Fang Ping's head was still spinning with schemes to make money, but once again, reality smacked him back down.
When he stepped out of his room, Fang Yuan was already waiting outside the door.
The moment she saw him, she pouted pitifully and said, "I'm hungry!"
"Then eat," Fang Ping replied matter-of-factly.
Fang Yuan puffed up her cheeks in annoyance. "No money. There's no leftover food at home. The fifty yuan Mom gave us two days ago was supposed to cover our lunches for three days. You took all the money, so where are we supposed to eat?"
"Eating costs money?" Fang Ping felt like he'd been struck by lightning. His voice came out dry: "Why didn't you say that earlier this morning?"
She'd been so happy when he bought her skewers! If not for his reluctance, the last ten yuan would've vanished into this girl's stomach as well.
Now he realized—so that fifty yuan wasn't just spending cash; it was supposed to cover today's lunch too.
The worst part? He only had ten yuan left on him. If Fang Yuan wasn't planning to spend her five yuan, did that mean she expected him to feed her entirely?
Sure enough, Fang Yuan looked completely justified as she said, "Of course it costs money to eat. You took all of it, so why should I worry about meals? Fang Ping, I'm starving—it's almost one o'clock already. I want food!"
"…Heh."
"Fang Ping, I'm so hungry I can barely walk…" She rubbed her belly and started laying it on thick.
Fang Ping couldn't help but laugh. He reached out, pinched her chubby cheek, and sighed helplessly.
"Fine, fine, we'll eat. I thought I'd really stolen your pocket money, but turns out it was all just meal money. I'd forgotten, but you remembered loud and clear. You little brat, do you really have to scheme against your big brother like this? All our earlier conditions are void—"
"No!" Fang Yuan shook her head frantically, clearly unwilling. After a long struggle, she finally pulled a crumpled five-yuan bill from her pocket. Clutching it as though it were her life, she handed it over with reluctance.
"Here. But you promised—buy me good food, pretty clothes, a computer… You have to keep your word."
For all her fussing, Fang Yuan was actually very close with her brother. Since Fang Ping had promised to buy her treats and nice things in the future, she believed him—even if it wasn't possible right now. She still dreamed of the day he'd graduate college and make it happen.
For that dream, the little girl decided to sacrifice her fortune. After all, she had already eaten five yuan worth of skewers in the morning.
Her calculations were as sharp as ever, and Fang Ping could only laugh bitterly.
Being broke really stripped a man of his dignity. Otherwise, would he really be squabbling with his sister over a few coins?
…
After the meal, Fang Ping was officially penniless. If that ten-thousand yuan wasn't earmarked for tuition, he could almost call himself a small-time rich man.
Fortunately, both siblings settled for five-yuan boxed meals—exactly ten yuan gone. Fang Ping still couldn't bring himself to use Fang Yuan's five yuan. She was already in middle school; a girl couldn't be left without even pocket change.
With no money left, neither had the mood to go out again.
To be blunt, if Fang Ping left home without that ten thousand yuan, he couldn't even pay to use a public toilet on the road.
Fang Yuan had homework to do anyway. Seeing her brother broke as could be, she stopped pestering him and obediently went back to her room.
Fang Ping returned to his own room, already drafting plans for the future.
Right now, only two things mattered: preparing for the Martial Exam (武科, Wǔkē) and making money.
Improving his family's living conditions could wait—that wasn't urgent yet.
The problem was, without money, even taking the Martial Exam wasn't guaranteed.
Sure, he had that not-so-reliable system. Even if he didn't get into a Martial University, Fang Ping felt he might still become a martial artist someday.
But was a martial artist nothing more than high Vitality and blood energy?
What about techniques?
How should he train his body, push past his limits?
He knew nothing. Without professional instruction, who could say when he'd ever learn? The Martial Exam was clearly the fastest shortcut.
Naturally, he needed a real plan.
…
By three in the afternoon, their mother Li Yuying came home, groceries in hand for dinner.
Though she called it a half-day job, her work hours were close to eight—far from easy as outsiders imagined.
Fang Ping handed her the bank card to show the ten thousand yuan balance. Li Yuying didn't take it back; she simply told him to bring it himself to registration the next day.
