Chapter Fourteen.: Business Genius

"Is this money enough to buy a soda and some fries?"

After working tirelessly for half a day, Zhao Gu handed over all her earnings to Chen Fan. He took the money, examined it with a solemn expression, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "With this amount… it's really hard for me to help you."

"By the way, when you're in the Mortal Realm, do you need sleep?"

"Only when I'm injured and need to recuperate. I've already told you—we're not like you mortals. If there's nothing wrong, sleeping is just a waste of time."

"Perfect. Wait here for a second."

Chen Fan pulled out his phone, searched for something, then made a call. After getting a response from the other end, he immediately grabbed Zhao Gu and dragged her along.

"Hey, Chen Fan, where are we going?"

"To make money. Or have you suddenly lost your craving for fries?"

"I still want them."

Later that night, Chen Fan stepped out of a hotel, stretching comfortably as he exhaled a satisfied breath. Under the dim glow of the streetlights, he looked like a cunning businessman who had just struck a fantastic deal. He grinned.

"A hundred from the construction site, another hundred and twenty from the hotel night shift… I really am a money-making genius."

It turned out, Chen Fan had been treating Zhao Gu as free labor all along. After all, she had nothing to lose. Making an immortal work for him—definitely the smartest decision of the century.

The Last Bus Home

Chen Fan managed to catch the last bus and, out of habit, pulled out his phone to send a message to Lan Mengmeng:

"Mengmeng, this is the 'Mortal Realm' I was telling you about—"

Halfway through typing, he realized how ridiculous it sounded. He quickly erased it and replaced it with:

"Mengmeng, this is my childhood neighbor. I'll introduce you sometime."

Five minutes later, she replied with a simple:

"Mm."

Chen Fan hesitated, tempted to call her, but knowing she was probably studying, he held back. Instead, he slipped his phone back into his pocket, leaned against the seat, and closed his eyes for a quick nap.

As the bus passed through the business district, a wave of exhausted office workers boarded, their faces drained of energy.

Chen Fan stared at them and suddenly envisioned his future—would he end up just like them? Working endlessly, running in circles for a paycheck, with no freedom to go where he pleased?

Then, his thoughts drifted to Zhao Gu, who was likely still serving tables at the hotel. The image of an immortal girl doing such mundane labor was so absurd that he couldn't help but chuckle.

"Well, whatever. If she's got all that strength, might as well put it to use like a man."

Three Days Later

Three days had passed since Zhao Gu's arrival. In that time, Chen Fan had been shuttling between the construction site and the hotel, dragging her along for work. It was exhausting, but the payoff was solid—she had earned him nearly 900 yuan.

That Saturday, as finals loomed closer, Chen Fan finally mustered the courage to invite Lan Mengmeng to study together in the classroom. She happily agreed, finding her dorm far too noisy for focus.

7:01 AM – Dorm Room, North Block 1

A shrill alarm shattered the morning silence.

The sight of Chen Fan, of all people, up and washing up on the balcony was enough to shake the very foundation of reality.

Zhang Zhiwu, the dorm leader, groggily stumbled out of the bathroom and nearly had a heart attack.

"Three years… Three whole years… This guy has never woken up early! The odds of this happening are the same as pulling a butterfly out of a beehive!"

Shocked beyond belief, he bolted back inside and shook another roommate awake.

"Wake up, wake up, Glasses! Something's seriously wrong with Chen Fan!"

Half-asleep, Glasses mumbled, "What? Did he hang himself? Jump into a well?"

"He's studying."

"…Holy sh*t, that's even worse."

"Chen Fan, bro, listen," Glasses staggered over, placing a hand on his shoulder, "If you're in trouble, talk to us, man. Don't go down this dark path of studying."

Chen Fan glanced at them as if they were idiots.

Meanwhile, the dorm's night owl, Fatty, who had just pulled an all-nighter gaming, grumbled from his bed, "You idiots, he's got a study date with the campus belle today."

Zhang Zhiwu's expression froze. "...No way. Don't tell me Fatty's talking about Lan Mengmeng?"

"Mm-hmm." Chen Fan took a sip of water, swallowing it down with satisfaction before flashing them a mischievous grin.

"Disgusting. A couple. Gross." Zhang Zhiwu spat in disgust, pulling Glasses along. "Come on, let's finish peeing and go back to sleep. We'll find hotter girls in our dreams. Screw these couples."

"Got it, Wu-ge."

Fatty, half-asleep, suddenly blurted, "Glasses went out with his girlfriend two nights ago and didn't come back till morning."

Zhang Zhiwu froze mid-step. He turned around with a look of pure disdain.

"You too?! Another couple? Ugh. Filthy." He spat again before storming off. Glasses hurried after him, trying to explain.

Chen Fan chuckled, shaking his head. He didn't bother arguing with them. After a quick wash-up, he grabbed his bag and was about to leave when Fatty suddenly said, "Chen Fan, if you ever need money, just text me."

Chen Fan paused. For a moment, warmth flooded his chest.

"Thanks, Fatty. I'll remember that."

The Morning Study Date

Just as he left the dorm, his phone buzzed. It was a message from Lan Mengmeng:

"I just finished breakfast and went to the classroom first. I bet you're still in bed, haha."

Chen Fan smiled and replied,

"I'm already up. I'll be there after breakfast."

Closing his phone, he muttered to himself with a chuckle, "I was actually planning to ask you out for breakfast."

Since he woke up early, he managed to grab a fresh bowl of piping hot century egg and lean pork congee. His mood instantly lifted.

After finishing his meal, he headed for the classroom.

As he stepped inside, he almost thought he had walked into the wrong room.

At the front of the class, Lan Mengmeng had her hair tied up for once. She stood at the blackboard, focused, her delicate fingers chalking out equations with swift precision. Nearly half the board was already filled with complex calculations.

Chen Fan was momentarily stunned.

"A girl with beauty and brains… if only she were my girlfriend."

Not wanting to disturb her, he quietly found a seat and simply watched her solve problems.

Before long, she reached an answer—but instead of stopping, she erased it and started over. Again and again, her gaze flickered toward the classroom door.

A knowing smirk crept onto Chen Fan's lips. "Were you looking for me?"

The sudden voice startled her, and she nearly jumped. Flustered, she muttered, "O-of course not!" before quickly retreating to her seat.

Chen Fan pulled out his books and sat beside her.

She tried to focus, but after a few seconds, a small folded note landed on her desk.

Opening it, she read:

"Mengmeng, you look really beautiful today!"

Her cheeks instantly flushed bright red.