Got things settled with Ryan Carter, Brian Carter went into the kitchen to greet his mother.

When he left the kitchen, what he thought about most was: “A hero can be brought down by a single penny!”

He had just exchanged a few words with his mother when Brian Carter remembered that, since he was in his final year of high school, his mom only worked half-days to take care of him and Ryan Carter.

It wasn’t a technical job, and Yangcheng wasn’t a wealthy area. After working half-days, his mother only made 800 yuan a month!

Over a year, that barely added up to 10,000 yuan.

He had originally planned to bring up the idea of applying for the martial arts program, but when he thought of this, he just couldn’t get the words out.

Rubbing his face, Brian Carter muttered, “As expected, there’s never a time when you don’t need money…”

Chapter 5: Hehehe!

No matter how hard it was to bring up, for the sake of the future, he still had to say it.

After all, registration was next Monday. Brian Carter wasn’t a god—he only had one day left. Where was he supposed to come up with 10,000 yuan?

When his father Eric Carter dragged his tired body home and the family sat down to eat, Brian Carter finally spoke up.

“Dad, registration for the martial arts program is next week. I want to apply, but the registration fee… is 10,000 yuan.”

As soon as Brian Carter finished speaking, the whole house fell silent.

Eric Carter was just over forty, and though he didn’t look old, his face was a bit pale.

Eric Carter worked at a ceramics factory in the suburbs of Yangcheng—not a technical job, just an ordinary worker.

In today’s Yangcheng, where the average worker’s salary was around 2,000 yuan, Eric Carter made over 3,000 yuan a month.

It wasn’t because the boss favored him, nor because Eric Carter was exceptionally good at his job.

The key was that after working at the ceramics factory for a long time, it was easy to get silicosis, so the pay was a bit higher—basically trading health for money.

But Eric Carter had no choice.

There were two kids at home, one in high school and one in middle school. Food, clothing, housing, transportation—everything cost money.

He also had to save for Brian Carter’s college tuition, and think about Brian Carter getting married and buying a house after graduation. The whole family was living on a tight budget.

Ten thousand yuan—after daily expenses, it would take the couple about half a year to save that much.

In today’s society, martial arts are held in the highest regard.

Although Eric Carter was an ordinary person, he knew that getting into the martial arts program was extremely difficult—like reaching for the sky!

In the vast city of Yangcheng, tens of thousands of students took the college entrance exam every year, but those who got into the martial arts program could be counted on two hands.

Brian Carter attended Yangcheng No. 1 High School, which was considered the best in the city.

Even so, last year only five students from Yangcheng No. 1 got into the martial arts program, out of nearly 1,500 seniors and more than 20 regular classes.

In 2007, out of those 20-plus regular classes, only two students got in.

These facts weren’t unfamiliar to Eric Carter, who had attended several parent-teacher meetings. In fact, the teachers at No. 1 High even promoted this, because having two students from regular classes get into the martial arts program wasn’t a shortcoming—it was a point of pride for the teachers.

Now, was it worth spending 10,000 yuan to gamble on such a slim chance?

Eric Carter didn’t rush to speak, and Emily Thompson looked like she wanted to say something but held back.

Ryan Carter kept her head down and didn’t dare say a word. Compared to Brian Carter, who was just learning these common facts, Ryan Carter, already in middle school, knew even more.

Holding his small wine glass, Eric Carter glanced at his son. After a moment, he nodded and said, “In a bit, have your mom give you the bank card. Tomorrow, go withdraw the 10,000 yuan yourself.”

“Dad…” Brian Carter gritted his teeth, wanting to say something to comfort his father.

But Eric Carter cut him off directly: “Whether you get in or not, it’s enough that you have the heart for it.

Even if you don’t make it, at least you’ll have more experience. When Yuanyuan gets to high school, you can give her some advice.

The family isn’t rich, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime matter!”

Although he didn’t hold out much hope, applying for the martial arts program was a life-changing event. If Brian Carter didn’t bring it up himself, Eric Carter wouldn’t have mentioned it either.

But since his son had asked, at worst he’d just work some extra shifts. Ten thousand yuan wouldn’t break the family.

With his father saying this, Brian Carter didn’t say anything more.

At this point, saying anything else would be pointless.

Besides, Brian Carter wasn’t confident he could actually get in.

Sure, he had been reborn, but he wasn’t some immortal returning from cultivation. Martial arts were martial arts—even if he didn’t know exactly what the tests involved, he knew it had to be about physical fitness and the like.

In fact, Brian Carter had looked into it a bit, and the requirements were even more demanding.

Whether he could get in or not, right now Brian Carter really had no confidence.

But even if he didn’t make it, it might be hard to make a fortune in the future, but making a little money wouldn’t be too hard, and there might still be a chance to become a martial artist.

So, looking ahead, Brian Carter felt that even if he didn’t reach the top, he wouldn’t have to scam his sister out of 20 yuan for pocket money like now.

With the biggest obstacle out of the way, Brian Carter felt much more at ease.

Ryan Carter was the family’s little treasure. Seeing everyone still caught up in the previous topic, she grinned and changed the subject: “Brian Carter, are you really going to apply for the martial arts program?”

Seeing this, Brian Carter laughed and said, “Of course. When your brother gets into the martial arts program and becomes a martial artist, you’ll be set.

Next semester, when you go to school, you can brag to your classmates and say, ‘My brother is a martial artist.’”