The second day of the school sports meet.
A light sun shower fell from the sky, and the scorching track seemed to emit steam, its surface faintly white as if dusted with powder.
Since Bai Yuyou and Tang Keke were participating in the three-legged race, Ye Shuang had arrived early to secure a good spot in the stands. But as he settled in, he noticed a familiar figure moving up and down the steps, carrying a bag.
[Sunflower seeds: 8 yuan, soda: 4 yuan, peanuts: 5 yuan…]
Ye Shuang was surprised—it was Taozi, small and timid, selling snacks with a hint of shyness.
Her business seemed decent, having already sold a few bags of sunflower seeds in a short time, her movements quick and efficient.
The prices were only about a yuan higher than usual, so many students were willing to pay.
The atmosphere was reminiscent of vendors selling snacks in the front rows, all for the sake of fun—some students even bought peanuts and soda and immediately started playing mobile games with their friends.
"..." Ye Shuang paused for a moment. "Such a hardworking kid. Is the money from the library not enough?"
Though the system hadn’t mentioned it, he could guess why Taozi needed money so badly. After a brief thought, he waved her over.
"C-coming!" Taozi hurried over, freezing slightly when she saw it was Ye Shuang.
Then she smiled awkwardly.
"The sunflower seeds look pretty good," Ye Shuang said, scanning the snacks. "Where do you get your stock?"
Taozi hadn’t expected the question. "The wholesale market. It’s quite far from Yinshan Academy."
"Does the profit cover the transportation costs?" Ye Shuang smiled.
"Haizhu City buses only cost one yuan per trip. I transferred three times, so it’s still worth it," Taozi replied promptly.
Ye Shuang nodded in understanding before pointing at her remaining stock. "I’ll take it all."
"Huh?" Taozi blinked in surprise.
"Y-you really need that much?"
"The kids at home have big appetites, and it’s nice to have snacks in the school clinic when counseling students," Ye Shuang explained.
It made perfect sense.
"But..." Taozi hesitated before murmuring, "You’re too kind to me."
"It’s just some snacks." Ye Shuang chuckled and gestured for her to sit beside him. "Take a seat. Let’s chat."
"O-okay!"
Taozi sat down next to him. For some reason, this man had a calming presence that eased her nerves.
"Show me your QR code. I’ll transfer the money," Ye Shuang said.
Taozi immediately lifted the green QR code badge hanging around her neck—
Ye Shuang scanned it but frowned slightly.
"Is this number yours?" he asked.
"My mother’s," Taozi explained.
Ye Shuang thought for a moment before completing the transfer. "Done. Sent."
"Thank you!"
"Why not use your own QR code?" he continued.
"..." Taozi flushed, fidgeting before pulling out an old, battered flip phone from her pocket.
"I... can’t afford that kind of phone."
Her face burned with embarrassment.
Ye Shuang: "..."
"Do you give all the money you earn to your parents?" he asked.
"Yes! That way, my younger sisters can go to school!" Taozi’s face brightened at the mention of her sisters, a rare, sweet smile appearing. "They’re all very well-behaved."
"What about your brother?"
"His schooling isn’t a problem. My parents pay for it," Taozi said. "He’s also very good."
Ye Shuang fell silent for a beat before turning his gaze to the field. "Taozi, you’re always thinking about your siblings..."
"But what about you?"
Taozi’s smile froze. His words seemed to dig up something she had buried deep inside. The girl fidgeted helplessly before finally lowering her head.
"It’s fine... I’m fine..."
"You’re a good kid," Ye Shuang said after a pause.
"But parents don’t need a license to raise children..."
"Are you sure the money you earn is really being used for your sisters?"
Taozi stiffened. She wasn’t foolish—his words struck a chord. Yet, after a moment of hesitation, she chose to trust her parents.
"They wouldn’t do that."
Seeing her stance, Ye Shuang didn’t press further.
Watching the girl, he shifted to lighter topics. "How’s the dorm at Yinshan Academy?"
"It’s wonderful! The rooms are so nice!" Taozi’s eyes sparkled as she spoke. The academy’s dorms were shared between two students, each with private bathrooms—far better than anything she’d ever lived in before.
And since she had been admitted as a first-choice student, her accommodation fees were fully waived.
"What about your roommate?" Ye Shuang asked.
