Chapter 43

Chapter 43

"What’s the meaning of this? Put your shoes on immediately." The principal had completely thought that these students were pulling a stunt, and he came over in large strides, shouting angrily.

"Why imitate the Japanese instead of better role models? If word gets out, the school's reputation will suffer."

The principal was muttering under his breath that these students must be out of their minds when he saw a few of them with red noses.

Two streams of blood flowed out of the nostrils, and a drop of blood fell on the new pair of shoes in their hands; a crimson stain spread across the shoe.

"Ah—I've got a nosebleed!"

Those few students let out terrified screams.

Every single one of them was exactly the students who, upon learning that the new shoes contained a two-inch photo of Han Ye's birth date and time, gleefully jumped around in the cafeteria instead.

Had they not known, it might have been okay, but knowing and still stepping recklessly makes them accomplices in harming others, even if it's just a small fraction.

How could they not get sick?

That’s humanity for you.

Wu Heng knew very well that there aren’t so many pure-hearted people in this world; there are more onlookers, and even some who want to stir up trouble.

When Wu Heng said that everyone who wore those shoes today would get sick, sneezes rang out among the students taking off their shoes.

"Sneezing? What's going on?" The principal was helping a student stop the nosebleed when he saw them all sneeze, and he had a sinking feeling.

It couldn’t already be the flu, could it?

One barefoot girl sneezed and burst into tears: "Principal, we've been harmed by these shoes, Achoo—"

The principal looked baffled.

Shoes? What shoes? Now they're acting insane?

At this moment, quite a few rich young masters and misses wearing new shoes sneezed out of nowhere, gradually feeling cold, and cold symptoms were setting in.

People are funny that way; they keep their distance until it affects them, but once it involves their own interests, they raise hell.

"What the heck? I happily bought a new pair of shoes, and now this happens? I have an important exam this afternoon! How am I supposed to participate?"

"I sneezed just now, and after checking my temperature, I started having a low fever. Haha. You guys do whatever evil things you want, but why involve us innocent consumers? I'm scared just looking at these shoes now."

"I spent eight thousand yuan on a pair of shoes, and ended up getting sick? Are consumers suckers? Should we suffer such misfortunes?"

"Return! Refund! We must be compensated for mental distress!"

"I simply supported domestic shoes, I would buy even at high prices, and this is how you respect us? Are we your tools? Am I so inexplicably harming others? If this person dies, does it count me as part of it too? Yang Shoes, you're worse than beasts!"

"..."

Now it's good, the anger has reached its peak!

Some rich kids usually don't watch live broadcasts, they only came in through links shared by friends, and they got angry enough to start ranting in the chat.

It was supposed to be a personal dispute between roommates, but now it has escalated.

Consumers who can afford these shoes are at least middle-class in the country, and a large number of them are rich second-generation. These people aren't used to being treated this way.

This operation set off a firestorm, directly trending on public opinion search and causing Yang Shoes' stock to fluctuate.

Han Ye watched as two roommates trying on new shoes sneezed several times in a row, then turned around and hit Yang Zhiyuan hard on the face: "Are you crazy? If you're going to mess with me, do it directly. Why drag so many people into this? And you're the son of a shoe magnate!"

"This is a risk-sharing strategy his dad taught him," Wu Heng laughed, "After all, his father didn't go to college but found another way to study. The guy he hired knows a bit about underworld rules, but the purpose was achieved in the end, wasn't it?"

Han Ye was stunned, the alumni watching from outside were shocked, even the netizens in the live broadcast room were dumbfounded.

"Wow, Dr. Wu dropped some serious info! So this is how the shoe magnate Yang Xing personally taught his son to operate? I thought a rich kid couldn't pull something like this alone, so it was the father's instruction?"

"Wow, really impressive, this is what Mr. Yang taught?? Risk sharing, my grandpa, I bought your shoes to support you, and you dragged me in to share the blame of being a murderer? I'm almost having a hypertensive crisis!"

"Didn't go to college? Is Dr. Wu wrong? The son is a student at Capital City Medical University, but Mr. Yang himself is a graduate of Capital City Science and Technology University, you can look it up online. How could he not have gone to university?"

"Yang Shoes dragged me into it, making me get involved in a murder case. You'll regret this."

A group of rich second-generation were fuming. They just bought shoes and became targets, becoming part of the denominator of murderers.

Can they swallow this breath? Not retaliating would be unworthy of their family background!

