Shen Qiong's Sister

Shen Qiong gritted his teeth. You're the one!!!

Congratulations, you've successfully unlocked all common social Life Skills.

Shen Qiong casually opened the profile of someone on People nearby.

Among the dense list of skills, a whole bunch of question marks had turned into actual values.

He'd unlocked a huge number of skills this time. All the skills commonly used in daily life were now available, including cooking, eloquence, drinking capacity, handicrafts, money management, communication, learning, teaching, romance, fertility...

Shen Qiong was so excited! He'd unlocked so many Skill Values at once, and there was even fertility. Did that mean the ability to have sex?

He chuckled. How could he be so lewd?!

It was another sleepless night. Shen Qiong needed to thoroughly study these new Skill Values.

The next day, Shen Qiong updated his appointment notice board again, adding another option to the fortune-telling appointments: life.

Even he didn't know how to describe the skills he'd just unlocked, so he could only sum them up with the word "life." How the clients interpreted that was none of his concern.

Having tasted the benefits of gaining fame online, Shen Qiong even went out of his way to register a new Weibo account. Then he posted the account details outside his shop for clients to follow.

Of course, he named the account Master Shen. For the profile picture, he used the calligraphy hanging in his shop: "Glimpse Heavenly Secrets, Calculate Human Destiny!"

Then he listed the three areas of fortune-telling he covered in his bio: health, fortune, and life.

After taking care of that, Shen Qiong wrote a job ad on his computer, posted it on Weibo, and printed it out to put up outside his shop.

Job Opening

Our shop is hiring one assistant. Duties include handling various odd jobs for the owner (including organizing the appointment box each day, contacting clients whose appointments have been confirmed to arrange meeting times, cleaning the shop, and serving tea).

Working hours: 8:30–17:30

Age: 18–26

Education: None (applicants with postgraduate degrees or higher need not apply)

Requirements: No gender requirements. Neat appearance and features, elegant manners.

Bonus points: Looks, quick wit, eloquence,

Salary: Negotiable

(No room for advancement, no social insurance or housing fund, no commission, no knowledge will be imparted)

Shen Qiong was quite pleased with the job ad he'd written. After posting it, he decided to give himself a day off, get out for some fresh air, and sort through his thoughts about recent events.

He shut the shop door and lazily scribbled a few big characters: "Closed for the Day."

He hailed a car at random and went wherever it took him.

Shen Qiong loved these aimless outings. They let him put all his troubles out of mind.

Watching the cars and busy pedestrians pass by outside the window, he remembered that he'd once been one of them. A dreamlike smile appeared on his face.

Like a dream!

The year he graduated from college, a lot had happened. His best friend had gone abroad to study.

He'd also had an amicable breakup.

Shen Qiong remembered the saying: "The most tacit understanding between us is that I don't contact you, and you don't contact me."

He gave a bitter smile and shook his head. Two years had passed in the blink of an eye, and he didn't even have a friend he could have a drink with. He really had made a mess of things.

Just then, Shen Qiong's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and immediately answered.

"Brother..." Shen Shi's choked voice came through the phone.

Shen Qiong's heart tightened, and he hurriedly asked, "What's wrong? Are you crying?"

"Brother, I miss you!" Shen Shi hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Where are you? I'll come over," Shen Qiong said.

"I'm at Baili Bridge Subway Station." She glanced at the sign beside her.

"Wait for me. I'll be right there."

Shen Qiong hurriedly got out of the car and hailed a taxi by the roadside. "Driver, please take me to Baili Bridge Subway Station."

Shouldn't she have been at school? Why had she come back to Lingxi City?

No, Shen Qiong suddenly remembered that it was already July. It must be vacation, so she was out of school.

Had she come to Lingxi City for a visit? She should have told him earlier. Besides, judging by her voice on the phone, something seemed off with his sister.

Shen Qiong took a deep breath. The last time Shen Shi had called him was probably on his birthday.

The car soon arrived at Baili Bridge. Shen Qiong got out, paid the fare, and hurried toward the subway entrance.

Baili Bridge Subway Station had only two exits, A and B, and they were connected. Shen Qiong entered the station and searched everywhere for his sister.

Three minutes later, he finally spotted Shen Shi inside a shop. She was sitting alone in a corner, her eyes red.

Shen Qiong nervously hurried over. "What's wrong? Did someone bully you?"

