28: Chapter 28 The Joy of Family

That evening, in the Zhonglin Yufu Residence, inside Fang Yu's home.

"Brother, you are amazing."

"Junior college to bachelor's degree, direct entrant? Only one every few years?" Both Fang Long and Fang Siyue were extremely excited, appearing even happier than Fang Yu.

"Our Fang family is finally going to have a martial arts undergraduate," Fang Zhiyuan said with a smile. "If your great-grandfather knew, he would probably be overjoyed."

When Fang Yu returned home today, he naturally shared this good news with his family, leading to tonight's celebration.

"An elite contract." Fang Pingan's face was beaming with smiles.

Not long ago, when he rushed home, Fang Yu was already there. After reading the contract Fang Yu handed him, the anxiety in his heart turned into uncontrollable ecstasy and excitement!

His expectation for Fang Yu had merely been to get accepted into a martial arts undergraduate program.

Never had he imagined that Fang Yu could directly secure an elite contract, far exceeding his expectations... Only exceptionally outstanding martial arts undergraduates could accomplish this.

"An ordinary martial arts undergraduate gets 300,000 in annual cultivation funds," Fang Pingan remarked with emotion. "Little Long, Siyue, your brother's cultivation funds are 1,000,000."

"For two years of martial arts undergraduate study, that's 2,000,000 in cultivation funds. How many regular academic college students couldn't save 2,000,000 even after working a lifetime?"

"Your brother hasn't even Awakened a Star Phase yet; this is purely through hard work and martial arts technique." Fang Pingan looked at the two siblings. "You two must not slack off either."

"Mm." Fang Long nodded repeatedly.

"My brother's martial arts technique is naturally extremely high," Fang Siyue added quickly. Having Cultivated under Fang Yu's guidance for a month, they only felt their big brother was incredible.

"Dad!"

"Let me correct you," Fang Yu smiled and said. "Once I reach Huguang Martial Arts University... they will give me the special cultivation funds from freshman to junior year as a lump-sum reimbursement."

"So, the money I'll receive right away is 3.7 million Star Coins."

"And it's tax-free," Fang Yu added.

Things like commercial fees counted as income and were taxable, though Manager Huo and his side covered those.

This special cultivation fund, however, was inherently a reward from the Blue Moon Alliance.

"3.7 million?" The whole family was shocked. They had all seen Fang Yu's contract earlier and thought the cultivation funds were just the 2 million for his remaining two years of undergraduate studies.

"3.7 million?" Fang Pingan's eyes widened, momentarily at a loss for words.

Over the years, he worked hard running his supermarket and made a decent income, but investing in Fang Yu's martial arts, along with his daughter and younger son Awakening Upper Astral Constellations, had put enormous pressure on him.

At the same time, he always felt a sense of guilt toward Fang Yu... After all, back when Fang Yu was in high school undergoing physical Foundation Establishment, his investment had been far less than what he spent on Fang Long and Fang Siyue.

He never expected this.

In just one day, Fang Yu had brought him such a massive pleasant surprise.

"Is this how efficiently Martial Artists earn money?" His younger brother Fang Long stared blankly, lost in thought.

"3.7 million? As expected of my eldest grandson." Fang Zhiyuan grew even happier. "I must have a drink tonight."

Seeing his family like this, Fang Yu felt increasingly happy in his heart.

Six years of secondary school, three years of vocational college.

Training relentlessly through the hottest summer days and coldest winter nights.

Hard cultivation all the way.

For what?

Wasn't it for today?

On the other hand, Fang Yu knew very well that this was only the beginning.

...

After the celebration, the family dispersed to rest.

Only Fang Yu accompanied his father, Fang Pingan, to the small ancestral shrine on the third floor, respectfully paying homage to several memorial tablets.

"If your mother knew about your achievements today, she would be proud of you too," Fang Pingan said with a faint smile, seemingly lost in memory. "Back then, when your mother was at Huguang Martial Arts University, she didn't seem to get an elite contract either."

Fang Yu fell into thought.