While sneezing, a group of rich second-generation called their parents and dramatized the situation.

Rich families instead believe more in superstition. Hearing their sons and daughters crying about suffering an unexpected disaster, how could they sit still?

A wealthy socialite directly sent ten Carnival gifts to Wu Heng and asked: "Hey streamer, are we really screwed? I am a good citizen, this is too unjust."

Wu Heng reassured: "Calm down."

"The underworld doesn't recognize this 'risk sharing' nonsense. Whoever causes the calamity will bear the responsibility. Even if you unknowingly contribute to Han Ye's death, the account will only be settled on their heads. At most, you will suffer some weird illnesses as punishment."

"You just received the shoes today and haven't worn them for long. Ginger tea should clear it up, no big deal."

There are many people pretending to know about the spirit world, but few Taoist priests deeply understand the laws of the underworld. Each one takes risks with reckless thinking, only realizing the consequences when they are reckoned with.

Do they actually believe they can share the blame? By dragging 5,000 innocent people into this mess, they have added another major sin to themselves!

Wu Heng couldn't help but pat the white snake's head and sighed deeply: "You should read more books in the future, otherwise you're just half-baked."

White Snake: "?"

We're all the same, none of us even have a primary school diploma.

"I see, it won't really count on me, that's good. I'll go cook some ginger soup."

"Thank you, Dr. Wu. I'll apply for a return and refund."

In the barrage, a group of rich second-generation netizens felt relieved. In the lens, Yang Zhiyuan, who was pinned to the ground by Han Ye, cursed: "What nonsense! Ordinary colds are considered weird illnesses? Are all sick and disabled patients committing sins in their past or present lives?"

Fan Xuan immediately scolded while holding the phone for live streaming: "Yang Zhiyuan, don't blow things out of proportion!"

Fan Xuan heard that Yang Zhiyuan was deliberately doing this, intentionally dragging more people into it.

How many patients are there in this world? Yang Zhiyuan wants Dr. Wu Heng to offend the entire patient community!

No matter what, a victim of a car accident would find it hard to accept that the reason for the accident was due to sins committed. Once Dr. Wu Heng falls into this trap, who would still come to him for online diagnosis? The live stream will be banned!

Wu Heng didn’t take the bait from Yang Zhiyuan but smiled faintly and said, "I’m not going to speculate about others’ crimes, but your dad, Yang Xing, ended up in a wheelchair because of something he did wrong."

"Hold up, what’s he talking about? Did Yang Xing mess up somewhere along the line?"

"Mr. Yang is just an ordinary person who, after a youth accident left him in a wheelchair, did not give up on life. He started from scratch and became a shoe king in China. How inspiring!"

"Mr. Yang has always played the role of an inspirational leader. I don't believe it."

Wu Heng looked at the furious Yang Zhiyuan and casually reminded him, "Tell your father to remember to send someone else’s admission notice back to them. That person has waited for this letter by the river for decades."

In an instant, the entire live-stream chat was filled with exclamation marks and question marks.

There was meaning behind these words.

"Wow, isn't today's drama too much? I can hardly digest it all."

"What does it mean? Are you saying that Yang Xing took someone else's university admission notice and then smoothly used the diploma to start his business, which led to his current brilliant career?"

"My goodness, Doctor Wu mentioned that someone waited for this admission notice by the river... so did someone jump into the river because of this? If it's true, that's really a great sin!"

"In fact, I've never liked Yang Shoes very much, but I like the super-inspiring Mr. Yang. I've always bought his shoes as merchandise, but now my trust is shattered?"

"Isn't this stealing someone else's life? A college student from decades ago, from Capital City Science and Technology University—this degree carries much more value than it does now."

"What a load of crap! My family will sue you for defamation!" Fuming, Yang Zhiyuan shoved the already uncomfortable Han Ye out of the way, rushed forward, ripped the phone out of Fan Xuan's hands, and smashed it to pieces.

Instantly, the live stream went black.

The call ended.

Wu Heng shrugged, "See, they freaked out."

Yang Xing floated over, bringing his deathly pale face close, curious and asked, 'Did I hear you say my name earlier?'

A nagging sense of unease crept over him, remembering what Wu Heng had revealed during the broadcast, seemingly understanding something. His eyes flared with anger, but just as the resentment was about to surge, he heard Wu Heng's voice, snapping him back to reality.

Wu Heng didn't answer but instead asked, "If you had another shot at taking the test, do you think you could get the admission notice this time?"