"She’s a pretty girl. Her personality... is nice too. She talks to me." Taozi paused before giving a simple, earnest smile.
Ye Shuang found himself growing fonder of Taozi—not in a romantic sense, but with the warmth of an elder appreciating a younger’s spirit.
"Taozi."
"Yes?"
"After you graduate in a few years, I can arrange a good job for you. Interested?"
"Really?!"
"Yes. So your task now is to study hard," Ye Shuang said. "If you can’t wait, I can arrange an internship for you in your seventh year."
"I can wait!" Taozi stood up and bowed deeply. "You’re my benefactor!"
Her sudden gesture drew stares from those nearby.
"Ahem, sit down," Ye Shuang said, waving her back.
Taozi’s face flushed as she obediently sat.
Ye Shuang couldn’t help but laugh. "I said I’d arrange a job, but aren’t you afraid I might trick you into some shady work?"
"Not at all!" Taozi said firmly.
She didn’t know why, but she trusted him completely.
"Next up is the three-legged race from the School of Business. All participants, please prepare." The announcer’s voice echoed over the speakers.
Ye Shuang and Taozi turned their attention to the track, quickly spotting Bai Yuyou and Tang Keke.
The two girls stood side by side, one leg each tied together.
"Hmm..." Ye Shuang watched them, but as his gaze drifted lower, he caught sight of a vaguely familiar figure in the stands.
A middle-aged woman in sunglasses, holding a handbag.
For some reason, she looked strikingly familiar.
[Character: Xu Huixian
Struggling with how to mend her relationship with her daughter.]
"Aunt Huixian..." Ye Shuang excused himself from Taozi and headed toward the lower stands.
reezy rom-com) Good news: Jiang Liu is quite the ladies' man. Bad news: He’s lost his memory. Lying in a hospital bed, Jiang Liu listens to a parade of goddesses spouting "absurd claims," feeling like the world is one giant game of Werewolf. "Jiang Liu, I’m your first love." "Jiang Liu, you’re my boyfriend—she’s your ex." "Jiang Liu, we’re close friends who’ve shared a bed, remember?" "Jiang Liu, I want to have your baby." The now-lucid Jiang Liu is convinced this must be some elaborate scam... until someone drops the bombshell: "The day before you lost your memory, you confessed your feelings—and got into a relationship." Jiang Liu is utterly baffled. So... who the hell is his actual girlfriend?! ... Before recovering his memories, Jiang Liu must navigate this minefield of lies and sincerity, fighting to protect himself from these women’s schemes. But things spiral even further out of control as more people show up at his doorstep—each with increasingly unhinged antics. On the bright side, the memories he lost due to overwhelming trauma seem to be resurfacing. Great news, right? So why are they all panicking now?
m back to his original world. In the end, he realized he had overthought things. [Hey, why is Shen Manni, the female lead, acting strange? Shouldn't she be fawning over the male lead at this point?] [Zhou Qiaoqiao, are you sick? Weren't you supposed to break off your engagement today?] [Damn it! An Youyi, please do your job as an undercover agent and sell my information to the protagonist, you idiot!] ... At this moment, Xu Mo himself didn't know that these female leads had already heard his inner thoughts. Then they decided not to play by the rules. Xu Mo: Please respect my profession as the big villain!
Cheng's father told him he was getting remarried—to a wealthy woman. Cao Cheng realized his time had finally come: he was about to become a second-generation rich kid. Sure, it might be a watered-down version, but hey, at least he'd have status now, right? The wealthy woman also had four daughters!! Which meant, starting today, Cao Cheng gained four stunning older sisters?? But that wasn't even the whole story... "My name is Cao Cheng—'Cheng' as in 'honest, smooth-talking gentleman'!"
ions, keeping it grounded and realistic】 After quitting his job, office worker Su Yang accidentally binds with the "Enjoy Life System." As the name suggests, simply by indulging in life's pleasures, he can earn random rewards from the system—no need to spend money on beautiful women or grovel before anyone. Just enjoy, and the money follows, making it all about effortless fun. The system comes with a scanning feature, allowing him to establish a favorability bond with women rated 85 points or above. Every 20-point increase in favorability unlocks additional rewards. After suffering through over twenty years of hardship, Su Yang trembles with excitement, his dull eyes suddenly gleaming with newfound hope. "Enjoy life? How hard could that be?"
