Era: Rise from the Wilderness

At the edge of the playground, several old locust trees cast dappled shadows, temporarily isolating the noise of new students registering in the distance.

Gao Fu followed closely behind Li Yunjing, his dark circles and slightly tired expression standing out from the excited and jubilant faces of the other new students around him.

Reaching a secluded spot, Li Yunjing stopped, turned around, took a small package wrapped in newspaper from his schoolbag, and handed it over.

"Here, count them, five hundred and fifty dollars, not a penny less."

Gao Fu quickly took the newspaper, his fingers trembling slightly as he opened it.

Inside were several stacks of banknotes of varying ages, mostly ten-yuan notes, with a few fifty-yuan and one-hundred-yuan notes as well.

He quickly counted the money; it was indeed five hundred and fifty yuan.

My heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down with a "thump," and I felt much more relaxed.

"Thank you... thank you, Yun Jing."

Gao Fu carefully tucked the money into his pocket, forcing a fawning smile. "We...we're even now?"

"The agreement has been signed, the money and goods have been exchanged, and the matter is naturally settled."

Li Yunjing spoke calmly, his gaze sweeping over Gao Fu's slightly haggard face. "What's wrong? Didn't you sleep well last night? Worried I'd renege on the debt?"

"How could that be? Yun Jing, you keep your word, I know that."

Gao Fu quickly offered a compliment, then sighed, looking troubled, "It's just... it's just that I owe a lot of money, and it's bothering me."

"Didn't your dad arrange a good place for you?"

"Head of the security department, a secure job, what's there to worry about?"

Li Yunjing looked at him with a half-smile.

The security department of the lumber mill may not be very lucrative, but it is a "good job" in the eyes of many people because it is easy and stable.

"Sigh, don't even mention it."

Gao Fu waved his hand, a hint of frustration on his face that seemed out of place for his age. "Going to work is one thing, but what can that meager salary even cover?"

"It looks like a leisurely life, but it's also incredibly boring."

"If only I had known..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.

He should never have gambled in the first place. Now he's starving, and he's already racked up nearly two thousand yuan. If his dad finds out, he's finished.

How can we fill such a big hole?!

How can a single word like "sorrow" possibly encompass it all?

Li Yunjing listened without feeling any particular emotion.

Everyone has to pay the price for their choices and abilities.

Gao Fu is all talk and no action. He lacks both the ability to stand alone and the courage to take risks. He holds onto a seemingly stable position, yet he is unwilling to settle for mediocrity and is plagued by anxieties about gains and losses. In this era that is about to change dramatically, it is unlikely that he will achieve much.

"Things will work themselves out when they reach the bridge."

Li Yunjing gave him a perfunctory reply, without offering any advice or promises.

Anyway, Gao Fu's father is rich. He made a lot of money over the years as factory director. As long as Gao Fu behaves himself, he will never lack money in his life.

As for Gao Fu's debts, Li Yunjing had no interest in, nor any obligation to, worry about them.

All he can do is clarify his accounts and get what he deserves.

"By the way, Yun Jing,"

Gao Fu seemed to remember something, looked around, and lowered his voice, "You... if you ever find any other ways to make money in the future, don't forget your brother! I... I still have some money..."

"We'll see."

Li Yunjing interrupted him, her tone distant, "I'm a repeat student now, I need to 'focus on studying'."

"Let's leave those messy things alone for now."

His words were half true and half false, partly to shut Gao Fu up and partly to leave himself an out.

Gao Fu clearly didn't believe it, but seeing that Li Yunjing didn't want to talk about it anymore, he wisely didn't press the matter further.

He now both fears and fawns over Li Yunjing, knowing that his old classmate is no longer the same as before, and is now very cunning and scheming.

"Okay, okay, then you go ahead and get busy."

"I also need to go back to the factory to check in."

Gao Fu gave an awkward smile, pocketed the 550 yuan, turned and left, his back still carrying a hint of preoccupation.

Watching Gao Fu walk away, Li Yunjing also turned around and walked towards the teaching building.

"Ring ring ring..."

At 8:00 a.m. sharp, the crisp and long sound of the school bell echoed through the campus, announcing the official start of the new school year.

The second and third-year high school students, like bees returning to their hive, quickly and orderly flocked to their respective school buildings.

The playground suddenly seemed much emptier, with only a few hundred first-year high school students and some parents who lingered, still giving their children countless instructions.

Attention all new students!

"All freshmen, assemble!"

"Assemble in the center of the playground!"

Just then, a dignified and cold voice came from the broadcasting room on the second floor of the teaching building. Amplified by the loudspeaker, it was clearly transmitted to every corner of the playground.

Li Yunjing looked up and saw a burly, serious-looking middle-aged man standing on the second-floor balcony, holding a microphone in his hand. His sharp eyes, like those of a hawk, swept over the chaotic group of freshmen below, exuding an air of authority without anger.

This person is none other than the famous Dean of Studies of No. 25 Middle School, known as "Devil's Bane" Director Yan!

He was every student's ultimate nightmare, known for his strictness, iron fist, and ruthlessness.

In his past life, Li Yunjing had suffered a lot at his hands. Even though his soul was now an adult, he still couldn't help but feel a little scared when he saw this familiar face. This guy's methods could leave psychological scars on people!

"Perverted" is not even an adequate description of how terrifying this person is!

Under Director Yan's intimidating presence and the instructions broadcast over the loudspeaker, the freshmen, like headless flies, began to surge toward the center of the playground, attempting to form a square formation.

Around the playground, ten male and female teachers holding lists were shouting loudly, trying to maintain order.

These ten people are the ten homeroom teachers of this year's first-year high school students.

Li Yunjing's gaze quickly settled on one of the young female teachers.

She was about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with a neat ponytail, wearing an elegant dress, and had a delicate face with a scholarly air.

Ms. Li Jinghui is an English teacher who recently graduated from teachers' college and is full of enthusiasm and ideals.

Ms. Li was patient and responsible, but unfortunately, she only taught for a year before she became tired of the unchanging teaching life and resolutely resigned to go south to Shenzhen to pursue her dream of translation.

The reason Li Yunjing still remembers it is because the female teacher was too beautiful.

Far exceeding the limits of good looks in this town and this ordinary high school!

"Youth is wonderful!"

Li Yunjing smiled and stepped into the teaching building.

He was repeating a year in Class 1 of Senior Three, and he needed to go to the third floor.

As a seasoned veteran who had spent three years in this high school, Li Yunjing was no stranger to this class, and he often hung out with some of the students.

He, as a transfer student, didn't feel like a stranger.