Financial freedom starts with cracked apps.

Chapter 15 Preparations Before the Hike
"Good luck!"

Lin Shen was secretly pleased, after all, he had received more than 8,000 yuan without doing anything, which was like a windfall.

Now we're only 50,000 short of the 200,000 RMB target for the payment collection platform.

Lin Shen pondered silently.

Money should be saved, but consumption should not be abandoned.

Otherwise, there would be no motivation to save money.

So Lin Shen headed straight to Wanda Plaza and began his shopping spree.

First, there's the basic equipment.

Lightweight, breathable, non-slip hiking shoes; ice silk quick-drying clothes and pants; travel backpack.

And most importantly, sun-protective clothing.

After conducting some research online, Lin Shen finally chose the KALLAS brand.

First of all, it is a local Chinese brand, which is more friendly to outdoor beginners, and the price is not too expensive.

The budget for a complete set of equipment is three thousand yuan.

It was over two hundred, but the price was still within Lin Shen's acceptable range.

Regardless of how long the hike will take, we can't afford to buy bad equipment.

After finishing his clothes, Lin Shen began to struggle with choosing a sunscreen spray.

After all, areas like the face and neck that can't be covered up are still very easy to get sunburned.

Therefore, sun protection is essential when hiking in the summer.

However, sunscreen spray falls under the category of cosmetics, which is where Lin Shen's knowledge is lacking.

In addition, it felt a bit awkward for a grown man like him to go shopping in a cosmetics store alone.

Lin Shen hesitated in front of the L'Oréal counter for a long time, when suddenly a surprised voice came from behind him.

"Brother Shen!?"

?

Lin Shen turned his head and saw two girls running towards him, and he was stunned.

"Xu Lei?"

Xu Lei's outfit today is different from her usual work attire.

A little black dress with off-the-shoulder design, paired with black stockings and high heels, exuding a pure and alluring vibe.

The overall style is quite sexy, and the addition of black-rimmed glasses attracts curious glances from many passersby.

Of course, Lin Shen was also very curious.

What are you doing here? Isn't today Friday?

"I've finished my work."

Xu Lei nervously smoothed her hair.

"At today's meeting, the team leader said to divide up your work, so I added most of my work into it, hehe."

"..."

You know what, he's actually quite smart!

Lin Shen was speechless for a moment, while Xu Lei enthusiastically introduced her friends.

"Then I took half a day off to go shopping with my best friend Zheng Min, who was heartbroken after her breakup."

"Xiaomin, she's the Lin Shen I often mention. She takes such good care of me at work!"

"Hello, Brother Shen."

Zheng Min greeted Lin Shen softly, her eyes red, as if she had been crying for quite a while.

Seeing this, Lin Shen tried his best to soften his tone.

"Hello."

"Brother Shen, why are you out shopping alone?"

Seeing Lin Shen carrying large and small bags, all of which were Kailas paper bags, Xu Lei couldn't help but ask him about it out of curiosity.

"Are you planning to go hiking?"

"Let's go hiking this weekend."

Lin Shen smiled slightly.

"I originally wanted to choose a sunscreen spray, but I haven't decided which one."

"Let me help you choose!"

Xu Lei was very enthusiastic and led Lin Shen directly into the L'Oréal counter, introducing the product like a sales assistant.

"Actually, for men, I would recommend La Roche-Posay's Extra Protect Light Sunscreen with SPF50+."

"Strong stability, long-lasting protection, and gentle on the skin."

"I didn't know so much about sunscreen products."

Lin Shen praised her, and despite having no particular ideas of his own, he readily accepted Xu Lei's suggestion.

"Thanks, I'll go pay."

"Eh!"

Xu Lei was surprised that Lin Shen paid so decisively, and quickly called him back.

"If we're going hiking this weekend, can I come along?"

You like hiking too?

"I like it!" Xu Lei immediately followed up.

"It's just walking! It's good exercise and has many benefits."

"Next time."

