Chapter 54: Soft Persimmon

Heaven and earth are my witness, he really didn't stir up any trouble this time he went out. In fact, he was beaten black and blue by an old man practicing health regimens at the training ground all day, and he drank so much last night that his head is still pounding.

It couldn't be that when he was drunk, he dragged Wen Wen along to go and finish off that dog, Yu Hanguang, could it?

That would be truly... *cough cough*, oh no!

"It's not you, it's the workshop."

Ye Chun sighed and picked up another pair of chopsticks: "Hey, eat, just eat. It's a good thing I ran fast, otherwise, who knows if I'd be in the mood to eat later... Wait, what are you looking at?!"

As she spoke, she became instantly alert, aiming her gaze at Ji Jue's phone.

On the screen, the Tianmen University library access software still recorded Ji Jue's search history. Unexpectedly, it wasn't professional papers, but medical school textbooks.

Anatomy, surgery, and deep inside, there was even bionics...

She was suddenly furious: "Ah, you're grinding again, Ji Jue!!!"

Didn't we agree to just lie flat together?!

I thought you, this grandson, would be able to rest after adding the alchemy course, but I didn't expect that while I was playing games, watching variety shows, and eating potato chips with you, you were secretly reviewing behind my back to put pressure on me, right?!

Are you even human!

"Curiosity, just curiosity."

Ji Jue scratched his head, explaining awkwardly: "I just had some inspiration by chance, regarding the application of spiritual quality. I'll explain it to you later... What exactly is the trouble you mentioned?"

"You'll know in a moment." Ye Chun sighed: "If things go smoothly, it will be resolved once we reach the workshop. If not... then there will be trouble."

Ji Jue didn't dare to delay. After finishing his noodles in a rush, he loaded Ye Chun onto the bike and headed toward the workshop.

Only on the way, the little cow-horse kept twitching, twisting back and forth as if it were itchy somewhere, and even kicking it twice didn't stop it. Ever since he fed it the urn yesterday, it had been like this. Could it be suffering from indigestion or a stomach upset? Its outer shell even looked loose and floppy.

Should he let the professor take a look later?

He thought idly, parked the vehicle in the factory area, and was slightly stunned.

Just as he entered the main gate, he noticed that the workshop was different from usual. The main gate was actually open, and in the parking space, besides Professor Ye's commuter car, there was another unexpected luxury car parked there.

A Guangyuan A800. Looking at the exterior, it was a limited edition? Ordinary people usually called it the "top-tier throne," because anyone who could sit in such a car was basically already sitting on a throne, high and unreachable.

It was one of the famous brands under Universal Heavy Industry. Just the pure gold emblem on the hood cost 2.69 million, and if the body got a scratch, the factory paint job would start at 900,000.

Back at the auto repair shop on the mainland, Ji Jue had never even touched a luxury car of such an outrageous spec. If someone sitting in such a car even glanced at his repair shop, it would be considered a loss on his part.

"Whoa! This suspension is really nice."

Ji Jue suffered from occupational disease on the spot. When he bent down to peek, he almost crawled under the car.

"Alright, alright, stop looking."

Ye Chun sighed: "Just follow my lead later."

"Huh?"

Ji Jue was bewildered and helpless. Every time I have to follow your lead, I can't really understand it. If your eyes roll at that time, should I play dead immediately or turn around and run?

Unfortunately, there was no more time to communicate.

Right at the entrance of the workshop, a straight figure had already walked out, looked toward them, and waved slightly.

The handsome young man revealed a gentle smile, appearing familiar: "Xiao Chun, long time no see. Master Ye said you went out, and I thought I wouldn't be able to see you this time."

"Ah, so it's Brother Lou, long time no see."

Ye Chun shook hands with equal enthusiasm: "Did you come with Master Kong this time? For a trip?"

"Just following the teacher to help out."

The young man smiled subtly and didn't reveal anything. His gaze finally turned to Ji Jue, who was following behind. His eyes swept over him slightly, appearing curious, and he reached out his hand enthusiastically: "Hello, I am Lou Feng from Chaocheng. Is this Master Ye's high disciple? May I ask how to address you?"

"Ji Jue, nice to meet you."

Ji Jue was skillfully polite. Noticing that the hand he was shaking seemed to pause slightly, Lou Feng was puzzled: "Ji Jue? Could it be the Nanyao Ji clan of Liaocheng in Huangzhou? Or the Shangui Hall Ji clan of Zhongcheng?"

"...Sorry, neither."

Ji Jue understood in his heart, "Just a local from Yacheng."

The Lou clan of Chaocheng—even in Yacheng, this name was like thunder to the ears. After all, even looking at Haizhou as a whole, they were considered a great and powerful family, a pillar of the region.

Just like the Tong clan of Yacheng or the Yu clan of Jiangcheng, calling them "wealthy and imposing" would be belittling their status; calling them a noble family would not be an exaggeration.

As everyone knew, the Federation was different from the corrupt system of the Empire; there were no nobles. Likewise, as everyone knew, nobles had just changed their names. Even if they existed, ordinary people would never see them.

So this young master thought of himself as an "upper-class person" just like him?

Really interesting.

The Nanyao Ji clan of Liaocheng—honestly, he had never heard of them since he was born. They were too far away, and they had absolutely no connection...

It wasn't that he hadn't thought about whether he might be the orphan of some great family, especially when he was so poor he was about to die. Regrettably, every citizen of the Federation had had such a dream.

The iron-clad fact proved that he had absolutely nothing to do with any high-walled mansions.

The reason he was so certain was that although his father had passed away early, his family had been in Shuzhou for over a dozen generations and had no connection to Huangzhou. And his mother was a native of Yacheng, Haizhou.

