Chapter 83 Martial Arts School (Pian Ruo and the Heshi Jade +)

“She’s in Nanxun—her presence there brings discomfort to both of us… It’s just as well that she’s gone.” With this single sentence, Sui Yi put an end to the matter of Qian Fengling’s fate. Old Tang considered for a moment, then gave Boss Qian his reply—deliberately avoiding Sui Yi in the process.

Boss Qian, already driven to distraction over the issue with Qian Fengling, knew all too well that her guilt or innocence did not hinge on whether she suffered from mental illness, but rather on whether Old Tang was willing to let the matter rest. If that document were submitted and Old Tang’s people decided to interfere, it would be nothing but a worthless piece of paper.

He had no choice but to bow his head.

While Old Tang was on the phone, accepting Boss Qian’s private settlement, Sui Yi—the one most affected by it all—remained perfectly at ease. In her leisure, her thoughts drifted to Wang Pu. Only then did she retrieve the stack of business cards from her pocket and select one.

Gao Wei watched as Sui Yi made a phone call in the open, unconcerned about appearances. He decided that stepping away would only make him seem petty, so he sat quietly, as if nothing were out of the ordinary. Wasn’t it about a school transfer…?

A transfer? Could it be that boy named Wang Pu?

Meanwhile, at the Nanxun Education Bureau, Deputy Director Bai Feng was boasting to a crowd about the spectacle he’d witnessed earlier that day. Nanxun was, after all, just a small town—unless one resorted to graft, there was no hope of earning a fortune on an official’s salary. Coincidentally, Nanxun, though small, was famous, watched closely from above, leaving little room for profit—especially in a department as unpromising as the Education Bureau. Thus, though Bai Feng’s position was neither high nor low, he enjoyed far fewer comforts than the local businessmen.

Not that they would dare meddle in such matters, fearing the higher-ups would catch them out. Instead, they indulged their scholarly pretensions at the local bookshop.

By happenstance, Bai Feng had witnessed the miraculous stone gambling earlier today and heard about the jade cicada. The shock lingered, and he recounted the story excitedly to friends and family.

Nearly six million yuan in one girl’s hands—who says being an official is best? Those with true ability are far freer than any bureaucrat.

A chorus of sighs rose from his listeners, interrupted only by his phone ringing.

Sui Yi?

Bai Feng was both surprised and delighted, chattering away to Sui Yi on the phone, his face blooming into a smile that drew worried glances from his wife. Had Old Bai found someone on the side?

“All right, all right, it’s a small matter… no trouble at all… I’m honored that Miss Sui called personally… Give my regards to Old Tang… Very good, I’ll hang up now…”

After the call, Bai Feng couldn’t wipe the smile from his face. When pressed, he revealed it was the very girl who’d just won six million who had called.

“Hey, Old Bai, you’re a deputy director—should you really be so deferential to a girl who got rich?”

Look at that attitude, as if he were currying favor!

“You don’t understand! Old Tang’s circle is formidable… Not only are they local heavyweights, but their connections at the top run deep. I’ve only been in Nanxun a year, my foundation is thin—if I don’t build relationships now, how will I get anything done in the future?”

Surrounded by family, Bai Feng spoke freely, then added meaningfully, “But the one I’m most wary of is that girl, Sui Yi.”

“That girl has some powerful ties behind her…”

He recalled the people who had come that morning asking for Sui Yi’s information. Whatever their purpose, Bai Feng felt compelled to tread carefully, Sui Yi included.

Others didn’t quite follow, but the young girl who had just stepped through the door paused—had she heard a familiar name?

Probably just her imagination.

“Lingshuang, you’re back…”

“Test today? How did it go?”

The old, familiar scene played out in households across Nanxun—except that Sui Yi had never known such troubles.

At that moment, Old Tang hung up, a cold curve to his lips.

Zhou Ran?

No one under me has ever dared cross me and come out unscathed!

At the Qian household, Boss Qian slammed his phone down on the glass table, his eyes cold and menacing as he fixed them on Zhou Ran.

Zhou Ran had been mulling over the consequences for Qian Fengling. If her mother turned out to be mentally ill as well, all of the inheritance would go to Qian Shuangyu. Wouldn’t he then soar to new heights?

So, outwardly, Zhou Ran appeared anxious, dutiful to the point of self-sacrifice, but inwardly, he was running endless calculations.

But Boss Qian’s sudden, chilling gaze silenced all the weeping in the room.

Zhou Ran no longer dared comfort Qian Shuangyu, feeling a chill creeping down his spine.

After a moment, Boss Qian issued his verdict.

“Zhou Ran, get out. Shuangyu, if you insist on following him… you can get out too!”

