Chapter Twenty-Nine: Heartbeat

Reality often falls short of expectations. Yu Qian’s command of English was not just slightly good—it was exceptionally so, enough to outshine students from both Yun Capital and Haishi. The accompanying teacher felt awkward; after all, Yu Qian had brought honor to Chuan Province. She wanted to ease the tension but was too embarrassed to say much.

Teacher Zeng could clearly see through their thoughts. However, since she had no plans to teach in the provincial capital, she cared little for smoothing things over as long as relationships didn’t completely break down. So, she only responded to the thanks with polite formality, taking Yu Qian with her.

The following day, major newspapers reported on the national English competition. Chuan Province’s first-ever first-place finish, along with the top scorer Yu Qian, was lavishly praised. Parents reading the news could only sigh with envy—this was the sort of child who belonged to someone else’s family. While their own children watched television and promptly forgot it, Yu Qian managed to pick up award-winning English skills from watching TV.

Zhou Jingchen, too, was reading the paper. He had developed the habit of reading every day while in the institute, a habit he had no intention of giving up now that he was back. Ten years away from the outside world meant that the internet, television, and newspapers were his windows to what was happening. The internet was not yet advanced, so TV and newspapers remained his main sources of information.

Flipping to the page about the competition, Zhou Jingchen’s heart began to race the moment he saw Yu Qian’s delicate face. No matter how he tried to ignore it, the thumping in his chest could not be dismissed.

Placing his hand over his left chest, he counted his heartbeat, rather helplessly muttering, “It’s just like it was a few days ago…”

When he covered Yu Qian’s face, his heartbeat slowly steadied, but as soon as her face was revealed again, the rhythm sped up once more.

At this point, even a fool would see that his heartbeat was connected to Yu Qian. Silently, he stared at the black-and-white printed photo, which could not diminish her beauty.

“It seems I’ll have to find you to get to the bottom of this,” he murmured after a long pause, his eyes lowered and a faint smile on his lips.

In his memories from his previous life, there was nothing about this girl. Whether online or in reality, he could not recall ever meeting her.

Since there had been no contact, he could only assume she was just an ordinary face among the crowd. But if his unusual reaction was somehow related to her, then he had to find her and understand why.

Zhou Jingchen had always been a man of action. Using the information from the newspaper, he discovered that she was a primary school student in a small county in Chuan Province. Through the county’s education bureau system, he soon found her personal details.

He also investigated the county itself but found himself at a loss as to how to approach her. The distance was immense, and the local education level was low. Even if he managed to settle his business and other affairs, transferring schools wouldn’t be easy.

It gave him a headache.

For now, all he could do was quietly keep an eye on her and wait for an opportunity to get acquainted.

And what was Yu Qian, the girl who made Zhou Jingchen’s heart race, doing at that moment? She was currently seated on a plane, flying back to the provincial capital.

The provincial capital had booked tickets for the day after the competition. Even if Yu Qian wanted to shop for souvenirs, there was simply no time. She had to pack up and return with the group.

When she left, she was just an unremarkable primary school student. She returned carrying the honor of being the national champion.

Not just the county education bureau—the provincial education bureau leaders were all thrilled. After so many years, Yu Qian was the first to win first place for Chuan Province.

A reward was essential. This was the unanimous thought among the leaders.

When Yu Qian returned to school, prize money from the province, city, and county education bureaus had already been distributed to her.

With five thousand yuan in hand, Yu Qian felt a little overwhelmed.

She had thought the competition prize was all there would be, but unexpectedly, there was more money waiting for her upon her return.

She withdrew a hundred yuan, and after school, treated her three little tagalongs—He Xiaoqing, Guo Juan, and Ge Lulu—to a good meal before heading home.

“You’re amazing, Qian Qian!” She was greeted at home by her grandfather’s enthusiastic thumbs-up.

“Grandpa, Grandma,” Yu Qian called out cheerfully as she looked around. “Aunt and uncle aren’t back yet?”

