"Oh," Wang Yue said, pulling out a piece of paper from his pocket and wiping his hands. "To correct you, I wasn't picking my nose, it was just a little itchy, so I rubbed it a few times."
He then threw the paper into the trash can beside a tree.
He continued, "I'm exhausted from listening to you for so long. I'll just say one thing: what does their unfortunate marriage have to do with you? Punishing yourself with someone else's mistakes is the most foolish thing you can do."
"And what's this about people who like you having to suffer just like you do."
"How chuunibyo do you have to be to say something like that?"
"Alright, if you have nothing else, go back and eat. Listening to you ramble has made me hungry."
With that, Wang Yue turned and left first.
An Ran remained frozen in place for a long time, her mind replaying Wang Yue's words. This was simply unbelievable! He could utter such simple yet profound words. After a long while, An Ran finally looked up again, and this time there was a light in her eyes. She looked in the direction Wang Yue had gone, his retreating figure almost out of sight. She quickly ran to catch up.
By the time she emerged from the small grove, An Ran could only see the receding back of Wang Yue cycling away on his old bike. But this time, she smiled. "Wang Yue, thank you."
...
Wang Yue returned home, only to find that no dinner had been prepared. He went to the shop, but the door was also closed. He immediately understood that his parents must have gone out to help with a funeral.
Wang Yue took out his phone and called Pan Huiying.
"Hello, Xiao Yue. We haven't cooked today. I've left twenty yuan on the table. Eat whatever you like," Pan Huiying's voice came from the other end of the phone. Wang Jianguo and Wang Hu's voices could also be heard.
"Mom, do you need any help?" Wang Yue asked.
Pan Huiying was taken aback. Previously, Wang Yue had been very resistant to helping with funerals or setting up mourning halls, always making excuses even when he was needed. Now, he was proactively offering to help. Pan Huiying thought that her son had truly grown up.
"No need, dear. It's thoughtful of you to offer. The mourning hall is almost set up," Pan Huiying said with a smile.
"Alright." Wang Yue continued, "Then please be careful, especially Dad climbing up and down. I'm worried he might fall."
"Don't worry, your brother is here," Pan Huiying said with a smile. "I have to go now, I'm still busy."
After hanging up the phone, Wang Yue returned home, feeling a bit heavy-hearted. Many people think the funeral industry is very profitable, but only those who work in it truly know the hardship involved. Those who are truly skilled often don't earn much, just enough to get by. It's the people who specialize in selling things like paper wreaths, spirit houses, and urns that make the real money. They don't have to do the hard work of setting up mourning halls or dealing with grieving families.
Wang Yue's father falls into the category of a skilled, good-natured person. Firstly, he has excellent calligraphy, often impressing the family with the elegies he writes. Secondly, he has a basic understanding of feng shui, which is useful for choosing burial sites. Thirdly, he is hands-on, personally assisting with preparing the deceased. This seemingly simple profession requires considerable skill to do well. Wang Yue remembered his father mentioning, during conversations in his previous life, that he felt he had chosen the wrong career. Wang Jianguo was a prominent figure in his youth, skilled in everything from chess, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Choosing the wrong path might have been Wang Jianguo's biggest regret in life.
Thinking of this, a fierce determination ignited in Wang Yue's heart. He had to speed up his progress in making money. Since he couldn't live up to his father's legacy, he would forge his own path. With money, he could let his parents travel and see the beautiful landscapes of their country.
...
The next morning, Wang Yue woke up to find Wang Jianguo had already left. Pan Huiying was still asleep. This profession was like that; they worked from dawn till dusk, and if there were any issues from the family, they might have to rush out at any moment.
"Wait until I'm successful!" Wang Yue vowed inwardly.
Today, Wang Yue chose to eat noodles at the school gate. He had just started eating when a figure sat down opposite him.
"Senior, why haven't you been talking to me lately?"
Wang Yue looked up and saw Yang Yue looking at him with a pout, her face full of grievance. Wang Yue then remembered that he hadn't replied to Yang Yue's messages recently.
"I've been too busy lately, haven't had much time to check my messages," Wang Yue said with an awkward smile. He had been caught red-handed; what could he say?
Yang Yue huffed, "I don't believe you."
"Yes, you do." Wang Yue finished his noodles quickly and said with a smile, "I'll talk to you later, I have class."
Yang Yue watched Wang Yue's retreating back, a sense of frustration washing over her. She had been so proactive, yet why couldn't she win Wang Yue over?
When Wang Yue reached the classroom, he found breakfast on his desk, as it had been before. There was also a note.
"You seem to be growing further and further away from me. I often meet you in my dreams. I want to hold you and tell you how much I miss you."
"Wow, a love breakfast! Our Wang Yue is really popular with the girls," Qiao Zixuan said from the side. Wang Yue seemed to detect a strong hint of jealousy.
Wang Yue smiled, tossed the bread into his drawer, and said, "How do you know it's a girl? It could be a boy."
"Ugh~" Qiao Zixuan immediately made a disgusted face. "Would a boy send something like this?"
"Well, maybe. After all, my charm is irresistible to all ages and genders." Wang Yue said with a playful grin.
"Pah!" Qiao Zixuan spat, but she didn't dwell on Wang Yue receiving breakfast anymore. After all, he was so outstanding; it would be strange if no girls liked him.
Just then, a graceful figure walked over.
"Wang Yue, breakfast for you."
Wang Yue looked up and saw An Ran smiling charmingly at him, holding a tea egg. Wang Yue felt a chill down his spine. He didn't need to guess that it was Qiao Zixuan's murderous gaze.
"Did this flirt go crazy after I scolded her?" Wang Yue thought to himself.
An Ran looked at Qiao Zixuan and said with a smile, "Class monitor, do you want to eat too? Sorry, I didn't bring yours today. I'll bring it for you tomorrow."
"No need," Qiao Zixuan said coldly.
"Thank you, but I've already eaten. You should give it to Hu Qianhao instead," Wang Yue said with a smile.
"Okay." An Ran didn't insist, nodded, and walked to the back row, offering the tea egg to Hu Qianhao. "Here, breakfast for you."
Hu Qianhao's eyes widened. He was so excited he almost jumped up. Had his efforts as a simp finally paid off? The goddess had brought him breakfast! Holding the warm tea egg, Hu Qianhao almost felt like crying. He wanted to confess his love to An Ran loudly: "An Ran, don't worry, after eating your egg, I will continue to simp for you! Until the end of time!"