Chapter 93

Time entered February, and on the first, a Sunday, the weather was bright and sunny from early morning.

Ye Wei and Hanks had agreed to hold their first meeting on the third, a Tuesday, to discuss various specific cooperation plans. On this day, however, he had other things to do—community service!

Schools across America emphasized the cultivation of students' awareness and enthusiasm for community service, especially the more expensive private schools. Harvard-Westlake was no exception, not only organizing two school-wide community service activities each year but also providing extensive opportunities. There was a strict rule that all students must participate in at least one community service activity per academic year.

Students could choose from school-organized projects or organize their own, as long as they applied and had a teacher's supervision.

Today's morning activity of picking up trash in the Will Rogers Beach area was organized by a group of eighth-grade girls, including Lily, Trist, and Connie. After Ye Wei learned about it, he thought it would be a good idea to join since he hadn't completed his community service requirement for the year.

Upon hearing the news, Lev naturally didn't want to miss out, as his dream was to become a member of the girls' group. He dragged Bud and the others to join but unrighteously kept it a secret from Li Ming, Bab, and the rest, reducing the number of boys. Hehe!

At this moment, five boys, six girls, and teacher Katie were on their way to the beach in a yellow school bus.

"Why do you like picking up trash so much? Haven't you had enough at school? Don't tell me it's because you're environmentalists; I don't believe a word of it."

In the moving school bus, with Katie sitting in the front and the students in the middle, Ye Wei suddenly asked with interest. This was a question!

The girls giggled, "Ask Lily, it was her idea." "Yes," Lily smiled, sitting next to him. "Don't you think it's great? We can be environmentally friendly and enjoy the sea view. Afterward, we can play on the beach."

"Smart!" Ye Wei looked at his four friends sitting opposite him and said angrily, "Why did we choose to take care of the elderly at the nursing home last year? Remember that old man, Stone!"

Speaking of this, Lev was truly terrified: "Of course I remember. That old, smelly rock, like a Mexican drug lord. I felt he had killed people, more than one."

"Very likely." Ye Wei told the surprised girls, "Whatever we did, he said it was no good, glaring at us with his dim eyes, 'I don't need any help,' 'Get away, you annoying kids!'" He imitated Stone's voice in a flat tone.

"Then what?" Lily asked curiously. Some of the girls thought it might be like the story "The Old Man and the Child."

"Then we left him alone." Ye Wei shrugged. "Bye, Stone."

"Asshole!" "That's not the attitude of a volunteer!" The girls laughed and scolded him.

Seeing that Brother Wei was getting along well with the girls, Lev was truly envious. How did he manage to do that? Looking at the silent Bud, the air-like Chen Nuo, and Colewin behind him, he felt even more angry and whispered, "Say something, for God's sake, say something!"

What a great opportunity today was. Besides Lily, there were five other girls, all pretty. One for each, and one left over. Want to fall in love?!

"Uh..." Chen Nuo adjusted his glasses, his voice weak. "Well, Stone might be a lonely elderly person. They need more patient care."

"I think he was just hungry. People get cranky when they're hungry." Bud said reasonably. "That's how I am."

Bookworms! Starving ghosts! Lev leaned back in his seat. Forget it, you have a better chance of being liked by girls if you don't speak.

"Oh, poor Stone. There are so many hot grandmas in the nursing home, and he's still lonely." Ye Wei laughed. "There must be some love story, thinking of someone."

The slightly serious atmosphere returned to a cheerful one. Lev secretly gave a thumbs up. Speaking of love, he thought of something, touched his big nose, and said, "There's a big day this month, speak up, I can't hear you, the 14th, Valentine's Day!"

"Yes, Valentine's Day." Everyone looked at each other, their eyes glancing at Ye Wei and Lily a few times, their smiles ambiguous.

They had been celebrating Valentine's Day since kindergarten. The day was about expressing love, including love between friends, family, and teachers. So, exchanging cards and gifts was the most common thing; of course, the love between couples was the most important.

