Age of Legends

Chapter 367 Each Strives for the Right Path, Yet Across a Thousand Miles, We Share the Same Wind (Part Four)
When Zhang Chen received his admission letter from the Department of Software Engineering at the School of Computer Science, Sichuan University, his family held a celebratory banquet at the Jinjiang Hotel.

After all, I got into a university I never thought I would go to before. Sichuan University has now integrated with West China Medical University and has become the most competitive comprehensive university in Southwest China. Although there is a saying in Fuzhou that "if you can't get into Tsinghua University, go to the neighboring Sichuan University", it is not that exaggerated. Even in the No. 27 Middle School, there are many students in the top class who can't get into Sichuan University.

This statement is somewhat based on misinformation. After all, it is still one of the top universities in the province, an unattainable goal for 90% of ordinary students. Zhang Chen's previous grades, which were among the lowest in the entire school, represented an unreachable ceiling. Now, it is as if Zhang Chen has been admitted to the highest level he could reach, given his mediocre academic performance.

The graduation banquet was limited to relatives in Fuzhou. It wasn't that Huang Huifen and Zhang Zhonghua didn't want to invite more relatives and friends, but informing them would create a lot of complications. Given the current relationships Huang Huifen and Zhang Zhonghua had, it was easy to offend people by inviting one group but ignoring another. Should they inform their classmates, who had extensive networks? Should they inform their business partners? Business partners, in turn, involved people with varying degrees of closeness, though outwardly friends—should they inform these as well? Inviting them would create a large-scale, messy affair, easily escalating into accusations of financial gain, and people might not even want to attend. Therefore, they simply decided not to invite any friends outside of family.

Even if the invitations are limited to relatives, Wang Bowen and Chen Xuran are definitely on the list. Zhang Chen also attended Wang Shuowei's college entrance celebration before, and this time the two brothers will be celebrating together, which is a bit disgusting. On the other hand, the only invited business partner is Zhuang Yanyue's family.

It's worth noting that Zhang Zhonghua and Shen Nuoyi's father are currently collaborating, but they've both tacitly avoided mentioning their children. Perhaps Shen Mingbo learned his lesson from Liu Yan and is trying to avoid involving his children in business, even if his business dealings might genuinely have that intention. Zhang Zhonghua, on the other hand, is even more obvious in avoiding asking about Shen Mingbo's family situation, also to avoid suspicion.

On the other hand, Zhuang Yanyue's family was invited to her college admission banquet, but she was too busy to attend and only sent a monetary gift. Huang Huifen also invited Zhuang Yanyue's family to Zhang Chen's banquet, as she knew Zhuang Yanyue had also been admitted to Sichuan University, the same school as Zhang Chen. Given their past connection and the fact that Huang Huifen generally liked Zhuang Xuefeng and Liu Jun, she invited them as well. However, this time, Zhuang Xuefeng cancelled his other engagements to come specifically to congratulate Zhang Chen.

When it came time to give Zhang Chen his gift money, Huang Huifen felt somewhat awkward. She had only given Zhuang Yanyue two thousand yuan. She was only giving so much because Zhuang Xuefeng was an investor; otherwise, Huang Huifen wouldn't have given so much. According to current gift money standards in Rongcheng, the amount given at a graduation banquet is usually around 100-500 yuan, generally depending on the closeness of the relationship, and roughly 10% of an individual's monthly salary. After all, the average monthly salary in Rongcheng is only around one thousand yuan.

However, when Zhuang Xuefeng returned the gift, he presented a thick red envelope containing a staggering 20,000 yuan. Huang Huifen immediately tried to return it, but Zhuang Xuefeng forcefully pushed her back. After saying a few more words, Huang Huifen accepted it.

But Li Wei, Zhang Chen's cousin, was dumbfounded. Thanks to her father's connections—Li Degui was, after all, a leader in the sugar and wine company—she had received 30,000 yuan for her college entrance banquet, which had twelve tables. She was proud and felt that she had earned a lot. However, Zhang Chen's family invited only a few close friends, and each person gave a red envelope that was astonishing.

