The next day was Sunday and school was off.
Ye Chen headed straight to the bookstore.
He deliberately picked out some fairy-tale books, popular-science books, and a few classics.
"Boss, I'll take all of these—how much?" Ye Chen asked.
The boss froze: "You want all of them?"
Ye Chen nodded. "Yep, all of them."
"Hmm, I'll give you twenty percent off—fifty-six thousand."
Ye Chen shook his head. "Tell you what, skip the discount. Just sell them to me at full price and deliver them for me."
The boss was stunned.
His shop already offered free delivery, and the difference between the two discounts was nearly ten thousand yuan.
Even if he had to rent a van it would only cost a few hundred.
Still, since someone was offering extra money, the boss had no reason to refuse.
"All right."
Ye Chen felt great: tenfold rebate! On the surface he'd lost over ten thousand, but in reality he'd earned more than a hundred thousand extra!
…Xia Yingluo was in the attic memorizing vocabulary when she suddenly heard a car horn outside.
She looked out and saw a van parked at the gate; Ye Chen hopped out of the passenger seat.
Xia Yingluo was startled.
Why was Ye Chen here so early?
She hurried downstairs.
By then the van had driven into the yard and Ye Chen was talking with the boss.
"Boss, thanks—once everything's unloaded I'll transfer the money."
The boss glanced around. "These books are for the Orphanage?"
"Yep. The kids here have always wanted a library, so I'm helping them realize that dream."
Right then, Xia Yingluo and a bunch of children ran up to the van.
"Ye Chen, why are you here?"
Ye Chen smiled. "You gave me a gift yesterday, so today I'm returning one. Close your eyes."
Xia Yingluo hesitated, then obediently shut her eyes.
Ye Chen took her hand, led her behind the van, and said, "All right—open them."
She opened her eyes, saw the books inside, and froze.
Tears welled up instantly. "Ye Chen, you…"
Ye Chen grinned. "Didn't you say you wanted a reading room? Waiting till you start work felt too far away, so I brought the dream forward."
He added with a chuckle, "Look, I hand-picked every one—books kids absolutely love."
Xia Yingluo sniffled. "But… these must have cost a fortune."
Ye Chen shook his head. "Not at all; the boss gave me wholesale price."
By now the children were already pressed excitedly against the van windows eyeing the books.
"Wow, that's my favorite—Andersen's Fairy Tales!"
"I want to read Secrets of the Ocean!"
…Ye Chen watched the kids' excitement and felt happier than ever.
A beloved book is nothing for children from ordinary families.
But for kids in an Orphanage it's a luxury.
Seeing these books, the children were as thrilled as if it were New Year.
Dean Zheng came out, took one look, and stood transfixed.
"Little Chen, these books must have cost a lot—do your parents know?"
After all, the books were brand-new, and books aren't cheap.
Ye Chen smiled. "Don't worry, Dean Zheng, I paid with my own money."
Dean Zheng nodded. "You've got a good heart. I'll rest easy leaving Yingluo in your care."
"Dean…"
Xia Yingluo's cheeks flushed and she gave a coquettish protest.
Dean Zheng told the kids, "All right, Xiaoyu, take everyone to help move the books; I'll go find a room for the library."
Song Yuyu led the children off cheerfully to carry the books, and Dean Zheng left as well.
Ye Chen silently gave Dean Zheng a thumbs-up.
He knew the dean was deliberately giving him and Yingluo some time alone.
The kids, all excited, carefully carried the books.
Blushing, Xia Yingluo looked at Ye Chen. "Why are you so good to me?"
Ye Chen gently wiped away the tear sliding from her eye.
In truth, he did it because in his previous life, when he'd needed help most, Xia Yingluo had reached out.
On his deathbed she'd given him the last bit of warmth.
She'd let him feel the world wasn't so cold after all.
But rebirth was Ye Chen's secret, and of course he couldn't reveal it.
Ye Chen chuckled. "What if I said these books are a dowry and I want you to marry me in return?"
Xia Yingluo's face turned redder; she punched him lightly with her small fist.
"Hmph, keep dreaming."
"The dean just said he'd rest easy handing you to me—doesn't that mean your family's already agreed?" Ye Chen gloated.
"Not at all."
The more Ye Chen teased, the redder Xia Yingluo's little face became.
Yet on second thought, what he said did make sense.
These books as betrothal gifts? Seemed legit.
And the dean really had said he'd rest easy handing her to Ye Chen.
The more she thought, the shyer she grew; her cheeks looked like ripe apples… Meanwhile, the bookstore owner was depressed.
He'd come to deliver early in the morning and ended up force-fed a mouthful of dog food.
"All right, you lovebirds—your big bro's still single here. Can't take it anymore. Books are moved; pay up."
Ye Chen took out his bankcard and swiped it on the POS machine.
When the receipt printed, Ye Chen froze.
Thirty-five thousand.
"Wait, bro, didn't we agree on seventy thousand?"
The bookstore boss flicked his bangs with flair.
"I'm in a good mood today—fifty percent off. If a high-schooler knows how to give back, how could I still profit off an Orphanage and call myself human?"
Before Ye Chen could react, the guy hopped into the van and sped off in style.
Watching the distant van, Ye Chen sighed—there really are plenty of good people in this world!
[Ding—congratulations, Host, on completing an investment: capital 35,000 yuan, rebate 350,000 yuan.]
Damn!
It should've been 700,000; looks like the boss's discount cost me again.
Though he'd "lost" money, Ye Chen was delighted.
He'd confirmed one thing: as long as he helped Xia Yingluo fulfill her dreams, he'd get rebates.
With that, making money would be a piece of cake… Ye Chen told Xia Yingluo, "I've got something else—gotta run."
Watching Ye Chen's hurried departure, Xia Yingluo's lips curved in a smile.
She no longer felt alone—because a treasure of a boy was always watching over her.
Back inside, she resumed reviewing, recalling every moment with Ye Chen, a sweet smile on her lips.
I must work hard and get into the same University as Ye Chen.
With that resolve, she refocused on the test paper in front of her.
But before long, Song Yuyu burst in.
"Yingluo, something's wrong—Ye Chen is back!"
Seeing Song Yuyu's flustered face, Xia Yingluo blinked.
"So Ye Chen's back—what's with the dramatic face?"
"No, look outside!"
Song Yuyu pointed toward the window.
Xia Yingluo glanced out and was stunned as well.