Chapter 60

Bak felt he had found a direction to adjust his mindset, which also pointed him towards a path in his somewhat messy part-time career that was more in line with his interests.

People always have to do what they like. Even when he was in the combat team, Bak, who enjoyed fiddling with firearms, was somehow assigned to be a medic, which he couldn't really call a hobby.

Excitedly, he went home and asked Liu San'er for advice. This homebody, of course, knew everything about buying computers: "Nowadays, people configure their computers online. You order the assembled machine online, and it's delivered to your home. I can assemble it! Brother, you should get a good computer. I'll come over to play whenever I have time."

Bak was puzzled: "How much does a computer cost, a few thousand yuan? You earn enough each month to buy a good one, right?"

Liu Changyuan was embarrassed: "That's public money. You've already given most of it to me for medical treatment. I shouldn't spend it recklessly."

Bak patted his shoulder: "You've really grown up and become sensible... Your dialysis and medication only treat the symptoms. To treat the root cause, you need a kidney transplant. Listen to me, submit the application now. Whatever fees are required, come to me. The kidney source requires a waiting list for a match, which involves a lot of luck. The sooner you wait, the better the chance. Since you're my brother, don't treat yourself as an outsider. Money is not an issue."

Liu Changyuan became emotional and almost cried: "Brother..."

Bak gave him a hard tap on the forehead: "No! Don't put on a sad act for me. A man should shed blood, not tears! Do you understand? I've earned some money recently, so... let's get four computers. One for each of us, and good ones at that!" He was truly generous to his younger brother and sister.

But a few days later, only two computers were completed. Liu Changyuan refused to get one for himself, saying he preferred to come over and play. After all, besides working the night shift and buying groceries during the day, his parents were still worried about tiring him out and didn't let him do much housework.

The house was too small, and there wasn't enough space for three computers. Besides, the two sisters still had to go to school, so they only bought two.

It cost about ten thousand yuan. The two brand new computers were placed back-to-back on Bak's old study desk. Nan and Nan's faces were filled with amazement and delight as they tentatively touched the mouse.

The broadband installation staff were puzzled by the sight of two brand new 27-inch monitors in such a dilapidated house, but they just set up the lines and left. Liu Changyuan was almost in love with the computers, showing the two sisters various visually stunning online games. Bak, who knew how to use the internet, demonstrated how to watch news and TV shows online to his parents. Liu Shufen, however, was more knowledgeable: "You're only allowed to sit in front of the computer for one hour a day. There are many students with internet addiction at our school. Xiao Ming, don't ruin Nan... San'er, go to work. All you do is play. Isn't your illness from staying at home and playing all day?" She immediately started chasing them away, and Liu Changyuan reluctantly fled.

The sisters were sensible, giggling and awkwardly moving the mouse a few times, just to say they had touched the computer. In the end, they chose to stand behind Bak and watch him work.

But for Bak, who didn't often use the internet, the overwhelming amount of information was confusing. When he searched for images, he accidentally came across a large number of eye-catching pictures, including various women in revealing clothing. Liu Shufen quickly covered the sisters' eyes, but she couldn't stop Xiao Zhao and Xiao Yi's curious gazes: "Hey..."

Bak hurriedly closed the page, feeling the need to regulate this.

So the next day at work, Bak sought advice from Xiao Li. He asked which websites could directly meet his needs and where to download the software. Of course, he offered to buy her beef noodles, and the chubby girl would definitely join.

He had finally learned her surname, Zhou, and her name, Zhou Xiaoli. A name that clearly indicated a simple family background, nothing like the wealthy Miss Mou. Bak succinctly explained his request and showed her the interior design book in his pocket: "I mainly want to look at home interior designs, not luxury hotels or office buildings. I have a computer and can go online now."

Zhou Xiaoli, thinking he was using a public computer, took his paper and pen and wrote down a few names: "Search these interior design websites. They are all famous real estate portals with branches for interior design images. There are countless categorized images, enough for you to look at... But I still don't understand why you find interior design images interesting."

Bak treasured the paper and pen: "I like looking at them. Beautiful and well-designed homes make me happy..." He looked up and saw her staring at him intently: "What?" He wasn't that handsome, was he?

Zhou Xiaoli had her own style of speaking: "The key, what's the key?" Apart from the polite and routine way she spoke at work, her tone in casual conversation was quite assertive.

Bak scratched his head: "The key? There is no key. I just like looking at beautiful homes and learning how to design them myself."

Zhou Xiaoli frowned: "When learning something, shouldn't you consider its practical use, career planning, and potential income? How can there be no key?"

