I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Chapter 10 Part 1

Ever since Madam had hinted at his hidden intentions, Steward Wu had been feeling quite uneasy. This unease even extended to how he looked at Zheng Fa, who had become the target of some of his frustration.

More importantly, he understood that Madam’s summoning of Zheng Fa and the other two to meet with Chief Instructor Xu essentially eliminated Zheng Fa from the list of candidates to be the Seventh Young Master’s study attendant.

Compared to studying, martial training required more resources—a classic case of "a poor man studies, a rich man practices martial arts." Among Zheng Fa, Han Cheng, and Gao Yuan, Zheng Fa’s family was the poorest.

As Chief Instructor Xu had pointed out earlier, even if Zheng Fa had talent, his potential would be wasted if he was always underfed.

Once he understood Madam’s intentions, Steward Wu’s attitude towards Zheng Fa became noticeably colder.

“Alright, Chief Instructor Xu, since it’s Madam’s instruction, take a good look at them. I’ll report back to her.”

Upon hearing Madam’s name, the formerly rough-mannered Chief Instructor Xu couldn’t help but adopt a respectful expression. He reached out a large hand and pinched Han Cheng’s skull.

“Bone age: just over seventeen years and two months.”

Hearing this, Zheng Fa suddenly thought of an issue: he had spent over five years traveling between two worlds—would his bone age be abnormal?

Although time in this world seemed to pause whenever he traveled to the other, his body had grown significantly faster during those five years. Could that be part of the reason?

His background in the Zhao Estate was well-known. If his bone age was detected as being over twenty, instead of seventeen, how would they interpret that?

Involuntarily, Zheng Fa felt a surge of nervousness.

Chief Instructor Xu’s hand wandered over Han Cheng’s back.

“Innate bone structure... below average.” He then curled his lip with a hint of disdain, saying, “Actually, it’s downright poor now.”

Zheng Fa faintly understood that when Chief Instructor Xu spoke of "potential," he meant the combination of innate bone structure and later upkeep.

Releasing Han Cheng, Chief Instructor Xu said to him, “If you don’t start eating properly, forget martial training—your lifespan will be affected.”

Hearing this, Han Cheng’s face showed a mix of fear and gratitude. “Thank you for the advice, Sir.”

Chief Instructor Xu waved dismissively and beckoned to Gao Yuan. “Come here.”

Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Gao Yuan, Zheng Fa noticed a thin layer of sweat glistening on Gao Yuan’s forehead.

“Bone age: sixteen years and six months.”

“Innate bone structure…” Chief Instructor Xu’s face broke into a smile. “Surprisingly above average! Not bad!”

Hearing this, Gao Yuan’s nervous expression turned to joy, while Han Cheng bit his lip.

Steward Wu also nodded in apparent satisfaction.

“Have you practiced martial arts before?”

Chief Instructor Xu’s brow furrowed slightly, his displeasure evident.

Gao Yuan, seeing his expression, responded nervously, “My father also practiced martial arts and taught me a few farming techniques…”

“Foolishness! The more you train, the more your diet matters. If your family can’t support it, you’ll end up ruining your bones!”

In Chief Instructor Xu’s view, eating was more important than training when it came to martial arts.

Poor bone structure wasn’t worth discussing.

Good bone structure, on the other hand, required more food to maintain.

And if you trained, you’d need even more.

Gao Yuan had good innate potential, which demanded a higher food intake. With even minor martial arts training, malnutrition was almost inevitable.

“Didn’t your father know this?” Chief Instructor Xu scowled as he placed his hand on Gao Yuan’s back.

“Huh? Surprisingly well-maintained—no bone damage.”

Gao Yuan scratched his head sheepishly and said, “My father is well-regarded by the Second Master and often receives rewards.”

Got it.

He was well-funded.

Not only did Zheng Fa understand this, but even Chief Instructor Xu’s face showed a glimmer of comprehension. “Your last name is Gao? Steward Gao’s son?”

Gao Yuan nodded.

Chief Instructor Xu shrugged. “You’ve got a good father.”

Releasing Gao Yuan, Chief Instructor Xu gestured for Zheng Fa to step forward.

Zheng Fa felt extremely nervous.

His biggest concern was that Chief Instructor Xu might detect an issue with his bone age.

Chief Instructor Xu, with a somewhat indifferent attitude—likely because Gao Yuan’s potential was already rare—wasn't as attentive with Zheng Fa.

Noticing Zheng Fa’s tension, he patted him on the shoulder. “Relax. Being nervous won’t grow you another bone.”

Thanks for the pep talk, but I’m more worried about having grown too fast…

“Bone age: seventeen years and six months!”

With that, Zheng Fa felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders. He couldn’t help but wonder, though—what kind of phenomenon was his traveling?

It seemed like it even froze his body’s time.

“Innate bone structure... exceptional!”

Chief Instructor Xu’s eyes flashed with surprise, and he couldn’t help but mutter, “What’s today, to have a higher-than-average one, and now an exceptional one.”

Gao Yuan, who had been beaming earlier, now looked at Zheng Fa with a hint of apprehension.

“But you…” Chief Instructor Xu scrutinized Zheng Fa’s attire, then shook his head. “Who knows if this is a blessing or a curse.”

No further explanation was needed; everyone, including Zheng Fa, understood his point.

Zheng Fa’s family clearly wasn’t well-off.

Exceptional potential might not be a good thing for someone in his circumstances.

Gao Yuan’s shoulders visibly relaxed.

Even Steward Wu, who had previously harbored some displeasure toward Zheng Fa, now regarded him with a touch of pity.

This kid wasn’t just quick-witted; he also had a talent for martial arts.

In another family, he could’ve had a promising future.

Now, all they could do was sigh at his misfortune.

Zheng Fa felt Chief Instructor Xu’s palm, as big as a fan, patting his back and examining each vertebra and shoulder blade. The sensation was a bit unsettling.

When he turned, he noticed Chief Instructor Xu frowning in puzzlement.

After a long while, Chief Instructor Xu, scratching his chin, asked, “Do you… also have a good father?”

“My late father was a kind man, but he passed away five years ago.”

“Dead?” Chief Instructor Xu’s face grew more puzzled. “Yes, I suppose so; no prominent Zhao family servants bear the Zheng surname.”

The others sensed something was off, prompting Steward Wu to ask, “Is his potential really that high?”

“His innate bone structure is exceptionally good. But this kid… seems to have eaten better than even that Gao boy.”

Chief Instructor Xu’s face was strange.

The Gao family, headed by the Second Master’s Steward, was known for being favored within the Zhao Estate.

Yet Zheng Fa’s condition looked even better than Gao Yuan’s?

Zheng Fa considered a possible explanation—when he traveled, time didn’t flow, but he fully absorbed whatever he ate.

That meant he’d eaten twice as much in a fraction of the time.

Moreover, his school meals in the modern world had been substantial, with the occasional extra treats like roast chicken.

Steward Wu gave Zheng Fa a meaningful look before asking Chief Instructor Xu, “Between Gao Yuan and Zheng Fa, who has the edge?”

Chief Instructor Xu looked at him as if he were an idiot. “Between average and exceptional, which is better?”

Steward Wu understood.

His face showed a trace of frustration. He had assumed Zheng Fa would fare the worst in this assessment.

Madam’s intention had likely been the same.

But now, he’d turned out to be the best—how could he report that to Madam?

It almost felt like it would be an affront to her.

After pacing for a moment, he finally turned to the others and said, “Wait here. I’ll go consult Madam.”

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