Study Monster Cultivation System-Chapter 341 - 340 Anti · Climax

At night, after a family mediation session, Li Zheng did not continue studying.

He was like an elite Tauren, who could no longer transform back into a warrior of pure love.

Li Zheng, who had been accustomed to immersing himself in knowledge at a hundredfold speed, was no longer that simple boy.

So, he chose to sit at his desk and handle some miscellaneous tasks.

First, he contacted Ji University to formally confirm his major.

Nine o’clock was not the working hours for the admissions and academic offices at Ji University.

But don’t forget, being a good student allows one to do whatever they want.

Even in the elite Ji University, Li Zheng was a VIP, with official 24-hour dedicated customer service.

That is Teacher Huang Ying.

Specifically regarding the selection of a major, a written document still needed to be signed. Although it could be completed via courier, Huang Ying still suggested that Li Zheng visit the school in person. Considering Li Zheng’s special status, she hoped he could meet the leaders of Yingpei College and understand more before making the final decision.

The young Li Zheng, of course, agreed.

At this time, he did not yet know that the adult world is very dangerous.

As for what kind of schemes were hidden here, he would soon find out.

Now that the trip to Ji University was confirmed, his second task was to manage some necessary social interactions, incidentally fulfilling a personal request from Teacher Tang.

For this, he contacted Jie Qifen and Du Songtao separately.

He personally was very much against choosing these types of people as spouses, but who knew that the teacher had such a taste.

So, at nine o’clock, Jie Qifen and Du Songtao successively received a strange WeChat message.

[Li Zheng: Have you ever been married?]

Jie Qifen replied:

[No in the past, no now, and no in the future. By the way, Gu Jianfeng is something else.]

Du Songtao replied:

[No comment.]

Li Zheng sent another message:

[I have a young and beautiful female teacher who asked me to introduce you to someone like you.]

When he sent this, he felt a pang of guilt, as if he were a scum girl, searching for backups…

Jie Qifen replied:

[How beautiful?]

Du Songtao replied:

[Not interested, an experiment is starting here, I’ll reply tomorrow.]

All right, now there’s only one backup left; better maintain it well.

[Li Zheng: Exceptionally beautiful, just has a small flaw.]

[Jie Qifen: But go on.]

[Li Zheng: Suddenly, I remembered a bit of physiological knowledge, Teacher Jie, did you know? The bacteria reproduction rate on male feet is 400%, while on female feet it’s 2300%. From this perspective, women’s feet are six times smellier than men’s, haha.]

[Jie Qifen: I don’t mind if they’re smelly or not, I’m more curious about how you know this (raises eyebrow).]

[Li Zheng: So, shall I send your photo to her?]

[Jie Qifen: I told you, I’m not getting married.]

[Li Zheng: That’s it then, goodbye.]

[Jie Qifen: What major did you choose?]

[Li Zheng: Yingpei, going to sign tomorrow.]

[Jie Qifen: Yingpei? Coming tomorrow? Why didn’t you tell me about such a big deal!]

[Li Zheng: Just confirmed it.]

[Jie Qifen: You know Yingpei is mentor-based, right?]

[Li Zheng: Didn’t know.]

[Jie Qifen: Silly kid, when students enter Yingpei, the school directly assigns a mentor to guide your course selection and study direction.]

[Li Zheng: Oh.]

[Jie Qifen: Oh nothing, with your level, obviously you should be choosing the mentor. The college assigning some dummy would be a waste of time! Don’t be fooled by Ji University’s reputation; most of their teachers are dummies. You need to take the initiative and contact someone ahead of time.]

[Li Zheng: Then, you’ll do.]

Li Zheng had waited for a long time, but Jie Qifen still hadn’t responded.

Eventually, Li Zheng couldn’t hold back any longer.

[Li Zheng: Is it that you don’t have time...]

[Jie Qifen: No...it’s just...]

[Li Zheng: Could it be...that you’re moved because no one has ever chosen you as a mentor before in your life?]

[Jie Qifen: I’m a bit nostalgic, it would have been nice if Gu Jianfeng had chosen me like this, but unfortunately, it’s you.]

[Li Zheng: Gu Jianfeng isn’t as simple as you think, he’s not someone just anyone can withstand.]

[Jie Qifen: Alright, let’s talk about you. I appreciate that you’d be willing to choose me, but it’s utterly pointless. I can help you, whether or not I’m your mentor, so there’s no need to choose me.]

