Diary of Getting Rich Quick in the South

Follow the boss into the small cubicle behind the curtain.

Inside, there was a lot of waste paper and two printers.

The boss sat in front of the computer and got straight to the point: "Give me your name, place of origin, and ID number. I'll fine-tune and retouch the photo for you right away, making sure no one can tell the difference."

I quickly gave my name and temporary address.

As the shop owner took notes, he looked up and asked me, "Is the name on the ID card Chen An? And all the information is according to what you gave me?"

I nodded and said, "Use the name Chen An, but change the ID number for me, don't use the real one."

"Don't worry, I'm a professional."

The shopkeeper patted me on the shoulder: "Two hundred, just scan the QR code on the wall."

After saying that, he picked up his phone and continued looking at the busty woman.

two hundred?

I asked him in surprise, "Didn't you say fifty on the phone?"

The shopkeeper picked up the small GG card and pointed to the word "starting" after the fifty dollars, which was barely bigger than a grain of rice.

"Fifty starting, do you know what 'starting' means?"

The shopkeeper lit a cigarette and said with a half-smile, "If you want a single status certificate or a 'simp' certificate, fifty yuan will do. You can't expect me to only give fifty yuan for a Tsinghua University diploma, can you? Those things cost at least tens of thousands, right?"

That makes some sense.

Seeing that I was still hesitant, the boss continued.

"Brother, what you need is an ID card. What is an ID card? It's your life! In ancient times, without an ID card, you'd be arrested as a bandit and beheaded. Two hundred for your life, is that a bad deal?"

I pulled out my last three hundred yuan and said in a pleading tone, "Brother, I only have three hundred yuan left. I just started this job today, and I won't get paid until next month. Could you possibly reduce the amount?"

Upon seeing that I only had three hundred yuan, the shopkeeper's smile vanished instantly, and he said irritably.

"Two hundred yuan, not a penny less! I'm only doing this because you're young; otherwise, it would be at least two thousand. If you don't believe me, go ask around yourself; which place makes fake documents for less than two thousand five hundred?"

I thought to myself, if I could find out, why would I bother coming to you? I'd just be waiting to be scammed by you.

I hesitated for a moment, then asked him, "When can we get the certificate?"

"If you want it expedited, it'll cost an extra 500 in a week, and I'll get it done for you tomorrow."

All I have in my possessions is a little over three hundred yuan. Where am I supposed to get five hundred to give him?

You can get your certificate in a week, which isn't too long.

I handed him two hundred yuan: "Boss, don't lie to me this time. You have to give it to me in seven days."

"Look at what you're saying. Do you think I, with such a big shop, would cheat you out of two hundred yuan? Come over when the time comes, and I guarantee I'll give you the license."

The shopkeeper chuckled as he took the money and stuffed it into his pocket. He then tapped the pink wavy line on his phone screen and swiped it all the way to the top.

The female anchor, who had been dancing, suddenly sat down on the ground.

After handling this matter, a weight was lifted off my shoulders.

I don't start work until 2:30 PM, so I have half an hour to go back to my dorm and pack up.

As soon as I entered, I saw a woman in a beige dress kneeling on my bed, leaning forward, making the bed for me.

"Sister Wan?"

Hearing my voice, Su Wan straightened up, smoothed out the wrinkles in the bed sheet with her hand, and turned around to say with a smile.

"You didn't even bring sheets or blankets when you came. If I hadn't come, were you planning to sleep on a wooden plank?"

My heart warmed, and I scratched my head sheepishly, saying that I planned to buy it after get off work.

That was my original plan, but the boss ripped me off by 200 yuan, and now I only have 100 yuan left for living expenses.

If it weren't for Su Wan's thoughtfulness in helping me make up the sheets and blankets, I really would have had to sleep on a wooden board this month.

Although the company provides food and accommodation, there are still many places where I need to spend money. I have to be careful with my 100 yuan until I get paid.

"The bed is already made."

Su Wan stood up, straightened her clothes, took out two thousand yuan from her bag, and handed it to me: "Take this money."

I quickly waved my hand and refused: "Sister Wan, you've already helped me find a job, how can I take your money again? I still have money."

"Just take it if I give it to you!"

Su Wan pulled my hand, stuffed the money into it, and carefully gave me instructions.

"You always need to have some money on you when you're out and about. I can't come over often, so if you need anything, just buy it yourself. Don't be stingy."

"When you go out with colleagues and friends, don't always think about taking advantage of them. People's hearts are reciprocal. If you are generous, you won't be looked down upon."

"If you don't have enough money or encounter any difficulties, call me anytime. Don't keep it to yourself."

My nose tingled with sadness. Apart from my mother, no one has ever been so kind to me.

Seeing my eyes redden, Su Wan chuckled softly, "You're an adult now, why are you still crying? Consider this money a loan, you can pay me back when you get your salary."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Su Wan got up and left.

Before leaving, she reminded me again that I must call her if anything happens.

Su Wan is gone, but she has kept my little dormitory room very tidy.

Toothpaste, toothbrush, face and body towels, pajamas, soap, slippers, and even small items like garbage bags are all neatly categorized for me.

I took a deep sniff and could even smell the lingering scent of Su Wan in the air.

Looking at the money in my hand, I felt like a mountain was pressing down on my heart, making it hard for me to breathe.

After hesitating for a long time, I took out my phone and called my cousin.

As soon as the call connected, before I could even speak, I heard my cousin apologizing profusely on the other end of the line.

"Xiao An, I'm so sorry, I've been so busy these past few days and have neglected you. I heard from your cousin's wife that you've found a job? Are you settling in well? If you need anything, just tell me and I'll arrange it for you."

I was furious and wanted to vent my anger on him, but as soon as I opened my mouth, he apologized to me, and I didn't know what to say next.

I paused for a moment before saying, "Cousin, I don't need anything. Sister Wan has prepared everything for me."

"Haha, that's good! Your cousin's wife is very meticulous, I feel relieved with her around."

I clenched my fist and mustered my courage to say, "Cousin, there are a few things I'm not sure if I should say."

A hearty laugh came from the other end of the phone: "You little rascal, don't be so polite with your cousin. I watched you grow up, I know every mole on your body better than your mother. Tell me, did someone bully you? I'll stand up for you."

I quickly said, "No one bullied me, it's just... cousin, can you please stop arguing with Sister Wan all the time? You haven't been home for so long. Sister Wan quit her stable teaching job for you and settled down to live with you. It's really unfair of you to treat her like this now."

The laughter on the other end of the phone stopped abruptly as soon as I finished speaking.

"That bitch, she complained about me to you again? Was she badmouthing me to you, trying to gain your sympathy by playing the victim?"

When I heard that something bad had happened, I regretted calling my cousin.

I meant well and tried to reconcile them, but I didn't expect it to cause him to misunderstand Su Wan.

I quickly explained, "No! It wasn't Sister Wan who said that, I figured it out myself! She's never complained to me about you, on the contrary, she always speaks well of you. I just felt uncomfortable seeing her so wronged."

Fearing he wouldn't believe me, I quickly added another sentence.

"Cousin, you know my family situation. My stepfather loves to drink, and when he's drunk, he bullies my mother. I grew up watching my mother suffer. Now, seeing Sister Wan like this, it's like seeing my mother back then. It hurts my heart."

There was a full half-minute silence on the other end of the phone before my cousin's voice came through again, hoarse and hoarse.

"There are some things you don't understand, so how can I explain them to you?"

After another brief silence, my cousin gritted his teeth and said...

"Your cousin's wife... she's having an affair behind my back."