42: Chapter 42 Other People's Children

In an instant, the attitudes of those relatives did a complete 180-degree turn. The indifference and perfunctory behavior from before vanished as if blown away by a gust of wind, replaced by enthusiastic, beaming smiles.

"I always said Little Wen was destined for greatness since he was a child!" Third Aunt spoke up first, her voice eight decibels higher than usual, her smile lines crinkling with joy.

"Look at how focused he was when doing his homework as a kid. He could sit there for two hours without moving an inch. I even told your uncle back then that this child would be extraordinary!"

Second Uncle rushed over with a teacup in hand, acting like a secretary handing over documents to a boss: "Exactly! This kid has been sharp since he was little. He even knew to wait until no one was around to pass gas!"

Even the Eldest Aunt, who loved to show off her own son, joined the praise parade: "Little Wen is the golden signboard of our family now! From now on, whenever we buy stocks, grab red envelopes, or bargain on PDD, we'll have to rely on your guidance!"

Compliments poured in like a tidal wave, carrying undisguised intimacy and eagerness, as if the subtle alienation from before had never existed, leaving only the joy and harmony filling the room.

Zhang Wen didn't know what to say, only thinking to himself, "The reason I could sit for two hours without moving while doing homework was because I was stuck to the chair with glue."

Just as they were lavishing praise on Zhang Wen, the doorbell rang again.

The moment the bell rang, the representatives from Jinlin University sensed who it was and sighed in unison.

Outside the door, the atmosphere was thick with gunpowder.

Director Qian stood with one hand in his pocket, a cold glint flashing behind his glasses: "You folks from Dongmo, why don't you head back? We at Azure Mist have already reserved this child; we've even gold-leafed his admission letter."

Deng Chengping scoffed, the magic patterns on his cuffs glowing faintly: "Director Qian, don't talk in your sleep this early in the morning. Zhang Wen hasn't agreed yet, has he?"

The two were at daggers drawn, as if invisible blades were clashing in the air. Until—

Creak. The door opened.

Director Qian’s expression changed instantly. He lunged forward to block Deng Chengping, grinning like a sunflower: "Student Zhang Wen, right? My, the sunlight really makes you look even more energetic!"

Director Deng’s eyes flashed with a silver light, and the Spatial Law was triggered instantly. The two swapped positions in a flash, and Director Qian stumbled, nearly falling over.

"Student Zhang!" Director Deng straightened his collar and pulled out a gilded admission letter as if by magic. "We at Dongmo have prepared top-tier Cultivate resources. As long as you nod, we can..."

Before he could finish, Director Qian’s iron grip clamped onto the back of his neck, his voice chilling: "Old Deng, you’re quite proficient with that Spatial talent, aren't you? Would you like me to 'teleport' you to the trash can downstairs?"

Spiritual power surged around them, the recruitment brochures rustling in the Qi waves. It looked like a full-blown brawl was about to break out in the hallway—

"Gentlemen," Zhang Wen interrupted with a suppressed smile, "would you like to come in for some tea? My relatives are all here."

Whoosh! The spiritual power vanished instantly.

Both directors switched to their professional smiles in a second, speaking in unison: "Great!" They retracted their spiritual power, their faces once again full of smiles.

As the door pushed open, Director Qian’s somewhat portly frame surged forward with an irresistible momentum, bumping into Deng Chengping and sending him staggering.

He didn't even blink, as if he had just pushed aside an annoying door, and strode into Zhang Wen’s living room.

Deng Chengping steadied himself, a flash of irritation in his eyes behind his glasses, his hand gripping the handle of his briefcase tightly.

But he quickly let go, took a deep breath, put on a gentle smile again, gritted his teeth at Director Qian’s back, and hurried inside.

Mother Wang Guihua asked, "Little Wen, who is it?"

Zhang Wen replied, his tone as calm as if he were discussing the weather: "Oh, no one, just the recruitment teachers from Qinglan University and Dongmo University."

As soon as he finished speaking, the room went silent for half a second.

Zhang Wen’s aunt, who had been chatting with the Jinlin University representative, stood up abruptly. Her hand hovered in mid-air, her eyes wide, her voice trembling: "What did you say? Qinglan? Dongmo?!"

