In Ren He's eyes, Little Fatty Xu Nuo was currently like an uncut jade. School was no longer able to offer him the platform he deserved; he could only resort to self-study.
The one-size-fits-all, force-fed learning methods of traditional education didn't suit Xu Nuo. He should belong to the broader world outside, and what Ren He could do was to help him. As for how to help, that would require some careful planning; after all, Ren He himself wasn't too knowledgeable about computers.
When he returned home that evening and saw the simple pair of women's shoes at the front door, Ren He's heart lurched, the empress dowager who was often away on business trips had returned! Walking into the living room, Ren He saw his mother sitting on the sofa watching Luo City's evening entertainment news.
"Mom, you're back?" Ren He was a bit unnerved. In his past life, even if his father was stern, his demands on Ren He weren't that harsh, but his mother was a different story…
"I heard from your dad that you caused trouble at school? Jumping off the teaching building?" Mrs. Ren's tone suddenly rose when she got to the second half of her question.
"Ahem," Ren He knew that involving Secretary Huang to solve the problem would inevitably lead to this, but it was an ordeal he had to go through. This was definitely not the time to talk back. Admitting he was wrong would suffice, "I know I was wrong, I won't dare do it again!"
Sure enough, Mrs. Ren's expression softened, "When you're a student, you should study hard; of course, you should also play hard when it's time to play. You're currently at a crucial period for learning; you absolutely can't let your mind wander..."
Once this ideological education started, it lasted a half hour, and Ren He still had to listen carefully. His mother managed many people under her, so she had this kind of imperceptible authority, treating Ren He like a subordinate every day…
After the lecture, Mrs. Ren's expression calmed down, "Do you still have any pocket money left? Here's five yuan more; go buy some snacks. I've already prepared dumplings and other quick meals for you in the fridge."
According to Mrs. Ren's theory, boys with money would surely go astray—visiting internet cafes, dating—all these required money. If a boy suddenly ran out of money, it meant he was definitely on the wrong path!
In his previous life, Ren He ridiculed this theory countless times. He didn't know which son of a bitch had instilled it in Mrs. Ren, causing his tragic childhood.
Ren He hurriedly said, "It's fine, I still have fifty cents in my pocket. No need for pocket money!" Dammit, Ren He even felt bitter saying this himself… If it weren't for being reborn and able to write novels to earn money, he would've been on his knees by now!
Sure enough, Mrs. Ren was happy to hear that Ren He didn't need pocket money, "Study hard. You'll understand when you enter society; learning moderation as a youth is definitely a good thing!"
Just then, the television's entertainment news suddenly switched to a clip, "This morning our reporter encountered a young man who loves exercise, able to do dozens of push-ups in a minute. However, when our reporter asked him why he was doing push-ups, he didn't answer."
F*ck, Ren He's face turned dark. Was he really going to make the news? And it wasn't that he hadn't answered, the reporter had thrown up, for crying out loud…
On the TV, it was actually a bystander's perspective recording the video, showcasing Ren He doing push-ups at a rapid pace!
As Ren He's mother, Ru Min saw this news segment and her eyebrows immediately shot up. How could she not recognize her own son? Not to mention his readily identifiable profile, she would recognize him even from behind!
"Ren He! What on earth are you learning in school these days?!"
Son of a bitch! Here we go again! If he ever encountered that reporter again, he would make sure the guy got another mouthful, f*ck!
That night, having narrowly escaped disaster to go for a night run, Duan Xiaolou suddenly said, "Ren He, did you know you're on TV? Doing push-ups."
"I know," Ren He replied irritably.
"Didn't expect you to be so quick at push-ups. How did you train?" asked Duan Xiaolou, curious.
"No good. I must punish that reporter!" The more Ren He thought about it, the angrier he got. He was the type to remember even the smallest slights and seek revenge; the reporter had recorded him without consent and caused him to suffer an unwarranted half-hour lecture from Mrs. Ren, a debt that had to be repaid.
The next morning at breakfast, Ren He went to the nearby breakfast shop. The reporter had mentioned that he also ate there, so there was a good chance he might show up again today, and even if he didn't eat there, he could very likely pass by!
Ordering a basket of steamed buns and a bowl of soy milk, Ren He sat near the entrance, concentrating on every pedestrian passing by the doorway. Today the breakfast shop owner didn't dare to greet Ren He at all, fearful of receiving another shock, but he was confused; this young man seemed to be searching for something outside?
Suddenly, Ren He's eyes lit up; there he was!
In the distance, a middle-aged man wearing a brown vest was approaching the breakfast shop. He greeted the owner, "Good morning, boss… Blargh!" Vomit spewed out like a fountain, extending two to three meters.
The breakfast shop owner was flabbergasted; did it really have to be this disgusting so early in the morning?
Ren He finished his last sip of soy milk and cheerfully walked out of the shop, heading to school with a spring in his step.
The breakfast shop pondered what wrongs he had committed, acquiring yet another psychological scar: he dared not greet people anymore... Such a sin!
Walking towards school, Ren He was in high spirits. He was even starting to like the Divine Punishment System more and more. Although he had to risk his life every so often—a contrast to other transmigrants with various golden fingers—he encountered such a formidable punishment system. Yet, as long as he completed the tasks, his life could become increasingly colorful!
Miraculous system! Geili!
He also wondered what kind of task he would get during this month's manuscript fee settlement and what reward would follow the task? The anticipation was thrilling, and he was beginning to enjoy the rush of these life-and-death adventures!
It gave him a feeling that he was different from others.
When he arrived at school, many classmates mentioned the TV news about him. Suddenly, all the students felt that this low-profile underachiever, who had previously been at the bottom of the class, was transforming into something they never imagined. The aura surrounding Ren He had undergone a significant transformation, easily becoming the focal point for everyone.
Yet, in their eyes, Ren He was still that poor kid, the poor kid with only five yuan of pocket money each month...
Then, a major piece of news broke; just as Jiang Siyao had arrived in Luo City and the concert was two days away from opening, someone spotted Jiang Chen at the airport, and suddenly, the entertainment industry was ablaze with news about the two of them!