When his mother went missing on Primal Star, she was already in her forties, but her life level was level 28; when she was at Huguang Martial Arts University, she was probably just an ordinary student.

"Dad."

"There's something I need to tell you," Fang Yu said.

Soon, Fang Yu told Fang Pingan everything about Senior Brother Dong Xin and Manager Huo, no longer hiding even Manager Huo's shady under-the-table dealings.

After all, as the stakes grew larger, he could no longer keep it hidden.

"You did the right thing," Fang Pingan said after listening. "Regarding Manager Huo's matter, you must not expose it... However, signing the endorsement deal with him today was a bit risky."

"Risky?" Fang Yu paused.

"Given your current strength, you aren't qualified to sign such a deal yet," Fang Pingan explained. "So, if the Tieshan Martial Artists investigate Manager Huo in the future, your contract might very well be implicated as a suspected transfer of illicit interests."

Fang Yu pondered, "But Senior Brother Dong said..."

"Your Senior Brother Dong promised to mediate, but that equals placing your fate in someone else's hands," Fang Pingan shook his head and said. "Your Senior Brother Dong helped you, and you must be grateful."

"However, the rule of business is to never place absolute trust in anyone."

"Do you have voice recordings of your conversation with Manager Huo?" Fang Pingan asked. "Play them for me to listen."

"I do," Fang Yu nodded.

This was a good habit he had developed under his father's guidance: saving audio recordings of all conversations.

Soon.

After listening to the recordings of the conversation between the two, Fang Pingan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. "Fortunately, at least you didn't threaten him, nor was there anything blatantly violating rules. Even if something happens in the future and it goes to court, at most you'll just return the money... Remember, if something like this happens next time, make sure to talk face to face."

"It's best to meet in a place you are familiar with and can control, and invite a strong third party as a witness."

"Talk face to face? A third-party witness." Fang Yu fell into thought.

"For example, your teacher 'Teacher Yan Fu,'" Fang Pingan smiled slightly. "If you ask him for help to represent the school as a witnessing party for the endorsement contract, he surely won't refuse."

"This way, would you still need to worry?"

Fang Yu's eyes lit up.

The older, the wiser.

He indeed hadn't thought that deeply.

"Right now, it's acceptable too," Fang Pingan said. "As long as you maintain your pace of progress after entering university, what is an endorsement deal of a few hundred thousand Star Coins to a big company? As a direct entrant, you are barely qualified anyway. Even if your Senior Brother Dong doesn't help you in the future, no one is likely to make a big fuss over it."

Fang Yu nodded, feeling relieved.

"By the way, Dad."

"Once the cultivation funds and scholarship arrive in my account, I'll transfer some to you," Fang Yu said. He knew his father was under tremendous pressure, especially having just bought a large batch of potion treasures for him and his younger siblings.

"No!"

"Don't transfer a single penny; keep it all yourself," Fang Pingan shook his head decisively and said. "Don't think this is a lot of money; it's far from enough. I looked into it long ago. In the future, if you want to raise your life level to Level 39... if you never Awaken the Void Star Constellation, let alone a few million..."

"Even tens of millions won't be enough."

"My ability is limited, so I won't be able to help you much moving forward. You have to walk your own path."

"As for your brother and sister, they have their own paths... You're just their big brother, not their father. Some burdens aren't yours to carry." Fang Pingan looked at Fang Yu.

"But, Dad," Fang Yu looked at his father with concern, "your health..."

"I know what you're worried about."

"When you become a Senior Martial Artist and earn tens of millions on your own," Fang Pingan smiled, putting on a relaxed front, "if you still want to give your brother and sister some money then, I won't object."

"But definitely not now."

"Mm," Fang Yu understood that his father would not accept it. "Dad, when I become a Senior Martial Artist and give you money then, you can't refuse again."

"Haha," Fang Pingan chuckled. "Then I'll wait for that day. When it comes, I can relax just like your grandfather."

In his subconscious, Fang Pingan didn't think Fang Yu could become a Senior Martial Artist so quickly... It would take at least several years, by which time Fang Long and Fang Siyue would probably have already gotten into university.