A Family's Joy

That evening, at Fang Yu's home in the Zhonglin Imperial Residence neighborhood.

"Big brother, you're amazing."

"You're transferring from a junior college to a bachelor's program as a direct-admission student? And there's only one every few years?" Fang Long and Fang Siyue were both beside themselves with excitement, looking even happier than Fang Yu.

"Our Fang family is finally going to have a martial arts undergraduate," Fang Zhiyuan said with a beaming smile. "If your great-grandfather knew, he'd probably be very happy too."

When Fang Yu came home today, he had naturally shared the good news with his family, which was why they were celebrating tonight.

"An Elite Contract." Fang Ping'an's face was wreathed in smiles.

When he had hurried home not long ago, Fang Yu was already there. After reading the contract Fang Yu handed him, the anxiety in his heart had turned into irrepressible joy and excitement!

His only hope for Fang Yu had been for him to get into a martial arts bachelor's program.

He had never imagined that Fang Yu would land an Elite Contract outright, far exceeding his expectations... Only exceptionally outstanding martial arts undergraduates could achieve that.

"An ordinary martial arts undergraduate receives 300,000 a year in training funds," Fang Ping'an said with emotion. "Xiaolong, Siyue, your brother's training funds are a million."

"For these two years as a martial arts undergraduate, that's two million in training funds. How many academic university students could work their whole lives without saving two million?"

"Your brother hasn't even awakened his Astral Aspect yet. He achieved this purely through hard work and martial arts skill." Fang Ping'an looked at his younger children. "You two can't slack off either."

"Mm." Fang Long nodded repeatedly.

"My brother's martial arts skills are naturally superb," Fang Siyue chimed in. They had trained with Fang Yu for a month, and all they could feel was how impressive their big brother was.

"Dad!"

"I need to correct you," Fang Yu said with a smile. "Once I get to Huguang Martial Arts University... they'll pay me all the special training funds for my first three years in one lump sum."

"So I'll soon have 3.7 million Star Coins in hand."

"And I won't have to pay taxes on it," Fang Yu added.

Things like advertising fees counted as income and were taxable, though Manager Huo and the others were covering the tax.

This special training fund, on the other hand, was a reward from the Blue Moon Alliance.

"3.7 million?" The whole family was startled. They had all seen Fang Yu's contract earlier and thought the training funds only amounted to two million for his remaining two years as an undergraduate.

"3.7 million?" Even Fang Ping'an's eyes widened, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.

Over the years, he had worked hard running his supermarket and earned a good amount, but investing in Fang Yu's martial arts, as well as his daughter and younger son awakening upper astral aspects, had placed him under enormous pressure.

At the same time, he had always felt guilty about Fang Yu... After all, when Fang Yu was building his physical foundation in high school, he hadn't invested as much in him as he had in Fang Long and Fang Siyue.

He had never expected it.

In just one day, Fang Yu had given him a huge surprise.

"Is this how efficiently martial artists earn money?" His younger brother Fang Long stared wide-eyed, no one knowing what he was thinking.

"3.7 million? That's my eldest grandson for you." Fang Zhiyuan was even happier. "I'm having a drink tonight."

Seeing his family like this made Fang Yu happier still.

Six years of secondary school, three years of junior college.

Training through the hottest days of summer and the coldest days of winter.

Working hard at cultivation every step of the way.

What had it all been for?

Wasn't it for a day like this?

On the other hand, Fang Yu knew very well that this was only the beginning.

After the celebration, the family went their separate ways to rest.

Only Fang Yu accompanied his father, Fang Ping'an, to the small ancestral shrine on the third floor, where they paid their respects to several memorial tablets.

"If your mother knew what you achieved today, she'd be proud of you too." A faint smile appeared on Fang Ping'an's face, as though he were reminiscing. "Back when your mother was at Huguang Martial Arts University, I don't think she ever got an Elite Contract either."

Fang Yu fell into thought.

When his mother disappeared on Primordial Star, she had been in her forties, but her life level had been 28. At Huguang Martial Arts University, she had probably only been an ordinary student.