[Li Zheng: I don’t understand...Aren’t mentors supposed to guide me in my studies? If you’re going to take the time to guide my studies in the future, shouldn’t you be my mentor?]

[Jie Qifen: No, no, no, you don’t understand anything...Let’s talk over the phone.]

Soon after, the phone rang, and Jie Qifen began to talk incessantly as soon as he answered.

"You guys like to play with martial arts sects jokes, right?"

"To apply that analogy, when you pay respect to a master and join a sect, is it just about simply learning martial arts?"

"It isn’t. Learning martial arts is just on the surface; fundamentally, it’s about a connection of interests."

"The sect gives you resources, you work for the sect, and once you grow, you become a part of the sect’s order."

"It’s the same with mentors. A so-called good mentor isn’t necessarily the one who can guide your studies best, but the one who has a lot of resources."

"He has many projects and connections that can benefit you, nurture you, and later, having his name on your papers, others will recognize them."

"To sum up, when choosing a mentor, the first thing you should consider is resources, then academic competence, and lastly reputation, which is the moral standard."

"So, while I thank you for wanting to choose me, please don’t. I have nothing to offer, not even a professorship."

Li Zheng thought it over for a long time before saying, "These words, they don’t sound like you. The you I know isn’t like this..."

"It doesn’t matter what I’m like; the key is not to delay you," Jie Qifen said bluntly. "Don’t worry, if you need help in the future, I’ll definitely assist. I acknowledge you as my student in my heart, and you acknowledge me as your teacher in your heart, that’s enough. But for you to start well and proceed smoothly, you absolutely must find someone with status."

"So you’re not accepting me?" Li Zheng retorted.

"Why are you so stubborn!" Jie Qifen exclaimed anxiously. "Then I’ll say this: we’re soulmates, and you with your future mentor will be like a nominal married couple, okay now?"

"Don’t be like that, Teacher Jie, I’m a person with a very strong sense of morality..."

"Oh come on, what pit haven’t I fallen into? How could I possibly let you suffer?" Jie Qifen cursed. "In all subjects other than math, without resources, however many ideas you have, you won’t be able to take a single step. As for math, let me put it bluntly, you need to reach Gu Jianfeng’s level to be eligible to innovate on your own."

"It’s precisely because your evaluation is so accurate that I want to acknowledge you as my mentor."

"Why can’t you let this go...Alright, tomorrow... around 11 or so, come find me, and I’ll explain things in detail."

"There’s no need, the admissions office’s teacher will take me for an in-depth discussion at Yingpei."

"They don’t know a damn thing about scientific research; that settles it then, see you tomorrow."

Jie Qifen then hastily hung up the phone, not giving Li Zheng a chance to babble.

Li Zheng put down the phone, feeling more and more confused.

With such a rare chance to choose, shouldn’t this be about a freely formed mutual bond?

And Jie Qifen, he’s typically such a go-with-the-flow person. Messing around together should have been twice the fun.

He understood the reasoning behind soulmates and nominal spouses.

It’s just that he couldn’t quite understand Jie Qifen now.

In his hesitation, Li Zheng knocked on his parents’ bedroom door.

"Are you asleep yet?"

"No, come in," An Ning’s voice answered.

When Li Zheng pushed the door open, An Ning was leaning on the headboard, busily editing a report on her laptop, and Old Li was sitting by the bed, sticking a plaster on his knee.

Li Zheng sighed, walked up, and patted him.

He patted Li Zheng back.

"Still patting? Haven’t you had enough in the family group chat?" An Ning glared at them. "What’s up, it’s not like I made you kneel... You kneeled so quickly and so firmly, I didn’t even have time to hear your explanation."

Li Yi looked down resentfully and said, "No matter how fast I talk... it’s not as fast as your blade..."

"I was just gesturing, we are all educated people, how could it be real," An Ning barely managed to stop her laughter. "Besides, weren’t you at fault? You seem pretty happy adding other moms on WeChat; no wonder you like attending parent-teacher meetings so much. Even when Li Zheng has stopped his lessons, you’re still eager to go..."

"I was just respecting Teacher Tang..."

"Yeah, speaking of Teacher Tang, don’t think I don’t know about the home visits. If it were really just home visits, be upfront about it, why haven’t you two ever told me?"

