Taking the Imperial Exam in the Great Ming

[A Poor Scholar’s Journey Through Time]

Gu Cheng was an orphan from a young age, and life was hard.

But with extraordinary perseverance and talent, he used a government student loan to earn doctorates in both Chinese language and literature and archaeology.

During graduation season, Gu Cheng applied to a Fortune 500 company. He ranked first in both the written test and the interview.

But when the hiring list was announced, Gu Cheng’s name was nowhere to be found. When he asked HR why, he learned that someone with connections had taken his place.

After failing to land the job, he received a breakup message from his girlfriend of many years: “Let’s break up. You have no money or prospects, and you’ve been out of work for ages. I’m seeing a rich second-generation guy. He can give me the life I want.”

Before he could recover from the heartbreak, his phone buzzed again with a message from his landlord: “Pay three months’ rent right away. If you don’t, pack your things and leave.”

Gu Cheng felt as if his whole world had collapsed. The failed job application, the breakup, and the overdue rent had all struck one after another, leaving him utterly despairing.

The car stopped at an intersection. Through the window, Gu Cheng saw a little boy standing bewildered in the middle of the road as a car sped toward him, about to hit him.

Without a second thought, Gu Cheng pushed open the car door and rushed out.

His figure looked so small yet so resolute amid the traffic. He scooped up the boy and shoved him toward the roadside with all his strength.

Just then, the car, unable to brake in time, slammed straight into Gu Cheng.

A wave of intense pain washed over him. His vision went black, and his consciousness slowly faded...