The three swiftly facilitated preparations in the capital, with Pan Yicheng even preparing special contracts for the two.
Excited, Chu Qianli brought the contract home, showing it off to He Shichen immediately, proving she had gained university admission based on her abilities. The contract specified lowered admission requirements, project details, basic salary, and personal insurance, requiring signatures from both students and parents. Naturally, it also included penalties for breach of contract.
He Shichen frowned slightly, examining the contract thoroughly to confirm it was an official document. Surprised, he asked, “So under which category of special talent were you admitted?”
He had helped her fill out her résumé but found the situation absurd. Surely there wasn’t a category for metaphysics?
“Classical Chinese studies, do you understand that?” Chu Qianli declared proudly. “Brother, you’d better show me some respect from now on. Don’t think earning a bit of money makes you impressive. I’m going to be a professor of classical Chinese studies in the future!”
He Shichen was speechless. “Even with a special admission, there’s still a minimum score requirement. Are you taking out a loan to become a professor now?”
“Ugh, I’m not wasting time talking to you capitalists. Our outlooks are worlds apart! Vision! Understand?”
“…”
Chu Qianli nearly started citing the ancient social hierarchy of “scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants,” ready to push He Shichen to the bottom of the family food chain.
Yu Shen and He Zhenghe, however, had no objections. They enthusiastically praised Chu Qianli. As long as their daughter had a good school to attend and was willing to study and further her education, it was progress compared to before, and they felt they couldn’t demand more.
He Shichen realized that Chu Qianli must have been crushed by academics recently. Now, rebounding from rock bottom, she had grown increasingly brazen. Ever since she received the special talent contract, she had been acting more and more unrestrained at home.
Chu Qianli used to idly cast divinations when bored, and He Shichen would yell at her to get back to studying. Now, she had no fear at all and brazenly cast divinations, read leisure books, and played with her compass right under his nose.
When faced with He Shichen’s furious glare, she remained defiant, raising her chin and declaring, “What are you looking at? This is research on classical Chinese studies! If you delay my contributions to the nation’s progress, can you bear the responsibility?”
He Shichen clenched his fists. “…Who taught you all these high-sounding excuses?”
In the past, Chu Qianli’s divination was labeled as unproductive, but now she had a grand justification. Anyone who tried to stop her from casting divinations was accused of obstructing socialist development.
She was already this bold with just one contract in hand. What would happen if she ever managed to pass the civil service exam?
He Shichen could already imagine the future: if she succeeded, any criticism from him would be met with accusations of “insulting a public servant,” instantly escalating the situation to a whole new level.
Recognized as a national talent, Chu Qianli had been particularly arrogant at home recently. Before leaving for her new destination, she frequently took every opportunity to humble her brother.
In the past, He Shichen had legitimate reasons to lecture her, but now he could only swallow his anger—after all, she was technically doing something productive.
However, his patience was clearly limited. It wasn’t long before her antics gave him a headache, and he snapped, “When are you finally leaving to serve the country? Can I just pack you up and mail you directly to the state?!”
He felt the household couldn’t contain her anymore. Only Motherland had the patience to deal with her.
At the Tan family home, the news of Tan Muxing’s decision left everyone surprised, but they still signed the necessary forms for him.
Tan Muxing had explained the special talent program to his parents, and afterward, he made a special trip to the old family courtyard to pack up his belongings for the upcoming trip.
In the courtyard, two elderly figures—his grandparents—were chatting. Tan Qiyu was teasing a caged bird, while Yin Yin sat under the eaves, leisurely fanning herself.
Tan Qiyu sighed helplessly, “I asked around with the local religious association. They said the program involves tough conditions in that area, and nearly every household has its own religious faith. Isn’t Star uninterested in all this? Why bother going?”
Yin Yin replied, “If he wants to go, let him. His parents didn’t stop him, so why are you so anxious?”
“Ha! You’re one to talk about being anxious. Who was it that kept sending cars to check on the kids?” Tan Qiyu laughed. “You used to say Star had no initiative and worried he’d suffer losses. Now you don’t bring that up anymore?”
