NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5
Before stepping off the airship, Chu Tianhao stopped his son and shared a meaningful message.
“You’re not a child anymore. If your grandfather offers you shares in the company and requests your assistance, don’t decline. He’s getting older, and eventually the company will need to be passed down to family. Do you understand?”
Chu Muxi scratched his head and replied, “Then I’ll leave it to you. I’m just focusing on my studies right now. I have no idea about running companies.”
Chu Tianhao then offered a satisfied smile and gave further instructions, “If you don’t know, then study. You can’t be depended on me for everything. Even if I need to manage things for you, it’ll only be until you’re an adult.”
Chu Muxi’s coming-of-age day was approaching, and he had already devised a plan to get rid of his grandfather. With a wave to Chu Tianhao, Chu Muxi bid farewell with an obedient and sensible demeanor, yet he couldn’t conceal the chill in his eyes.
Chu Muxi had purposely orchestrated the situation at home earlier, hoping that Chu Mubei would be a step behind him or even not attend school.
After being slapped by Chu Tianhao for the first time in his life, Chu Mubei probably had little desire to come to school at all and might have sought an outlet for his frustration elsewhere.
.
Chu Muxi arrived at the door of the Finance Department classroom, and the chattering students inside immediately fell silent.
“Look, it’s that loser.”
“Look at how timid he is. Xiao Bei is too forgiving. If it were me, I’d have kicked someone like him out a long time ago.”
“He still dares to show up at school? Shameless.”
Even the teacher hesitated to address him. “Chu Muxi, I heard that your family requested a department transfer. Look, regarding…”
Chu Mubei had persuaded He Hui to request a department transfer using Chu Tianhao’s name in his previous life. Nevertheless, Chu Muxi had caused a commotion in front of Chu Tianhao, and then He Hui cited this as an embarrassment, causing the department to no longer want Chu Muxi in his previous life.
The department head took bribes to help He Hui and her son fabricate excuses. Chu Tianhao also prohibited Chu Muxi from attending school in that lifetime.
In this life, a department transfer was necessary, but Chu Muxi couldn’t afford to be so passive.
.
Chu Muxi reached the dean’s office and knocked on the door.
“Report!” He spoke with clarity and volume.
“Come in.”
“Hello, I am Chu Muxi, a student from the Imperial University’s Department of Finance, class 121. Student number 1218, reporting to you!”
The middle-aged man with glasses, engrossed in paperwork, glanced up at the unannounced visitor with a hint of confusion.
An unexpected student. “Why are you here?”
“Dean, I’d like to apply for a department change!”
The dean, upon meeting Chu Muxi, was impressed by his clear eyes and the commanding way he spoke. This student shouldn’t be in the finance department, or the department he was planning to switch to next.
Instead, he had the aura of a warrior preparing for battle, and he would fit well in the mecha department at the Imperial Military Academy.
Chu Muxi, a sophomore at Imperial University, had the opportunity to change departments at the end of his sophomore year, a chance granted to all enrolled students.
However, most students rarely chose this option because their academic paths and abilities were mostly established during their first two years. Furthermore, they had formed relationships with their classmates. Switching departments posed a test for their future.
Chu Muxi, however, was resolute in his decision to transfer to the performance department, and that was where he wanted to go.
The performance department, a place where new students were hard to come by and where the few remaining were at risk of dropping out. In the past century, Imperial University hadn’t actively recruited performance students. Word of this decision was spreading across campus.
“Have you heard that two more students transferred to the performance department today? I think they only have five students left, right?”
“Who would want to become an actor nowadays when bionic robots can perform? It’s a thing from ancient times.”
“People come to the performance department when they can’t get into other departments and then study enough to earn credits, waiting for the opportunity to switch in their second year. Only fools sign up for the performance department.”
.
Chu Muxi strolled through campus, exuding the enthusiasm of a new student. Unbeknownst to everyone, he was about to become a legendary “fool.”
The transfer process required the signature of a relative, and it didn’t necessarily have to be Chu Tianhao. Thus, Chu Muxi had formulated this plan. When he found a quiet spot, he took out his communication device and dialed a number.
“Xiao Xi!” Shen Wu’s voice was full of energy.
Chu Muxi was also delighted to see his grandfather so spirited. “Grandpa, where are you right now?”
“We’re currently at the Deep Space Fortress in the Azure Galaxy. After refueling here, we’ll be flying directly back to the First Galaxy.”
Chu Muxi realized that the Deep Space Fortress was likely Lu Junzhi’s Deep Space Fleet. It appeared that his grandpa had listened to his request and returned with Lu Junzhi.
Chu Muxi was only partially relieved when he noticed that Shen Wu seemed hesitant to speak, as if he had something to hide.
“Grandpa, do you have something to tell me?”
“Where are you right now?” Shen Wu inquired cautiously.
Chu Muxi glanced around, searching for a relatively secluded yet open area with a clear view. In case anyone was eavesdropping, he wanted to spot them immediately.
“I’m in a quiet corner on campus. Don’t worry, I’ve checked this communication device, and there doesn’t appear to be any monitoring equipment. Grandpa, what do you want to discuss with me?”
Shen Wu seemed surprised by Chu Muxi’s caution.
As Shen Wu listened to his grandson’s explanation, a heavy weight settled in his heart. He had never contemplated this matter so deeply before, and he couldn’t fully understand what his grandson had experienced.
But seeing the seriousness in Chu Muxi’s expression and recalling the way he had acted somewhat spoiled towards him, Shen Wu couldn’t help but feel a sense of anguish.
“Lu Junzhi told me that there were members of the space pirate group infiltrated into the starship I was on. Just when he was about to send out a distress signal, they were captured by Lu Junzhi’s subordinates,”
Shen Wu explained, his face clouded with concern. After all, he was embarking on this journey, and not many people were aware of his travels to other galaxies.
Furthermore, as a businessman, he wasn’t from a top-tier family, and even if the Shen family held some influence in the Central Star, it was still far from being a significant force in the eyes of the space pirate group.
“Grandpa, do you suspect that someone leaked your whereabouts and that you were specifically targeted?”
Shen Wu had suspicions in his mind, and he couldn’t help but consider the relationship between his grandson and Lu Junzhi.
Chu Muxi replied with a bitter smile, speaking slowly.
“I know who it is, grandpa.”
“Who do you think it is?” Shen Wu inquired; his voice tinged with anticipation.
Chu Muxi clenched his teeth and enunciated every word with intense hatred.
“It’s none other than my own dear father, Chu Tianhao!”
“Is it really him?!” Shen Wu struck the table with force. “I knew he wasn’t a good person… Xiao Xi, Grandpa——” Shen Wu looked up and noticed that his grandson’s expression appeared off.
“Xiao Xi, what’s the matter? Your face is so pale. Did that wretched man do something to you? Just wait, Grandpa will return soon to make the right decision for you.”
Chu Muxi took a deep breath and forced a smile. “I’m fine, Grandpa. I’m just waiting for you to come back.”
You must return safely! And then, together, we will make Chu Tianhao and all those who have wronged us paid for their actions!