Chapter 47

With over 370,000 prestige points, it could be considered a substantial amount compared to Lin Mu's initial 1,000 points. However, it still seemed insufficient for the exorbitantly priced items in the Memory Palace.

This increase in prestige was slightly higher than that of "Stars and Seas," but it was still lower in quality compared to "The Linked Cities."

Ultimately, it was due to Lin Mu's current low fame and the fact that "Martial Arts Stories" was only a mid-length novel magazine with limited influence.

For the next book, Lin Mu had yet to decide which one to exchange for. "The Linked Cities" still had three-quarters left to be serialized, and with over four months remaining, there was no rush.

However, there was one exchange that, although it would cost a significant amount of prestige, he felt was worth it.

"C-Class Jeet Kune Do exchange, requiring 100,000 prestige points, confirm exchange!"

100,000 prestige points vanished in an instant, but Lin Mu did not feel any regret.

Fame and recognition, like a tree standing out in the forest, could deter the wicked and shield against the storms. For now, he could only rely on himself. The prestige points needed for the next novel could be accumulated, so there was no need to hoard every last point.

With a prestige difference of ten times, Lin Mu felt very tired after the exchange and did not go up to the rooftop to practice. Instead, before going to bed, he pondered the differences of C-Class Jeet Kune Do in his mind.

If D-Class Jeet Kune Do was only at the level of street thugs, with some common offensive and defensive techniques, C-Class Jeet Kune Do could be considered the realm of martial artists. It included the basics of training, fighting, and health maintenance. Once truly mastered, one could be considered an elite expert.

...

"The weather forecast says there will be snow this weekend?"

Lin Mu was taken aback and immediately told Shang Zhicheng that he needed to take a three to four-day leave.

Given his special circumstances and poor academic performance, Shang Zhicheng, although somewhat dissatisfied with him due to Chang Qiankun's matter, did not make things difficult for him.

The weather was already quite cold, and even with a sweater, sitting alone for a long time felt chilly.

He called a taxi and went to a nearby construction site, where he found a foreman. After explaining his intentions and negotiating a price of 200 yuan per day, he easily found a worker who could read blueprints.

"I've done this kind of heated bed before. One person can make two in a day if they work quickly. If you trust me, there's no need to hire a second person. I'll do two beds for 300 yuan. What do you think?"

The worker, surnamed Wang, asked earnestly after learning Lin Mu's intentions.

Lin Mu thought for a moment and said, "Alright! Then early tomorrow morning, Master Wang, bring your tools and come to the address I give you. Don't worry, I'll cover your transportation costs. Here's 100 yuan as a deposit."

Everything settled, Lin Mu left the money and took the taxi home.

He was not worried that the worker would not come. A daily wage of 300 yuan was hard to refuse.

Moreover, they were mostly villagers from the surrounding area, with simple and honest personalities, and they valued their reputation.

Once they agreed to a job, even if it turned out to be more troublesome than expected, they would not abandon it.

...

The clothes he bought last time were all for autumn, so Lin Mu took this opportunity to buy three down jackets for his family. He did not mind spending money, which delighted the salesgirl in the clothing store.

This time when he returned home, Lin Mu could feel that the neighbors' gazes had changed. They now saw him as someone capable of making decisions, rather than just a kid who went away to school.

"Little Mu! You just earned some money, why are you spending it so recklessly? We don't need any repairs at home. Why are you buying so many building materials? And these coal blocks? You even took leave to come back, don't let it affect your studies!" The old man welcomed Lin Mu home with joy but then started to scold him.

Lin Mu smiled and said, "Didn't I tell you before? It's getting cold, and I thought about building a heated bed at home so that it won't be cold when we come back for the New Year..."

His home was in the central plains, and the layout and concepts were different from those in Northeast China.

In Northeast China, a house typically had a kitchen with a heated bed right inside the door, and the bedrooms were on either side.

At home, the kitchen was usually a separate building from the living quarters, and the main room was used for receiving guests, with the bedrooms on the sides.

After Lin Mu and his two younger siblings grew up, the family built an additional room at the junction of the main room and the kitchen, which served as their bedroom.

Lin Mu planned to start with this room. If he directly worked on the main room, even if the old man trusted him, he would not allow such a major renovation.

After all, such a significant change in the house could only be decided by the head of the household.

After much persuasion, the old man finally agreed.

"Ah, the western room does get very cold in winter. When your parents come back, you and Xiaoye will indeed have a hard time living there. If you build the heated bed, I'll support you. If your father scolds you when he comes back, I'll back you up!"

Lin Mu laughed, "Alright, if he hits me, you hit him."

He bought a few dishes and once again showed off his cooking skills. Although it was just a home-cooked meal, it was fragrant and delicious.

When Lin Ye and Lin Lin came home from school and saw their older brother back with down jackets, they were overjoyed. They put on their new clothes and went to show off to their friends while Lin Mu cooked.

"During my time at school, have Xiaoye and Lin Lin not been bullied anymore?" Lin Mu asked while cooking.

The old man, smoking a pipe, smiled and said, "No, no. After you dealt with those bad boys last time, they haven't come around again. It's been much quieter, and the neighbors are more at ease."

Lin Mu nodded, realizing that his previous plan had been effective.

For such people, reason and kindness were useless; his method was the only way to deal with them.

"This is Lin Mu's house... Lin Mu, this Mr. Wang is looking for you!"

While they were chatting, a village child suddenly brought someone over. Lin Mu looked up and saw it was the worker, Mr. Wang, he had talked to at the construction site that morning.

"Hehe, I thought the work would be a bit much, so I wanted to get the bed heated before nightfall. I came over after finishing work and taking a shower. I hope it's not too presumptuous?" Mr. Wang said with a smile, offering a pack of cigarettes to the old man.

Lin Mu had just put a piece of meat in the mouth of the child who had led the way and was about to nod with a smile when the old man had already warmly welcomed Mr. Wang into the main room and offered him tea.

"What are you talking about? We're delighted to have a skilled worker like you. Have some tea first, and I'll let Lin Mu cook a couple more dishes. Although we don't have many rooms, my third brother's house is empty and can be used. I'll ask my third brother to come over, and you can stay at his place tonight."

These skilled workers were often looked down upon in the city, but they were highly respected in the countryside. This was a difference between urban and rural areas.

PS: Thank you to Mr. Wu Yu for the 588 reward.