Yin Yin playfully raised her fan as if to hit him, making him step back instinctively.
Tan Qiyu hurriedly said, “Don’t get excited—you’ll scare the bird!”
“Well, Star did lack initiative before, so of course, I worried he’d get taken advantage of. Remember when we took the kids out? Every time we asked what he wanted to eat, even if he had an opinion, he wouldn’t say anything. In the end, he just went along with what his siblings wanted…” Yin Yin sighed. “When other kids came over and asked for his toys, he actually gave them away. Later, we bought him new ones, but I knew he still missed the old ones.”
“But he wouldn’t say anything or refuse anyone. What could you do?”
Tan Muxing had always been soft-spoken and overly accommodating, to the point that when he once clashed with Wang Zheng and his parents were called in by the school, the family was delighted and applauded him for standing up for himself.
The family had thought he wouldn’t change—that he might attend a decent school, find a job that suited his interests after graduation, or even not work at all and just drift through life. But now, for the first time, he had actively expressed a desire to do something.
Yin Yin remarked, “Now I’ve realized that just because someone is easygoing doesn’t mean they lack resolve. It’s just that they haven’t been pushed to their limit. They don’t want to argue with people unnecessarily. But if they’re bullied too much, even a rabbit will bite when cornered.”
“For the first time, he’s expressed a desire to do something, even disregarding the family’s potential opposition. That means he sees this as a serious matter, and no amount of persuasion will change his mind.” Yin Yin looked toward Tan Muxing’s window and calmly said, “The more agreeable someone is in normal times, the more unyielding they become in situations like this. He definitely won’t change his decision.”
Inside the room, Tan Muxing looked at the Fool card inside the picture frame. After standing still in thought for a moment, he took it out, placed it carefully in a plastic folder, and planned to bring it along with his luggage.
He wasn’t sure how he could help her, but at the very least, he wouldn’t leave her side for the next two or three years.
Sakura set out on an adventure to collect the Clow Cards, but Tomoyo accompanied her simply because she didn’t need a reason to stay.
The project preparations concluded quickly. Chu Qianli and Tan Muxing presented their contracts to the school, who readily approved their leave and provided them with a batch of study materials. They would need to travel back and forth to different locations. When in Beijing, they could attend school as usual, but during the project, they would have to study independently. Fortunately, twelfth grade mainly focused on reviewing and doing practice exams instead of learning new material.
The project team, led by Pan Yicheng, included members from the Religious Association assigned according to sects or temples. However, Chu Qianli and Tan Muxing were the only two students working directly under Professor Pan.
This arrangement had its benefits. The three-person team operated more casually, with the high school students occasionally joking around with the professor. Their dynamic resembled that of a teacher guiding students through a project rather than a strict hierarchy.
At the airport, the three were at the counter checking in their luggage when they were unexpectedly asked if they wanted to upgrade their seats.
Tan Muxing, unsure, pointed to himself in confusion and asked, “Are you asking me?”
The staff member smiled and nodded, explaining that it was a special membership service.
Pan Yicheng was astonished. “How do you have mileage points?”
It sounded absurd since Tan Muxing typically flew privately and wouldn’t have membership services.
Chu Qianli muttered incredulously, “Turns out, as long as you’re rich, the world is this friendly.”
Tan Muxing blushed slightly and stammered, “…Should we upgrade? They said it’s for all three of us.”
“No, no, no, don’t make trouble! Security checks have been really strict lately!” Pan Yicheng waved his hand urgently. “If I just got off a plane and was flagged for this, it would be pretty awkward.”
Chu Qianli asked, “Not even if it’s a free upgrade? What if we pay ourselves?”
“No, no,” Pan Yicheng insisted. “Even if you pay, people might still gossip. If it were a personal trip, it’d be fine, but if it’s a work-related trip, even spending your own money could cause backlash…”
Chu Qianli and Tan Muxing were surprised by Professor Pan’s caution and admired his strict self-discipline. In the end, they obediently followed his lead and stuck to business class.
