Chen Pingan didn't even say anything. Under the stunned gazes of the old men, he ran home in one breath.
"I must leave this godforsaken place."
There were experts causing abnormal phenomenons here every day. Who in their right mind could withstand this?!
Chen Pingan thought of someone and took out his phone to search for the person's contact number. Without hesitation, he called the person.
The call was picked up after just three rings.
Chen Pingan asked, "Brother Xiong, yesterday, did you say that the substitute teacher job came with food and accommodation?"
Eh?
"That's right. Food and accommodation are provided. The monthly salary is 3,000 yuan."
Brother Xiong was really dumbfounded.
He had thought that Chen Pingan would change his mind and contact him, but he did not expect that it would be so soon. Didn't he just say yesterday that he was determined to cultivate diligently and would make up for the compulsory cultivation lessons? In less than a day, he had already changed his mind and was already asking for the position.
"I can report tomorrow!"
Chen Pingan was elated. Since the job came with food and accommodation, he could leave this neighborhood for good and solve his problems.
"Didn't you say that from now on, you will turn over a new leaf and work hard to cultivate, so that you can make up for the cultivation lessons that you missed during school?"
"What happened? Are you starting to regret it?"
Brother Xiong teased him mercilessly. He knew his cousin's personality better than anyone else. It would be a wonder if Chen Pingan could persevere when it came to cultivation.
He knew that Chen Pingan was being impulsive and would only last a day at most.
Apparently, Brother Xiong had overestimated Chen Pingan, given that he gave up cultivating in less than a day.
"I think that a job is more suitable for me. I can even see you every day. After all, it is a proper job that includes food and accommodation. Anyone who rejects a job like this must be a few screws loose in the head."
Chen Pingan took over the conversation. Since they were cousins, they could talk openly.
"Hahahaha, it's good that you think that way. Many people aren't even able to get this job even if they wanted to."
Brother Xiong was afraid that Chen Pingan would look down on this job, so he repeated what he had said before, "You know, a substitute teacher actually has the same treatment as an officially hired teacher. After you pass the entrance exam, you can become an official teacher. At that time, you will be financially secure like me!"
"You should do well at school. If you don't make any serious mistakes, the school will not fire you for no reason."
"I know. Thanks, Brother Xiong."
Chen Pingan was extremely grateful. Without Brother Xiong, he really did not know who to ask for help.
He also knew that if he continued to stay in this neighborhood, he would definitely be in deep trouble in the future. If he accidentally provoked a mysterious expert one day, he could even die from being slapped too hard by that expert.
Since the experts in the neighborhood were not planning on moving, it was better for him to leave first.
"Brother Xiong, can I settle in early and move to the school's staff dormitory today?"
Chen Pingan could not wait to move out of this neighborhood. He did not want to stay any longer.
"That works too. But you'd better pack up today and come to the school to look for me. I'll introduce you to the principal."
"If nothing goes wrong, the principal will arrange for you to attend tomorrow's class. When that's done, you just have to go to class on time."
"As this is your first substitute class, there should be higher-ups going over tomorrow morning to assess the quality of your lecture. But don't worry, as the physical education teacher, they won't be as strict on you. You just need to pass the physical fitness test."
Brother Xiong might sound like a boorish man, but he was actually very meticulous and would always arrange everything very well.
After hearing what Brother Xiong said, Chen Pingan felt more at ease. He was no longer so worried about the job.
"I'll look for you at three in the afternoon. Where should we meet?"
"At the school gate. Have you forgotten the fact that you have never entered the school before? Without my help, you'll definitely be unable to find your way in there."
Chen Pingan was stunned. He had forgotten that his original body rarely went to school and would usually just meet him at home.
After they agreed on a time and place to meet, they continued chatting for a while before Brother Xiong hurriedly hung up the phone. As Brother Xiong still had two classes in the morning, he did not have the time to continue chatting with Chen Pingan.
"This matter has finally been resolved. I'm free right now so I'll use the time to pack up."
Chen Pingan heaved a sigh of relief. He was finally leaving this neighborhood!
He narrowed his eyes, as if he could see the beautiful future ahead of him. Now that he had a decent job and could cultivate in peace, he could slowly digest those cultivation books and improve his strength step by step.
Chen Pingan was overjoyed. In the future, he wouldn't have to worry about anything happening in the neighborhood anymore. Just thinking about it made him laugh out loud.
The original body of Chen Pingan did not own many things and only had some miscellaneous items like drawing boards. Chen Pingan did not plan to move them with him, so he decided to keep them here in the neighborhood.
This was because he had signed a one-year contract with the property management. The lease was not up yet, so he could leave his things here for a month or two. He only needed to pay the rent on time every month.
Chen Pingan packed some of his clothes and picked up the pile of cultivation books he had bought the day before as well as some necessities. He packed his two suitcases full to the brim. There was no need for him to bring anything else over now. After all, the staff dormitory was fully equipped.
After tidying up, he glanced at the time. It was exactly two o'clock in the afternoon. Now was the right time for him to go to the cultivation school.
Chen Pingan had a smile on his face and was in a good mood. He hummed a tune as he opened the door and left.
…
Qin Kai Cultivation School.
This was the largest cultivation school in Yang City. Moreover, it was a public school, and its fees were cheaper than many private schools. It was a school that was deeply loved by the people of Yang City, and many parents were happy with sending their children to this cultivation school.
Chen Pingan stood at the entrance of the school and looked at the four golden and magnificent words at the entrance.
"It's huge. It takes up more space than many universities."
He stood at the entrance and looked into the school. It was so vast that he could not see the end of it. It was not because there was a building blocking his view, but it was just so huge that he could not see the end.
Even though there were many buildings in the school, it did not feel crowded. Every building was built far apart from each other.
"What a wealthy school!"
Chen Pingan was still lamenting when he saw a familiar figure from the corner of his eye. It was a man who wore gold-rimmed glasses. He looked refined.
Before Chen Pingan could react, he was thrown forward and punched twice on his shoulder.
"You're finally here! How long has it been since we last met? Why have you lost so much weight?"
The moment he heard the voice, Chen Pingan knew who it was. This rough male voice was too unique. Other than Brother Xiong, who else could it be?
"Brother Xiong?"
Chen Pingan scratched his head in embarrassment. He sighed in his heart. Indeed, one cannot judge a book by its cover. Brother Xiong was a living example of this.
Beneath his refined appearance was the soul of a wild man, completely different from his image.
"In the past, I tried to get you to come out and meet me but you always said you were busy. I've never seen someone as difficult to meet as you."
"Great, now that we're all working here, it will be easy for me to see you. I'll just go straight to your dormitory to find you!"
Brother Xiong was still talking to himself. It could be seen that he was really happy.
Although he and Chen Pingan looked like distant relatives to outsiders, they were actually of the same age and had grown up together. Their relationship was even more solid than that of real brothers.
However, ever since Chen Pingan started painting, he had reduced contact with the outside world. For a period of time, Brother Xiong did not even see Chen Pingan.
From then on, Brother Xiong started to have the idea of letting Chen Pingan come over to teach. However, Chen Pingan had always been stubborn and refused to come.