Chapter 1: The Soft Wind

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Overture

Existence is reasonable.

"What is rational is actual, and what is actual is rational." 

— Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

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Chapter 1: The Soft Wind

The wind flowed gently down the long steps.

It was still early in the summer, and the wind carried a soft and light touch, rustling every leaf it encountered...

Shen An stood below the steps of Ningjiang High School's square, looking slender in her fresh, faded, light blue sports uniform and worn-out sneakers. She glanced ahead as the wind breezed past her ears, and in the distance, the sounds of laughter and joy could be faintly heard.

A red banner with the words "Choose the New World, Achieve an Extraordinary Life!" was tied to the railing along the steps, swaying in the wind within the girl's gaze.

A hint of unease flashed in Shen An's eyes; it was her first time being involved with the New World, and this sudden change left her uncertain and unwilling to move forward.

The "New World" was a planet from a distant galaxy that had successfully established a connection with Earth three years ago, offering high salaries to invite Earthlings to come over. Stories about the New World and the "Animal Trainers" had dominated the headlines of various major websites for three years.

Shen An had always thought that it was something distant from her. So, when she was informed two days ago that she had been selected as an "intern animal trainer" for the New World, she wasn't happy about it.

Perhaps others couldn't understand her unhappiness because being chosen by the New World had become the most anticipated thing for people her age, an opportunity that came with a one in a hundred thousand chance.

But precisely because of this minuscule probability, Shen An had never included it in her plans.

Since the beginning of junior high, Shen An had laid out her plans, studying all high school courses during the three-year summer and winter vacations. Step by step, she climbed to the top position of the entire grade in Ningjiang City's best high school. With just two more years, she could enter the university she wanted and start a new life step by step.

However, her plans were disrupted now. Reality didn't give her the chance to choose.

Before she could leave, hurried footsteps approached from behind, interrupting her brief tranquility.

"Shen An, why are you leaving so fast?" Shen's mother's hurried and complaining voice came from behind. Seeing Shen An standing still, she breathed a sigh of relief before scolding her loudly, as if she were at home.

"I'm telling you, why are you being so dramatic about such a good opportunity?! People wish they could go, but they can't."

Shen An didn't speak; she had already anticipated her mother's opposition.

Indeed, the New World was a great opportunity.

Every year, the New World selected three thousand people, which meant that even before graduation, one could have a high-paying "secure job," a dream come true for many. However, Shen An didn't think that way. She had researched about the animal trainers, especially when the term "animal trainer" came to Earth. Many people, like Shen An, had done their research.

Apart from the almost non-existent chance of being chosen, being selected didn't guarantee becoming a true animal trainer and enjoying that secure job. One had to go through round after round of assessments, where talent, effort, money, and connections were all required.

Even though the chosen individuals could receive a three-thousand-yuan subsidy in advance, for becoming an animal trainer, that amount was simply not enough; many people secretly spent much more money once they were selected. Moreover, over the past three years, the standards for apprentice animal trainers had become higher. In Shen An's eyes, it was like spending money to buy equipment for leveling up in a game.

Ningjiang High School was the best in the city and had no lack of wealthy and influential students. Shen An had heard that once those people were selected, many of them spent tens or even hundreds of thousands of yuan to enter the New World.

And now, what Shen An lacked the most was money.

Even if she were chosen, she would only be a runner-up among those with wealth and power.

"Don't know how they made the selection, and yet they chose you." Shen An's sister, Chen Ping, who was walking alongside their mother, couldn't help feeling dissatisfied. Clearly, they had the same parents, so why did Shen An have this special talent?

Chen Ping and Shen An were sisters, but Shen An's father was an adopted son-in-law. Therefore, Chen Ping took her mother's surname, while Shen An kept her father's surname.

"That's right. By the way, don't spend the money you earn carelessly. Your dad and I work hard to earn money, and with the current soaring prices, you should be considerate and help us bear the burden." While talking, Shen's mother was climbing the steps. "The subsidy you'll get in advance won't be used up that quickly. Three thousand yuan will be enough for three months."

Shen An didn't speak; there was no point in saying that the money would still be useful in the New World, as it would only lead to more scolding.

"Alright, stop talking about it." Shen's father couldn't bear to listen anymore. As soon as he opened his mouth, he knew what ideas Shen's mother was having. Moreover, after Shen An was selected, his colleagues had informed him about some things, saying that money was needed once they got there; otherwise, they wouldn't be chosen as apprentice animal trainers.

But being an adopted son-in-law, he had been aware of Shen's mother's bias towards their daughter for so many years. All of this he could see clearly, but having been weak for so long, he couldn't even produce money, let alone take it out.

"Don't say anything?! If you have the ability, then earn more money! Don't let me and Xiaoping suffer with you. You earn so little money, and now with both kids going to school, I'm telling you, now that Xiao'an has been selected..."

"Mom, I know." Shen An spoke up, taking three thousand yuan out of the thirty thousand yuan and giving the rest to her mother.

These funds were far from enough, and there was no way she could bring more money from home. Shen An had already secretly made up her mind that even though this sudden change disrupted her plans, she could only look ahead and make decisions afterward.

