Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Graduation Gathering

Jiang the Big Shot?

Everyone looked at each other in confusion; this odd nickname was beyond their understanding. Kong Xi and Zhao Xiaoqian also fell silent, searching their memories for anything related to this title, but after a long while, neither of them could recall what it meant.

After all, those who knew the name "Jiang the Big Shot" were mostly the wealthy magnates who frequented Liusha Town to attend the Jiangbei Arena. People like that, by virtue of their immense fortunes, would hardly ever find themselves on a tourist bus.

After a moment's thought, Kong Xi decided it was just some peculiar nickname and paid it no mind. She solemnly extended her small hand. "Brother Jiang Yu, thank you for saving me."

Jiang Yu replied indifferently, "It was nothing."

This incident was merely a minor episode on their way back to Cloud City. People whispered about it for a while, but soon forgot. The relationship between Kong Xi and Jiang Yu became more familiar because of it, while Zhao Xiaoqian only curled her lips in disdain. In her eyes, Jiang Yu had simply gotten lucky.

After all, how many hidden heirs or tycoons, disguised and out to experience the mortal world, could there truly be? Even if someone were truly rich, no matter how well they disguised themselves, that unique aura of privilege was impossible to mask.

Jiang Yu, clearly, had none of those traits.

Thinking this, Zhao Xiaoqian only felt more certain in her judgment.

"Young man, thank you."

The elderly man coughed weakly.

Jiang Yu said, "Sir, every night at three, try soaking your body in the streams of some low-lying areas. In less than half a year, your health should improve somewhat. Remember, the stream must not be stagnant water—it’s best if it flows swiftly."

The old man looked at Jiang Yu in puzzlement. "You mean to say, you know something of health cultivation and breathwork?"

Recalling how Jiang Yu had just sent Zhou Feng flying with a single palm, the old man’s expression grew grave. No matter how hard one trained, it was impossible for an ordinary person to slap a man weighing over two hundred pounds and send him flying—unless this young man truly knew some arts of self-cultivation.

Considering these possibilities, the old man’s tone grew more respectful. "Thank you for your guidance!"

Jiang Yu had nothing more to say; he had just mentioned it in passing. If the old man chose to believe him, in half a year his health would gradually improve, and living another four or five years would be no great challenge.

If he didn’t believe, then so be it. Life and death are fated, each has their destiny, and Jiang Yu had no desire to interfere.

The spiritual essence of heaven and earth, on a certain level, flows like water along the lowest places. In some remote valleys or sinkholes, the vegetation is always noticeably more lush and thriving than elsewhere. This is precisely because of the gathering of spiritual essence; when it becomes dense enough, all forms of life can arise.

Three in the morning is when spiritual energy is at its most active. In some streams and springs, although spiritual essence is formless and intangible, it lingers over the water like mist, flowing with the current. Lying in such a stream, with each wash of the water, the essence would seep in through the pores.

This method is gentle for ordinary people. After a year or so, the benefits to health are obvious.

"Such charlatan tricks," Zhao Xiaoqian grumbled under her breath. "The old man’s chronic illness has stumped all the top hospitals; how could soaking in a stream possibly help?"

Kong Xi sighed helplessly. "Xiaoqian, how can you say that about Brother Jiang Yu? Whatever the case, he meant well. Can’t you put down your guard for once? Not everyone is out to do harm."

Afterward, she turned to Jiang Yu with a smile. "Brother Jiang Yu, don’t mind her. Xiaoqian may have a sharp tongue but she’s soft-hearted—she’s not a bad person."

Jiang Yu smiled and nodded.

The whole day, Kong Xi chatted with Jiang Yu, her words a constant stream compared to the more reserved Zhao Xiaoqian. Occasionally, the old man would chime in, making for quite a congenial atmosphere.

As evening neared and they approached Cloud City, Kong Xi took the initiative. "Brother Jiang Yu, we’re having a graduation dance tonight. Lots of students from Cloud City No. 1 High will be there. Won’t you come with us?"

She looked at Jiang Yu expectantly.

Unable to refuse such enthusiasm, Jiang Yu smiled. "Alright, I’ll go with you."

A so-called graduation ceremony was, in truth, just a group of friends eating, drinking, and maybe singing a little. After graduation, they would all head their separate ways, and who could say if they’d meet again in years to come?

Outside the station, several luxury cars were parked. The most eye-catching was a Porsche Panamera; its perfect curves drew admiring looks from many of the girls.

