Returning to '97, creating a new life

"Wow, it's so beautiful!"

"Brother Kai, how much are these peace apples?"

Some of the students who arrived early gathered around.

First of all, they were used to browsing around Xu Kai's stall and picking out some things they liked. Even on snowy days, young people are full of energy and are not afraid of the weather outside, even when they are wearing cotton-padded clothes.

Secondly, the beautifully packaged "peace apple" is indeed attractive, especially to female students who usually like small things, like folding paper cranes and using fun and unique school supplies.

"The larger ones with shopping bags are five yuan each..."

Judging by the value of an apple, it's not cheap; it's very expensive.

Instead of a Christmas gift, eating a "peace apple" on Christmas Eve carries auspicious connotations. It's a Western holiday, and in this era, it carries a touch of trendiness—not yet something that will be resisted in later generations. Young people like to follow trends, and they prefer this way of pursuing them without having to fight against teachers, parents, or their environment.

Some people who didn't have any money in their pockets asked, and Xu Kai told them that there would be plenty to sell tonight and tomorrow morning, so everyone didn't need to rush.

Sending it early is a token of goodwill. Sending it at the normal time is also a token of goodwill. Sending it a little later is fine too; it's just a return gift.

Xu Kai didn't primarily promote the five-yuan pack, but instead opted to promote the three-yuan pack. If people bought in bulk, he would offer a slight discount, such as four for ten yuan. This price range is also the most popular. After all, compared to the five-yuan pack, the three-yuan pack is only slightly smaller, not smaller in size. The exquisite and beautiful packaging, coupled with auspicious meanings, makes it a presentable gift for anyone.

As teachers began to arrive at the school, Xu Kai gestured to the students surrounding the tricycle to move aside a bit after the gatekeeper came out, without the gatekeeper saying anything. He then pushed his tricycle slightly to one side of the wall, clearing the entrance for the students.

"Don't worry, everyone. I'll be there tomorrow too. You don't need to pick and choose; I've personally selected each one. If you're not satisfied after opening them, feel free to return them to me anytime."

Unlike other small commodities sold at street stalls, there's really no need to choose when buying "peace apples." They all look pretty much the same, and there's no need to open them. Just pay and take yours.

Upon hearing the bell, Xu Kai packed up his stall even faster than the students and rode away on his tricycle, covering the wooden board lying horizontally on top of the tricycle with a quilt.

You skipped the morning self-study session, that's fine, it's not a big deal. But if you're so arrogant that you wander around the school gate and set up a stall during the morning self-study session, then we need to talk to you. Isn't that disregarding the school? Do you really think our tolerance for you is limitless?

There wasn't even time to count the money; a fanny pack was stuffed into a schoolbag, as keeping too much cash at home wasn't safe.

Xu Kai gently placed the apples in the box and carried them into the house. He continued to store them in his own room. He checked the stove fire inside; it wasn't very hot, so he added a little more fuel, just enough to keep it burning until noon.

He wiped his sweat with a towel, picked up the large porcelain mug, gulped down more than half of the cooled boiled water, changed his shoes and pants, put on his school uniform jacket, and then put on a thick down jacket over it.

Their school doesn't have winter uniforms, and when it gets cold, they don't force students to wear autumn uniform pants. They only need to wear the autumn uniform top underneath, and wear their own down jacket or cotton coat on top.

Another period of standing as punishment and suspension from class. Xu Kai had a few apples in his schoolbag. He had initially planned to use a little moral blackmail to boost sales, but sales were very good in the morning, so he put away this hateful idea.

He initially intended to give them to the teachers, and even planned to sell them as a promotional tool. This was tantamount to morally blackmailing some students. If they didn't give them, would it seem like they had no feelings for the teachers? If they did give them, would the subject teachers also have to choose one or two they got along with to give them to?

With grades seven, eight, and nine, so many classes, so many students, even if only one-tenth of a class buys, it can increase sales by hundreds or even more. And some students who didn't give them gifts but have a bit of vanity will secretly curse Xu Kai, blaming him for messing things up and forcing many people to spend money to buy "peace apples" to give to their teachers.

Of course, there are also those who are quick-witted and will go home to ask their parents for money. "Mom and Dad, it's popular to give teachers apples as a token of good luck these days, can you give me some money?" Of this money, there will inevitably be a portion that they embezzle. The amount depends on how bold they are and how well they can withstand the beating if they are caught. Some of the bolder ones can even use tuition fees, book fees, or even the occasional school fee as an opportunity to earn extra pocket money.

Xu Kai finally decided not to cause any trouble. It wouldn't be worth making a mess and getting a bad reputation. With the current sales situation, there was no need to think of any way to boost sales. His "peace apples," delivered to the school gates, were basically a necessity for some students, so he wasn't worried about selling them.

The first period was taught by the homeroom teacher, Lü Yan. After class, she walked to the door and gestured for Xu Kai to follow. The two of them left the classroom before the other students.

Standing by the wall near the door, Lü Yan tugged at Xu Kai's collar, making him look up and raise his hand. He even had to tilt his head back to speak. The height difference made her lecturing posture seem somewhat comical.

"You've got a lot of tricks up your sleeve, so keep a low profile."

"Know."

"Wear more clothes, it's cold."

"Thank you, Teacher Lü."

