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Chapter 96: Zhang Yu's Temptation
At Ziyun High School, Le Mulan’s phone screen displayed a photo.
The image showed Zhang Yu grinning broadly, standing in front of a small convenience store, giving a thumbs-up toward the camera.
Below it, the caption read:
Gao Feng Stationery Store — the best stationery shop right outside Songyang High School. The owner’s incredibly nice, and the products are super affordable. Highly recommend checking it out!
Two slender fingers tapped the screen, zooming in on the photo until Zhang Yu’s face filled the entire display.
After a long pause, the fingers swiped downward, revealing another set of images.
The first showed Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen slinging arms around each other, posing for a selfie in front of Bailong High School’s main gate.
The second featured Bai Zhenzhen hugging a massive drink bottle, brimming with energy drinks.
The third captured Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen sitting back-to-back, surrounded by a ring of empty energy drink cans, with Song Hailong’s exasperated expression visible at the edge of the frame.
The caption beneath:
Back at Bailong High again. These energy drinks are seriously powerful and delicious. Every time I come, I load up on a whole crate. I’m a monthly member of Bailong — if you want to resell, just contact me.
Le Mulan’s fingers once again enlarged each image of Zhang Yu, lingering on them for a while before flipping to the next batch.
This new set was a panoramic shot of Songyang City’s night skyline, seemingly taken from a high-rise on the outskirts.
At the center stood the towering Central Tower, piercing the heavens. Nearby, the construction of the Luzhou Group’s new skyscraper, the Oasis Tower, was underway. Around it, clusters of neon-lit skyscrapers shimmered in the dark, fading gradually into the dimmer lights of the suburban outskirts — a gradient from brilliance to shadow, painting the full scope of Songyang City’s nocturnal pulse.
The caption read:
At 4 a.m. in Songyang, you can either drift through life for three years… or suffer for three. If you drift, you might end up suffering for over a century. But if you suffer for three years, and manage to pass the entrance exam to enter a university and achieve foundation establishment, then you’ll have another 200 years of hardship ahead. But that’s still better than the alternative.
A soft chuckle escaped her lips as Le Mulan continued scrolling through Zhang Yu’s social feed.
Then, a message popped up at the top of the screen.
Lian Tianji: Sacred First Place — are you joking? What am I supposed to buy from Zhang Yu? Seriously?
Her delicate fingers danced across the screen, replying swiftly.
Le Mulan: Not joking. Please, I’ll pay extra.
Transfer 2000
2000 transferred — received.
Lian Tianji: It’s not about money. You could just ask him yourself. Why do I have to be the one to go?
Le Mulan: If you don’t want to, I’ll walk on your head every single class.
Lian Tianji: Need delivery, or should I bring it myself?
Le Mulan nodded slightly, watching the reply on screen.
“Just as I thought — it really works better when you’re firm with people who score lower than you.”
She returned to Zhang Yu’s feed, muttering quietly:
“Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen… these two poor kids really stick together like glue.”
She didn’t care much — it was just a passing thought as she browsed.
Under the glow of her phone screen, Le Mulan’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.
“All this effort over these past few days wasn’t wasted. Now, looking at Zhang Yu’s photos… I barely feel anything anymore.”
“Now all I’m waiting for is for Lian Tianji to deliver the clothes.”
“Once I’ve worn them and grown used to them… I won’t feel that discomfort when I’m near Zhang Yu anymore.”
She thought to herself:
“This is the moment I’ll finally face the poverty-stricken Zhang Yu head-on — and overcome my own weakness once and for all.”
…
In the cafeteria.
Bai Zhenzhen’s mind still echoed with the message Lian Tianji had sent to Zhang Yu earlier.
Zhang Yu placed his freshly bought meal in front of her, his thoughts drifting toward the idea of talking to her about illegal tutoring.
But he didn’t notice the strange look in Bai Zhenzhen’s eyes every time she glanced at him.
After eating, Zhang Yu said, “A-Zhen, come with me to the rooftop. I’ve got something important to talk to you about.”
They climbed to the roof — one of their secret training spots on campus.
Over the past few days, countless drops of sweat had been shed here, marking their shared growth and mutual witnessing of progress.
Now, standing there again, Zhang Yu began:
“A-Zhen… I’ve got something to say. You’ve noticed I’ve been earning a bit of extra money lately, right?”
I didn’t just notice — I saw the message your client sent you! Bai Zhenzhen thought, her face tightening slightly.
Her heart pounded. Is Yuzi about to confess his secret? About his deal with Lian Tianji?
She knew all too well: every year, students under financial pressure took this path — selling themselves to the Dao for a chance at immortality.
Some scorned them, calling them “poor fools chasing a dream no one should.” Others admired their determination, praising their unyielding Dao Heart.
But she never thought Zhang Yu would go down this road — especially not to Lian Tianji.
“Yuzi… you’ve gone too far. I can’t keep up.”
“And why Lian Tianji? He’s only Top 8 in the Martial Arts Tournament — he’s not even worthy of you.”
“Why not find a real genius? Even Song Hailong would be better…”
“No… Song Hailong’s Physical Strength Level is too high. The medical bills alone would bankrupt us.”