Yang Xing couldn't guarantee anything else, but when it came to his obsession, he was filled with determination and promised while patting his chest soaked with water: 'No doubt about it!'

Wu Heng nodded, took out his phone, and sent a WeChat message to Shi Xuan.

"Baby Heng Heng: Good friend, are you busy with school? If you have time, could you help me put together a full set of college entrance exam questions totaling 180 points?"

"SX: Not busy, I'll send it to you when I get home tonight."

After finishing this WeChat message, Shi Xuan calmly picked up his pen and faced the mountain of test papers on the table.

Wu Heng stood up, took a white candle from the pharmacy counter, and smilingly instructed the small gray snake, “Xi Xi, light it at the flower bed by the door at eight o'clock in the evening.”

The small gray snake didn't understand but obediently nodded, 'Got it, Godfather.'

-

Han Ye completely broke off relations with his three roommates and temporarily moved to Fan Xuan's dormitory.

"My height finally leveled off at 168 centimeters."

Han Ye sighed in relief. Between last night and this afternoon, I lost seven whole centimeters, but after Wu Heng went live, it seems like buyers stopped wearing the shoes after hearing the news. This afternoon, I only dropped one centimeter and then stabilized completely.

Yang Shoes immediately stated that the new shoes had a defect caused by temp workers. They're recalling the defective pairs and offering refunds or replacements, and they apologized to Han Ye.

The rich second-generation kid who's feeling under the weather wouldn't let the Yang family off. They were finding fault, and someone was already investigating the incident of Yang Xing's enrollment years ago. Even #Capital City Science and Technology University# made it to the top of the hot search list.

Han Ye looked at the value stuck on the tape measure and muttered unhappily, "Am I going to be stuck at this height forever?"

How did a guy who was once 1.8 meters end up like this? Although his parents, who had already arrived at school, said that as long as he was healthy, height didn't matter, Han Ye couldn't get past this mental block.

Fan Xuan tried to console him: "Dr. Wu isn't that kind of person; he will definitely cure you within these two days at the latest."

"I hope so, but I'll rest for a bit first." Han Ye wasn't very confident.

Han Ye drifted off to sleep while lying on the bed. He dimly made out a faint light ahead that reminded him of the light Aunt Wang Mei mentioned in short videos. He followed the light, pushed the door open, and went inside. The bright white light was so intense he had to squint and close his eyes.

After adapting, Han Ye slowly opened his eyes and blankly stared at some words written on the blackboard with chalk - "Underworld Comprehensive College Entrance Examination".

Exam time: 20:30-24:00

Han Ye thought, 'What?'

What’s going on?

Han Ye rubbed his eyes, almost thinking his eyesight was bad. Does the underworld also have a college entrance exam? He just finished taking the exam, why does he have to take it again?

Han Ye internally griped. When he turned around, he saw Yang Zhiyuan and his father Yang Xing sitting in a wheelchair, and a gray shadow with bloodshot eyes floating in the air staring straight at the person in the wheelchair.

"Welcome to the examination room. Please go through security before taking your seat. This is the first comprehensive college entrance examination of the Underworld: A paper 100 + B paper 80, bonus question 5, total 185 cm."

'Underworld college entrance exam has a total score of 185 points... wait a minute, 185 cm?' Han Ye's eyes suddenly widened. 'If I get full marks, can you cure me, Dr. Wu, and make me grow to 185?'

According to genetics, Han Ye was very satisfied with his recent height of 1.8 meters, but he never dared to dream of being 1.85.

Yang Zhiyuan and his father remained unmoved, while Wu Heng subtly suggested with a smile: "Considering Mr. Yang hasn’t reviewed for the college entrance exam for many years, to ensure fairness, the father and son can write one set of test papers together and score jointly."

The middle-aged man in the wheelchair showed a slight change in expression: 'Will the scores I get really fall on me? If I get high scores, can I stand up again?'

Wu Heng explained: "I am a shaman doctor. Your illness isn't caused by an accident but by evil deeds—I can treat it."

Mr. Yang was greatly moved in his heart!

At the age of 24, he encountered an accident and since then has been in a wheelchair. Later, the master said that the accident was due to him replacing a student from a remote small village with the same name and surname to attend university, and that student jumped into the river after waiting for the admission notice for many years.

This death was his fault, so the underworld kept it on his record, and that's why he ended up in a wheelchair.

The master said "shoes" are a homophone for evil, to suppress the evil things of those years, he was guided to start a shoe business.

