Chapter 4: Pretty Girls Are the Best Liars

200 to 460?

Earning two and a half days' profit in one?

The vendor's eyes gleamed. Grinning, he hiked up his pants and squatted beside Jiang Qin. The mix of grease and tobacco on him hit hard, making Jiang Qin's head swim.

But Jiang Qin didn't flinch—just scooted over and kept the cig behind his ear.

He didn't look like a high school grad anymore—more like a dropout hustling for a living.

"Buddy, tell me where you sold those meals?"

Jiang Qin, as if expecting this, held up two fingers. "Gimme 200 yuan, and I'll spill."

The vendor's eyes bulged, sharp as lightning. "200? I barely make that in a day!"

"Switch spots, and you could make 400."

"Tell me first—I'll see if it's worth it." The vendor hesitated; 200 wasn't pocket change.

"We went to the internet cafe strip."

"East end of Xinghai Road?"

"Yup."

"I thought it was some goldmine. Business is good there, sure, but the city inspectors are brutal. I tried once—they seized my cart. Still haven't gotten it back."

"I'm not done. Pay me 200, and I'll keep going. If it's not worth it, I'll refund you. I'm just a student—wouldn't scam you, right?" Jiang Qin's tone dripped with temptation.

The vendor wavered, then fished out 200 yuan. "Spill. If it's bunk, I want my money back."

Jiang Qin rolled the cash and pocketed it. "There's a foot massage place on that street—Shuiyunjian. Go in, there's a big courtyard inside. Seven cafes' fire exits lead there. The old guy at the gate loves Hongtashan cigs. Most importantly—no inspectors."

"What's the gatekeeper got to do with it? He'd let me sell meals?"

Jiang Qin smiled faintly. "He's the owner's dad. Guards the gate 'cause he's bored at home."

The vendor mulled it over, then beamed. "Got it, buddy. Next meal's on me."

"No problem."

"Kid's already scoped out a massage parlor—big future ahead!"

Jiang Qin cupped his fists in mock salute. "Too kind!"

Guo Zihang, dazed nearby, grabbed Jiang Qin, eyes sparkling with awe. "Old Jiang, you've been to a magical place like a massage parlor?"

"Just a rite of passage for men."

"Huh?"

"Enough 'huh'-ing. Made some cash today—let's eat something good."

Jiang Qin stood, dusted himself off, and strolled down the road with over 700 yuan in his pocket.

Guo watched his retreating figure, stunned. His friend seemed seasoned—like he'd seen it all. Not just the carefree cursing, but a piercing gaze that cut through things' essence.

They'd slaved all morning, sold for 300-plus, barely enough for smokes, yet Jiang Qin casually claimed 460.

And the shrewd vendor bought it—paying 200 for an address.

Bluffing adults without blinking? Guo couldn't do that. He couldn't even haggle buying veggies for his mom.

No wonder Jiang Qin shrugged off confessing and failing.

Classmates thought he was faking it, clinging to pitiful dignity. But Guo, in that moment, believed—Jiang Qin genuinely didn't care.

Still, mentioning Chu Siqi lit Guo's gossip fire.

"Old Jiang, what's up with you and Goddess Chu?"

Jiang Qin glanced at him. "What's there to be up with?"

"You liked her for three years. It's just… over? She said she'd consider you in college!" Guo pressed, baffled. Why quit now, so close to college?

"She says college, so it's college? I'm done waiting. If pretty girls were reliable, pigs would climb trees."

Jiang Qin's tone was flat, dripping with disdain for love.

Dating delays money-making. Simping wastes life. Last life's bloody lessons proved it—women only slow you down, nothing more.

He'd felt the sting of teenage crushes and the terror of a 300,000-yuan dowry. It wasn't that he didn't like women—he just knew priorities this time around.

"But… that's all your guess, right? What if Chu Siqi really plans to date you in college? Giving up now—don't you feel it's a waste?"

"Old Guo, once a guy starts thinking like that, he's trapped—love or work, same deal. If it's not in your hands, don't trust a word, no matter how much they hype it."

Jiang Qin's gaze deepened, recalling promises from his first job.

Project bonuses, company shares, overseas trips, family subsidies—all as real as Chu Siqi's "try harder and I'll date you"—legends everyone's heard of but no one's seen.

Hope in legends? Might as well believe in miracles.

Which reminded him of Diga—some cosmic hero, more like a deadbeat. Borrowed his light, ditched him fighting Gatanothor, left his future dark, and never mentioned repayment.

Never simp, never slave—focus on cash. That's the way.

Meanwhile, Guo scratched his head furiously, hissing through his teeth.

Jiang Qin stared, puzzled. "What's up? Didn't wash your hair?"

"No, I feel like after hearing you, my skull's growing a brain."

"???"