In the Federation, whether you were an "upper-class person" could be known directly by looking at the number on your citizen ID—if you didn't see a number starting with 01 when you opened your eyes, there was no hope for this lifetime.

Ji Jue's ID number started with 90. It would be a miracle if he had even the slightest connection!

He smiled, not caring.

Conversely, the young master of the Lou family, upon learning that Ji Jue was just an ordinary commoner, didn't turn hostile or pull his hand away, maintaining a cold politeness, though the corners of his eyes were unconsciously a bit higher.

They would chat a few words from time to time.

It looked like everyone was still chatting happily.

Just standing at the door chatting like this, not afraid of the sun.

In the gap, Ji Jue yawned, glancing at Ye Chun, who was smiling brightly beside him.

Where is your signal!

Ye Chun looked at him with three parts helplessness, three parts annoyance, three parts sympathy, and one part something indescribable. Ji Jue didn't understand it at all, only feeling like he had looked at nothing.

You upper-class people are really annoying when you chat.

When ordinary people meet, they ask "Have you eaten?" or "Where are you going?" and that's it. Why do you have so many procedures?

Just then, the conversation in the hall behind the door seemed to finally come to an end. Professor Ye's voice sounded from inside: "Since you're here, come in. Why keep standing at the door? Sunbathing?"

"Ah, my fault."

Lou Feng seemed to finally react, "Haven't seen Xiao Chun for a long time, accidentally talked too much."

"Ah, yes, yes, yes."

Ji Jue nodded, feeling that your acting had no sense of participation at all; don't act next time.

When he entered the hall, he finally saw the guest sitting on the sofa, and his heart tightened slightly.

It was a woman who looked slightly thin and old, but she was well-maintained. However, when her long, narrow eyes looked over, it made him feel slightly fearful.

Although it was inappropriate to judge a book by its cover, whenever he encountered a car owner with this look at the repair shop, he would always keep his guard up. Otherwise, after working himself to the bone, they would either say you didn't fix it right, or that you didn't wipe it clean, and finally, they would say your attitude was bad, or ask if you stole their parts, saying you were dishonest at such a young age...

As for when he saw Professor Ye's expressionless face, he finally vaguely understood that this person was likely here with ill intent.

"Is this Master Ye's high disciple?"

Kong Qingyan on the sofa looked over with a smile, smiling kindly: "Truly extraordinary."

"Barely passable. Although his talent is ordinary, fortunately, he is hardworking. He has only been learning for half a year, just enough to be an apprentice." Professor Ye held her teacup, took a sip, and said slowly: "He's actually better than your student; at least he doesn't put on an act."

"..."

For a moment, Ji Jue's expression twitched in sync with Master Kong's on the sofa. As for Lou Feng's expression behind him, he didn't even need to look; it must have been spectacular.

Professor Ye, if you don't know how to chat, you can just say so. There's no need to kill the conversation like this and bury me along with it.

They are a master, after all!

A master!

They could crush me with a flick of their finger, okay?

However, being a master, even after being spoken to so unkindly, they remained graceful, just smiled, and said indifferently: "Since you say so, why don't these two children have a contest and spar? It can also be considered a way to get to know each other."

Ji Jue just wanted to say, we already know each other well enough, no need!

What exactly are you doing? Instigating children to fight at every turn... It would be better to let me perform a show for you, and you can give me some New Year's money and hurry home!

"There's no need for such trouble."

Professor Ye's words made Ji Jue breathe a sigh of relief, but immediately after, he heard her unceremonious voice: "If Master Kong feels bad about losing to me in the Tian Tai bidding back then, you can come and challenge me directly.

It's been so many years, comparing this and that with me, let alone the entanglement, what's the point of letting your student come out to embarrass themselves?"

As she spoke, she slowly put down her teacup and said indifferently: "Since the workshop is here and the outside is spacious, you can just say how you want to compare."

Ji Jue's vision went black.

Damn, not letting the students fight, you're going to do it yourself? How did it turn into a fight after just a few words? Alright, alright, don't say any more, you're already very good at chatting; many big shots are already not as good as you!

"...Ye Xian!"

Kong Qingyan's smile finally stiffened on her face, as if she was trying her best to restrain her anger: "Not to mention past grievances, I consider today's visit to be polite and respectful. I haven't offended you, Master Ye. Is this the way your Ye family treats guests?"

"That's why I hate pleasantries."

Ye Xian shook her head, not caring at all: "Clearly everyone knows what thoughts are in their hearts, yet they have to be polite back and forth, like a clown. It's really meaningless."

Kong Qingyan was furious and stood up, ready to rebuke, but at this moment, the silent Lou Feng suddenly stepped forward. He didn't show joy or anger, remaining calm.

"Teacher, Master Ye has eyes like torches. She says I'm not a match, and I believe she wouldn't be wrong about even this."

He paused, looked at Ji Jue, and smiled enthusiastically: "It's just that I'm curious about the disparity between me and Brother Ji... I ask Master Ye to please let me learn from him!"

Damn it!

For a moment, Ji Jue was also angry.

Picking the soft persimmon to squeeze, right?!

Speaking of which, the name of Ji Jue's ability has not been officially disclosed yet.

I decided to apply for an event. Interested friends can guess, and reply with the name you guessed in the special post in the book review section.

Friends who guess correctly will be awarded in order until the rewards are gone. If there are few people who guess correctly, the remaining rewards will be distributed to participating friends randomly.

If there are creative names, I will also consider adopting them as advanced titles~

PS: To avoid black-box operations, the password-protected compressed file containing the ability name has been uploaded to the group file in advance.