Chapter 33: The Child of Others

Hearing Zhao Jincheng’s exclamation, Xue Wenhui looked over as well, confirming that the three large characters "Accounting" were indeed written there.

"This was through the adjustment process. Given my grades, I wouldn't have been admitted if I had applied to the Martial Arts Academy," Zhao Rui explained hurriedly.

Although Zhao Jincheng and his wife only half-understood the situation, they knew that getting into Dongqi University was a good thing. They immediately stopped worrying about the major and happily began calling relatives and friends to share the good news.

To be honest, since regaining his memories from a past life, Zhao Rui hadn't really seen these relatives. However, family matters are the same everywhere, and this extended family actually got along reasonably well.

Zhao Jincheng had two brothers. The eldest was a businessman, a small-time boss with assets in the tens of millions, running a contract manufacturing factory for shoes and hats, as well as a plywood processing plant. The second was Zhao Jincheng himself, an ordinary office worker in the finance industry; while not wealthy, he lived comfortably. As for the third brother, he was quite impressive: a Level 7 martial artist, a member of the County Martial Arts Association, and a shareholder in several companies. Of course, that wasn't the main point—the point was his son, Zhao Rui’s cousin, who was only sixteen, the same age as Zhao Ke. He was already a Level 5 martial artist and ranked among the top ten students in the county.

Wherever there are people, there is a social hierarchy, and family affairs are often just as contentious. In detail, it was nothing more than the usual fawning over the powerful and belittling the weak. Zhao Rui was doing alright; having been a Level 3 martial artist, he was at least within the martial ranks, which offered a decent future. However, his younger brother Zhao Ke was often looked down upon and bullied by their cousin. With a father who wasn't particularly capable and a lack of personal talent, he seemed destined to be a punching bag. Consequently, at every family gathering, the eldest uncle’s children would mock him, making Zhao Ke detest these events.

Thinking back, Zhao Rui couldn't help but wonder if his brother was the protagonist of one of those novels from his past life—the downtrodden family member with no martial talent who suddenly gains heaven-sent power, kicks his Level 3 brother, crushes his Level 5 cousin, defeats school bullies, and wins the girl... Ahem! No wonder his brother felt so resentful and desperate to cultivate martial arts. Anyone would feel aggrieved.

Distracted, Zhao Rui looked at his brother with a newfound sense of pity. Poor kid!

As he was lost in thought, Zhao Jincheng handed him his phone. "It's your third uncle!"

Zhao Rui took the phone and said, "Third Uncle!"

"Congratulations, Xiao Rui! Reaching Level 4 by graduation shows you've put in the effort. Your third uncle is very happy..." Zhao Jinze said with a smile on the other end.

"Thank you, Third Uncle. Come visit when you have the chance! It's been a long time since I've seen my cousin."

"Him? He lost to someone last time and has been brooding over it. He’s been in seclusion all summer. I’ll talk to him later and see if we can come over for a couple of days."

"Alright, Third Uncle!"

After a brief chat, Zhao Rui returned the phone to his father. Human relationships are complex, and it’s hard to draw a clear line between good and bad. It’s just that some people are closer than others, and preferences vary.

The entire morning, the family remained immersed in joy. At ten o'clock, Tian Yaru called, and Zhao Rui quickly hopped on his bicycle to head over. Happiness was one thing, but he still needed to earn money!

Soon, he arrived at the gate of the Tian family villa, where a Toyota Alphard he hadn't seen before was parked. Locking his bike in a corner, Zhao Rui entered the courtyard. The moment he pushed open the foyer door, Tian Yaru rushed over, looking delighted. Without a word, she grabbed his backpack and headed toward the study.

"You're finally here! You've delayed my studies; I’m going to deduct your pay!"

The girl’s words left Zhao Rui confused. He glanced into the living room and saw quite a few people. Apart from Tian Muhao and his wife, there was another couple with a girl around Tian Yaru’s age. Zhao Rui greeted his employers, but he was already being dragged into the study by Tian Yaru.

Tian Muqiang looked at the scene and apologized to the guests, "She’s been spoiled by me; she has no manners at all!"

"It's fine. It's a good thing to love learning," the male guest replied with a smile, then asked, "The young man just now?"

"Oh, he’s a tutor we hired. He teaches quite well!" Mrs. Song explained with a smile.

"That's great. We should hire one for Yiyan later..." The man looked at the girl beside him and smiled.

"Yiyan is so good at her studies and is a martial arts genius, unlike our Yaru..." They began to chat along this topic.

Inside the study, Tian Yaru pouted, pulling her head back from the door with a look of annoyance. She muttered, "Every time they come, it's the same nonsense. I'm sick of it. Their daughter is a genius? Who gives a... damn!"

Tian Yaru’s face turned red, and she quickly changed the subject. "Can you stay a bit later today? I’m afraid they’ll stay for lunch."

"Sure!" Zhao Rui agreed readily. "But it will cost extra!"

"Hmph, despicable!" Tian Yaru gave him the middle finger. Although the gesture wasn't elegant, it must be said that her fingers were long and slender, like white scallions, with neatly trimmed, pale pink nails that looked quite beautiful.

"Let’s start the lesson. I’m starting school soon." Zhao Rui ignored her and pulled out his notebook to begin the lecture.

"Huh? Did your admission letter arrive? When does school start?"

"Yes, September 1st. Less than two weeks left."

"Oh!" The girl pouted, her red lips forming a pout that highlighted the shallow dimples at the corners of her mouth.

"What? You'll miss me?" Zhao Rui smiled slightly.

"Brother, you're so thick-skinned! I was just thinking that when you start school, I have to start school too! Hmph!" Tian Yaru glanced at him, her coquettish expression carrying a hint of charm that made his heart flutter slightly.