A smartly dressed, handsome young man leaned against the car, waving to Kong Xi and the others from afar.

The old man whispered a few words to Kong Xi, then climbed into a Mercedes business sedan and left slowly, leaving the young people their space. Kong Xi, meanwhile, kept glancing—deliberately or otherwise—at Jiang Yu.

On the way to dinner, Zhao Xiaoqian asked excitedly, "Tan Li, when did you change your car?"

The handsome Tan Li smiled. "Well, graduation’s coming, so my father bought me a sports coupe as a gift. It didn’t cost much, just a few hundred thousand."

A glint flashed in Zhao Xiaoqian’s eyes. Though her family was wealthy, most of their assets were tied up, and she had little ready cash. Her own car was just a red Beetle.

Tan Li, on the other hand, though outwardly modest, wore a touch of pride on his face. While his peers were still struggling, he was already driving an 800,000 or 900,000 yuan luxury coupe.

For the rich, studying was merely a gilding process—the outcome hardly mattered. Their future had long been paved for them.

This was precisely why Zhao Xiaoqian was unimpressed by Jiang Yu’s first-place score in the mock exam.

Against the backdrop of absolute family wealth, no matter how hard an ordinary person studied, it would take decades to catch up to these scions.

Tan Li asked, "Xiaoqian, the graduation ceremony is just around the corner. Are you planning to keep studying at university, or will you go home and take over the family business?"

Zhao Xiaoqian hesitated. "I haven’t decided yet. I’ll see how it goes."

Tan Li turned to Kong Xi. "What about you?"

Kong Xi smiled. "I’ve already decided. After graduation, I’ll start working at the company. I hear the graduation ceremony will be unprecedented—supposedly dozens of big companies and over a hundred smaller ones are coming to Cloud City to recruit talent."

Many people’s fates would be changed that day.

By the time they reached the restaurant, seven or eight others were already waiting. Everyone greeted each other in turn, but when it came to Jiang Yu, most just glanced at him and passed over.

His plain attire made him stand out among these young men and women of privilege.

Most of them wore Armani, Givenchy, Gucci, Chanel, Hermès—luxury brands, any one of which cost thousands.

During the meal, one of Kong Xi’s friends asked quietly, "Kong Xi, who is that?"

Kong Xi smiled. "That’s Jiang Yu—the top scorer in the mock exam at Cloud City No. 1 High."

Then she introduced, "Brother Jiang Yu, let me introduce you. These are my good friends, Yang Duoduo and Zhou Die."

Jiang Yu looked at the two bejeweled young women. Though both were quite young, their makeup was sophisticated and their looks above average for their age.

Yang Duoduo grinned at Jiang Yu. "He’s just my type. I like them fresh and studious."

Kong Xi pinched her cheek in mock annoyance. "Can you be a little more reserved? He’s a model student—don’t lead him astray."

Yang Duoduo stuck out her tongue and got straight to the point. "Brother Jiang Yu, do you have a girlfriend?"

Jiang Yu chuckled helplessly and shook his head. "Not at the moment."

He knew she was just teasing; it was obvious Yang Duoduo was the candid, playful type.

Zhou Die, on the other hand, glanced at Jiang Yu with disdain and muttered, "What’s the use of being good at studying? Even if you get into a big company, your monthly salary would only be six or seven thousand."

Kong Xi looked at Jiang Yu, a little embarrassed.

Jiang Yu waved it off calmly. "It’s alright."

During dinner, the conversation turned to the graduation ceremony. The hot topics were all about who had been recruited early by which big company, with salaries over ten thousand a month—and if they agreed to attend university, the company would pay their tuition for all four years.

Each time such news was shared, many looked on in envy.

After all, there were only so many rich heirs; most people in the room came from ordinary families.

A monthly salary of ten thousand was enough to make many green with envy.

"Duoduo, what about you? What are your plans?" someone asked.

Yang Duoduo grinned mischievously. "I’ve already been hired by Liuyang Enterprises. They’ll cover all my university expenses, and after graduation, my starting salary will be twenty thousand."

A hush fell over the group.

After a long moment, someone spoke. "Liuyang Enterprises? That’s a real publicly listed conglomerate—famous even worldwide. A starting salary of twenty thousand? That’s practically an executive position."

A dozen envious gazes landed on Yang Duoduo.

At that moment, Kong Xi suddenly asked, "Brother Jiang Yu, what about you? Have you been recruited by any company?"