Chương 2: Liberal Arts to Military Studies

After climbing over the slightly leaky stairwell, he inserted the key into the lock of his front door.

A couplet hung on the door, the character "福" (fortune/blessing) in the middle faded to a pale red.

"I'm back."

Accompanied by a series of pattering sounds, my cousin Chen Yi ran over barefoot.

She has a sweet and lively appearance; she wears a pure white short-sleeved shirt and denim shorts, revealing a pair of long, fair legs, and her figure is as beautiful as a willow branch in early spring.

"Brother, why didn't you say you didn't have an umbrella? I would have come to pick you up."

Chen Yi took Lin Shuxuan's soaked coat.

"The library is just steps away from our home, so getting a little rained on is no big deal."

Lin Shuxuan didn't care at all.

"Your health isn't good to begin with, and you have a big exam in two months. It would be so troublesome if you got sick now."

As Chen Yi spoke, she carefully wiped the water droplets from Lin Shuxuan's face with a tissue.

"It's nothing..." Lin Shuxuan thought for a moment, then told Chen Yi what had happened at the entrance of the residential area and reminded her to be careful when going out.

The two walked into the living room as they talked.

Because of the rainy day, the room seemed a bit dark. One of the legs of the central octagonal table was shorter than usual, and a thick book was placed on it.

Some overweight middle-aged men were sitting at the table peeling green beans; their arms were thick and their expressions were simple and honest.

He is Lin Shuxuan's uncle, Chen Li.

Lin Shuxuan lost both his parents at a young age and was raised by his aunt and uncle's family.

When Chen Li saw Lin Shuxuan coming over, he smiled and joked:

"Hey, 'Thirty Years East of the River' is back! Your aunt bought an old hen to make soup today. Drink plenty later to nourish your body."

Lin Shuxuan's relationship with his aunt was not very harmonious. He once casually said something about the fortunes of the past thirty years during an argument, which his uncle remembered and used to make fun of him for several years.

"Stop it, Uncle. A whole family died in Unit 6, did you know that?"

Lin Shuxuan pulled over a plastic chair next to the table and sat down, then gathered some green beans and started peeling them for him.

Chen Li looked somewhat regretful.

"I heard it was a gas leak. That family's child is about the same age as Xiaoyi. It's such a pity."

It seems even his uncle didn't know the inside story... Lin Shuxuan was a little disappointed.

The kitchen door was flung open, and scalding hot steam rushed out.

"What era are you in that you're still concerned about these things? Are you even going to take the college entrance exam?"

My aunt placed the chicken soup in the center of the table.

Time has not obscured her beauty; her youthful charm is still faintly visible, though her thin lips give her a somewhat harsh look.

"Didn't you go to the library with a female classmate today? I think that girl really likes you. Is there any chance you could marry her?"

"I heard that their family owns dozens of buildings."

Lin Shuxuan ladled out a bowl of chicken soup and slowly blew away the oil film.

"First, they own hundreds of buildings; second, I don't live off women."

The girl his aunt mentioned was his classmate, who was outstanding in appearance and academics, and more importantly, her family was very wealthy.

But for some reason, this snow lotus from the high mountains took special care of him, not only taking him to school in her family's winged luxury car every day, but also taking him out to coffee shops or libraries on weekends.

"If you're not going to be a kept man, then study hard. Don't end up getting into a third-rate university and then having to live off your parents after graduation."

"I happen to have something to say."

Lin Shuxuan put down the porcelain bowl in his hand.

"I want to switch to military studies."

The atmosphere in the living room suddenly froze.

After a long pause, it was Uncle Chen Li who spoke up.

"Sure, switching to martial arts is a good idea..."

He was only halfway through his sentence when his aunt glared at him.

"Were you being bullied in class?"

Chen Yi asked with concern.

Lin Shuxuan shook his head, glancing past the two people who were trying to create a good atmosphere, and looked directly into his aunt's eyes.

"I will get first place in the entire martial arts department, Auntie, that's my promise."

Aunt was stunned when she heard this, and couldn't believe that Lin Shuxuan had become so arrogant and shameless.

"Have you practiced basic martial arts techniques?"

"no."

"Then what are you bragging about? You just don't dare to take the college entrance exam, do you?..."

Lin Shuxuan listened to his aunt's incessant nagging, letting it go in one ear and out the other.

The federal talent selection process is divided into two subjects: essay writing and military skills.

