Chapter 17: Witnessing the World of Adult Men

August 6th, another ordinary summer morning.

A silver Bluebird sped down a country road; the warm sun rose slowly in the east, leaping onto the poplar branches in an instant, its dappled light streaming through the windows and falling across Chen Yansen’s cheek.

“Your sister? Why didn’t she come with you?”

Chen Yansen slapped the front seat and spoke to Wang Zihao.

“Mom took her to Shanghai to visit my uncle and check out the Expo—unless I had a legitimate reason to learn to drive, I’d have been forced to go too.”

Wang Zihao turned his head, still shaken by the thought.

What fancy Shanghai, what Expo? Nothing beats making money with Sen-ge!

“Pity—lost a free laborer.”

Chen Yansen spoke calmly, as if he only cared that no one would help collect money or load goods in the coming days.

“Asshole!”

Wang Zihao rolled his eyes and spat in anger.

With Wang Qian’s adorable looks, countless boys flocked to court her—only that bastard Chen Yansen would think of using his sister as a laborer.

“Today you handle sales—I’ve sent the script to your QQ. You’ve got fifty minutes left until we arrive; use the time to memorize it.”

Chen Yansen smiled, his expression serious.

“Sen-ge, I—I can’t do it. Maybe you should do it instead?”

Wang Zihao hadn’t expected revenge to come so fast—his tongue suddenly froze, stammering as he begged.

“If you really don’t want to, I won’t force you—I’ll just deduct two thousand from your commission.”

Chen Yansen grinned at his cowardly look.

“Zihao, I’m not saying this to scold you, but a man can’t say he can’t do something—just go for it!”

After spending a day driving with Huang Boxiang, their relationship had grown close enough that even his form of address changed.

“Sen-ge, you’re joking with me, right?”

Wang Zihao pouted, cautiously testing the waters.

Chen Yansen frowned, his gaze sharp, and snapped: “Do I look like I’m joking?”

“Fuck it—I’m going all in! No one in Anfeng knows me anyway.”

Wang Zihao gritted his teeth, looking like he was marching to the execution ground.

“If you want to make real money, don’t let morality, rules, or face hold you back—when you’re broke, those things are worth less than toilet paper.”

With that, Chen Yansen ignored Wang Zihao, calmly pulled out his Noah N78, and returned to his side hustle.

“You don’t like singing or playing ball!? Don’t all guys like that stuff?”

The first message that popped up upon logging into QQ was from Meng Jie.

Hmph, so you say you’re not interested in me?

Chen Yansen’s lips curled slightly—he’d evaluated many female streamers and cosplayers in his past life, but Meng Jie’s unique type was one he’d never truly sampled.

“Kids play those things. Are you coming to Anfeng? I’ll show you the world of adult men.”

Without hesitation, Chen Yansen replied immediately.

His experience selling goods in Zhongqiao Town taught him that just him and Wang Zihao couldn’t handle the workload.

So, luring in another free laborer became Chen Zong’s top priority.

“You’re in Anfeng????”

Meng Jie’s avatar lit up suddenly.

“No.”

Chen Yansen replied simply.

“Then what the hell did you just say for?!”

Meng Jie’s delight vanished instantly; she snapped back angrily.

“But I’ll be in Anfeng in an hour.”

Chen Yansen smirked, deliberately teasing her.

“Who taught you to talk like that? Don’t you know you’ll get punched?”

After sending the message, Meng Jie added a GIF of a fist swinging.

“Meet me at the Anfeng market—I’ll send you the exact location later.”

Chen Yansen made the invitation himself—free laborers were hard to find; he couldn’t miss this chance.

“Hey, hey, hey! I haven’t even agreed yet!”

Lying in bed, Meng Jie pouted, “Ah!” and kicked off the blanket wrapped around her thighs.

She did want to see Chen Yansen—but she remembered how many times she’d invited him and he’d refused.

If she rushed to his call now, she’d look like a fool.

“Don’t forget—I like white stockings.”

Chen Yansen kindly reminded her.

“Pervert Chen, if you like them so much, wear them yourself.”

Meng Jie grinned, fingers flying across her phone keyboard as she shot back without mercy.

Outside, Meng’s father frowned, adjusting his tie as he asked his wife: “What’s wrong with Xiao Jie?”

“Maybe she has a stomachache—I’ll make her some brown sugar water. Wait, that’s odd—didn’t she just have her period last week?”

Meng’s mother replied automatically, then counted on her fingers and realized something was off.

“Xiao Jie, are you unwell? Should Dad take you to the hospital?”

Meng’s father stood at the door, knocking gently to check on her.

“Huh?! Dad, I’m not sick. By the way, aren’t you on duty in Anfeng today?”

Meng Jie yanked open the door and poked her head out.

“Mm? Why?”

Seeing his daughter was fine, Meng’s father relaxed and smiled warmly.

“Can I come with you?”

Meng Jie grabbed his arm, tugging it playfully, then added quickly, fearing suspicion: “I heard the lotuses at Anfeng Pond are blooming—I want to see them.”

“Oh my, you’re making me dizzy! Fine, fine—get up quickly then.”

Meng’s father smiled indulgently and agreed at once.

Meanwhile,

After careful consideration, Chen Yansen had Huang Boxiang park the van at an open space near the market entrance; the three then unloaded goods, assembled folding tables and chairs, stacked products, and unfurled posters and banners.

With prior experience, they finished quickly.

“Mouse, showtime—go!”

Chen Yansen stepped back, signaling Wang Zihao to begin.

Huang Boxiang stood aside, grinning, watching the goods while waiting for Wang Zihao to embarrass himself—some peanuts would’ve made it perfect.

“Hello everyone! We are… from Yangcheng Electronics Factory, selling MP3s and MP4s…”

Wang Zihao took a deep breath and began speaking.

His voice rose and fell like waves, instantly drawing dozens of curious glances.

He started stuttering, but kept reciting the script—until he met the eyes of the aunts, uncles, and youths, and panicked.

“Hahahaha—”

“This kid’s funny—so MP3s are like people now?”

“Come on, let’s go see the show!”

“Really? An MP3 for only 49 yuan—and free earphones?”

“My cousin bought an MP4 in Zhongqiao Town for 199—was it from you guys?”

Instantly, a crowd gathered.

“Don’t chicken out—keep reciting your lines!”

Chen Yansen ignored Wang Zihao’s pitiful gaze and whispered a warning.

“We are staff from Yangcheng Meimo Electronics Factory. Today we’re in Anfeng Town to bring you a special gift!”

“MP3 music players originally priced at 290, 390, 490 yuan—all now just 49 yuan for a clearance sale!”

“Don’t miss this chance—walk past and you’ll regret it!”

Wang Zihao’s face flushed red; seeing no help coming, he forced himself to shout louder.

As he grew accustomed to being watched, his heartbeat slowed, the redness on his cheeks faded, and the script flowed from his lips almost automatically.

By the end, he grew excited, standing atop a stool, waving his arms wildly as he recited the sales pitch.

At that moment, Meng Jie arrived—and saw it all.

“Chen Yansen, Wang Zihao, what is this?!”

Meng Jie’s eyes widened in disbelief; she scanned Wang Zihao up and down, murmuring in amazement.

“Chen Yansen, is the world of adult men just markets and selling goods?”

Meng Jie teased with a smile.

“Selling goods is just the form—the goal is making money.”

Chen Yansen brushed it off casually and urged: “Stop standing there—come help!”

So what if we’re selling goods?

Even water sellers can become the richest person!

(End of chapter)