C22 Visit

Early the next morning, Chu Sixue's parents hurried to the Senior University, only to find themselves waiting outside the still-closed gates.

"Mom, did my sister really come to a Senior University? Why does it look so well-maintained? Look inside, it's practically deserted except for a few elderly folks. Can they really be paying salaries as high as 8,000 yuan?" Chu Qiao peered inside, expecting to see elderly people on benches or in wheelchairs, with his sister bustling about, caring for them.

By seven or eight o'clock, there was still no sign of anyone. Could something have gone wrong?

Zhang Xiang, his mother, was growing frantic. "Where exactly is our daughter staying? This place seems so well-developed, even better than some prestigious universities. Why would they invest so much in this facility? I hope this isn't someplace we shouldn't be."

A mother's worry for her child is natural, and upon learning her daughter had come here, she had rushed over with the others, only to find the place eerily quiet and empty, leaving her feeling helpless.

Unsure of what to do and fearing she was in a nightmare, she worried her daughter might be involved in something unsavory. After all, her daughter was a beautiful college student, which could attract unwanted attention. Perhaps they should have looked inside first, fearing someone might harbor bad intentions.

"You guys might want to hold off on panicking. Let's just call my sister first. She's the one we're talking about, and I'm sure there's no issue," Chu Qiao suggested.

She understood her sister well, knowing her to be a person of strong moral fiber. If asked to engage in anything illegal or unethical, she would not only refuse but likely report it.

Her actions spoke of confidence, but their parents' anxiety was troubling.

"It might be best to call my sister before we jump to any conclusions. If we're causing a scene here, it could upset her. Don't you think?" Chu Qiao added.

Chu Hee, the family patriarch, stepped forward and adjusted his glasses, surveying the scene inside.

"In light of what we're seeing, the school itself doesn't seem to have any issues. The real question is why, at this hour, there aren't more elderly people up and about for their morning exercise. Normally, you'd expect them to be out doing their routines or practicing Tai Chi by now. The absence of people is concerning; there's definitely something amiss," he murmured thoughtfully.

After conferring with the two companions, they headed straight for the security booth to take a look inside, only to discover it was completely unattended. There wasn't a single person in sight, leaving them concerned about the lack of basic security measures, especially since their daughter had never faced any real hardships.

"What if she faces any difficulties here?" they wondered.

"This is unacceptable. I need to find out who the teachers are and why they're so negligent," Chu Hee declared, pulling out his phone to look up the school's information. As he did, a young man caught his eye, not far off. The man was strikingly handsome, dressed neatly, and was just stepping out of the school.

"Excuse me, young man, I have a question for you. Who are you exactly? Are you one of the teachers here? Why haven't I seen the principal or any of the seniors?" Chu Hee approached the man, concern evident in his gaze.

The man they approached was Yang Chao, who had noticed a few people lurking suspiciously around the school's entrance, which seemed off to him.

Surprised to be approached so directly, Yang Chao wondered if they were looking for someone or if they had other motives. His curiosity piqued, he stepped forward to address them.

"I am the principal of this institution. What can I do for you?" he inquired.

It was odd for them to show up unannounced, as there were no interviews scheduled, nor were they expecting visitors. Something didn't add up.

"Is my sister employed as a teacher here? Can you give us a clear explanation? What exactly is the purpose of this university? Why haven't I seen any of the elderly faculty?" Chu Qiao asked, stepping forward with a look of concern.

The group quietly encircled Yang Chao. Although he seemed unassuming, they were intent on monitoring his movements, eager to uncover his true intentions.

A young man running such a reputable school was suspicious. Was he fabricating a story, or did he harbor ulterior motives? There had to be a catch.

"Indeed, young man. My daughter, Chu Sixue, is both beautiful and charming, a recent university graduate. Our concern for her well-being is only natural. We hope you can empathize with the anxiety we parents feel," they expressed, hoping for understanding.

Zhang Xiang approached Yang Chao, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Please, can you release my daughter? She's still so young, with her whole life ahead of her. Why would you bring her to a place like this? You're hurting her, aren't you?"

Yang Chao stood frozen, taken aback by their words. It felt almost like a joke to him. He hadn't done anything wrong, yet here they were, confronting him as if he had.

He had only given out salaries in advance and significantly improved the conditions for those people. So why this reaction? Were they just insatiable?

With this thought, Yang Chao's expression chilled as he responded calmly,

"Excuse me, but this is absolutely a legitimate university. Our seniors are already up and exercising this morning; you just didn't see them. If you have any doubts about me, feel free to look around for yourselves."

Yang Chao had often faced skepticism about the school in the past, but he hadn't expected it to persist. Honestly, it was incredibly frustrating.

He couldn't help but let out a long, exasperated sigh.

Just because his school's name was considered third-rate, did that mean he had to keep the facilities in poor condition? Now that he had made some improvements, they suspected something was amiss.

A moment's thought made it clear—they were insinuating that the school was involved in something unsavory. Why else would parents be so concerned?