For the next two days, Chen Yansen stayed home, grinding practice problems.
It wasn't until the SF Express courier called that he finally went downstairs and picked up three packages.
All three suppliers had sent MP3 and MP4 player samples.
The MP3s were nearly identical.
2GB internal storage.SD card support up to 16GB.110mAh lithium battery, allegedly capable of seventy hours of continuous playback.Supported MP3 and WMA formats.A 1.8-inch screen that could display TXT e-books.
The workmanship, however, was rough.
"Straight-up electronic waste."
Chen Yansen turned the device over in his hand, unimpressed.
But this was 2010.
At a wholesale price of around twenty yuan, these would sell out instantly in rural markets.
The MP4 players were far better.
4GB internal storage, expandable to 16GB.A 4.3-inch screen with 720P resolution.Glossy piano-lacquer finish.Photo viewing, recording, and radio functions included.
The wholesale prices—105, 110, and 118 yuan—were all competitive.
"Quality's fine," Chen Yansen muttered after a long inspection."Which one I pick depends on after-sales service and how generous they are with freebies."
He tore a page from his notebook and leaned over the coffee table, jotting things down:
Banners.Roll-up signs.Folding tables and chairs.Wallets.Suits.Change.
Final preparations for his first pot of gold.
Once everything was settled, he stuffed the paper into his pocket and headed out.
It was a summer evening.
The streets buzzed with people. Vendors shouted at intersections. The smell of fried skewers filled the air.
Chen Yansen pedaled through narrow alleys lined with blue bricks and gray tiles.
Halfway to the internet café, his stomach growled.
Only then did he realize he hadn't eaten dinner.
"I'll eat first."
He turned around and followed his memory to a small wonton shop.
"One bowl of wontons," he called out, sitting down."And three ounces of potstickers."
"Coming right up."
The middle-aged owner grinned, wiping sweat from his forehead before turning back to work.
"Shenyang in 2010…"
Chen Yansen chuckled softly.
"In my last life, I barely ever came back."
"Chen Yansen!"
A familiar voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
Clear. Pleasant. Angry.
"Why didn't you reply to my messages?"
Meng Jie stormed in, fists clenched, looking like she might actually punch him.
"…You sent me messages?"
Chen Yansen froze, then calmly tossed his phone onto the table.
"Here. Find them yourself."
"But you said I could check. Don't go back on your word."
She picked up her Nokia N78, opened the chat app—
—and notification sounds exploded nonstop.
"You seriously never log in?"
Her eyes widened.
The screen was packed with unread messages.
Only then did she realize the truth.
He wasn't ignoring her.
He was ignoring everyone.
"Who even uses this thing?" Chen Yansen scoffed."I only use my phone to make calls."
She shot him a look, then raised her pink Anixin X10.
"And who stole vegetables from my farm last week?"
The log was brutal:
Oh no! [LoneWanderer] stole your dragon fruit (–8)Oh no! [LoneWanderer] stole your roses (–5)Oh no! [LoneWanderer] stole your starfruit (–2)
"…Ah."
Chen Yansen smiled awkwardly.
"That was probably Zihao," he said smoothly."He logs in for me sometimes."
"Really?"
Meng Jie clearly didn't believe him.
"Give me my phone back. I'll reply to you now."
She hesitated.
"It wasn't anything important," she muttered, face heating up."Just asking you to play ball."
"If it's nothing," Chen Yansen said lazily,"why won't you let me see it?"
He reached for the phone.
"Three seconds!" she said quickly, stepping back and typing furiously.
When she finished, she exhaled and smiled.
"You deleted everything?"
"Yes—!"
She froze.
Too late.
"So," Chen Yansen said, folding his arms,"what did you actually send me?"
"…Just asking you to play ball."
She handed the phone back with an innocent smile.
Chen Yansen didn't press further.
One glance was enough.
Skipping the class group chat, he noticed one contact stood out—aside from Wang Zihao, the most frequent messages came from a user named:
SmilingTears
Profile picture: a girl with her hair tied up.
He opened the chat.
You went too far today.???Why didn't you reply?If you don't respond, don't talk to me ever again.I'm seriously angry now!
"…What a waste of time."
Chen Yansen blocked and deleted the contact in one clean motion.
Across from him, Meng Jie saw everything.
After a moment, she spoke again.
"Haozi said you both applied to Xucheng Academy?"
"No choice," Chen Yansen replied calmly."We barely made second-tier cutoff. The school chooses us."
"You said last time I'd fail to get into my first choice," she said softly."Maybe we'll still end up classmates."
"You listed Xucheng as your second choice too?"
"Yes."
"Then don't go."
He looked at her seriously.
"Retake the exam. With your ability, a 211 university is well within reach."
"…You sound just like my dad."
She sighed, chin resting on her hand.
She was close enough that he could smell a faint gardenia scent.
"You haven't forgotten our bet, right?" Chen Yansen said lightly."I like white stockings."
Her eyes widened.
"Lower your voice," she hissed."My dad's here."
She glanced toward the door.
Only when she saw her father still chatting with friends did she finally relax.