That noon, Instructor Jiang Nian took Luo Feng along and had a lively meal with some warriors at the headquarters. Not until evening did Luo Feng return home in Yangzhou City.
…
In the evening, the residential area of Nan’an had already lit up its streetlights one by one.
Three middle-aged men, drenched in sweat, were walking and chatting happily within the community. As they drew closer, one could smell the scent of wood and paint on their clothes.
“My waist really aches badly. Tonight when I sleep, I think I can only lie on my stomach,” said one tall and burly middle-aged man, holding his waist with a hand, his tone filled with pain and helplessness. “Even my prostate hurts. I should go to the hospital sometime soon. Damn, hospitals just cost too much money.”
“Old Tian, why don’t you take a couple of days off and tell the boss? You can go back to work once you feel better,” Luo Feng’s father, Luo Hongguo suggested.
“Yeah, Old Tian, it’s not worth ruining your health,” added another slightly overweight man beside him.
“Mm, I know what I’m doing. Well, I’m going home first,” said the tall and burly man, turning and heading toward a dormitory building. After exchanging a few more words, the slightly overweight man and Luo Hongguo also parted ways, each heading toward their respective dormitory buildings.
Under the dim light of the streetlamp, Luo Hongguo slowly walked toward his home.
“32nd floor!” Standing on the first floor, Luo Hongguo looked up at the staircase. For people nowadays, climbing 32 floors was indeed a simple task. However, after a hard day’s work, even walking a bit more tired him out. “My neck and waist ache too. I really should find time to rest.”
Step by step, Luo Hongguo climbed all the way to the 32nd floor.
“Ding dong! Ding dong!” Standing at his doorstep, he pressed the doorbell, too lazy even to take out his keys.
“Click!”
The door opened, and he immediately saw a lavish dinner set on the table. More than a dozen dishes were there—an extravagance even beyond the Lunar New Year.
“What’s going on? Why so many delicious dishes?” Though slightly displeased, Luo Hongguo still smiled as he entered.
“Tadaaa~” shouted Luo Hua, sitting in his wheelchair. “Dad, welcome home!”
“Dad!” Luo Feng, standing beside him, obediently carried a cup of tea and handed it to his father. “From today on, Dad, you no longer need to wear that work uniform!”
“Huh?” Luo Hongguo was taken aback.
“Old Luo,” smiled Gong Xinlan, who was holding a bowl of rice. “Your son just signed a contract with the Limit Martial Arts Academy. Once he passes the practical warrior exam, he’ll receive twenty million as startup capital. Plus, they’ve assigned a detached villa, and the key is already brought home by your son.”
“What?” Luo Hongguo was stunned. “Xinlan, what did you say?”
“Dad, look,” Luo Feng handed the signed contract to Luo Hongguo.
Luo Hongguo carefully read every line, not missing a single word—just like how he had meticulously read his marriage certificate years ago. The terms of the contract were clearly stated.
“But… isn’t this contract supposed to be signed after passing the warrior practical exam?” Luo Hongguo couldn’t believe it. “And why is there twenty million startup capital?”
Previously, after Luo Feng had passed the pre-warrior exam, Luo Hongguo had investigated thoroughly.
When a new warrior joins the academy, the initial funding is only one million.
“Dad, because my brother is a talent,” Luo Hua grinned. “What’s most valuable in today’s world? Talented warriors are the most precious.”
“Can we move into this detached villa already?” Luo Hongguo asked his son, Luo Feng.
His wife, Gong Xinlan, smiled beside him and said, “If you want to move in, you can do so right now!”
“Haha… Hahaha…” Luo Hongguo couldn’t control his emotions; tears welled up in his eyes. After so many years, he had worked hard for this family, but with his laborer’s job, there was no chance of turning their fortune around even in a lifetime. Now, finally, they could rise up! And immediately move into the legendary detached villa!
Indeed, for ordinary people, a detached villa was nothing short of a legend! After the Great Nirvana Era, each city base was responsible for sustaining a population of two hundred million. Land was literally worth its weight in gold! Detached villas, due to their extravagant land usage, were unattainable even with money.
“I, Luo Hongguo, finally have the day to live in a detached villa!!!” Luo Hongguo couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Haha, even my boss’s house doesn’t look as good as mine!”
“Right, right,” Luo Hua in his wheelchair said excitedly. “From now on, our house will have huge floor-to-ceiling windows! A big bathtub! And a very spacious living room! In the future, our TV and laptop at home will be voice-controlled. The living room TV screen will be at least two hundred inches! And the bed will be big enough for us to roll around on!”
“A bed big enough to roll around on—I’ve always wanted one,” Luo Hua said excitedly.
Seeing his father and younger brother’s expressions, Luo Feng felt immense happiness in his heart.
