Chapter Thirty: The Parents’ Reaction

Lu Qing’s Breakfast Shop.

After the bustle of the morning rush, Lu Qing and her husband, Yang Fu, finally began to catch a moment of respite. While washing dishes, Lu Qing spotted her younger son, Yang Zhi, from a distance and asked with some surprise, "Yang Zhi, why are you back? Aren't you supposed to be training with your homeroom teacher?"

Yang Fu, who was stirring a pot, looked over as well.

"Mom, the homeroom teacher went to the Martial Arts Association for an assessment today, so he gave us the day off. By the way, my big brother came back yesterday—is he at home?"

"Is that so? Your brother went out early this morning; I’m not sure where he went. You haven’t had breakfast yet, have you? Have some steamed buns first."

Just as Lu Qing set a basket of small steamed buns in front of Yang Zhi, a group of women walked into the shop. Yang Zhi recognized them immediately; they were his mother’s former colleagues from her previous job.

"Lu Qing! Lu Qing!" The group of women called out before they had even fully entered.

Lu Qing was quite surprised to see so many of her former colleagues gathered together. "What brings you all here?"

Sister Wang, one of the women, said with a look of celebration, "Lu Qing, the housing project at our old company is finally finished! According to our previous agreement, we’re eligible for a forty percent discount on a new home!"

"We heard the news and came to let you know right away!"

"Really? That’s wonderful! I thought we’d never see that compensation in this lifetime," Lu Qing said, pleasantly surprised.

"Indeed, it’s a huge joyous occasion. We were just planning to buy our units together, so we decided to come and get you!"

The smile on Lu Qing’s face became somewhat unnatural. Years ago, she had worked for a real estate company that went bankrupt due to poor management. The boss owed a large sum of money and couldn't pay the staff’s wages. Eventually, they were forced to sign an agreement that gave employees the right to purchase units in the new development at a sixty percent discount as compensation.

Lu Qing had been granted this status, but a single apartment in the New District cost at least one million, and even with the discount, it would still require over six hundred thousand. She simply could not come up with that kind of money.

"I think I’ll need to consider it for a while," Lu Qing replied with a forced smile.

"Oh, Lu Qing, what is there to consider? Buying a house at a forty percent discount is a gift from heaven! You need to act fast; the discount offer has a time limit. Even if you’re short on cash, you should borrow it if you have to. You could always sell the place later if you’re really desperate—either way, it’s a profit. Don’t be foolish! Alright, we have to go notify the next family!"

Sister Wang urged, and the others chimed in, "That’s right! You must seize this opportunity, Lu Qing!"

After they left, the shop fell silent. Yang Fu and Yang Zhi both cast a side-glance at Lu Qing, who was lost in thought, silently wiping the table. If she had enough capital, she would borrow whatever was needed to buy the property, but the gap was simply too large. Even borrowing that much was impossible. And with both children now in high school... she could only sigh inwardly.

Yang Zhi knew his mother was hurting. Their family had been doing well, but over the past few years, they had spent a fortune—both openly and secretly—to figure out his brother’s health issues and get him treatment. Although his parents tried to keep it from the two brothers, such things were impossible to hide. This was precisely why he had been so resistant when his teacher asked him to spend one hundred thousand Federal Credits on a Vitality Pill; he didn't want to add any more burden to his family.

Yang Fu was also smoking silently in the back, having overheard the entire conversation. Feeling the heavy atmosphere, Yang Zhi turned on the breakfast shop's television.

Coincidentally, the news in Song City was playing.

"Reporting from Song City Television: At 8:20 this morning, a genius martial artist named Yang Feng appeared at our city’s martial arts assessment. Only eighteen years old, he has already reached the standards of a Rank 2 martial artist! The President of the Song City Martial Arts Association has even hailed him as the hope of humanity and a miracle for Song City! Let’s look at the footage from the scene!"

Lu Qing, who had been zoning out, snapped to attention at the name "Yang Feng" and listened to the entire report.

At that moment, all three of them shared the same thought: If only this Yang Feng were their own son (or brother)!

Then, by pure coincidence, the television replayed the moment when Yu Tong, the President of the Song City Martial Arts Association, grabbed Yang Feng’s hand. The family was left completely stunned!

The news continued. "The director explained: Yang Feng is a student in Class 13, Grade 12 at Song City No. 1 High School. He is a model student with excellent character and grades. Professor Chen, what kind of rewards does our Song City government typically offer such an outstanding student?"

The scene shifted to an elderly man with glasses, who appeared on the screen with a smile. "Usually, for anyone who becomes a martial artist at eighteen, the Song City Martial Arts Association awards one million Federal Credits, and the city government awards five hundred thousand. But those are for Rank 1 martial artists. An eighteen-year-old Rank 2 martial artist is the first we’ve seen in many years. I have just received the news: for Yang Feng, our city’s only Rank 2 martial artist, the Martial Arts Association will award three million Federal Credits, and the city government will provide two million Federal Credits along with two 150-square-meter apartments in the New City Garden."

The host gasped, "I’m truly envious! That’s nearly ten million!"

The interview continued, but no one in the family was watching anymore.

Lu Qing felt lightheaded. She instinctively called out, "Yang Fu, come here and pinch me—see if I’m dreaming."

Normally, Yang Fu would have ignored such an odd request, but he stood there like a puppet who had lost his ability to think. He walked over and pinched Lu Qing hard.

"Ah! That hurts—it’s not a dream!"

"Wife, pinch me too." Lu Qing pinched Yang Fu, who felt the sharp pain as well. But that pain brought an unparalleled sense of excitement and happiness.

"Yang Fu, that’s really our son on TV! Our son has become a martial artist!"

"Hahahaha! I know! I know! I knew our son would make something of himself!"

The couple held hands and began jumping around the shop like children, ignoring the onlookers outside. Yang Zhi, who had been stunned, felt a sudden lump in his throat as he watched his parents’ excitement, not knowing how to react.

Just then, the festive sounds of firecrackers and gongs echoed from outside. In the distance, the family of three saw a red banner being carried toward them, with a massive sign that read: "Five Million in Cash."

Soon, the entire breakfast shop was engulfed by people arriving to celebrate.