Chapter 77

On Friday, Wang Fusheng sat in the classroom again, after being absent for a few days. His sudden appearance did not surprise the others. Since the release of the game "Fate," the number of student absences had noticeably increased.

Some students even made wishes on the forum, hoping to take four days off every month, from Monday to Friday. This drew a lot of attention from other students and alarmed the school's principal, who called these students in for a talk to curb this trend.

"Fusheng, let's go get the money after school and pay you back." According to modern medical standards, even severed limbs can regenerate if you can afford the price. Although Qi Tianyang had several broken ribs and external injuries, he was discharged after a week of treatment.

However, Qi Tianyang's parents were worried about any hidden injuries, so they kept him in the hospital for a few more days. They then took Qi Tianyang out to relax. If it weren't for Fudan being the best university in China and the police informing them that the perpetrator had been severely punished, Qi Tianyang's parents might have transferred him to another school. After all, no matter how good a school is, nothing is more important than their son's life.

So, with this delay, several more days passed. When Qi Tianyang returned to school, Wang Fusheng happened to be on leave. Although Wang Fusheng visited Qi Tianyang several times during this period, he didn't want his parents to know that he had borrowed money for a girl, so they didn't discuss it.

"Haha, you look stronger than before. I'm not short of money now. This is the nutrition fee your parents left for you. Take it and buy something to eat. You can pay me back when you have money." Wang Fusheng smiled and patted Qi Tianyang's shoulder.

"I'll give you half now, and the rest later. I'll treat you to lunch." Although modern medical technology can quickly heal injuries, to avoid any long-term effects, the body needs to be immersed in expensive nutritional fluids to offset the rapid healing. Qi Tianyang's family was not well-off, so they only met the minimum requirements for this therapy. As long as Qi Tianyang eats well, he should be fine. Wang Fusheng naturally knew what this money was for.

When Qi Tianyang learned that Wang Fusheng had fought for him, he realized that Wang Fusheng was not as simple as he seemed. According to a nurse who was present, Wang Fusheng's attack was quite severe. However, Wang Fusheng was unharmed, which made Qi Tianyang think.

However, Qi Tianyang did not pry into the matter and felt even closer to Wang Fusheng. So, when he heard Wang Fusheng's words, he did not act pretentiously.

"Sure, today I'll treat you. You better be prepared." Wang Fusheng said with a smile.

"Don't worry, if we can't pay, we'll just stay and wash dishes at the restaurant." Qi Tianyang also joked.

Although they said they would treat Qi Tianyang, after school, the two of them still headed to the snack street near the school.

"What's wrong?" Wang Fusheng suddenly stopped walking, and Qi Tianyang asked.

"Nothing, I ran into an acquaintance. You go ahead and order the food; I'll be there in a minute." Wang Fusheng patted Qi Tianyang's shoulder and walked towards a small truck nearby.

The snack street near Fudan had many vendors, and business was good. So, it was common to see supply trucks. Although technology was advanced, some small-scale cargo handling still relied on manual labor. A worker with a limp caught Wang Fusheng's attention as he was unloading the truck.

Although modern society was generally respectful of people with disabilities, a limping worker was still quite noticeable. Wang Fusheng couldn't help but look, and this glance made him frown as he walked towards the limping worker.

"Wang Meng?" Wang Fusheng asked hesitantly as he approached.

"Yes. You are... General!" The man called Wang Meng turned around when he heard his name. He was surprised to see Wang Fusheng and his eyes widened in disbelief. The basket of eggs he was carrying fell to the ground, but Wang Fusheng quickly caught it.

"Your leg?" Wang Fusheng frowned, looking at Wang Meng's right leg, a cold light flashing in his eyes. Wang Meng had gone to the African star domain for special training, and Wang Fusheng was his instructor. Compared to the soldiers who died in battle, Wang Meng was lucky. Although his right foot's ligaments were completely torn and the medical conditions at the time were limited, causing a disability, he survived, which was more important than anything.

In the end, Wang Meng chose to retire and return to China. According to the state's compensation standards, even if they couldn't afford to fully treat Wang Meng's injuries, they would provide some basic treatment. Although it wouldn't fully heal, it wouldn't leave him with a limp.

"It's not what you think, General. The higher-ups gave me the compensation I was due. My daughter was sick, and I used the money to pay for her surgery. Besides, my injuries were treated initially, and the only issue is that my walk looks a bit awkward, but there's nothing else wrong." Wang Meng knew Wang Fusheng had misunderstood when he saw the cold light in his eyes.

Wang Fusheng was known for being strict with his subordinates but also for protecting them. Once, a soldier was brutally killed by a group of mercenaries, and Wang Fusheng pursued them across three planets, traveling countless light-years. He didn't stop until he had killed every last one of them, and then he returned with the head of the mercenary leader to honor the fallen soldier.

