Chapter 82: Entrance Exam

“Marshal Jiang, I’ve heard that Major General Jiang has recovered. When will he return to military headquarter?” asked Yu Hongrui intentionally at the military headquarter meeting. “My son’s health has improved but he still has the toxin in his body. I’m afraid he needs more time.” Jiang Zhentao didn’t want to hide the facts and answered honestly since the doctor had confirmed that there was still toxin in Jiang Mosheng’s body and military headquarter had approved his leave. “Major General Jiang is a hero. I don’t think a minor injury will affect him in any way,” spoke Wu Guli in support of Yu Hongrui. Everyone could tell how potent Zerg Overmind’s toxin was given Jiang Zhentao’s deteriorating health. Although Jiang Mosheng had been better on the surface, nobody knew how he actually was. Perhaps, his recovery was just a lie. With Jiang Mosheng back at military headquarter, Yu Hongrui could send him out on missions. When Jiang Mosheng died by accident, nobody would blame it on Yu Hongrui. Scheming as Yu Hongrui was, Jiang Zhentao didn’t take the bait. As a family of soldiers, every descendant of Jiang Family loved and protected the Federation, willing to die for it rather than being a coward, which was why it had few offspring. Its family precept was to die for and serve the nation with unreserved loyalty. As long as one wasn’t wounded so badly that he could still move, one would fight for the Federation. Yu Hongrui knew Jiang Family well so he wanted to take advantage of that and force Jiang Mosheng back at military headquarter. However, Jiang Zhentao refused to play his game. Yu Hongrui had a feeling that Jiang Zhentao had changed a lot recently but he couldn’t put his finger on it. “General Wu, I disagree. The toxin was left by Zerg Overmind, an extremely potent one as well. Besides, Major General Jiang is our hero. It is only fair that he returns to his post after a full recovery. If anything bad happens to him, it will be a huge loss of the Federation. Right? Marshal Yu?” said Tang Qixu with a mild smile. Now that two of three marshals didn’t approve of Jiang Mosheng’s return, there was nothing left for Yu Hongrui to do except for gritting his teeth with hatred. “Though my son can’t return to his post yet, he can still work for the Federation. He hopes that he can be transferred to another post during his recovery.” Jiang Zhentao told everyone present about his son’s plan. As Jiang Zhentao’s son and a major general of military headquarter, Jiang Mosheng’s transfer needed approval of military headquarter. As a federal hero who was injured for the protection of the Federation, Jiang Mosheng was granted leave. Military headquarter had no reason to refuse and approved his application to transfer during his leave. Having got a satisfying answer, Jiang Zhentao returned home as soon as the meeting was over, leaving Yu Hongrui who was again filled with anger behind. Now that the election was over and Jiang Zhentao was re-elected as marshal, it was time to send Yu Jinli to school. A while ago, Jiang Zhentao had visited the First Military Academy himself and talked with the principal that Yu Jinli wanted to get in Card Forger School. At first, the principal felt he was put in a difficult situation for Card Forger School was special, not everyone with privilege could attend it. The principal would have agreed if it was any other major. Later, he received a recommendation letter from Master Kameng. After reading it, he scheduled Yu Jinli an entrance exam and confirmed the date that he started school. This day, it was Yu Jinli’s entrance exam. Knowing that he was going to attend school soon, Yu Jinli was so excited that he couldn’t find sleep. The second day, he woke up early in the morning and made a big breakfast. When Qiao Mulan and Jiang Zhentao were downstairs, they saw a table full of food, so much that it might take more than ten people to finish. Learning that it was Yu Jinli who cooked it, they were both amused and a bit troubled. “Little chestnut, are you happy that you can go to school now?” asked Qiao Mulan smilingly. “Yes, I am! I have wanted to go to school for a long time but couldn’t. I’m really happy that I can this time,” said Yu Jinli clearly with a big smile. That gave her a heartache and stung her eyes. She knew what Yu Jinli’s life was like in Yu Family, more reason for her dislike for it. Yu Jinli was such a good kid yet he had lived in torment for so many years. If she had known it, she would have brought him back earlier than let him live a painful life in Yu Family. “I’ve got you stationeries. Do you like them?” Qiao Mulan passed a new schoolbag and stationeries to Yu Jinli. Though he had passed the age for elementary school or to be interested in stationeries, since he had never seen these stuff and envied children who got to go to school, he was very happy to see the schoolbag and stationeries. Now, Qiao Mulan and Jiang Zhentao were trying to make up for the childhood Yu Jinli had never had. They wished they could do it at once. “I love them. Thank you, mom,” said Yu Jinli sweetly as he carried the new stationeries. “Good. Tell me what you like and I’ll get you all.” said Qiang Mulan generously as every mother who doted on her child. Jiang Mosheng was a precocious kid so that Qiao Mulan didn’t have the pleasure of