Qian Rushan carefully studied the parents before him.
Strange.
Shen Ye's father and mother seemed unaware of what had just happened.
The incident at the Police Station...
Had Shen Ye not told them?
At that thought, Qian Rushan ventured:
"Shen Ye took a mock test at school today. Did he tell you his results?"
"He didn't tell me," Zhao Xiaoshang said.
Qian Rushan looked from Shen Ye's father to his mother. Both looked perfectly calm and at ease.
He turned to Shen Ye again.
Shen Ye lowered his head to drink his tea and gave him a discreet look.
He understood.
Shen Ye's parents still knew nothing about what had happened today. They thought he had been at school the whole time.
-Shen Ye did not want to tell them.
Qian Rushan's eyes shifted, and he immediately said:
"Our Human Martial Arts Group has plenty of facilities, dedicated tutors, and fully equipped rest areas. Why not have Shen Ye stay at our place starting today?"
"After all, he's part of the group now. We'll do everything we can to help him get good results."
Shen Ye's father looked at him.
Shen Ye naturally played along, nodding. "I've been there. The facilities and surroundings really are first-rate. I'd like to prepare for the exams there."
Nicely done, Qian!
I really do need a safe environment!
Shen Shi'an considered it. "We'll go take a look too. If it really is that good, you can prepare for your exams at the Human Martial Arts Group."
"Wait, I haven't finished reading the contract," Zhao Xiaoshang said.
"No problem. Please take your time," Qian Rushan said.
Half an hour later.
Zhao Xiaoshang finished reading the contract and solemnly signed her name as his guardian.
The contract was finalized.
"Please, follow me!" Qian Rushan said.
Two cars were already waiting outside.
Shen Ye's parents got into one.
Shen Ye, however, joined Qian Rushan in the other.
"How did things go at the Police Station?"
Shen Ye asked as soon as he got in.
"A major battle. Quite a few dead, and one captured alive," Qian Rushan said casually.
Shen Ye looked out the window.
They were a full half a city away from the Police Station.
People strolled lazily along the streets outside, vendors hawked snacks and umbrellas, and all kinds of clothing and merchandise shops stood open.
Everything looked utterly normal.
Who could have imagined that a battle had already broken out half a city away, leaving many humans dead?
Such things were generally kept under wraps.
Ordinary people had no idea what had happened, unless-
The situation spiraled completely out of control.
Once things reached that point, it would be too late for ordinary people to escape. They could only rely on luck.
Beep, beep, beep!
Qian Rushan's phone rang.
He glanced at it, his face lighting up. "All missions completed. I earned five points of military merit for killing that fellow."
Military merit was valuable. It could be used as currency to exchange for all sorts of things unavailable on the market, such as cultivation techniques, materials, intelligence, and weapons.
"Do I get any?" Shen Ye asked.
"Although you reported the whole incident, you don't even have a class yet. You probably won't receive any military merit," Qian Rushan said.
"That's disappointing," Shen Ye sighed.
Before he had finished speaking, his phone rang too.
An interface popped up on his phone screen, and lines of small text quickly appeared:
"You made an important contribution in this battle." "The government has a more appropriate reward system for minors." "Your package has been shipped. Please collect it in the first-floor lobby of your local Human World Martial Arts Tower in the coming days." "-World United Government Military Merit and Rank Management Department."
What would it be?
Shen Ye was genuinely curious and could not help asking Qian Rushan.
Qian Rushan smiled.
"Junior high school students only improve their physical fitness, grasp mental power, and study academic and scientific subjects. Only in high school do they learn actual class techniques."
"So I'm guessing it's a decent cultivation technique."
"I really am short on ways to attack," Shen Ye said with feeling.
Time passed quickly.
When Shen Ye and his family arrived at the Human Martial Arts Group's tower, they received a warm welcome.
Qian Rushan personally showed them the various training and cultivation facilities and the armory, and had them speak face-to-face with trainers for the different classes.
They also went to see Shen Ye's quarters.
-He had over a hundred square meters all to himself, fully furnished and equipped with every kind of household appliance.
His parents finally left with their minds at ease.
Shen Ye stood at the tower entrance, waving goodbye to his parents as he watched them get into a company car to be driven home.
"Are you planning not to tell them anything?" Qian Rushan asked.
"There's no need to make them worry," Shen Ye said.
The two returned to the tower and entered the elevator.
"Mr. Qian, someone wants to kill me," Shen Ye said.
"Who?" Qian Rushan waited for him to continue.
"That's what's so confusing. I had no idea my head was in such demand. They've already tried to kill me several times," Shen Ye said.
"I'll investigate right away. Unless you have business outside, you'd best not go out," Qian Rushan said thoughtfully.
The elevator rose all the way to the 135th floor, passing through the clouds to reach the top floor.
It was approaching dusk, but the sky was still a clear blue.
