Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World
Chapter 176 - 76: Old Partner

Chapter 176: Chapter 76: Old Partner

Zheng Fa entered the gym, where many students were already seated.

The seats for new students were divided into square arrays according to their faculties.

He found the section for the School of Physics, walked towards the back, and chose a seat near the rear.

Beside him sat a bespectacled boy, slim-cheeked, nodding at him as he took his seat.

While waiting for the ceremony to begin, Zheng Fa opened the smallest folder, taking out his student ID and dormitory key.

There was also a sheet of paper inside with his dormitory number and move-in time, along with dormitory rules and such.

"Are you also in 308?"

The bespectacled boy suddenly asked.

"You are..."

"My name is Dai Yuan, we should be roommates."

That was somewhat coincidental.

"Our School of Physics freshmen, boys are in Building 45, girls I think are in 48," Dai Yuan seemed to have inquired, "Though there aren’t many girls."

Girls were indeed few.

Among the School of Physics array, girls made up perhaps less than twenty percent, or even just ten percent.

Zheng Fa noticed Dai Yuan’s gaze constantly on these rare girls, muttering something under his breath.

It seemed he noticed his gaze, Dai Yuan shrugged lightly and said, "I’m looking for my potential future partner."

"..."

Zheng Fa turned his head to glance at the words ’New Student Induction Ceremony’ on the podium screen, involuntarily asking:

"That early?"

"Statistically speaking, Poisson distribution tells us, if one has to date 100 girlfriends in a lifetime, then the second-best choice appears by the thirty-seventh, and from then on, any better one is the best," Dai Yuan adjusted his glasses and continued, "meaning, dating around forty girlfriends yields a one in a hundred effect, very cost-effective."

"..."

"Better start early."

Zheng Fa understood.

But was still greatly shocked.

"Biologically, the intelligence of those who can get in here is assured, which is beneficial for reproduction."

Zheng Fa listened and actually began to think there was sense in what he was saying.

"From my life planning, university is the ideal place to solve marital issues," Dai Yuan had an attitude of treating everything like a mission, looking for a girlfriend as if leveling up in a game.

"So, right now you are..."

"I’m looking for target number one."

Dai Yuan glanced carefully at the School of Physics girls, then shifted his gaze to students from other faculties.

Zheng Fa shook his head, no longer bothering with this guy, and his gaze also landed on a girl.

Tang Lingwu was turning her head towards their direction, seemingly also looking for someone.

Seeing him, Tang Lingwu showed a big smile, and Zheng Fa smiled back at her.

...

The ceremony at Beijing University wasn’t much different.

Same old speeches by leaders, student representatives talking.

The only difference might be that the speakers were some kind of academicians.

The student representative could have been on some TV.

Anyway, all seemed to carry impressive titles.

But that didn’t stop those below from playing on their phones or whispering.

Beside him, Dai Yuan was still hunting for his prey.

Zheng Fa, meanwhile, took out his phone and looked at the message Old Man Bai had sent in the group chat.

"Little Tian is hospitalized, I’m going first to check, you all can come take a look later when free."

Zheng Fa pursed his lips.

When he met Mrs. Tian before, she said she still had half a year to live.

But it’s only been a little over two months.

Zheng Fa hadn’t dealt with this matter, mainly because he didn’t yet have any Spirit Talismans capable of curing illnesses.

Giving false hope wasn’t good.

But now, Mrs. Tian’s condition clearly deteriorated faster than anticipated.

Tang Lingwu also sent him a private message.

"Should we go together later?"

"Sure."

Even if he couldn’t help much now, it was still right to visit.

Mrs. Tian was quite warm towards him and Tang Lingwu.

After a while, the opening ceremony finally ended.

Tang Lingwu walked towards him, and Zheng Fa stood up.

"Do you two know each other? I saw her smiling at you a few times,"

Dai Yuan suddenly asked, looking at Tang Lingwu walking their way.

"Yeah, high school classmates."

"One in a hundred."

"Huh?"

"I observed the 42 nearby girls; she is the prettiest," Dai Yuan looked at Zheng Fa and explained, "She is one in a hundred — Beijing University girls are already one in ten thousand, and among them, she is at least one in a hundred."

"..."

"You seem to be earlier."

Watching Dai Yuan slowly walk away.

Zheng Fa was somewhat speechless.

This guy indeed had sharp eyes.

"What were you guys talking about?"

Tang Lingwu also noticed Dai Yuan’s actions and asked Zheng Fa curiously.

"He was probably complimenting your beauty."

Zheng Fa thought and replied.

"Oh."

Not knowing if it was out of habit or concern for Mrs. Tian.

Tang Lingwu just responded with an ’Oh’, without much reaction.

The two took a taxi to the hospital.

Only to see Granny Wu pushing Mrs. Tian, with Old Man Bai talking about something.

Seeing Zheng Fa and Tang Lingwu coming, Mrs. Tian smiled at them, though she tried hard, they could still see the pallor on her face.

Old Man Bai waved at them saying to Granny Wu, "Grandma, wait here for us, we’ll go get some medicine."

Granny Wu nodded at them.

She looked quite calm.

