A bit pretentiously, Wu Ming and Carter completed this semester’s studies with excellent results.
Even in subjective scoring items like classroom performance, both scored very highly.
As for the reasons? The spread of the Church of Redemption had begun reaching Binford University. Although these teachers and professors were all business elites who would weigh pros and cons even if Satan himself appeared before them, their families were not so resistant. Rapidly infiltrated and subtly influenced, naturally their attitudes shifted accordingly.
Additionally, Carter, somewhat of a small-minded man, donated generously to the school after achieving career success, effectively reserving the title of an outstanding alumnus in advance, so everything naturally proceeded smoothly.
If Binford University had been located in another city, Wu Ming’s status as a Pope might not have been particularly effective. However, since the Church of Redemption’s headquarters was located in Caspar City, under such circumstances, even the university’s board of directors had to take notice.
In fact, given the current scale and assets of the Church of Redemption, if Wu Ming and Carter had not wanted to be too low-key, they could have already applied for early graduation.
…
Wu Wu…
Accompanied by the train’s roaring sound, Wu Ming returned again to Yinchao City, his birthplace.
“Brother!”
Outside the train station, James drove a car while Angelina and Mrs. Sterling waved their arms energetically. Beside them, Brandon wore a reluctant expression.
“You finally arrived; your parents have been waiting for a long time!”
Angelina, acting like an enthusiastic younger sister, rushed forward to help Wu Ming with his luggage.
“The train had some trouble and was delayed a bit!”
Wu Ming smiled apologetically: “Angelina, Brandon, you’ve both grown taller!”
Now Angelina and Brandon had finally entered middle school, appearing somewhat grown-up. Angelina had become a vibrant young girl, while Brandon’s face showed more freckles and pimples.
“Uh-huh!”
Brandon grunted indifferently, immediately receiving a sharp rap on the head from Mrs. Sterling: “How do you speak to your older brother? You must be polite!”
“Actually, having the driver pick me up would have been fine!”
Wu Ming, unbothered by the child’s subtle jealousy, directly got into the car.
“How could that work?”
Mrs. Sterling laughed: “James’s business partners heard that his son is a top student at Binford University and were envious, giving us many discounts…”
Businessmen are a shrewd bunch. James himself was quite capable and had such a son, making his future achievements predictable. These discounts were merely reasonable investments within acceptable limits.
“Actually…”
James uncomfortably turned his head: “There’s a ceremony in a few days, and they want to meet you!”
“Hmph, no wonder you were so proactive today!”
Mrs. Sterling immediately exploded: “You don’t even care about your son!”
“Alright, alright…”
Used to his parents’ habitual bickering, Wu Ming helplessly covered his forehead: “I’ll attend, no need to say more. Actually, I’m quite hungry now; what’s for dinner?”
This effective diversion tactic worked. Mrs. Sterling immediately became excited: “Dinner will be at home. I invited Chef Andre, the head chef at one of the city’s famous three-star restaurants. He’s coming here today to prepare a banquet for us…”
“Oh?”
Wu Ming looked at James in slight surprise, who immediately smiled uncomfortably: “That was your mother’s idea…”
Actually, the high expense made him wince a little, but what could he say in front of his wife and children?
“Actually… no feast can match the sincerity shown by cooking personally…”
Wu Ming closed his eyes, seemingly recalling the warm, happy scenes from when this family was poor. Even he felt a sense of warmth.
Unfortunately, time flies, never stopping day or night.
With the passage of time, people inevitably change.
He was actually quite pleased to see this change. Otherwise, if emotions ran too deep and entanglements too strong, the future would be even more complicated.
Now it was simple. He only needed to guarantee them a life of material comfort and a peaceful mind to feel at ease.
“Steven, you must help your two younger siblings!”
Mrs. Sterling continued to nag beside him: “I’ve figured it out. Angelina and Brandon aren’t capable; they can only rely on their older brother for support in the future!”
“I will!”
Wu Ming assured her: “Actually, I also feel that I paid too little attention to them before. Now I should fulfill my duty as an older brother!”
He still had a bit of research interest in Angelina’s constitution.
Being immune to general mental hypnosis and suggestions, even recalling memories from infancy. Although it seemed well hidden, if developed, it might become a rather good ability.
“I don’t want to!”
Possibly due to adolescence and rebellious psychology, Brandon immediately shouted.