“If it were Le Mulan paying… I’d actually be more comfortable with that.”
Her mind raced, but she quickly calmed herself.
She forced her expression to remain neutral and said slowly:
“So… is this about your recent earnings?”
Zhang Yu nodded.
“Yeah. I’ve found a way to make money — it’s in the suburbs. I’ve been there many times. I think it’s safe…”
Bai Zhenzhen’s face twisted — her expression contorted like a wrinkled Japanese gourd.
“Is Yuzi trying to pull me into this?”
In that instant, she realized she wasn’t ready for this.
Her first instinct was to reject it.
But as she looked at Zhang Yu, she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of awe.
“Yuzi’s grades are already better than mine. And yet, even after school, he’s out there working another job — tutoring at Lian Tianji’s place, building up Dao resources. I admit it — my Dao Heart isn’t as strong as his. You win this round.”
She took a deep breath, then placed a hand on Zhang Yu’s shoulder.
“Thanks, brother. But really, you don’t need to include me. Keep this great opportunity for yourself. I’m not ready for this step yet.”
“And be careful with Lian Tianji — his Physical Strength Level isn’t low. You could end up needing a hospital visit.”
Zhang Yu frowned.
“What’s this got to do with Lian Tianji?”
Bai Zhenzhen sighed softly, turning her head away with a helpless expression.
“I… accidentally saw the message he sent you today. But don’t worry — I covered the screen. Only I saw it. Qian Shen, Zhao Tianxing — none of them know.”
“I’ll keep your secret safe.”
Zhang Yu scowled, pulling out his phone. Seeing Lian Tianji’s message, he nearly threw the device across the rooftop.
“What the hell is this?! This birth thing?! I thought Lian Tianji was my friend! How dare he try to manipulate me?!”
Then he remembered Bai Zhenzhen’s reaction — and quickly clarified:
“Nothing happened between us! I swear!”
He showed her the chat history:
“Look — clean, innocent. Nothing at all.”
Bai Zhenzhen exhaled in relief — then tilted her head curiously.
“So why did Lian Tianji want to buy your old clothes?”
Zhang Yu scowled, gripping the phone.
“Who the hell knows what’s going on in his head?”
He typed back furiously:
“First, I’ll ask what he’s offering. Then I’ll decide how to reply.”
Unconsciously, Zhang Yu had grown more accustomed to Kunxu’s ways — learning to react differently to different numbers.
Bai Zhenzhen watched silently.
On the screen:
Zhang Yu: What’s the price?
Lian Tianji: Any one of your worn clothes — 2000 yuan.
Bai Zhenzhen chimed in:
“Try offering 5000.”
They waited.
A moment later, Lian Tianji replied with a simple: Agreed.
Bai Zhenzhen laughed.
“Haha, so easy to make 5000 yuan just by selling one piece of clothing?”
But Zhang Yu still felt uneasy.
“What the hell does he want with my clothes?”
Bai Zhenzhen patted his shoulder.
“It’s 5000 yuan for one shirt. Who cares what he does with it?”
Zhang Yu blinked.
“Right — I forgot to tell you. I actually came up with a plan to help you earn money too.”
Just then, the silent figure nestled in Zhang Yu’s chest — disguised as a black prayer bead — spoke.
The Doll’s voice echoed in Zhang Yu’s mind:
“Zhang Yu. I warned you — in this business, trust no one. Even your own son can betray you. Are you really sure you want to tell this woman?”
Zhang Yu didn’t hesitate.
He turned to Bai Zhenzhen and said:
A-Zhen… have you heard of the Dark Tutoring Realm?
As Zhang Yu explained, Bai Zhenzhen’s expression shifted — a mix of shock, disbelief, and dawning realization.
Good news: my son didn’t sell his body.
Bad news: my son joined a gang… doing work even more dangerous than robbery.
Bai Zhenzhen, a genuine top-tier poor genius from Key High School, had been raised with deep respect for intellectual property and a lifelong reverence for institutions.
Now, hearing Zhang Yu wanted to bring her into this underworld network, she felt a chill.
“Is this really safe? If the company finds out… we’ll be enslaved for life!”
Zhang Yu reassured her:
“I was scared at first too. But once I went there, I found out Anxue Alliance is a legal, tax-paying, god-worshipping organization. As a part-time tutor, you only need to teach — no fighting, no killing. We’re not involved in that.”
“And the pay? It’s real. I earn 6,500 yuan per hour.”
He paused, then added with a sigh:
“In this Kunxu… it’s nearly impossible for poor people to earn a decent living through honest jobs. Only places like the Dark Tutoring Realm give us a chance at a dignified income — enough to actually have a shot at getting into the top ten.”
Hearing “6,500 yuan per hour,” Bai Zhenzhen’s heart raced.
She finally understood why so many people joined.
And when Zhang Yu spoke of the struggle of the poor — her soul stirred.
She nodded firmly.
“Yeah… you’re right. If we’re poor, we have to take risks. Only then can we climb up.”
She looked at Zhang Yu and said:
“I trust you. Just tell me what to do.”
—
Tomorrow should complete the chapter fragments. Paying back the monthly ticket loan. And I’d really appreciate a few more votes.
(End of Chapter)
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