Rebirth 08: A Happy Life Begins in Elementary School

An editorial on urban planning issues was quickly published, but Li Zhao found that he still did not have enough understanding of the mainstream ideas and social conditions in 08, and the article he wrote had a somewhat unrealistic feel to it.

Without investigation, there is no right to speak; relying solely on vague memories is far from sufficient.

It would be laughable to base today's analysis on something that will only be available two years from now.

Li Zhao had never needed an internet cafe so much.

He desperately needs a usable source of information.

Before going to bed on Friday night, Li Zhao went to his parents and solemnly made a request:

"Mom and Dad, I want to buy a computer."

"No way, wait until you're in junior high. Don't bother arguing..."

"OK."

Since Li Zhao's rebirth, Zhou Xiaoyun's spellcasting has been interrupted several times in just two days.

In his previous life, it wasn't until the second semester of junior high school that he managed to find an old computer that was about to be phased out at his uncle's house. Over the next few years, this computer greatly helped to temper Li Zhao's character.

How can you not be anxious when you're moving a mouse too fast on a machine that can lag? In ancient times, that would be called entering a state of Zen.

Don't even think about expecting parents who see television as a monster to buy it for them.

Li Zhao even considered exchanging 10,000 yuan to buy a computer, but the same problem remained: he was just a primary school student, there were too many things to explain, and the operation was too difficult.

Moreover, the 25 happiness points can be redeemed soon, so let's stock up a bit more.

"Mom and Dad, if I get into the top 100 at New Taipei First Senior High School, can you buy me a computer? I don't play games."

Zhou Xiaoyun was stunned. "Top 100 at New Taipei No. 1 High School? Son, that's no easy feat. If you don't get into the top 100..."

"I'm pretty sure I'll make it into the top 300. If I can't get into the top 100, I'll go to New Taipei Experimental High School. I won't insist on New Taipei First High School."

Having her thoughts exposed, Zhou Xiaoyun felt somewhat ashamed and turned to look at Li Changlin.

"That's not what Mom and Dad meant. You know, our family doesn't earn much money. New Taipei First Senior High School is about the same level as New Taipei Experimental High School, but if you don't get into the top 100, the sponsorship fee for New Taipei First Senior High School is really expensive..."

"Dad," Li Zhao interrupted, "I've already made my meaning very clear. I don't like hearing your explanation."

"Well……"

"In your eyes, New Taipei First Senior High School is not comparable to New Taipei Experimental High School. Your families don't earn much money, so supporting New Taipei First Senior High School with three years of sponsorship fees is nothing. You just don't have a good grasp of current housing prices and are still thinking about buying a big house in the city center, so you are unwilling to spend more money."

"How can you talk like that? Your parents work so hard to earn money..." Zhou Xiaoyun finally snapped.

"Mom and Dad, I've already thought about it for you. I was worried that you might think I wouldn't go to Shiyan High School if I didn't get into the top 100 after getting into Xinbei No.1 High School. So I specifically said that I was sure I'd be in the top 300, and if I didn't get into the top 100, I'd go to Shiyan High School. The meaning of that sentence was very clear, but you ignored it and made up some reasons to respond to me, making it seem like I couldn't do without Xinbei No.1 High School."

"...What if I don't make it into the top 300?" Zhou Xiaoyun started to unleash her skills.

"Mom, why don't you consider that I can't even get into the top 100 at New Taipei Experimental High School? Their sponsorship fee isn't cheap either."

"Your grades speak for themselves..."

"My grades speak for themselves; I'm a shoo-in for the top 300 at New Taipei First Senior High School."

Zhou Xiaoyun was in a hurry.

Because of her emotional nature, she found it hard to accept that her son, who was only in sixth grade, was talking back to her, but her rationality clearly told her that Li Zhao was right.

"Alright," Li Changlin interrupted Zhou Xiaoyun's spellcasting, "What my son said makes sense. It's good to have confidence. If you really get into the top 100, the sponsorship money will be enough for several computers. Dad promises you."

That's all there is to it; the computer has solved its legitimacy problem.

[I've reasoned with my parents. Happiness +1, Total 22]

[Reach 25 points to unlock new redemption options]

"But what do you need a computer for?"

"Looking up information."

The father and son both understood the answer without saying a word.

One person sees it as an excuse, while the other knows it's being used as an excuse.

That doesn't matter anymore.

For Li Zhao, discovering that his parents could reason with him was enough to give him a good night's sleep.

On Saturday, Li Zhao woke up at 8:30, ladled out some slightly congealed white porridge, and sat down in front of three small dishes to start thinking:

What can you do on the weekend?

