Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 1195 - 580_2

"Yes, he is still over there, typically accompanied by a few trainees."

Fang Cheng provided a brief answer.

Observing this, Wei Zheng interjected:

"Junior Brother Fang, did you run into any complications while traveling here?"

"Ever since the Silver Wing Building incident, the military has enforced rigorous inspections at every road intersection; their scrutiny is quite intense."

"I did, in fact, face some of that."

Fang Cheng took a bite of his meal and spoke with indifference:

"I was pulled over at the West Gate District express entrance for a security check. They even utilized specialized detection gear. Fortunately, since my credentials were in order and I have no criminal involvement, they didn't make things difficult for me."

Upon hearing this, Shi Chengyi’s demeanor shifted slightly. He set down his wine glass and remarked:

"The current climate is rather volatile, and those under military command often act with little restraint."

"Should you encounter such situations again, or if you are harassed without just cause, simply reach out to me directly."

"Although I have entered a semi-retired state, my reputation still carries sufficient weight in East Capital; I can guarantee that no one will dare to trouble you."

Fang Cheng acknowledged this with a polite nod and a word of gratitude:

"I appreciate your concern, Director Shi."

"Oh, do not use that title, it sounds far too formal!"

Li Zhenhua affected a stern expression before quickly adding:

"Old Shi is my regular chess partner. By our social standing, you should address him as Uncle Shi!"

Li Dingjian and Li Biyun laughed, joining the fray to convince him:

"Indeed, Ah Cheng. Uncle Shi is showing you great kindness, so you really ought to offer him a toast."

Taking the cue, Fang Cheng stood up, lifting his wine glass:

"In that case, I will respectfully accept. Uncle Shi, I toast to your health and success in all your endeavors."

"Excellent, excellent!"

Shi Chengyi erupted into laughter, raising his own glass to drain it in a single motion.

"That is much better!"

Li Zhenhua exhaled in relief.

With the change in how he addressed him, the air around the dining table grew noticeably warmer.

Everyone exchanged drinks and shared hearty laughter.

The initial sense of hesitation and formality faded away, effectively narrowing the gap between them.

The meal concluded with everyone in excellent spirits.

Once they finished, Li Biyun began clearing the table.

Li Zhenhua, meanwhile, eagerly ushered Shi Chengyi toward the tea room for a few rounds of chess:

"Old Shi, that last match does not count. I was essentially going easy on you. Let us play another three hundred rounds; I refuse to believe I cannot defeat you!"

"Very well, I shall take the risk and keep you company."

Shi Chengyi agreed with a grin.

Wei Zheng followed them into the room as well.

Fang Cheng attempted to assist in the kitchen, but Li Biyun shooed him away:

"Shoo, shoo, we do not require your help here. Do not let yourself get bogged down by the cooking fumes."

"Go to the tea room and entertain the guests. Assist your grandfather. He is such a poor chess player; do not let him lose too decisively, or he will obsess over it later."

Helpless, Fang Cheng wiped his hands and stepped out of the kitchen.

As he entered the hallway, he was intercepted by Li Dingjian, who was in the middle of a smoke.

"Ah Cheng."

Li Dingjian offered him a cigarette, but Fang Cheng gestured politely to decline.

Not insisting, Li Dingjian took a deep drag himself, exhaled a cloud of smoke, and said in a hushed tone:

"The old man truly has your best interests at heart, hoping to secure you a bright future. That is precisely why he strictly instructed me to keep quiet about Shi Chengyi’s visit to our residence."

"Furthermore, regarding the Special Search Team... I truly believe this is a golden opportunity."

He explained his point, his eyes gleaming as he glanced back toward the tea room:

"I have been in private discussions with some of the brothers in the Illuminati."

"As the situation becomes increasingly chaotic, even though the Illuminati is growing, it remains a bit of a disorganized force. Our intelligence gathering is too narrow, leaving us frequently in a reactive position."

Brushing ash out the window, Li Dingjian looked at Fang Cheng with newfound gravity:

"Ah Cheng, if you manage to join the Special Search Team—even if only in a nominal sense—your family would be delighted. Furthermore, having an official cover would drastically simplify our operations in East Capital."

"At the very least, situations like the military inspection you faced earlier would be avoided entirely with the proper credentials from the Special Search Team."

"We might even consider it deep-cover infiltration to secure firsthand intelligence, preventing us from being kept in the dark."

