When Shao QingWen opened the door to his home, he instantly smelled the wealthy aroma of meals inside. Simply as he was about to ask what was occurring, he noticed Shen Shao in a chair watching TV. 

Shao QingWen’s face instantly grew excited. “Xiao Shao is again?!”

“Eldest Uncle.” When Shen Shao noticed Shao QingWen stroll inside, he bought up from his chair. 

Shao QingWen instantly requested him to take a seat down once more. “No should be so well mannered at dwelling.” He regarded up and down at Shen Shao and felt happy to see his nephew had grown much more energetic. “Sit down, preserve watching TV. I’ll name your second uncle’s home. We’ll ask them over for lunch.”

Shen Shao nodded. After his uncle made the decision and hung up the cellphone, he requested, “Eldest Uncle, how are issues at dwelling recently?”

“Good, good.” Shao QingWen sat down subsequent to Shen Shao. “After we heard you have been the highest scorer in science within the province, our household was so thrilled. In the event you weren’t out touring along with your classmates, we’d have gone to Furong Metropolis to have fun with you.”

Prime scorer in science? Shen Shao blinked. “Prime rating?”

“I at all times knew you have been a very good child.” Shao QingWen didn’t discover Shen Shao’s unusual expression. He went to the cupboard and took out a number of newspaper clippings. “The paper right here in Guo Metropolis revealed a narrative about your taking first place.” After saying this, he sighed. If solely his sister was nonetheless right here. He didn’t understand how proud she would have been to see Xiao Shao so profitable.

When he noticed his uncle’s pleasure, Shen Shao was too embarrassed to confess he hadn’t checked his rating. All he might do was sit beside Shen QingWen and take heed to his uncle discuss which majors have been the most well-liked.

“By the way in which, which universities did you select for the school entrance examination?” Shao QingWen lastly remembered to ask about this essential level.

“My first alternative was Hua U’s data science main,” Shen Shao mentioned. “The long run will rely on data expertise. I believe it’s a very good main to review.”

Shao QingWen frowned. With Shen Shao’s school entrance examination rating, he might have chosen something, even biology or arithmetic. Why didn’t he select one in every of Hua U’s best majors? However when he noticed Shen Shao was happy with it, he didn’t say a lot. He nodded. “So long as it’s one thing you want.”

“Shao Ge, you’re right here?!” Shao ShiWen, who’d simply returned dwelling from her examine class, noticed her cousin as quickly as she opened the door. She ran over to Shen Shao, grabbed his arm, and requested excitedly, “Shao Ge, when did you get again?” Though she didn’t get to see him typically, Shao ShiWen mainly worshipped Shen Shao. In her eyes, her cousin was a good-looking younger man with infinite skill, and nobody in comparison with him.

“I bought again at present and came visiting to your home to seize a meal.” Smiling, Shen Shao took out a small field from his trouser pocket and waggled it in entrance of her. “Guess what that is?”

“A field?” Shao ShiWen widened her eyes and regarded on the field curiously. “Is it a gift for me?”

Seeing her expression, Shen Shao put the field into her hand. “Take it, take it, or individuals will accuse me of bullying little youngsters.”

“Shao Ge, I’m simply two years youthful. If I’m somewhat child, you’re somewhat child who’s two years older than me.” Shao ShiWen took the current and sat all the way down to open it. When she noticed what it was, she was so blissful that she virtually jumped up once more. “Is it a restricted version wizard badge?!”

“I believed you’d prefer it.” Shen Shao grinned when he noticed how blissful she was. “It’s an official restricted version badge from the Sundown Empire. In the event you lose it, I can’t get one other one.”

“Shao Ge, you’re the best. You’re the most effective brother ever!” Shao ShiWen closed the field and hugged Shen Shao’s neck. “I find it irresistible a lot!”

“OK, your cousin had an extended automotive trip at present. Don’t trouble him a lot.” Shao QingWen gave his daughter a glare. “Sit like a standard particular person.”

Shao ShiWen sat down once more, nonetheless holding the field. When Shao QingWen regarded away, she winked at Shen Shao.

“Uncle, WenWen’s nonetheless younger. She doesn’t need to be so critical,” Shen Shao mentioned. “In the event you scold her each time I go to, I’m afraid she received’t let me via the door anymore.”

