Chapter 204: Yan Zhusheng: Please

After giving him the scarf, Li Luo continued typing.

Yan Zhusheng didn't go out; she sat quietly beside the bed watching him type, but didn't look at the actual content.

After all, Li Luo had said that if anyone watched what he was writing, he couldn't write at all.

Around six in the evening, Li Luo stopped typing, stretched lazily in his chair.

"Let's go to school."

"Oh."

The two left the bedroom, called Xu Youyu in the study, and headed together to Fuyi Middle School.

On the way, Yan Zhusheng asked curiously, "Li Luo, are you making fried rice with eggs tonight?"

"No," Li Luo shook his head, "selling fried rice was just a way to save money for Zhao Rongjun; now he's bought his grandparents down jackets, no need to go through all that trouble anymore."

"Oh, okay."

"Are you just hungry?" Li Luo chuckled, "If you really want some, I can make you a separate portion and bring it over tonight."

"Nah, forget it—I'm not that hungry," Yan Zhusheng shook her head.

"Actually, if Zhusheng wants to eat it, she could just apply for day student status next semester," Xu Youyu chimed in with a smile, "We still have an empty room there—you could rent it, and it'd even earn Li Luo some rent."

Hearing this, Yan Zhusheng was slightly tempted and couldn't help glancing at Li Luo.

"Things aren't that simple to decide," Li Luo said, exasperated, "You should at least ask your mom's opinion first?"

The three chatted casually all the way and soon arrived at Fuyi Middle School.

Xu Youyu bid them farewell on the first floor and headed toward the Gao Er teaching building; Li Luo and Yan Zhusheng went upstairs to Class Eight for Sunday evening self-study.

Li Luo had thought this ordinary day would pass like this.

But during the break after the first class, Zhao Rongjun strolled down from upstairs, sneaked up to Li Luo, and whispered, "You really won't make it anymore?"

"Really won't," Li Luo said, amused by the guy's eager expression, "I've noticed you actually like hardship?"

"Where's the hardship?" Zhao Rongjun shook his head vigorously, "I don't feel any hardship at all—it's actually fun."

Looking at Zhao Rongjun's current state, Li Luo couldn't help recalling a Duan Zi he'd seen in his past life.

It was about a slacker who refused to study, so his family sent him to a construction site to carry bricks, hoping he'd realize how tough life outside school was and return to studying.

But this guy loved it—he worked his heart out, carrying bricks every day, earning two or three hundred yuan, eating delicious meals, and sleeping soundly without insomnia.

Wasn't this way better than wandering aimlessly in school all day?

So his family couldn't drag him back—he insisted on staying at the construction site.

Zhao Rongjun hadn't reached that extreme yet, but it was already quite similar.

After all, students have always been supported by their parents since childhood.

The benefit is they don't have to worry much about money—they have food and clothes, and don't need to think about it themselves.

But at the same time, the money they can control is limited; after starting school, they usually only get a small living allowance, all loaded onto their school meal card.

They barely have any pocket money.

Under these circumstances, if you tell a student that spending just an extra hour each night can earn him fifty or sixty yuan in pocket money,

many would eagerly rush over.

In fact, some clever students—even those with average grades—had already secretly started businesses on campus while still studying.

Things like bringing breakfast, copying homework, renting phones—each job earned a few yuan, not much, but at least they'd developed a mindset for earning money.

After entering society, these students might even fare better than those who just studied blindly.

But Zhao Rongjun is a future prospect for Qianjiang University; after graduation, if he works hard for just two more years, he'll easily earn over ten thousand yuan a month.

Li Luo still didn't want to distract this kid.

"It's almost final exams—focus on studying," Li Luo sighed, "And don't you remember last time? The supermarket owner came to ask questions."

"If they find out we keep doing this and it affects the supermarket's business, they'll definitely send security to stop us."

"We know our ingredients are safe, but the school doesn't—just to prevent food safety issues, they won't allow students to eat random outside food."

"If you get caught, you might even get scolded by your teacher."

After hearing Li Luo's analysis, Zhao Rongjun slumped, temporarily giving up the idea.

"Oh, by the way," Li Luo, seeing his mood, changed the subject, "When you got home yesterday, did you give the down jacket to your grandparents? What did they say?"

"Oh, that," Zhao Rongjun's face lit up again; he grinned and scratched his head, "My grandparents were thrilled—they said they felt bad about the money and asked if I could return it."

"So I pretended it couldn't be returned—if they didn't want it, they'd just have to throw it away."

"Then they had no choice but to accept it."

"After dinner, they immediately put on the new clothes and went to the nearby small park to walk around, showing them off to other elderly couples."

"My dad heard about it and came over specifically at noon today to give me a hundred yuan as pocket money."

Zhao Rongjun grinned foolishly—he'd clearly tasted the sweetness of filial piety, not just the pocket money reward, but more importantly, the spiritual satisfaction that made him deeply happy.

Li Luo smiled warmly at the sight.

In fact, it wasn't just Zhao Rongjun—Li Luo felt the same.

