Returning to '97, creating a new life

In this era of a rugged social atmosphere and the final chapter of the end of the wilderness, doing business properly is both difficult and easy.

Xu Kai had made arrangements in all aspects for the opening of the business, and friends and relatives came to visit. All the necessary procedures for normal business operations were completed. If there were any drunkards on weekdays, Termu and his son Jida could simply stand there and the problem would be solved.

Rumors had already circulated that he was doing business with the son of a big boss from Yanjing. The incredible source of ingredients was something that even those who coveted it had to admit was amazing; having connections was truly impressive.

Wang Jianshe, Xu Dalong, and Yun Sheng were unlikely to feel dissatisfied, but it was certain that they felt a little uncomfortable.

However, they all knew that no one could partner up for every business opportunity. They didn't only do business with Xu Kai; he now owned a restaurant, and they treated him to meals with great hospitality, offering free meals and gifts in every way. All they could do was offer their blessings to him.

This kid is definitely going to be someone important in the future. We're good friends now.

With the booming business of "Ke Zai Lai", Xu Kai also has corresponding troubles.

The training intensity of the school basketball team is now much higher. There are already rumors that the first national high school league may be held next spring, starting with provincial league selections and then moving on to the national competition in the summer.

The competition schedule is more reasonable. With the summer vacation approaching, the national league won't be as concentrated as the three-person challenge, allowing for more diverse content to be presented.

The competition is not the only purpose; the ultimate goal is to select and cultivate reserve forces for Chinese basketball.

Having benefited from the school's resources, Xu Kai felt embarrassed to slack off, and he also experienced the joy of progress during his more professional training.

He had basically given up on evening self-study; the path of learning had been half-closed for him. He knew that continuing his studies was only to obtain a diploma, to fulfill his mother's wishes, and to create a unique and beautiful memory of his youth.

Now that we have a solid economic foundation, we have no choice but to completely give up evening self-study and go to "Ke Zai Lai" to take charge every day after the basketball team's training.

Half a month after opening, he talked to his uncle Sun Mingcheng and agreed to give him a share of the profits in addition to his salary.

After all, he was his own uncle, and he didn't want to face the same situation as Song Jun in the video arcade again in the future. He also knew very well that if he didn't give up some of his interests first, he would inevitably face the same thing in the future.

As for Hu Yuxuan, he asked someone to buy a wild ginseng of sufficient age from an old hunter in Changbai Mountain. He packaged it and had the driver take it back to the grassland. He couldn't care less about how it was transported from the grassland to Hu Yuxuan's father. He had delivered his good intentions, but Hu Yuxuan still "complained" that he was too polite.

Hu Yuxuan, who has already integrated into the basketball team, can be said to have devoted himself wholeheartedly to his beloved "career". As the ace of the affiliated high school, he quickly became the team's starting point guard after joining the No. 1 High School basketball team. His addition has made the team's strength more comprehensive, and Park In-ji has more lineups to play and is more confident in the rotation of players.

Dong Bin and Fei Wenxin are back, and they are focusing on next year's national competition. Given their current physical condition and mental maturity, it would be too much pressure for them to compete for a starting position with the Northeast Tigers. It would be better for them to train among their peers first.

Fang Jinyao didn't come back. He's already a senior in high school. His studies aren't good. To get into a good university, he needs the advantage of being a sports specialist. He's almost a member of the national champion team in the 3x3 challenge. He can gain experience and improve his ability to read the game by being a sparring partner for the Northeast Tigers professional team.

His goal is to rival CUBA (Chinese University Basketball Association). He needs to demonstrate his strength to the universities that will specifically seek him out. When I arrive at your school, I will provide sufficient support to the school's basketball team. I may not be highly talented, but I have extensive experience training with professional teams and will bring what the school needs.

Fang Jinyao's family has already started contacting universities within the province, and they've mobilized their resources. Now, the deals are basically finalized, and Fang Jinyao only needs to continue gaining experience and improving his skills in the professional team.

The Fang family is very grateful to Xu Kai. It can be said that the 3x3 championship was a stepping stone for him to become a professional team sparring partner, which earned him more offers from universities. Otherwise, his father would not have had his winery supply bulk wine to "Ke Zai Lai", and his parents would not have held small banquets here several times to support him.

Xu Kai places great importance on building his network of interpersonal relationships. To a certain extent, he is even willing to sacrifice a portion of his profits to solidify this network, which is what he is so focused on making money.

In the evenings at the restaurant, where other people frequented, I felt at ease and also had the opportunity to connect with regular customers. During my free time, I kept making phone calls to people in the south.

Inviting Yun Sheng's college classmate Zhan Jizu to visit Northeast China, and inviting Fang Ming, the owner of a game console factory, to see the snow in Northeast China—friends should keep in touch to deepen their feelings for each other. Making friends only after using them is a major taboo in networking.

