Monday, homeroom class.
"Tomorrow morning will be entirely dedicated to community service. All third-year students at Yinshan Academy need to go to Yinshan Community Park for cleanup duty," said Li Chunhua, the homeroom teacher of Class A. "Make sure to eat a good breakfast tomorrow."
"Huh?"
"What do you mean 'huh'? Last year, it was the second-years' turn. This year, it's ours," Li Chunhua replied flatly.
"B-but last year's second-years were us?"
"Don’t dwell on the details. Consider this a trial."
"......"
Just then, the bell rang for the end of class. Li Chunhua glanced at the time. "Alright, class dismissed. If you can’t participate in the activity, submit a request through the campus app. No faking illnesses, though."
With that, Li Chunhua left.
During the break, Bai Yuyou slowly tidied up her desk but noticed Tang Keke rubbing her eyes beside her—almost like she was doing eye exercises.
"Keke... are you feeling unwell?" Bai Yuyou asked, noticing Tang Keke’s troubled expression.
Tang Keke lowered her hands and sighed deeply. "Yuyou, I think my eyesight’s getting worse lately."
She clutched her chest dramatically.
"It’s terrifying—I opened my wallet and couldn’t see any money."
Bai Yuyou tilted her head slightly.
"Actually, I spent too much during the school festival and blew through this month’s allowance," Tang Keke admitted. "I only get 3,000 a month, after all."
Bai Yuyou murmured, "Allowance..."
"Right, how much does your brother usually give you?" Tang Keke asked.
"I don’t know..." Bai Yuyou thought for a moment before shaking her head.
Tang Keke scratched her head. "You don’t know?"
"Mm." Bai Yuyou nodded, then asked, "Keke, do you need money?"
"Yeah..." Tang Keke sighed. She wanted to take on a part-time job, but her timid nature held her back. Though she acted cheerful around Bai Yuyou, deep down, she was still that same scaredy-cat.
Seeing Tang Keke’s dilemma, Bai Yuyou took out her phone and tapped a few times.
Ding— Tang Keke’s phone buzzed with a notification—a transfer from Bai Yuyou.
"Why are you sending me money?" Tang Keke clicked on it and gasped.
Bai Yuyou: Transfer 10,000¥
"Yuyou, you’re this loaded?!" Tang Keke exclaimed.
"Ye Shuang said... if I need money, I can just ask him," Bai Yuyou said softly. Her account still had over 200,000, all provided by Ye Shuang.
If not for his worry that this naive girl might get scammed, Ye Shuang would’ve let her handle any amount freely.
Tang Keke stared at the glittering transfer but ultimately, with great reluctance, returned it. "No, no. I can’t take your money. And you shouldn’t just transfer money to people like that, okay?" She patted Bai Yuyou’s shoulder solemnly.
Bai Yuyou replied, "Keke, not just anyone... we’re friends."
"Heh, you’re making me blush. But I still have enough for basic expenses." Tang Keke made a peace sign. "It’s just... there’s something I really want to buy right now."
Bai Yuyou thought for a moment. "You can pay me back next month."
"No, that’s called 'borrowing from the future.'" Tang Keke wagged a finger. "If you don’t have money, don’t spend it. If you really want something, earn it through a part-time job. You can’t make a habit of spending money you don’t have!"
"My dad always said, borrowing from the future means someone else profits from you. Never get into that habit."
Bai Yuyou didn’t fully understand, but she listened carefully.
"But I do want that thing... I guess I’ll have to take on a job after all." Tang Keke tilted her head back in thought. "But I’m too scared to go for an interview... It’s so awkward."
"Awkward?"
"Yeah, like... shy and nervous." Tang Keke was both timid and socially anxious.
Bai Yuyou offered, "Then I’ll go with you?"
"Really?" Tang Keke’s eyes lit up, but then she hesitated. "But you don’t need money. You’d just be coming along for me?"
"Mm."
"Then... should you ask your brother first?" Tang Keke suggested.
"Okay..."
......
Nurse’s Office.
Ding—
"Hm?" Ye Shuang, flipping through a medical book, glanced at his phone when it chimed. The notification showed Bai Yuyou’s little dolphin avatar.
He picked it up and opened the message—then froze.
Bai Yuyou: (˘•ω•˘) No money left. Going to work part-time with Keke.
"Wait, what?"
Ye Shuang quickly typed back:
Ye Shuang: If you need money, just tell me. How much do you want?
Bai Yuyou: (´･ω･) No. Can’t borrow from the future. I’m going to work.
Ye Shuang: ???
That’s your own money. What do you mean 'borrow from the future'?
Confused, he messaged Tang Keke instead and soon pieced together what had happened.
"Part-time job?" Ye Shuang frowned slightly.
Still, if the two girls were together, it should be fine.
"But where would they even work?" He drummed his fingers on the desk, his gaze drifting toward a certain girl lounging nearby—legs propped up on the table, leaning back in a chair, controller in hand.
An Shiyu, chewing gum with headphones on, muttered under her breath:
"Red Slash, go!"
"Tch, how did I miss that?! Stop twitching around!"
As her in-game character got obliterated by a monster, An Shiyu tossed the controller aside and finally noticed Ye Shuang staring. "What? Want to touch my thighs?"
"No."
"I’m wearing stockings."
"That’s not the point?!"
"You distracted me. Now I carted." An Shiyu deadpanned, her eyes flat.
"Your character was already dead before I even spoke. How is that my fault?" Ye Shuang sighed, then asked, "How do you usually handle part-time jobs?"
"Broke already?" An Shiyu raised an eyebrow. "You just bought a new Audi Q5 today. Did a 400k car bankrupt you?"
Ye Shuang shot her an unamused look before explaining the situation.
"Worried she’ll struggle, but also thinking it’s good experience? You sound like an old man." An Shiyu turned back to her game.
"You’re asking me for part-time advice? Easy. Find a job you want, knock out a staff member, then steal their uniform and blend in."
"That’s literally a crime?!"
"Tch."
"Mm..." Ye Shuang rubbed his chin. Maybe he should just go and observe secretly?
"An Shiyu."
"What?"
"Teach me how to sneak in and watch them without getting noticed."
An Shiyu glanced at him. "Simple. Plant a hidden camera."
"Anything normal?"
"Buy me bubble tea."
"Fine."
"Just carted again. Now it’s two cups. Pray I don’t die a third time."
"……"