"Dad."

"There's something I need to tell you," Fang Yu said.

Before long, Fang Yu had told Fang Ping'an everything about Dong Xin and Manager Huo, no longer hiding even the dirty dealings Manager Huo had conducted in private.

After all, more and more was now involved, and he could no longer keep it hidden.

"You did the right thing," Fang Ping'an said after hearing him out. "You can't expose what you know about Manager Huo... But signing that endorsement deal with him today was a bit risky."

"Risky?" Fang Yu was startled.

"With your current strength, you aren't qualified for a contract yet," Fang Ping'an said. "So if the Iron Mountain Martial Artists investigate Manager Huo in the future, your contract will very likely be caught up in it too, under suspicion of improperly transferring benefits."

Fang Yu fell into thought. "But Senior Brother Dong said..."

"Your Senior Brother Dong did promise to mediate, but that means putting your fate in someone else's hands." Fang Ping'an shook his head. "If your Senior Brother Dong helps you, you should thank him."

"But in business, you should never place absolute trust in anyone."

"Do you have an audio recording of your conversation with Manager Huo?" Fang Ping'an asked. "Let me hear it."

"Yes." Fang Yu nodded.

Saving recordings of all his conversations was a good habit he had developed under his father's guidance.

Soon.

Fang Ping'an listened to the entire recording of their conversation and seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. "Good. At least you didn't threaten him, and there's nothing that obviously breaks the rules. If it really does come to light in the future, even if it goes to court, you'll only have to return the money at most... Remember, if something like this happens again, talk in person."

"Preferably somewhere you know well and can control, and invite a strong third party to act as a witness."

"Talk in person? A third-party witness." Fang Yu fell into thought.

"Your teacher, Yan Fu, for example." Fang Ping'an smiled faintly. "If you asked him to help and represent the university as a witness to the endorsement contract, I imagine he wouldn't refuse."

"With that, would you still need to worry?"

Fang Yu's eyes lit up.

Ginger gets spicier with age.

He really hadn't thought that far ahead.

"The situation as it stands is acceptable too," Fang Ping'an said. "As long as you keep improving at the same rate after entering university, it's just an endorsement worth a few hundred thousand Star Coins. What's that to a big company? As a direct-admission student, you're just about qualified too. Even if your Senior Brother Dong doesn't help you in the future, I don't suppose anyone will make a big fuss."

Fang Yu nodded, reassured.

"Oh, right, Dad."

"Once the training funds and scholarship money arrive, let me transfer some to you," Fang Yu said. He knew his father was under tremendous pressure, especially after buying a large batch of potions and treasures for him and his younger siblings.

"No!"

"Don't transfer a single cent. Keep it for yourself." Fang Ping'an shook his head firmly. "Don't think this is a lot of money. It's nowhere near enough. I looked into it long ago. When you raise your life level to 39 in the future... if you still haven't awakened the Void Star Aspect, forget a few million."

"Even tens of millions won't be enough."

"My means are limited, and I won't be able to help you much from here on. You'll have to make your own way."

"As for your younger siblings, they have their own paths... You're only their big brother, not their father. Some things aren't yours to shoulder yet." Fang Ping'an looked at Fang Yu.

"But, Dad." Fang Yu looked at his father with some concern. "Your health..."

"I know what you're worried about."

"When you become an Advanced Martial Artist and earn tens of millions on your own..." Fang Ping'an smiled, putting on an easygoing air. "When that time comes, if you still want to give your younger siblings some money, I won't object."

"But absolutely not now."

"Mm." Fang Yu understood that his father wouldn't accept it. "Dad, when I become an Advanced Martial Artist, I'll give you money then. You can't refuse again."

"Haha." Fang Ping'an laughed. "Then I'll look forward to that day. By then, I'll be able to take it easy like your grandfather."

Deep down, Fang Ping'an didn't think Fang Yu could become an Advanced Martial Artist that quickly... It would take at least several years, and by then, Fang Long and Fang Siyue would probably have gotten into university.