Therefore, her backpack still contained books. Even if she went to the New World, she couldn't neglect her studies; choosing her own path was still more reliable.

Shen's mother received the money and finally stopped talking.

Shen An seemed to have gotten used to her mother's attitude. She walked up the long steps, where the school bus was already waiting.

Among the entire Ningjiang High School, there were only four people selected, and the other three were already waiting by the school bus. Among those chosen, besides Shen An, there were two seniors who would be entering their third year. They were surrounded by the group, receiving compliments and praises from many classmates.

Ningjiang High School was the best in the city and attracted the most influential and wealthy families. The two in the center were from one of the most powerful families among them. Their seven or eight suitcases were neatly lined up in front of the school bus, and there were people helping them load their belongings.

The other selected student, a boy, was in the same year as Shen An. He stood alone with only one suitcase, looking cramped. Beside him, there was only one relative, and no one else.

Shen An's appearance also caught the attention of the group. After all, being the top of the year was evident, but only a few people turned to look at her before immediately patting the boy next to them teasingly.

"Han Chengyi, from now on, the first place in the freshman year will be yours."

Shen An didn't look over; she was very familiar with Han Chengyi's name. He was the boy who had ranked just below her in every major exam since the start of high school. However, they were not on the same path, and even though Han Chengyi consistently ranked second in the entire year, he still attracted the attention of all the girls in the grade. Many of them even defended him and spoke up for him.

Shen An didn't care about all this; she matured earlier than her peers and understood that school results alone didn't determine everything. She also didn't compare herself with Han Chengyi and the other kids from rich families. The only thing she could rely on was the relatively fair college entrance exam.

"She got selected?" As Shen An was about to leave, she heard the senior who had been chosen suddenly speak. Her gaze was unkind as she looked at Shen An, who was wearing a slightly old and cheap-looking school uniform, carrying a seemingly inexpensive suitcase and backpack. With her hair tied into a ponytail, Shen An didn't have any outstanding features. That senior was tall, almost as tall as Han Chengyi standing beside her. She patted Han Chengyi's shoulder.

"Chengyi, it would be great if we were going together."

"Siyan, being an animal trainer isn't the only way. Next year, Chengyi will be selected as a Risk Controller, and at that time, we will all envy him." Another senior patted Han Chengyi's shoulder as well, indicating their close relationship.

"You're right. Chengyi, your second uncle was selected as a Risk Controller two years ago, wasn't he?" As soon as this was mentioned, everyone looked at Han Chengyi in amazement.

"Yes, yes, I heard about it too. Han Chengyi, your second uncle..." Another classmate immediately became excited and continued the conversation. A Risk Controller, what concept was that? It was much more mysterious and tempting than being an animal trainer. Once selected as a Risk Controller, it was like winning a gold medal in math on Earth and being directly admitted to the most famous university in the country. Shen An thought that if she had been selected as a Risk Controller now, perhaps she wouldn't have these worries.

Shen An turned a blind eye to them, just listening silently as if none of it had anything to do with her.

As Shen An thought this way, she naturally stood beside the boy who looked as shabby as her. Her father followed along and politely greeted the boy.

"Shen An, hello, my name is Lin Jiasheng, and I'm from Class 9 of the freshman year." The boy took the initiative to greet Shen An, appearing somewhat shy but mostly happy.

"Lin Jiasheng, hello," Shen An nodded slightly towards him. Lin Jiasheng, clearly not good at small talk, felt a bit discouraged when he saw that Shen An wasn't very enthusiastic.

Just then, a commotion arose, and Shen An heard her classmates quietly calling out.

"The principal is here!"

"The principal is here!"

Shen An looked over and saw the principal walking toward them with two couples who looked very elegant. At this moment, the principal seemed more like an accompaniment, speaking flatteringly.

"Indeed, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree..." Shen An listened to the principal praising the selected individuals, who were surrounded by the crowd. Bored after the principal's departure speech filled with anticipation and praise, she finally waited for the departure time.

"Shen An, don't cause any trouble there, you hear me?" Shen's mother held Shen An, who was about to board the bus, and emphasized again.

Shen An didn't respond because the crowd seeing them off drowned out her mother's voice, and she was happy to pretend not to hear it. She took a seat in the back of the minibus.

As the vehicle slowly drove out of the campus, Shen An gazed at the pale sky. What would the road ahead be like? She didn't even have a rough plan.

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The new book began serialization on June 1st, and it carries many of my dreams. The main storyline revolves around an ordinary high school student who gains the talent of an animal trainer and becomes an animal trainer in the New World, gradually growing stronger in a micro-farming novel. It's a one-on-one story, not overly sweet or sour, with no unexplained love or hate. It depicts genuine emotions, from heartwarming to unforgettable, and from unforgettable to standing by each other through life and death. The theme will be quite novel, and I hope that readers will enjoy it.

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(End of this chapter)

A Risk Controller, a new term that emerged alongside the animal trainers, was much more mysterious and enticing. Once selected as a Risk Controller, it was like winning a gold medal in math on Earth, leading to a direct admission to the most prestigious university in the country. Shen An thought that if she had been selected as a Risk Controller now, perhaps she wouldn't have these worries.