Chapter 66

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[PS: Thank you to Wang Mo from Jiu Long Island and Mu Qing for your generous donations. Today, I'm not only asking for recommendation votes, but also for a few Three Rivers votes. The Three Rivers chart is in urgent need of your help to push it up! There will be two more updates in the afternoon and evening.]

"Zhang Xiao, how did you come here!" After going downstairs, Tong Yan was pleasantly surprised to see Zhang Xiao. Although they hadn't seen each other for a long time, their online communication had never been interrupted. Plus, after the unfortunate end of "A Private History of a Little Soldier," Zhang Xiao had strongly supported Tong Yan, making him feel even closer to him.

Zhang Xiao's eyes were still small but very lively, "I was afraid you'd be hit hard, so I came to check on you."

Fortunately, at this moment, the "yaoi" culture hadn't invaded on a large scale; otherwise, the scene of the two of them gazing deeply at each other under the teaching building would have been given a special meaning.

"Want to take a tour? This is also the school I'll be attending in the future," Zhang Xiao suggested.

Tong Yan was about to agree but then hesitated, "Probably not today."

"Something up? Or haven't you finished your homework?"

Tong Yan looked around to make sure no one was nearby and whispered, "I want to go out and buy a notebook."

Seeing Tong Yan's guilty expression, Zhang Xiao laughed, "Your school doesn't even sell notebooks? That's too backward!"

"It's not for taking notes, but the kind you bought."

"You want to buy a computer!" Zhang Xiao's eyes lit up, "Are you going to write a novel!?"

There was nothing to hide from Zhang Xiao, so Tong Yan nodded, "I want to try again, but I don't know where to buy a cheap used laptop. I don't have much money."

Hearing this, Zhang Xiao, as a book lover, got excited, "Why buy a used laptop? You can use mine, it's no big deal!"

"I can't use your computer," Tong Yan didn't know what Zhang Xiao's family did, but they were definitely wealthy. A laptop costing over ten thousand yuan was no big deal to him, but it was a big deal to Tong Yan, even though it was just a loan, not a gift. He still felt indebted, "When I write novels in the future, you'll still be my deputy moderator. How can you do that without a computer?"

"But do you have enough money to buy a computer?" Zhang Xiao knew about Tong Yan's mother being hospitalized and that "A Private History of a Little Soldier" hadn't been published yet.

"Actually, I once published a novel in a magazine hosted by a website, and I earned some money. Plus, I had some savings, so I have about 2,500 yuan. I know it's not much, but my requirements are low. I just need one that can type and connect to the internet." This was Tong Yan's minimum requirement; as long as it could help him write and publish novels online, it would be fine.

"2,500 yuan should be enough," Zhang Xiao said, "Come with me, I know where to buy used laptops."

"Really!" It's like searching high and low for something and finding it right in front of you!

"After you get it, remember to show me the novel you write."

"Let's not wait until then, I'll get it for you right now. By the way, how did you get here?" When Tong Yan learned that Zhang Xiao had come by bicycle, he said, "Wait a moment, I'll be down soon."

"Senior, come out for a moment." Tong Yan took the magazine and went up to the fifth floor.

"Are you free now? Speak up, I'm also free," Song RAO was already prepared to be invited by Tong Yan.

Tong Yan asked, "Can I borrow your bicycle?"

Borrow a bike? This didn't seem to match what she had in mind. Song RAO put her hands on her hips and asked, "Why do you need to borrow a bike?"

"Of course, to go out."

"Alone?"

"With my friend downstairs."

"What for?"

"Buy... Hey, why so many questions? I just need to borrow a bike!"

Song RAO threw the key to Tong Yan, "Here!" She turned away, her face already red, realizing she had asked too many questions.

"Thanks."

"Tong Yan, why is your bike a women's model?" Zhang Xiao asked as they left the school gate.

"This is the one I borrowed. So, where are we going next?"

"To my classmate's place."

"Your classmate?"

"Right, his dad is a computer repairman. He has used laptops there," Zhang Xiao smiled, "By the way, he's also your fan, and I introduced him to your novels. Don't reveal your identity when you meet him, or I can't guarantee your safety."

Zhang Xiao, as a deputy moderator, was indeed very responsible, promoting Tong Yan's novels even in real life. His classmate was one of the fans he had recruited, but he had dug the hole and left it open, causing a lot of resentment.

"What's your classmate's name?" Tong Yan asked cautiously.

"That's Wang Mo, his real name is Wang Mo, a fat guy," Zhang Xiao smiled, indicating they were good friends.

"It's him!" Tong Yan's face turned serious. He remembered this reader, who had always been generous with praise for his novels. However, after Tong Yan ended "A Private History of a Little Soldier," his tone changed drastically, saying many things that made Tong Yan feel like he wanted to tear him apart. As the saying goes, the deeper the love, the deeper the hate. Zhang Xiao was right; it was better not to reveal his identity.

"Wang Uncle, is Wang Mo here?" Zhang Xiao had been here before and seemed very familiar.

"Wang Fat, Zhang Xiao is looking for you," Wang Uncle, busy with his work, called out without giving Wang Mo any face, using his nickname.

"Zhang Xiao, why did you suddenly think of me? Not asking for seeds again, right? Let's agree, three Haagen-Dazs, no less."

Zhang Xiao looked a bit embarrassed but relaxed when he saw Tong Yan's confused look, "Don't be silly, I'm here to see Wang Uncle."

Hearing this, Wang Mo's father put down his work, "Oh, you're looking for me? Is your computer infected again?"

Seeing Tong Yan still confused, Zhang Xiao calmly said, "No, let's get to the point. This is my friend, Tong Yan. He wants to buy a used laptop, and I thought of you, Wang Uncle."

It turned out Zhang Xiao was bringing business, and both Wang Mo and his father smiled, thinking Zhang Xiao was really on the right track.

"Want to buy a laptop? What brand and price range?" Wang Father pointed to the pile of old computers behind him, "We have Lenovo, Dell, Toshiba, priced at 3,000 and 4,000 yuan."

"I want one around 2,000 yuan," Tong Yan said honestly.

"What?" Wang Father thought he had heard wrong.

"I want a used laptop around 2,000 yuan. Clear now?"

Although there were already low-priced laptops like the 3,999 yuan Shen Zhou and the 2,999 yuan Xin Lan, buyers didn't trust these low-end machines. At that time, 4,999 yuan was considered a low price, and 6,000 to 7,000 yuan was the mainstream price. Laptops over 10,000 yuan were also widely accepted. Tong Yan asking for a 2,000 yuan laptop, even if it was used, was quite rare.

"How about this one, Haier H40? New it costs 5,998 yuan. This used one has no major issues. I'll charge you 3,500 yuan. What do you think?"

Tong Yan shook his head.

"How about this one, Lenovo Tianyi 200D? It was priced at 5,666 yuan when new. Although the paint is worn off, it doesn't affect usage. For Zhang Xiao's sake, I'll charge you 3,000 yuan," Wang Father said, reluctantly.

Tong Yan still shook his head.

"How about this one, Tsinghua Tongfang..."

Wang Mo's father was about to continue, but Tong Yan interrupted, "I want one around 2,000 yuan because that's all I have."

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