37 37.
It wasn't long for Chen Kai to get a report on what transpired. Argon reported it first then the guards a few minutes later.
He smirked at the thought of Han Feng using his limited resources to reduce his worries. They can't doctor XiaoYan's report because it had many witnesses and two reputed people were with Officer Ning. He no longer bothers about them.
"Everything alright?" Xiao Wei inquired. The smirk on Chen Kai's face made him uneasy. He straightened his posture, ready to give out orders in light of bad news.
"The interview with XiaoYan is complete. We should get a response on this side soon." Chen Kai spoke to everyone in the office. Xiao Wei sighed and returned to his previous relaxed position. The two lawyers opposite them nodded their heads in acknowledgment and kept the momentum in reviewing the present documents.
Lawyer Qin, a trusted friend of Lawyer Luo, quickly accessed his laptop to await the email.
"Mr. Chen, are you sure about this last request?" Lawyer Qin asked, probing Chen Kai's feelings on the matter in his hand.
"Yes. Today he will carry my last name and become part of my family as my little brother. This isn't a mistake nor a whim." The tone was brisk and straight to the point. There was no reason to go into a monologue.
The lawyer nodded and collated the documents needed to change XiaoYan's permanent address and household. When he saw the address on Chen Kai's household registration, Lawyer Qin glanced at Lawyer Luo. The latter was aware that a few things may question his friend's eyesight, so he kept watching. He nodded, confirming the information with his friend so the process could move along.
In many business circles, the majority knows an address that proves your net worth. That is the Sleeping Dragon Villa's address. If they knew its master is a college graduate their minds would shake at the thought.
"Is he willing to get his identity card at this age?" Lawyer Qin scanned the documents and sent them to his relevant associates in the Civil Affairs Bureau and kept note of the time. It wasn't uncommon for a child under 16 to apply for an identity card, there are five years of validation by then the child will be either 16 or over.
"He says it will feel more real when he sees it. A surname."
Everyone in the room understood the statement and couldn't chase away the sympathy they had for XiaoYan.
"Very well. The process will now enter preparations after we get the judge's signature, my friends in Civil Affairs will complete everything. All that will be required by you is a few signatures and payments."
Chen Kai smiled at the man and spoke his thanks in a soft tone, ending the conversation with that word.
It's good to have connections to avoid unnecessary waiting.
During the time of waiting, the WeChat group Chen Kai accepted earlier in the day was currently active due to his entrance.
High school classmates one by one gave their polite welcome until one broke the common courtesy and stepped into the boasting arena.
It's like a sport within their culture.
Who can brag the highest about connections, money, jobs, women, whatever that will make the people around you green with envy? For those who actively boast and show off their riches with full arrogance feel great excitement and pleasure when they do. Seeing their so-called friends jealous is very pleasant.
Classmate1: How's Nanjing, Brother Chen? It's time to graduate, right? Have you hooked on a job yet? I heard it's hard over there for fresh graduates. If you're coming back home, I can help you.
Classmate2: Classmate Lang you're so kind to us. Being a manager at a 4S store takes into consideration one's professionalism. It won't be a job to be a salesperson at a 4S store.
Classmate3: Maybe Brother Chen will look for something around his majors. Wasn't it in finance and something?
Classmate1: I can't remember but you can't involve pride when looking for a job. It's hard for everyone these days even here in Lishui. He always had that pride that gives us secondhand embarrassment.
Classmate4: Some people's pride will never be diminished.
Classmate5: I heard my boss saying working in Finance is a dead-end job. The young ones who study that major won't get many job opportunities. Only the veterans are accepted.
Classmate6: Where's Brother Chen? He didn't respond to our greetings nor reply to Brother Chu's offer.
Classmate4: Maybe he's busy.
Classmate7: Hehehehe!! Busy?
Classmate8: You seem to know something.
Classmate9: It's not polite to talk like this knowing the person will see.
Classmate1: Oh!!!! Our etiquette princess, XiaoLi is here.
Classmate7: Classmate Zhu Dong shared something with us.
Classmate5: Brother Dong who made it to the same university as Brother Chen? That guy has been complaining about college since day one. What did he say this time?
