Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Figure in the Bluebird Car

Before long, Gong Xiang and Qi Huanchang finished reading the latest updates, their faces full of lingering excitement. Gong Xiang quickly copied the files onto a floppy disk; he still had to deal with that pack of hungry wolves from the third and fourth classes.

After finishing the novel, Qi Huanchang lingered in the computer lab. Jiang Xiwen had assigned him several weeks’ worth of homework: a systematic introduction to the principles of viruses and various approaches to writing them. The chubby boy was engrossed in his studies day after day. In this era, perhaps only Jiang Xiwen understood the future development of viruses better than Qi Huanchang.

After bidding farewell to Qi Huanchang, Jiang Xiwen and Gong Xiang left the school together. As they reached the gate, a black Bluebird cruised slowly past. Someone poked their head out of the window, looked at Jiang Xiwen and Gong Xiang with disdain, and called out, “Hey, you two can keep walking. I’m heading off first!”

“Damn, what’s so impressive about a junk car?” Gong Xiang retorted angrily. “When I become a famous actor, I’ll drive a BMW and ride in a Mercedes…”

The person in the car was Liu Fan. Jiang Xiwen paid no mind to his behavior and wasn’t the least bit angry. But hearing Gong Xiang’s words, he was a bit surprised and asked, “What, you want to be an actor? I’ve never heard you mention it.”

“Yes!” Gong Xiang nodded earnestly. “I’ve discussed it with my parents. After graduating from junior high, I’ll apply to an arts school in Beijing and aim for the film academy or the drama academy.”

“Huh?” Jiang Xiwen’s first reaction was to advise him, “Are you sure about this? The competition for actors is even more fierce than in other professions. The entertainment industry has its own pitfalls—not everyone can handle them.”

“Of course. Every profession has its hardships.” Gong Xiang rarely looked so serious. “I’ve thought about it for a long time. My parents agreed to support me.”

Seeing Gong Xiang’s determined gaze, Jiang Xiwen nodded firmly. “Alright, I wish you the best, brother.” Since Gong Xiang was so confident, Jiang Xiwen wouldn’t oppose him. Besides, he had foreknowledge of the entertainment industry’s future and helping Gong Xiang wouldn’t be difficult.

“Thanks. But after high school, we’ll hardly see each other anymore.” Gong Xiang was a bit emotional.

“I know—you’re just thinking about my novel updates.” Jiang Xiwen laughed heartily.

Gong Xiang threw a playful punch. “Nonsense!” Then he added, “Remember, if your book ever becomes a screenplay, I want the lead role.”

Jiang Xiwen had heard Gong Xiang say this in his previous life; in that world, it was a dream that could never come true. But now, Gong Xiang wouldn’t disappear, and Jiang Xiwen had enough strength to turn that promise into reality.

Jiang Xiwen took a deep breath. “Alright, enough sentimental talk. We may not have Liu Fan’s car, but we’ve got bus number 11.”

“Hah, what’s so special about Liu Fan? His dad came to my house last month, begging my father for a favor.” Gong Xiang looked disdainfully in the direction the Bluebird had gone. “He’s planning to open a private school or something.”

“What? He asked your dad for help?” Jiang Xiwen's mind flashed with inspiration. He hurriedly asked, “Your father’s in charge of that?”

“Yeah, sort of. Normally he has no real power, but even Liu Fan’s dad had to come and bring gifts.”

“And then?”

“My dad didn’t accept anything. From what he said, Liu Fan’s dad, Liu Dashan, is a well-known entrepreneur in our city, but he has a lot of issues. Now he’s starting a private school, but the teachers he’s hired aren’t qualified. The school’s just a money grab, offering all sorts of training programs to fleece students.”

No wonder Liu Fan’s family was wealthy—his father had a knack for business. Social training would become wildly popular in the future, whether it was a scam or not—like those weight loss classes, people just wanted a certificate or some psychological reassurance. Jiang Xiwen pondered this, but was more concerned whether Liu Dashan had also approached Zhang Ya’s father, Zhang Yong. If so, that kidnapping might be related. But Liu Dashan was the head of Zhengfeng Group, the city’s largest enterprise and a major taxpayer. Even if there were financial, moral, or other issues, it seemed unlikely he’d be involved with criminal organizations. How odd.

“Xiwen, what are you daydreaming about?” Gong Xiang asked.

“Nothing. Let’s not talk about it. Let’s head home—I need to hurry and write, or you bookworms will drain me dry.”

“Heh, you’re catching on!” Gong Xiang grinned slyly, suddenly raising his fist for another punch. Jiang Xiwen dodged and ran off like the wind.

“Wow, so agile—you’re not the same as before.” Gong Xiang thought his eyes were playing tricks, rubbed them, and Jiang Xiwen was already gone.

On the way home, Jiang Xiwen encountered Liu Dashan’s Bluebird again. The car was parked roadside, and a familiar figure glanced around, then climbed in.

Fan Qiang… So that scoundrel knew Liu Dashan. Not surprising, but what was odd was the secrecy. Jiang Xiwen wanted to get a closer look, but the Bluebird sped off before he could.

All the way until Friday, Jiang Xiwen spent his days writing—always at school, to avoid his parents seeing. They wouldn’t treat novel writing the same as programming; that could be troublesome.

On Friday afternoon, just before school let out, Qi Huanchang received a call from Fan Qiang. He hurriedly called Jiang Xiwen over and switched the phone to speaker.

Fan Qiang said that Tian Weidong had suddenly arrived in Yangjiang and wanted to meet Qi Huanchang alone the next day to discuss the computer lab management system. After a pause, he added that it was a rare opportunity—if things went well, they could cut Jiang Xiwen out. The money would be split: seventy percent for Qi Huanchang, thirty for Fan Qiang.

Jiang Xiwen quickly scribbled: “Pretend to be greedy for money, but hesitant.”

Qi Huanchang understood and said, “I don’t know… You’re the principal of Tiansheng School, extorting money from the school. And I’m Jiang Xiwen’s teacher, deceiving him out of his money.”

His tone was deliberately ambiguous. Fan Qiang caught on and laughed, “Stop pretending, fatso. No one will believe Jiang Xiwen could deliver such a system. Once he hands over the final version, we’ll give him a few thousand—he’s just a kid; what does he know?”

As Fan Qiang finished, Jiang Xiwen wrote the words “evil grin.”

Qi Huanchang’s wicked laugh could scare an old man, but the elation was palpable—even Fan Qiang felt it through the phone. Jiang Xiwen gestured frantically for him to tone it down, but luckily, Fan Qiang didn’t suspect anything before hanging up.

Qi Huanchang patted his head. “What’s going on? This is so strange.”

“No mystery.” Jiang Xiwen smiled calmly. “If I’m right, Fan Qiang wants to set you up, and Tian Weidong is probably being played as well.

Tonight, Fan Qiang will definitely come to me. Tomorrow, there’ll be a good show. No matter what Tian Weidong says, just keep recommending our system. Don’t worry about anything else.”