom, what did you cook today? Why does it smell so good?"

A middle-aged woman with a slightly plump figure wearing an apron leaned out; she was Xia Ping's mother, Huang Lanxin. She smiled slightly, "This is some Fire Bear Beast meat I just bought. You're in for a treat today."

"Fire Bear Beast meat? Did we strike it rich today? Why buy this?" Xia Ping's eyes widened. The Fire Bear Beast was a famous, powerful monster on Yanhuang Planet. It was notoriously difficult to capture, impervious to blades and bullets, and couldn't be killed by ordinary firearms.

However, its meat was incredibly precious, containing vast amounts of life energy. Consuming it in a soup could improve one's physique and even strengthen the internal Qi within the body, leading to a significant boost in strength. It was no less effective than high-grade medicinal pills and was far superior to the ginseng or deer antler found on Earth.

Yet, the price was also exorbitant—six hundred Federal Coin per jin. It was considered a luxury item that ordinary families couldn't afford, usually reserved only for special holidays or festivals.

"Can't I buy it without striking it rich? We have to splurge occasionally. If we don't spend the money we earn, are we supposed to take it to the grave?" His father, Xia Chuanliu, who was sitting in the living room, coughed and put on a very generous air.

Xia Ping was speechless. He remembered that his father, Xia Chuanliu, was a civil servant working at the City Management Bureau. He was responsible for managing street vendors—in simple terms, a city inspector. He had a permanent position, and his monthly salary plus benefits came to about five or six thousand Federal Coin.

His mother was a street vendor selling snacks. Although she didn't earn much, she brought in about three thousand Federal Coin a month. It seemed like the family income was over ten thousand Federal Coin.

The problem was that they had bought their house with a mortgage. With a thirty-year term, they had to pay three thousand Federal Coin every month. Add in monthly living expenses, Xia Ping's tuition, and other costs, and they were always stretched thin.

Eating Fire Bear Beast meat outside of a holiday was a decision they really couldn't bring themselves to make.

"Alright, alright, stop talking so much and come eat," mother Huang Lanxin quickly brought out dish after dish, filling the table. Five dishes and one soup, a dazzling and fragrant spread that looked incredibly sumptuous.

Seeing such a lavish meal, Xia Ping's heart skipped a beat. This was clearly a trap; his father, who was usually incredibly stingy—the type who would smoke a cigarette down to the very filter—would never be this generous under normal circumstances.

"Dad, be honest. Does our family owe loan sharks money? Are you planning to have us eat this 'last supper' before we pack our bags and run? Just tell me the truth; I can take it." Xia Ping's expression was grave as he stared at his father.

He felt a deep sense of resignation. The day had finally come. He knew his father's personality; he had a bit of a gambling habit, and he had always felt that such a trait would lead to trouble sooner or later. He hadn't expected it to actually happen.

"Son, what kind of look is that? What loan sharks? What running away? In your eyes, is that the kind of person your father is?" Xia Chuanliu's nose was crooked with indignation.

Xia Ping blinked, "We don't owe loan sharks?"

"Of course not."

Xia Chuanliu looked smug, "I am a civil servant with a permanent position, after all. My ideological awareness is higher than the average person's; how could I be a gambling addict? Sure, I gamble a little now and then to cultivate my character. Isn't there a saying? Small bets for fun, big bets for wealth, reckless gambling for ruin."

"Fine, then tell me, what is this meal all about?" Xia Ping remained skeptical.

Seeing his son still doubting him, Xia Chuanliu looked a bit awkward. After all, his usual reputation wasn't exactly stellar. He coughed, "It's nothing special. Since it's come to this, I'll be straight with you. Your school should be starting career counseling and filling out college applications soon, right? What are your plans for the future?"

He looked at Xia Ping with burning intensity.

"I plan to take the university entrance exam," Xia Ping replied casually.

Mother Huang Lanxin shrieked, "You—you plan to go to university?!"

"Son, is that for real? You actually have that idea?" Father Xia Chuanliu looked at Xia Ping in horror.

Xia Ping's mouth twitched. What was going on? Shouldn't parents be overjoyed when their son wants to go to university? Why were these two acting like they'd seen a ghost?

"I do have that idea."

Xia Ping said honestly.

"Son, that idea is wrong. It's heresy."

Xia Chuanliu looked heartbroken, "What's so good about university? After four years of study, you'll come out and only earn three or four thousand Federal Coin a month. If you're unlucky and run into a black-hearted boss, you won't even get benefits, and you'll have to pay four years of tuition—that's not a small sum, you know."

"I've already got it all planned out for you. Just finish high school and come out to hustle. Join the government, and don't go to any other department—just come to your father's City Management Bureau."

"Don't let my low-key appearance fool you. I've worked there for twenty years and have some connections. I play mahjong with the director, flatter him, and cozy up to him; we've gotten quite close over time."

"When the time comes, I'll just send a few cartons of cigarettes over, bribe the director, and pull some strings. You'll be a shoe-in for the City Management Bureau. Then, you and I can go sweep the streets together, contribute to city management, chase away the vendors, and become the kings of the city. Two city inspectors in one family—how prestigious is that? I bet the matchmakers will be trampling our doorstep by then."

As he spoke, he wore a look of smug pride, full of anticipation.

Xia Ping's mouth twitched, and he said speechlessly, "Dad, I still want to take the university entrance exam."

"You! You are a piece of rotten wood that cannot be carved!"

Xia Chuanliu widened his eyes, looking at him with a sense of 'hate that iron won't turn into steel.'

"Alright, alright, stop saying those things. Let's just eat. There's still some time before high school graduation; you can think about this slowly." Seeing the atmosphere turn stiff, mother Huang Lanxin quickly intervened.

"Fine."

Hearing this, Xia Chuanliu stopped talking.

Half an hour later, after finishing dinner, Xia Ping returned to his bedroom to rest, leaving only Huang Lanxin and Xia Chuanliu in the living room.

"Chuanliu, our son doesn't seem to agree with your path," Huang Lanxin said, looking at her husband.

Xia Chuanliu waved his hand, completely unbothered, "It's just a rebellious phase for young people. I was young once, too; I understand. But the reality is that his grades are just average. Once the college entrance exam is over and his results come out, he'll realize how wise and brilliant his father is. We'll talk about it then, and he'll definitely agree in a heartbeat."

Huang Lanxin nodded. She knew her son's grades were mediocre; getting into a third-rate university would be a struggle. If he performed poorly, he might not even get in at all.