Angelina, however, behaved like a well-behaved girl, making the Stirlings almost think she had changed her nature.
…
After dealing with the evening, Wu Ming finally had some spare time to inquire about his friends’ recent situations.
Philip was furthering his studies at the Royal Police Academy, not even returning home for the New Year celebration. Neville was still busy with his antique collecting business, now running a pawnshop that had become somewhat famous throughout Yinchao City.
Victor seemed to be forced by his family to retake college entrance exams. Rumor had it that his two strict and old-fashioned parents had issued an ironclad order: he must persist until he got in, whether it took five or ten years! Now he was confined at home, bombarded daily by various private tutors, without even time to go out. It was truly pitiable.
Lastly, Alice had already started working early and should have time to meet up, but Wu Ming had no feelings for her, so he could only apologize.
Therefore, Wu Ming’s holiday time truly became leisurely, aside from occasionally calling Carter to discuss the Church of Redemption’s development, he mainly tutored his two younger siblings.
“Good… this function is quite important. You must repeatedly and extensively do exercises to fully understand it!”
Wu Ming, holding a pen, quickly wrote numerous math problems: “Now, solve them. This is your task for today!”
He showed no awareness of being a teacher, directly applying the infamous yet effective ‘question sea’ strategy from his past life: “The college entrance exam is actually nothing much; once you’ve done enough exercises and become familiar with them, you’ll naturally pass!”
“Wu Wu…”
Before him, Alice looked at the mountain of exercise books, almost in tears.
Pleased, he exited his sister’s room, walked up the stairs, and lazily yawned: “Truly leisurely… Maybe I can find time to go to Victoria Harbour and discuss future development plans with Captain Victor…”
A million gold coins had been invested, not a small sum. The ocean contained endless wealth and hidden treasures, and several of the most dangerous and mysterious nodes that Wu Ming had no intention of missing.
“Brandon! Come out! Why aren’t you doing your homework?”
Arriving outside his younger brother’s room, Wu Ming knocked on the door, slightly exasperated.
“I won’t!”
A muffled voice came from behind the door: “I’m busy, don’t disturb me!”
“Oh… got some personality!”
The corner of Wu Ming’s mouth curved slightly. Through his psychic abilities, he could “see” Brandon sitting on the floor behind the door, concentrating intently on a card game.
“Tarot cards? No… not exactly…”
When Wu Ming’s psychic attention focused on these cards, he uttered a surprised exclamation, making a discovery.
This deck was vastly different from the Tarot cards circulating in the market. Not only were they exquisitely made, with golden-threaded black backs and vivid characters and monsters on the front, but they also carried a hidden power.
“Magical artifacts made by real witchcraft? How did they end up in Brandon’s hands?”
Frowning, Wu Ming seemed to sense a whiff of conspiracy.
“Brandon, open the door!!!”
His voice suddenly became heavier.
“Go away!”
The naughty child immediately responded.
“Very well!”
Wu Ming suddenly kicked hard. With a loud “Bang!” the door was directly kicked into a large hole. The next moment, with a forceful motion, the entire door shattered into pieces.
“What are you doing?”
Amidst the flying wood chips, the naughty child was momentarily stunned.
“Don’t… don’t come in…”
Brandon, looking at Wu Ming’s towering figure, kept retreating backward, his eyes bloodshot and dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn’t slept for days.
“Sleep deprivation? This deck of cards indeed has issues!”
Wu Ming narrowed his eyes, taking all the cards from the floor in front of Brandon: “How many days have you gone without sleep? Obsessed with this game, have you gone mad?”
“Give it back…”
Brandon swallowed hard, seeing Wu Ming’s earlier outburst had scared the little guy.
After Wu Ming took the cards, he seemed to finally regain a bit of normalcy and realized the feeling of fear, unable to even ask for them back.
“You’re still so young; at least wait until you get into college before playing games!”
Wu Ming tossed the deck in his hand: “These toys… I’m confiscating them!”
He felt secretly pleased inside. The power of being the older brother was great, directly seizing his little brother’s toys, with no one able to object.
“I understand…”
Brandon looked at Wu Ming’s palm with reluctance, but still conceded and answered.
Although somewhat heartbroken, for some reason, a long-lost sense of relief suddenly surfaced in his heart.
Yet at this moment, in the young boy’s mind, the figure of Wu Ming before him was probably no different from some legendary great demon king.
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