Over the years, he built his business from nothing. Even though he was always the shortest person in the crowd, no one would dare underestimate him. Yang Xing went on to become the Shoe King.

But people who sit in wheelchairs for life will definitely have the dream of standing up, and Mr. Yang Yang Xing is no exception.

After decades of wheelchair life, how much he wanted to stand up again! And the Wu Heng in front of him gave him this opportunity.

This is a huge temptation.

Before his son could object, Mr. Yang couldn't help agreeing immediately: "Let’s do it!"

Mr. Yang may not be good at studies, but his son Yang Zhiyuan is a real talent who genuinely entered Capital City Medical University, with no cheating involved!

Han Ye complained about how the college entrance exam allowed father-son teams and spotted the old admission ticket held by the gray shadow floating in mid-air, which read "Yang Xing."

"Hey, let’s team up as a temporary father-son duo, and we’ll go together!" Han Ye quickly said to Yang Xing.

Yang Xing: ‘?’

Yang Xing was shocked. He died as a 24-year-old young man who had never held a girl's hand, let alone having offspring. Now he was about to retake the college entrance exam and found himself having a godson to take it with.

Yang Xing didn't care about his height; all he cared about was getting that acceptance letter, especially from Capital City Science and Technology University.

"What the heck is going on in this dream?" Principal Li stood in the doorway, looking totally baffled, and asked.

Principal Li's face turned black when he saw Mr. Yang in the wheelchair. He took a step forward: "Yang Xing, is that stuff online actually true?"

This shoe tycoon, Mr. Yang, was an outstanding alumnus of Capital City Science and Technology University, but today there was some massive drama, which made Principal Li nearly pass out when he saw it. The school was also affected.

Alright, Principal Li’s here. Wu Heng clapped his hands: "Everybody, take your seats. We’re about to start the exam."

Perhaps because his spirit had left him, Principal Li dizzily checked the information of the four people and distributed the test papers to them.

Han Ye whispered encouragement: "New godfather, let's ensure 180 cm, strive for 185 cm, Let’s go!"

Yang Xing glared fiercely at the middle-aged man in the wheelchair, turned around and angrily scolded his so-called son of his: "You're such a waste, ace this thing and obtain the acceptance letter! If you don’t get full marks, you will die together with me!"

Han Ye: '...'

Okay, this genius godfather of his is seriously moody.

Although the A paper is out of 100 points, it is easier compared to the B paper, so Dad’s handling it.

Han Ye and Yang Zhiyuan had just come out of the college entrance examination room, so they picked up their pens and answered questions very quickly.

Han Ye was cracking up as he worked through the problems, muttering: "This question gives me 8 cm... no, make that 10 cm right there! I want to be a handsome 185 cm tall man!"

The white snake stood outside the clinic window, enviously watching Han Ye earn height. Its human form was a boy around ten years old, wishing he could grow taller too.

Seeing Wu Heng preparing medicine, the white snake immediately used its tail to wrap around Zhou Yi's leg and dragged him over: "Wu Heng, Zhou Yi just claimed he wants to adopt me as his godson to take the college entrance exam in advance."

Zhou Yi was full of horror: "What? No way! Don’t go spouting nonsense!"

Wu Heng criticized: "Don’t screw up the family tree."

Clearly, the snake had some grasp of human ways.

The night gradually deepened, the clinic was brightly lit, and you could faintly hear the scratch of pens on paper.

*

Yang Zhiyuan’s forehead glistened with sweat. He knew he was dreaming, but he couldn’t snap out of this all-too-real dream.

Out of the four test-takers, Yang Zhiyuan was the one who needed this least.

Yang Xing wanted the acceptance letter, Han Ye wanted to become a 185 cm tall man, his father Mr. Yang wanted to stand up again, while he needed nothing but was forced to participate.

That quack village doctor Wu Heng knew everything, and he even did it intentionally.

"Fine, if we’re testing, let’s do this. There’s no way I’m letting you beat me again, Han Ye."

Candidates answered questions quickly. The questions at the beginning were normal college entrance exam questions, mixed with various subjects, but the questions became increasingly bizarre later.

Fill-in-the-blank question ——

"Yang Xing did not reach the admission line, but he went to Capital City Science and Technology University successfully with ________."

Mr. Yang's hand holding the pen suddenly trembled, and the pen rolled off the desk.

Essay question ——

"Please elaborate in detail how Yang Xing managed to replace the Yang Xing from Hezipo Town to become a student at Capital City Science and Technology University?"

