When Chen Chuan walked out, he heard cheers outside. Clearly, the Martial Valor University students had heard that he had come out of the ordeal unscathed. Even though he was sure that what they heard wasn’t the judge’s verdict, the result was still the same.
The students noticed him the moment he appeared at the top of the stairs outside the tribunal court.
“He’s out!”
The students looked over in excitement and surrounded him.
Chen Chuan watched the spirited Martial Valor University students. They didn’t have the complicated ulterior motives of many others and were just here because of their passion and zeal. They were young and had a simple view of what was right and wrong.
Chen Chuan could understand why Shen Zheng had defended them. He had set up an example. Even if he failed, those who came after him still saw a possible future. The path leading to that future may be narrow, but if one person came forward, braved that path again and succeeded, it would mean that the path could be taken.
Even though Chen Chuan hadn’t walked down the path Shen Zheng had laid and chosen a different path, he had received a lot of help. The general tide of events in Yangzhi City had also helped immensely. That, of course, didn’t stop him from becoming part of that tide of events and turning into the most violent wave to crush the embankment before them.
Chen Chuan did not speak to the students. He just brought his hands up and gave them all a fist-and-palm salute.
The students were stunned, then became emotional and returned the salute to him.
After Chen Chuan lowered his hands, he walked down the stairs. The students opened up a path for him. When he was about to get into a car, he turned around and gave them a smile. “See you in the new semester, guys.”
Then, he got in.
“See you in the new semester, Chen Chuan!”
“See you, Chen Chuan!”
“See you!”
Their responses echoed in the square. They weren’t just responding to Chen Chuan, but also encouraging each other and looking forward to the new semester.
***
Lu Fang teared up while watching from a distance. How great would it be if Shen Zheng were still around? He turned around and said to the other club members, “I’ll leave the Aspiration Club in your hands now.”
“Don’t worry, Lu Fang. He built this club. We’ll make sure to manage it well.”
“I’m sure you can do it,” Lu Fang said with a smile.
***
Tai Dongwei was standing far away when he suddenly thought of something. He mumbled, “Say, do we still need to take the unrestricted defense permit test?”
Deng Fu stared at him like he was an idiot. “Obviously. Why shouldn’t we? We already registered for it! No one is asking to fail it now either. You’d be an idiot not to get that permit.”
Tai Dongwei’s head whipped up, and he declared, “Let’s take the test tomorrow. If we take a train right away, we should still make it!”
“Yeah. Let’s not linger here. Let’s go.” Deng Fu took a few steps forward before he heard his name being called out.
“Deng Fu.”
Deng Fu turned around and saw Geng Zheng staring at him. He asked in puzzlement, “What is it?”
With great seriousness, Geng Zheng said, “You were right. As long as we’re alive, we can see all sorts of things happen.”
Deng Fu was taken aback for a moment, then he laughed. “Looks like I’m a bit of a prophet.”
He sighed. Then, as if he thought of something, he said, “Say, what if—”
Tai Dongwei was shocked, and Geng Zheng was terrified. They lunged forward to cover his mouth and silence him.
“Don’t say anything, please. Save it until after we take the test.”
Deng Fu watched the two covering his mouth while keeping him in a hold as they stared at him nervously. Resigned, he said, “Alright, fine. I wasn’t going to say anything bad, you know? I just wanted to say—”
“Don’t!”
***
Chen Chuan got into Gao Ming’s car and went back home. The moment he stepped into the courtyard, Yu Wan grabbed him and checked him from head to toe. When she was sure that he was unharmed, she sighed in relief.
“I’m sorry for worrying you, Aunty,” Chen Chuan said.
Feigning calmness, Yu Wan said, “Why would I have been worried about you? Don’t underestimate me. Fuli often gets calls to take on cases at night and does not come back for days. I’m used to this.”
“Don’t worry, Aunty. I’ll take good care of myself,” Chen Chuan said with a smile.
“Chen Chuan, you’re back! Yay!” Nian Lu and Nian Mo clapped.
Chen Chuan smiled and took out some candy he bought while on the way home. His cousins cheered and jumped up to grab them, then happily removed the wrappers to eat the candies.
After comforting Yu Wan, Chen Chuan turned on the radio. The news channel was reporting his trial. It spoke about how the rich children had planned to hurt a Martial Valor University student, how their families tried to use various methods to cover this up, and how they wanted to turn this against the Martial Valor University student instead and paint him as the villain. Because of that, the Constabulary took them away to be investigated.
Clearly, the Constabulary had seized control of the public discourse.
While Chen Chuan was deep in thought, the phone rang, and Yu Wan called out to him. “Chan’er, phone call for you.”
Chen Chuan came out and took the phone receiver from Yu Wan. “Hello, Chen Chuan speaking.”
A familiar, stern voice came through. “Chen Chuan, please take your unrestricted defense permit and come to the entrance of the alley.”
Chen Chuan’s heart stirred. He put the phone receiver down, told Yu Wan that he would be stepping out for a bit, and went to the entrance of the alley. The same sedan he’d seen when receiving his unrestricted defense permit instructions was parked there. Standing around it were men in black trench coats. Chen Chuan had met quite a number of them here and at the edge of the wilderness.
One of them opened the car door and motioned for him to get in, “Please go in, Chen Chuan.”
Chen Chuan thanked him and got in. The moment he did, he saw Mr. Cao sitting at the back seat and nodded in greeting. “Hello, Mr. Cao.”
Mr. Cao returned the nod. After Chen Chuan settled down and the car door was shut, he said sternly, “Chen Chuan, I told you before that you would be considered a semi-law enforcer after receiving your unrestricted defense permit.
“You have the right to defend yourself, but you also have a duty to serve the country. Now, I am calling you to serve the country in the name of the National General Affairs Bureau’s special agent. What is your answer?”