Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: The First Spark of Success

A week passed in a flash. The mockery around me didn't stop, but it faded a little—people got tired of making fun of a "foolish" choice that seemed to have no impact on their lives. They still looked at me with disdain when I walked by, whispering about the "useless stamps" I'd bought, but I didn't care. I knew the time to prove myself was coming.On Saturday morning, I snuck out of the house early, the envelope with the stamps tucked in my pocket. I was heading to the city's old stamp market—a small, bustling place where collectors and vendors gathered, hidden in the heart of the downtown area. In my past life, I'd heard stories of this market, but I'd never dared to go there, too poor and too timid to even step inside.The market was crowded, filled with the chatter of people haggling over prices, the rustle of old paper, and the clink of coins. I walked slowly, my eyes scanning the stalls, pretending to be just a curious kid. I knew exactly which vendor to find—an old man with a gray beard, who specialized in collecting zodiac stamps. He was the one who would recognize the true value of my set.When I found his stall, the old man was talking to a middle-aged collector. I waited quietly until they finished, then pulled out the envelope. "Sir, do you buy stamps?" I asked, my voice steady.The old man glanced at me, then at the envelope, his eyes lighting up when he saw the stamps inside. He picked them up carefully, examining each one with a magnifying glass, his hands trembling slightly. "This set… it's in perfect condition," he muttered, looking up at me in surprise. "Where did you get this?""I bought it from an old shop," I said, keeping my tone calm. "How much is it worth?"The middle-aged collector leaned over, his eyes fixed on the stamps. "Young man, I'll give you 200 yuan for it," he said quickly. The old man shook his head. "No, this set is rare. 300 yuan. That's the fairest price."My heart skipped a beat. 300 yuan—six times what I'd paid just a week ago. The mockery of my classmates, the doubt of the old shopkeeper, all vanished in that moment. I nodded, trying to hide my excitement. "Deal."When I walked out of the market with 300 yuan in my pocket, I felt light as a feather. This was the first spark of success, the first proof that my choice was right. Those who'd laughed at me would soon realize how wrong they were. This was just the beginning, but it was enough to fuel my determination.