And here, there was only one potential couple. Would they confirm their relationship on that day? Everyone was looking forward to it.

Lily's smile was a bit unnatural.

Ye Wei laughed, "Actually, there's another big day this month, the 19th, my birthday! Guys, have you heard the saying, 'Friendship is all about birthday gifts.'"

"Yes, ha-ha, you will." "The 19th? I need to prepare well."

"Then Brother Wei will be 16 and can drive!" Bud's chubby face was excited. "I have to wait until June." Lev called out, "I'm in April. Who will go for a drive with me then?"

He had finally mustered the courage, but no girls paid attention to him. Many were asking Ye Wei what car he planned to buy, and the topic was there.

"I don't know yet, but my budget is $5000 for a cheap and practical used car." Ye Wei answered.

Suddenly, a ghostly voice drifted over, "Wei, if it's on the way, you have to give me a ride."

"Used car? How can that be!" Lev couldn't help but exclaim.

Connie nodded nervously, "What if you buy a cursed car? Just someone vomiting in it is super scary."

Indeed! This made everyone agree. Moreover, when they entered the high school campus next year, sports cars and luxury cars would be everywhere. Driving a cheap used car in? They would be laughed at! His nickname wouldn't be VIY but "UCY (Used Car Ye)," and soon it would become "LUCY," then "LOSER."

This really hurt his reputation!

"Rich kids." Ye Wei shrugged and said frankly to everyone, "You know, I'm not in your league anymore. My family is tight on money now, and a used car is the limit." Yes, he was no longer the VIY who could spend tens of thousands of dollars on a comic book.

Everyone realized this. They had indeed heard that Wei's family was facing some financial difficulties but didn't know that even spending three to five thousand dollars on a decent new car was a struggle. They didn't know what to say.

"It's okay, having an old car isn't bad." Lily smiled and patted the sturdy school bus, making a thumping sound. "The most important thing is safety."

"That's true, you can't let our Lily down." Trist said from the front seat. Once Wei had a car, Lily would definitely ride in it, maybe even be the first.

Everyone laughed lightly, and Ye Wei nodded seriously, "Safety and durability are the top priorities. I'm even considering buying a bumper car, the best car for Asians." This self-deprecating joke made the Korean-American girl, Rosie Zhao, laugh, Chen Nuo chuckled and rubbed his head, and Bud suddenly slapped his leg and laughed, "I get it, I get it! Ha-ha-ha."

"You're so cheap!" Lev glared at his friend, embarrassed. Even though he was best friends with Brother Wei, why was he laughing so happily?

"Why are you glaring at me..."

Connie thought of something and asked excitedly, "Wei, you're signing a cooperation contract with Tom Hanks next week, right? There should be some advance payment, right?"

"Not sure, maybe, but that's the project's money. My production and director fees will still be zero." Ye Wei shrugged and then smiled, "I have something interesting to tell you. Yesterday, the Willis team offered $5 million to buy the script, and I refused."

"Five million! Ha-ha, they're crazy!" "Good refusal, let those scoundrels regret it." The young men and women were all excited. Lily, who had heard about it yesterday, firmly said, "If Wei makes the movie, it won't just be five million."

"Anyway, we have no business to talk with them." Ye Wei nodded.

"Will Hanks join the cast?"

"Not sure, guys, I'm planning to play a game of ping-pong with Gump with a bet. If he loses, he has to join, and he can't beat me."

Laughing and chatting all the way, the school bus soon arrived at the parking lot north of Will Rogers Beach. Everyone got off, holding garbage bags, garbage tongs, and other tools, and marched toward the beach, facing the sea, and started working!

"Oh my God, there's a pile of garbage here, I don't know what it is..."

"Disgusting."

"Girls, don't be afraid, the boys are here, Lev is here! Oh, dog poop!"