You're dumping me, huh? Fine, then I'll just pick up the school beauty and make her my wif

A sentence without any beginning or end.

But Jiang Che understood.

He wasn't pretending to be stupid, nor did he need to. "Hmm."

Jiang Che nodded and honestly admitted, "My sister told me everything."

"I think so too."

Liu Zhenguo wasn't angry. Instead, he chuckled and said, "That girl from the Bai family looks composed, but she's actually quite talkative in private."

He slowly opened his eyes and turned his head to look at Jiang Che.

In that instant, Jiang Che clearly felt that Liu Zhenguo's amiable, neighborly uncle vibe had faded somewhat.

Instead, it is replaced by a sense of scrutiny from someone who has long held a superior position.

Although it wasn't very intense, Jiang Che still felt some pressure.

"Aren't you nervous at all?"

Liu Zhenguo asked with great interest, "Now that you know who I am, you can still joke around with me like this?"

If it were an ordinary young person, even a rich second-generation heir with some family background, they would either be extremely respectful or so reserved as to not know where to put their hands and feet after learning his identity.

But this kid, from morning until now, except for a moment of surprise when he saw the car, has been like a silly boy the whole time, just chuckling to himself.

"nervous?"

Jiang Che shrugged, looking completely unfazed. "So what if you have a high status? Aren't we just neighbors living in the same community now?"

"Besides, I'm just an ordinary citizen. I haven't broken the law or done anything wrong, so why should I be afraid of you?"

He genuinely didn't feel there was anything to be afraid of.

There was another reason he didn't mention: his grandfather was Liu Zhenguo's superior. As the grandson of Liu Zhenguo's former superior, even if he offended Liu Zhenguo, he certainly wouldn't be blamed.

That's his greatest source of confidence.

Liu Zhenguo was surprised by Jiang Che's answer. After a moment of surprise, the smile in his eyes deepened.

"Ha ha ha ha."

Liu Zhenguo laughed heartily and patted Jiang Che's knee. "Good lad, you have a good attitude."

"I've heard that old man talk about his grandson all the time before, and today I'm so glad to finally see you."

"I must say, you really do take after him in terms of personality."

Jiang Che was stunned for a moment. The old man?

Although my cousin had previously mentioned that Uncle Liu was my grandfather's old subordinate, judging from the words and tone of her speech, the two seem to have a rather close personal relationship.

"You mean...my grandfather?" Jiang Che asked tentatively.

"Who else could it be?"

Liu Zhenguo sighed, his expression turning nostalgic. "Your grandfather, Jiang Zhenshan, was my old superior."

"When I was serving under him, I wasn't even as old as you."

As he spoke, he looked Jiang Che up and down, as if he were looking through him at Jiang Zhenshan's shadow.

He then smiled and shook his head, "I'd heard long ago that Old Jiang has a grandson studying in Lincheng, but I'd never had a chance to meet him. I never expected to run into him just by going for a run downstairs."

Jiang Che was also a little dumbfounded. He hadn't expected to run into the military region commander-in-chief while just going for a run.

However, since we're all acquaintances, it's easier to talk to each other.

"That's truly a case of the flood washing away the Dragon King's temple; even family members don't recognize each other anymore."

Jiang Che seized the opportunity and said, "Grandpa Liu, you'll have to put in a lot of effort to help me with my running from now on."

He cleverly changed the way he was addressed from "Uncle" to "Grandpa Liu".

On the surface, it may seem like nothing, but this simple little change has brought Jiang Che and Liu Zhenguo closer together.

The soldier driving in the front seat couldn't help but glance at Jiang Che a couple more times in the rearview mirror.

No wonder the commander was so interested in this kid; he's meticulous and bold, a promising talent.

Liu Zhenguo was taken aback by being called "Grandpa Liu," then laughed and scolded, "You're quick to change your tune, aren't you?"

"Alright, stop trying to fool me."

"Want to learn to run?"

Liu Zhenguo's smile faded, and his expression turned slightly serious. "I was a little curious this morning, why aren't you studying at school? What are you doing training for a marathon?"

"I train for marathons to get into university."

Jiang Che answered crisply, without any attempt to conceal anything.

Since the other party has already asked this far, there's no need to hide anything.

Besides, this kind of thing is not a secret in the eyes of someone of Liu Zhenguo's level. A little investigation would reveal the truth.

"Take the college entrance exam?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhenguo frowned slightly, clearly not expecting this answer.

"Are you a sports student?"

"No, I'm a liberal arts student," Jiang Che replied, shaking his head.

"Then why the hell are you training for a marathon?"

Liu Zhenguo frowned even more, his tone tinged with confusion, "Why aren't you studying your academic subjects at this time? What are you doing practicing sports? Isn't that like picking up a sesame seed and losing a watermelon?"

In his view, ordinary students, when they reach the crucial stage of their senior year of high school, wish they could stretch every minute into two and use it for studying.

This kid is doing the opposite, which is really puzzling.

Jiang Che leaned back in his chair. "Because I want to get into Peking University."

"Kyoto University?"

Liu Zhenguo snorted, "That's one of the top universities in the country. Do you think you can just run around and get in?"

That's why I'm participating in this winter marathon.

Jiang Che originally thought that Liu Zhenguo knew about the special admissions to Peking University, but judging from the old man's appearance, he probably hadn't paid attention to it.

So he patiently explained to Liu Zhenguo, "Grandpa Liu, the top three in this competition have the qualification for special sports admission to Peking University. As long as I get this qualification and pass the special admission exam of Peking University, the score requirement for the college entrance examination will be lowered significantly."

Jiang Che shrugged and smiled self-deprecatingly. "I told you before, I'm not cut out for studying. With my current grades, getting into Peking University is just a pipe dream."

"But if I can lower it by a hundred or two hundred points, then with some effort, I still have a chance."

After listening, Liu Zhenguo remained silent for a few seconds, then turned to look at the rapidly receding street scene outside the window, seemingly deep in thought.

After a moment, he slowly asked, "Is it really worth going to such lengths for a university degree?"

Liu Zhenguo withdrew his gaze and re-examined the young man in front of him. "Although Peking University is good, it is not the only way out. With your family background, even if you don't go to Peking University, you will definitely not starve in the future."

He knew Jiang Che's family background well. Jiang Zhenshan's grandson could live a more comfortable life than 99% of the people in the world, even if he just lived off his family's wealth.

Moreover, their family has a considerable business empire and is very wealthy, so why should this child suffer like this?

The full marathon, at 42.195 kilometers, is a challenge to the limits of human endurance.

For someone without professional training to get into the top three, let alone whether they can do it, is practically risking their life.

"As for..."

Jiang Che uttered those two words with unwavering certainty.

The image of Su Qinghe's serene face appeared in his mind, and his gaze softened unconsciously. "Because she's going."