Fangyuan City.
At a construction site.
Su Xiangdong walked onto the familiar site once more, but his feelings were entirely different.
Before, he had worked to survive.
Now... he was working to live.
"Old Su, you're here! Haven't seen you in days!"
A coworker spotted Su Xiangdong and greeted him with a smile.
"Something came up at home, so I took a few days off."
Su Xiangdong smiled too. He took out a pack of cigarettes and passed them around.
"Whoa, Cloud Star! These are good cigarettes."
"Doesn't a pack cost over eighty? You're really splashing out, Old Su."
Su Xiangdong chuckled.
"I hadn't been around for days. I missed you all."
Su Xiangdong hadn't told them what had happened at home.
Being a little better off was a blessing. Being far better off than everyone else invited envy.
Just then...
"Well, look who's here. I thought the work here wasn't good enough for you anymore, Old Su."
The newcomer was in his early thirties, tall and thin, with dark circles under his eyes.
He was their foreman, Wang Cong.
But Wang Cong knew nothing about construction and spent every day barking orders.
He had the job solely because he was the contractor's brother-in-law.
"Foreman Wang."
Su Xiangdong pressed the half-pack of Cloud Star cigarettes into Wang Cong's hand.
"I'm back. Sorry for the trouble while I was away."
"You did cause me trouble. You took nearly half a month off. I thought you'd quit, so I gave your old job to someone else. Now that you're back, go work with the rebar."
Everyone's expression changed.
Su Xiangdong had been an electrician and plumber before, occasionally helping with carpentry.
Those jobs took skill and were relatively easy on the body.
Rebar work, on the other hand, was the most grueling job on the site.
And with his injured back, Su Xiangdong couldn't do it at all.
"Foreman Wang, Old Su's been with us for years. Couldn't you give him another job?"
One of the workers spoke up for Su Xiangdong.
Wang Cong snorted.
"If he can't do it, will you?"
The worker fell silent.
Su Xiangdong took a deep breath.
He knew Wang Cong was making things difficult for him on purpose.
Anger surged inside him.
"I quit" was on the tip of his tongue.
Just then...
"Is Su Xiangdong here?"
Everyone turned to look. Wang Cong's eyes immediately lit up.
The newcomer wore a sharp suit, his hair impeccably styled. He was Qian Tong, the project manager in charge of their site.
He was a senior manager sent from headquarters.
He was Wang Cong's superior. Even Wang Cong's brother-in-law had to treat him with the utmost respect.
"Manager Qian! What brings you here? How about I treat you to lunch at the Golden Moon Seafood Restaurant?"
Qian Tong gave Wang Cong a cold glance, and Wang Cong didn't dare press any closer.
Qian Tong scanned the crowd, then quickly settled his gaze on Su Xiangdong.
"You must be Su Xiangdong. The Wiring Diagram you drew was outstanding. Only after seeing it did I realize we had someone of your talent on this site. Keeping you on electrical and plumbing work would be a waste. Would you consider joining Xuanyuan Construction's headquarters? You could start as a Construction Supervisor. I need someone as responsible and technically skilled as you to help me."
"And we certainly won't shortchange you on pay. Thirty thousand Federal currency a month, with social insurance at the highest tier. What do you say?"
Su Xiangdong: ...
Su Xiangdong was stunned.
The offer was that good?!
He used to work himself to the bone for just six to eight thousand a month.
"I... I'd be happy to!"
"Wonderful. Let's go sign the contract."
Qian Tong warmly ushered Su Xiangdong away.
The workers and Wang Cong remained where they were, staring after them in a daze.
After a long while...
"What kind of dumb luck did Old Su stumble into?"
"That wasn't luck. Real talent always shines through!"
"Come to think of it... doesn't that make Old Su our boss now?"
Given how honest and kindhearted Old Su was, he would surely look after his old friends.
As for Wang Cong...
Wang Cong gripped the half-pack of cigarettes in his hand. It felt as heavy as a mountain.
At school.
Su Ye was practicing Martial Skills when he received a call from Su Xiangdong.
"Son, your dad got a promotion and a raise!"
Su Xiangdong happily recounted everything that had happened at the construction site.
"Son, I'm a Construction Supervisor at Xuanyuan Construction now. I make thirty thousand a month! You're in your final year of high school, working hard, so you need proper nutrition. If there's anything you need, just tell Dad. I'll buy it for you."
At last, Su Xiangdong could say that with confidence.
Su Ye was surprised that Su Xiangdong had gone back to the site, but now that his father was in management, he wouldn't have to do hard labor.
And he could hear how happy Su Xiangdong was, so he didn't spoil the moment by telling him he didn't need to work.
Su Ye congratulated his father, then listened to his proud voice for a while before hanging up.
Then his brow furrowed slightly.
Xuanyuan Construction?
That name sounds familiar.
Isn't that Zhang Xuan's family business?
Could it be...
Just then.
Zhang Xuan, who had been absent all morning, entered the Elite Class and called Su Ye, Xiao Qiyue, and the others aside.
"Everyone, I have big news! I, Zhang Xuan, am going to take part in Modu University's Independent Admissions!"
Independent Admissions?
Puzzled, Xia Zhiqiu asked, "Don't Martial Artists all have to take the Gaokao? How are you getting in through Independent Admissions?"
"Because I'm not just a Martial Artist. I'm an Apothecary too!"
Zhang Xuan looked pleased with himself.
Ever since he first encountered Pharmacology three years ago, he had kept studying it. He had made some progress, or a prestigious university like Modu University would never have invited him to apply through Independent Admissions.
"All the resources I've used over the years weren't for nothing. And I know that even though I made it into the Elite Class, I probably couldn't get into one of Dong Huang's top universities like Modu University on my strength alone. But Independent Admissions could change that. So wish me luck!"
At that, Xia Zhiqiu let out a wail.
"We agreed to be bad students together, but you went and secretly studied Pharmacology! Zhang Xuan, you abandoned me!"
Zhang Xuan moved away from him in disgust.
"Get lost! Who said I was a bad student like you? I'm an average student."
Su Ye gave him a thumbs-up. "That's impressive, Zhang Xuan. Congratulations!"
Xiao Qiyue and Mu Wanrou congratulated him too.
"Heh, I'm just getting a head start. I'll be waiting for all of you at Modu University!"
"Good luck!"
"Just wait. I'll be there!"
"See you at Modu University!"
Zhang Xuan had come back today specifically to request leave from school. After sharing the news with Su Ye and the others, he went to find Principal Zhang.
"Zhang Xuan."
Su Ye took a couple of steps to catch up. Meeting Zhang Xuan's puzzled gaze, he thanked him sincerely.
"Thank you for helping my father."
"Oh, that."
Zhang Xuan waved a hand.
"It was nothing. Besides, your father has real talent. It's a win-win for us. But Su Ye, if you really want to thank me, just remember to let me lean on you when you get stronger."
"Sure. Once I'm strong enough, you can lean on me all you want!"
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