Era: Rise from the Wilderness

The cool tap water splashed on my face, instantly refreshing me.

He looked at the sparse stars in the night sky and silently went through everything that had happened that day in his mind.

The crisis has been temporarily resolved, but the pressure of the monthly exams and the sports meet remains; Ma Youcai's threat has been temporarily eliminated, but potential hidden dangers need to be continuously monitored; Li Wanting's favor should be remembered and repaid in the future; the friendship between Fu Chao, Ding Dong, and other brothers should be cherished even more.

Back in the house, his mother had already poured him hot water and urged him to wash up and rest.

My father sat in front of the television, which was on, but his eyes were somewhat vacant, as if he were lost in thought.

"Dad, Mom, I'm done washing up. I'm going to go to my room to sleep now."

Li Yunjing greeted him.

The morning sunlight, carrying a hint of coolness, shone through the thin mist onto the road.

After a night's rest, Li Yunjing's leg injury, although still causing some pulling sensation when walking, no longer affected his ability to ride a bicycle.

He rode his old bicycle, mingling with the flow of students going to school, his mind racing with plans for the future.

He thought a lot last night.

Being reborn and having foresight is certainly the greatest advantage, but one person's power is ultimately limited.

To truly change one's destiny and seize the opportunities presented by the rapid growth of this era, it is not enough to rely solely on diligent study or working alone.

He needs help, he needs trustworthy partners.

Fu Chao is bold, loyal, and has connections in society. Although his methods are a bit unorthodox, he is reliable in crucial moments.

This is a fairly reliable partner.

Yesterday, because of Ma Youcai's unexpected disruption, he didn't even have a chance to say what he originally wanted to discuss with Fu Chao.

It must be made up for today.

Before the bell rang for morning self-study, the classroom was filled with the aroma of steamed buns, fried dough sticks, and meat pies.

Li Yunjing immediately noticed that Fu Chao was slumped over the table catching up on sleep, while Ding Dong was chatting and laughing with his female classmates.

He walked over and patted Fu Chao on the shoulder.

"Huh? Who is it...?"

Fu Chao groggily raised his head, saw it was Li Yunjing, yawned, and said, "Good morning! How's your leg?"

"It's alright now."

Li Yunjing lowered his voice, "Don't rush off after school at noon. I'll treat you to lunch at Ma's Stir-Fry. We need to talk about something."

"Another good news?"

Fu Chao's eyes lit up, and he was mostly awake: "Or... is there more to what happened yesterday?"

"It didn't happen yesterday."

Li Yunjing shook his head. "It's something else, a serious matter. We'll talk about it later."

He then walked over to Ding Dong and said, "Ding Dong, let's have lunch together. I have something to do."

Ding Dong was a little confused, but seeing Li Yunjing's serious expression, he nodded: "Okay."

Li Yunjing forced herself to concentrate throughout the morning's classes.

In Chinese class, they studied classical Chinese texts; in math class, they studied functions; and in English class, as expected, Teacher Li called on him again, asking him to translate a complex passage.

The school bell rang at noon, and I finally felt like I'd made it through.

The students poured out of the classroom like a floodgate being opened.

Li Yunjing called Fu Chao and Ding Dong, and the three of them left the school familiarly, heading to "Ma Ji Stir-fry" which they had visited the day before.

Because we arrived a little late, the small shop was already packed with people, mostly students from No. 25 Middle School wearing blue and white or green and white school uniforms.

The air was filled with the aroma of food, the smell of sweat from the teenagers, and the noisy laughter. The bone broth simmering on the aluminum stove was bubbling away.

"Uncle Ma, are there any seats left?"

Li Yunjing squeezed past several square tables that were packed with people and called out familiarly to the person behind the counter.

Steam rose from the stove. A middle-aged man wearing an oil-stained braided apron and sweat beading on his forehead was wielding a spatula. Hearing this, he turned his head, revealing a face blackened and reddish from the fire.

"Hey! Yun Jing's here!"

Uncle Ma wiped his sweat and shouted back, his voice rising above the noise in the shop, "There's really no room outside, it's like a dumpling-making frenzy! How about... you three go eat on the kang (heated brick bed) in the back room? It's quiet there!"

Upon hearing the words "inner room," Li Yunjing's heart skipped a beat.

That secluded place was the perfect spot to discuss confidential matters.

There were many people around, and it was noisy and chaotic. He had some important things to say about his future and finances, and he needed to avoid being overheard by others so that he could have a private talk with Fu Chao.

"Alright! Uncle Ma, we'll do as you say. The three of us will go to the inner room."

Li Yunjing nodded immediately, a perfectly measured smile on his face, one that hinted at a junior's dependence on an elder, and replied, "Please trouble you to make your best spicy diced pork and a stewed mixed fish. The fish must be fresh!"

"Also, make a cucumber and enoki mushroom salad, add some minced garlic, and drizzle with sesame oil."

"Give me some stir-fried pork with green peppers, extra pork, please."

"Three big bowls of rice, size two, the brothers are growing and get hungry quickly."

His tone was familiar, and he ordered food fluently, clearly a regular customer here, even knowing the exact size of the rice bowls.

"Alright! You've got some skills, these are all our signature dishes!"

Upon hearing this, Old Ma, behind the counter, smiled broadly, his wrinkles smoothing out. He answered crisply and loudly, "The spicy diced pork is of good quality today, and the mixed fish was just delivered, lively and fresh!"

"Please go inside and rest. The dishes will take a little longer to prepare, so please wait a moment!"

"I promise I'll make it taste amazing!"

"No rush, Uncle Ma, take your time. As long as the flavor is right, it will be fragrant."

As Li Yunjing spoke, he pulled out his slightly worn brown faux leather wallet from his pocket, deftly drew out a brand-new, crisp fifty-yuan note, and handed it over across the counter. "How much? I'll pay first, so you won't forget later when it gets busy."

"Eight pieces of spicy diced pork, twelve pieces of mixed fish, three pieces of cucumber and enoki mushrooms, five pieces of stir-fried pork with green peppers, totaling twenty-eight."

Old Ma quickly calculated in his head, rattled off the amount, and continued stir-frying vegetables in another pot. "The rice is free, consider it a gift from your uncle, all you can eat!"

"I'll make you a free tomato and egg soup later to help smooth things over!"

"Thank you, Uncle Ma. I'm so grateful for your help."

Li Yunjing smiled and did not take back the fifty yuan, appearing very generous.

"Kid, why are you being so polite with your uncle?"

Old Ma took the loose bill, crumpled it with his greasy fingers, and casually stuffed it into the large pocket in front of his apron. He then deftly counted out two ten-yuan notes and two one-yuan notes from the faded canvas coin purse slung behind his waist, muttering, "Hurry up and go in!"

Li Yunjing took the change, carefully folded it and put it back in his wallet. Then he turned around, glanced at Fu Chao and Ding Dong who hadn't said much behind him, and gestured for them to follow. He then skillfully lifted the door with its worn blue curtain and frayed edges, and crouched down to slip inside.

Fu Chao and Ding Dong exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of curiosity in each other's eyes that was different from usual.