Chapter 9 Inheriting OlPops Position

Yang Wei and Gao Wan didnt have any other choice and could only agree to execute the contract. However, Xia Ping wasnt interested in watching any further. After all it was already quite late and he still had to head home for dinner.

When he got back home, Xia Ping immediately smelled the delicious scent of meat. It blossomed through his nose and caused all of the cells in his body to salivate in desire. He couldnt help but swallow.

Mom, whatre you cooking today? Why does it smell so good?

A slightly plump middle-aged woman wearing an apron peeked out from the kitchen and slightly smiled, Your lucky today. This is the fire bear meat that I just bought from the store today. She was Xia Pings mother, Huang Lanxin

[1]

.

Fire bear meat? Did we get rich today or something, and now have enough money to buy it? Xia Ping asked wide-eyed. This fire bear was famous for its strength on Yanhuang star. Not only was it difficult to catch, cold weapons and ordinary guns were useless against it.

Its meat was extremely precious though, containing a large amount of life energy. If drank as a soup, not only did it improve ones physique, it also increased the amount of True Qi in their bodies, drastically increasing their strength as well. It wasnt inferior at all to any of those nourishing medicinal pills and far surpassed the effects of the ginseng and stag antlers of Earth by several times over.

Yet, it was also just as expensive, costing one thousand and two hundred Federation credits per kilogram. Basically a luxury product that normal people couldnt eat at all. It was only on the New Year and other holidays that they might occasionally have a bit for a meal.

What, we cant buy it if were not rich? Occasionally spending a bit is okay. After all if we dont spend our hard-earned money, then are we supposed to take it with us to our graves? his dad, Xia Chuanliu

[2]

, sitting in the living room coughed, showing off a generous appearance.

Xia Ping on the other hand was speechless. If he remembered correctly, then his dad was only a civil servant that worked at the citys bureau of administration. He was responsible for managing the pedlars and small businesses in the city. Basically a city official within an organization. Every month, his wage plus benefits pretty much totalled five to six thousand Federation credits.

As for his mom, she was one of those small businesses pedlars on the street that sold snacks. Although her monthly income wasnt much, it still amounted to around three thousand Federation credits. When looked at as a whole, his familys total income seemed as if it was around ten thousand.

The problem was that this house was bought with a loan. It had a duration of thirty years in which three thousand Federation credits had to be payed back every month. In addition to the daily expenses and Xia Pings tuition fees, their pockets really were tighter then it seemed.

If it wasnt some sort of holiday, then it really was difficult to eat a meal of fire bear meat.

Okay, okay. Enough with the talking. Quickly come and eat while its fresh. His mom hurried about putting all the dishes on the table. Five dishes and one soup, all filled with a generous serving. Not only did it smell delicious, it was also a feast for the eyes.

Seeing such a copious banquet, Xia Pings heart skipped a beat. This was definitely a trap! His normally stingy father who couldnt even bare to waste a cigarette butt when he smoked absolutely wouldnt be so generous without reason.

Pops, give it to me straight. Does our family owe an usury? Is this the final dinner that well be having before running off? You can tell me the truth, I can handle it, Xia Ping said seriously, looking at his old man.

This day has finally come, h

e sighed deep inside. He knew his dad and how he usually liked to gamble a bit. With that disposition, it was likely sooner or later something would happen. Who wouldve thought that he was right, something really did happen.

Son, whats with that look? What do you mean by owe an usury and have to run? Is dads image in your heart really that bad? Xia Chuanliu asked, his nose flaring in anger.

Xia Ping blinked. We dont owe an usury?

Of course not!

His dad puffed up like a peacock. No matter what, Im still a public servant with an organization. Therefore, Im naturally aware of more things than a normal person. How could I become addicted to gambling? Of course, occasionally gambling a bit is okay. After all, it helps set the mood. Wasnt there a saying? Small gambles for joy, big gambles for wealth, and bad gambles for nothing.

Um, okay. Then why dont you tell me what the banquet is for? Xia Ping still had some doubts.

Seeing his son still doubt him, Xia Chuanliu felt a bit awkward. It couldnt be helped after all, his image normally wasnt exactly stellar. Coughing slightly to hide his embarrassment, he explained, Theres really nothing to it. Since weve already talked this far, then Ill lay it out to you straight. Your school should have already started talking to you about your plans for the future. Then, before we start, what do you have in mind?

His eyes shined as they looked at Xia Ping.

Im planning on going to university, Xia Ping answered.

Youre planning on going to university?! Huang Lanxin cried out in shock.

His dad looked at him fearfully, Son, are you serious? Youre actually planning that?

Xia Pings lips twitched. Just what the hell was going on? Normally, werent parents really happy when they heard that their son wanted to go to university? Then why the heck did these two seem as if they saw a ghost?

Thats my plan, Xia Ping replied honestly.

Son, your plan just isnt right. This is pretty much rebellion!

Xia Chuanliu looked as if he was going to collapse from heart failure. Whats so good about university? After four years of study, arent you still only going to earn three to four thousand Federation credits every month? If youre unlucky enough to work for a bad boss, you might not even get anything at all! Aside from that, theres also your tuition fee during that time. Thats not a small sum, you know! Instead, your old mans got a better plan for you! After, you graduate from high school, come work at the government. And not just at any department there, come work at my city management department. Dont underestimate me just because Im normally low-key. After working for twenty years, Ive still got some connections. Like the department head for example. Not only do I often go over to his place to play mahjong, I spend a lot of time flattering and sucking up to him, and after a while, we were completely familiar with one another. All I have to do is hand over a few cigarettes along with a handsome bribe and you can get into the department nice and easy. Then, you and I will manage the streets of this city together! Not only will we be contributing to the order and stability of this city, well even get to order those small businesses about like overlords! One family with two officials, doesnt that just sound awesome?! Girls will be breaking down our doors to marry you at that point!

As he finished speaking, his face was extremely smug, filled with longing.

Xia Pings lips almost looked liked they were spasming from how often they were twitching. He was already completely speechless. Dad, I still want to go to university.

You! Youre absolutely incorrigible! Xia Chuanlius eyes widened, his expression just screaming, youre irredeemable!

Seeing the tension in the air between them, his mom began to help mediate. Okay, thats enough now. Lets end this conversation here and quickly eat already. Theres still some time before graduation, so we dont need to rush.

Xia Chuanliu obeyed and didnt say anything more on the matter. Fine, then.

After finishing the meal half an hour later, Xia Ping went back to his room to rest, leaving only Huang Lanxin and Xia Chuanliu in the living room.

Huang Lanxin looked at her husband. Chuanliu, our son doesnt seem to want to follow your path.

Xia Chuanliu waved it off, not caring at all. This is just his rebellious phase. I know because I went through it too. However, its a reality that his grade are average. After the university exams are over and his grades come out, hell know just how smart and great his dad really was. At that point, all I have to do is talk to him about it and I guarantee you that hell fall all over himself to agree.

Huang Lanxin nodded. She also knew just how average her sons grades were. He would be lucky if he could enter a third-rate university. In the case that he didnt do well, then it was likely no post-secondary institution would accept him at all.

Translator Notes:

Huang Lanxin:

In Chinese, its . Huang means yellow, Lan for orchid, and Xin for gratitude. Her name basically means, yellow orchids gratitude.

Xia Chuanliu:

In Chinese, its . Similar to Xia Ping, the surname Xia in this case means summer. Chuan has two definition, the first one being river and the second is plain as in a large flat area. Liu also has several meanings as well, but for simplicitys sake, flow and pass as in passing through, makes more sense.