“Don’t fear, Shao Ge. Even if you happen to don’t carry me presents, I’ll at all times welcome you,” Shao ShiWen mentioned with a critical face. “How might a sister not like her brother? I don’t understand how many individuals in school are jealous of me for having such an ideal cousin. However how did you get this badge? The children in my class mentioned it’s virtually inconceivable to get an actual one.”

“One among my classmates went to Haishi a number of days in the past. He heard me say my sister wished one, so when he was there he purchased one and gave it to me.” Shen Shao shook his head. “I wouldn’t be capable of afford one for you myself.”

“Anyway, thanks, Shao Ge.” Shao ShiWen was frightened that her cousin saved up some huge cash to purchase it. Now that she knew the supply, she felt relieved.

After half an hour Shao QingWu and his spouse arrived. Their youngsters have been at their grandmother’s home, which meant they couldn’t come over. Shen Shao introduced presents for these cousins additionally and requested his aunt to carry them again.

Shen Shao’s second uncle and aunt have been excited to see him. Whereas they ate lunch, the entire household was crammed with pleasure to suppose that Shen Shao would quickly enter the halls of Huaguo College, though Shen Shao’s admission letter hadn’t arrived but.

That afternoon, his eldest uncle’s household insisted that Shen Shao keep the evening, and he ended up sleeping there. Nonetheless, he nonetheless needed to return to Furong Metropolis to cope with the home demolitions within the Taoxiang District. The very subsequent day he took a automotive to Furong Metropolis.

A number of of the homes Shen Shao owned have been situated in the important thing growth zone. Some actual property builders had quietly made inquiries concerning the authorities’s growth insurance policies within the space, and that brought about lots of people to purchase land and spend money on development there. After two or three years, the value of land in Taoxiang had skyrocketed.

Since loads of residents weren’t prepared to conform to the demolition, the builders have been compelled to extend compensation a number of occasions. Ultimately, each side got here to an settlement.

Now that the phrases have been settled, Shen Shao rapidly signed the demolition contract. He solely saved one home and three storefronts. He transformed the remainder into cash.

If he wished to do enterprise within the capital, he was going to want liquid funds. He knew the value of actual property would improve considerably in a number of years. Sadly, he couldn’t afford to attend that lengthy.

After coping with the demolition, Shen Shao returned to the residence he’d rented throughout his time in highschool. The lease was now about to run out. He gave his neighbors the issues that have been nonetheless helpful, and despatched the vital books to his eldest uncle’s home for storage. After that, there wasn’t a lot left. All his remaining belongings slot in a suitcase.

Round this time, a number of shady firms contacted him, hoping he’d endorse their merchandise that supposedly boosted mind energy. He flat out refused. If these issues have been helpful, why did college students in China nonetheless have to review so exhausting?

When Liang Cheng heard about it, he thought it was a missed alternative, however when he discovered the so-called mind tonics have been simply sugar water combined with varied different issues, he agreed with Shen Shao’s choice.

He and Zhou ZeYu each utilized to universities within the capital. After the school entrance examination scores got here out, they have been assured of their picks. Now they have been simply ready at dwelling for the discover.

“”

On the finish of July, Furong No. 3 Excessive Faculty contacted Shen Shao to return to high school. His admission discover from Huaguo College had arrived.

When Shen Shao bought the discover, he didn’t maintain a celebration banquet, however he invited Liang Zhou and his household and Professor Tong and his spouse. Collectively they loved a vigorous meal at a lodge.

Over the previous three years, Tong ZhengHua shared with Shen Shao an excessive amount of his data. In his opinion, it was a pity that Shen Shao selected to go to high school in Jingcheng. He most popular the slower tempo of life in Furong Metropolis and didn’t just like the pervasive environment of stress and solemnity within the capital. Over the subsequent few days, he stepped up Shen Shao’s training, filling him up with data like he was stuffing an eggshell. He gave Shen Shao an extended listing of books on Chinese language research and reminded him a number of occasions to follow calligraphy day by day. When the previous professor escorted Shen Shao to the airport, he by no means stopped speaking your entire time.

Shen Shao obediently agreed to every part, and Tong ZhengHua felt happy. He gave his pupil a thick pink envelope. Then he kicked Shen Shao into the safety checkpoint.

As he watched Shen Shao go the safety checkpoint and wave again to him, Tong ZhengHua snorted, however he continued to face there silently. Solely when Shen Shao disappeared via the checkpoint did he lastly ask his assistant to assist him depart the airport.