Hearing her brother's voice, Shen Shi turned and threw herself into his arms. Tears immediately streamed down her face.

Whatever had happened, it must have hurt her badly. Shen Qiong held her and gently stroked her back, just as he had when they were children. "It's okay. I'm here."

"Mm." She sobbed softly.

Shen Qiong helped her into a seat and wiped away her tears. In a gentle voice, he asked, "Who bullied you? Tell me."

Shen Shi was six years younger than him, and Shen Qiong had always doted on his sister. Seeing her with red, tearful eyes made his heart ache.

Shen Shi sniffled. "It's nothing. I just missed you."

Shen Qiong frowned deeply. He placed both hands on his sister's shoulders. "It's okay. Tell me. Did you get dumped?" he asked tentatively.

She shook her head.

"Then what happened? Did you argue with a friend? Or with Mom?" Shen Qiong continued.

Shen Shi bit her lower lip. After hesitating for a while, she finally said, "My college entrance exam results came out."

Shen Qiong froze. Only then did he remember that his sister had just graduated from her final year of high school. He'd been so busy with the shop lately that he'd completely forgotten about it.

"Didn't do as well as you'd hoped? It's okay," he comforted her.

Shen Shi shook her head again. "I did pretty well, it's just..."

"Is it about choosing a major?"

She nodded and said through gritted teeth, "I want to apply to Shanghai Drama Academy and study dramatic and screenwriting."

Shen Qiong was surprised. Shanghai Drama Academy was a top university, so it seemed his sister really had done well. He blinked at her. "Then apply!"

"I can't. Mom won't let me study dramatic and screenwriting. She wants me to study acting or hosting, but I don't like either of those at all," she said anxiously.

Shen Qiong knew his sister was the quiet type. Writing might suit her, but acting and hosting were completely wrong for her. His expression turned cold. "Forget what she says. Apply for the major you want."

She lowered her head. "I can't. Mom won't agree."

Seeing how upset his sister was, Shen Qiong asked, "How much is the tuition?"

Shen Shi looked up at him in surprise. "But..."

"But what? I'm asking how much tuition you'll need to study dramatic and screenwriting at Shanghai Drama Academy," Shen Qiong said, looking at her.

Shen Shi struggled to answer. "I guess it'll be over ten thousand a year."

"Then that's settled. Apply. Don't worry about Mom. I'll cover the tuition, and you don't need to ask her for living expenses either. I'll send you money every month," Shen Qiong said firmly.

"Huh?" Shen Shi stared at Shen Qiong in disbelief.

Four years of tuition and living expenses would add up to well over a hundred thousand. Her brother had already spent a lot of money on their father recently, so she shook her head sensibly. "No. It's hard for you to earn money, too."

Shen Qiong smiled. "Silly girl, you're my sister. It's worth spending any amount on you."

Shen Shi lowered her head and mumbled, "But that's a lot of money."

So his sister was worried he didn't have enough money. Shen Qiong patted her head. "Don't worry about the money. Your brother's doing great these days. It's settled. Send me your bank card number, and I'll transfer the money in a bit."

Shen Qiong logged into his mobile banking app. His account balance was still over forty thousand. If he hadn't spent tens of thousands on appliances and furniture recently, it would be close to a hundred thousand by now.

Without a second thought, Shen Qiong transferred forty thousand.

Ding, ding, ding. Shen Shi soon received a text confirming the transfer. She covered her mouth in astonishment. She'd only just graduated from high school and had never seen so much money before.

Shen Qiong smiled. "See? I didn't lie to you. Go ahead and submit your application. I'll pay your tuition. Use this money for now, and tell me if you need more."

Shen Shi gritted her teeth and snatched Shen Qiong's phone. She saw that the balance was down to just over thirteen hundred.

Shen Qiong quickly snatched the phone back. "Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing?"

"No! You've given me all your money. What are you going to do?" Shen Shi said anxiously.

Shen Qiong helplessly explained, "That's just one month's income."

She shot Shen Qiong a look, clearly unconvinced...

Shen Qiong smiled wryly. "It's true."

"Okay!"

She figured her brother must be lying. How could he possibly earn tens of thousands a month? He was only saying that so she wouldn't feel too burdened. She resolved to study hard and spend the money sparingly.

Shen Qiong had no idea what his sister was thinking. At least she was finally willing to accept the money.