"Haha! Alright, let’s get to work!" Who doesn't appreciate beauty? Zhao Rui gestured for her to sit at the desk and began his lecture in earnest.

An hour passed in the blink of an eye. As they were focused on a problem, there was a knock at the study door. Tian Yaru asked sharply, "Who is it?"

"Yaru, it's me, Yiyan!" A lazy, slightly hoarse voice, as fresh and green as an unripened plum, drifted in.

"What do you want? I'm studying!" Tian Yaru pouted, her cute nose wrinkling in displeasure. She looked like a petulant little girl.

"My aunt said you should take a break and come out for some fruit!"

"Got it!" Tian Yaru replied coldly, having no intention of opening the door. The girl outside seemed to know her temperament and walked back to the living room.

A moment later, Mrs. Song knocked and entered with a tray of cut fruit. Behind her followed a smiling girl with a lazy posture—clearly the girl Tian Yaru had been complaining about.

"Why so serious today? If you don't eat, Zhao Rui should!" Mrs. Song said gently, placing the fruit on the corner of the desk. As she spoke, the girl behind her looked at Tian Yaru with a playful, enigmatic expression. Tian Yaru snorted, refusing to look at her.

"Study for a bit longer, then come out for lunch. Zhao Rui, you join us too!"

"No, thank you, ma'am..." Zhao Rui started to decline. Staying late for tutoring was one thing, but eating was another. Before he could finish, Tian Yaru poked him hard with her elbow and interrupted, "Mom, Brother Zhao Rui will stay for lunch. You guys go out first!" She then turned to Zhao Rui, signaling him with her eyes—a mix of threat and pleading.

"Then I'll take you up on that, ma'am!" Zhao Rui conceded with a smile.

"Don't be so polite! You young people chat," Mrs. Song said as she left. However, the girl behind her didn't leave; instead, she coolly inspected the textbooks on the desk.

"Why are you still here? I need to study!" Tian Yaru flipped a book over to shield the desk.

"You should at least call me 'big sister'!" the girl said unhurriedly. She pressed her hand on the desk, and Tian Yaru jolted as if struck by lightning, jumping back from the table.

"You!"

"I don't care what you're studying. Remember to call me 'big sister' at lunch!" The girl smiled, then strode out of the study.

"Hmph, she makes me so mad! She only knows how to use her martial arts to bully me!" Tian Yaru’s eyes welled up with tears, ready to spill over.

"Alright, stop acting. Even if you keep crying, I won't help you fight her!" Zhao Rui flipped the book back over and said flatly.

"Hmph, you're annoying!" Tian Yaru dropped her aggrieved act, sighed, and said, "She’s a Level 5 martial artist. You might not be able to beat her."

Zhao Rui ignored her and continued the lesson.

"So boring!" Seeing that Zhao Rui remained unmoved, Tian Yaru began to listen seriously.

At noon, Mrs. Song called them to the dining room. Tian Yaru and Zhao Rui went reluctantly. The dining room was large, with a massive rectangular table laden with various delicacies—some from the fields, some from the sea, prepared with such complexity that Zhao Rui hadn't even seen many of them before. The guests were already seated.

"Come, come! Xiao Zhao, don't be a stranger in our home!" Seeing them arrive, Mrs. Song stood up and warmly invited Zhao Rui to sit. He wasn't just her daughter's tutor; he was also the junior of her good friend. It was only right to have a casual meal together.

Zhao Rui sat down gracefully. "I'll sit next to Brother Zhao Rui!" Tian Yaru immediately took the seat beside him.

"This child!" Tian Muqiang laughed indulgently and signaled for everyone to eat. The two families were clearly close, chatting casually as they ate. Before long, the conversation turned to the guest’s daughter. It turned out she was also taking the college entrance exam this year, aiming for the Dongqi Martial Arts Teachers College.

"Brother Zhao Rui is going to Dongqi University!" Hearing the parents praising the "big sister" again, Tian Yaru couldn't help but interject.

"Dongqi University?" The girl named Yiyan glanced at Zhao Rui, looking quite surprised.

"I know your Brother Zhao Rui is a good student; that's why we hired him to tutor you! You should learn from him properly!" Mrs. Song warned her daughter. Tian Yaru pursed her lips, lowered her head, and shoveled food into her mouth in silence.

Sensing her daughter's displeasure, Tian Muqiang steered the conversation toward business. Zhao Rui listened attentively to broaden his horizons while savoring the food. The meal was expensive and tasted wonderful; he didn't know when he'd have such a feast again, and he certainly wouldn't pay for it himself.

No one drank alcohol, so the meal ended quickly. They moved to the living room for tea. Zhao Rui stayed for a short while before rising to leave. To his surprise, Yiyan took out her phone, wanting to add him on WeChat, saying they would be in the same city for school.

"Brother Zhao Rui is very busy; he doesn't have time for you!" Tian Yaru grabbed Zhao Rui’s arm and pulled him away. Zhao Rui offered an apologetic smile to the girl and let Tian Yaru pull him out.

Outside the villa, Tian Yaru released his arm. "Brother Zhao Rui, that girl is mean-spirited. Don't add her!"

Zhao Rui mounted his bike, smiled at her, and said, "I have no real connection to her anyway; it doesn't matter. I'm off. Review your lessons well at home."

With that, he rode toward the exit of the residential complex.

...

Five days passed in a flash, and the banquet for Zhao Rui’s college entrance results finally began. Both sides of his extended family had gathered in Lin City. Because Zhao Rui had done so well, Zhao Jincheng felt a great sense of pride and splurged on a five-star hotel for the celebration. The cost was high, but the service was impeccable—the hotel handled everything in advance, saving them all the trouble.