Two hundred becomes four hundred and sixty?
Make a day's worth of money in just two and a half days?
The old man selling box lunches immediately became interested, and with a simple smile, he adjusted his pants and squatted down next to Jiang Qin. The mixture of the greasy smell and cigarette smoke filled the air, making Jiang Qin feel a bit lightheaded.
However, Jiang Qin didn't say anything. He simply shifted slightly to the side and casually hung the cigarette the old man offered on his ear.
In his current appearance, he didn't look like a high school graduate at all; he seemed more like a seasoned hustler who had dropped out of school to navigate life.
"Hey, buddy, can you tell me the address of the place where you sell box lunches?"
Jiang Qin seemed to have anticipated this situation long ago and skillfully raised two fingers, saying, "Old man, give me two hundred bucks, and I'll tell you the address."
The old man widened his eyes like copper bells and shot a lightning-fast, shrewd look, "Two hundred bucks? I can barely make two hundred in a day here!"
"If you switch to a different location, you can earn four hundred, right?"
"Well, tell me first, I'll estimate if it's worth it." The old man selling box lunches hesitated; two hundred bucks was not a small sum.
"We just went to an internet cafe street."
"Xinghai Road East?"
"Yes."
"I thought it was a good place, but the business there is indeed good. However, the urban management is too strict. I went there once, and my car was impounded. I still haven't got it back."
"I haven't finished yet. Give me two hundred bucks, and I'll continue. If you feel it's not suitable, I'll give it back to you. I'm still a student; I wouldn't cheat you, right?" Jiang Qin's voice was full of temptation.
The old man selling box lunches hesitated for a while, then took out two hundred bucks from his pocket. "Go on. If it's not worth it, I'll want a refund."
Jiang Qin rolled up the two hundred bucks and stuffed it into his pocket. "On that street, there's a place called 'Shuiyunjian Foot Spa.' When you enter from the front gate, there's a big courtyard inside, and the fire exits of seven internet cafes all lead to that courtyard. And, the most important thing is, there are no urban management officers there."
"What's the use of the old man at the gate? Would he dare to let me in to sell box lunches?"
done.me
Jiang Qin smiled lightly, "He's the father of the owner of Shuiyunjian, and he watches the gate because he's bored at home."
The old man selling box lunches pondered for a while, and his face suddenly lit up, "Alright, buddy, next time you come to eat box lunch, it's on the house."
"Alright, alright."
"At such a young age, you've already figured out the foot spa business. You have a bright future ahead!"
Jiang Qin clasped his hands together and humbly replied, "You flatter me."
Guo Zihang, who was sitting beside them, was bewildered for a moment. He grabbed Jiang Qin, his eyes filled with envy, and asked, "Lao Jiang, have you really been to one of those mysterious foot spas?"
"It's a rite of passage for men."
"Huh?"
"Alright, stop with the 'huh.' We made money today, so I'll treat you to something nice."
Jiang Qin stood up, patting his pockets with over seven hundred bucks in hand, and walked along the main road.
Watching his confident figure in the distance, Guo Zihang was momentarily taken aback. He felt that his friend had acquired a sense of maturity as if he had seen through the complexities of life. Although Jiang Qin's face still displayed laughter, anger, and other emotions, his gaze was deep and sharp, as if he could see the essence of things.
They had just worked tirelessly and had only sold a little over three hundred bucks' worth, barely enough profit to buy cigarettes. Yet, Jiang Qin confidently claimed to have made four hundred and sixty. Most importantly, he had managed to impress the old man selling box lunches, who had a shrewd look on his face. He had spent two hundred bucks just to get an address.
Being able to chat confidently with adults without showing fear was something Guo Zihang couldn't do. Even when he helped his mom buy groceries, he dared not negotiate prices.
No wonder he didn't even care about his failed confession. Some classmates thought he was pretending, just trying to maintain a pitiful and pathetic sense of dignity for himself. But at this moment, Guo Zihang somewhat believed Jiang Qin. Maybe he genuinely didn't care about that matter.
However, as soon as Chu Siqi's name was mentioned, Guo Zihang's gossip spirit started burning again.
