Chapter 31 - Such Unabashed Shamelessness I've Never Seen!

Fortunately, Su Mu was well-experienced. Even though the plot didn't go as he had planned, he remained composed and spoke with ease.

As a game planner, bluffing and "painting pancakes1" were part of the basic skills set.

Though Su Mu had been transported into this world three years ago, the term "scheming planner" was etched in his soul.

After his speech, not only was the class teacher satisfied, but the female reporter and the surrounding crowd were all nodding in agreement, thinking that the motivational speech he fed them was indeed rich and pure.

However, once they went back and thought it over carefully, they would realize that what Su Mu said was full of empty and unsubstantial words.

It was akin to the kind of response you'd get from a mobile game customer service...

After answering the female reporter's questions, Su Mu said goodbye to the class teacher. He left the sports field before other reporters could swarm him for interviews.

He had no time to deal with reporters. Of course, part of the reason was that he didn't want to become fodder for Bilibili Big Shots' Mad Remix Videos.

Walking home, Su Mu's phone kept buzzing non-stop with congratulatory messages from classmates and teachers, as well as messages of gratitude.

The latter came from those who had bought his special effect qi refining pills and had passed the Spiritual Qi Value Assessment.

Those who had bought the pills but failed to meet the spiritual qi value passing threshold didn't blame him, but rather lamented their misfortune.

Having a spiritual qi value over 900 and still not passing was unthinkable just a few years ago!

They cursed those who had set this year's threshold until they were blue in the face and then accepted reality. Some went back to study for the National College Entrance Examination, while others asked about cultivation techniques from the teachers of training schools like Lanxiang and New Oriental, who were recruiting near the examination sites.

Su Mu, unable to reply to all the messages, selectively responded to some.

Liu Peng from Guizhou Province also called him.

"Amu, how did you do on the exam?" Liu Peng asked, his voice unable to hide his excitement and joy.

Hearing that, Su Mu knew he must have passed and said with a smile, "Looks like we both made it."

"Haha," Liu Peng laughed on the other end of the line, "With the special effect qi refining pill you gave me, it would be embarrassing if I didn't pass! Let's keep it up and get through the specialized subject examination, then get into a cultivation university!"

"Alright, let's do this together!"

They chatted about some interesting things they saw at the examination site, and then Liu Peng said, "I've found my parents, so I'll hang up now. After the specialized subject examination, I'll come back and we'll have a drink together."

"Deal, we won't stop until we're drunk," Su Mu responded.

Upon returning to the residential community, the mini square was, as usual, filled with neighbors.

Mostly elderly men and women, bored at home, brought their grandchildren along to chat about this and that.

If you wanted to know the latest gossip in the community, this was the place to be.

Seeing Su Mu return, they curiously asked, "Su Mu, is it true that you're the one who ranked first in this year's examination for cultivation?"

"Hello, Granny Li, Grandpa Liu..." Su Mu greeted his neighbors with a smile as he replied, "Yes, it's me."

"It really is you!"

The neighbors gathered at the mini square instantly buzzed with excitement, and their gazes towards Su Mu changed.

"I knew it was you as soon as I saw the name. There might be more than one Su Mu among Yongfang City's current high school graduates, but there are very few as outstanding as you!"

"Su Mu, you're amazing! With such a high spiritual qi value, you're sure to get into a cultivation university. When you rise to prominence, don’t forget about us, your neighborhood friends."

"I've always known Su Mu was extraordinary. I could tell he was going to be someone important from a very young age. Look at that, I was right!"

The neighbors went on and on, nearly lifting Su Mu to the heavens with their praise.

Once Su Mu had left, they began to lecture their own children and grandchildren: "You should all learn from Su Mu. Not only are his grades excellent, but he's also sensible and capable. At such a young age, he's already supporting his entire family. What about you? Still waiting to be waited on hand and foot..."

Most kids chose to quietly listen at this time.

But there were naughty kids who just had to be different: "He turned out so well because his parents died. If my parents died, I could turn out even better!"

