Era: Rise from the Wilderness

"Thanks, Ruoxi."

He shook his head, his voice softening but still carrying an unmistakable distance, "I appreciate your kindness. But I can't lend you this money."

"I'll think of something myself."

"Besides, your New Year's money is probably only a hundred or two hundred yuan at most, right?"

He paused, looking at Lü Ruoxi's cheeks, slightly flushed with urgency, and changed the subject, half-jokingly and half-seriously: "What good is it?"

These words were like a small thorn, gently pricking Lü Ruoxi.

Her initial shyness and worry were instantly replaced by a hint of defiance, and her eyebrows were slightly raised.

"One hundred and eighty yuan?"

Her voice unconsciously rose slightly, tinged with annoyance at being looked down upon, "Li Yunjing, don't judge me by my own standards! I... I've saved up my New Year's money for many years, it's not just that little bit!"

"Oh?"

Li Yunjing became interested and followed up with her question, "Then tell me, how many?"

"Could we get another three or five hundred?"

He deliberately guessed high, thinking that this amount would be a huge sum for a child from an ordinary family.

Lü Ruoxi bit her lip, as if she had made a great decision, or as if she wanted to prove something. She quickly glanced around to make sure no one was nearby before taking half a step closer, lowering her voice, with a hint of secret pride and a little bit of embarrassment:

"Three thousand... more than three hundred yuan."

"How many?!"

Li Yunjing blurted out, his voice changing tone, his eyes widening instantly as if he had heard some unbelievable number.

More than three thousand yuan?!

What was the concept of more than three thousand yuan in 1990?

My father, Li Hongfeng, was a purchasing manager in a state-owned enterprise. His monthly salary was less than 200 yuan, and even if he didn't eat or drink for a year, he would only earn a little over 2,000 yuan.

Three thousand yuan is almost the entire savings of an ordinary worker's family over three years!

Not to mention that for students their age, this is an astronomical figure.

"How...how do you have so much money?"

Li Yunjing's voice was somewhat hoarse. He looked at Lü Ruoxi and realized for the first time so clearly the huge gap between their family backgrounds.

He knew that Lü Ruoxi came from a wealthy family and that her father was the president of a bank, but the words "wealthy family" suddenly carried an incredibly concrete and shocking weight at this moment.

Lu Ruoxi was flustered by his intense reaction. Her face turned even redder, her voice lowered, and she twisted the hem of her skirt even tighter: "It's just... it's just that every year during the Spring Festival, we give gifts to Grandpa and Grandma, Grandpa and Grandma on both sides, and Dad and Mom, Uncles and Uncles... we give them all."

"I've had a savings account since I was little, my mom saved it for me, and told me not to spend it recklessly, but to save it for college or..."

Her voice trailed off, "Or... for marriage."

The last few words were barely audible, and after she finished speaking, she turned her face away in embarrassment, her ears turning bright red.

Li Yunjing stood there, silent for a long time.

The blazing summer sun shone down, turning the sandy ground beside the playground a dazzling white.

The shouts of basketball players in the distance, the chirping of cicadas, and even the rustling of leaves in the wind all seemed to recede into the distance at this moment.

Only Lü Ruoxi's words, "more than three thousand three hundred yuan" and "for marriage," were imprinted in his mind like a hot branding iron.

"Good heavens, comparing yourself to others is just awful!"

"I also receive lucky money every year, but it's only between 80 and 150 yuan, and my mom takes it away after the New Year."

"Not a single penny can be saved!"

Thinking of his "miserable" situation, Li Yunjing wanted to cry!

"Ruoxi,"

When he spoke again, his voice was a little hoarse, with an unprecedented solemnity, "Keep this money safe. Don't tell anyone, including me. This is your dowry, understand?"

His use of the word "dowry" made Lü Ruoxi's face flush crimson, as if it were about to bleed. She was both ashamed and flustered, and stamped her foot, saying, "You... what nonsense are you spouting!"

Li Yunjing did not laugh.

Looking at the girl in front of him, wearing a light blue dress and with her ponytail sparkling in the sunlight, his burning desire for treasury bonds suddenly cooled down a bit.

Some roads are destined to be walked alone, and some risks must never involve the innocent.

"I'm not lying."

He said seriously, "This money is very important. Don't touch it easily, and don't lend it to anyone. Remember that."

These words are too harsh and too formal; they don't sound like the tone an 18-year-old should use.

The blush on Lü Ruoxi's face slowly faded, turning into a blank, pale expression.

She couldn't understand Li Yunjing's eyes at that moment. There was shock, solemnity, and a kind of... indescribable, almost pitying distance.

"you……"

She wanted to ask, "Why do you say that?"

This money is mine; I can lend it to whomever I want.

But the words caught in his throat as he looked at her.

"Ruoxi, first of all, I want to thank you. Secondly, I don't want to use your money because I'm not sure if I'll make a profit or a loss. If I make a profit, that's fine, but if I lose, I won't be able to repay it."

Just as Lü Ruoxi was about to say something, Li Yunjing suddenly raised his hand and interrupted her.

His gaze passed over Lü Ruoxi's shoulder and landed on a corner at the other end of the playground.

There was a crooked old locust tree there, with dense shade, which was usually a "treasure trove" for boys to sneak around smoking and playing cards.

Sure enough, there were several people squatting or sitting under the shade of the tree.

The one in the lead, wearing a floral shirt, was none other than Gao Fu, whom he had beaten up earlier.

He had a cigarette dangling from his mouth, his eyes squinting, and he was playing cards with three equally sleazy young men next to him.

An old newspaper was spread on the ground, with some small bills scattered on it—one yuan, two yuan, five yuan… and even the edges of one or two “big unity” bills were sticking out, particularly glaring under the dappled shadows of the trees.

Those guys were clearly playing a big game, making a big show of it, shouting and yelling, with smoke billowing around them, which made several students who were cooling off in the distance subconsciously avoid that area.

Li Yunjing's eyes narrowed slightly when he saw the money on the ground, especially the bulging old faux leather wallet at Gao Fu's feet.

Gao Fu.

This guy's father is the manager of the town's lumber mill. Relying on his family's influence, he formed gangs at school, bullied classmates, and hooked up with delinquents. His reputation was already ruined.

Li Yunjing and Gao Fu didn't get along normally.

Seeing Gao Fu's arrogance, a vague plan instantly formed in Li Yunjing's mind.

"Ruoxi,"

He withdrew his gaze and turned to the still bewildered girl, his tone becoming even gentler, even carrying a hint of feigned helplessness, "You see, I really don't need your money. I can figure it out myself."

He gestured towards Gao Fu with his lip, lowered his voice, and said with a youthful optimism, "See?"

"Gao Fu and his gang are playing cards."

"I heard that when he's on a winning streak, he can win or lose dozens of dollars a day."

He paused, then sighed casually, "Tsk, sometimes money comes and goes quickly."