I Have Infinite Skill Points-Chapter 646: Return to Suzhou City, Everything Has Changed
The current president of the Star Martial Academy in Modu City is President Li. Although he was parachuted in three years ago, President Li has always been a towering figure, like the North Star, in Jade Country’s Star Martial Medical Attribute. He is certainly capable of holding the position of president of the Star Martial Academy in Modu City.
"Has it really been so many years? I can’t believe you’re all graduating. Three years, huh?" President Li said, somewhat nostalgically.
"Yes, it feels like just yesterday when we first entered the academy."
"Indeed, you were a freshman when I first saw you."
"Your diplomas were prepared long ago. You completed all your academic credits in your junior year. I won’t ask where you plan to go after graduation. However, on behalf of the academy, I am now formally offering you the positions of honorary professors. Wang Lan, Jiang Xinyu, what do you think?"
Wang Lan pondered for a moment and finally nodded. An honorary professor title doesn’t really carry any substantial obligations; it’s just a name affiliated with the academy. To Wang Lan, this title wasn’t important, but for the Star Martial Academy in Modu City, having him as an honorary professor was very significant.
"Thank you very much," President Li said solemnly.
"The academy nurtured me, so I should do something for it, even if it’s such a trivial matter."
"Besides honorary professor, I would also like to offer you the position of vice president. Of course, this is also in name only and will not require you to hold any actual post."
"That’s fine."
After leaving the academy, Wang Lan and Jiang Xinyu felt somewhat heavy-hearted. The entire Star Martial Academy in Modu City exuded an air of decline, yet this was supposed to be a hallowed institution for Star Martial Warriors.
When Wang Lan first entered the Star Martial Academy in Modu City, the overall strength of the seniors was at the pinnacle of the Galaxy Stage, with at least one hundred Star Martial Warriors at the Star Sea Stage. Back then, the juniors were generally in the mid-Galaxy Stage, with over fifty at the Star Sea Stage. The sophomores had peerless geniuses like Yu Ruoyun, and the freshmen included Wang Lan, the strongest Demon in history. It was a place teeming with hidden talents, truly a cut above the rest.
Now, as Wang Lan’s cohort was about to graduate, there were fewer than thirty juniors who had reached the Star Sea Stage. Among the freshmen, not a single one had even reached the late Galaxy Stage over the course of the year. This was a stark decline in overall strength compared to three years ago.
Especially this year, with the new freshman season approaching, the general situation at Star Martial High Schools across the country was not optimistic. Although the overall strength remained at previous levels, there were far fewer astonishingly talented Demon students.
Wang Lan learned this while chatting with President Li. It was unclear whether their standards had risen or if the quality of new Star Martial Warriors had genuinely declined in the past two years.
Back at Phoenix Plaza, Jiang Xinyu busied herself taking out various unopened shopping bags from her spatial storage. Wang Lan’s house was a spacious 500 square meters, yet she had strewn things everywhere, leaving almost no room to step.
"Are you... enjoying the pleasure of unwrapping all these bags?" Wang Lan asked curiously, observing the busy Jiang Xinyu.
"Wait!" Wang Lan suddenly stopped Jiang Xinyu’s hand. "What is this? A bellyband?"
Looking at the red, square piece of cloth in Jiang Xinyu’s hand, Wang Lan’s eyes slowly curved into crescents.
"What are you thinking? Do you think I can wear something so tiny?"
"Sure, sure, no problem. It could even be a..." Suddenly, Wang Lan stopped mid-sentence as the icy, murderous intent directed at him vanished. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂
"Xinyu, what you have in your hand... is that children’s clothing? Who did you buy it for?" Wang Lan squatted beside her, asking curiously. I don’t remember any of Xinyu’s relatives having children recently, though of course, I wouldn’t necessarily know about distant ones.
"My cousin’s child was born... It’s for my little nephew," Jiang Xinyu said, quickly putting it away before continuing to unwrap other items.
Frankly, all these items piled up at home were worth tens of millions. Most of the clothes started at ten thousand apiece, not to mention luxury bags, gold and silver jewelry, and the like. These were the spoils from a year of worldwide shopping sprees with Xie Sisi, conducted while on missions. A blatant display of capitalist wealth.
"By the way, Sisi’s birthday is coming up, right?"
"Huh?" Wang Lan looked up. I only remember Xie Sisi’s birthday is in spring, but I’m not sure of the exact date.
"Did you forget, or do you just not remember?" Jiang Xinyu exclaimed dramatically, then slapped her forehead. "Do you remember my birthday then?"
"Isn’t that obvious? I’ve remembered your birthday ever since I was old enough to understand, alright?"
Wang Lan and Jiang Xinyu had known each other since childhood. He vividly remembered being beaten up by a four-year-old Jiang Xinyu for forgetting her birthday gift, while Jiang Xinchen, who hadn’t even been weaned yet, happily clapped along. A past best forgotten.
"So, it’s true what they say: ’A man is as reliable as a sow climbing a tree.’ Take this; it’s the gift I picked out," Jiang Xinyu said, casually tossing him a jewelry box.
Curious, Wang Lan opened it, only to shudder. Inside the jewelry box was a diamond ring. In an instant, cold sweat dripped down his temples.
"What’s the matter? Is it hot?"
"It’s almost May; indeed... it’s a bit hot."
"How about this birthday gift? Is it nice?"
"Are you sure... this is a birthday gift?" Wang Lan inquired weakly.
"What else would it be?" Jiang Xinyu retorted, giving him an annoyed look.
"Maybe not... I’ll pick something else when the time comes."