Pan Yicheng, worried they might have complaints, was relieved to see they didn’t mind. Chu Qianli, though sharp-tongued, had lived in rural areas and could adapt anywhere. Meanwhile, Tan Muxing was naturally low-key and never protested against any arrangements.
After boarding, the three settled into their seats.
As expected of a university professor, Pan Yicheng highly praised the two students accompanying him. “Impressive! You both have such high levels of awareness.”
“All for the people,” Chu Qianli replied with mock solemnity.
Once the plane took off, Pan Yicheng began reviewing documents during the flight and explained the local situation to the students. He kindly outlined the upcoming work process.
“We don’t have much to do when we arrive today—just attend a welcoming ceremony. In a few days, we might need to take a car into the mountains. That area can’t be reached directly by plane, so the drive will be quite long…”
Chu Qianli asked, “Just the three of us?”
“No, no. There are already some people there, and members of the Religious Association will join us in the next day or two. We’ll travel with the main group,” Pan Yicheng explained. “You two can stay with me; it’ll keep things simple and ensure we can look out for each other!”
This project required work in multiple locations, often far apart. Considering their young age, Pan Yicheng thought it best for the two students to remain with him rather than interact with too many outsiders.
Looking at the spread-out documents, Tan Muxing asked curiously, “Professor Pan, do the locals practice religion?”
Pan Yicheng hesitated briefly before explaining, “Well, calling it religion isn’t entirely accurate. The area has a strong Shamanic culture. Some scholars in our country consider Shamanism a primitive religion, but foreign scholars argue it’s not a religion at all. It has no formal doctrines and wasn’t created by a single individual, unlike Buddhism or Christianity…”
“It’s based on nature worship, the belief that everything has a spirit. This belief system has had a global influence. Some even see it as merely a form of witchcraft,” Pan Yicheng added with a laugh. “In the 19th century, some Shamanic followers, fearing persecution by other religions, insisted their practices were personal and not religious.”
Chu Qianli clicked her tongue. “Look at these people. Believers fighting non-believers, and believers fighting each other too.”
Tan Muxing remarked, “…What a chaotic circle.”
Pan Yicheng nodded. “Folk practices like chuma xian (spirit mediums) and baojia xian (guardian spirits) are influenced by Shamanic culture. However, the region we’re visiting is relatively pure. Even within a thousand kilometers, their beliefs might differ. Shamanism is polytheistic—those living by the mountains worship mountain gods, those near forests worship tree gods. The objects of worship are incredibly diverse.”
“That’s one of the challenges of the project. Unlike Buddhism or Taoism, which have structured systems, Shamanic culture changes with the environment. It depends heavily on what the local people rely on for survival. In some places, there aren’t even designated priests—it’s entirely folk-based.”
The plane landed slowly, and the three met their guide at the airport. After a long car ride, they finally arrived at the remote base camp. This wasn’t even the actual work site, just a resting station. In a couple of days, they would have to continue traveling by car.
Chu Qianli had been full of energy when they boarded the plane, but after the flight and the bumpy journey, she was dizzy and nauseous, wishing she could collapse by the roadside and vomit. She groaned, “These points are so hard to earn…”
Tan Muxing, worried, stood nearby and handed her a bottle of purified water.
Pan Yicheng reassured her, “Hang in there. We’ll make a brief appearance at the welcome banquet, then you can go rest. It’s not good to leave the group right after arriving. Just check in with everyone, and we’ll head back.”
Chu Qianli gulped down the water, finally catching her breath. She followed Pan Yicheng and Tan Muxing to the welcome banquet.
The night was pitch black, and the grasslands were devoid of light. Looking out, nothing was visible.
But inside the yurts, it was brightly lit. Shadows moved within as people sang and danced. Many performers dressed in traditional ethnic costumes entertained the guests.
Chu Qianli and Tan Muxing had no idea where they had been taken by car. They didn’t even have time to open an online map to check their location. They could only follow Pan Yicheng closely, navigating through the crowd of unfamiliar faces.
