Chapter 56: Return to School

Even though I asked the teacher for leave, I haven't gone for more than half a month, which is a bit hard to justify.

"You're a girl, yet you eat more wildly than I do; can't you eat slower?"

Lu Jing sat down next to Lu Leyi, picked up a bowl-sized mantou on the table, and ate one mantou per bite.

Although his movements were refined, his eating speed was far faster than Lu Leyi's, beyond measure.

"Brother, your appetite has increased again..."

Lu Leyi watched Lu Jing eat a mantou with each bite, finish a plate of vegetables in five seconds, and was so shocked that her eyes widened and she almost choked.

"Eat slower, drink some water, and watch you choke."

Lu Jing saw Lu Leyi turning white from choking, and quickly handed her a glass of water.

Lu Leyi promptly took it, tipped her head back, and gulped the whole glass.

"This world is so unfair; why can you get up so late every day and just by eating increase your Blood Qi? Look at everyone else—they all train from dawn till dusk."

"Unfair! Unfair!"

Lu Leyi shook her head in protest and said.

"Damn, your brother here has an extraordinary talent; we certainly aren't comparable to you ordinary mortals."

Lu Jing grabbed a large baozi and swallowed it in one bite.

A thought arose in his mind: should he teach Lu Leyi the Star Chronicle Forging Body Technique?

It could be done, but now is not the time.

Lu Leyi is still young; she can't keep anything hidden in her heart.

If Lu Leyi were to let something slip, or if someone noticed something odd.

A disaster that could wipe out their family would await.

Better to wait until Lu Leyi matures before saying anything.

Or wait until Lu Jing grows stronger and can protect the family.

Feng Qinru, busy in the kitchen, peeked out and, seeing the brother and sister chatting and laughing, felt greatly comforted.

She didn't know when it started, but the two children had once again regained their childhood closeness: the sister clung to her brother, and the brother doteed on his sister.

"By the way, brother."

Lu Leyi suddenly remembered something and said, "I heard senior sister Leng Yueyue say that your school seems to be holding a graduation event soon, requiring all teachers and students to attend. I don't know the exact time; do you want to go to the school and ask?"

"Graduation event?"

Lu Jing was a bit stunned; hasn't graduation happened yet?

"Hmm," Lu Leyi nodded, "it seems related to the military, and the event is being organized on a large scale."

"Alright, I'll ask a classmate later."

After Lu Leyi goes to school, Lu Jing pulls out his phone, intending to contact desk mate Zhang Hao to inquire about the situation.

If you don't look, you wouldn't know; once you see it, you're startled.

Lu Jing's phone showed over a dozen missed calls and many unread messages.

Among them, the calls came from a landline, apparently the school's customer service line.

As for chat messages, most were sent by Lóu Wǎnqīng.

When he opened the message box, a long string of texts popped up.

"Lu Jing, are you there? Have you gotten home?"

"What are you doing?"

"Have you eaten?"

"......"

Lu Jing was speechless; after a moment's thought, he still didn't reply.

At that moment, the phone rang again as the school's landline called back.

Lu Jing answered, "Hello, what can I help you with?"

"Hello, is this Lu Jing? Sorry to disturb you; our school has organized a graduation event, and I'm calling to inform you to attend."

"Graduation event?"

Lu Jing's eyebrows twitched; this must be the one Lu Leyi mentioned.

But he despises taking part in such group activities.

Moreover, Lu Jing has few friends at school; the only one he gets along with is Zhang Hao.

"Yes, it's today; all teachers and students must be present. This event is co‑organized by the military and the school, and they will recruit new soldiers at the school—a good opportunity for you."

The caller continued, "I know you have great talent, but you could come to learn more, since after graduation you might still join the army."

This military event truly is an opportunity for students with slightly weaker talent, giving those who failed to enter Wu University a chance to continue practicing martial arts.

Although life after enlisting isn't as comfortable as that of Wu University students, it's still a secure job with a decent monthly salary.

Of course, danger exists; each year the military's death toll is several times that of Wu University's.

Lu Jing thought for a moment and replied, "Alright, thank you, teacher, I'll go."

Anyway, there's nothing else today; a trip won't waste much time.

…….

"Master, go to the Second Martial Way Middle School."

After a quick tidy‑up, Lu Jing took a taxi and headed to the Second Martial Way Middle School.

Even if the school doesn't hold the event this time, Lu Jing will still go.

Because the martial exam is imminent, the school will suspend classes.

If he doesn't go to school now, he may never see his classmates or teachers again.

The taxi stopped at the school gate; after paying, Lu Jing got out.

It was already past ten in the morning, well after school start time; the school gate was deserted, with only the security guard on duty in the guardhouse.

Lu Jing walked to the guardhouse beside the gate and knocked on the window.

The security guard poked his head out, glanced at Lu Jing, and said, "Which class are you from? Why are you coming at this hour? Don't you know the school has an event today?"

"Sir, I took leave..."

"You took leave? You still shouldn't be this late. Which class are you? Have your counselor come pick you up!"

It was clear the school attached great importance to this military event; the campus was spotless, and even the security guard had changed into a new uniform.

I am Lu Jing from Class Two, the counselor is Li Jiacheng.

Class Two's...... Lu Jing, uh, that name sounds familiar.

The security guard furrowed his brow, trying hard to remember.

Suddenly, he stood up abruptly, opened the security room's door, and scrutinized Lu Jing closely.

"Are you that genius from Anwu City, Lu Jing?"

"That should be me..."

Lu Jing scratched his head; he really was famous enough that wherever he went, someone knew him.

Seeing Lu Jing admit it, the security guard instantly got excited: "Oh my god, a big star! No wonder I haven't seen you lately, kid—turns out you took leave. Wait a moment, I'll open the gate for you!"

The security guard hurried into the security room and pressed the switch for the school gate.

Lu Jing hurried inside and walked toward his classroom.

Along the way he saw many military trucks parked in the campus lot, and he also spotted a Jeep bearing the emblem of the Dongchuan Province Martial Arts Association.

This made Lu Jing feel a vague unease.

His relationship with the provincial martial arts association was poor, even hostile.

"I probably overthought it..."

Senior Three Class Two.

Counselor Li Jiacheng spoke on stage with flying spittle, while the students below chatted among themselves, each doing their own thing.

"Students, quiet down," Li Jiacheng patted the podium, "This should be our last gathering here to talk; after graduation, we'll each go our separate ways."