Era of Mist

Chapter 151: Chapter 150: A Special Reward

”Damn right. I have connections everywhere, and once you’ve worn the uniform, you have comrades all over the world. Director Chen from the Cultural Division is a bona fide comrade-in-arms of mine. We go way back!” Just as Situ Zhennan was boasting, the door went CREAK and opened again. A refined, middle-aged man in a suit walked in. He glanced inside, and a smile spread across his face. ”So this is where you are.”

’So this is Director Chen? With that amiable expression, it really looks like he and Situ the Bald are on good terms. He’s even extending his hand for a handshake from all the way over there. That’s showing him a lot of respect.’

’Could it be that Situ the Bald wasn’t just boasting for once?’ Shi Tiexin’s opinion of the man began to change for the better.

”Old comrade!” Situ Zhennan shot to his feet and eagerly went to greet him, extending his own hand from afar. ”I can’t believe you came to get me yourself! You’re too kind!”

SWOOSH. Director Chen sidestepped and deftly slipped past Situ the Bald. Situ Zhennan staggered, nearly twisting his back from the sudden move. Director Chen paid Situ Zhennan’s puckered face no mind, walking straight toward Shi Tiexin with a smile. ”Master Shi, my apologies for keeping you waiting here.”

’Who? Me?’

’Master Shi?!’

Shi Tiexin rose in astonishment, instinctively shaking Director Chen’s hand, still in disbelief. ”Are you talking to me?”

”Who else but you, Master Shi.”

”I’m not worthy, not at all!” Instead of feeling ecstatic, Shi Tiexin was so unnerved by the praise that he nearly broke out in a cold sweat. ”You’re too kind, Director Chen. Please, just call me Shi Tiexin.”

Completely unabashed, Situ Zhennan sidled back over. ”That’s right, that’s right, old comrade! No need to be so formal with this kid. Just call him Little Stone.”

Director Chen still didn’t spare Situ Zhennan a single glance. He just warmly took Shi Tiexin by the arm and led him out. ”In that case, I’ll call you Little Brother Shi.”

”You’re far too kind, Director Chen,” Shi Tiexin said humbly.

Outside the small, dark room, the space opened up before them. Director Chen led Shi Tiexin, with Situ Zhennan trailing closely behind, unable to get a word in edgewise. Director Chen looked at Shi Tiexin, his expression warm. ”Little Brother Shi, it’s true that heroes are forged in their youth. You should know, thanks to you, City Lord Shen has gained a great deal of face.”

Situ Zhennan’s ears perked up, and he hastily asked, ”What is it? What happened? How did he gain face?”

’He helped the City Lord gain face... This means it’ll be easier to apply for funding! It was worth it! Totally worth it, even if I didn’t get a picture!’

Director Chen didn’t acknowledge him, but continued to explain to Shi Tiexin, ”Student Union Sacrificial Officer Lord Wang, as well as Dragon Map Scholar Lord Zhou, both showered your calligraphy with praise. Lord Wang is a famous master of calligraphy in the inner solar system. His Wang’s Regular Script is renowned even among the Lord Sacrificial Officers of the Student Union, and he holds considerable influence in cultural circles. Earning his praise means our city’s Cultural Year event is off to a resounding start. City Lord Shen is very pleased.”

’So that’s what happened.’

Shi Tiexin understood now, but he was still surprised. He never expected a piece of his calligraphy to win the favor of the chief judge, the Lord Sacrificial Officer himself. Moreover, the Lord Sacrificial Officer had created a ”Most Promising Award” specifically for him. This was truly a debt of gratitude for the recognition.

Thinking of the Lesser Township Exam, Shi Tiexin asked, ”Does my award come with a cash prize? I hate to sound so mercenary, but I really do...”

”Say no more. We’ve done some research on your situation, Little Brother Shi, and we understand your predicament. The Lesser Township Exam is fast approaching, and you need to prepare. Therefore, the standard reward we have for you is ten thousand value points.” Director Chen looked at Shi Tiexin. ”The amount is the same as the third-place prize. Are you dissatisfied with that in any way, Little Brother Shi?”

”You’re being too generous,” Shi Tiexin said, perfectly content. ”My actual skill level is probably only worth a third-place prize anyway.”

’It’s the same amount of prize money, but the title ”Most Promising Award” sounds much better than a plain old ”Third-Place Prize.” It’ll give me better bragging rights down the line. Most importantly, I also got a separate portion of Celestial Golden Light. I really have nothing to complain about.’

Director Chen nodded, satisfied with Shi Tiexin’s tact and understanding.

A certain someone, however, shamelessly sidled up to them. ”Director Chen, our Little Stone has built up a great image and won a fine reputation for our Tumu Castle, both within the Student Union and in the cultural circles of the inner solar system! From now on, City Lord Shen will be able to hold his head high when he meets with cultural dignitaries, and you, Director Chen, will have something to boast about when you dine with them—er, I mean, it’s a great honor! And you’re only giving him this little reward? It’s downright discouraging!”

Director Chen couldn’t help but shoot Situ the Bald a glare before turning back to Shi Tiexin. ”Little Brother, what I just described was the standard reward. We at the Cultural Division have also prepared a special reward for you. But you should know, you can only choose one of the two. You can’t have both.”

”What special reward?”

”This.” Director Chen produced an envelope from the inner pocket of his suit jacket. ”This isn’t money, but it is an opportunity.”

”An opportunity?”

”That’s right. An opportunity to join one of this city’s top-tier gangs.” Director Chen’s expression was grave. ”I know the Lesser Township Exam is right around the corner and you need cash on hand to prepare. The standard reward is the choice that will best help your ’present.’ But this opportunity, while it may not help you with the exam right away, is a choice that can help your ’future.’ Give it some thought.”

’The present? Or the future?’

Shi Tiexin frowned. ”May I ask which gang it is?”

”No, but I guarantee it is one of the best gangs in Tumu Castle. Look, for an orphan who has struggled to get this far, this is a potentially life-altering decision, so you can go home and think it over. However, my personal recommendation is to consider this,” Director Chen said, shaking the envelope in his hand. ”After all, I don’t believe you’ll be cooped up in Mu Yuan District forever. The Lesser Township Exam will not be your final stop.”

Shi Tiexin’s breath hitched. He then nodded and said, ”Alright. I’ll think it over carefully and contact you then.”

”Not a problem.” Director Chen put the envelope away and smiled. ”It’s getting late. I’ll see you out.”

”Wait, wait, Director Chen, please, just one photo!” Situ the Bald sidled up to him with a pitiful expression. ”You know it’s not easy for my institute! I have thousands of mouths to feed, not to mention education, medical care, employment... I don’t even have the heart to use my own office, I...”

”Alright, that’s enough of your nonsense! Barging into the venue, and then I had to go and beg Lord Zhao on your behalf. Have you no shame?” Director Chen snapped at Situ the Bald. ”Tomorrow, go to the exhibition hall yourself! Buy a ticket and take all the pictures you want! All the winning entries will be rearranged and highlighted, and the awards they won will be clearly labeled. Stop using me for your bragging rights!”