The bus swayed slightly as it moved, but that didn't stop Chen Pingchuan from immersing himself completely in the virtual panel.
[Name: Chen Pingchuan]
[Occupation: Laborer]
[Strength: 2.2] (Talent active. 1 point = average adult male)
[Agility: 0.6]
[Spirit: 1.3]
[Physique: 0.9]
[Skills: None]
[Title: Quick Gunner - Sang Biao (Green)]
[Talent: Strength Double (Green), Heavenly Dao Rewards Diligence (Green)]
The moment he saw the system interface, Chen Pingchuan rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was getting old and seeing things. It had the distinct feel of a classic '90s online game.
If you're a brother, come chop me!
Simple, direct, and eye-catching.
The bus was a bit stuffy without any air conditioning, but compared to the environment of the labor market, it was a significant improvement. The instant he stepped off the bus, a wave of heat that twisted the very air blasted him in the face, carrying with it the thick stench of sweat.
"Nice, still the same old smell!"
Chen Pingchuan didn't feel any discomfort. Three years as a laborer had long since smoothed his rough edges. A neat side part, black sunglasses, and a denim jacket over a gray undershirt—this sharp getup was his last defiance against the injustice of this otherworld.
"Boss, are you hiring? I'm eighteen and in great shape! Hire me, hire me!" an abrupt voice suddenly shouted in his right ear.
Chen Pingchuan wasn't surprised. Aside from the old-timers at the labor market, anyone who saw how he was dressed might mistake him for a boss looking to hire help.
Before the teenager could finish his pitch, a two-meter-tall fat man shoved him, making him stagger. "New here, kid?"
The fat man who spoke was Guo Yihang. He was also an orphan; Chen Pingchuan came from Orphanage No. 3, while Guo Yihang was from No. 9. In a place where one full meal was followed by two hungry ones, growing into such a tall, stout physique was no small feat.
Chen Pingchuan shot a light glare at Guo Yihang before steadying the lanky teenager. "Are you all right? My brother here is a bit clumsy, don't mind him."
"Besides," he added, "I'm not a boss. I'm just like you. We're in the same trade!"
Chen Pingchuan's frame was tall enough to block the blazing sun, and with the light shining from behind, he seemed almost sacred.
The boy gave Chen Pingchuan a deep look, then wordlessly steadied himself and turned to leave.
"Brother Chuanzi, he..."
Chen Pingchuan waved his hand, cutting Guo Yihang off.
"Am I your big brother, or are you mine?"
"You are, Brother Chuanzi."
"Since I'm your big brother, you do what I tell you to do."
The relationship between Chen Pingchuan and Guo Yihang was complicated. They had met by chance, but ever since that incident, the simple-minded giant had looked up to Chen Pingchuan as an idol.
"Did anything special happen this morning?" Chen Pingchuan asked casually.
Guo Yihang scratched his head, thinking hard. His voice was uncertain as he replied, "Nothing really. Manager Dafu was grumbling about you for a while, but other than that, it was the same as usual. Oh, right, where is Manager Dafu? He was right here a minute ago."
Watching the big man scan the area for Li Dafu, Chen Pingchuan's mind was at ease.
Although Brother Dafu likes to brag, he's reliable when it matters.
As the two of them neared the labor market's registration office, the number of laborers in white undershirts and coarse shorts, their skin rough and tanned, grew. Chen Pingchuan scanned the crowd but didn't see Xia Qingxue. According to the simulator's information, he guessed it wouldn't be long before she arrived.
So, he and Guo Yihang turned around and went back to the main entrance of the labor market. They found a spot in the cool shade of a tree, watching the people come and go.
Half an hour later, Chen Pingchuan still hadn't seen Xia Qingxue. Instead, the same boy from before reappeared at the entrance, still trying to market himself. It was obvious he didn't know the rules of this labor market. Going on like this, he would never find work, and no one would bother to tell him about the unwritten rules.
Chen Pingchuan pursed his lips and nodded toward the boy, signaling Guo Yihang.
"Go give him a hand. He's clearly a total newbie."
Guo Yihang seemed reluctant, but he couldn't go against Chen Pingchuan. He ambled helplessly toward the boy, knowing that Brother Chuanzi was being a softie again, just like he had been before.
With Guo Yihang gone, Chen Pingchuan found a more comfortable position, reclining as he watched. This time, it didn't take long.
Just as the simulation predicted, a girl in a long, white floral dress appeared at the entrance to the labor market. She had smooth, black hair and porcelain-white skin. At that moment, she held a sun umbrella in her left hand and a purse in her right, her eyes scanning the market crowd with curiosity.
And just as Chen Pingchuan had expected, a sheltered young lady like Xia Qingxue clearly didn't know the unwritten rules of the labor market either.
Workers didn't solicit jobs at the market entrance for two reasons.
First, it was against the rules.
Second, without the market's guarantee, there was no guarantee of payment. According to the laws of the Outer District, the lower class had no rights.
Chen Pingchuan stood up in one smooth motion and walked toward Xia Qingxue with a warm smile. Unlike the others, he didn't care how much money he could make from her. His only goal was to establish a connection with her; that would be enough.
As for romance... he just wanted to tell his simulated self one thing.
Promise me, don't be a simp! If she can abandon you once, she can do it a second time. The reason doesn't matter!
After an afternoon of contact, coupled with Chen Pingchuan's intentional, yet casual, displays of knowledge, Xia Qingxue grew genuinely curious about this young man from the Outer District.
Of course, Chen Pingchuan also noticed something unusual.
What truly innocent girl could utter a phrase as cold as "You're a good person"?
Recalling the simulator's description of her as a 'sophisticated older-sister type' indirectly confirmed his earlier suspicion: there was a discrepancy between the system's evaluation and human perception!
This time, Chen Pingchuan did not agree to Xia Qingxue's request to play a tune on his flute. After all, who actually enjoys listening to that kind of proper music?
「At 6:14 PM」
In his dilapidated rented room, Chen Pingchuan squeezed the hand-grip exerciser. One, two, three... he didn't release his grip until the sixtieth repetition.
He reveled in the satisfying fullness spreading through his body and the exhilaration his new strength brought. Chen Pingchuan felt completely invigorated.
This is too easy! Just doubled strength lets me do this much. If I work a bit harder, with the talent bonus, could I become a god, a saint, an immortal founder? Looks like I have to get my hands on that genetic enhancement potion in the next simulation.
Just as Chen Pingchuan was getting lost in the beautiful fantasies he had woven, the crisp ring of his communicator pulled him back to reality.
He casually answered the call, his tone unhappy. "Hello, who is this?"
He had little patience for people who interrupted his daydreams...
"Oh, listen to you! Brother Chuanzi is getting pretty high and mighty, isn't he? It was 'Brother Dafu' this and 'Brother Li' that when you needed something. What's this? Now that you're done using me, your whole attitude changes?"
Chen Pingchuan immediately recognized the voice. Who else could it be but the site manager, Li Dafu.
"Brother Dafu, how could that be? I just didn't see who was calling..."
"Alright, save the excuses. I'm calling to tell you one thing: I've got news about that Energy Crystal you asked me to look into!"