Chapter 26

In fact, the journey from Yangping to the capital takes only two or three hours by car, with very convenient transportation. However, Tian Zini still tried hard to persuade Tong Yan and Ye Qingzhu to apply to universities in the capital, speaking with unusual sincerity.

Ye Qingzhu, who had observed everything, found it amusing. The usually straightforward and blunt Tian Zini was also so tactful and strategic when facing the boy she liked; love indeed could change a person.

Looking at Tong Yan, who laughed without a care, seemingly completely unaware of Nini's feelings, Ye Qingzhu thought that the one who falls in love is the most foolish. You like someone so much, but you don't get the corresponding return.

Leaving KFC, Tong Yan declared with great determination, "Next time we go to the capital, I'll treat you." He spoke very firmly. If it weren't for the lack of money, with his personality, he would never let the girls pay.

Hearing this, Tian Zini smiled brightly, "You better keep your word, you must come."

Everyone stood at the KFC door for a while, reluctant to say goodbye, chatting casually. Finally, Ye Qingzhu, unable to bear Tian Zini's lingering and pitiful look at Tong Yan, said first, "You two keep chatting, I need to go home to get my backpack."

Tian Zini's home was on the way to Ye Qingzhu's. Seeing her good friend leave, she also felt embarrassed to be alone with Tong Yan, "I also need to go home to pack my luggage, bye." Tian Zini waved her chubby little hand at Tong Yan and ran off in a flash.

Tong Yan looked around and shouted at the two cars that had already driven away, "Where are we? Aren't you taking me back to school? Hey!"

With no one to answer his calls, Tong Yan had to wander back on his own. There was no bus to the school here, and as for taxis, Tong Yan was unwilling to spend the money. It was only about an hour's walk, which he could treat as exercise.

Tong Yan had spent four years of school life in this city, but his activity area was limited to the vicinity of two schools. He had never been to places further away, like here. Fortunately, his memory was good, and even though he had only come here once, he quickly found the right route. Familiar buildings gradually appeared on both sides, and Tong Yan slowed his pace, taking in the city where he had lived for four years but still felt unfamiliar.

As he walked, a large spider web and a black spider on the left side of the road caught his attention. He remembered that before the holiday, there was a porridge shop here. Since it wasn't too far from the school, it was a place he had visited. Now, it had been replaced by an internet cafe called "Spider," with a very eye-catching sign that made every passerby stop to look. If you were a student who liked playing games, it would be hard to resist such a cool and flashy place.

Tong Yan didn't play games, but he still walked in. Due to regulations, internet cafes couldn't be opened near schools, and this one was one of the closest to the school. In the future, Tong Yan would likely continue his writing career here. Even if he didn't need to write now, it was good to do some preliminary investigation, as internet cafes were completely unfamiliar to him.

With a nervous heart, Tong Yan walked into the internet cafe for the first time. The Spider Internet Cafe was on the second floor, with various game posters plastered on the stairs. On the second floor, he saw rows of computer desks, similar in scale to the two computer labs at school, with about seventy to eighty new machines.

The newly opened internet cafe was doing good business, with most of the seats occupied. As Tong Yan had expected, it was a bit chaotic, with people smoking, banging on tables, cursing while playing games, and couples cuddling and kissing, making his heart race. If he hadn't made up his mind, he would have fled long ago. Damn, there wouldn't be any gangsters here, would there?

Tong Yan wasn't quite sure about the procedures for using the internet cafe, but he saw a counter in the corner with a beautiful woman inside. She must be the cashier.

"Hello, I want to use the internet," Tong Yan said. The cashier was very beautiful, dressed in bright, fashionable clothes, with light makeup, young but with a strong presence, a charm that high school girls lacked. Little Tong Yan didn't dare to look directly at her.

Zhan Hong, with her beautiful almond eyes, glanced at Tong Yan. A new face, with a bit of fuzz around his mouth, clearly a student. These people were the easiest to make money from; once they got hooked, they would come to the internet cafe every day, and she would have a steady income. So she didn't mind playing the role of a service staff member.

"Do you want to become a member?" Zhan Hong asked.

"What is a member, and what are the benefits?" Tong Yan asked in return.

"Of course, becoming a member means you get a membership card with the money you deposit. You don't have to pay each time you use the internet; the money is deducted from the card, which is more convenient. The regular rate for a standard seat is 2 yuan per hour, 3 yuan for a sofa seat, and 5 yuan for a private room. As a member, you get a discount: 1.5 yuan for a standard seat, 2.5 yuan for a sofa seat, and 4 yuan for a private room. For an all-night session, it's 10 yuan for a standard seat, 15 yuan for a sofa seat, and 30 yuan for a private room, regardless of the type of seat."

Tong Yan then noticed a few doors on the west side of the internet cafe, which were probably the private rooms. However, those were not within his budget, and even the standard seat membership price made him wince. Two yuan per hour, when renting books only cost one yuan per day!

Seeing Tong Yan's pained expression, Zhan Hong added, "It's the first month of our opening, so we have a promotion. You only need to deposit 100 yuan to get a membership card. It won't be this cheap after a few days."

Zhan Hong listed the benefits of membership, confident that Tong Yan would fall for it.

100 yuan was a significant portion of Tong Yan's living expenses. This time, it was because it was the beginning of the second year of high school, with more expenses, so he had brought more money. Normally, his monthly living expenses were only about 600 to 700 yuan.

Despite the pain, for the long term, it was more economical to become a member. Tong Yan wasn't just coming here once.

"Alright, let's do it." Suppressing his pain, Tong Yan took out a 100-yuan note and handed it to the beautiful sister with some reluctance, receiving a hard card in return, his membership proof.

After putting away the Spider Internet Cafe membership card, Tong Yan turned to leave. Zhan Hong, confused, called out to him, "Aren't you going to use the internet?"

"Not today, I'll come back on Sunday." Tong Yan was still very self-disciplined. There was still so much summer homework to do at school, and the priority now was to catch up on the homework.

Just as he emerged from the internet cafe, Tong Yan saw Ye Qingzhu, who had just parted ways, riding her bike with her backpack, passing by him like the wind, her ponytail swaying smoothly and black.

Without hesitation, Tong Yan dashed forward, calling out, "Ye Qingzhu, give me a ride!"

Ye Qingzhu braked suddenly, turned around, and saw Tong Yan, "Why are you just getting here? I thought you were already at school."

"I walked slowly, hehe."

Ye Qingzhu moved to the back seat, letting Tong Yan take the front. Tong Yan happily got on the bike. Having a ride was so convenient; he would get one too when he received his writing fees!

Thinking about the joy of the writing fees, Tong Yan's face was filled with a happy smile, just like a boy in the throes of love. The girl behind him kept a certain distance, strictly adhering to the rules of propriety between men and women. However, when she saw a boy on the road looking at them, she hesitated for a moment, then lightly placed her hand on Tong Yan's waist and slowly leaned her head against his back. The pair, racing in the sunset, seemed to merge into one, a beautiful sight to behold...