Big Step

"No, heavens no. You're the only decent cook around here, and I've had some time to breathe since you came. You can still work here... but you have to enroll in the University."

Old man Shen stated sternly.

Both of them remained silent for a while in deep contemplation. Old man Shen had stated a strict condition that could mean Zhi Luan quitting if he refused. And though he was stern about his decision, old man Shen hoped Zhi Luan would agree.

After a while, Zhi Luan stood up,

"I'll take a look, but I'm not promising anything," he said and left the office.

Zhi Luan wasn't unreasonable to the old man's intentions. The problem he had was that he hadn't expected a request like that. During their moment of silence, Zhi Luan had given it much thought and figured it wasn't entirely a bad idea to enroll. It might be embarrassing for someone his actual age to think of going to school, but no one except him knew that. Since he intended to learn all he could about this era, he might as well take this opportunity to learn what people his age do currently. And so, he complied.

Yan Qincheng came two days later with the entrance forms.

"Here,"

She passed it to old man Shen and then asked.

"Have you told him yet?"

"I have," replied old man Shen.

"What did he say?"

"It's been two days since I told him, but we haven't spoken about it since then. I guess that he might consider it."

Yan Qincheng nodded and spoke up. This time, her question was directed at old man Shen.

"And you… have you thought it through? I know he should be grateful that you want to give him this opportunity, but are you sure this is something you want to do again… given the state of things in the family…"

Old man Shen sighed as his expression turned a tad too melancholic,

"I know what you mean. It wasn't easy for you when I helped you through college. But look at me, I'm not getting any younger. This place holds memories for me too and it has never been easy living here alone. It's been years since I last saw them, but what can I do if they refuse to stay by my side at this time? You know I like having people around me… that's why I still run this place. But if my own family chooses to ignore me, I can only make a new one right here where I'm needed."

Old man Shen lowered his head as the words flowed out. The sweet memories of his family played out in his head, leaving him to wonder where it all went wrong. Little time passed in silence before Yan Qincheng broke the ice,

"Thinking about it will only cause you pain. I just wanted to know if you were ready for something like that again, but it looks like you are. You're brave to take such risks for someone you don't know. He should be grateful."

"Not everything is as it seems, Qincheng. He might have reasons why he is opposed to it, and I might be his boss, but it doesn't mean I have control over his life."

Hearing this, Yan Qincheng's brows creased,

"Are you going to make my efforts in getting this form go to waste?"

"That depends solely on him."

Old man Shen laughed and received the form.

~Night~

Zhi Luan was called into the office again after work.

"Any thoughts about what we discussed?"

Old man Shen didn't want to be too forward in persuading Zhi Luan, thus why he didn't bring up the topic again until two days later. Though he wanted to give Zhi Luan more time to think, Yan Qincheng had told him about the deadline for registration. The time hadn't elapsed yet, but she urged it'd be done before the time if he was going to enroll.

Zhi Luan had given it much thought after that night and considered it a good proposition at the end. However, he still had his reservations about the old man's intentions.

"I still don't understand why you're doing this, but I'll enroll. The problem is the university certainly isn't without its cost and I just got a job…"

"Leave that to me."

Old man Shen didn't wait till he was done and interrupted.

However, Zhi Luan blatantly disagreed,

"That, I cannot accept. I'm already living under your roof… that's good enough for me. I don't like owing favors."

"So, you know I'm doing you a favor? It didn't look like you knew that to me," said old man Shen sarcastically.

"I acknowledge the intention but I'm sure you know how difficult it is to work for you."

"You're not so wonderful yourself… with your different look. You have guts reprimanding me, you punk!"

Zhi Luan and old man Shen went back and forth in their argument and soon lost sight of how the argument started. Nonetheless, old man Shen finally caved,

"Fine, you don't have to owe me anything. I'll pay your tuition and deduct it from your salary, as well as your rent fee, how's that?"

"That's fine by me."

Old man Shen nodded. He then passed the form to Zhi Luan,

"I'll need you to fill this out. And by the way, which course did you choose?"

Zhi Luan didn't reply and took out the brochure, flipping through the pages until he found what he was looking for and pointed."

"This one,"

Old man Shen traced his finger and creased his brows.

"Military Science?"

The old man couldn't mask his confusion. Zhi Luan's affirmation further confused him, and he couldn't help but ask,

"Military Science… that's… I don't know what it's about, but it sounds too… advanced..."

"Are you saying I'm dumb?"