What had he been striving for all along?
Wasn’t it for this very day?
“Mom, Dad, please sit down and eat,” Luo Feng smiled.
“I’m going to take a shower,” Luo Hongguo laughed. “From now on, I won’t wear this work uniform anymore. I’ll call my boss and quit tomorrow!”
…
That night, the Luo family was completely immersed in unprecedented excitement and joy.
This tiny 36-square-meter apartment had housed their family of four for many years. Although there were many complaints about this house—like how his parents could only sleep on the sofa, how it barely received any sunlight throughout the year, and how the bathroom was pitifully small—there were too many bitter memories.
But… when it was time to leave, the Luo family still felt reluctant. This place held too many memories.
But people always strive to move upward!
Early the next morning, a large truck parked downstairs. The Luo family began moving their belongings onto the truck.
“Old Luo, what’s going on? Why are you moving stuff?”
“Hey, Lanjie, what are you doing so early in the morning?”
…
Many familiar friends and neighbors from the same community passed by and curiously asked Luo Hongguo and Gong Xinlan.
“Hahaha, my son Xiao Feng has joined the Limit Martial Arts Academy. We’re moving to Mingyue Community!” Luo Hongguo answered proudly. “Wang San, come to our banquet when we settle in!”
For those who had lived in government-subsidized housing for so many years, who among them didn’t dream of one day turning their lives around?
Luo Hongguo had turned his life around! And it was all thanks to his son!
“Old Luo’s son is truly amazing, actually joining the Limit Martial Arts Academy.”
“He sure is amazing. If my son could ever be this capable, I’d die laughing even if I worked myself to death! Old Luo has finally made it big.”
Word spread quickly among the neighbors, one telling ten, ten telling a hundred.
Soon, the entire Nan’an community, and even surrounding subsidized housing communities, knew that Luo Hongguo’s son from Nan’an had joined the Limit Martial Arts Academy, and the whole family had moved to Mingyue Community! This was a tremendous piece of good news, inspiring many ordinary families’ youths to hope that one day they too could help their families.
“Ah Wen, whenever you want to visit me, just come directly to Mingyue Community. But call me first before you come, so I can inform the community gate,” Luo Feng said to his good friend Wei Wen.
“Okay,” Wei Wen excitedly punched Luo Feng’s chest. “I always knew you’d have your day. Failing the college entrance exam means nothing. Out of ten thousand college graduates or military academy graduates, how many can live in a detached villa? Damn it, I’ll definitely come to visit your house in a few days. I’ve never even stepped foot inside a detached villa in my life!”
Soon—
Under the gazes of many neighbors, women, children, and men, the Luo family boarded a car, while behind them, a large truck carried many cherished belongings they couldn’t bear to throw away.
The Luo family left Nan’an community and entered the warrior community—Mingyue Community.
…
In the morning, at the main entrance of Mingyue Community, six fully armed soldiers stood straight on both sides of the gate, scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes.
“Stop!” One soldier immediately raised his assault rifle, pointing the muzzle at the approaching taxi.
“Screech!” The taxi braked abruptly.
The Luo family stepped out of the taxi, while an elderly man with grey hair walked out from the community guard post, smiling joyfully.
“Are you Luo Feng? Last time during your pre-warrior exam, I already knew you had a bright future. I didn’t expect you to move into our community so quickly. The notice arrived yesterday. Quick, someone come help carry the stuff.”
“Mr. Luo Feng, we have people to help carry your belongings. These moving companies are not allowed inside,” the grey-haired old man smiled.
“We understand,” Father Luo Hongguo nodded with a smile.
Soon, seven or eight soldiers ran out from inside the community, swiftly helping to carry the luggage. Under the envious gazes of the movers, the Luo family entered Mingyue Community.
“Mingyue Community.”
Luo Feng looked at the central Limit Martial Arts Hall, then at the small bridges, flowing streams, artificial hills, and pools around. Each detached villa was surrounded by picturesque scenery. “From today on, this is my home,” Luo Feng thought, turning to look at his parents and his younger brother in the wheelchair. At that moment, his parents and younger brother were staring at the community, filled with excitement.
“Mr. Luo Feng, your house is just ahead,” said one of the soldiers carrying the luggage. A young female soldier smiled and held a document. “The house ahead, number 199, is yours. This villa has three floors, a basement, and an oversized terrace on the third floor. The total area is 512 square meters. If including the basement, courtyard, and oversized terrace, it’s nearly 800 square meters.”
The Luo family looked at each other…
They carefully looked up at the luxurious red-and-white villa before them. This would be their new home!
“36 square meters? Nearly 800 square meters?” Luo Hua, sitting in his wheelchair, murmured in awe.
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