Although Li Wei knew that Zhang Chen's family was not what it used to be, seeing the contrast firsthand still made her feel a little empty inside.

At the dinner table, Li Degui gave Zhang Chen a thumbs up, saying, "Zhang Chen has been smart since he was a child!" This made Li Wei feel a little uncomfortable.

Her previous attitude towards Zhang Chen stemmed largely from her father's disdain for him, leading her to believe that someone with poor grades and a difficult family background like Zhang Chen would have no future. Conversely, the fact that everyone at family gatherings would flatter her father and compliment her fostered her arrogance.

Only she understood that the situation was now reversed, and it was her own father who was repeatedly flattering the Zhang family, which made her feel a sense of shock and unease.

Moreover, Zhang Chen's college entrance examination essay and score were also flaunted by her mother, Liu Shuzhen, as a source of pride and glory. This prompted Li Wei's former friends and classmates to call her or ask about it at gatherings.

"The younger brother you used to talk about, did his college entrance exam essay really get submitted?"

"The one featured in Sichuan University's publicity paper, is that him?" "He's become a celebrity at Sichuan University! Your brother is so amazing... then why did you treat him so badly before?"

"You really treat your brother better. We've wanted to tell you before, you should be nicer to him."

Conversely, Li Wei, who used to readily tell her friends about all the things her cousin did that displeased her, now seems like a fierce and menacing figure.

This really is a realistic world!
Seeing how strong you are, even your own people will speak up for you!
And that's not all... Zhuang Yanyue, a great beauty whom he himself admires, is now smiling at Zhang Chen with her delicate eyebrows like spring flowers.
Li Wei really wanted to say, "What has he done to deserve this?" After all, she used to think that girls with average qualities wouldn't even glance at Zhang Chen, since his family didn't have money, his grades were so bad, and he had such an annoying mouth. Every time she scolded him, he would shamelessly talk back and argue.

Now, his brainless aunt has somehow gotten involved in real estate with TV host Chen Xuran and has even become a well-known real estate developer in Fuzhou by accident. Zhang Zhonghua, who was originally an honest and unambitious man, has also obtained a patent, received government support, and is now General Manager Zhang. Zhang Chen has undergone a complete transformation.

As the saying goes, you won't envy a millionaire, but you'll envy the person next to you who becomes a millionaire. That's exactly what Li Wei is feeling now. Seeing Zhang Chen's current success makes him feel incredibly depressed.

On the other hand, Zhuang Yanyue stood out for her poise and elegance. Coupled with her unique status as the daughter of a business partner invited by the Zhang family, she represented a prominent figure at the family banquet. As a result, the relatives in the family praised Zhuang Yanyue and spared no effort in giving her various compliments.

Zhuang Yanyue, holding her teacup, greeted each of Zhang Chen's elders with a smile and polite responses, often warming their hearts. Indeed, these relatives and friends of Zhang Chen had rarely encountered someone like Zhuang Yanyue, this succubus of virtue. They were all thoroughly charmed and delighted.

Finally, she glanced at Zhang Chen and said to everyone, "Actually, my grades weren't good at all before. I was only ranked around 400th in the whole grade. It was because of Zhang Chen's encouragement that I was able to get into Sichuan University. Sometimes I would call him at night to ask him questions, and he would patiently explain the problems to me without getting impatient."

After saying this, she looked at him with a tender gaze and sat up straight. What a charming and lovely young lady from a farming family, just blossoming into womanhood.

Liu Jun nodded in deep agreement, and Zhuang Xuefeng gave Zhang Chen a grateful look.

Li Wei had cake in his mouth and found it difficult to swallow.

All of Zhang Chen's relatives and friends slightly opened their mouths, much like fish swimming in a pond lacking oxygen.

Ah, I don't know what to say.

(End of this chapter)