Chapter 14: Preparing for the New Job
The stationery shop in front of the school always stocked a wide variety of things students needed. Songyang High School’s stationery shop was no different.
Besides pens, notebooks, and rulers, the shopkeeper’s massive back counter resembled a pharmacy—packed with everything a high schooler might crave: sedatives, stimulants, focus-enhancing pills, and more.
Zhang Yu leaned both hands on the counter and asked, “Got any Neural Filler?”
The shopkeeper, still scrolling through his phone, didn’t look up. “Premium or budget?”
Zhang Yu sighed. “I’m a student. Can’t you give me the expensive one at a discount?”
The man finally glanced up, eyeing Zhang Yu with a faint smirk.
Zhang Yu didn’t flinch. “I’m top ten in Grade 10, Class 1. I’m a campus celebrity. If I take this and it works, everyone else will want it too.”
The shopkeeper snorted, pulled a box from the shelf, and slid it across the counter. “Ziyun Corporation’s Neural Filler. Guarantees you only need 20 minutes of sleep a day. 500 per box. I’ll cut you a deal—480.”
Zhang Yu picked up the box and examined it. “No extra? No freebies?”
The shopkeeper frowned, then tossed a few painkillers onto the counter. “Here. Free.”
Zhang Yu grinned. “Thanks, boss.” He slipped the pills into his pocket. “But you know what? I think I’ll pass on the Neural Filler.”
The shopkeeper’s face darkened.
Zhang Yu casually scanned the QR code on the counter. “Just kidding. Payment’s ready.”
He picked up the Neural Filler, a pang of regret tugging at him. One box would last a week at most—yet it had cost him 480. His account balance now stood at just over 1,700.
But Zhang Yu knew it was worth it.
He’d made his decision—he was going all-in for the Mana Competition. For the next week, he wouldn’t sleep. He’d push himself to the limit, training nonstop with Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa.
“Hmph. My goal isn’t just top ten.”
Meanwhile, Zhao Tianxing walked into the shop behind Zhang Yu. He watched as Zhang Yu left with the medicine, frowning. Is that really Neural Filler?
He followed Zhang Yu out, trailing along the sidewalk. Then, suddenly, Zhang Yu was already standing at a corner, waiting.
“H-hey… Zhang Yu,” Zhao stammered, awkward. “What a coincidence. You’re going this way too?”
Zhang Yu stared at him. “Why were you following me?”
Zhao scratched his head, feigning innocence. “Following you? I just walk this route after school.”
Zhang Yu sighed. “Look at yourself. Two meters tall. Over three hundred pounds. I saw you leaving the cafeteria. What do you want?”
Zhao couldn’t tell him—Coach Wang Hai had ordered him to get close to Zhang Yu, to spy on where he got his drugs.
So Zhao scratched his head again, blushing. “Zhang Yu… I think you’re amazing. I really want to learn from you.”
Looking at the 18-year-old, 300-pound hulk standing there with a shy expression, Zhang Yu thought: Seriously? Your social skills are stuck in elementary school.
After a pause, Zhang Yu said, “Fine. If you buy me fried chicken, you can tag along.”
A chill ran through him. His body was trembling, and the mental countdown in his head grew louder. He couldn’t stay here any longer.
With a reluctant sigh, he started walking, waving at Zhao. “Talk while we walk.”
Zhao followed, hesitating. “Fried chicken? That’s a bodybuilding taboo. Wang老师 said not to eat it. How about chicken breast instead?”
“Relax,” Zhang Yu said. “I’m not eating it. You’re just buying it for me.”
The thought of fried chicken made his mouth water. Since arriving in this world, he’d been eating nothing but cheap, nutritionally balanced school meals. He hadn’t had real fried chicken in ages.
The relentless training had built up pressure inside him—no time to relax, no room for indulgence. But now, the promise of a meal, even just a few bites, made his heart feel lighter. The weight on his mind lifted, just a little.
Zhao followed Zhang Yu on the subway, watching him head toward a distant fried chicken shop. “You came all the way here? Must be super famous?”
Zhang Yu shrugged. “It’s on the way.”
But as soon as he stepped inside, the cursed countdown in his mind rang out again.
He turned to Zhao. “Buy me a fried chicken combo. I’ll wait here.”
He sat down and began meditating.
Zhao stared, baffled.
A few moments later, he watched Zhang Yu devour a chicken leg with pure joy.
He’s so disciplined—spends every second on breath control, yet he’s here eating fried chicken… What a strange guy.
What shocked Zhao even more was that Zhang Yu didn’t head to a cram school, didn’t go buy more pills. Instead, he came to a public square—waiting for temporary work.
