Chapter 973: Chapter 563: Facing It Directly

Night, outside Fourth Middle School, rental apartment.

Miao Zhe messaged Lu Qiqi: “What skincare product did you say was good for blackheads last time?”

Lu Qiqi replied instantly: “The 0.5% salicylic acid pads I recommended last time are good. If you stick to it, you’ll see results in one or two months.”

“If you want better results, you could actually go to a beauty salon for some treatments.”

Miao Zhe: “Is it really useful to go to a beauty salon for treatments?”

Lu Qiqi replied: “Of course, it is effective. Otherwise, why would all those wealthy women go if it weren’t? Are they all throwing money away foolishly?”

Miao Zhe: “Alright, I’ll think about it.”

After finishing the chat, Miao Zhe took out his wallet and counted his savings—over 300 yuan.

Including more than 800 yuan in his bank account, it might be a decent amount for an ordinary high school student, but Miao Zhe needs it for skincare, fashion, and even plans to visit a beauty salon…

When Yun Ni comes to see him in the future, he can’t let her spend money. The money he currently has is just a drop in the bucket.

Miao Zhe’s gaze was steadfast. Coming from a single-parent family, his mom ran a small clothing store, making not much more than a working-class income. He didn’t want his family to know about his online relationship for now.

So, Miao Zhe had to rely on himself to work hard and earn money.

He could earn a little from his deskmate Wu Xiaoqi, like writing self-reflections for him, but unfortunately, Wu Xiaoqi didn’t get into trouble every day…

Qi Tianheng from Class 2 was wealthy. Miao Zhe taught them to fold little stars and earned 100 yuan, but such opportunities were as rare as with Wu Xiaoqi.

He had to think of other ways, a stable way to make money.

Although Miao Zhe was quiet in class, it didn’t mean he knew nothing about what’s going on. On the contrary, his sensitive heart made him very observant.

The top earner in class was probably Geng Lu, who made two to three thousand a month by drawing online.

Unfortunately, Miao Zhe couldn’t learn such professional skills.

Xue Yuantong was also impressive, earning scholarships easily, which Miao Zhe couldn’t emulate either.

Unable to think of anything, Miao Zhe went online to search for ways high school students could make money and checked local forums in Yuzhou.

An ad seeking a lost pet caught his attention: “Brown Labrador, notch on the right ear, lost near the park in Dacheng District, reward 500 yuan for the finder! Please call: 1385526…”

Miao Zhe was about to skip it when he suddenly remembered something Hu Jun had said in their class group.

‘Why not give it a try?’ Miao Zhe pondered.

…

Saturday, after lunch.

On the street outside the school gate, two ordinary-looking boys walked shoulder to shoulder.

A glasses-wearing, short and thin boy said: “Hu Jun, are you confident?”

The other taller, sturdier boy with slightly dark skin fiddled with his ‘Magic Artifact’:

“Depends on the situation.”

This morning, Hu Jun was planning to go to the young lady at the salon for a head wash at noon.

Just thinking about the young lady’s gentle touch and charming smile made Hu Jun restless, but a wash cost 7 yuan, nearly as much as a meal.

For Hu Jun, a kid from a rural background, 7 yuan was quite a burden.

Moreover, he not only had to patronize the young lady at the salon but also the middle-aged lady at the fried tofu stall and the caring divorced sister at the Oden place…

Everything required payment.

It was unfortunate that Hu Jun didn’t have enough money, and his frequency of visits was too low, leaving the elder sisters always lamenting.

If Hu Jun had more money, he would do more than just head washing at the salon!

He wanted to do things others couldn’t!

Like the 50-yuan stress-relief head massage!

So when Miao Zhe approached him, Hu Jun agreed without hesitation.

As Hu Jun passed by the familiar fruit stand, he took a deep breath, inhaling the rich scent of fruits—banana, pineapple, mango.

This fragrance was eternal, always present, penetrating deep into his lungs, intoxicating him.

Hu Jun had passed by many fruit stands but never encountered such a strong aroma.

This was because the fruit stand’s owner was a plump young lady.

Miao Zhe and Hu Jun, both poor students, chose to take the bus to Dacheng District.

Fifteen minutes later.

Hu Jun gazed at the park before him. It was already the end of October, and the willow leaves were yellowing but still gracefully swaying like a woman with lingering charm.

The not-so-bright sunlight shone through the clouds, falling on the autumn-clad flora.

Miao Zhe showed his phone screen: “It’s this dog.”

Hu Jun took one look and remembered it in his heart.

He crushed the pre-prepared sachet in his sleeve: “Let’s go, search the park once, and if we can’t find it, we’ll go back.”

The invisible fragrance enveloped Hu Jun as he and Miao Zhe walked along the park’s stone paths, covering every small path, finally reaching the artificial river. Suddenly, they heard a sharp dog bark from below.

…

Afternoon, back row.

Duan Shigang saw Ma Shicheng focused on gaming, oblivious to the world outside the window, and was puzzled.

In the past, in terms of neglecting studies, he was the strongest in the class, but after transferring to Class 8, he found someone even more extreme.

Wu Xiaoqi, who played basketball every day, Cui Yu, Meng Gui, who watched shows before and after class, and Zhang Chi, who pondered ways to make money every day.

Compared to them, Duan Shigang felt he was working really hard.

“Bro, I’ve been here for months now, and every time I see you, you’re gaming?”

Ma Shicheng: “Life is short, enjoy it while you can.”

Duan Shigang: “But don’t you study?”

Ma Shicheng: “Can’t study.”

Wang Longlong: “My Brother Ma has realized the true essence of life—play heartily. Don’t stress yourself just because others are working hard. Otherwise, you’ll end up neither studying well nor playing well!”