Chen Shu paused slightly, sizing up the four options.
Clearly, only the first and fourth options aligned with his original intention.
Although he wanted to send blessings to people, considering practical factors, he had to reluctantly choose the first.
Chen Shu pondered for a moment and said, "I plan to take on a part-time job during the winter break!"
"What specifically?"
"In civil engineering, mainly responsible for modifying spatial terrain!"
"???"
His parents were a bit stunned, clearly not understanding.
"Sigh!"
Chen Ping sighed and said, "My son has grown up. Half a year of university wasn't wasted; even his words have depth now!"
"Naturally!"
Chen Shu grinned, hearing someone praise him for his depth for the first time!
He seemed to recall something and said softly, "Mom, Dad, do you feel anything strange lately?"
"No? What's wrong?"
"I have a feeling someone is watching me!"
Chen Shu shook his head, feeling uneasy all over these past two days.
"Never mind, it's probably just my fans."
He stopped thinking about it, and after finishing lunch, he left with his bag.
"Aunt Wang, pack me some fruit! The cheapest ones will do!"
"..."
Chen Shu, carrying a bag of apples and pears, quickly departed.
Half an hour later,
He arrived at an old residential complex in Nanjiang City, the residence of Professor Ye Qing.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Elder Ye, the kid is here to see you!"
A moment later, Ye Qing, wearing a vest and holding a palm-leaf fan, opened the door.
Ye Qing smiled and said, "It's enough that the gift has arrived, no need for a visitor!"
"???"
Chen Shu's mouth twitched as he handed over the fruit.
"Thank you!"
Ye Qing smiled, took the fruit, and directly closed the door.
Bang!
Chen Shu wasn't paying attention and bumped his nose against it.
"Damn it!"
He cried out in pain, "Uncle, I haven't come in yet!"
"Please wait a moment!"
Rustling sounds came from inside.
A moment later, Ye Qing opened the door again.
"Elder Ye, what are you doing?"
Chen Shu rubbed his nose, and as soon as he entered the living room, he understood.
The coffee table was bare, devoid of any snacks or fruits, with only scattered melon seed shells on the floor, clearly indicating that the items had just been put away.
"..."
Chen Shu sighed and said, "Uncle, do you have to be like this? I'm not a bandit!"
"You're not a bandit! You're the damn leader of the bandits!"
Ye Qing nodded quickly. Last year when Chen Shu visited, he had ended up losing two apples...
"..."
Chen Shu shook his head and sat on the sofa, saying,
"Elder Ye, how has your health been lately?"
"Do you need something from me?"
Ye Qing crossed his legs, seeing through Chen Shu's intentions at a glance.
"Elder Ye is truly prescient!"
Chen Shu gave him a thumbs-up and then rubbed his hands, saying, "It's like this, I heard that a new异空间 (otherworldly space) is about to be born..."
"Of course, I'll state upfront, it's absolutely not for money!"
His expression was firm, wanting to establish himself as a righteous person first!
Ye Qing nodded calmly, "Yes, I understand, it's for money!"
"..."
Chen Shu's mouth twitched. If you've seen through everything, how am I supposed to act?!
"Honestly, Elder Ye, it's Chinese New Year now, and the鎮靈軍 (Spirit Suppressing Army) must miss their families!"
Chen Shu sighed and said, "Why not withdraw a team of the Spirit Suppressing Army? I can take their place!"
"Do you really want to go?"
Ye Qing raised an eyebrow and said, "It's a dangerous level异空间 (otherworldly space) inside, with Silver Kings present!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Shu became even more excited...
"Elder Ye, give me a chance! I was born to hunt fierce beasts!"
Chen Shu said, "As the sole representative of the younger generation, I have an unavoidable duty!"
"Otherwise, how can I live up to the identity of Huaxia Academy, and how can I face the South Jiang elders who adore me!"
"Alright, alright, that's enough..."
Ye Qing wiped his forehead and said, "I thought it was raining..."
"Actually, it's not impossible!"
He stroked his chin and said, "But the pioneers of异空间 (otherworldly spaces) are all official personnel. Letting you go is a bit against the rules."
"I'm from Huaxia Academy, and I'm of righteous lineage. If I'm not official, who is?!"
"Stop that nonsense!"
Ye Qing said, "Agree to two of my requests, and you'll have a spot for the pioneering expedition!"
Chen Shu blurted out, "What requests? Murder and arson, I love... uh... I won't do it!"
"???"
Ye Qing's mouth gaped open, and he even considered arresting him on the spot.
After a while, he cleared his throat and said,
"First, give me a large bottle of black laxatives! This old man feels like Blue Star has lost its gravity again lately!"
"No problem!"
Chen Shu nodded; it was a trivial matter. He had plenty of "Bandit Brand" laxatives!
"The second one..."
Ye Qing thought for a moment and then raised an eyebrow, "Recently, the square dancing..."
"No problem!"
Chen Shu immediately understood Ye Qing's intentions without any hesitation.
"I'll give you the phone numbers of all the square dancing aunties later!"
"Alright, kid, you're paving the way for yourself!"
Ye Qing said with a look of satisfaction, "Okay, then it's settled!"
"By the way, don't go alone. Dangerous level spaces are not to be trifled with! And these fierce beasts seem to have an inexplicable hatred for humans!"
Chen Shu smiled and said, "No problem!"
Then the two fell into a deep silence.
Time ticked by,
"Elder Ye, it's twelve noon! Should we consider lunch?"
Chen Shu coughed slightly, a subtle reminder.
"Time flies so fast! It's time for a nap!"
Ye Qing nodded, stretched, and said,
"Little Chen, I won't keep you. Come to the newly built Blazing Town on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year!"
"..."
Chen Shu's expression became resolute, and he laid his cards on the table, saying, "Uncle, I want to mooch a meal!"
Ye Qing looked troubled and said, "That's impossible, there aren't enough bowls and chopsticks at home!"
"Uncle, it's fine, I brought them!"
Chen Shu smiled and directly took out a set of silver bowls and chopsticks from his bag.
"???"
Ye Qing's expression froze. You brought your own bowls and chopsticks? Are you accustomed to freeloading meals?
"There's also a bit of a problem with the pot at home..."
"It's fine, I have everything!"
Chen Shu directly produced a large iron pot and a butcher's knife.
"..."
Ye Qing was instantly silenced.
In this tug-of-war, he had ultimately lost!
"Uncle, aren't you going for a nap? I'll just cook something myself!"
Chen Shu, carrying the pots and pans, headed straight for the kitchen, completely treating himself as part of the family.
Half an hour later,
Chen Shu's face was beaming with joy, and the table was laden with various delicacies, exuding a rich aroma of meat.
It wasn't that his cooking skills were superb, but rather that the ingredients were top-notch!
"Uncle, I think you should eat less fierce beast meat. No wonder you're always constipated!"
Chen Shu ate heartily, having long ago predicted that Ye Qing's home would have various fierce beast meats.
"This beef is excellent! Tender and fragrant, it must be Gold grade, right?"
"This turtle soup is also quite good, it's practically bubbling with freshness!"
"Uncle, you eat too! Just treat this place like your own home!"
Ye Qing remained silent, his expression a stark contrast to Chen Shu's demeanor.
Indeed, the sorrow of one person truly differs from that of another.