CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 37: I’M A MARTIAL ARTS GENIUS, I’VE LAID MY CARDS ON THE TABLE

"Xiaoshu... that can’t all be true, can it?"

Xu Lizhi looked worried. Her whole heart was invested in her business and family, and she had never contemplated such a situation. But the more she thought about it, the more she felt the girl made sense. The various decrees in Xia Country seemed like the prelude to great changes. She turned to Jiang Shu, asking involuntarily.

Through her son’s growing appetite, she had guessed that her son possessed a decent talent for Martial Arts. Getting into an undergraduate program shouldn’t be a problem. But now, all she hoped was for Jiang Shu to be safe and sound; even a diploma program would do, right here in Ji City, close to home.

"Mom, it’s fine. If there really were a monster invasion, Xia Country would’ve started conscripting on a large scale."

On the bus, Jiang Shu soothed his mother’s emotions with a smile. Martial Arts is by no means a quick fix. If the situation really became urgent, Xia Country would surely adopt genetic modification like Freedom Country. The ability to broadcast such a movie, to slowly reform the college entrance examination, in itself, shows that everything is still under control.

Seeing that it was still early, Jiang Shu accompanied Xu Lizhi to the market to buy some vegetables. When they got home, Jiang Yongyi and Jiang Yanyue had just arrived.

"Fooled by the movie marketers again! They said it would be several minutes of screen time, but it was just over a minute! Mom, the movie was good today, wasn’t it?" Jiang Yanyue complained.

"I don’t understand these things; ask your brother." Xu Lizhi replied, then turned to her husband. "Yongyi, you take a break today; I’ll cook." While speaking, she carried the groceries toward the kitchen.

"Rare, surprising, of high quality," Jiang Shu commented, giving Jiang Yanyue a thumbs up. He also entered the kitchen to wash rice and prep vegetables, assisting his mother.

In a short while, he brought out four dishes and a soup.

The aroma of the meal wafted over the dining table. The family of four sat down. Unlike usual, Jiang Shu didn’t start serving the rice. Instead, he sat down and said in an earnest voice, "Dad, Mom, I’ve got something to say."

"Your son has achieved complete Qi Blood circulation and can enter an academy without taking the exams."

He continued, "Shengjing Academy, Donghai Academy, Jiangnan Academy, Tianshu Academy. Dad, Mom, you pick one."

Having said that, Jiang Shu went to serve himself a full bowl of rice. When he returned, silence hung over the dining table. Jiang Yongyi, Xu Lizhi, and Jiang Yanyue stared, their eyes wide with disbelief. If Jiang Shu hadn’t said it himself, they would never have believed it.

"Jiang... Jiang Shu, you’re not joking?" Xu Lizhi stammered.

"Mm, study hard in high school, and you could become my junior at my academy," Jiang Shu replied.

Seeing Jiang Shu nod seriously, Jiang Yanyue felt numb. More than two months ago, she had suspected her brother might have started Qi Blood Transport. Perhaps during the college entrance exams, he could have a breakout moment and enter a top-tier university. But an academy... She had never even considered it! Even as a study prodigy like herself, she couldn’t guarantee she would get into an academy during the college entrance exams. Jiang Shu had been practicing Martial Arts for just six months. From undergraduate-level strength directly to a top-tier university? It was as if Martial Arts had changed his destiny. Could it be that he truly was a genius?

"Xiaoshu... which of the Four Great Universities do you think suits you best?" Jiang Yongyi, having the most life experience, took a few deep breaths and quickly composed himself.

Applying for university. It was, without a doubt, the most important first major event in a child’s life for an ordinary family. The university one applied to, the major one chose—these could even determine the child’s future work and life.

"Each has its advantages," Jiang Shu said. After articulating his analysis of the Four Great Universities, he ate his meal, giving his parents enough time to ponder.

After a long pause, Jiang Yongyi said through clenched teeth, "Xiaoshu, why don’t... you choose between Shengjing Academy and Jiangnan Academy yourself."

He dared not make any decisions regarding such significant life matters. His child had come this far; his vision was perhaps even broader than his own. As a father, all he could do was offer support. Shengjing Academy was the best institution in the entire Xia Country, without equal—the very top. If Jiang Shu could get into this academy, anyone who heard of it would give a thumbs up. As for Jiangnan Academy, that was his own selfishness at play. Yanyan’s academic performance was good; if she did exceptionally well on the college entrance exam, perhaps she could also attend an academy. After all, girls and boys are different. Parents would rest easier if she attended a university closer by. If Jiang Shu were at Jiangnan Academy, he might even be able to look out for Yanyan.

"Then let’s tentatively decide on Jiangnan Academy for now. I’ll see what kind of offers the Four Great Universities make when the time comes. You two eat first; the food is getting cold," Jiang Shu said.

"Xiaoshu..." Xu Lizhi began.

"Hmm?"

"Should we tell Grandpa and Grandma, your uncle, and the others about you being exempt from exams to enter an academy? Or wait until the results come out..."

"Dad, Martial Arts are different from academic performance. There can be slip-ups during the liberal arts and science college exams. We Martial Artists don’t have that issue unless the policies change in the last month. As for whether to tell them, you can arrange it. I’ll be free these next few days anyway," Jiang Shu replied.

Jiang Shu agreed without hesitation. He was well aware that his father’s suggestion to "tell the family" wasn’t as simple as just making a phone call. It was customary in their family to gather and have a meal together for significant events. For example, when his younger sister was recruited early into Ji City’s top high school, their family had also reserved a table at a hotel and celebrated modestly.

Jiang Yongyi then made some calls. To his eldest brother, he said, "Big Brother, are you free these days? It’s nothing much, just that Xiaoshu is about to take the college entrance exam, and now he has some good news. We thought we’d get the family together to celebrate a bit. Could you bring Sister-in-law and Nephew over too? I’ll tell Mom and Dad myself by visiting them tomorrow... Alright, good, you’re free the evening of the day after tomorrow and the one after that? Okay, great. Hanging up now."

After also calling his third brother, Jiang Yongyi (who was the second son) set the family gathering for the evening two days later.

"Eh, where’s Xiaoshu?" After hanging up, Jiang Yongyi put his phone aside and couldn’t help but ask.

"Don’t know. He went out when you were on the phone," Jiang Yanyue said, almost burying her head in her bowl, her voice muffled.

This was bad, so bad. That jerk Jiang Shu! How did he suddenly achieve complete Qi Blood circulation and get exam-exempt entry into an academy? Not only could she no longer joke around with him or use him as a driver or bodyguard, but she would probably have to be his secretary, responsible for handling all his calls! This... was this even fair?!

Jiang Yanyue felt miserable. At that moment, Jiang Shu returned, holding a box of liquor. He opened it and poured some directly into Jiang Yongyi’s bowl. "Dad, I saw you were pretty happy, so I went down and bought a bottle of liquor. Let’s have a little advance celebration for our small family, shall we?"

"Dad, you should stop driving for Didi in the future. That industry is all about algorithms now; it’s too cutthroat. No matter how much you work, they control your earnings to a certain amount. It’s better to rest well and take care of your health."

"Mom, you too. Since the rent has gone up and running the shop is difficult, why don’t you stay home as well? You really don’t have to worry about money anymore."

"Trust your son. A Martial Artist earns money far more efficiently than you can imagine."