Chapter 56: Meeting the Deputy Director (Requesting Follow Reads)

The second day of the martial arts exchange competition

No. 2 High School, Elite Class

“Have you heard? In this martial arts exchange competition, our results against Bai Lu City were evenly matched.”

“Even the strongest No. 1 High School only tied with Bai Lu No. 1 High School.”

“Bai Lu City’s overall strength is truly impressive.”

“But our No. 2 High School is one of the few schools that won.” Someone said proudly.

His words received considerable agreement.

Lin Qi read his book, listening to his classmates’ discussion.

“Big Brother Qi, you’re now top ten in grade—have you thought of a nickname yet?”

His desk mate Jiang Tao leaned over and whispered.

“You’re already publicly recognized as top ten—how can you not have a nickname? Like me, I’m now called Knife Ape. Isn’t that cool?”

“I’m not interested in that.” Lin Qi shook his head.

Of course, if someone gave him a cool nickname, he’d reluctantly accept it.

But if it sounded bad, sorry—he wouldn’t accept it.

“That won’t do. How about I give you one? How about ‘Tiger Spear’ or ‘Mountain-Shattering Tiger’?”

Lin Qi shook his head. What kind of nicknames are these? Better not.

“Taozi, no class this afternoon—I’m going to Chi Qiong Martial Arts Hall to discuss the contract.”

“If it works out, I’ll sign with them.” Lin Qi changed the subject.

Jiang Tao’s eyes lit up:

“Chi Qiong Martial Arts Hall? Perfect. If you sign with Chi Qiong, I’ll sign with them too—no questions asked.”

“Great!”

……

“Ding ling ling!”

The dismissal bell rang; everyone began packing up.

Today was Sunday, with half a day off—many faces relaxed.

People aren’t machines; studying and cultivating martial arts nonstop strains mind and body—they desperately need rest.

At the school gate, the road was wide, with a temporary parking lot built, countless private cars lined up to pick up students.

Lin Qi and Jiang Tao stepped out of the school gate, and soon a black luxury car pulled up before them.

The rear window rolled down, revealing a familiar face—his mother, Fang Huiyi.

“Auntie?” Jiang Tao was startled.

“Oh, little Tao, long time no see.”

“Little Qi, get in!”

After greeting, Fang Huiyi invited Lin Qi to enter.

“Okay!”

Lin Qi nodded, opened the door, and got in.

“Taozi, I’m off!”

Jiang Tao waved goodbye, watching the black luxury car slowly drive away, muttering to himself:

“Damn, Chi Qiong Martial Arts Hall sent someone to pick us up—and that’s a Star Sea series, worth over a million Xiaoguo yuan per car!”

“Even B-class contract talents don’t get this treatment, right?”

……

The black luxury car glided smoothly along the highway; Lin Qi sat in his seat. It was the first time in both his lives he’d ridden in such a car—it felt incredibly comfortable.

A faint fragrance lingered in the air—air freshener.

“Lin Qi, let me introduce myself.”

“I’m Sun Wang, head of the contract department at Chi Qiong Martial Arts Hall’s Tianhai branch. I was the one who contacted you this morning.”

The middle-aged man in a black suit in the driver’s seat smiled as he spoke.

“Department head?”

Lin Qi was internally startled. This morning, Teacher Zhang Cheng had suddenly forwarded him a WeChat business card, saying someone from Chi Qiong Martial Arts Hall wanted to talk about a contract.

He hadn’t expected it to be a department head.

Both Chong Ming and Hei Yao Martial Arts Hall had only sent ordinary contract staff.

Chi Qiong didn’t just send a head—they came directly to the martial arts hall, not some roadside café.

Their attitude and level of importance were incomparable.

Beside him, Fang Huiyi was also stunned. This morning, she’d suddenly received a call from Lin Qi saying someone was coming to pick them up to discuss a contract at Chi Qiong Martial Arts Hall.

As an ordinary person, she’d never seen such a scene—being picked up by a department head—she felt overwhelmed.

“Hello, Director Sun!”

Lin Qi replied.

Director Sun smiled: “Don’t be nervous. Lin Qi, we Chi Qiong Martial Arts Hall highly value talents like you.”

Lin Qi thought: Who has such good eyesight to spot my talent? Sitting in the back, he looked out the window at the bustling street, countless people glancing at the car with envious expressions.

He recognized that look—he’d worn it himself in his past life.

Suddenly, an inexplicable emotion welled up inside him.

……

Soon after, the black luxury car stopped at the entrance of Chi Qiong Martial Arts Hall.

“Let’s go, Lin Qi, Sister Fang!”

Director Sun, Lin Qi, and Fang Huiyi stepped out; the car automatically drove into the garage, and the three entered the martial arts hall.

In the lobby, the receptionist girl was as usual—until she saw familiar faces walk in.

“Director Sun!”

Director Sun nodded.

Seeing the boy following respectfully behind Director Sun, the receptionist’s eyes widened in surprise.

!

She remembered this boy vividly—two months ago, he’d come in with friends to do part-time work.

Now he was being personally received by Director Sun of the contract department—who was a big shot at Chi Qiong Martial Arts Hall?

“Who is this guy?”

Another receptionist asked curiously; the first girl answered, watching Lin Qi’s back.

“Probably another rising talent!”

……

Lin Qi followed Director Sun onto the elevator, ascending straight to the top floor.

The elevator doors opened onto a spacious corridor with few doors; the walls were made of special metal, painted silver-gray.

Historical photos were mounted on the walls.

“This is…”

After exiting, the three walked straight to a large silver door, its electronic screen displaying:

“Deputy Director’s Office!”

Lin Qi was internally startled—who was this big shot’s office? Weren’t we here to discuss a contract?

“Drip!”

As the three appeared, a red metallic eye on the silver door suddenly rotated.

Lin Qi felt something scan his body.

“Shhh~”

The next instant, the metal door opened.

Before him stretched a spacious room, fulfilling Lin Qi’s vision of futuristic technology.

At the far end stood a towering, muscular man over two meters tall, clad in a black fitted combat suit, radiating formidable energy.

The man turned toward Lin Qi, extended his broad palm, and smiled:

“Welcome, Lin Qi!”

In that instant, his aura intensified, fierce and overwhelming, like a lion charging at him.

“Boom~”

Lin Qi felt his mind struck with violent force—he reeled, paralyzed, as if his throat had been crushed, unable to breathe.

For a moment, he thought he would die.

But he gritted his teeth and endured.

One second later, all pain vanished; Lin Qi recovered, gasping for air.

He looked at the man before him and recognized the name: Deputy Director Yue Feng of Tianhai’s Chi Qiong Martial Arts Hall.

Lin Qi had seen Yue Feng on TV, slaying disaster beasts with invincible skill.

He never imagined he’d meet him in person.

Just his aura was suffocating—far stronger than what he’d felt on screen.

He and ordinary people were like two different species.

Why would such a powerful figure suddenly want to meet me?

Lin Qi, troubled by doubt, took a deep breath and reached out to shake Yue Feng’s hand.

“Hello, Director Yue!”

He could feel the astonishing power hidden in the other’s palm—if the man squeezed, his hand would be crushed instantly.

Fang Huiyi dared not breathe loudly, keeping her head down as she followed behind Lin Qi.

Sun Guanli explained from the side:

“Lin Qi, Miss Fang, today our director invited you here.”

“He wishes to discuss the contract personally.”

……

(End of Chapter)