Zhu Dong: Brother Zhang let's leave it there.
Classmate7: No fun. I guess you guys have to wait until we meet next weekend.
Classmate9: Is Chen Kai coming this time?
Classmate10: So what if he is coming? Are you going to rush and report to Goddess Luo.
Classmate1: Is she coming? It will be worth it if the goddess is there.
Classmate9: Sister Luo returned a few weeks ago to visit her family before leaving again for a high-paying job. She was hired by a top company.
Classmate7: As expected of our school goddess.
Everyone: .......
Too much. How can one person ruin the mood in less than 1 minute?
Luo Xianrou had other thoughts in her head.
"I need a new dress."
~~~~~~
In the office of the department head at the Administration Building, Chen Kai chuckled lowly and then put away his phone.
"That laugh doesn't sound right."
He turned to the owner of the voice and pushed them lightly. "They were asking for it. I was also annoyed by the constant notifications," Chen Kai replied with a grin on his face.
16:07
XiaoYan was beside him, successfully discharged and on his way to do some shopping on this new star. The kid returned a cheeky grin and commented on Chen Kai being a talking asshole.
"I believe they wanted me to be the blind and clueless group member in the chat after talking so much."
The two were waiting for the relevant papers to show the process completion. They will be notified when the identity card is completed along with his new hukou book.
The day was slowly ending and it felt like he did too much today. Chen Kai lazily slouched in his seat, amusing XiaoYan. His strict brother does have his lazy times.
"If those old guys see you now they will vomit blood," XiaoYan joked.
"Bah! I'm retired. Let me enjoy my youth once again," Chen Kai grumbled.
XiaoYan ran those words over and over in his head. He nodded and followed his brother's posture.
Chen Kai saw this and gave him two thumbs up with a stupid smile on his face.
"I'm no longer a prince. It will be good to do these things that I want to do in this world."
"You're blessed for a week or two, kid. You have to go to school to be normal here. We have weekends to play." Chen Kai burst his bubble before it had time to float.
XiaoYan kicked his chair and pouted. "Tch! Mingling with brats."
"Take it as both of us enjoying the life we strived for. No war. No duties. Freedom to go wherever we want. This Earth has a version of peace in which we can walk around at ease and we don't have a country or continent to rule. Our new life, little brother. We have it here!"
XiaoYan was affected by Chen Kai's enthusiasm greatly. He was thinking along the same lines when he learned of this country. The social norms were constantly changing but acceptable, he has a home and wealth that is equivalent to a noble and he has freedom.
No fighting. No looking behind his back nor worrying about who's going betray him. He can live freely.
"New Life." XiaoYan's smile was bright. His brown eyes were equally so, showing his excitement for his buried dream.
Chen Kai tousled his hair and began to tell him about the stores they could visit before they headed home and about the auction the next day. He showed him the popular fashion and a few designs that matched his bold, simple, low-key demeanor.
The brothers were looking at the ready-to-wear options from Givenchy when Xiao Wei entered.
"It's all settled, Young Masters."
Chen Kai took a look at the paper with XiaoYan's new name. Unexpectedly his emotional state seemed fragile at that moment. The slight stinging in his eyes was hard to hold on to. He glanced at the kid who was looking at it also. He saw the pleased smile on his face and the trembling brown eyes.
This new name meant a lot to both Vance and 'XiaoYan'.
If he had to guess, the last fragment of the past XiaoYan had let go of this world completely at that moment.
He returned his gaze to the paper.
"It looks good," he said after clearing the sob that was lodged in his throat.
"Chen Yan."
[Congratulations host on reuniting with your family from Star B5014 and establishing a new home. A valuable thing about retirement is spending time and reconnecting with family. You've been rewarded Tiaxin Equestrian Hall, one Pure-bred Fressian, and one Pure-bred Andalusian.]
Those two.
Those two horses suited both him and XiaoYan in temperament. Their favorite pastimes were riding and racing across their land. They can do that once again.
He laughed softly at the gifts given in reward form.
"How about we go horse riding the day after tomorrow?" he asked his brother.
The childlike excitement couldn't be missed. "Yes!"
Another step in his retirement.
Hmmm, those people have been quiet lately.