Climbing the Wall to Buy Elementary School Books (Part 2)

"You name it, I'll get it! Want cigarettes? Liquor? How about pin-up photos of naked beauties? I'll handle it all!" Zhou Nan slapped his chest with a resounding thud. As the supplier for the Trash Class, what hadn't he bought before? Spending money to save his life was a steal.

Shi Tiexin nodded. With the pleasantries out of the way, he revealed his true objective.

Zhou Nan was instantly dumbfounded.

Ten minutes later, a nimble and agile figure scaled the wall and slipped out of Fengming First High School from a very hidden spot. Looking around furtively like a thief, he confirmed no one was there, then bolted.

But to avoid the "three-pointers" and the "improved version," he decided he had to deliver the items on time, no matter how much it hurt. That guy said he wanted to see the goods before the second evening self-study session, so he had to deliver, even if it meant risking his life. Otherwise... He had saved up quite a bit.

However, despite being a professional dealer, Zhou Nan genuinely had no idea where to buy the stuff that guy wanted.

He'd try the usual shady shop first.

Zhou Nan ran quickly, darting into a roadside shop. The owner of this place, who had a "one-bridge connecting north and south" setup, was Zhou Nan's long-term partner.

"Yo, back again?" The owner greeted Zhou Nan warmly, as this young man was his main distributor at Fengming First High School. "What do you need this time?"

"I want..." Zhou Nan opened his mouth, feeling a bit embarrassed about what he was about to ask. But he couldn't not ask, so he finally mustered the courage and said it: "I want elementary school textbooks, arithmetic flashcards, and various calligraphy practice books..."

"Huh?" The owner was stunned. He stared blankly at Zhou Nan for a moment before erupting in a tirade: "Don't have it, don't have it! If you're not buying anything else, get lost! Trying to mess with me? You're crazy..."

Zhou Nan didn't dare retort after being scolded and walked out of the shady shop dejectedly. It made sense, though. What high school student wouldn't be embarrassed buying elementary school textbooks?

But he couldn't fail the boss's task. Where could he possibly buy those things?

Well... he'd just have to look around near the elementary school for a suitable shop.

Twenty minutes later, Zhou Nan finally found an open bookstore near an elementary school. With a bruised and swollen face, he walked in, feeling utterly humiliated. Without hesitation, he grabbed one of each item, piling them into a large stack and placing it in front of the owner.

"Check me out!"

As the owner calculated the price, he eyed Zhou Nan up and down. After a moment, he asked hesitantly, "Son, did you... fall at a construction site? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

"I don't have time to go to the hospital! Hurry up and ring me up, I need these books right away!"

The bookstore owner wasn't angry. He shook his head and sighed, "Your thirst for knowledge is truly... admirable. Alright, son, it's okay if you're working construction, but don't slack on self-improvement. You'll achieve something someday. Keep it up, son, I'll give you a discount!"

Despite receiving a discount, Zhou Nan felt he had never been more humiliated. A respectable high school student going to an elementary school to buy elementary school books – could there be anything more embarrassing in this world?

Yes, there could.

Swish, Zhou Nan flipped over the wall and landed lightly on the ground. Calculating the time, there were still five minutes before the first class ended. Perfect. Just then, a bright flashlight beam instantly enveloped him, and a shout made him jump: "Stop! Don't move! You guys, surround him!"

Several people, like wolves and tigers, sprang out of the darkness, quickly surrounding Zhou Nan tightly.

"Heh, caught another one!"

"Director Zheng is right, this crackdown is really necessary. Discipline has completely broken down, it's truly heartbreaking."

"What's this one's situation?"

Zhou Nan panicked. He looked around – it was all teachers from the academic affairs office, plus over a dozen students from the Discipline Committee. It was practically a full mobilization of the disciplinary forces. Although Director Zheng wasn't here, the academic affairs office had more than just him; there were several other formidable figures. Seeing they had caught another one, everyone closed in with ferocious expressions.

"Speak, what were you doing climbing over the wall? Going to buy cigarettes, weren't you?" A teacher said with a half-smile, "I advise you to be honest and turn yourself in quickly. Director Zheng is already furious; don't be foolish and stubborn right now."

"N-no, Teacher, I really wasn't going to buy cigarettes!"

"Still playing dumb? Looks like you won't shed a tear until you see the coffin."

Crack, four high-intensity flashlights shone on Zhou Nan, fixing him like an escaped convict under a searchlight, illuminating Zhou Nan's wry and helpless face. His face was still bruised and swollen. The surrounding teachers immediately shouted, "What's with your face? Speak, what's in this bag? What were you doing climbing over the wall!"

Zhou Nan immediately raised his hands in surrender, "Teachers, if I told you I climbed over the wall to buy study guides, would you believe me?"

All the teachers looked at Zhou Nan as if he were an idiot and simultaneously moved to open his bag...

One minute later, everyone's expression turned to shock.

Three minutes later, Zhou Nan escaped the surprise inspection, both luckily and embarrassingly. However, from that day on, a strange tale of a student who climbed over the wall to buy elementary school textbooks began to circulate within Fengming First High School.

During the second evening self-study session, Zhou Nan rushed into Class 28's classroom in a panic, marking his first appearance in class that day. His expression immediately became one of wonder. He saw Zhou Nan trot over to Shi Tiexin like a corgi, presenting the bag in his hands.

His movements were so respectful, his expression so fawning, with no concern for his image. The others exchanged glances, giving each other knowing nods.

The new leader, Shi Tiexin, was unfazed. His mind was focused on only one thing. He quickly opened the bag, and the first thing he saw was a copy of "Elementary School Mathematics, First Grade Volume 1." He rubbed the book between his hands for a moment, his gaze fixed on it. After a short pause, strange characters appeared before his eyes.

[Secret Manual: Basic Mathematics First Level (Fragment, 1/6)]

This was it!

Shi Tiexin quickly flipped through the bag, laying out all six elementary school math textbooks, from the first grade first volume to the third grade second volume.