The humanities major is roughly the same as in my previous life: twelve years of hard study, with the college entrance examination determining my fate; after graduation, I entered a company to work in business.

The martial arts program doesn't consider academic performance, or even martial arts skills; university admission is a breeze, and graduates are guaranteed job placement.

However, respectable and well-paying jobs like security guards have strict requirements. If a student's martial arts skills are not up to par, most martial arts students' first job will be a soldier on the front lines.

"Do you think getting into university through military science is easy? Without good grades, do you think you'd survive on the front lines?"

My aunt's tone grew increasingly stern; she took off her apron and slammed it hard on the table.

"In short, this is out of the question."

Lin Shuxuan was not surprised by his aunt's reaction. If he could get the benefits of "Opening the Shop" and have twenty years of martial arts cultivation, it would be much easier to persuade his aunt.

But there wasn't enough time.

Changing majors is no trivial matter; filling out the forms and going through the review process all take time, and now there are only two months left until the big exam.

The past week has been the last chance to switch majors!

Lin Shuxuan's humanities grades were not outstanding, at least not compared to the twenty years of martial arts cultivation he would have later. It would be a pity if he didn't seize the opportunity to make a name for himself in the big exam.

There was another reason, which my aunt didn't say explicitly.

Not enough money.

Switching from academic to martial arts requires paying a new tuition fee, which will be used to purchase training methods and medicines.

My aunt and uncle were ordinary factory workers who lived frugally; the table they used for eating was older than Lin Shuxuan himself, and they couldn't bear to replace it even when the legs were shortened.

Lin Shuxuan fell seriously ill the year he awakened his memories at the age of fifteen, which cost him a significant portion of his family's wealth.

He and Chen Yi are now attending private junior and senior high schools, where the school selection and admission fees are high.

The family's finances were already on the verge of collapse, and this unexpected large expense would undoubtedly put immense pressure on them.

Dinner ended unhappily.

Lin Shuxuan returned to his bedroom on the second floor.

A bed and a desk with peeling paint and piles of textbooks, totaling about ten square meters.

This room was originally a storage room, but Chen Yi grew up and could no longer sleep with him, so it was converted into a bedroom.

Lying in bed, he felt somewhat worried.

My aunt's refusal was expected; having no prior knowledge and switching majors two months before the big exam seemed like an act of escapism.

But he couldn't tell anyone that he had cheat codes.

My phone vibrated slightly beside my bed.

Lin Shuxuan picked it up; it was a message from Bai Shasha.

[Transfer: 2000 yuan] [Bai Shasha: The story is wonderful, you must accept these rewards, it's their kind gesture♪] Bai Shasha, the heiress of the Baiqi Group; is also the female classmate who went to the library with him today.

The 2000 yuan was his reward for writing urban legends. Baiqi Group was promoting the release of "Midnight Ghost Bell," and outstanding derivative works could receive bonuses.

Lin Shuxuan copied the story of his previous life's "The Ring" and posted it on the forum, which received a good response.

"Isn't this plagiarism too embarrassing...?" he muttered to himself.

But he needs money.

If you can come up with enough cash to pay your tuition and fees.

It will be much easier to persuade my aunt.

In previous years, the tuition and fees for martial arts majors were 20, 000 yuan.

In addition to the 2000 yuan I just received, and the pocket money and New Year's money I had saved up before.

A staggering sum of 4497. 5 yuan.

My phone vibrated again; another message had arrived.

[Bai Shasha: Haven't you seen this movie yet? Want to watch it together? ♪] [Bai Shasha: My parents aren't home tonight♪] A young woman living alone invites you to watch a horror movie late at night... It sounds like a very ambiguous thing, but Lin Shuxuan is worried about tuition fees and has no interest in watching movies.

Lin Shuxuan: Next time for sure.

Put your phone aside and look out the window.

The night was deep, and the orange lights of the skyscrapers outside twinkled like stars.

Making money is hard.

In particular, the technological level of this world is far higher than that of the previous world. You can see flying cars in the city center, and the math, physics and chemistry taught in the nine-year compulsory education cannot be monetized.

There are very few ways to make money.

Tap... tap... tap...

A soft knock sounded, and Lin Shuxuan opened the door to find Chen Yi standing gracefully outside.

"Brother, can I come in?"

Seeing Chen Yi's somewhat embarrassed and hesitant expression, Lin Shuxuan found it amusing; he had his cousin sit on the creaking wooden chair and said:

"What? You want to persuade me not to switch to martial arts?"