Although after his rebirth he'd consciously been nicer to his parents, even helping out at the breakfast shop after the high school entrance exam, if Zhao Rongjun hadn't reminded him, Li Luo wouldn't have realized until much later that he should buy his parents new clothes.

"Alright, focus on reviewing for now—ace your final exams; that's far better than earning a few yuan in pocket money," Li Luo patted Zhao Rongjun's shoulder.

Soon, the bell rang for the second evening self-study session.

Zhao Rongjun hurried back to his own classroom.

Li Luo returned to his seat and continued studying.

When there were about ten minutes left until dismissal, Yan Zhusheng gently poked Li Luo's arm, then stood up and walked out.

Seeing this, Li Luo tidied his desk and backpack, then followed her out of the classroom to the playground across the teaching building, where Yan Zhusheng was waiting.

The two were now accustomed to night running; they walked effortlessly to the track, saying not a word to each other.

Yan Zhusheng skillfully put the headphones on him, and then the two of them started running, each familiar with the other's pace, breathing evenly as they ran.

After finishing four laps, they gradually slowed their pace, checked the time, and found there was still a while before class ended, so they began walking around the playground.

"Li Luo, do you have any plans for the winter break?" Yan Zhusheng untied her scarf to catch some air and asked Li Luo.

"Not really," Li Luo thought for a moment. "I used up a lot of my drafts—I need to make them up."

"Oh, by the way." Li Luo suddenly remembered something and said to Yan Zhusheng, "From February 6th to the 9th, I'll probably need to go to the city for a few days to attend a writers' association seminar or something."

"Oh." Yan Zhusheng nodded.

"Why are you suddenly asking about the winter break?"

"Just curious," Yan Zhusheng said, tiptoeing a few steps before adding, "After the break ends at the end of the month, I'll probably accompany my mom overseas for a medical follow-up—I won't be back until just before New Year's Eve."

"I see." Li Luo's expression grew thoughtful. "Are you getting checked too?"

"Huh?" Yan Zhusheng looked at him strangely. "What check-up?"

"Uh… just a routine physical," Li Luo said. "Even though we're young and healthy, having an annual check-up isn't a bad idea."

"Oh, I get it," Yan Zhusheng nodded. "I'll get a physical then."

Hearing her answer, Li Luo let out a slight breath of relief.

But heart disease might not be detectable yet.

After all, in his past life, Yan Zhusheng wasn't diagnosed with heart disease until her thirties.

At this age, there might still be no signs.

But if something could be found early and prevented, that would be best of all.

After they finished talking, with about two minutes left before class ended, they returned to the classroom together.

After the bell rang, Li Luo waited in the classroom for Ying Chanxi, then went downstairs with her to meet Xu Youyu, and headed home together.

Having just been asked about the winter break by Yan Zhusheng, Li Luo now couldn't help worrying about the seminar.

After all, he'd be in the city for three days—if Ying Chanxi tried to contact him during that time, it might easily expose him.

So Li Luo asked Ying Chanxi: "Do you have any plans for the winter break?"

"Plans?" Ying Chanxi blinked, thinking for a moment. "I don't have any. Winter break is just staying home. Oh, by the way."

"Huh? What is it?" Li Luo pressed.

"Aren't we getting a break at the end of the month?" Ying Chanxi said. "My dad said he might go overseas on a business trip in early February and asked if I wanted to go along. Since it won't be too busy over there, he said he could take me around to sightsee. I'm still thinking about it."

"Really?" Li Luo raised an eyebrow.

In his past life, he had broken ties with Ying Chanxi during his middle school entrance exam—he hadn't known what she planned for winter break.

But after searching his memory palace briefly, he did recall his parents mentioning at the New Year's dinner table that Ying Zhicheng had gone overseas for a while.

"You should go, then," Li Luo said. "After all, you and Uncle Ying rarely see each other—this is a rare chance to travel together."

"Hmm…" Ying Chanxi looked troubled. She touched her light red scarf, glancing at Li Luo. "Do you want me to go?"

"... You have to decide that yourself. Why are you asking me?"

"What if I'm gone for many days and you miss me?" Ying Chanxi huffed.

"Don't worry—I won't miss you."

"You!" Ying Chanxi was annoyed, stomped her foot, and added, "Besides, I promised Lin Yi I'd keep an eye on you—what if you run around all over the place during winter break?"

"You really do manage too much," Li Luo sighed, grabbing her head and ruffling her hair. "Just go have fun. I've never been overseas—take lots of photos and show them to me so I can get some exposure."

"Don't worry, Xi Xi," Xu Youyu chuckled beside them. "I'll keep an eye on him. If he tries to run off, I'll tell you."

"Senior, I'm just going home for the break—what right do you have to watch me?" Li Luo rolled his eyes.

"Just remember to help out more at the breakfast shop," Ying Chanxi reminded him. "Your uncle and aunt work hard—help them more during your break."

"Got it," Li Luo nodded. "So, did Uncle Ying say how long he'd be gone?"

"About half a month, I think," Ying Chanxi recalled. "But he'll definitely be back before New Year's Eve."