Chapter 134: Certificate

  "Xiao Chu, you too, don't have any mental burden. As I said before, the best things in life are reserved for those with virtue. Since he gave you all his belongings, just accept them wholeheartedly. However, I have an idea - if he's in trouble someday, try to help him out as much as possible, okay?"

  Liu Lao said so because he knew the temperament of his old friend's son, which was that his greed had gone too far. When he was still in the capital city, Liu Lao could often remind him from time to time, but now that he had gone to a distant place, Liu Lao couldn't control him anymore, and if things weren't handled properly, it might lead to big trouble.

  However, as the only son of his old friend, Liu Lao didn't want him to end up too miserably, so he took this opportunity to ask Chu Chen to help him out at an appropriate time. Liu Lao's request was not high, as long as he could spend the rest of his life in peace.

  "Dad, you..."

  According to Liu Qingshu's idea, everyone is an adult, and whatever result they get is their own choice. If the two families have a close relationship, they can help each other out.

  However, Huang Lao's son is a complete hypocrite, who wants to take advantage of every opportunity. Let's not mention this for now, the key point is that he doesn't even know how to repay kindness. Even when he lived nearby in the past, he would only come to visit during Chinese New Year or other festivals, and on ordinary days, you wouldn't even see his shadow. What's the point of bothering with someone like him?

  But before she could finish speaking, Lao Liu interrupted her and said: "Xiao Shu, don't say anything more about this. Xiao Chu, tell me your thoughts."

  Chu Chen thought for a moment, then smiled wryly and said: "Liu Lao, as long as you don't touch my bottom line, I'll definitely help. But I only have a bit of money, what else can I do to help?"

  Liu smiled and said with some profound meaning: "Xiao Chu, I don't want you to do anything. If he makes a mistake in the future, just hope that he can spend the rest of his life safely and stably. Besides, this is just a precaution, and it's not like you'll be rich in the future, right?"

  Chu Chen nodded slightly, thinking to himself, what else can I have besides money? Could it be... As he thought of this, a flash of insight suddenly appeared in his mind, and he suddenly thought of some things that made him suspicious.

  But soon, Chu Chen swept away the distractions in his mind. He's doing pretty well now, what's the point of thinking so much?

  Next, the three of them admired "Stream Bank" for a while. Then, Old Liu asked Chu Chen some questions about antiques and got satisfactory answers. Old Liu was delighted and said to Chu Chen:

  "Xiao Chu, what plans do you have from now on?"

  Chu Chen smiled and said, "I plan to open an antique shop in Panjiayuan after I've dealt with the house. It will be more convenient for exchanging antiques."

  "Alright, Xiao Chu, you're right. With antiques, exchange is most important. If there's any difficulty in the future, just come find me, old man that I am still has some connections."

  "Chu Chen said happily: 'Liu Lao, thank you so much.'"

  Liu Lao waved his hand and said, "Don't be polite, but before that, I have an idea."

  "Please speak, sir."

  "We haven't known each other for long, but over the past few days, I've seen that you have a great memory and learning ability. Take advantage of your youth to get a degree now. I'm not saying it's bad without one, but with a degree, others will respect you more. What do you think?"

  Chu Chen scratched his head, this matter he really hadn't considered before. To say that with his current ability to remember everything at a glance, getting a diploma is still quite easy. If he were to take the college entrance exam, becoming a top scorer wouldn't be difficult either. However, if he had to go back and be with some 10-odd-year-old kids again, he really didn't have the heart for it.

  "Liu Lao, this thing, it's not that it can't be done, but I'm already so old, going back to school with those younger brothers and sisters is a bit..."

  By this time, he found that Liu's father and daughter both had a look of astonishment on their faces, and said weakly: "What's wrong, didn't I say it right?"

  Liu Qingshu smiled and said: "Xiao Chu, you wouldn't know that there are also self-study and correspondence methods for taking the exam?"

  Chu Chen said somewhat awkwardly: "I knew this, but I didn't care about it before and didn't think of it for a while."

  Chu Chen has been focusing on the study of antiques since graduating from junior high school and coming to Beijing, and in recent years, he has never thought about taking a degree, so whether it is self-study or correspondence, it has long been forgotten.

  Liu Lao smiled and shook his head, saying: "Xiao Chu, do you want to take the self-study exam or correspondence course? My opinion is that you should take the correspondence course, it's easier that way. After getting your graduation certificate, I can help you get a spot in graduate school, so your academic qualifications won't be a problem after graduation."

  Chu Chen thought for a moment and said: "Liu Lao, then I'll choose correspondence course. But as for graduate school, I believe that with my ability, I can get in on my own."

  Liu Lao chuckled and said: "Xiao Chu, you're quite confident, aren't you? In that case, before October, do you have the confidence to pass the entrance exam for the Beijing Correspondence School?"

  Chu Chen calculated for a moment and nodded: "This is still promising, but after taking the correspondence exam, how many years will it take to get the diploma?"

  Liu Qingshu replied: "Normally speaking, it should take four years to get a bachelor's degree."

  "Ah, is it going to take that long? Can't you make it shorter?"

  Liu Lao pointed at Chu Chen and smiled, "You little scamp, you haven't even passed the exam yet, but you're already thinking of sneaking around. However, as long as your grades are good enough, a shorter time frame won't be a problem."

  "Chu Chen pouted and said: 'Liu Lao, at least how much time can be shortened?'"

  "Four years shortened to two years, isn't that good enough?"

  "Ah, still two years? Can't it be a little less?"

  Liu Lao shook his head and said, "Don't you know that knowledge needs to be accumulated and precipitated? However, as long as you perform well enough, this can also be negotiated. But let's make one thing clear, this year is the minimum deadline, if you want it to be any shorter, don't even think about it."

  Chu Chen smiled and said: "That's impossible, even if I had less time, I still wouldn't be able to learn it, right?"

  Actually, with Chu Chen's current brain power, he can finish a four-year course in just half a year, and it would be quite easy for him. However, that would be too unbelievable, so he definitely wouldn't do something so stupid.

  Liu Lao nodded and said, "Alright, I'll make a call later to help you sign up. The materials for review will be sent over by Xiao Shu tomorrow. But we have an agreement, you must do well on the exam, don't mess it up, or I won't forgive you."

  Chu Chen heard this and patted his chest to guarantee, saying: "Liu Lao, it's not me bragging, from elementary school to junior high school, which year wasn't I a three-good student? When I heard that I didn't take the college entrance exam, our middle school principal even ran to my house to beg me not to give up, so you can rest assured."

  "I'm definitely not going to make you lose face."

  "Alright, stop bragging. We'll see if you're telling the truth or not when we get your exam results. Let's go eat now..."