The moment these words were spoken, silence fell.

The naughty kid's grandmother and mother turned green with anger.

The mother pushed the child down and started to spank him with a "smack smack": "That's for talking nonsense! You want your father and me to die? I’ll discipline you before that happens!"

This time, the grandmother didn't come to the child's defense, gritting her teeth and saying, "Spank him! And do it hard!"

People around started to offer advice:

"Kids don’t understand, one spanking won't do it. You need to spank him several times to make it count."

"Stop hitting, it hurts you as much as it hurts him. Here, take my cane, use it and your hand won't hurt."

"Violence isn't a solution, but when it comes to disciplining a child like this, you need to put some strength into it, otherwise they never learn."

The naughty kid cried out in pain from the spanking, a truly pitiful sight.

But it was well-deserved.

On the other side, as Su Mu entered the apartment building, he was once again greeted enthusiastically by two recruitment posters.

"The examination for cultivation ended today, how did you do? Why not join us at Lanxiang? If your spiritual qi value is over 900, we waive tuition fees. Do well and there's a scholarship, plus a guaranteed job after graduation..."

The old artist2 on the Lanxiang poster had changed his look today, forgoing the suit for a fan and a scholarly scarf.

But Su Mu was really worried that his next line would be something like: 'Wang Situ, you've lived in vain for seventy-six years...'

"New Oriental, New Oriental, that's a great place, the cradle of your success~"

The alchemical cuisine masters on the New Oriental poster began their operatic chorus again.

As Su Mu passed by the two recruitment posters, he turned his head and said to them, "You might want to change your spokesperson. I did very well on the exam, my spiritual qi value is 1042.5."

Both posters fell silent at once.

After Su Mu went upstairs, the old artist on the Lanxiang poster suddenly shouted, "I've never seen such a brazen person!"

Not to be outdone, the alchemical cuisine masters on the New Oriental poster sang out, "Marry an alchemical cuisine chef from New Oriental~"

Huh? It seems something strange was mixed in there.

Back at home, Su Ye was humming a cheerful tune, busily working in the kitchen.

When Su Mu walked in, he saw that she had made all his favorite dishes.

"Brother, you're back."

Seeing Su Mu, Su Ye's face lit up with a sunny, brilliant smile.

"I'm back," Su Mu replied with a smile, pointing to the pot, "Making all these delicious dishes, are you celebrating for me? It's quite the feast."

Su Ye playfully winked and joked, "You are the city's top scholar now. We have to have a grand meal; anything less wouldn't do justice to your title."

"Ha ha, then let this city's top scholar lend a hand. What do you need me to do?"

The siblings chatted and laughed, working together in the kitchen.

Soon, several dishes were served on the table, and Su Mu also opened a bottle of wine that their late parents had left behind.

He first poured two glasses and placed them in front of their parents' portraits, then lit six incense sticks. Afterward, he returned to the table to pour a glass for himself and a small amount for his sister, just enough to be meaningful.

"To us and the new life that lies ahead!"

Su Mu raised his glass of wine.

"To new beginnings!"

Su Ye lifted her glass with a smile as bright as flowers.

After lunch, and once the pots and dishes were cleaned, Su Mu and his sister packed their luggage and took the high-speed train to Rong City.

Qingcheng Mountain Cultivation University was located on the northwest side of Rong City.

Footnote:

Painting pancakes(画饼): The phrase "Painting pancakes" is derived from the Chinese idiom "画饼充饥," which literally means to assuage one's hunger with a picture of a pancake. Nowadays, it refers to a phenomenon in the workplace where leaders or colleagues make absurd and unrealistic promises, then use sweet talk to convince others to serve them, only to eventually fail to fulfill those promises, either by giving excuses or by disappearing altogether.

Old artist(老艺术家): The term "old artist" originally referred to respected and venerable artists. However, it is now commonly used to refer to individuals who frequently appear in advertisements and posters but lack significant fame or have a negative reputation. This term is used sarcastically to suggest that these individuals are seen more often than genuine, esteemed artists.