“That’s right. Your mother’s shop has been doing so well recently, business is booming. Your uncle goes to help after work too,” Yu Cunyi sighed. “They’re so busy they barely eat on time. I’ve told them again and again, but they won’t listen.”

“It’s all right. I’ll call Mom later and ask her to talk to Aunt. Aunt listens to her now,” Yu Qian assured him.

“Good. You go do your homework, and we’ll call you for dinner,” he nodded, urging her to get started.

Yu Qian agreed and took her desk and chair out to the courtyard to do her homework.

Though their new house had been renovated, they were still waiting for the odors to dissipate, so they continued living with her uncle’s family. Once the air was clear, the three of them would move back.

Since moving in, the family had made a real effort to repair old relationships, and things had improved greatly. Especially between her mother and aunt—since opening the shop, they’d become as close as sisters.

Even when busy at the shop, her aunt was no longer plagued by illness, thanks to the health elixir Yu Qian had given her.

Now that she could earn money and relieve the family’s financial burden, Yang Yao was in much better spirits. When she felt good, her health improved as well. She was deeply grateful to Wen Yu. Since Wen Yu lacked for nothing, Yang Yao could only try to make the shop’s business even better—the more they sold, the more Wen Yu earned.

…

Staring at the trophy she’d received at the bank, Nuwa scoffed, “I thought it was solid gold, but it turns out to be fake after all.”

“Your Grace, gold is very expensive these days. There’s no way it would be pure,” Yu Qian explained, pressing her forehead.

“It’s not even valuable. I don’t understand why you mortals fight over it,” Su Daji complained about the trophy.

“It’s not the trophy, but the first-place ranking that matters,” Yu Qian replied.

“What’s the point of competing for it if the prize isn’t good?” Su Daji countered.

“Who says it’s pointless? It’s like being the top scholar in our era. What matters is the fame that comes with the ranking, and with fame comes the capital to pursue what you want,” Su Dongpo interjected, unwilling to hear anyone belittle Yu Qian. “In our dynastic times, winning the top scholar title was only the first step. The second was an imperial appointment, and the third was using the reputation to build a career.”

“That’s so complicated. I don’t want to hear it!” Nuwa protested.

She took Yu Qian over to Fuxi, who was playing chess with the Heavenly Emperor.

Ever since discovering this little pocket realm, everyone from the Six Realms—except the ever-reclusive Asura—loved to spend time here. Even the Red Boy and his classmates now took lessons in this little world. With Yu Qian as the only student, all the Sages were thrilled, eager to try their hand at teaching.

Red Boy and his friends could have wrung Fuxi’s neck; now, not only did they have to practice magic and combat, but they also had to learn the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting like mortals.

When Yu Qian appeared, the Heavenly Emperor scattered the chess pieces, loudly declaring he wouldn’t play anymore, wanting to speak with her instead.

“You old rascal, always cheating my Fuxi!” Nuwa scolded, glaring at him.

Every time Yu Qian saw this Heavenly Emperor—who, for all his agelessness, insisted on keeping a beard to play the part of an old man—she couldn’t help but want to laugh.

“What’s the point of chess now that Qian Qian’s here?” the Heavenly Emperor retorted, glaring back.

Leaving the two ancient immortals to bicker, Fuxi gently pulled Yu Qian aside and asked with a smile, “Qian Qian, we’ve never asked you—do you have any thoughts about your own marriage?”

She was completely confused. Why bring up such a thing now? She was only ten years old—a child.

“We’d like to tie the red thread for you, but the other end must be someone you like. So we wanted to ask if you have any preferences,” Fuxi said, carefully keeping Zhou Jingchen’s matter to himself. He wanted to hear Yu Qian’s wishes first, then decide if Zhou Jingchen measured up.

If he didn’t, then no matter the consequences, they’d break that red thread with a bolt of heavenly lightning if need be.