4: Chapter 4 Picking up my younger sister from school

Life in the third year of high school was tense and dull. With more than half a year left until the college entrance examination, everyone was studying hard, striving to achieve good results at the end.

Xiao Yuchen had originally wanted to work hard too; he had even considered retaking the college entrance examination to fulfill his dream of attending university.

However, after Awakening the cultivation system, his mindset changed. Now, he only wanted to focus on Cultivating and strive to reach the pinnacle as an Immortal Emperor as soon as possible.

With this goal in mind, Xiao Yuchen's heart was no longer in his studies. Instead, he quietly operated his Energy Absorption Technique to absorb the Spiritual Qi from the surroundings for Cultivation.

Although the Spiritual Qi in the outside world was very thin, Xiao Yuchen was only at the third level of the Qi Refinement Stage. Coupled with his miraculous Cultivation Technique that allowed him to absorb the elemental power between heaven and earth, his early-stage Cultivation progressed quite rapidly.

Xiao Yuchen spent the entire day sitting quietly in the classroom, engaged in Cultivation. He only followed along when Li Yiran went out.

After the evening self-study session ended, Xiao Yuchen first took Li Yiran home before driving to the bank.

He now possessed five million, making him a minor wealthy person; at the very least, he could surpass the majority of the working class in Jiangcheng.

Since he had money, he naturally couldn't forget his sister. After transferring one hundred thousand yuan to Xiao Yuxin, he drove back to his rented apartment, stopping at a supermarket on the way to buy some groceries.

It wasn't that he was unwilling to give his sister more money; it was just that if he gave her too much at once, she would start overthinking, and he wouldn't be able to explain the source of the funds.

"I haven't had a proper meal in so many days; I should treat myself today."

When Xiao Yuchen's parents were still alive, they were always working away from home and had no time to take care of him and his sister. Back then, Xiao Yuchen had always cooked for his sister, so his culinary skills were quite decent.

An hour later, looking at the table full of delicious dishes, Xiao Yuchen fell into deep thought. Ever since his parents passed away, he hadn't eaten a proper meal—though, previously, it was mainly to save money.

"I just wonder if my sister is eating well. I'll go see her this weekend."

Thinking of his sister, a happy smile appeared on Xiao Yuchen's face. She was his only remaining family.

Although he still had uncles and aunts, ever since his parents passed away, those relatives had almost completely cut off contact with them.

After a hearty meal, Xiao Yuchen entered the state of Cultivation once again, but not long after, a knock on the door suddenly sounded.

Xiao Yuchen had no choice but to stop his Cultivation, get out of bed, and open the door. The person who arrived was none other than Xiao Yuchen's landlady, Hu-jie.

"Hu-jie, it's so late. Is there something you need?" Xiao Yuchen asked politely.

"What do you mean, what do I need? Isn't it time for you to pay your rent? Besides, this place has been designated as a school district for Jiangcheng No. 1 Elementary School, and housing prices have doubled. Shouldn't the rent increase as well?"

Hu-jie was naturally very fat and had a face full of freckles. Although Xiao Yuchen never judged people by their appearance, having grown accustomed to seeing Li Yiran, he really found it somewhat difficult to accept Hu-jie's image.

Especially since he had eaten very well that evening, he now had a constant feeling of nausea.

In order to get Hu-jie to leave quickly, Xiao Yuchen didn't show any dissatisfaction; besides, he had money now anyway.

"How much of an increase?"

"Five thousand a month, and you must pay for a year at once."

Hu-jie extended her fat right hand and gestured in front of Xiao Yuchen.

"What? Five thousand a month? You've doubled the rent! That's way too unscrupulous."

Even though Xiao Yuchen had money, he wasn't a sucker. Five thousand yuan to rent such a dilapidated place?

"Housing prices have doubled, so the rent naturally has to double. Isn't that normal? Anyway, if you don't rent it, there are plenty of others who will."

Hu-jie was righteous and confident, feeling that all of this was only natural.

"Can you even calculate it that way? Housing prices doubled because this became a school district, allowing your children to qualify for Jiangcheng No. 1 Elementary School. But what does that have to do with me?"

Having been rebutted by Xiao Yuchen, Hu-jie paused inwardly. She also knew that the house here couldn't possibly be rented out at such a high price; the reason she was asking for such an exorbitant amount was because she had her own agenda.

"Um... Xiao Chen, don't get excited. Since this became a school district, the rent definitely has to go up, but things can be negotiated."

As she spoke, Hu-jie actually took the initiative to enter the room and closed the door behind her.

"You know my man is always going out to find other women. I don't want to be left alone in an empty room. As long as you are willing to be my little man, I won't raise your rent, and I can even waive it for you. How about that? Do you want to consider it?"

Hearing Hu-jie's words, Xiao Yuchen was stunned. He hadn't expected Hu-jie to be that kind of person. But could he agree? Of course not.

"Hu-jie, please have some self-respect. Just looking at you makes my stomach churn. You'd better leave, or be careful—I might vomit all over you."

Xiao Yuchen didn't mince his words. Anyway, he had money now; at worst, he could just move somewhere else. With the money he had now, he could buy a decent house in Jiangcheng.

"You... you... Fine, very well! Move out immediately; you are not welcome here."

Hu-jie was clearly furious at Xiao Yuchen and wanted to kick him out right away.

"On what grounds? I still have half a month left on my rent. Why should I move out before the time is up? We have a contract."

Seeing that Xiao Yuchen wouldn't back down at all, Hu-jie was helpless. According to the contract, she couldn't actually kick Xiao Yuchen out immediately.

"Fine, you've got guts. I'll wait another half a month for you." After saying that, Hu-jie left in a huff.

As a Cultivator, Xiao Yuchen naturally wouldn't take such a trivial matter to heart; he only wanted to focus on his Cultivation now.

On Friday afternoon, Xiao Yuchen took the bus to Jiangcheng No. 2 Middle School, the school where his sister, Xiao Yuxin, attended.

The teaching quality at No. 2 Middle School naturally couldn't compare to No. 1 Middle School. Although Xiao Yuxin's middle school entrance exam scores met the requirements for No. 1 Middle School, she eventually gave it up because No. 1 Middle School was a private school, and the tuition fees were much higher than at No. 2 Middle School.

Arriving at the school gate of No. 2 Middle School, many parents were waiting expectantly. Xiao Yuchen was the youngest among them.

After waiting for about half an hour, Xiao Yuxin walked out of the campus with her schoolbag on her back. Xiao Yuchen quickly went up to meet her.

"Huh? Brother, why are you here?"

Xiao Yuxin saw her brother right away and excitedly trotted over to him, flashing a smile that could captivate anyone.

"I came to pick you up. I haven't seen you in two weeks; I wanted to see you as soon as possible, didn't I?"

"Mm, Brother is the best."

Xiao Yuxin linked her arm with Xiao Yuchen's, a happy smile on her face.

Many male students stopped to watch. Xiao Yuxin was the recognized school beauty of No. 2 Middle School and the goddess in the hearts of many male classmates. It was the first time they had seen their goddess smile so charmingly.

"Isn't that the school beauty, Xiao Yuxin? Who is that boy beside her?"

"Not sure. Could it be her boyfriend? Look at how happily the goddess is smiling; that is definitely the smile of a girl in the midst of a passionate romance."

"No, impossible! That's my goddess! How could she have a boyfriend? I protest!"

"You protest? What the hell is the use of your protesting? If you've got the guts, go up and argue with that guy. Maybe you can beat him."

"Uh... never mind. I'm a civilized person; how could I be so crude?"