"Lao Jiang, what's going on between you and Goddess Chu?"
Jiang Qin turned to look at him and said, "What could be going on between us?"
"You've liked her for three years, and you're just going to let it end like this? She said she'd consider it when she goes to college!" Guo Zihang kept probing. He genuinely didn't understand why Jiang Qin would give up now, especially when they were about to start college. It seemed like a wasted opportunity.
"She said she'd consider it when she goes to college? I don't want to wait that long. If pretty girls were reliable, pigs would fly."
Jiang Qin spoke with an expressionless face, his words laced with sarcasm towards love.
"Being in a relationship hinders making money, just like being a 'licking dog' hinders life. The bloody lessons from past lives are proof enough of this view. Women only affect the speed of making money, and apart from that, they are worthless."
He had experienced the pain of adolescent unrequited love and felt the terror of a dowry of three hundred thousand. It wasn't that he had no interest in women; he just felt that in life, priorities should be clear.
"But... these are all just your speculations. Maybe Chu Siqi really does plan to start a relationship with you as soon as she enters college. Don't you feel like you're giving up too soon?"
"Old Guo, once a man has such thoughts, it's essentially like setting a trap for himself. It's the same for both love and work. If it hasn't come into your hands, don't trust anyone, even if they promise to reveal the heavens."
Jiang Qin's gaze became slightly deeper, and he suddenly remembered the promises he received when he first started working.
Profit-sharing in projects, company stocks, trips abroad, direct family living subsidies—these were similar to Chu Siqi saying, "Work a bit harder, and I'll start a relationship with you." They were all legendary things that everyone knew about but no one had seen.
Hoping for something legendary was no different from believing in fairy tales.
With these thoughts in mind, Jiang Qin couldn't help but think of Digarda. That so-called "space hero" was nothing more than a swindler.
Back then, he had borrowed his light and disappeared like a rocket during the fight against Jatengia. As a result, Jiang Qin's future had become bleak, and this guy didn't even mention returning the light.
Being neither a "licking dog" nor a corporate slave, striving for financial success was the true path of life.
Meanwhile, Guo Zihang suddenly started scratching his head rapidly, making a hissing sound.
Jiang Qin found it strange and couldn't help but stare at him for a moment. "What's wrong with you? Did you forget to wash your hair before going out?"
"No, I feel like after listening to your words, my brain is growing."
"?????"
At four o'clock in the afternoon, Jiang Qin and Guo Zihang walked out of the restaurant, having enjoyed a satisfying meal.
However, Guo Zihang couldn't forget about the idea of going to a bar. He wanted Jiang Qin to take him to experience it. But before they could take a few steps, two familiar figures appeared before them.
One was the math class representative, Wang Huiru, and the other was the class beauty, Chu Siqi.
The two girls were walking arm in arm out of the pedestrian street, one holding a sausage on a stick and the other holding candied haws.
The hot summer weather had made them slightly sweaty. Even their bangs were damp, and their youthful faces were flushed. Their breathing was quick, causing their developing chests to rise and fall.
Wang Huiru had a delicate appearance, with a kind of girl-next-door charm. She even had two dimples when she smiled. She was wearing overalls, exuding youthful liveliness. She could be considered beautiful when looked at individually, but she didn't have much advantage compared to Chu Siqi.
Chu Siqi was wearing a beige long skirt today, the hem reaching her knees. Her eyes were lively and radiant, her facial features exquisite, her lips full, her skin fair as snow. She seemed to outshine Wang Huiru when they walked together.
When the four of them met, the first person to react was Wang Huiru, who immediately waved her hand and greeted them.
"Jiang Qin, Guo Zihang, what are you doing here?"
Hearing someone call his name, Jiang Qin instinctively looked up and his gaze accidentally intersected with Chu Siqi's in the bustling crowd.
Then he restrained his smile and turned his head with some indifference.
Perhaps because of the memories from his past life, Jiang Qin always seemed to have a somewhat godlike perspective when it came to interpersonal relationships. So, he genuinely didn't have a good impression of Chu Siqi.
However, his nearly forty-year-old soul had given him enough maturity and composure not to turn and walk away, but it was limited to this extent.