Chapter 14: This Kid!

a misunderstanding. The head of the Urban Management Bureau was also well aware that although he held his position through connections and was indeed called a bureau chief, compared to law enforcement...Chapter 14 This Kid!

In a small city, there weren't那麼多繁鱗末節的詭計。and plots with ulterior motives. On the official level, there were no severe conflicts that could lead to one's downfall. In summary, this world was always harmonious and would continue to be so until tragedy struck when World of Warcraft launched its Cataclysm expansion on the North American server, Wrath of the Lich King on the Taiwan server, and Kael'thas Sunstrider was defeated in China.

Though Su Cen admitted that he had only been reborn once and didn't possess superhuman memory or comprehension abilities like a superhero, he realized that his aspirations were somewhat idealistic. During this half-year period of intensive study towards the high school curriculum, he managed to catch up to the end of the second semester of the second year.

The high school curriculum was as daunting as a flood of fierce beasts; ordinary students had to defend against its onslaught every day. Whether they could master each new wave of knowledge and use it as their trump card for future exams would determine how they navigated through life's massive reshuffle to achieve success or adoration.

After all, in the current educational system, test scores were one of the most direct ways to measure a person's value besides wealth. Su Cen understood that this standard would become even stricter in the future.

The assessment systems for civil servants, banks, large state-owned enterprises, and foreign companies required certain qualifications as a prerequisite; having an honorable background was the first step, followed by luck and connections.

Even if one relied on connections, some hard criteria such as university diplomas couldn't be bypassed. Without meeting these requirements, there would be no justification for moving from temporary to permanent employment in a company or public institution, let alone competing for higher positions.

Of course, amassing great wealth could also enable one to ascend the social hierarchy and enter what was called the pyramid society; however, would wealth alone suffice

Su Cen's rebirth wasn't merely about acquiring wealth or power but involved fundamentally understanding and learning more things and engaging with fields he previously couldn't access. If it were just about money, then such a shallow pursuit of rebirth wouldn't leave any lasting impression on the world.

Thus, filled with gratitude and reverence for his second chance at life, Su Cen worked diligently. In these six months, he surpassed the first-year curriculum and entered the second semester of the second year.

Skipping grades in primary or middle school was possible but rare; however, high school students who skipped grades and succeeded were often featured in newspapers and media. One could gauge how challenging it was from this fact: if Su Cen managed to master the content of the second semester of his sophomore year, he would be considered a prodigy at his school.

The remaining time could allow him to focus on preparing for the final stretch of high school or enriching himself with other knowledge. For those aiming solely to get into prestigious universities through college entrance exams, Su Cen was already an upper-level achiever. Provided he didn't perform unusually poorly in the exams, he could freely choose most domestic universities involved in the "Project 985" initiative two and a half years later. Entering these renowned institutions would be enough to bring glory to his family and friends.

His uncle Zeng Quanming and his aunt Yin Shuying would refer to him as the topic of conversation that others talk about with great interest.

In the lunar New Year's Eve of 1998, the whole family gathered together. Everyone was flushed from drinking and congratulating Uncle Zeng Quanming on his smooth career path for the year.

This could be seen from the various cigarettes and alcohol piled up in his uncle’s study room. People visited without a break during New Year's time, leaving cars of this era outside the housing compound where the Construction Bureau was located. These cars were those that came to visit Uncle Zeng Quanming or Xia Hai City. Pedestrians around here would remark on them.

Uncle Zeng mentioned XU Licheng’s Star Sea construction project, "Your project just started and it is still very tough. I heard you have some differences with the upper echelons of Dazhui Construction Don’t be afraid of having any difference of opinion; what matters most is communication. This project was a guarantee from me. If this can be completed, it will significantly help our Xia Hai City’s application for tourist city status and contribute greatly to the construction of Xia Hai City! You guys are the biggest contributors to the city with your Fourth Construction Department! Any pressure you face I’ll take on my shoulders in front of Mayor Hong; make sure the quality is good, that we meet deadlines, and keep up progress!"

The Star Sea construction project was dull. Every day it consisted of meticulous construction according to the blueprints and schedule. Only those who were adept could see the strength behind this orderly work. Without the support of Dazhong Construction from headquarters, relying solely on the Fourth Construction Department's own capabilities, it would be far from enough.

Therefore, now Su Zhen’s father Licheng's Fourth Construction Department relied even more heavily on advice and guidance from higher-ups at Dazhuang Construction. After all, within the company, opinions were not unanimous; there was inevitably some disagreement and friction. As a result, many issues needed to be resolved. XU Licheng frowned but his resolute face still revealed his determination: "No matter how difficult it is, I believe we can overcome any obstacle."

Uncle Zeng nodded and drank, but he did not entirely agree with this. Nowadays, Su Licheng was already the representative of Xia Hai's Fourth Construction Department, yet Uncle Zeng favored Dazhu Construction behind him more than the department itself.

Everyone was summarizing their achievements from last year. Yin Shuying inquired about Zeng He’s profit and was startled to hear that it amounted to 150,000 yuan. If a person working in real estate or engaged in major transactions only earned this much for the whole year, they might be advised to close up shop. However, considering Su Zhen's family used to be just ordinary workers, earning 150,000 yuan within half a year was no small feat.

Having money was the ultimate reality. A single store could earn so much, truly impressive indeed.

