Shi Zhen didn't have a good impression of the brother and sister; in his previous life, he had been frightened by Tian Xueling.

That was when he had become a small contractor, but had not yet met Guan Baiyu.

People who work on construction sites don't pay much attention to their appearance, especially since he was working on self-built houses in rural areas, which made him look even more rough around the edges.

He happened to learn about a small project tender and wanted to give it a try, so he thought he should take care of his appearance, get a haircut and change into new clothes.

At that time, there were no high-end hair salons in Anshan Town. The hair salons were all run by individuals or young couples. Regardless of gender, a haircut cost three yuan.

He randomly picked a barbershop nearby and went in; it was owned by Tian Xueling.

At first, everything was normal when he was washing and cutting his hair. But halfway through, Tian Xueling suddenly touched him, which startled him. He felt goosebumps all over his body and immediately jumped up.

Then, in his youthful arrogance, he left without even finishing styling his hair.

He didn't want to tell anyone about the embarrassing fact that he had been taken advantage of, but he couldn't help but inquire about the shop. He then learned that Tian Xueling was also doing other businesses.

The person who mentioned Tian Xueling to him winked and told him about Tian Xueling's price, assuming he wanted to have some fun.

Shi Zhen felt extremely wronged at the time.

This kind of thing was actually quite common in the 1990s, and there was nothing he could do about it. But from then on, he would just go to the town to find an older woman to cut his hair.

Later, he met the brother and sister again and heard some of their stories.

Tian Xueshan was always flirting with women, including some who were married. Later, he had his hand broken by the husband of one of the women he was flirting with.

After recovering from his injuries, he was probably scared, so he ended up becoming a live-in son-in-law—people with good looks and smooth talk really do have an advantage.

After marriage, he treated his wife very well, being subservient and romantic in every way. However, he was still a leopard that couldn't change its spots. He was idle and had entanglements with other women. His wife argued with him every day, but she couldn't bear to lose his good looks and his ability to coax people, so she stubbornly refused to divorce him. They just kept arguing and living like that.

Where is his sister?

Tian Xueling ran a hair salon and did other "businesses" on the side. She dressed flamboyantly and was always criticized by the women in the neighborhood, but she still lived a carefree life. When she got older, she hooked up with a man who had a little money and forced him to divorce his wife and marry her. However, she couldn't change her ways and continued to have entanglements with other men. Her husband also argued with her but couldn't bear to divorce her.

Both brother and sister are "capable" people.

Speaking of which, after that haircut incident, Tian Xueling tried to seduce him, but it didn't work out.

What happened to them was none of Shi Zhen's business, but it was wrong of these two to provoke Shi Xing.

Shi Zhen didn't know any of the police officers, but he didn't mind scaring them a little.

“Where did we extort you? We didn’t!” Tian Xueling refused to admit it.

“We all heard it!” Shi Xingchao said.

“He took advantage of me first!” Tian Xueling pointed at Shi Xinghuo.

"My brother is so honest, how could he possibly take advantage of you!"

Shi Xingchao and Tian Xueling started arguing back and forth.

To Shi Zhen, this commotion was completely meaningless. He grabbed Tian Xueshan's arm and said sternly, "You cheated my cousin out of a lot of money, didn't you? Are you going to pay me back or not?"

After Shi Zhen grabbed his arm, Tian Xueshan struggled desperately, but he couldn't break free no matter what he did. Realizing this, his expression became more and more terrified.

Seeing this, Tian Xueling didn't dare to make a sound, her eyes filled with panic.

Compared to the three tall, imposing men, they appeared weak, pitiful, and helpless.

Tian Xueling went to see Shi Xinghuo. She had spent so much time with Shi Xinghuo, so she must have developed some feelings for him, right?

Shi Xinghuo was still a little confused. What exactly was going on?

Seeing that Shi Xinghuo was looking at Shi Zhenli and ignoring her, Tian Xueling couldn't help but feel sad.

She's been scammed! This person probably doesn't even like her, right? Were they just trying to take advantage of her all along?

At this point, Tian Xueshan finally asked, "How much money...how much do you want?"

"Didn't you just ask my cousin for four hundred yuan? Then give us four hundred." Shi Zhen didn't ask for more; he wasn't really trying to extort money.

However, he has now figured it out. In the past two or three months, Shi Xinghuo's money has probably all been spent on Tian Xueling!

That makes sense. Shi Xinghuo's colleagues, those regular employees at the waterworks, wouldn't really spend the money of an honest and hardworking man like Shi Xinghuo. Most of them are frugal and wouldn't think of eating snacks.

Shi Xinghuo spent at least two or three hundred yuan on Tian Xueling.

“Four hundred? We don’t have that much money!” Tian Xueshan said.

"Then let's go to the police station."

"Wait, wait, let me go, I'll go get you the money," Tian Xueshan said hurriedly.

Shi Zhen did not let go of him, but instead said to Tian Xueling, "Go get the money, and come here to redeem your brother."

It's definitely easier to hold a man hostage than a woman.

Although Tian Xueling and Tian Xueshan were unemployed, they had money. Tian Xueling glanced at Shi Zhen and ran home.

Only then did Shi Xinghuo ask Shi Zhen, "Zhen, what are you doing here?"

“What are we doing here? Why are you asking us what we’re doing here? Are you…” Shi Xingchao wanted to say “Are you stupid?” but he held back.