On the battlefield, Wang Fusheng had seen death and could tolerate soldiers dying due to their own lack of skill or enemy attacks. He could also tolerate various schemes and tricks. However, anyone who dared to brutally kill his soldiers would face relentless retaliation. So, when Wang Fusheng's expression changed, Wang Meng quickly explained to avoid any misunderstanding that might trigger Wang Fusheng's protective instincts.

"Shouldn't the higher-ups have arranged a job for you, given your injuries?" Wang Fusheng's expression softened.

"The higher-ups gave me the compensation, and I didn't want to trouble them further. I can still take care of myself, even with a limp. I can work and support myself." Wang Meng smiled awkwardly. Clearly, a soldier who had survived the chaotic battlefield, even with a disability, had his own pride and did not want to accept charity.

"Are you done with your work? Let's go have a drink." Wang Fusheng shook his head, not saying anything more. He and Wang Meng shared a similar sense of pride, preferring to endure hardship rather than trouble the higher-ups. Otherwise, with Wang Fusheng's status, he wouldn't be a student here.

"Just need to move these things inside." Wang Meng sighed in relief, showing a somewhat simple smile. Although he was 27, older than Wang Fusheng, any soldier who had been trained by Wang Fusheng felt like a new recruit in his presence, regardless of age.

"I'll help you."

"General, why are you here? Are you on a mission?" Wang Meng didn't refuse Wang Fusheng's help but, thinking of Wang Fusheng's status, looked around cautiously and asked.

"I've retired." Wang Fusheng paused, a hint of sadness in his eyes, but quickly composed himself. Although the battlefield was chaotic and dangerous, he was deeply attached to it. It was where his comrades were, and where he had once thought he would spend his life.

Thud! Wang Meng's basket of vegetables fell to the ground, and he looked bewildered. Then, as if remembering something, his bewilderment turned to anger, and he said with fiery eyes, "Is it those bureaucrats? They..."

"Enough, it was my choice. No one could force me. I'm satisfied with my current life." Wang Fusheng glanced at Wang Meng, and the enraged man instantly calmed down.

All soldiers trained by Wang Fusheng considered him a comrade who would face life and death together, and they also held him in high regard. Even after a long time in civilian life, and even after the harsh realities had worn down Wang Meng, Wang Fusheng's words were still orders that could not be disobeyed. This was an instinct deeply ingrained in Wang Meng.

"But, but..."

"Enough, no buts. Let's go have a drink." Wang Fusheng picked up the fallen vegetables, smiled apologetically at the vendor, and patted Wang Meng's shoulder.

"Check the background of that truck vendor." In a car nearby, Wu An watched the scene and said. Zhao Huan, sitting next to Wu An, took a photo of Wang Meng and input it into a device. Within ten seconds, the results came back, and Zhao Huan patted Wu An's shoulder, handing him the device displaying Wang Meng's information.

"A retired soldier from the Wolf Tooth Special Forces!" Wu An's face showed surprise, and then his brows furrowed. The fact that the National Security Agency was monitoring Wang Fusheng, rather than the military, suggested something more was going on. Seeing Wang Fusheng interact with a retired special forces soldier from the Wolf Tooth unit made Wu An's expression serious.

China has three special forces units: Wolf Tooth, Tiger Tooth, and Dragon Tooth. Each unit is composed of elite soldiers, and these units are the goal of all ambitious soldiers.

Wu An, who knew some secrets unknown to others, was aware that the soldiers in these units most wanted to join the legendary Fangya unit. Fangya is not in China but in the chaotic African star domain, a place that serves as a proving ground.

Any soldier who can survive and return from there, even if disabled, is treated with special care. Those who can survive the proving ground and return unscathed become true warlords, with a status far above ordinary soldiers. For example, the instructors of the three special forces units and members of secret teams that handle extremely dangerous missions are all elite soldiers, such as the tyrannosaurus Zhaoyan, who became a legend after returning from Fangya.

Fangya is a shadowy organization, usually hidden, but when it emerges, it brings blood and storm. It is a sharp blade in the hands of the higher-ups, one that cannot be exposed but is the sharpest. This blade is deeply marked by one person, the person all the soldiers who return from the proving ground call "General."

Fangya has been established for ten years, which is not long compared to other special forces units with long histories. However, Fangya's achievements in ten years have made everyone look up in awe.

The General has been with Fangya for five years, and Fangya's current glory can be attributed to his efforts. All soldiers who have undergone Fangya's trials bear the mark of the General in their hearts. This is one of the main reasons for the General's silent retirement, as his existence has made some people wary, even though they know he would never betray the country.

"Organize Wang Meng's information and report it." Wu An, frowning, said after reading Wang Meng's information.

"Wu Team, I know the rules don't allow it, but I'm really curious about Wang Fusheng's background. After all, Wang Meng is a soldier who survived the Fangya trials, even though he is disabled, but..."

"Since you know the rules, don't ask." Wu An glared at Zhao Huan before he could finish, and Zhao Huan, wanting to say something, finally closed his mouth in frustration.