Su Zhen purposely observed his second sister Mei Lan and her husband Jia Zheng’s expressions during the banquet; both were extremely excited. Their little shop had not been doing well; earning even 10,000 yuan over half a year was difficult for them, let alone more money. They wished that all this money would be theirs. Su Zhen noticed their looks and could read their minds clearly: they were envious.

During the Spring Festival Gala, Uncle Zeng gave two thousand yuan to Su Zhen; he usually drank until his face was flushed red when socializing but had never been so happy as now. Su Zhen's academic performance already surpassed those of his own daughter Zeng Na that they boasted about, making him the most promising next generation figure in their family.

His younger brother Zeng Yuan, after receiving two hundred yuan from Uncle Licheng with a piteous look on his face as New Year’s money, lamented this was no equal treatment. His father Zeng Zhouding patted him on the head and said, "See that If you do better than your older brother in exams, these will be yours!" The tone carried some envy; on one hand affirming Su Zhen's achievements while also feeling uneasy about not getting his son to earn face for himself.

Su Cun felt that he was at the end of his resources when he received this sum of money, and it made him feel more financially secure. Although he could usually ask his parents for money, there were times when he needed a larger amount for something he didn't want to explain to them, in which case these funds would be useful.

Even Zeng Na, who used to be reluctant about her father giving money and gifts to Su Cun, now felt no particular pang of distress upon seeing such a large sum transferred from Zeng Quanming's hands into his.

After the meal, their parents chatted at the table while the elders drank wine with flushed faces. Zeng Na then took out a set of cards and invited her brother and sister to play.

Su Cun deliberately let them win some change. Perhaps it was because they had drunk some red wine during the meal, but Zeng Na's face was flushed as she said to Zeng Yuan, "Your brother is very popular with girls at school! According to my information, many of the pretty girls in their grade are linked to him! Your brother received so much New Year money; you should ask him to treat everyone and invite those girls out another day!"

Zeng Yuan and Su Cun stared at Zeng Na in surprise. In their memories, Zeng Na had always maintained the image of an excellent student since childhood, facing them with a stern expression. Whether during festivals or when they met, she would invariably talk about their grades and recent performance.

She never strayed into other topics; if not lecturing them on life's lessons, it was statements like "So what if you're handsome Look at those people pulling tricycles outside—each one is more handsome than the last! You should study harder. If you don't, might as well get a business license and be done with it."

Once, Zeng Yuan's essay titled "My Sister" was filled with descriptions of Zeng Na's fascist-like demeanor, leaving a dark impression on their young minds. When the teacher talked to their parents about this, they could only sigh at the family atmosphere.

So when Zeng Na said such heartfelt words to her brothers, it shook both siblings deeply as she crumbled the image of her fascist queen figure.

Of course, with his past experiences, Su Cun knew that this sister was a tough on the outside but soft on the inside type. Therefore, he felt relieved about it.

In the evening, Zeng Na wanted to have her little brother Zeng Yuan stay over. As a child, Zeng Yuan looked very much like a foreign kid with curly hair, big eyes, and long eyelashes; Zeng Na had hugged him like a large-headed doll for sleepovers multiple times and even bathed together. Thus, he was considered a treasure in the family.

And so Su Cun stayed over as well since it had been a while since he last spent the night at his uncle's house. In reality, the later-life version of Su Cun almost forgot about those nights when he would stay with little brother Zeng Yuan and chat until dawn.

After watching the Spring Festival Gala, Zeng Na went to shower and slept in the study room.

Su Cen and Zeng Yuan stayed in her room. Zeng Na's pink-walled boudoir was elaborately decorated, fitting for the only daughter of a high official. There was a faint fragrance in the air that made Su Cen feel somewhat out of place.

Zeng Yuan, on the other hand, didn't have any inhibitions and pounced onto the bed, burying himself in the soft mattress infused with Zeng Na's scent.

Su Cen sat down by the bedside, feeling rather constrained. On the wall hung an old artistic photograph of Zeng Na wearing a white veil and wings, embodying her purest fantasy of becoming an angel; her butterfly eyebrows were particularly beautiful.

This was the first time since his rebirth that he had entered a girl's boudoir, even if it was his older sister’s. He still felt somewhat out of place, but then sighed inwardly. How could he become so pure after being reborn At least on the surface, he seemed very righteous and innocent.

After washing his face and feet, Auntie, Uncle, and his elder sister had all gone to bed, leaving everything quiet except for a soft lamp illuminating Zeng Na's boudoir.

Inhaling the scent of the quilt, Su Cen felt說不出的舒暢。

However, Zeng Yuan wasn't sleepy. He would go and flip through books on the desk, then rummage through cabinets before finally hopping onto the bed, looking down at Su Cen from above. It seemed he had something bottled up inside him until he couldn't hold it in anymore and said, "Older brother, did you notice that Sister's chest is now bigger"

So precocious! This precocious little brat!

Zeng Yuan laughed mischievously as he hopped to the side of the bed, gesturing for Su Cen with a wave of his hand. "Come here, I have something good to show you!"

Su Cen hesitated before crawling over. Zeng Yuan then opened the drawer underneath the bed with a loud "whoosh"!

Su Cen immediately felt his blood rushing.

Quality first, confirming release now, hope everyone hasn't been waiting too long!ply electricity for a limited time in an emergency. As for water, when there is water supply, every household fills buckets and basins with it; sometimes even bathtubs are filled because we might not...