Knowing her children had no money left, she gave Fang Ping fifty yuan for meals.
This time, maybe worried her daughter would be tricked again, she slipped Fang Yuan twenty yuan separately. The girl was overjoyed, grinning from ear to ear.
Fang Ping wanted to protest—Mom, when have I ever tricked her? She's the crafty one, always scheming against me!
…
April 7th, Monday.
Compared to his dazed state two days ago, Fang Ping returned to school much calmer today.
His desk mate Chen Fan had arrived even earlier. When Fang Ping came in, Chen Fan was already halfway through a test paper—whether he'd started that morning or done part of it earlier was unclear.
Since Chen Fan wasn't applying for the Martial Exam, he was fully focused on academics.
If he couldn't make it into Martial University, a prestigious liberal arts college would still give him far better prospects than an average graduate.
Seeing Fang Ping arrive, Chen Fan put down his pen. "Fang Ping, did you finish that math paper Teacher gave us the other day? Let's compare answers."
"Uh…"
Fang Ping gave a dry laugh. He had no clue. His bag hadn't been touched in two days—who knew if he'd even done that paper before?
Chen Fan frowned, already guessing the answer. "Fang Ping, the college entrance exam isn't far. We may not have regular classes now, just review, but the more problems you practice, the better your odds. What if the exact question shows up on the exam?"
"Right, right, Little Fan-Fan, you're absolutely right. I've just been a bit out of it the last couple days. I'll do it soon."
"You…"
Chen Fan sighed in exasperation. It wasn't the nickname—he was used to Fang Ping teasing him. It was just—was Fang Ping giving up on himself?
Even if martial artists stood above ordinary people, ordinary society still had layers.
The wealthy, the poor, the minor officials, the corporate workers, the factory hands…
All vastly different in status and opportunities.
Yangcheng No.1 High was the city's best school. Fang Ping wasn't top of the class in Grade 3, Class 4, but he wasn't bad either.
If he worked hard, a key university was within reach. With a bit of luck, after the top students went for the Martial Exam, he might even have a shot at a prestigious one.
But if he slacked off now, not just top universities—even a key university might be out of reach.
Chen Fan had been his deskmate for two years. He knew Fang Ping's family was poor—worse off than his own, since they had two children to raise.
He wanted to say more, but in the end swallowed the words. Maybe Fang Ping was just having an off couple of days.
While they talked, the burly Yang Jian turned around from the desk ahead, beaming. "Fang Ping, Chen Fan, you guys see the news?"
Fang Ping rolled his eyes. A guy your size with a beard and all, why do you gossip like an old auntie?
Chen Fan didn't even look up—better to finish another problem than waste time on gossip.
Yang Jian wasn't discouraged. He grinned, "There's word online—Grandmaster Ma is confirmed to duel Taimu at the end of this month! And guess what? The location's right here in Huaguo! Tons of reporters are already swarming over there. Who knows, maybe we'll even see video footage this time…"
He spoke animatedly, practically spitting with excitement.
A duel between two eighth-rank Grandmasters was a world-shaking event—unheard of in recent memory. Maybe such battles had happened before, but either they were too young to recall, or the duels had been fought in secret, with only the results leaking out afterward.
This time was different. With modern networks spreading news at lightning speed, the world might actually get to witness it firsthand.
After gossiping about Master Ma's duel, Yang Jian quickly shifted back to himself.
"Anyway, Martial Exam registration starts today. My dad said no matter the cost, I have to register. The whole Yang family is counting on me to get into Martial University and become a martial artist. Ugh, the pressure's insane. What if I don't make it? What do you guys think will happen?"
Fang Ping chuckled. "Tell me, was that supposed to be worry—or just straight bragging?"
Yang Jian scratched his head sheepishly. "Not bragging, really. The pressure's real. You guys know my situation—passing all five gates of the Martial Exam? Forget it. Getting through three would already be a miracle. The rest… way too tough."
"The Five Gates of the Martial Exam?"
Fang Ping hadn't been interested in Yang Jian's chatter before.
But now, his eyes lit up.
(End of Chapter)