“I’ll introduce you to some people,” Pan Yicheng explained. “You can grab a bit to eat, or take it back to the room if you prefer. If you’re missing anything, let me know.”
Chu Qianli glanced around, taking in the assortment of local delicacies on the tables. The ingredients weren’t particularly expensive, but the dishes had an authentic, distinctive charm.
“Old Zhou! Old Zhou!” Pan Yicheng waved toward someone in the crowd. An older man stood up and slowly made his way over. He appeared to be one of the leaders in the group.
“Just arrived?” Zhou Qu exchanged a few pleasantries with Pan Yicheng before noticing the two behind him. With a puzzled expression, he asked, “And these are…?”
“My team members,” Pan Yicheng introduced. “This is Chu Qianli, and this is Tan Muxing.”
Chu Qianli and Tan Muxing politely greeted him.
“These are the two you specifically asked me to approve?” Zhou Qu frowned in disapproval. “You’ve got some nerve bringing kids out here.”
While Zhou Qu didn’t outright question their competence, his tone implied skepticism about their ability to handle the hardships. At worst, he might even suspect they were taking advantage of the reduced-score policy.
Pan Yicheng gave Zhou Qu a hearty slap on the back. “Enough already. I’m a university professor. If I’m forming a team, who else would I bring but students?”
The conversation between Pan Yicheng and Zhou Qu didn’t last long, as Zhou Qu needed to mingle with local leaders. He soon returned to his table.
After Zhou Qu left, Pan Yicheng, worried the two might feel disheartened, reassured them kindly, “Don’t take his words to heart. That’s just his grumpy nature. He’s just a poor soul who can’t even get upgraded to first class and spends a whole year here eating dirt while earning less than he would outside!”
Chu Qianli whispered, “…When you put it like that, it’s hard to take him seriously.”
“If you can’t reach me while we’re at the base, you can go to him as a last resort. He won’t ignore you,” Pan Yicheng said. “But since it’s just the three of us, we shouldn’t get separated.”
By now, Chu Qianli had recovered from the nausea she felt after the long journey. Instead of leaving right away, she and Tan Muxing stayed with Pan Yicheng. They watched the local folk performances and enjoyed the roasted meat on the table.
The female dancers, dressed in brightly colored costumes, swayed gracefully as their waist bells jingled crisply in time with the drumbeat. They spun around the floor, creating a captivating spectacle. Meanwhile, the male dancers were equally enthusiastic, mimicking tigers one moment and bears the next, vividly portraying various animals.
Pan Yicheng smiled and explained, “Animal worship is also a form of nature worship. They also have totem worship, which is reflected in their costumes and dance props.”
Tan Muxing nodded in semi-understanding, while Chu Qianli focused on eating heartily.
As the dance reached its climax, the dancers began moving off the stage, inviting the guests to join them in celebrating the wonderful evening together.
The dancers formed two lines, spreading out on either side as they approached the seated guests, leaving no one, not even Zhou Qu, untouched.
Zhou Qu couldn’t politely refuse this local tradition. Respecting the local customs, he reluctantly joined in and performed a couple of stiff, awkward moves before hastily retreating back to his seat, relieved to have completed the task.
Seeing the dancers approaching, Chu Qianli panicked and said, “Wait, does this mean everyone has to get up and dance?”
This was the ultimate socially awkward scenario for city folk and a nightmare for anyone with social anxiety!
“No way… Professor—” Tan Muxing turned to look for Pan Yicheng, nervously asking, “Where is Professor Pan? He was just here a moment ago.”
A moment ago, Pan Yicheng had been sitting next to them, providing commentary. Now his seat was completely empty, and he was nowhere to be found.
“He knows so much about local culture. He must have sensed trouble coming and bolted!” Chu Qianli exclaimed in shock. “He just said we wouldn’t be separated, but he abandoned us the moment dancing came up!?”
Tan Muxing: “…”
Pan Yicheng, who had confidently declared that splitting up wasn’t allowed, had spotted the communal dancing—the ultimate social death scenario—and decisively sold out his teammates without hesitation.