Xu Kai hadn't bothered with the machines at his uncles' arcade at all. He had arranged it during a casual phone call, and the next day he found a place to send a fax. Ten days later, news came from Fengtian that the machines had arrived.

Xu Kai explained to his third uncle, Sun Mingli, and fourth uncle, Sun Mingzhi, who were going to Fengtian to pick up the goods, the routes he had traveled and the experiences he had gained. Whether or not they were willing to spend money was their business. However, he had not forgotten Fang Ming's friend in the Fengtian railway system. Xu Kai had only met him once, and this time he asked his third and fourth uncles to help him bring a gift to maintain a relationship that some people considered worthless.

The third and fourth uncles successfully brought the machine back. After returning, their gazes towards Xu Kai changed slightly. At first, Xu Kai didn't understand, but when his mother also looked hesitant, he realized that the little pink light on the way back had misled them. They thought he knew too much. They were worried that he was so young, so they had told his mother to understand.

Xu Kai was too lazy to explain, and Sun Xiuyun was too embarrassed to speak in the end. Now everyone in the family no longer treated Xu Kai as a child. He started a restaurant on a whim, and now every family gathering has something to do with him. His uncles, aunts, and uncles are generous with their praise for him. Step by step, Xu Kai's position in the family is being established.

One of the most obvious signs is that he is no longer compared to his peers and siblings.

………………

It's Christmas again.

This year, Xu Kai no longer needs to make quick money and endure the hardships of braving the wind, snow, and freezing cold, just like last year.

The business of selling "peace apples" is no longer viable.

This year, "peace apples" are everywhere. Starting from the 22nd, mobile stalls and many small shops and grocery stores around the school have been selling beautifully packaged "peace apples".

In seasonal businesses with no technological barriers, only the first person to try something new can make a fortune; the rest just earn a meager living through hard work.

Yunshang, who has been studying hard lately, has lost some weight. However, at this stage of her life, where her body is evolving from adolescence to adulthood, this weight loss is not physical, but a transformation in her temperament. She seems to have fully blossomed.

When Yunshang stepped into Xu Kai's classroom, everyone in the class unconsciously glanced back, and some even continued to steal glances.

Xu Kai was a star student at a high school, where the title of "school heartthrob" wasn't yet popular. If it existed, he would definitely be on the list.

Now, every time the basketball team's training session is open to the public, it attracts a lot of students to watch from the sidelines. After Hu Yuxuan regained her cheerleading squad, some girls also started trying to get close to Xu Kai.

Whenever Yunshang appeared, she immediately cut off his chance to be surrounded by beautiful women.

A voice reached Yunshang's ears, reminding her: "Won't this make Xu Kai rebellious? Aren't you being too strict?"

Whenever she heard such remarks, Yunshang would just smile slightly, completely unconcerned.

That guy doesn't even consider the young, inexperienced girl.

Knowing this in her heart, Yunshang still had to put on a show, occasionally making a splash to deter the other girls, implying that they weren't good enough and couldn't be relied upon, and that he wouldn't even glance at them.

Just like now, even though she's wearing a school uniform, Yunshang has a lot of little tricks up her sleeve.

Hair that has been specially treated and even dyed or permed, with added volume at the roots, will look more natural and voluminous when tied in a ponytail. You won't notice the trickery in the hair unless you look closely. But once you compare it with a similar style, and with that face as a backdrop, the difference is immediately apparent.

A touch of colorless lipstick and a pure white turtleneck sweater can both accentuate a beautiful swan neck and showcase well-developed curves.

The school uniform pants were altered by a tailor, and they are no longer a bunch of loose, unsightly blobs, but rather have a style that flatters and shows off the legs.

With Yunshang's height and her long legs, even school uniform pants would look fashionable on her and attract attention.

"My brother asked you, 'Are we still hanging out this year?'"

Dong Bin got up and rushed to the cafeteria. Yun Shang pulled his chair over and sat down next to Xu Kai, spreading her tail feathers like a peacock to let all the eyes in the class who were sneaking glances at her see him. You bunch of green apples, don't get close to him.

"Your brother and his girlfriend..."

Yunshang rolled her eyes at him: "You know perfectly well why. That Zheng Wenwen relationship ended a long time ago. She went straight back to her hometown after graduation."

"Your brother is quite a character; he ruined the best years of someone's youth."

Yunshang laughed: "Okay, you can tell my brother that."

"Count Hu Yuxuan in when we go out to play."

"Where are Da Bin and Lao Fei?"

"Those two, spending all night in the computer lab is their only option, they don't know anything, even if your brother sent them a girl, they wouldn't know how to pick her up..."

Xu Kai glanced out the window instinctively and saw Hu Yuxuan walking towards the cafeteria with several girls on the playground. He grinned broadly and exclaimed, "Look at Lao Hu... Holy crap!"

He was initially smiling jokingly, but suddenly his expression changed. He didn't even have time to put on his down jacket and rushed out of the classroom in his school uniform.