Rebirth 08: A Happy Life Begins in Elementary School

So He Shuyao had no idea at all...

Li Zhao suppressed a laugh and replied, "Huai De South Road, Xicheng Subdistrict, Qingqiao District, New Taipei City..."

He doesn't remember either.

I've been away from my hometown for so long that I haven't used this address in ages.

Even when Li Zhao submitted articles, he left the address as the neighborhood committee's mailbox.

"Unit 2, 802, Jufuli, Sanjie Street," Zhou Xiaoyun said from the side.

Li Zhao read it aloud.

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone.

"I can't find it."

It was indeed impossible to find. Li Zhao had only just remembered that his old neighborhood, which had no entrance gate or sign, was called Jufuli.

In 08, food delivery was not yet popular, and smartphones were not mainstream, so the idea of ​​using a phone for navigation with precise location was out of the question.

Li Zhao recalled a quote from his mentor Wang Zhi from his previous life:

Urban planners shouldn't rely too much on navigation systems, or they'll become directionally challenged. How are you supposed to get to know a city then?

"Um, do you know Yongchun Garden?"

"have no idea."

"...West City Market? No, it's too big. Actually, you don't need to come to my house; we can just go directly to our destination."

"Do you have any convenience stores around here?" He Shuyao suddenly asked.

"Yes, there are..." Li Zhao thought for a moment, "Aunt Chen's convenience store, and also a Xinwang bakery..."

"Oh, I understand. See you at Xinwang Bakery."

"it is good."

The phone hangs up.

Li Zhao didn't quite understand why He Shuyao insisted on coming to find him. Was she going to some secret base that couldn't be revealed for the time being?

Besides, her house is in a completely different direction, closer to the city center. How could she even know about a small neighborhood store like Xinwang Bakery?

Li Zhao felt a little helpless. After all, they were good friends from elementary school to high school in his previous life, and he really knew too little about He Shuyao...

After hanging up the receiver, Li Zhao immediately met his parents' complicated gazes.

There are worries about my son dating girls at such a young age, and joy about him dating the daughter of the planning bureau chief at such a young age; there is anxiety about his early romance affecting his studies, and also a feeling that he has suddenly awakened into a genius and there is no reason not to worry.

Zhou Xiaoyun even began to wonder if Li Zhao had matured enough to plan to cultivate his connection with the director of the planning bureau.

Approach the daughter of the planning bureau chief with a specific purpose in mind, and even try to win her over early on!

That evening, Zhou Xiaoyun told Li Changlin about her idea and successfully received a scolding from him.

"Don't analyze a primary school student's son using the mindset of an adult who is always driven by self-interest."

"How does he look like a primary school student?"

Li Changlin was speechless.

Fortunately, these words were not spoken to Li Zhao, otherwise Li Zhao would have had a real problem answering.

He wouldn't approach He Shuyao just because she was the daughter of the planning bureau chief, but... he definitely had an ulterior motive.

For happiness.

Happiness is something that can be exchanged for money, and its essence is financial freedom.

The thought of this made Li Zhao feel somewhat embarrassed.

I can only console myself with the thought that I'm an adult being reborn, and everyone loves money.

In any case, seizing this opportunity will give us more room to maneuver for future happiness.

After a restless night, Li Zhao was very listless on Saturday morning.

He even took a nap for the first time ever.

As a result, his parents woke him up when they left at 1:30.

"Don't be late!"

Li Zhao looked at the alarm clock on the bedside table with a helpless expression.

At 1:45, Li Zhao washed his face and walked downstairs to Xinwang Bakery.

This is a classic neighborhood shop; even the signboard is handwritten in calligraphy on red paper.

The cakes and breads I make are all basic, but the milk, eggs, and flour I use are all of high quality, making them incredibly cost-effective.

In his previous life, Li Zhao quite liked eating bread. Back then, there were all sorts of bakeries that claimed to be high-end and luxurious, with gorgeous decorations and all sorts of strange breads, piled high with ingredients, and with very long names. It would take five kilometers to finish one, making it a heavy burden to eat.

Standing across the street, Li Zhao spotted a familiar figure.

High ponytail, floral dress, small crossbody bag.

He Shuyao was already there, with her back to him.

"Shuyao, you're here so early?" Li Zhao greeted her as he walked up to her.

He Shuyao suddenly shrugged, turned around in surprise, holding a small bread in her hand, her cheeks slightly puffed out, and her expression was very innocent.

Like a frightened kitten.

"Oh, you haven't had lunch yet?"

He Shuyao took out a tissue and wiped her mouth. "How did you get here so quickly?"

"Arriving early is a virtue, but didn't you arrive even earlier than me?"

"..." He Shuyao turned to the bakery, "Auntie, I'd like another pork floss bread."