Zhao frowned. “You’re… working?”
Zhang Yu patted his stomach, stretched out on a clean patch of ground, and waved a hand. “One fried chicken doesn’t come with a chat. I’m training while I wait. You do whatever.”
Zhao watched as Zhang Yu entered a deep meditative state.
“Breathing meditation?” Zhao muttered, glancing at the nearby puddle of dirty water, the blaring music from a nearby barber shop, and the rough-looking job seekers around them. “Are you serious? You’re meditating here?”
But Zhang Yu was already fully immersed in Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa. He didn’t respond.
Zhao crouched beside him, watching closely. After a few minutes, he confirmed: Zhang Yu really was meditating.
Why here? What’s the point?
Just using the wait time to train?
After a while, Zhao grew restless. He was about to leave when his phone buzzed.
It was Wang Hai: Status update?
Zhao hesitated. Then, after a long pause, he replied: Closing in on Zhang Yu.
With a deep breath, he sat down beside Zhang Yu and began meditating too.
Half an hour passed. Zhao opened his eyes. Zhang Yu was still in meditation.
An hour passed. Zhao stood up, stretched, and turned to look—Zhang Yu hadn’t moved.
Two hours later, Zhao had stopped meditating. Instead, he was practicing the Jianti Thirty-Six Forms, moving through each form slowly.
Every few glances, he watched Zhang Yu—motionless from head to toe. Not a single twitch, not a scratch, not even a blink. His breathing remained perfectly steady.
Zhao couldn’t help but whisper in awe: Unbelievable focus. No wonder he’s the guy with a 0% distraction rate.
But… no spirit root. No high-grade spirit machine environment. No pills. How can meditation even work here? Is it even worth it?
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu’s progress in Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa surged forward—now at Level 4 (12/80).
Just then, another minivan pulled into the square.
“Looking for security staff,” the voice called.
Zhang Yu snapped back to awareness, but quickly returned to his meditation.
As a first-year, he had no chance against the older, seasoned workers.
But then the voice added: Young. Good physique. Clean, neat appearance. Must not be too ugly.
Zhang Yu’s eyes flew open.
He stood up in one fluid motion, striding confidently toward the van. “How about me?”
The driver’s eyes lit up. “Perfect! You’re hired!”
Zhang Yu grinned, reaching out to shake hands—
But the driver missed him. Instead, he grabbed Zhao Tianxing’s hand, praising him.
“Look at this build! The chest! The waist! The back! Unreal proportions! You’re like raw jade—already shaped with infinite potential!”
He patted Zhao’s shoulders. “Only someone who’s lived a life of strict discipline, constant self-control, and rigorous training—plus a master’s guidance and heavy-duty medication—could develop like this.”
“Kid, you’re perfect. 800 per hour. Let’s go.”
Zhang Yu stood frozen.
He couldn’t believe it.
His lean, defined physique. His sharp, calm features. His otherworldly aura. All of it—wiped out by Zhao Tianxing’s mountainous frame.
“Boss! Look at me! I’m qualified too!”
The driver glanced at Zhang Yu and shook his head. “No. Too skinny. Not sturdy enough. Can’t trust you to block a flying sword.”
Zhao opened his mouth to protest. “Actually, I didn’t come—”
Zhang Yu cut in fast. “We’re brothers! We swore to share every job, every opportunity. We do it together.”
The driver narrowed his eyes, scanning both of them. Then he turned to Zhang Yu. “400 per hour. Four hours. You in?”
Zhang Yu nodded rapidly. “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
Zhao was dragged toward the van, still protesting. “I’m not here to work! And I’ll be late—my mom will worry!”
Zhang Yu pressed on. “You wanted to talk to me, right? Let’s talk while we work. No better time.”
Zhao hesitated. Then, remembering Wang Hai’s orders, he reluctantly said, “Fine… I’ll call my mom first.”
The van sped toward the city center. On the way, the driver explained their assignment.
“Li Xuelian is holding an art exhibition on the 999th floor of Cloud Pavilion. Security is already sorted.”
“But she’s unhappy with the security team’s appearance. Worried it’ll ruin the viewing experience. She wants young, handsome guys.”
“You’ll wear security uniforms. Follow the head guard’s orders. And one thing—never, ever, offend Li Xuelian.”
Zhang Yu raised an eyebrow. “This Li Xuelian… must be really rich?”
The driver snorted, grinning. “Rich? She’s not just rich.”
He leaned back, voice dripping with pride. “She’s the daughter of a Golden Core Immortal.”
(End of Chapter)
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