— [(spits out drink) Pfft! Hahahaha! This is way too hilarious! Number 10 is on another level!]
— [(covers mouth, tearing up) I mean… he has a conscience… just not a lot of it.]
— [(laughing and crying) I can't take it anymore… Hahahaha!!!]
— [(shaking head) I really thought he'd return the money, but I never expected it to turn out like this!]
— [I've smoked three cigarettes, and I still can't figure out how this plot even unfolded.]
— [(facepalm) On one hand, he is helping someone. But on the other hand… Emma, I don't even know what to say!]
— [(mind blown) This whole situation has gone beyond my comprehension, guys. I feel dumb. (covers mouth, crying)]
— […This logic… it has completely fried my brain.]
The photographer collapsed onto the ground, panting, and looked at Cao Shengming with a complicated expression.
"Brother Cao, let's just agree on one thing—next time you find money, just return it immediately."
Cao Shengming shot him a sideways glance. "You think finding money is a daily occurrence?"
Shrugging, he changed the subject. "By the way, where are we staying tonight?"
"You're asking me?"
The photographer dusted himself off and sighed. "That's a problem for contestants to solve, not me. But hey, we've still got a few hundred yuan—we could book a room somewhere."
Cao Shengming raised a brow. "Do you have an ID?"
The photographer fell silent.
Cao Shengming shook his head. "Neither of us have an ID. What hotel is gonna let us in? Looks like it's gonna be a rough night."
With that, he strolled over to a roadside bench and gazed up at the sky.
The sun had set, but the clouds were still painted in shades of fiery red. It was stunning—one of those rare moments of natural beauty.
Just as he was soaking it in, a sharp female voice interrupted his thoughts.
"What? You can't get hold of the translator?!"
Cao Shengming turned his head and spotted a young woman pacing nearby, phone in hand. She looked frustrated, her tone sharp with irritation.
"There's a meeting tomorrow morning! With foreign company reps! The boss is expecting everything to go smoothly—do you understand how serious this is?"
She listened for a moment before snapping, "Explain? What's there to explain? If you don't find me a translator right now, don't bother coming to work tomorrow!"
Hanging up angrily, she stood on the sidewalk, fuming.
After a moment, she pulled out her phone again and sent a voice message.
"Hey, Lao Xu, I need a favor. Our company has a big meeting tomorrow with international clients, and we desperately need an English translator."
"Oh, by the way, the pay is 1,200 yuan per day, with three meals included. If they live far away, they'll need to come in advance—we'll provide accommodation."
Accommodation provided?
Cao Shengming's eyes lit up instantly.
Turning to the photographer, he whispered, "How's your English?"
The photographer puffed up his chest. "Pretty solid. Back in school, I copied my classmate's answers and got a 59—passed by one point."
"..."
Cao Shengming stared at him, deadpan. "And you have the nerve to call that 'solid' English? You ever heard the saying a man needs dignity like a tree needs bark?"
The photographer smirked. "My dad always told me: a man needs thick skin, or he'll never get a girlfriend."
"So, do you have a girlfriend?"
"You're out of pocket for that one."
With a helpless sigh, Cao Shengming stood up, adjusted his clothes, and smirked.
"Good thing I actually studied English. Let's go—we've got a place to stay tonight."
With full confidence, he strolled up to the young woman.
"Hey there, I couldn't help but overhear—you need an English translator, right?"
The company, Beijing West Network Technology Media, was a small but ambitious firm specializing in network construction and maintenance.
They had recently expanded their operations to cover one-tenth of Linhai City and were now looking to collaborate with foreign companies.
At the office, the young woman—Lu Xiaoqi—gave a brief rundown of the company's plans.
"Tomorrow at 9 AM, our boss is giving a speech at an exchange meeting. We need a competent English translator."
Cao Shengming nodded. "Got it. No problem."
Lu Xiaoqi studied him skeptically. "Which university did you graduate from? What's your English proficiency level?"
Cao Shengming flashed a confident smile.
"You ever heard of Cambridge University?"
Her eyes widened. "Wait—Cambridge!? The world-renowned Cambridge University?!"
"Yep," he said, nodding. "Cambridge University... uh... Sharkey Botcherdan Chaikov-Corgi University. It's right next to it."
"…"