"Pick what? More Star Martial Skills? Sisi doesn’t lack Star Martial Skills now. She’s learned all she can, and it’s no use giving her more that she can’t learn. Just give her this. Look, this is the birthday gift I chose for her. How about it?"
Jiang Xinyu cut Wang Lan off and pulled a long cheongsam from a bulky package. It was a bright vermillion and exquisitely beautiful. With a phoenix crown and bridal cape, it could be worn as a wedding dress.
"Isn’t it a bit too flashy?" Wang Lan asked, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.
"It depends on who wears it. On me, it would be tacky, but on Sisi, it would be stunningly beautiful."
"You know?"
"I’ve seen Sisi try it on; I can tell she really likes it. Do you know how much this costs? A million! Every stitch is hand-embroidered, and there’s absolutely no other one like it in the world. After we leave, we’ll have someone buy it and surprise Sisi with it."
"Are you sure she’ll want it?"
"Of course, she will. What are you just standing there for? Help me unwrap these things!"
"Oh, okay!"
"We’ve graduated, and the new department hasn’t been established yet. What should we do in the meantime?"
"I don’t know. Stand by, I guess."
"How about we go back to Suzhou City? It’s been a long time..."
"I’ll do as you say." When it came to trivial matters, Wang Lan unconditionally followed Jiang Xinyu’s arrangements.
Two days later, Wang Lan teleported back to Suzhou City with Jiang Xinyu. As soon as they returned, he unexpectedly received a call from his aunt.
The X Gene Potion had been successfully developed, and his aunt would be returning in a couple of days to discuss its production. Wang Lan hadn’t seen his aunt in almost two years, so he was naturally very surprised. He had barely started talking when Song Jia snatched the phone away.
"Brother, your dear sister is coming back! Snacks, delicious food—you’d better prepare them all for me in advance!"
"I remember you’re fourteen now, aren’t you? About to take your middle school entrance exams, right? Still eating, eating, eating? Aren’t you afraid of losing your figure?"
"Bro, have you forgotten I’ve already awakened as a Star Martial Warrior? Have you ever seen a fat Star Martial Warrior?"
"Speaking of Star Martial Warriors, do you know what level Hu Feifei is at now? Early Galaxy Stage. We used to walk to and from school together holding hands. Just tell me, won’t it be awkward when you see her next?"
"HMPH. I know you’re just trying to tease me, but this young lady doesn’t care! So what if she’s in the early Galaxy Stage? It’s not like our family doesn’t have one..."
That smug tone! I can almost see her, a young girl with her head tilted up haughtily, her tail wagging behind her like a snake.
"What? You’re at the Galaxy Stage too? That’s incredible! Didn’t you only awaken two years ago?"
"That just shows this young lady is supremely talented, a peerless prodigy!"
"You didn’t happen to gobble down a lot of Soul Beads, did you? I’ve told you time and again, Soul Beads can help improve your strength, but you mustn’t overuse them. You’ll regret it if your foundation becomes unstable."
"Do you think I’m stupid? I do take Soul Beads often, but the amount is always within scientific limits. Never mind, you won’t believe me over the phone anyway. Just wait until I come back in a couple of days, and you can check for yourself then."
"I would have checked even if you hadn’t mentioned it. Anyway, let’s not talk about this anymore. Tell me your flight details, and I’ll pick you up from the airport."
"We haven’t decided yet. I’ll tell you when we do."
After taking Jiang Xinyu home, Wang Lan stayed for dinner at her family’s house. As for staying the night... Well, that was out of the question. Jiang Xinyu practically kicked him out the door.
The night scenery of Suzhou City was as splendid as ever, with its brilliant lights. These bustling streets, this radiant city—this is the civilization I’ve sworn to protect with my life.
In Suzhou City, Wang Lan had not only a home but also friends. Xu Xiangwen wouldn’t be back for another couple of days. However, Hu Qing, knowing Wang Lan had returned, immediately and warmly invited him over to his new place.
At five in the afternoon, Wang Lan arrived on time at Hu Qing’s residential complex. He spotted Hu Qing smoking at the entrance from hundreds of meters away. As soon as Hu Qing saw Wang Lan approaching, he quickly extinguished his cigarette and strode over to meet him.
"When did you move?" Wang Lan asked after they greeted each other warmly, slinging an arm over Hu Qing’s shoulder as they walked into the complex.
"I bought it last year and just moved in a month ago."
"This complex isn’t cheap, is it?"
"It’s alright, only seventy thousand per square meter."
"Hey, Hu, do you remember when we went to catch Mr. Cui? We talked about housing prices back then too. You said fifty thousand per square meter was a sky-high price. Not even five years have passed, and now you’re saying ’only’ seventy thousand per square meter."
"COUGH. COUGH. What can I say? I guess I’m just lucky Lingling decided to take me under her wing," Hu Qing chuckled. "Seriously, without you, forget about being a guard; I might have been pushed into a ditch, and the grass on my grave would be pretty tall by now. You got me that guard job. If I hadn’t become a guard, I never would have met Lingling, and I wouldn’t have what I have today. These short five years... it’s like I’ve gone from hell to heaven."
As they were talking, the elevator arrived, and Hu Qing pressed the call button. The elevator arrived at their floor. When Hu Qing opened his apartment door, his wife was there to greet them. Beside her stood a young girl with delicate features, so beautiful she seemed to have stepped out of a painting.
"Lingling!" Wang Lan said, offering her the gift he was holding. "And, who might this be?"
"Lan!" the young girl immediately pouted, calling out unhappily.
"Huh? Feifei?" Wang Lan was baffled.