"Of course."

Li Dingjian patted his nephew’s shoulder with sincerity:

"The final decision rests with you. No matter which path you choose, your uncle will support you."

Fang Cheng nodded with a composed expression:

"I have already taken it into account."

Upon swinging open the tea room door, a subtle fragrance of tea greeted him.

The chessboard clearly showed one side dominating the other.

Li Zhenhua, clutching the black pieces, frowned as he hesitated over his move, a light sheen of sweat appearing on his brow.

Shi Chengyi, commanding the white pieces, looked at ease, sipping tea while appearing firmly in control of the match.

"Ah, defeated again!"

Li Zhenhua dumped his pieces back into the container, grumbling like a bad loser:

"No, no, I am simply not in the right mindset today."

"Ah Cheng, come take a seat and give Uncle Shi a tough match for your grandfather!"

With that, he rose to push Fang Cheng into the chair before slapping his own forehead:

"Oh, heavens, how could I be so scattered? Your uncle recently acquired some premium pre-rain Dragon Well tea. Let me go fetch it for you to sample."

He cast a meaningful look toward Li Dingjian, who was waiting at the threshold.

The two men exchanged understanding glances and departed, locking the door firmly behind them.

"Click."

The lock made a faint sound.

The tea room was left silent with only Fang Cheng, Shi Chengyi, and Wei Zheng inside.

As the ambient noise faded, the room felt suddenly tranquil.

Viewing the board that had been reset for another round, Fang Cheng did not protest.

His long fingers grasped a black stone, which he placed gently in the corner.

"Uncle Shi, please proceed."

Shi Chengyi studied the placement of Fang Cheng’s piece, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.

The move seemed standard, yet it concealed a latent threat, subtly obstructing a key path for the white pieces.

They traded moves for a dozen rounds.

Shi Chengyi’s once fluid strategy began to turn erratic.

He seemed distracted, playing too hastily, and eventually committed a glaring error.

Slam!

Fang Cheng made his move, surrounding a massive block of white pieces.

He looked up, anchoring his gaze on the older man, and asked with casual composure:

"Uncle Shi, your focus seems absent from the game. Did you have something to tell me?"

Shi Chengyi was caught off guard, stared at the deadlock on the board, then gave a bitter smile and conceded.

"The younger generation is truly formidable."

His grin faded, replaced by earnestness as he looked at Fang Cheng:

"Since you have noticed, I will not waste your time. Ah Cheng, I am here once again regarding the matter we discussed previously."

"We have debated it thoroughly and considered your master Ma Jianguo’s input. We are all of the opinion that given your medical skills and your level of Cultivation, letting your talents wither among the masses is a tragic waste."

Beside him, Wei Zheng seized the opportune moment to speak:

"Junior Brother Fang, we understand your preference for freedom and your desire to avoid the entanglements of factional warfare."

"Therefore, we are not suggesting a combat role for you in the Action Department. Instead, we are recommending you for the Special Medical Team within our Logistics Department."

"The Medical Team?"

Fang Cheng raised an eyebrow, staying silent for a moment.

"Indeed."

Shi Chengyi nodded, then clarified:

"The Medical Team maintains its own independence, operating under the Logistics Department—which I happen to lead."

"The working environment is simple; you would primarily be responsible for treating injuries and researching rare pathologies. There is no requirement for frontline combat or navigating tedious bureaucracy."

"Furthermore."

Shi Chengyi emphasized the point:

"Once you pass the entry exam and secure a formal position, you will be entitled to all standard benefits, and you will even have the freedom to conduct research on subjects that interest you."

A brief silence descended upon the tea room.

Fang Cheng leaned back, his fingers tracing the cold surface of the chess pieces as if weighing his options.

Shi Chengyi and Wei Zheng waited patiently, remaining perfectly still.

They understood this young man possessed his own agency, and any pressure would only be counterproductive.

After some time, the chess piece in Fang Cheng’s hand fell back into the cup with a sharp 'ding'.

"I am willing to sit for the exam."

Immediately, a look of profound relief crossed Wei Zheng’s face.

Shi Chengyi’s shoulders loosened, his posture relaxing.

"However."

Fang Cheng changed his tone, lifting three fingers for emphasis:

"I have three specific conditions that must be addressed first. If you can agree to these terms, we have grounds for further discussion."