44 Finding a good college for Zi Han

“You are wrong. It’s not unflattering rather it’s adorable. What do you think Old Lu?” said Zi Feiji presenting his masterpiece to the old steward.

The old man leaned down and looked at the picture and the smile on his face grew wider. “The young sir is indeed adorable,” said the Old steward with his eyes shaped like the crescent moon.

“See, I told you,” said Zi Feiji but Zi Han didn’t hear the rest of the conversation because he was attracted by the breaking news being broadcasted on the screen. It looked like it was a repeat broadcast from the morning but because it was especially tragic the news kept repeating it.

It seemed like mysterious portals have been opening in the remote planets of the Federation unleashing unusual beasts slaughtering everything and anything around them till the military either kills them or the portal closes on its own.

This had happened before but not at this scale. This time they were simultaneous attacks on multiple planets. The casualties were in the hundreds and these incidences were becoming the Federation’s biggest headache.

“Han Han, eat up. I have something I want to discuss with you later,” said Zi Feiji drawing his attention back to the present.

historical

Zi Han nodded his head and picked up a porcelain spoon to eat up his steaming bowl of chicken congee but his mind was still lost in thought. He couldn’t help but worry for his mother.

***

An hour later two people, one grandson and one grandpa sat opposite each other in the study their expressions interesting.

.....

Zi Feiji slid two fliers over to Zi Han as he spoke through gritted teeth, “You will not be joining the Bloodgarde so I suggest you pick one of these fine universities to enrol in.”

Zi Han wanted to argue but he bit his tongue and looked at the generic fliers typical of every Ivy-league university in the federation. “Gorgon university? The school of nerds, seriously? Do I look like I can study medicine or science stuff? Grandpa, I can’t even sit through a chemistry class. I only got an A because I have a good memory.”

With a stiff smile plastered on his face, Zi Feiji moved that flier away and slid the other one in front of him. “How about this one? Look, the cover looks so cool.”

Zi Han folded his arms across his chest and leaned back into his chair while saying, “That’s an arts university. I am not interested in history, law or business stuff.”

“How about this one,” said Zi Feiji opening up his drawer to find one more flier he got from the Emissary of Education who also happens to be one of the individuals roasting his grandson earlier.

“This is for technical skills. You can learn catering or travel and tourism. It sounds so much fun,” explained Zi Feiji flipping through the flier. It was then Zi Han realised his grandfather was so desperate to keep him out of the Bloodgarde that he wouldn’t mind him doing a course he didn’t like.

“No, I hate all those things, wait.... there is one missing,” said Zi Han with his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Zi Feiji’s eyes became shifty as he stammered, “Uh.... no I..... uh. Psst, this is everything I have.”

“No, one is definitely missing..... the military academy flier. Can I see it,” said Zi Han with his enthusiasm written all over his face. If he couldn’t join the Bloodgarde then he would go to military school. That had always been his goal anyway.

Zi Feiji didn’t seem to like this idea very much. He furrowed his brows while complaining, “This is why I wanted your mom to give birth to a girl. At least then I would have raised them to like cute things and hate killing.”

“Mum was once a girl and you raised her but she is the extreme opposite of what you are saying,” said Zi Han not at all understanding his grandpa’s logic.

“Yes, I admit mistakes were made. This is why I was excited to have a grandchild. It was a chance to have a do-over and not raise a killing machine..... Fine, fine I give in. Here.....,” he said placing the flier on the desk seeming disgruntled.

Zi Han excitedly opened it while saying, “By the way, why do you still have fliers? Isn’t it too old fashioned?”

“What? I like the feel of paper in between my fingers,” said Zi Feiji as he swiped something on his light brain.

“But it’s expensive?” replied Zi Han recalling how quality paper like this cost a fortune in the federation as this was a special technic from old earth which was rare in this era.

“Let this old man be. Can’t I be a little lavish?..... I did anticipate you would be like this so I came up with a set of rules before you enlist.”

Zi Han who had his head lowered while reading the flier furrowed his brows as he looked up. What sort of rules could there be?

“Rule number one..... stay away from him,” said Zi Feiji as a floating screen with a vivid image popped up. The crease on Zi Han’s forehead deepened as he stared at that familiar face. The side of his face ached subconsciously when he recalled that fist striking his cheek.

“Who is he?” he asked his fist involuntarily clenching under the table.

“That’s not important. Just stay the hell away from him. The further the better,” said Zi Feiji his expression extremely serious like his life depended on it.

Zi Han had no problem with that. He also didn’t want to be within that asshole’s vicinity. “Sure, I will stay as far away as possible.”

“Good..... Rule number two. Stay away from him,” said Zi Feiji pulling another image of Yi Chen.

Zi Han pointed at the image with a puzzled expression. “It’s the same guy,” he said only for Zi Feiji to respond seriously,

“Yes, important things need to be repeated twice.”

Zi Han, “.....”

“Rule number three, no fighting outside training,” said Zi Feiji while raising three of his fingers, “If you do I will make you regret it.”

The threat was loud and clear. Zi Han nodded his head in agreement. He didn’t want to end up learning catering at the Technical university not that there was anything wrong with catering. It just wasn’t for him.

“Number four, don’t get anyone pregnant, in fact, stay away from the military girls. Those girls will tear you apart, trust me. I am speaking from personal experience,” said Zi Feiji his tone as serious as when he warned him about Yi Chen.

“Stay away from girls and that guy and no fighting. Got it. I won’t disappoint you, grandpa,” he said his expression beaming like a light bulb.

Well, that’s what Zi Xingxi said and how did that end?