Ji Shuyuan still brought his goods to a bustling area to set up his stall.
"Shuyuan bro, why did you change locations again?" Zheng Jin happened to be shopping with a classmate and excitedly approached Ji Shuyuan’s stall when she saw it. She introduced to her classmate, "The hair clip and scarf I got before were from here, great prices, and the items look great. In South City, I’ve never seen such beautiful hair clips."
"That’s great, I didn’t manage to buy last time." Zheng Jin’s classmate immediately began to pick things with interest. She happened to be busy and not at school last week, and by the time she returned, Ji Shuyuan was already gone, and she had missed the chance to buy.
It was unexpected to run into him this time.
While Zheng Jin’s classmate carefully browsed, Ji Shuyuan told her to take her time. Then he responded to Zheng Jin’s comment, saying, "Shifting places can attract more buyers."
He didn’t go to the university entrance but to places with heavy foot traffic, so his items sold faster.
"Oh, has Nianhua called recently?" Zheng Jin asked for news of Xu Nianhua, whom she hadn’t seen since their last encounter.
"Yes, I told her I met you. Nianhua even told me to take good care of you and to give you a discount." Ji Shuyuan knew Zheng Jin and Xu Nianhua were close friends, so every time Zheng Jin came by, or when Zheng Jin brought classmates, he would offer them a better deal.
In this back and forth, Ji Shuyuan and Zheng Jin got to know each other well.
"Then I must thank Nianhua and thank Boss Ji," Zheng Jin said joyfully. After coming to South City for school, she also followed her classmates’ lead and got a shoulder-length haircut, which made her more confident.
Her playful words made Ji Shuyuan falter for a moment; he bowed his head, masking his unease, and said, "What do you want to buy? I’ll give you a good price."
"Um, this and this, and also this." Zheng Jin’s family was quite well-off, and she had quite a bit of pocket money, so she and her classmate picked out quite a few things.
"When Nianhua comes back, make sure to tell me, okay?" Zheng Jin reminded Ji Shuyuan before leaving.
Ji Shuyuan responded as new customers arrived, and he became busy once again.
Busy until the sky darkened, Ji Shuyuan dragged his weary body back to his rented house. Ji Xinghua had the lights on, busying himself in the kitchen.
"Grandpa, didn’t I say to wait for me to cook?" Ji Shuyuan hastily put down his things and looked at his grandfather bustling about, suddenly feeling guilty. His grandfather moved here and even helped him cook.
"It’s okay, I’m not so old that I can’t move. My health improved last year, so I can manage these things," Ji Xinghua said with a smile. The grandfather and grandson bustled around in the kitchen, preparing a simple yet warm and happy dinner.
"Grandpa, I made quite a bit of money today." Ji Shuyuan reported the day’s success to Ji Xinghua. The grandfather and grandson, carrying dreams of a better future, drifted into dreamland.
"Gu Junhe?" Ji Shuyuan was returning from school in the evening when he came across Gu Junhe on the side of the road, utterly intoxicated and vomiting. He approached him with concern.
"Who’s there?" Gu Junhe, reeking of alcohol, turned to Ji Shuyuan, his drunken eyes unable to see clearly.
"It’s me, I’m Ji Shuyuan," Ji Shuyuan replied.
Gu Junhe cracked a smile and said, "Oh, it’s Shuyuan, my lifesaver."
"How much did you drink?" Ji Shuyuan asked, frowning.