Unexpectedly, Chen Yi shook her head.

"I think my brother must have had a reason for doing this, and what I want to say is..."

She hesitated for a moment, then continued:

"Sister Sasha told me before that she wanted me to be a management trainee at Baiqi Group. If I can make money, brother, you can repeat a year of high school..."

Lin Shuxuan chuckled, never expecting that Chen Yi would even consider selling herself for him.

Admittedly, the Baiqi Group has extensive connections in Xinhai City, with businesses spanning transportation, real estate, and finance; even the Public Security Bureau has to give them some respect.

But signing a contract at this age is too early.

Especially since Lin Shuxuan suffered greatly at the hands of management trainees in his previous life, how could he just stand by and watch his cousin jump into a fire pit?

I gave Chen Yi a detailed analysis of the pros and cons.

"In short, you should focus on your studies now. You can intern at Baiqi Group during the holidays and sign a contract. As for the matter of switching to martial arts, I have my own plans."

Chen Yi nodded as if she understood, but remained seated, gently swinging her white, lotus-root-like legs, showing no intention of leaving.

"Is there anything else?"

"I read a scary story and I'm a little scared. Can I sleep here tonight?"

Chen Yi looked up, her porcelain-like face showing a pitiful expression.

"Sleep together..." Lin Shuxuan looked at his cousin's willow-like figure in early spring and decisively refused.

"Horror stories are all fake; they're probably made up by some idiot. You're just being scared and falling for it!"

After driving his cousin away, he inexplicably thought of what the tall, thin man had said during the day: horror movies, murder cases... If he could make a story out of these, the influence of this urban legend would reach a new level.

These days, being able to write articles and earn royalties is nothing special; you also need marketing skills to get more bonuses from the Bai family.

With this in mind, Lin Shuxuan logged into the Xinhai City Forum.

I created two alternate accounts and commented on my own ghost story posts.

[Lin Qi: This is a true story! A family in our neighborhood lost their life because of this.] [Crazy Book: It's really suspicious. Does the author know some inside story? It's written so realistically.] Make a good comment, then pay another 200 yuan in GG fees to push the post to the homepage.

As for the arrogant security guard's statement that "rumor-mongers will be arrested," he didn't take it to heart at all.

Can commercial advertising be called fraud?

Besides, he's not even eighteen yet, so we should arrest his aunt instead.

With this thought in mind, Lin Shuxuan went to bed to wait for feedback on the post the next day.

In his drowsy state, the landline in the living room seemed to ring a few times, which was annoying, but fortunately it was answered quickly. Lin Shuxuan didn't pay attention to it and continued to sleep soundly.

......

In the early morning, the warm sunlight streamed through the window and fell on my face.

Lin Shuxuan opened his eyes and picked up his phone to check the results of his post.

My heart suddenly tightened.

The results weren't bad; in fact, they were better than expected.

Its popularity soared, and it was highlighted in red on the forum's homepage, causing discussions about "Midnight Ghost Ring" to skyrocket.

[Lingyue: Is there a follow-up?] [Yu Meiren: Who's so shameless, pushing this thing around so late at night? Don't let me catch them.] [Chiubi Qiubi: It's a very interesting story, well written, I really like it.] [Heart to Heart: This story is terrifying, could it be true?] But a few comments caught his attention.

[Jiang Shan: The movie Midnight Ring is definitely problematic, don't watch it! Everything the poster wrote is true!!] [In dire straits: Someone please help me! The phone really rang at midnight last night. I answered it on the seventh ring. What will happen next? Am I being haunted?] This isn't my alternate account... Who's putting in so much effort... Lin Shuxuan was a little puzzled, but didn't care. More comments like this would be better.

With the momentum of his post, it's a certainty that he'll receive an even more generous cash reward from the Baiqi Group.

Sure enough, Bai Shasha's transfer had arrived.

[Transfer: 15000 yuan] The thought of slapping his aunt's pretty face with money filled Lin Shuxuan with a surge of pleasure.

More importantly, with this money, he could successfully transition from a literary to a military career.

After that, all you need to do is use the rewards from the "Open Up" event to beat up the cavemen and win first place in martial arts.

His reverie was interrupted by urgent and rough knocking on the door.

Then came the uncle's footsteps, walking through the living room to the entrance hall, and opening the door a crack.

"What's the matter?"

A cold, hard voice rang out:

"Xinhai City Public Security Bureau, we are ordered to arrest Lin Shuxuan. Please cooperate."