Qian Rushan personally helped Shen Ye complete all the formalities, then had dinner with him before saying goodbye.
"I'll go look into the situation, then handle some work. I can't stay with you for now. Contact me anytime if anything comes up."
He said.
Shen Ye immediately replied:
"Thank you so much for running around and helping me with so much today, Mr. Qian. My family will host you later. I'll have my dad join you for a proper drink."
The smile on Qian Rushan's face became much livelier as he said:
"From now on, you're a member of the group. This month's allowance has already been deposited into your personal account. Spend it as you see fit."
"I'll have someone take you to your room."
"You're free to do as you please, but I suggest you get some proper rest. It's been a very long day, after all. Your mind needs to relax."
"All right. Thank you, Mr. Qian," Shen Ye said.
Qian Rushan beckoned, and several capable-looking men and women immediately came over and headed with him toward the helipad outside the top floor.
Engines roared.
The aircraft left the tower.
Qian Rushan began working as soon as he boarded, swiftly reviewing and approving dozens of documents before holding a brief meeting.
After the meeting, while he was reading a document, his female assistant quietly approached and whispered a few words.
Without looking up, Qian Rushan said:
"I don't want to see anything that damages the group's image."
"Understood, sir."
The female assistant nodded and glided away.
"Also, investigate Shen Ye's social connections. Find out exactly who has a grudge against him."
"Yes, sir." Another assistant turned and left.
Elsewhere.
The hospital.
Outside a ward.
Zhao Yibing rapidly swiped through her phone, reviewing the videos she had posted online earlier.
"Malicious bullying destroys classmates' futures!"
"Top student misses one exam, becomes twisted, and takes revenge on society by brutalizing classmates!"
"The police are already involved. This matter demands a response!"
Very good.
The story was already gaining traction.
Sun Ming wept bitterly in the video, and footage of the other students' miserable conditions had also been posted, drawing attention and comments from many people.
Generally speaking, once things reached this stage and attracted widespread attention, the person involved was sure to face action.
That way, after she entered a prestigious high school, this sensational, controversial incident would continue to follow her, discussed by her new classmates.
Shen Ye had pestered her and beaten up the boys pursuing her.
She had upheld justice online.
That was enough.
Zhao Yibing thought for a while, then quickly typed a message with both hands:
"I've exceeded what you asked me to do."
She tapped send.
Now she only had to wait to reap the rewards.
"Bingbing!"
Sun Ming's tearful voice came from the ward.
A flash of disgust crossed Zhao Yibing's eyes, and she turned toward the stairs.
Only after going downstairs and leaving the hospital did she pick up her phone and call Sun Ming.
"Bingbing." Sun Ming's voice came through the receiver.
"Don't worry, Sun Ming. I've posted everything online. The police will definitely bring him to justice."
Zhao Yibing spoke gently.
"But my leg is broken. I can't take the next subject in the high school entrance exam," Sun Ming said, filled with despair.
"You still have me. Once I get into a prestigious high school, I'll look after you," Zhao Yibing said.
"Really? You mean-" Unrealistic hope flared in Sun Ming.
"Of course. We're best friends," Zhao Yibing said, trying to bring him to his senses.
"Bingbing..."
"I have to go. Someone needs me right now. We'll talk later."
"Then-"
The call ended.
Zhao Yibing quickly blocked Sun Ming and the other boys and was about to delete them completely-
Ring, ring!
Her phone rang again.
An unfamiliar number.
Zhao Yibing thought for a moment, then answered.
"Hello, who is this?"
"A reporter?"
"Yes, I'm standing up for them. We absolutely cannot let Shen Ye bully his classmates."
"An online interview? Hmm... no problem."
"All right, we'll speak later."
What a headache.
She couldn't delete Sun Ming just yet.
With all this attention, he was still useful.
Zhao Yibing quickly removed them from her blacklist.
Keep them a few more days. Delete them after the high school entrance exam.
The only thing she had not expected in all this was that Shen Ye could take on several of them alone.
It seemed he still had his skills.
-But what good would that do?
If he couldn't get into high school, he wouldn't learn any moves, nor would he have weapons, armor, pills, or evolution fluid.
Much less receive a legacy.
When the time came, he wouldn't be able to block even a casual move of hers.
And-
He had already lost his chance to take up a higher-tier class.
In the future, he would become an ordinary person like Sun Ming and the others, separated from her by an insurmountable gulf.
They belonged to two different worlds, after all.
Her phone suddenly chimed several times in succession.
Was it a call for an online interview?
Zhao Yibing touched up her makeup a little before picking up her phone.
Instead, she saw several system messages on the screen:
"The content you posted has been determined to constitute rumor-mongering and has all been blocked." "The police have issued a notice regarding the matter." "The high school mentioned in your post has also released relevant information. Please take note." "In addition, please stop spreading rumors and stirring up trouble, or the platform and the Human Martial Arts Group reserve the right to hold you accountable."