Bak found it hard to understand: "Can't it just be a hobby? I said I like it. Looking at and designing these things makes me happy..." This might be the difference between the general mindset in European countries and the current mindset in China. People can earn less money but live more leisurely, valuing personal taste and quality of life. Even a factory worker in Eastern Europe can play a beautiful violin. Yes, it was like that in China a few decades ago.

But his tone didn't sound like someone who washed cars. The chubby girl waiting for her noodles noticed: "Oh, you understand happiness and hobbies. Don't your friends like to dance in the square or play online games?" It felt like finding a black-boned chicken in a chicken coop. Given his conditions, why was he acting so refined?

Zhou Xiaoli meant the same thing: "Pursuing development is fine, but don't be unrealistic or waste money. Designing and drawing are different. Designing requires a foundation in aesthetics and art, while drawing is a technical skill. The key is to know what you can and should do, not to aim too high and end up with nothing."

Being lectured by a young girl, Bak smiled and nodded: "Okay! Then let's add three more eggs?"

Zhou Xiaoli also smiled: "You have a good attitude. I might be a bit direct sometimes, but don't take it to heart. I don't want any more eggs. Gu Qian, you shouldn't eat so much protein and beef; it's not good for you!" She was hinting that her friend would gain weight.

The chubby girl rolled her eyes: "Really? You've only talked to him for a few days. A bowl of beef noodles with an egg costs thirteen yuan, and you're already saving for him? You're not that quick to betray, are you?"

Zhou Xiaoli was straightforward: "What do you think? They only earn a little over a thousand yuan a month. A meal like this costs nearly forty yuan. It's not necessary. Do you have a USB drive? Come to our office later, and I'll copy the images I have to you. I haven't eaten your beef noodles for nothing these past few days."

She was a kind girl, and Bak nodded and got up to serve the beef noodles: "I'll buy one after work..."

Zhou Xiaoli was practical: "No need. Don't waste money. I have one. I'll lend it to you to copy the files. Some internet cafes don't allow USB drives, so you can store them in cloud storage. Do you know how to register and use it?"

Bak was completely clueless, just nodding and placing the bowls down. He carried three bowls, all with eggs, and grabbed the chopsticks to dip them in the boiling water. As a former military doctor, he cared about hygiene and disinfected whenever possible, just like he would wear medical gloves. Even in an emergency, he would use saliva to disinfect, right?

But in the eyes of the chubby girl, Gu Qian, she pulled Zhou Xiaoli aside and whispered anxiously: "Not because he's attentive..."

Zhou Xiaoli's face was expressionless, repeating her favorite phrase: "The key, what's the key!" She sniffed the beef noodles and eggs, finding them truly fragrant. Honestly, she usually ate spicy noodles.

Gu Qian turned to look at Bak, who was just squeezing back in: "Just be careful. Don't let a few bowls of beef noodles buy you off!"

After finishing the noodles, Zhou Xiaoli reminded Bak: "Go get it now. I have to go out to check some properties later."

Bak thought it would be troublesome to go far just to borrow it, so he nodded and followed.

Gu Qian's mouth twisted in frustration. After eating his noodles, he didn't even soften his stance.

The late summer heat was still intense, and Bak, having taken off his coveralls, wore only a black tank top, the first piece of clothing his sisters had bought him with their pocket money. It was slightly tight, and if worn on a racetrack or a runway, it would make him look like a model. In the car wash, he was just a worker. Walking into the real estate agency, with his sweat, he looked like a rough laborer.

He washed and changed every day, so he didn't smell. Walking into the air-conditioned office, he felt a pleasant chill. But someone looked at him disapprovingly: "From the car wash? What are you doing here?" A thin man with glasses came out from the office, looking like a department manager in a suit and tie.

Bak glanced at him, not intending to respond. Zhou Xiaoli spoke up: "Manager Chen, this gentleman wants to see the information about the Changyang Linyuan property. I'm helping him find it on the computer." She turned to Bak with an apologetic look, indicating that he should play along since he was being watched.

Bak pretended to look at the screen seriously. Zhou Xiaoli quickly took a USB drive from a small box in front of her monitor and plugged it into the port, starting to copy the images. It took a few dozen seconds, during which she opened a property listing to explain.

But Manager Chen came over during this time, with a similar view to Gu Qian: "Really? When did car wash workers start earning so much? Your sales performance this month is poor. Are you trying to make up for it here?" He walked to the counter, pulled Zhou Xiaoli's chair, and sat down, crossing his arms in a dismissive manner.

Bak didn't expect the expressionless girl in front of him to say the same thing: "The key, what's the key!"

She was truly unique!