The aunt was extremely efficient; she had barely finished speaking when the bread was already being delivered.

"Give."

He Shuyao handed the bread to Li Zhao.

"I don't need it..."

"I can't eat alone."

Li Zhao smiled helplessly and accepted it.

"You can finish it." He pointed to the bread that He Shuyao had half-eaten and was still holding in her hand.

"Oh. I'm early. I wasn't planning on eating here. But this shop's pork floss bread is the best in the Tsing Kiu district."

"This...is that amazing?"

"uh-huh."

Li Zhao looked around. "So, where are you taking me?"

"Just taking a walk."

A completely unexpected answer.

"I think it's better to talk about writing articles casually. Otherwise, it feels like asking about homework."

"Too."

"So, I don't want a specific destination," He Shuyao said while eating bread. "Li Zhao, you rarely go out, right?"

"Yes. My parents are quite strict."

"No wonder, so you don't know the area well?"

"Yes." Li Zhao nodded.

I don't know you either.

Li Zhao stopped in his tracks.

He Shuyao turned around and blinked.

"What's wrong?"

"No...no." Li Zhao realized that he didn't really know how to deal with little He Shuyao, so he just shook his head.

"I've finished reading the collection of your writings," He Shuyao continued, walking towards a bustling street. "It turns out you're actually a very sensitive person with a lot of thoughts, quite different from what I imagined."

"So, what kind of person do you imagine me to be?"

"Boring, rigid, and indifferent."

He Shuyao calmly uttered those hurtful words.

"..." If this were an adult, the conversation would have died by now.

"But you're serious." He Shuyao changed the subject. "That's why I like asking you questions. Only you can talk about questions properly, without being arrogant, without belittling others, and without thinking that the questions are meaningless."

Li Zhao nodded. "Of course."

He Shuyao glanced at him. "Hmm, you really are still boring, rigid, and cold."

Even for elementary school students, this is killing the conversation.

"This street is so lively!" He Shuyao changed the subject herself, quickly breaking the ice.

"Hmm." Li Zhao nodded, looking at the bustling shops on both sides.

It's still so lively at 2 PM.

Is this a characteristic of the old city, or a characteristic of 08? Li Zhao couldn't say for sure.

You can even hear a cacophony of bicycle bells on the road, which is more pleasant than car horns.

Although the streets were crowded, everyone walked slowly, so it wasn't a case of people shoving each other. Impatient expressions only appeared occasionally.

"Li Zhao, actually... are you under a lot of pressure?"

He Shuyao stopped in her tracks. Judging from her expression, this was what she really wanted to ask.

Why do you think that?

"Your writing is very delicate and sensitive; it reflects a lot of thought," He Shuyao said. "I think it must be very difficult for someone with such a lively mind to not even have the freedom to go out."

Li Yan felt a moment of dizziness.

An indescribable emotion suddenly swept through his heart like a spring breeze.

As a result... my back teeth feel a little sore, and my nose feels a little hot.

"A little. I used to be under a lot of pressure, but now... it's much better."

"Because you've become very capable, right?"

"Maybe so. Look, I can come out with you today, can't I?"

He Shuyao smiled.

"But you must be very tired, right?"

"Um?"

"You've learned so many English words and math, and you've also written this collection of essays..." He Shuyao walked slowly forward with her hands behind her back. "You're so strictly controlled by your parents, yet you've still managed to learn so much ahead of your time. Unlike your classmates, who can go out and have pocket money, you must have put in a lot of effort."

Yes, it wasted my life in the previous life.

"It's very hard work." Li Zhao nodded.

"Would you like someone to talk to you about the articles you write?" He Shuyao asked.

"Of course we hope so."

"Then I'm relieved." He Shuyao smiled, her whole demeanor much more relaxed. "Guess which article in your collection impressed me the most?"

"A three-line poem?"

"That was a bit too affected."

No, He Shuyao, that's not how you chat.

"Random Thoughts?"

"The traces of learning from Mr. Lu Xun are too obvious."

Li Zhao suspected that He Shuyao was using this as an opportunity to criticize.

"Just reveal the answer."

"Evening Breeze. There are many discussions in this collection of your essays that I don't quite understand. Some of your essays try to pile up fancy words, which isn't very appealing. But 'Evening Breeze' is particularly good. I've never lived in the countryside, but I can still feel the scenery you describe and that sense of tranquility. I felt very at peace after reading it; I could almost hear the cicadas chirping."

Another spring breeze swept through Li Zhao's heart, carrying a moist scent.

"I actually don't like summer. I sweat easily and it's so sunny." He Shuyao finally found a trash can, ran over to throw away the plastic bag, and then skipped back, continuing to say with a smile:

"But after reading this article, I'm starting to look forward to summer."

[Title: Affirmative Care, Happiness +3, Total 22]