This was a problem that Li Zhao never expected to become a problem.

Having been reborn, how could I not know what to do?

However, when Zhou Xiaoyun goes to the wholesale market to help Li Changlin with his business on weekends, Li Zhao will be locked up at home.

No cell phones, no computers, and the TV can't be turned on—actually, you could turn it on if you wanted to, but even the evening news is useless, not to mention anything else.

In his previous life, Li Zhao spent his holidays reading various books on his bookshelf.

Now... he's very familiar with those books.

Chen Nian would occasionally call to ask if he wanted to go out, but his parents would refuse nine out of ten times, and over time Chen Nian lost interest.

Just then, the phone rang, making Li Zhao's heart skip a beat.

"Feed?"

"Can we get out?"

Through the microphone with its distorted sound quality, Li Zhao didn't even recognize who it was at first.

"Ah Zhao? Is that you? What's up?"

"Is it aged?"

"Yes!" the person on the other end of the phone exclaimed anxiously. "No, don't you check the number before answering the phone?"

I've completely forgotten about it.

"Ugh, I was in a rush just now. Going out...maybe I can. I'll tell my parents where you're going."

Li Zhao was thinking about the internet cafe.

"Xinhua Bookstore, let's go read some books."

Reading books...that's a good option. You could buy some academic books as initial reference materials.

But what about the wallet?

"Are you planning to buy it?" Li Zhao asked.

"We'll see. My mom gave me two hundred yuan to buy books. If you want to buy any, I'll buy them for you and give them to you."

My wallet is here.

Don't worry, Chen Nian, this will be the most worthwhile investment you'll ever make.

After Li Zhao called his parents to let them know, he was allowed to take the bus to Xinhua Bookstore—luckily, Li Changlin had been using the same phone number for over twenty years.

Not long after, Li Zhao met Chen Niancheng, who was wearing sportswear, at the entrance of Xinhua Bookstore.

Back then, Xinhua Bookstore was always packed with people, especially parents and students buying educational materials. The sheer number of people, the speed of their shopping, and the abundance of their purchases were truly remarkable.

Li Zhao was about to step onto the steps when Chen Nian pulled him toward a side alley.

It turns out that Lao Jiu's goal was to open a small shop selling fried tofu.

Fried tofu with some scallion and garlic sauce, sprinkled with seasonings, makes a quick and easy snack.

Because of the strong smell of garlic, this thing was called "stinky tofu," which misled Li Zhao for many years.

Li Changlin only bought it for Li Zhao once. The simple yet unique flavor made Li Zhao fall in love with it instantly, but he never got to eat it again—by ​​the time he went to college, it had completely disappeared.

It was only then that Li Zhao learned that there were many kinds of "stinky tofu," but none of them included the kind from this small shop.

Perhaps it was just a secret recipe concocted on a whim by the shop owner, which ultimately failed to spread and thus faded into the dust of history.

"Do you want some?" Chen Nian asked.

"I... just give me one piece."

Li Zhao felt a little embarrassed that he would have to spend Chen Nian's money to buy books later.

"The original flavor small portion is ready! Here you go, girl!" The shopkeeper picked up a plastic bag and handed it to the girl who had been pushed aside.

He Shuyao?

When Li Zhao saw her, her gaze also pierced through the two layers of people and met Li Zhao's.

The little girl smiled and walked over with cheerful little steps.

"Oh? Shuyao, you're here too. Girls eat this too?"

Chen Nian's high emotional intelligence is evident from the moment he opens his mouth.

"Does tofu also have genders?" He Shuyao asked very seriously.

Chen Nian made an "uh" sound and turned his head: "Boss, remember to add chili!"

Li Zhao was smiling when a unique fragrance suddenly wafted into his nostrils.

He Shuyao poked a piece of tofu with a skewer and held it to Li Zhao's mouth.

"Didn't you buy any? Want a piece?"

"I'll just eat the old ones."

"His spicy version isn't good. Take it quickly, or it'll fall."

Li Zhao took the bamboo skewer and stuffed the tofu into his mouth.

This restaurant's scallion and garlic sauce is quite something; it's flavorful yet not overpowering, and the tofu is slightly crispy with a touch of savory sauce.

It turns out he actually still remembered the taste.

Eating the right thing at the right time increases happiness by 3, for a total of 25.

Wait, is this fried tofu really that much more upscale than grilled sausage? Why is it that even though it's the same experience, grilled sausage gets +1 and this thing gets +3?

[You can spend 25 Happiness Points to redeem a reward: a usable bank card]

[Accumulating happiness to the next stage will unlock new rewards]

and many more!