"Ah... you know about that..." Li Yi’s knees buckled, almost falling off the bed.

"Calm down... Dad, stay calm... or your soft tissues will be gone..." Li Zheng hurriedly helped Old Li back, then said to An Ning, "Let’s let bygones be bygones, I came here to consult about a serious matter."

An Ning snorted and then closed her laptop and took off her glasses, "Speak."

So, Li Zheng sat on the edge of the bed and recounted everything that had just happened.

"So, should I follow my heart’s choice, or adhere to the rules of reality?" Li Zheng patted An Ning, "Mom, you know the ins and outs, I need your advice now."

This content is taken from fгeewebnovёl.com.

An Ning pursed her lips, "Strictly speaking, this is something you should worry about when you’re preparing for graduate studies, but for someone as outstanding as you, you might already have the level to work on projects with a mentor during your undergraduate studies."

She didn’t hesitate much and immediately said, "Teacher Jie is right, and his opinion is also my opinion. Following the rules doesn’t mean abandoning your heart. You have to trust our assessment criteria. Any professor with ample resources is guaranteed to have a high academic level, but the issue of moral standards is ambiguous. It varies from person to person, who knows? Besides, the world has always been meritocratic, as long as you don’t break the law, morals are just a game of behavioral standards."

Li Zheng’s expression tensed, "That’s a bit dense, I need to digest it..."

"Go back and digest it, I’ll keep talking," An Ning continued, "As for this Teacher Jie, from your description, he sounds like a good person, but he’s excluded from mainstream circles. Although he acts on his own accord, he is very responsible toward your matters, and you can trust him with other things in the future. Still, let me say this, once you have your own strengths, you can even help him with research in the future, but strictly following him might delay both of your futures."

Upon hearing this, Li Yi turned his head and said, "I don’t like hearing this, why does everything have to be so materialistic? Did Li Zheng reach today driven by materialism? Did I become a director by worshiping leaders?"

An Ning glared at him.

Li Yi immediately bowed his head and continued applying his plaster, "Ah, well, when I think about it, I indeed followed a good director..."

An Ning’s expression softened, she waved her hand and said, "Go on, keep talking."

"Ah, can I?" Li Yi exclaimed, "Can I disagree with you in front of the child?"

"At this stage, Li Zheng can hear different opinions," An Ning turned to Li Zheng and said, "Both your father and I are just making judgements based on our past experiences, which may not necessarily apply to your future. Just listen, it’s your life, you decide."

Li Yi then got excited, turning to Li Zheng with a slap of his thigh.

"Skills!"

"Son, skills!"

"Your mom also said, the capable are chosen."

"If you master your skills, what should be yours will be yours, it’s just a matter of sooner or later."

"Rather than follow someone you despise, submissive and leading a miserable life."

"Better to cultivate your own talents, once you’re proficient, the right mentor will naturally appear, it’s just a matter of sooner or later."

"Look at me, I have never bowed to anyone in my life. What makes me so awesome? Where does my confidence come from?"

"Five surgeries a day to start with, doing it for twenty years, that’s your dad’s confidence."

"Do I need to bow down?"

"No need, even the dean has to cajole and beg me."

No sooner had he said this than An Ning glared at him again, "Aren’t you done talking yet?"

"Done talking, it’s over…" Li Yi hurriedly bowed his head and touched up his plaster.

An Ning then said, "Your dad is just talking about an isolated incident. I can easily use Teacher Jie as a counterexample. You say he’s the most talented teacher you’ve met, but what’s his current situation? I admit his scholarship and character, but as a scholar, he is a failure and he might even be giving you a direction for your future with his failure."

Li Zheng pondered for a long time, then sighed, "I also know the vice dean of the Chemical Institute and the dean of the School of Physics, they are also competent people, but I still feel they lack something compared to Teacher Jie."

"That’s something you’ll have to figure out on your own," An Ning said as she propped up her laptop again, "Gather information, make visits, you’re an adult now, do it yourself, I must recuse myself in this regard."

"Understood." Li Zheng then stood up, addressing the bowed and discomfited Old Li, "Even though I know that what Ning’er says aligns more with objective rules, I’m more inclined towards your idea."

Old Li secretly clenched his fist: "Go for it, son…"

"You too..."

After Li Zheng had left, An Ning leaned back and sighed.

"What’s wrong, honey?" Li Yi crawled over.

