The Scorching Sun - 32

 One hundred and ninety-seven days sounded like a very long time when counted out carefully on one's fingers. Yet once those days became packed with homework, classes, and exams, they seemed to vanish as quickly as pages torn from an old calendar, an entire month gone in the blink of an eye.

As January drew near, Ye Yuncheng told her that he had rented a place in A City.

The location wasn't very close to A High School, but it was near the city center. The property had once been the site of an accident, making it difficult to sell, so the rent had been lowered considerably. Shen Musi's father had introduced it to him.

Ye Yuncheng himself didn't mind these things. Besides, the apartment's location and surrounding amenities were both quite good. After a brief discussion with Liu Qiaohong, he decided to rent it on the spot.

The landlord was very agreeable. After learning about their circumstances, he agreed to monthly rent payments and waived the security deposit. One thousand yuan per month in rent, with the first month at half price, under a one-year trial lease.

For most people, a thousand yuan might not seem like much, but for Ye Yuncheng, it was already a large portion of his savings.

He still had to prepare for Fang Zhuo's future university expenses. Even though there was little left for him to lose, his capacity to withstand financial risk remained extremely limited.

This resolution was the result of long deliberation, and quite possibly the biggest gamble he had ever taken since growing up and learning to shoulder responsibility.

Fang Zhuo only learned about it after he had already signed the contract.

Over the phone, Ye Yuncheng joked, "Good thing we have government subsidies. Even if things don't work out, we won't go hungry.”

He deliberately made his tone sound lighthearted, as if he were completely carefree and full of confidence. But Fang Zhuo knew that wasn't his nature. Worried that he was under too much pressure, she comforted him. "It's okay. We still have chickens at home, and they've started laying eggs now. In this day and age, how could we possibly not have enough to eat?"

Ye Yuncheng took a deep breath and chuckled. "You're right. Let's work hard and become self-sufficient as soon as possible so we won't need government subsidies anymore."

He told Fang Zhuo to focus on her studies and wait until school was on break before coming to take a look. He even found time to deliver a lunchbox to school once, saying he wanted her to try some of his new menu items.

At the moment, Ye Yuncheng's so-called new products were simply pancakes and rice balls. They were filled with some vegetables, meat floss, and other simple fillings. The flavor was uncomplicated but pleasant.

Because of schedule adjustments around the New Year's holiday, the students had already endured six straight days of intensive classes.

Everyone looked exhausted.

Yan Lie was slightly better off. He still managed to maintain his sporty-boy image, but even he had become less talkative during breaks, spending every spare moment hunched over his phone.

At lunchtime, Fang Zhuo went to collect the lunchbox from the security office. After opening it, she kept the pancake for herself and handed the rice ball to Yan Lie.

Both items were individually wrapped in paper packaging, the corners folded impeccably. They looked quite presentable.

Yan Lie accepted it with one hand and said, "Thanks."

But after only one bite, a look of realization crossed his face. He stated with certainty, "This was definitely made by Uncle!"

Fang Zhuo was surprised. "How do you know?"

Yan Lie put down his phone. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he grinned smugly. "Because it tastes like home."

Fang Zhuo had no idea how to describe the taste of home.

She figured it was mostly the taste of nostalgia.

Yan Lie took two more earnest bites and, looking at the outer packaging, said happily, "It's good. I think this could work. When's the grand opening?"

Fang Zhuo shook her head. "I don't know."

To avoid disturbing her studies, Ye Yuncheng only told her things after he had settled them, and he only ever shared good news and never the bad.

She figured a small food stall probably wouldn't have any grand opening ceremony. Once the permits came through, he'd simply start setting up whenever he had time.

For all she knew, Ye Yuncheng might already have completed the entire startup process while she was buried in textbooks.

She felt that after Ye Yuncheng had pulled himself out of the little swamp he'd been in before, he was swimming forward with startling speed, charging against the crashing waves, not slowwing down in the slightest.

Perhaps it was because he was simply an outstanding person to begin with.

Fang Zhuo had always believed that if life hadn't treated him so cruelly, Ye Yuncheng would have lived a dazzling and uninhibited life.

If poverty hadn't been part of the equation, his misfortunes would never have reduced him to such a bleak state.

He had been born into a difficult era, raised in loneliness, and forced to endure countless setbacks and injustices.

Yet the moment he could glimpse a ray of light, he became like a seed pushing through layers of solid rock, breaking free with fresh green shoots.

Still, Fang Zhuo truly did not wish to see Ye Yuncheng endure another test of failure.

Even if he were the reincarnation of the Tang Monk, he ought to have passed through enough tribulations to obtain the scriptures by now.

She turned back to her deskmate and asked again, "You really think it's good? If you have any feedbacks, there's still time to speak up."