Mr. Yang's face turned extremely pale, and he didn’t know how to answer the twelve-point question.

"After indirectly killing Yang Xing from Hezipo Town, what did Yang Xing do to cover up this dark deed?"

When Mr. Yang saw the last big question, he could no longer control himself. The events of that year flashed back in his mind like a movie rewinding, and he roared: "I did steal someone else's admission notice, but I became a shoe king tycoon on my own! I have that ability, why can't you let go of this after all these years?"

In a fit of rage, Mr. Yang cursed and, unable to control himself, raised his hand to tear up the crumpled exam sheet that was about to reveal his unpleasant past.

However, Wu Heng's laughter came from above: "If you destroy the A paper, you'll only be left with the B paper for 80cm + extra credit questions for 5cm."

Mr. Yang immediately froze at the desk, not daring to tear it anymore.

After all, his being in a wheelchair was already a settled fact. And wouldn’t his only beloved son, Yang Zhiyuan, end up as an 85cm disabled person?

Yang Zhiyuan instantly turned ghostly white with fear.

The two finally realized that this ridiculous underworld college entrance exam was deliberately set up by Wu Heng to torment them! Letting them see these questions one by one, their hearts were tormented.

Han Ye almost burst out laughing nearby; surely Yang Zhiyuan, that little man, now understood the fear of becoming shorter!

Han Ye intentionally gestured at his waist towards Yang Zhiyuan and mouthed the word 'shorty' to him, making Yang Zhiyuan so angry that he shouted: "Dad, don't mess with me!"

"I'll write! I'll write!" Mr. Yang smoothed out the crumpled exam sheet, picked up the pen with trembling hands, and began answering truthfully.

As long as one has a strong enough heart, what are these questions with clear answers? These are free points! He should thank Wu Heng for giving him free points.

Mr. Yang learned from the master that those who dwell in the underworld value promises highly, and once they promise, they must keep their word. Since Wu Heng said he would treat him according to the score after the exam, then he certainly would. He really had a chance to leave the wheelchair and stand up again.

Who’s scared now?!

As the exam bell rang at midnight, all four candidates put down their pens.

The principal of Capital City Science and Technology University took on the job of marking the exams. Looking at the answers written all over the pages, he felt shocked.

"So this is how it is... This is how it is..."

This wasn’t a college entrance exam; it was a scene where criminals confessed their sins!

What kind of outstanding alumni were these? They were once scoundrels who stole others' admission notices!

If his soul hadn't been disembodied, Principal Li might have fainted at his age. Their Capital City Science and Technology University, which had been established for nearly a hundred years, actually boasted about such criminals and took pride in them for years.

Upon reviewing Yang Xing's and Han Ye's test papers, the former's handwriting was neat and full of righteousness, and every word on the exam paper was the blood and tears shed during years of studying hard despite the challenges.

Principal Li seemed to be able to see the scenes decades ago of a young man far away in a remote southwestern village studying hard to get out of the mountains and into his dream university. He studied while sitting on the threshold during farming season, reading books under dim kerosene lamps late at night, and reviewed diligently through hardships.

And Yang Xing's extra credit question was: Why didn't you receive your admission notice back then?

This time it was no longer Yang Xing thinking he answered a simple multiple-choice question wrong and failed, nor was it thinking the mailman missed the address. Instead, it was written clearly but painfully in black ink in shaky handwriting -

"Stolen by others."

Above the four words, there was a dried tear, stained with blood.

Principal Li was utterly crushed by what he saw. This was clearly the outstanding alumnus his school should have had!

Mr. Yang and Yang Zhiyuan didn’t want to see this cheesy emotional moment, kept asking about the total scores.

All they cared about was the result, not the process.

After counting the total score, Principal Li said, “185, both scored 185.”

Yang Zhiyuan’s eyes bugged out. He excitedly leaned on the table and asked loudly, “Did I get a perfect score? Did I tie with Han Ye? Am I not beneath him? Does this mean I’m on his level now?”

Finally, he wasn’t being overshadowed by Han Ye anymore!

Han Ye was pleased with himself and his godfather for getting a perfect score but rolled his eyes.

These two shameless guys sure have thick skin; they spilled everything on those personal questions. They deserved every point.

Wu Heng leaned over to take a look and said, “Looks like your dad messed up his admission number.”

Yang Zhiyuan felt like the sky was falling: “Wait, what was filled out incorrectly?”