Lin Shen looked apologetic.

"I have plans this weekend. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll treat you to dinner when I have time."

After saying that, Lin Shen took the sunscreen spray and went to the front desk to pay, leaving Xu Lei standing there dumbfounded.

Have an appointment?
Did Brother Shen get back together with his ex-girlfriend?
That can't be happening that fast!
If not, then who could it be?

"Leilei."

After Lin Shen left, Zheng Min immediately grabbed Xu Lei's arm and asked her curiously.

"Didn't you say Lin Shen was quite chubby? Is this what you call chubby?"

"He lost weight."

Xu Lei joked.

"Just like you, I'm troubled by love."

"So he broke up with his girlfriend too..."

Zheng Min stared at the elevator entrance where Lin Shen had disappeared and murmured to herself.

"He's quite handsome, why don't you introduce him to me?"

"Go, go, let's play!"

Xu Lei glanced at her best friend with a blank look.

"I haven't even had any meat yet, and you're already thinking about soup? If we're going to talk, I should be the one going first! My breasts are bigger than yours!"

"My ass is perkier than yours!"

"Your perky butt's only because your boyfriend beat you up, right? Now that you've broken up with him, let's see how you compare to me!"

"Xu Lei!! Why do you have to bring up something you don't want to talk about?!"

……

After taking the subway back to his neighborhood, Lin Shen went to the supermarket for a big shopping trip.

I bought two bottles of Red Bull and some electrolyte water to prepare for tomorrow, and also bought a big bag of fruits and vegetables to make a low-fat meal to take with me. The rest will replenish the nearly empty refrigerator.

Everything is ready, just waiting for tomorrow's hiking trip!

After packing his bags, Lin Shen carefully reviewed travel guides online to see if there was anything he had overlooked.

Suddenly, a comment on Xiaohongshu reminded him.

"Are there any community health clinics near Sheshan? My feet are blistered from walking for so long."

Yup!

Lin Shen suddenly realized that he should perhaps prepare some medical supplies.

After all, there are certain dangers associated with being outdoors.

So Lin Shen opened Meituan and purchased cotton swabs with iodine, band-aids, and bandages—first-aid supplies—just in case.

At that moment, the aloof and sophisticated woman sent a message.

[Qin Yuennan: Meet at 8 o'clock]
[Lin Shen: OK emoji.jpg]
After agreeing on a time, Lin Shen took off his contact lenses, applied eye patches, and prepared to sleep.

*
*
Saturday, December 2, 2025.

24℃～30℃, cloudy.

「建设银行：您尾号7946的账户于08月02日00:01收入RMB4000元，当前余额：154，000」

Before the 7:30 bell rang, Lin Shen got up early to wash up.

However, what troubled him was that his eyesight had deteriorated by another 100 degrees!

This meant he had to buy another pair of 400-degree contact lenses to wear.

"I feel like there's not enough time."

Lin Shen glanced at the clock on the wall and muttered to himself.

After he finished styling his hair in front of the mirror and changed into the hiking gear he had bought yesterday, his phone suddenly rang.

"I'm downstairs."

The four cold words on the phone made Lin Shen panic.

He hates people who are not punctual, so he is strict with himself.

"immediately!"

After hanging up the phone, Lin Shen immediately grabbed his backpack and rushed downstairs.

Sure enough, the extremely conspicuous Volvo S90 was already parked downstairs.

Qin Yuennan leaned against the driver's side door, her arms crossed over her chest.

She specially prepared an outdoor outfit for the hike today.

White tank top + light gray loose-fitting paratrouser pants + sneakers.

Baseball cap, headphones (worn around the neck), and sunglasses (hanging on the chest) were worn as accessories.

The overall style leans towards retro American, with a relaxed and leisurely feel.

The white sun-protective clothing tied around her slender waist added a touch of playfulness.

Qin Yuennan's elaborate outfit truly caught Lin Shen's eye.

(End of this chapter)