Chapter 5: The Miserable Dishwasher

Three weeks of this.5 AM.The streets still clung to shadows, but he no longer tripped over trash bins on his way here.

Song Han shook his head, silently carrying the two large bags of plastic bottles as he walked towards his rented apartment. 

If he went home now, he could still catch a bit more sleep. 

... 

"Next, we would like to especially commend Song Han. In the final exams last semester, Song Han achieved the honor of ranking first in our class and fifth in the entire grade with an overwhelming advantage! 

Let's give him a round of applause!!!" 

"Bravo!!" 

Amidst the cheerful applause, Li Hao, Song Han's deskmate, clapped the most enthusiastically, as if Song Han's achievements owed something to his own efforts. 

Blushing, Song Han stood up to receive the test papers from the teacher's hands and quickly hurried back to his seat. 

"Given Song Han's outstanding performance and the significant improvement in his grades last semester, I have decided to appoint him as the Youth League branch secretary of our class. 

I hope Song Han will be able to share his learning experiences with his classmates more effectively and help everyone improve together." 

As the teacher's words fell, the classroom suddenly fell silent.

Teacher Hao looked at the suddenly quiet class with a puzzled expression and asked, 

"What's the matter? Do you have any questions?" 

"Teacher, what does the Youth League branch secretary do?" 

Teacher Hao suddenly understood and explained, 

"The Youth League branch secretary mainly helps the teacher manage the class and organize activities. In terms of position, aside from the class monitor, they hold the most responsibility in the class." 

After making the arrangements, Teacher Hao said to Song Han, 

"Song Han, come to the office after class." 

The same words, at different times, carried entirely different meanings. 

Having just brought honor to the class, Song Han walked into the teacher's office this time without any fear, his head held high. 

"Song Han, can you tell me how you improved your grades so quickly last semester? 

If possible, I hope you can share your experience to see if it can help other students improve their grades as well." 

Song Han scratched his head awkwardly and said, 

"It's just that I felt like I found a life goal. As long as I studied hard, I could achieve it, so I put more effort into my studies." 

"And then?" 

"And then... that's it..."

Teacher Hao looked at Song Han with surprise: 

"Can you tell me what kind of goal could bring about such a big change in you? 

Saving the world?" 

Song Han opened his mouth, his face flushing with embarrassment: 

"Teacher, can we not bring that up?" 

Teacher Hao smiled and took out an envelope: 

"I heard you're working part-time to support yourself. But you're already in your third year of middle school, which is a crucial stage. The upcoming high school entrance exam will determine which high school and university you can attend. 

Besides, the environment at the internet café is too chaotic for someone like you right now. 

Take this money, focus on your studies, and stop working part-time!" 

Song Han waved his hand in refusal: 

"Teacher, I don't need money!" 

Teacher Hao firmly pushed the envelope into Song Han's hands: 

"Take it! If you don't need money, why are you working at the internet café every day?" 

Song Han looked at the envelope in his hands, feeling a sour ache in his heart. 

For a long-time left-behind minor, such sincere concern was overwhelmingly touching. 

Holding the envelope, Song Han walked back to the classroom, his heart heavy. 

After all, his parents had just sent him his living expenses not long ago. He was only trying to save up to buy his own computer. 

Being constantly lectured by his teacher about his internet habits, even though he was used to it, was still hard to bear, especially now that he was a member of the class leadership.

Song Han let out a helpless sigh:

 "Fame is such a burden!"

 Right after school, Song Han resigned from his job at the internet cafe.

 He patted Li Hao, who was immersed in conquering the virtual realms of a game, interrupting his spell-casting.

 "How about grabbing some late-night snacks? My treat!"

 No sooner had the words left his mouth than Li Hao elegantly went AFK (Away From Keyboard), slung his arm around Song Han, and they turned to leave.

 In a small eatery next to the internet cafe,

 Three spicy, aromatic dishes and two bowls of rice were thoroughly enjoyed by Song Han and Li Hao.

 "Li Hao, I quit my job!"

 Li Hao looked at Song Han in surprise;

 "Why?"

 "I want to focus on my studies!"

 Hearing this, Li Hao was immediately displeased.

 "What the!! You're already first in the class, where else is there to go?"

 "Well..."

 After a moment of contemplation, Song Han cautiously said:

 "First in the grade?"

 Smack!!

 Li Hao angrily slammed his bowl and chopsticks on the table and shouted:

 "Boss, bring us some liquor!"

 "White or beer?"

 "White!"

 Song Han was startled by Li Hao's sudden outburst, and his heart pounded even more as he watched the boss bring over a bottle of white liquor.

"This stuff burns the throat, what's so good about it!"

"You think it's not good because you're too good at studying."

Li Hao, pretending to be magnanimous, asked the boss for two bowls, poured one for Song Han and one for himself, not giving Song Han a chance to speak:

"Bottoms up!"

With one gulp, the spicy white liquor turned into a choking fire that first coiled around the throat and went straight to the stomach, then surged back up, rushing to the forehead.

Song Han, choked, quickly waved his hand:

"No! No! This stuff is too hard to drink!"

Beside him, Li Hao was also sticking out his tongue from the spiciness.

"Boss, there's something wrong with your liquor!"

The restaurant boss smiled and retorted:

"What's wrong with my liquor?"

"The white liquor I drink at home with my dad is fragrant, why is yours so spicy!"

The boss joked:

"White liquor also comes in different flavors, all I have here is Erguotou, if you want to drink the fragrant or sauce-flavored ones, my little shop can't afford to sell them."

"Then your liquor is really too hard to drink!"

The boss looked at these two red-faced young lads, as if seeing his own son sneaking a drink, and found it amusing:

"Shall I change it to beer for you?"

At this moment, Song Han suddenly interjected:

"Boss, what did you just say?"

"Change it to beer for you?"

"Not the previous sentence?"

"What, you really want to drink high-end white liquor? Should I get you a bottle of Moutai or Wuliangye?"

Song Han was stunned upon hearing this, and subconsciously muttered to himself;

"Sauce aroma..."

"Snap!"

"What are you thinking about!"

His hand was tapped by chopsticks, and the sudden interruption of his thoughts left Song Han somewhat dazed.

The memories that surfaced in his mind made him extremely excited.

He picked up the wine bowl, downed the remaining white liquor in one gulp, and under Li Hao's puzzled gaze, stood up and bolted.

Li Hao, sitting at the dining table, stared at Song Han's retreating figure for a long time, and after a moment, as he thought of something and was about to get up, he saw a large figure blocking the entrance of the shop.

"I just wanted to go to the toilet..."

Li Hao said with an awkward smile under the boss's unfriendly gaze;

"Boss, are you still looking for a dishwasher..."