Yan Lie saw the anxiety on her face. Instead of answering immediately, he went to the back of the classroom and poured her a cup of water.

Just then, Shen Musi returned carrying takeout food. Yan Lie called out to him, handed over the rice ball, and said, "Cake, give this a try."

Shen Musi took a big bite right from his hand and sat back down at his own desk. Too bad he didn't catch the flavor the first time and made Yan Lie give him another bite before finally giving his verdict. "It's pretty good. Why are you two looking at me like that?"

"See?" Yan Lie raised an eyebrow at Fang Zhuo, then explained to Shen Musi. "Fang Zhuo's uncle made this rice ball. He's about to open for business.

"Oh, I know about that!" Shen Musi said excitedly. "My dad told me! People in their parent group even helped Uncle Ye pick a location and choose packaging together."

Fang Zhuo froze. She set down her half-eaten pancake. "He's been keeping in touch with your parents?"

"Yeah, I think so. I've heard my dad mention him several times." Shen Musi asked, "Why?"

"What did they talk about?"

"Hmm..." Shen Musi thought hard for a while. "My dad said talking with Uncle Ye is pretty relaxing. He's easy to get along with. That Uncle Ye looks a bit delicate, but he has grit in his bones. Once he decides to do something, he acts fast. Very much like the businesspeople here in A City. Oh, right. He also said Uncle Ye's way of thinking is actually pretty forward-looking. If he wants to work hard, he can definitely make it.”

Fang Zhuo finally relaxed somewhat and nodded thoughtfully.

Shen Musi said, "Want to hear more? If you do, let our Lie Lie make something up for you. He's great at complimenting people."

Fang Zhuo: "..."

"What?" Yan Lie said with complete seriousness. "You really want to hear it? What kind of custom praise package are you looking for? I can fill an entire basket with compliments, and every one of them would be sincere. Applicable to, but not limited to, your uncle."

"No need." Fang Zhuo pressed a hand to her chest. "I'm feeling much better now."

The endless makeup classes finally came to an end.

The marathon makeup classes finally came to an end. On the first day of the holiday, Fang Zhuo borrowed Yan Lie's phone to check the route, then hoisted her backpack and headed for the bus stop.

Not surprisingly, Yan Lie appeared in front of her once again.

Fang Zhuo stared at him.

Yan Lie shrugged. "I already talked to Uncle. He warmly invited me to his place."

Fang Zhuo had no idea how many days the two of them had been communicating behind her back.

"Because if I stay home alone, all I can eat is takeout," Yan Lie said with a perfectly straight face. "Takeout is full of food additives. There'd be dead mice in the kitchen. They use those instant meal packs to cook..."

Fang Zhuo cut him off. "You've eaten takeout for all these years. Has anything ever happened to you?"

"The old me didn't care," Yan Lie declared righteously. "But now I'm a senior-year student. I've become precious!"

Fang Zhuo felt that somehow his argument made perfect sense.

From the moment they left the gates of A High School to the entrance of the residential complex, the trip took about forty minutes without traffic.

Along the way, Fang Zhuo spotted a university. It was a little too far away to benefit much from student foot traffic. There were several small supermarkets nearby and a free public park within two kilometers. Transportation was reasonably convenient.

The two of them walked in along the tree-lined path and carefully surveyed the surroundings. Although the buildings were somewhat old, they were maintained fairly well.

"I think it's pretty good," Yan Lie said.

Fang Zhuo nodded. For that price, she'd happily give it a ninety out of a hundred.

But once they stepped through the front door, Fang Zhuo found it a little hard to smile.

The apartment had two bedrooms, one living room, and one bathroom.

The living room was spacious. There was also a separate storage room on the basement level that they could use, one of the main reasons Ye Yuncheng had chosen the place.

Ye Yuncheng opened the door for them and invited them inside.

The apartment was so empty that he could hardly even tell them to make themselves comfortable.

There was almost nothing inside.

After the accident, the landlord had thrown away all the furniture. Ye Yuncheng hadn't had the means to replace anything. Having arrived in a hurry, he had only brought his small cart and a few simple belongings.

From the luggage piled in the corner, it was obvious he had been sleeping on the floor these past few days.

With Ye Yuncheng's constitution, how uncomfortable must it have been to sleep on a cold, hard floor? What's more, the weather had grown much colder recently, and nighttime temperatures dropped sharply. Fang Zhuo searched around but couldn't find the thick quilt that should have been there.

Seeing her expression darken, Ye Yuncheng hurriedly explained, "I asked Xiao Mu to bring one for me. He'll be moving in a couple of days and staying in the empty room across from mine. He'll take care of me."

Fang Zhuo hesitated for a moment after hearing that.

Then she turned around and asked, "Wasn't that room supposed to be for me?"

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