Chapter 44: Good News

Regarding summer plans, Zhao Fusheng had a clear idea: he would rely on Zheng Yao's advertising studio to take on some advertising design jobs, and in addition, he planned to apply for a job as a网吧 administrator at an internet café.

This might seem a bit ridiculous, but for Zhao Fusheng, it was the only way he could get free internet access.

Three or four yuan per hour for internet fees was a bit expensive for Zhao Fusheng, who didn't have much pocket money or living expenses.

Moreover, Zhao Fusheng had a bold idea: he felt that he might be able to become a free bird in the wave of the internet.

Stephen Chow said that if a person has no dreams, they are no different from a salted fish.

Zhao Fusheng didn't want to be a salted fish; he just wanted to make money.

"What can you do?" Fan Baobao asked Zhao Fusheng in surprise. Clearly, in her view, there weren't many things Zhao Fusheng could do; even if he took odd jobs, at most he'd be a waiter or something.

After all, compared to girls, some promotional businesses undoubtedly favored girls, especially pretty ones like Fan Baobao.

"I plan to be a网吧 administrator," Zhao Fusheng didn't hide it from Fan Baobao.

Having dealt with computers for so many years in his previous life, Zhao Fusheng felt he could handle the current computer configurations, which were still based on Pentium processors, with ease. You see, at this time, there weren't many netizens; chat rooms and BBS were what many people loved to spend all day in internet cafés for, and also those sixteen- or seventeen-year-old teenagers who liked to play LAN games in internet cafés, such as Counter-Strike, abbreviated as CS, Red Alert, Diablo, and StarCraft.

Even, if you played these single-player games well, a crowd of onlookers of the same age would often gather behind you, pointing and commenting, giving off an air of lonely mastery.

Back then, Zhao Fusheng was also one of them.

But now, these things had become a bygone youth in his eyes.

"网吧 administrator?" Fan Baobao was stunned, then her expression darkened, and she lowered her head, saying nothing.

She felt very guilty. If it weren't for her, Zhao Fusheng's family conditions, though not great, wouldn't have required him to work as a网吧 administrator during summer break to supplement the family income.

Seeing her reaction, Zhao Fusheng knew she was overthinking.

To keep Fan Baobao from feeling too awkward, Zhao Fusheng deliberately smiled and said, "You see, I actually really like going online. If I work as a网吧 administrator, I can get free internet, right? But my parents definitely won't agree. Then I'll say I'm tutoring someone outside, and you cover for me, okay?"

"Really?" Fan Baobao looked up, her eyes full of hope.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Really. Let's see who earns more wages this summer, okay?"

"Okay!"

Fan Baobao happily agreed, already deciding in her heart that she would report less so Zhao Fusheng could win, and then secretly give her own earnings to Zhao's mom, who would give it to Zhao Fusheng as living expenses.

...

...

Early the next morning, Fan Baobao went to Zheng Yao for an audition, Zhao's mom and Li Yuan took Fan Beibei to the hospital for medicine, leaving only Zhao Fusheng and his father at home.

"Dad, I want to work during summer break," Zhao Fusheng didn't beat around the bush and directly told his father his thoughts.

"Work?"

Zhao's dad was slightly taken aback, then understood his son's meaning, reached out and patted Zhao Fusheng's head: "You little rascal, you're growing up."

Then, after hesitating for a moment, he said, "Your mom and I are thinking about opening a fruit shop."

A fruit shop?

Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and nodded: "That's good. Living conditions are getting better now, every family will definitely buy fruit."

Zhao's dad nodded: "Yeah, your Aunt Li is in poor health. I'll be in charge of stocking, and she'll help sell. We have enough hands at home."

As the head of the family, since he said this to Zhao Fusheng, it probably meant the elders had already discussed it and were just informing their son.

Zhao Fusheng understood this clearly, so he didn't plan to offer any opinions.

Adults always tend to view things with the worst intentions, while young people are full of youthful idealism and see things less darkly.

Zhao Fusheng always felt that people should live a little more positively.

If his parents liked to strive, let them strive. If he rashly interfered in their lives, he might help them temporarily, but it might not ultimately be the life they wanted.

...

...

At noon, Fan Baobao returned home in high spirits, pulling a contract out of her bag. It stated that as a signed model for Future Advertising, she would receive 1,500 yuan for participating in the filming of the Runshengyuan Qingpian Hantan advertisement.

"General Manager Zheng said if the ad performs well after airing, I'll get a bonus too."

Fan Baobao happily shared the joy with her family.

For her, this was the first time she had earned so much money in her life.

The elders were naturally very happy. Li Yuan even hugged her daughter and sighed emotionally, saying she had grown up and become sensible.

Zhao Fusheng stood by with a full smile. For him, seeing the people around him happy was itself a joyful thing.

"Since that's the case, let me share some good news too," Zhao's dad said, seeing everyone in a good mood, smiling as he spoke. "We discussed it and decided that in a while, after your mom's surgery and when she's recovered, the two families will jointly run a fruit shop near our neighborhood."

"Really?"

Fan Baobao was stunned and looked at her mother in surprise.

Li Yuan nodded: "Yes, you and Fusheng both have to study, and Beibei is growing up day by day. After using the money from selling our house for my recovery, there's some left. Your Uncle Zhao took out all the family savings to make up the rest."

It was no exaggeration to say that this time, the two families were betting everything, placing all their hopes on this fruit shop.

Fan Baobao nodded vigorously: "Mom, Uncle, Auntie, don't worry. Fusheng and I have discussed it. We'll both work during summer break. We'll definitely make our lives better and better."

Since she said that, Zhao Fusheng naturally had to support her. He quickly stepped forward to show his determination: "Yes, Dad, Mom, Auntie Li, don't worry. Our counselor helped me find a tutoring job. I've already arranged to tutor someone during summer break."

It couldn't be helped. Because there wasn't enough space at home, he would have to stay at school during the break. And according to Zhao Fusheng's plan, he would rarely come home. To avoid his parents worrying, he had to use Zheng Yao as a shield. Fortunately, his parents had met Zheng Yao once during their freshman year and knew she was indeed their counselor.

Sure enough, upon hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Zhao's dad and mom nodded, and Zhao's mom and Li Yuan even praised Zhao Fusheng for being sensible.

Letting out a long breath, Zhao Fusheng exchanged a glance with Fan Baobao, each understanding the other.