Shen Shao initially deliberate to journey to Jingcheng along with his two pals, however because it turned out, their faculty phrases began at completely different occasions. Shen Shao traveled by himself, telling Zhou ZeYu and Liang Cheng to spend the remaining time with their households.

When the aircraft landed, there was some vibration from tough air. Shen Shao rubbed his painful ears, regarded out the darkish window beside him, and checked his watch. It was already after 10 p.m.

After getting off the aircraft, Shen Shao regarded on the crowded airport terminal. He yawned sleepily and made his well beyond the safety examine along with his baggage, then walked out of the airport.

There have been loads of taxis on the airport, however there have been much more individuals ready. Shen Shao regarded on the lengthy queue in entrance of him, dragged his suitcase behind him, and resigned himself to an extended wait as he took his place on the very finish.

Simply as he lastly reached the top of the road and went to open the taxi door, a younger man in a black swimsuit stopped him.

One thing concerning the swimsuit was acquainted.

Shen Shao surveyed the younger man who was carrying it, then glanced on the lengthy line behind him. With out a lot of a alternative, he stepped apart and let the individuals behind him go first. “Do you want one thing?”

In a nice voice the younger man defined, “The second younger grasp heard you’ll arrive in Jingcheng at present. He despatched me to select you up. Your lodge has been organized. Might I ask if there’s the rest you want?” He took out his private ID and employment card. “Please relaxation assured, my solely want is to be useful.”

Though the opposite social gathering didn’t clarify who this “second younger grasp” was, the primary thought that flashed via Shen Shao’s thoughts was the unusual boy who noticed him off on the airport that day.

When he considered this, Shen Shao frowned barely. How did that particular person know he was going to reach within the capital at present?

The younger man within the swimsuit will need to have guessed what Shen Shao was pondering. He waved to a black however not very discreet Bentley parked a brief distance away. The automotive drove over to them. “Ever for the reason that second younger grasp discovered you’d been accepted to Hua U, he’s been involved about your journey preparations. When he discovered you have been touring to Jingcheng at present, he instructed us to select you up.”

Why not simply admit they’d secretly investigated him?

Shen Shao didn’t know what the opposite social gathering wished, however these individuals weren’t few in quantity and so they have been clearly highly effective. He gave a shrug and bought into the automotive. When the younger man entered as nicely, Shen Shao mentioned, “Can I ask a query?”

“Please go forward.”

“Does your second younger grasp do this type of factor ceaselessly?”

The younger man didn’t appear to listen to the sarcasm in Shen Shao’s voice. He smiled politely and maintained his nice tone: “No, he’s by no means finished something like this earlier than, apart from you.”

Did that imply he was supposed to precise his gratitude for this second younger grasp’s mystifying enthusiasm?

Shen Shao gave an insincere smile. “Then I thanks kindly for the particular remedy.”

The younger man nodded graciously. “You’re very welcome.” 

Shen Shao: …

Haha.

—

The creator has one thing to say:

Gu Xiaogong, are you out of your thoughts, significantly?

Shen Shao: Haha.

TL Notes:

prime scorer, first place – 状元 – zhuàng yuan – “prime thesis creator” – In the present day this time period is used for the very best scoring college students in China’s school entrance examination, nevertheless it goes manner again to the imperial period the place it was used to acknowledge the scholar with the very best rating within the palace examination. There are separate “prime scorers” for science and liberal arts observe college students

You’re the most effective brother – 你真是我亲哥！ – “You actually are my very own ge” – Reminder that it’s frequent for cousins to name one another brother/sister

Haha – 呵呵 – hēhē – mild laughter / chuckle – Often signifies a closely sarcastic snort

Gu Xiaogong – 顾小攻 – Little Gong Gu – A mischievous nickname for Second Younger Grasp Gu, the gong of this story

gong – 攻 – assault, accuse, examine – The highest, seme, or insertive associate

Transliterated names, locations, and titles—new on this chapter:

Eldest Uncle – 大舅 – Eldest maternal uncle

Shao ShiWen – 邵诗雯

Sundown Empire – 日落帝国 – Probably refers back to the U.Okay.

WenWen – 雯雯

Uncle – 舅舅 – jiùjiu – Maternal uncle

grandmother(‘s home) – 外婆 – maternal grandmother

Taoxiang District – from 桃泉区 – Taoquan District – The title that was utilized in Ch 11 was Taoxiang District. I used the identical factor right here to be constant