C91 Go Home

"Alright, let's drop the subject."

Chu Cencen offered a gentle smile, exuding the warmth of a benevolent old aunt.

Chu Yi found her kindness a bit peculiar, considering she was only slightly older than him, but he mustered his greatest acting prowess to assume the role of a respectful younger relative.

"Come back home with me later."

"The old man was really worried when he heard about your troubles. As soon as he learned of your return, he sent me to fetch you straightaway."

"Yeah, I ran into those jerks from Adirang Academy..."

As Chu Cencen spoke, her smile remained, but Chu Yi noticed a flicker of iciness in her eyes.

Clearly, the conduct of Adirang Academy had incensed Chu Cencen.

Chu Yi remained quiet for a moment, and Lee Zi, standing beside him, kept silent as well.

This was a decision Chu Yi needed to make on his own.

After a lengthy pause, Chu Yi exhaled deeply, "May I first speak with my parents?"

He wasn't a mama's boy; it was just that...

Chu Yi was unsure of his parents' stance since they had never discussed such matters with him. What if they truly wished to keep their distance?

They might be his kin, but for Chu Yi, that was all they were.

In Chu Yi's world, only a few things truly mattered. Initially two, now there were three.

Beyond his parents and Lee Zi, he didn't hold much regard for anyone else.

Chu Cencen pondered briefly and saw this as an opportunity for her brother to mend fences with the family.

"Go ahead..."

He wasn't seeking Chu Cencen's approval, merely letting her know.

Chu Yi activated his communicator and called his parents.

Soon, a holographic image materialized before him.

"Son, what made you think to call your mom today? Weren't you off on your trial?"

With the burdens lifted from her shoulders, his mother had reverted to her old self.

This was the mother Chu Yi knew and loved.

"Mom, we've completed the trial. We just got back today."

His parents were certainly unaware of the events that had transpired at the trial ground, and Chu Yi preferred to keep it that way.

Just as Chu's mother was about to speak, her gaze suddenly became distant.

Chu Yi realized she had noticed Chu Cencen standing beside him.

"You're already aware..."

His mother might have been naive and innocent, but she was certainly no fool.

Just by seeing Chu Cencen, she understood what had occurred.

Chu Yi fell silent for a moment before giving a slight nod. "Actually, I wanted to ask for your thoughts on the matter..."

Chu's mother's gaze was complex as she looked at Chu Cencen, who approached with a warm smile.

"Sister-in-law..."

Chu's mother accepted the title, knowing that Chu Xiong wanted her to be addressed as such by the Chu family.

Yet...

"So, it's Cencen..."

Chu Yi felt a twinge of frustration upon hearing the familiar greeting.

It was clear to him that his mother and his aunt were acquainted, and quite well at that.

It seemed his mother had been secretly in touch with the Chu family behind his back.

"Sister-in-law, I see this as an opportunity, a chance for Fifth Brother to come home. What do you think?"

Chu Cencen was straightforward, not mincing her words.

Chu's mother was silent for a while before finally nodding gently.

"But what about Chu Xiong..."

"Oh, Sister-in-law, if you just speak up, could Fifth Brother ever defy you?"

The truth was plain to see.

In front of his mother, his father was no more intimidating than a paper tiger—

No, more like a mouse.

He stood no chance of defiance.

"This time, let's act first and report later. Fifth Brother won't have any objections when he finds out; he might even be secretly pleased!"

"Besides, it was the old man who asked me to bring Chu Yi back. You know what that signifies, right?"

Had anyone else made such a comment, Chu's mother would have simply laughed it off.

But when it came to Chu Xiong...

Chu's mother was well aware of her husband's pride. If not for his stubbornness, he probably would have returned home long ago...

Reflecting on the situation, Chu's mother resolved, "Alright, let's proceed with that plan!"

Once Chu's mother made up her mind, she was unwavering in her decision.

"Yi, even though your dad and grandpa have their differences, we're still family at the end of the day."

"And..."

She paused, then added earnestly, "The Chu family are good people."

Good people?

Chu Yi cast a suspicious glance at his aunt, Chu Cencen.

Chu Cencen responded with a grin, her teeth gleaming with a hint of chill.

Yes, good people, indeed!

Chu Yi shuddered and decided it was best to keep quiet.

"Fine, I'll do as my mom says!"

After all, it was his mother's decision. He wouldn't be worried even if his father found out.

Even though Chu Yi was now strong enough to take on a hundred, even a thousand Chu Xiongs with ease, he still wouldn't dare to retaliate against his own father.

With his mother leading the way, Chu Yi felt he had nothing to fear.

Chu's mother had already ended the call. Chu Cencen approached, "Let's head home, my dear nephew!"

Something about Chu Cencen's smile seemed off to him, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"Also, bring your girlfriend with you."

