Huayu, my cheat code is a bit strange.

Chapter 23 Timely Rain (Please read on, please recommend, please do everything!)

"The campaign was not yet won when the hero died, which often brings tears to the eyes of heroes." Gu Xiao had never felt this sentiment so deeply before.

He felt that if he read "The Prime Minister of Shu" now, he would definitely pass the recitation part of the third test with a perfect score.

The atmosphere in the living room was unusually awkward.

Gu Xiao's mind raced, but she quickly realized that she had no need to panic.

First of all, he wasn't selling counterfeit goods.

This book, "College Entrance Examination Preparation: Core English Vocabulary," is the culmination of his hard work, painstakingly sifting through countless practice questions word by word over several sleepless nights.

Secondly, he is only seventeen years old and is a minor.

This is an unimaginable get-out-of-jail-free card, powerful enough to rival the elderly people who stage accidents on the street.

With her mind at ease, Gu Xiao's tense nerves instantly relaxed.

Teacher Song took in every change in his expression, her gaze behind her glasses filled with scrutiny and curiosity:
"Don't you have anything to explain to the teacher?"

Gu Xiao said frankly, "I haven't broken the law, I haven't cheated anyone, and I'm selling genuine knowledge. Since I have a clear conscience, what's there to explain?"

Teacher Song carefully examined the student before her and slowly began to speak:

"You have indeed changed a lot."

Gu Xiao met her gaze and said, "Are you here to persuade me to stop?"

Teacher Song paused for a moment, then nodded gently and said, "Yes, I personally think that children your age should be focusing on their studies instead of messing around with these things."

"Individual?" Gu Xiao keenly caught the word.

Instead of answering directly, Teacher Song reached out and grabbed the "Core Vocabulary" book from the table, and began to flip through it skillfully.

"I and several other teachers in the teaching and research group have carefully reviewed the contents of this document."

She tapped on several entries and said, "Apart from a few entries having slightly missing definitions, the overall quality is quite good."

Gu Xiao listened quietly, vaguely catching something.

Teacher Song raised her eyes, her gaze becoming exceptionally serious:

“I discussed it with a few teachers and we think this material is really useful for students in the current sprint stage. The school would like to purchase 300 copies from you as additional supplementary teaching materials for students who need them.”

Even though Gu Xiao had a premonition, she was still somewhat stunned by this sudden "surprise".

300 copies!
This is completely beyond his previous minor antics!

Seeing that he didn't react, Teacher Song continued, "I've already inquired through some channels, and these materials sell for 25 yuan each outside. The school has a budget limit for procurement, so it's impossible to get them at your retail price. At most, we can only offer 15 yuan each. If you agree to this price, the process can be expedited, and you should be able to get the check tomorrow."

"Don't even mention 15, even if you bargain it down to 12, I'll agree without hesitation!" Gu Xiao took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the elation in her heart, and said cautiously:

"Teacher, if I may ask a question, this is, after all, tutoring material for students' college entrance exams. Shouldn't the school be more cautious in selecting it?"

Teacher Song glanced at him and reminded him, "There are less than four months left until the college entrance examination."

So that's how it is. This textbook is actually designed for students with below-average grades. For these students, efficiently accumulating points in the final few months is paramount; minor omissions in the textbook's definitions are insignificant. Time is their most scarce resource.

Having figured this out, Gu Xiao had a new question: "Do we really need 300 books?"

It seems that the number of students with lower grades in their grade did not reach this number.

Teacher Song said in a slightly ambiguous low voice:

"The school has always had a cooperative relationship with some after-school tutoring institutions."

Gu Xiao understood instantly.

Of these 300 books, some will likely find their way into after-school tutoring centers closely associated with schools through special channels, serving as promotional gimmicks for their "secret internal recipes" or "score-boosting guides."

This can be considered a kind of unspoken rule.

Teacher Song clearly didn't want to delve deeper into this topic, and changed the subject:
“Originally, the school planned to discuss the procurement directly with your father. But I feel that since you were the one who put this into practice, it's only right and proper to inform you first and hear your thoughts. If you have no other questions, we can finalize this matter.”

“I have absolutely no problem with that.” Gu Xiao agreed immediately, fearing the other party might change their mind. Teacher Song nodded, not surprised by his reaction. She then gave a few more instructions on the procedures for signing the simple agreement and receiving the check before taking her leave.

After seeing Teacher Song off and closing the door, Gu Xiao slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

Two thousand one hundred yuan!

After deducting all costs, this deal will bring him a net profit of nearly 2,100 yuan!
Excited heart, trembling hands.

Ignoring her father's complicated expression, Gu Xiao quickly dressed and headed to the copy shop for negotiations.

He's no longer a business novice; he knows very well that he can negotiate prices with factories for large-volume orders like photocopying.

If he could reduce the cost from eight yuan to seven yuan, or even six yuan, he would have an extra six hundred yuan in profit!

That's enough to buy a used phone!

……

……

翌日清晨，天光微亮.

Gu Xiao walked into the gate of No. 13 Middle School with high spirits.

"Gu Xiao?"

"Didn't he go to take the art exam?"

"Why are you back in your school uniform?"

Students passing by in the corridor cast astonished glances at them.

Gu Xiao acted as if she hadn't heard anything and walked straight toward the teachers' office.

Ms. Song was grading homework when she looked up and saw him; a knowing glint flashed in her eyes.

She didn't ask anything, but simply took an envelope from the drawer and pushed it in front of him.

"The finance office just opened, I've brought it out for you."

Gu Xiao took the envelope, her fingertips clearly able to feel the outline of the paper.

He gently pulled out a corner—four thousand five hundred yuan, a cash check from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the ink clear and the stamp bright red.

The rich scent of ink is refreshing and invigorating.

This is the smell of money!

"Thank you, teacher." His voice was soft, but exceptionally solemn.

"Prepare well for the art exam." Teacher Song lowered her head and continued grading homework, the pen tip scratching on the paper.

Gu Xiao nodded seriously.

Stepping out of the teaching building, I saw classes jogging on the playground, their neat footsteps and slogans brimming with youthful energy.

He didn't stop and walked straight out of the school gate.

The moment he stepped out of the school gate, he looked back at the campus that held countless memories of the original owner.

Everything felt both familiar and strange.

With mixed feelings, Gu Xiao raised her hand and flagged down a yellow minivan.

"Driver, go to the nearest Industrial and Commercial Bank of China."

The moment the car door closed, Gu Xiao leaned back in the somewhat worn-out seat and gently closed her eyes.

From today onward, his life will take a different turn.

So now, should he go out for a nice meal, or should he go out for a nice meal, or should he go out for a nice meal?

(End of this chapter)