Zheng Fa and his companions headed towards the pharmacy. Just as they turned the corner, Tang Lingwu asked: "Sir Bai, how is Mrs. Tian doing?"

"She suddenly couldn’t get up at home, said she was in pain, and then we brought her to the hospital," Old Man Bai sighed, "The doctors said her condition has deteriorated faster than expected. Now it’s tough for her to walk. She refuses further treatment, so the doctors could only prescribe some conservative medicines and painkillers."

He glanced at Zheng Fa, his thoughts apparent without words.

Zheng Fa softly shook his head: "I probably need another month..."

The ninth Spirit Talisman required him to reach the ninth level of Qi Cultivation.

"That’s precisely the problem," Old Man Bai sighed, "The doctor privately told me that the rapid deterioration of her condition is greatly tied to her lack of will to live..."

"..."

Thinking back to Mrs. Tian’s previous words, it seemed like she didn’t really want to live.

Zheng Fa was left speechless.

"Sir Bai, I can promise you," Zheng Fa said after a long silence, "even if Mrs. Tian doesn’t want to join the nursing home, I will help her without expecting anything in return."

Old Man Bai was startled, looking at Zheng Fa with a hint of gratitude.

He knew the main reason for Zheng Fa’s promise was because of him.

"...But, whether Mrs. Tian wants my help or not?" Zheng Fa stopped him from saying anything and continued, "Or rather, is bringing her back to life really a good thing for her?"

Zheng Fa’s own nature was, of course, to cherish life.

But everyone has their own pursuits.

He couldn’t make decisions for Mrs. Tian.

"On the other hand, even if we disregard Mrs. Tian’s feelings, she still needs to hold on for another month." Zheng Fa spoke softly, "Otherwise, I am powerless, as I can’t bring people back from the dead."

Both Old Man Bai and Zheng Fa fell silent.

With Mrs. Tian’s current will to live, it was uncertain if she could last the month.

Mrs. Tian didn’t want to stay in the hospital.

The group picked up the medicine and returned to Mrs. Tian’s home.

It was just that last time they were here, Mrs. Tian could still walk.

This time, she could only sit in a wheelchair.

But she seemed quite happy, even jokingly saying to Old Man Bai, "Maybe I’ll even manage to save some money."

Old Man Bai twitched his mouth but didn’t speak.

"Time to take your medicine."

Granny Wu brought over a glass of water along with the newly prescribed medicine.

"I’ll take the painkillers, but let’s forget about the rest."

Who would have expected Mrs. Tian to say that?

Everyone’s hearts sank.

...

Old Man Bai signaled to Zheng Fa and Granny Wu with his eyes.

They left the room with Granny Wu, leaving only Old Man Bai with Mrs. Tian.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" Seemingly understanding his intention, Mrs. Tian asked.

"Do you... really not want to live anymore?"

Old Man Bai did not know how to begin and stuttered his question.

Now, the most crucial issue was addressing Mrs. Tian’s will to live.

"I don’t want to."

"Ah?"

"All my money is used up, and treatment would cost a lot."

"...What if money wasn’t a concern?"

Old Man Bai glanced at Tang Lingwu outside the door, one Zheng Fa can be supported, what’s another Mrs. Tian, right?

"Old Bai, do you know why I gave up on treatment?"

"You don’t want to live?"

"...I don’t want to be a burden to my mother," Mrs. Tian sighed, "My death would certainly be cruel to her, but at her age, should she really have to take care of me for a few more years? I’m already wheelchair-bound."

"..."

"Others have children, spouses, but I can only trouble my nearly ninety-year-old mom."

Old Man Bai’s lips trembled.

"If I must die, better to do it swiftly."

Mrs. Tian whispered.

"So you say you don’t want to live..."

"Old Bai, who doesn’t want to live." Mrs. Tian spoke up, "This is resignation, dying a day sooner frees my mother a day sooner—I can only do so much with this body."

"...What if there was a way to save you?"

Old Man Bai’s eyes slowly lit up, as long as she wanted to live, there would be a way.

"Are you starting to believe all that nonsensical stuff again?"

Mrs. Tian glanced at him sideways.

"This time it’s real!"

"Really, really... Just remember, no money," Mrs. Tian waved her hand, somewhat helplessly.

"..."

Seeing she really didn’t believe.

Old Man Bai suddenly said: "One month!"

His seriousness made Mrs. Tian pause.

"Just hold on for one more month, take your medicine, rest well! If it still doesn’t work out, I’ll come to visit Granny Wu every day after you are gone!"

"Old Bai, why bother..." Mrs. Tian sighed.

"...I just want a like-minded life partner!" Old Man Bai huffed.

"..."

"Are you stubborn? What am I worth at this age?" Mrs. Tian was a bit speechless, "If you really can save me, what’s the big deal about marrying?"

"You said it!" Old Man Bai ran towards the door.

"Hey? Old Bai! Don’t spend money!"

...

"Zheng Fa, I’m leaving my happiness in your hands!"

Old Man Bai ran to Zheng Fa’s side and whispered.

"Ah?"

"The illness is yours to cure, the person is for Ling Wu to care for, the life partner is mine!"

"..."