"I didn’t expect it so soon," An Ning said blankly, "If Li Zheng officially enters this circle, I should probably leave mine."

"That sounds a bit drastic..."

"Anyone who knows me will rush to recruit Li Zheng. Do you think many truly care about his competency? Old Deng hasn’t stopped contacting me recently, he’s mentioned several times about having Li Zheng join him," An Ning said with a wry smile, "I’m planning to talk to the leadership about it tomorrow."

"Oh?" Li Yi perked up upon hearing this, "Doesn’t that mean I’m about to become the sole breadwinner of the family, at the peak of power?"

"You’re thinking too much. There are still many deputies in the department," An Ning flicked Li Yi’s nose, "Rest assured, I will always be above you."

"..." Li Yi gloomily bowed his head.

Son, the future of the Li family’s men, it’s all on you now.

This is probably, what family culture is all about.

...

Li Zheng went to his room and got into bed, finally deciding not to think anymore.

If there’s a mentor that fits in all regards, then fine; if not, then it’s up to Jie Qifen. He’ll just have to cling tightly to him, making it impossible for him to shake off.

Before falling asleep, he glanced at his phone again and suddenly his eyes widened.

[Lin Yujing: I’m cloistered but not gone to some remote mountain, you really aren’t going to pay attention to me!]

Li Zheng took a deep breath.

It’s different now, I’ve changed.

I am the Ultimate Lover now.

French vacuum kiss, I get it.

Texting skills, I’ve got that too.

[Li Zheng: I want to talk to you, but I’m afraid to think about it, because the more I think, the more I want to, burning with desire, like a wildfire raging through the forest. Listen to my breath—huff...ah...huff... Do you feel it?]

[Lin Yujing: ??? Where did this rubbish come from, did you read "Scum Chap Techniques" again?]

[Li Zheng: Damn, you know about that too?!]

[Lin Yujing: Scum Chap, I’m just letting you know that I learned a whole lot today, but I’m not telling you what I learned.]

The so-called Ultimate Lover, of course, provides unparalleled pleasure in the universal sense.

But it can’t change Li Zheng’s own quirks.

I learned so many things...

But she won’t tell me...

In an instant, he was all stirred up.

[Li Zheng: Tell me quickly...]

[Lin Yujing: Hahaha, nope nope!]

[Li Zheng: Oh no... How can I sleep now, was it math?]

[Lin Yujing: A little bit of math, yes~~]

[Li Zheng: Hmm... What else? What else is there?]

[Lin Yujing: There’s also~ single-slit~ double-slit~ interference~ studied all kinds of slit experiments thoroughly oh~~~]

[Li Zheng: Ahhh, that’s amazing! Any feelings?]

[Lin Yujing: Of course there is, and it’s... not telling you~~]

[Li Zheng: No, please!!! Just a little bit, say a little more.]

[Lin Yujing: Just a little bit huh... let me think... I even had a set of perfectly fitting lab coat tailored, made an appointment with the teacher, going to very advanced laboratories to do all sorts of slit experiments~~~]

[Li Zheng: Ahhh! Which teacher? I want to go too!!]

[Lin Yujing: I’m in seclusion, agreed not to meet anyone, meeting would affect my studies.]

[Li Zheng: I can wear a mask!]

[Lin Yujing: ~~Feeling comfy, goodnight~~]

[Li Zheng: Aaaaaah!]

That’s what happened.

In short...

I’ve been out-Ultimate Lovered.

Unexpectedly, this first night of seclusion turned out to be so excruciating.

What exactly is that lab coat like?

And which lab exactly?

I underestimated Jingguo’s craftiness.

So that’s what seclusion meant—there was a whole other level to this trick.

How much longer now...

5 months...

Damn it, I can’t go on like this.

Just storm over to her place.

Or maybe use Wang Cai to blackmail her into a video call?

Wait a minute... where’s Wang Cai...

I seem not to have seen him for a long time.

Forget it, don’t think about it, everything will get better...

(Wang Cai: I am still alive. During Li Zheng’s long stays at work, Li Yi took me to a cousin’s house to stay, where there’s a chubby orange cat to keep me company. I’m fine, the only trouble is that I’ve been neutered, but the chubby orange hasn’t.)

(Wang Cai: I don’t want to talk about my story anymore.)

(Sigh...) (Cat sighs)