Chapter Sixteen: The National College Entrance Examination Is Over

"Your younger brother is the same; he didn't even show up during such an important time as your college entrance exam. That little temper of his really needs to be corrected," Xue Wenhui said with a hint of helplessness.

"Isn't that because you always spoil him?" Zhao Jincheng chided.

"How have I spoiled him? He was born without any talent for martial arts, so I just feel sorry for him!"

"Feeling sorry for him doesn't mean you should indulge him like this. Look at him, acting so listless and dawdling all day long."

"I feel like we both dote on him even more! Why can't this child understand his parents' good intentions?"

Zhao Jincheng was also at a loss. Ever since his younger son started high school, he had become increasingly withdrawn, barely even willing to interact with his own brother, appearing distant in every way. On minor matters, he was even more petty and calculating.

"After Rui finishes his exams, let’s find a time to have a good talk with both boys!"

"Yes! I was thinking the same thing!"

After their discussion, Xue Wenhui took a taxi home early to start preparing lunch. The exams lasted three days. The subjects were not much different from his previous life, except that English had been demoted from a core subject to an elective, and several new courses unique to this world, such as Martial Arts Literacy, had been added.

In the silent examination hall, broken only by the rustling of pens, students sat hunched over their desks, writing fervently. Outside the window, the cicadas sang in waves, their sound drifting into the room along with the cool air from the air conditioner, reminiscent of the chanting of scriptures in an ancient temple high in the mountains—solemn and magnificent.

The exams lasted for three full days. As soon as the final paper was completed, the area outside the school gates erupted with lively cheers. Candidates showed a myriad of expressions, each with their own joys and worries. It was largely no different from his past life; after all, people are never free from the seven emotions and six desires.

"How did it go, son?" Seeing Zhao Rui strolling out of the exam hall with a relaxed demeanor, Zhao Jincheng asked, unable to mask his nervous anticipation.

"It was alright, about the same as usual," Zhao Rui replied with a smile.

"That's good. Based on your usual performance, getting into a bachelor's degree program should be a sure thing." Zhao Jincheng then added, "Since the exams are over, go ahead and relax. Let's go home and eat; your mother made your favorite beef in bean sauce and stir-fried tomatoes with eggs."

"Okay!" Zhao Rui nodded with a smile and climbed into the old, ten-year-old Baojun car they kept at home.

"Dad, once I start earning money in the future, I'll buy you an Audi!" Zhao Rui said, touching the worn but meticulously clean and tidy seat.

"Just hearing you say that is enough for me." Zhao Jincheng laughed heartily. Happening upon a small convenience store nearby, he pulled over to buy an ice cream.

"Here you go, the exams are over, you can have this now!"

"Thanks, Dad!" Zhao Rui took the ice cream and said with a smile.

As a martial artist, let alone eating ice cream, he could stay in a freezing environment for days relying on his internal energy. Yet, in his parents' eyes, no matter how capable he became, he was still just a child who needed to avoid cold foods and required special care. Perhaps this was the nature of parental love—you cherish what you create.

Having awakened memories of his past life, Zhao Rui naturally understood his parents' deep affection and good intentions. In his previous life, hadn't he loved his own children just the same? Thinking of this, memories from his past surged forth, and his eyes grew moist for a moment. With the memories of his past and present lives blurring, he found himself lost in the moment, unable to distinguish between the two.

"What's wrong?" Sensing that something was off, Zhao Jincheng glanced back slightly and asked.

"Nothing, just happy that it's finally vacation time!" Zhao Rui brushed it off with a casual excuse.

"Don't go too wild, though!" Zhao Jincheng smiled knowingly, effectively giving him permission to fully enjoy his summer break.

*When in Rome, do as the Romans do.*

Suppressing the chaotic emotions in his heart, Zhao Rui put on the cheerful expression expected of a boy his age and called out to Zhao Jincheng, "Thanks, Dad!"

"If you get good results, I'll make the call and buy you a laptop."

...

Half an hour later, the decade-old car rolled slowly into the residential compound and parked in an unassigned spot. The father and son got out, carrying the fruit they had bought on the way.

"Brother Zhao, did Rui finish his exams?" A plainly dressed middle-aged woman walked toward them and asked upon seeing the two return.

"Yes, just finished. Are you heading out to buy groceries?"

At this, the woman’s expression turned slightly awkward, and she instinctively shifted the basket in her hand to her side. She murmured an affirmative reply and quickly changed the subject. "Rui is such a promising child; he must have done very well, right?"

"Who knows? The results aren't out yet!" Zhao Jincheng laughed.

"He's sure to get into a good university!" the woman said with a smile.

"I hope so. Well, we're heading home now."

"Of course, go ahead!"

The woman politely signaled for them to carry on. Zhao Jincheng nodded and walked toward their building. Once they reached the stairwell, he looked back at Zhao Rui and said, "Stay away from her family in the future."

Zhao Rui asked, surprised, "Why?"

"You're a child, don't ask too many questions. Just keep your distance, that's all."

"Oh, I see!" Zhao Rui nodded, though he felt a bit puzzled. The woman was a neighbor from the building next door, and they used to chat often while cooling off downstairs. They had been quite familiar, though he had seen less of her recently. He didn't expect his father to say something like that after so long. However, he didn't have the energy for gossip, so he simply acknowledged it and asked no more.

Soon, they returned home, where Xue Wenhui predictably bombarded him with questions. Only when she heard that it went "alright" did she let out a sigh of relief. As long as it wasn't a disaster, it was a good thing.

After some casual chatter, the family sat down for dinner. His younger brother, Zhao Ke, remained silent, as if everyone owed him money. Zhao Rui couldn't be bothered to engage him and stuck to chatting with his parents. During the conversation, Xue Wenhui mentioned seeing the middle-aged woman earlier that afternoon at the market, scavenging through discarded vegetable leaves.

Zhao Rui suddenly recalled her evasive behavior earlier. She had been afraid of others seeing the rotten leaves in her basket.

"What happened to her?"

Xue Wenhui sighed. "She's had a rough life. In this world, it's hard to be a decent person."

"Don't talk about that in front of the kids. Anyway, just don't talk to her much, keep your distance!" Zhao Jincheng interrupted, cutting her off.

Zhao Rui raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued, but he kept his silence. After dinner, they cleared the table and watched TV for a while. Taking a rare moment to relax, Zhao Rui watched for about an hour before heading back to his room to practice meditation.

Martial arts were far more interesting than television. The sensation of his meridians surging with energy was no less satisfying than a rush of dopamine.