Lü Yan glared at him, waved her hand as if to signal him to go back with a hint of disgust, and then walked away on her own.

Before it was defined as a student giving a gift to a teacher as a blessing, in the eyes of the teachers, Xu Kai's behavior was just a little secret between students. What does "peace and safety" even mean? Isn't this a perfectly legitimate little secret between a boy and a girl in the classroom, without fear of being discovered by the teacher?

"Xu Kai, what's wrong with your head? How did you come up with the idea of ​​selling apples for peace?" Wang Lei and the other students in the back row surrounded Xu Kai after he entered the classroom. Most of them were in a very complicated mood. They saw that Xu Kai had received a lot of money, but they didn't think that making money in this way was a remarkable thing.

Xu Kai didn't take the initiative to give apples to Wang Lei and Zhang Chunlei in the class, because he didn't want them to feel like they were being pressured into giving gifts.

However, Xu Kai received more than a dozen "peace apples" that morning, all of which were sold from his own stall. His desk was completely full, which made him both amused and exasperated.

Some people gave them to him in person in the hallway or classroom, and he remembered them. Later, when they came to his stall, he would give them some hair clips or other small gifts in return.

Some gifts were delivered through intermediaries, like love letters. Knowing the name, he didn't have the time or energy to match them up. He could only helplessly enjoy the treatment reserved for campus stars. Fortunately, there were no expensive gifts, so he didn't have to bear any psychological pressure. It wouldn't be appropriate to put in the effort to reciprocate, as it might give the other party unrealistic ideas.

After the morning classes ended, Xu Kai grabbed his schoolbag and rushed out of the classroom. He ran home immediately, changed his clothes, and put on thick cotton-padded trousers, thick cotton shoes, a thick coat, a cotton hat, and cotton gloves, fully armed. He filled a thermos with hot water and loaded the "peace apples" onto his tricycle.

Afraid of wasting time, he quickly ate a few bites of the bread he bought yesterday, drank a bag of milk, and pedaled his tricycle toward Tieyi Middle School.

The best time to sell is at noon, which is better than going to school in the morning and leaving school in the evening. As the best middle school in the railway system, it has good students and good grades. Unless the students' families are really poor, their families will give them more pocket money.

The weather was perfect; the sun was shining brightly at midday, and it wasn't too cold.

The problem is that the roads are open, making it difficult to ride a tricycle. In this era, there aren't enough vehicles to quickly compact the loose snow, nor are there enough professional snow removal teams available in a timely manner.

The warming weather in Kaihua is synonymous with filth. The land is muddy, and the snow that fell on it wasn't frozen solid. As the weather warms up, the snow mixes with the mud, and the trampling of bicycles, tricycles, and motorcycles, along with footsteps, creates a dirty, sticky texture. Shoes inevitably get dirty, and it's normal for trouser legs to be splashed with dirt.

You can relax a little and don't have to wrap yourself up like a dumpling. It doesn't matter if you get a little dirty. It's not comfortable to handle money while wearing cotton gloves.

Removing the neck brace means your entire face isn't covered, and you don't have to breathe through it, leaving an uncomfortable white frost on your mouth. Removing the gloves makes handing out apples and receiving money much more convenient.

Xu Kai had absolutely no vanity when it came to managing his image. Dong Bin received a call from Xu Kai at home last night, and as soon as he stepped out of the school gate at noon, he saw him pushing a tricycle, looking like a small vendor.

This is the age when people start pursuing "beauty." Girls secretly put on makeup and wear accessories, while boys pay attention to their hairstyles and wear shiny leather shoes. Everyone cares about their appearance and will privately laugh at those who don't manage their image.

The image of Xu Kai, a basketball star and campus heartthrob, in such an unflattering state shattered the fantasies of many girls. The clash between reality and the feel of a comic book created an irreconcilable conflict. Otherwise, Xu Kai would have received at least twice as many love letters and "peace apples" at his school.

Although Dong Bin was still in the stage of enjoying watching Dragon Ball and didn't yet know what the innocent feelings of budding romance between boys and girls were like, he had already begun to understand the importance of beauty and started to manage his image. When he walked to the school gate, he was very careful, afraid that dirty snow would splash onto his white sneakers.

Xu Kai glanced at him and smiled, "Take a few and give them to close friends."

Then he saw a member of the No. 1 Middle School basketball team, waved to him, and handed him a few wrapped apples: "Here you go. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Give them to someone you care about after school in the afternoon or evening, and wish them peace and good fortune."

A blink, and everything is understood without words.

A little flirting can be done openly and honestly. Dong Bin doesn't understand this; he asked his friend to give it to him. Others understand that compared to a love letter, the meaning of this "peace apple" isn't as obvious. It can be used as a test. If he refuses, there's no chance. If he accepts it, you can muster up your courage. If he accepts it and reciprocates, then young man, you have a great chance.

This single function is enough to make the Peace Apple irreplaceable in special circumstances.

If an apple meant for peace is rejected, I can say it's a simple and beautiful blessing, nothing shameful. But if a love letter is rejected and then exposed, that's shameful.

Not being at his own school, Xu Kai was more unrestrained, directly using this unique function to give the "peace apples" on his tricycle a compelling reason to buy them.

During his lunch break, his tricycle was surrounded by a crowd...