The outcome was inevitable—Zhou Ran left, while Qian Shuangyu sobbed, loath to part with her lover, yet never moved an inch.

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The next day, Wang Pu was taken to Second High, with Gao Wei accompanying him. Thanks to Bai Feng’s advance notice, the transfer went smoothly.

Sui Yi, meanwhile, faced the second day of exams…

Several days passed after the exams, but the results from the citywide mock tests were yet to be released. It was as if the teachers had agreed to keep the students hanging, leaving the top students in agony and the underachievers in dread.

At last, just before school let out on Friday afternoon, the teachers relented and announced the results would be posted on Monday.

Monday? That meant two more days of waiting.

Fortunately, with the exams just finished, the new principal, eager to implement the Bureau’s “well-rounded education” policy, granted the senior students a rare day off—Saturday and Sunday together.

“Heavens, it’s been years since we had a full weekend off…” lamented Fatty Zhou and his friends. After all, high school was known as the most grueling stage in a Chinese student’s life—up before dawn, worked to the bone, and reduced to a dog once the results came out.

And this trend was creeping down into middle school as well.

Sigh…

“But isn’t the basketball game on Monday too?” Fatty Zhou and his friends were all hoping Yu Hang’s team would win.

Especially compared to Han Yuanzhong’s arrogant crew.

Sui Yi only smiled, saying nothing. Truthfully, she had paid little attention to Yu Hang and the others these past few days—Yan Qingwu had even accused her of being a hands-off manager.

Manager? Perhaps Miss Yan had sensed something.

In fact, Sui Yi’s mind was occupied with plans for Saturday.

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On Saturday morning, Sui Yi and Ah A arrived at the entrance of a manor radiating an ancient charm.

Unlike a traditional courtyard, this place felt grand and imposing, with many inner rooms echoing with spirited shouts.

Sui Yi glanced up at the sign: Martial Hall.

Martial Hall?

Just using those two words as a name conveyed a spirit of embracing all streams of martial arts—a true sense of grandeur!

On the way, Ah A had told Sui Yi he’d discovered this place only a few days earlier by chance. With his interest in martial arts, he had come to see it and realized he’d been lucky indeed.

The Martial Hall had opened not long ago. Its founder, Shi Yunkai, was a renowned martial artist from the provincial capital, having devoted over fifty years to his practice. He had even been received by the President, and was one of the few true masters left in China. Though in his sixties, his martial prowess remained undiminished, and many of his disciples were now famous instructors across the country, some having founded their own schools.

Yet all schools used the name “Martial Hall” in homage, since the very first one Shi Yunkai founded bore that name.

But Shi Yunkai, aging now, wished to return to his roots, so he came back to his hometown, Nanxun, and opened a Martial Hall—not for profit, but to pass on his art in his native place.

Thus, Nanxun gained a Martial Hall of its own. Its grand opening drew notables from across the province, making it a landmark event. At the time, Sui Yi had missed it while visiting her ancestral home and only now was coming for the first time.

After Ah A’s account, even Sui Yi’s usually calm heart began to stir with anticipation.

No reputation is made without substance—Old Shi must possess real depth.

“I’ll take you to sign up. As long as you’re earnest and have some perseverance, they’ll accept you—just pay the fee.”

At first, it sounded like a money-making scheme, but Sui Yi sensed the sincerity behind it.

Just like the words inscribed beneath the signboard:

Left: Practice martial arts, strengthen the body, cultivate oneself, maintain inner peace.

Right: As a martial artist—unyielding, just, rather break than bend.

How many people these days still possess such integrity, in a society so full of corruption?

Environment shapes people, and Sui Yi had always believed that, in any country, the military breeds the best character—through rigorous training and enduring faith, it becomes ingrained, forming a backbone of steel.

In short, toss a soft student into the army for a year—if they survive and don’t lose themselves, they’ll come out all the better.

Martial arts are much the same: they calm the mind and temper character.

Though Sui Yi was a girl, she had a certain rare quality—her posture and bones were promising. The middle-aged coach gave her a quick once-over, then, after feeling her hand, looked at her in surprise.

“Did you train before, young lady?”

“In a way,” Sui Yi replied, thinking that what she’d picked up from TV surely counted for something…

“That’s good. Your bones are supple and well-defined—a good foundation. With determination, you’ll do well.”

Though surprised by her flexible frame, the coach made no fuss—pretty girls seldom lasted through hardship, and few girls took this path anyway.

He thought little more of it, handing her a form. “Fill this out and pay the fees…”

“Here, Sui Yi, two thousand yuan for a year.”

Two thousand a year—hardly expensive, certainly cheaper than all those cram schools. Sui Yi swiped her card without hesitation, then followed her “senior brother” Ah A to receive her martial arts uniform. (To be continued.)