She swallowed hard, squeezing the second half of the sentence through her teeth, "Are... are those the two top universities at the top of the national rankings? The ones they talk about on TV every day?"

Deng Chengping was about to smooth things over, but Director Qian’s voice came crashing in first: "Exactly. You folks surely know the purpose of our visit today, right?" He said this, casting a sidelong glance at the Jinlin University representative, carrying a few parts of undisguised pressure.

This seemed to remind Deng Chengping, who immediately stepped forward, speaking faster than usual, afraid of being beaten to the punch: "Dongmo University is willing to open all Secret Realms to Student Zhang Wen for his unrestricted use. We will provide one A-grade Cultivate Materials every month and waive all tuition fees during university. Additionally, congratulations to Zhang Wen for taking the Jiangnan Province provincial top scholar title; we will reward you with an extra ten million in cash as a subsidy for your family."

Before he finished, Zhang Wen’s parents and the relatives stopped moving the melon seeds and fruit in their hands, their very breathing becoming lighter. The Jinlin University representative’s hand holding the teacup paused, a flash of surprise in his eyes—Dongmo’s conditions were already exceptionally generous.

Zhang Wen’s second uncle was rubbing his hands together, about to offer advice, but Director Qian slowly raised a hand to interrupt: "Everyone, no rush. Why not listen to what we at Azure Mist have to offer?"

He cleared his throat and stated clearly, every word resonating: "During Zhang Wen’s time at school, he will receive one S-grade Cultivate Materials every month, permanent access to top-tier Cultivate rooms, and, naturally, open access to all Secret Realms. All trivial, irrelevant courses are waived. As for professors in the school, he can study under whomever he chooses. Tuition is obviously waived, and finally—a cash reward of one hundred million."

"Hiss—" A chorus of gasps echoed through the room. Everyone froze in place, eyes wide, as if stunned by the figure. Azure Mist’s gesture had "determined to win" written all over it.

The Dongmo representatives’ expressions darkened instantly, the knuckles gripping their briefcases turning white. Conversely, the Jinlin University representative quietly breathed a sigh of relief—at this point, it wasn't even a matter of competing anymore; it was impossible to compete.

The Dongmo University representative frowned, fingers tapping unconsciously on his briefcase, clearly still calculating what other chips he could add. But before he could speak, Zhang Wen gently raised his hand, interrupting this silent contest.

"First of all, I must thank all the teachers for making the trip and for valuing me so highly." He stood straight, his tone calm but filled with undeniable certainty. "But I have a prior agreement with a friend, so... I am truly sorry." As he spoke, he bowed deeply to the Dongmo and Jinlin University representatives, his posture sincere.

"Therefore, I choose Qinglan University."

As the last few words landed, Director Qian almost couldn't suppress the smile at the corner of his mouth, clenching his fist at his side to keep himself from jumping up—this was the most crucial talent for Azure Mist this year! He cleared his throat, trying to maintain the composure of a Senior, but his voice couldn't hide his excitement: "Hahaha, good! Student Zhang Wen, from this moment on, you are one of us at Azure Mist! Don't worry, our school has always been protective. If you ever suffer any grievances outside in the future, you don't need to worry about it; just tell the school, and we guarantee to handle it for you!"

The Dongmo representative’s face turned even grayer, and he silently put away the supplementary agreement he was about to take out; the Jinlin University representative had anticipated this, only nodding at Zhang Wen as a silent congratulation.

By the time they sent off the university representatives and the relatives, dusk was approaching. The hallway was still filled with the excited chatter of the relatives, those praises that had originally carried a hint of alienation.

Now they had become genuine and enthusiastic—Zhang Wen had officially become the "other people's children" who was repeatedly talked about in the relatives' circle.

"Look at Zhang Wen, Qinglan University was fighting over him, one hundred million..."

"Exactly, he looked steady since he was little, truly destined for great success..."

These words drifted in through the half-open door crack. Wang Guihua smiled and shook her head, turning to look at Zhang Wen, who had just sat down, the pride in her eyes impossible to hide.