raising a child. Now Yu Jinli was here, she was able to make up for his lost childhood and fulfill her dream of doting on a baby boy. “Yes, mom.” “It’s time. I’ll take little chestnut to school.” Jiang Mosheng broke off their conversation and took the little one’s hand as he headed out. Just now, the little one was so absorbed in his conversation with mom that he didn’t even spoke to Jiang Mosheng. However, Jiang Mosheng wasn’t going to admit that he was a bit jealous. He had obviously prepared a lot for the little one to go to school. “Bye, dad, bye mom.” Yu Jinli waved at Qiao Mulan and Jiang Zhentao. “We are going to school now?” asked Yu Jinli excitedly in the car. “Yes.” “Is the First Military Academy really the largest school in the Federation?” asked Yu Jinli happily. Though he had already asked the same question a thousand times, he wanted to hear more about his future school. “Yes, it is. You can see it for yourself when we are there, little chestnut,” answered Jiang Mosheng patiently. When Jiang Mosheng and Yu Jinli arrived at the First Military Academy, it was quiet probably for it was time for class when most students were in classrooms with few people walking outside. Jiang Mosheng stopped the flying car at the parking lot on the roof of the building where the principal’s office was. It was an easy drive on a familiar path. He then took Yu Jinli to the principal’s office. “Nice to see you, Mr. Principal. I’ve brought Yu Jinli here!” Jiang Mosheng saluted respectfully as he spoke. The principal used to be his tutor. After graduation, he would come back and visit the principal every year. Xiao Guotai, the principal was proud of this student of his. He had been worried for a long time after hearing about Jiang Mosheng’s injury. He was relieved to see Jiang Mosheng healthy again. “You are Yu Jinli? Good.” Xiao Guotai watched Yu Jinli carefully, happy with what he saw. Besides, he knew the relationship of Jiang Mosheng and Yu Jinli. In the past, he used to worry that his student was too cold to love anyone and that he might be alone forever. Now it turned out he didn’t need to worry about him at all. At first sight, he knew Yu Jinli was a good kid, who was a perfect match for Jiang Mosheng. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Principal,” siad Yu Jinli politely. “Nice to meet you too. Your dad has told me everything about you. Today’s test is easy. We are going to see your grade. Don’t be nervous.” Xiao Guotai consoled Yu Jinli smilingly. “I see.” The exam room was under the principal’s office. Xiao Guotai led the two there. The examiners were the dean of Card Forger School and two teachers in order to avoid cheating. “Who is the candidate this time? School has started for two months and there’s still student who wants to join in the middle of the course.” A teacher asked curiously. “Who knows. I bet it’s a member of those powerful families. They are good for nothing but abusing privilege,” said another teacher scornfully. She didn’t like those playboys who exploited resources of their families. In her opinion, a capable student would get accepted through entrance exam. Only those who weren’t would try to get in through connections, which she hated the most. “But we are in Card Forger School, not a normal one. Those with privileges can’t get in as long as they want.” “Then it must be someone with special privilege. We’ll see who it is when he’s here. Huh, trying to get in Card Forger School through connections, he will have a difficult time when he does get admitted.” “Quiet, Xu Ling, Li Yiyi. Don’t talk behind others’ back,” said the dean. “Yes, sir,” answered Xu Ling and Li Yiyi at once. To be able to invite their dean to personally assess that student, it must be a very powerful family, one that a teacher like her couldn’t afford to provoke. Xu Ling thought silently. Shortly afterwards, the door was opened. The three people inside the room all turned their eyes over and saw the principal walk in with two followers. Xu Ling and Li Yiyi’s eyes widened when they saw the principal, wondering who it was that could order the principal around. However, the tall guy after the principal was a bigger shock to them. It was none other than the most popular federal hero, Jiang Mosheng. It made sense if it was someone related to Jiang Family. However, Jiang Family hadn’t exercised any privileges so far and had given up on recommendations for the past few years. Why now? What was this student’s relation with Jiang Family that it would recommend him? Yet no matter what was on everyone’s mind, no one wore their thoughts on their faces. “Mr. Principal.” The three greeted the principal. “Haha, don’t mind me. Do what you need to do,” siad Xiao Guotai smilingly. “So, this is Mr.Yu, Yu Jinli. You are here for the test, right?” said Ruan Mingji, the dean of Card Forger with a smile. “Nice to meet you, sir.” Yu Jinli said hello obediently. “Don’t be nervous. It’s a simple test so that we know your grade and put you in a class according to it,” said Ruan Mingji. “Mr. Yu, please come here. Let’s test your inner focus first,” said Xu Ling smilingly. She had a good impression of this young man. “All right.” Yu Jinli followed her obediently. He had tested inner focus in the past so he was good at it and soon the result was out. Xu Ling looked at it in disbelief.