"It's not safe for her to stay here."

At the mention of "girlfriend," Lee Zi blushed.

She had been wary of Chu Cencen earlier, ready to confront her if she could. But now, with roles reversed and the 'rival' now Chu Yi's aunt, Lee Zi felt her world had turned upside down.

Chu Yi would have insisted on the same course of action even without Chu Cencen's suggestion.

Given Sun Wei and his group's demeanor, they wouldn't back down just because Chu Cencen showed up.

It was safer for Lee Zi to stay with him.

"Principal, I'll be taking Chu Yi with me now, and I'll make sure to visit you when we have the chance," Lee Guoqiang said, finally fully embracing the new reality, his face beaming with a smile.

With Chu Cencen and the Chu family's support, Sun Wei and even the whole Adirang Academy posed no threat at all.

Lee Guoqiang was elated to learn about the newfound background of Lee Zi and Chu Yi. With this revelation, he no longer had to fret over their safety in the future.

Moments later, Chu Cencen deftly operated her terminal, and in no time, an incredibly sleek flying car materialized before Chu Yi and Lee Zi. Everyone has a soft spot for cars, and Chu Yi was certainly no exception.

The Atlanta S Series.

Revered as the nobility among flying cars, even the most affordable model from the Atlanta line commanded a price tag well over ten million. And the S Series? It represented the pinnacle of the collection.

Chu Yi surmised that this flying car wouldn't cost anything less than a hundred million. He couldn't pinpoint the exact model, but he knew that even the lowest-priced Atlanta S series boasted a nine-figure sum.

"How about that? Pretty impressive, huh?" Chu Cencen asked, her eyes gleaming with pride as she caught Chu Yi's intrigued gaze.

"This is the S3 series. It might not be the priciest in the Atlanta S lineup, but it's definitely in the top three! Your aunt scrimped and saved for years to afford this beauty."

Chu Yi looked on with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. The flying car was undeniably pricey, but he couldn't help thinking about the Chu family's influence, a family that could command respect from Adirang Academy and even make it step aside. Surely, a family with such clout could easily afford such luxuries without the need for missions.

Chu Yi began to suspect that the Chu family was perhaps not quite as he had imagined.

"Alright, hop in," Chu Cencen urged. "Dinner's about to be served, and if we're late, there won't be anything left to eat!" With that, she ushered Chu Yi and Lee Zi onto the flying car.

Inside the flying car, a hush fell over the group. Lee Zi was internally debating how to forge a better relationship with Chu Cencen and rectify any past misunderstandings, while Chu Yi and Chu Cencen were uncertain about how to interact with each other.

Feeling the weight of her role as the elder, Chu Cencen decided to break the ice.

"Ahem, so Chu Yi, how are your studies coming along?" she inquired, a classic question from an elder to a younger relative.

It was a familiar scene to him, reminiscent of the days when the older generation would ask him the same.

Chu Yi's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

It was like bringing up the very topic he hoped to avoid.

His academic achievements were as notable as his looks—both quite impressive. But this renown wasn't necessarily for the reasons one might expect...

"I mean, Auntie, we're all martial arts practitioners. Isn't it a bit... off-topic to discuss academic performance?"

Chu Cencen agreed with Chu Yi's point. As fellow practitioners, why bother with academic scores?

But then she reconsidered and her expression darkened.

Who did she think she was?

She was Chu Yi's father's own sister, his aunt, a bona fide elder!

For an elder to inquire about his studies, and for him to so brazenly deflect?

"Don't try to make excuses. Our Chu family has a long-standing scholarly tradition. Even as a cultivator, you can't neglect your academic studies!"

Yes, that was the spirit!

Even if Chu Cencen's delivery lacked a bit of force, it was enough to intimidate Chu Yi—at least for the moment.

"Um, well, you see, cough cough..."

Chu Yi hadn't expected to face this situation in his current life.

But no matter.

Who was Chu Yi?

A man with the wisdom of two lifetimes!

So...

"It's hardly worth mentioning. But what about you, Auntie?"

"Are you married? How old are your kids? Are they in preschool yet?"

"If you're not married, do you have a boyfriend? What does he do? What's his income like? Does he own a house and a car?"

"And another thing..."

Bang!

Chu Yi rubbed his head.

This wasn't how things were supposed to go!

"Our Chu family is renowned for its martial prowess, and here you are asking about mundane matters. It's downright insulting to our heritage!"

Facing Chu Cencen's stern look, Chu Yi inhaled sharply.

What a glaring display of double standards!

One moment they're a family of scholars, the next a lineage of warriors. What exactly did the Chu family stand for?

Seeing that his aunt was no longer in the mood to talk, Chu Yi had no choice but to remain silent.

After all, those without power don't get a say...