If his brother weren't stupid, nothing would happen, but his brother really is a bit stupid... so it's best not to say anything more.

"What's wrong with me?" Shi Xinghuo asked.

Shi Xingchao said, "You've been scammed!"

“No, I gave it to myself willingly,” Shi Xinghuo said.

Shi Xingchao was furious: "You have so much money you don't know what to do with it? Give it to me! Why give it to a woman who doesn't want to marry you? Are you out of your mind?!"

Shi Xingchao and Shi Xinghuo spoke in their local dialect, so Tian Xueshan couldn't understand them.

He was now filled with regret. They had intended to trick Shi Xinghuo, but they ended up being tricked by him instead. What a loss!

Fortunately, they didn't have any concrete evidence that Shi Xinghuo had actually done anything, so they only dared to ask for four hundred... If they had asked for more, these people might have asked for much more in return, and then they wouldn't have been able to come up with the money!

Not long after, Tian Xueling brought four hundred yuan, including two hundred-yuan bills and some loose change.

Shi Zhen took the money and handed it to Shi Xingchao, then looked at the brother and sister: "You two are both young, why can't you do something better? Why do you have to do such illegal and criminal things? Be careful you don't run into trouble one day, then... hehe!"

Neither Tian Xueshan nor Tian Xueling dared to refute, and nodded repeatedly.

Shi Xingchao took the two hundred-yuan bills and then gave the remaining two hundred yuan in loose bills to Shi Xinghuo: "Here you go! Be more careful next time, don't get swindled out of your money!"

After saying that, Shi Xingchao gave Shi Zhen one hundred yuan: "Shi Zhen, this money is what we got back. Everyone who finds it gets a share!"

If it weren't for them, his brother would never have gotten his money back. They must take some of his brother's money to teach him a lesson!

Shi Xinghuo didn't feel like he had learned his lesson. He stared at the money in his hand for a while, then took out two ten-yuan bills and gave them to Tian Xueling. Following what Shi Zhen had taught him when he visited Zhao Meiyun in the hospital, he said, "Take this money and buy your dad some food so he can take good care of himself."

Tian Xueling's face turned red with anger. Without taking the money, she covered her face and ran away.

Shi Xinghuo must have done it on purpose!

She's been the butt of this joke for months!

Seeing this, Tian Xueshan quickly ran after his sister.

Shi Zhen: "..."

Shi Zhen took Shi Xinghuo and Shi Xingchao home and carefully questioned Shi Xinghuo about the whole story. He finally understood what had happened.

He was relieved, but also somewhat speechless.

Given Shi Xinghuo's situation... even if they don't go today, he might not necessarily suffer a loss. After all, those two can't beat Shi Xinghuo and can't possibly drag him away.

In fact, this is all thanks to his uncle's education.

In their area, there used to be some rather foolish people who, after getting older, couldn't find wives. Yet, they still wanted women, so they would grope them. Eventually, they were beaten to death.

His uncle was afraid that such a thing would happen, so he kept telling Shi Xinghuo that he could not touch any other woman except his future wife... Shi Xinghuo was quite obedient.

If he really had something going on with Tian Xueling, then it's hard to say.

Shi Xingchao explained the situation to Shi Xinghuo in detail, telling him that Tian Xueling had lied to him and was after his money.

Shi Xinghuo was immediately heartbroken.

So all of Tian Xueling's claims about how good and handsome he is were fake? Was it all just for money?

No wonder Shi Zhen gave him less money later. He didn't have money to give Tian Xueling, so Tian Xueling stopped talking about it!

That's terrible!

Shi Zhen and Shi Xingchao were unaware of Shi Xinghuo's thoughts, assuming that Shi Xinghuo was heartbroken because of a failed relationship.

But that's really not a good match, and it's obvious that they don't have a crush on Shi Xinghuo.

Shi Zhen showed the hundred yuan in his hand: "Brother Xinghuo, keep this money with me, consider it your living expenses for next month."

Seeing this, Shi Xingchao said, "I have a hundred yuan here. I'll buy something and send it back to my parents." Sigh, Shi Zhen didn't want to take the money, and he felt embarrassed to take it either.

Since it was still early, Shi Zhen and Shi Xingchao went to Guan Jianguo's place to get back to work. As for Shi Xinghuo, they told him not to go out, so he obediently stayed at home.

While embroidering clothes, Shi Xingchao complained to Shi Zhen about her brother. After complaining, she said, "Zhen, do you think we should find a wife for my brother? Someone to keep him in check?"

“Okay,” Shi Zhen said, “but it would be best to take your brother for a check-up first to see if he… has a genetic predisposition.”

In fact, someone like Shi Xinghuo wouldn't have had a bad life in an ancient rural area.

He is hardworking, honest, and obedient; he might even be considered a good son and a good husband by everyone.

But in modern society, that's... not so good.

Shi Xinghuo will only ever be able to do manual labor in his entire life and will never be promoted.

Shi Xinghuo wants to get married, and with his current conditions, there's no problem for him; he can definitely find someone.

He does have an income and is willing to work.

But if he has a child, and that child inherits his intelligence... that child will suffer in the future.

Shi Xingchao imagined what it would be like if his nephew were like that...

How much worry must he have to endure!

No, absolutely not!

"We need to get it checked out; the world has changed!"

Shi Zhen added, “After the New Year, bring your parents and your sister here and let them find jobs… Your parents might not be able to find jobs, but your sister should be able to.”

Because opening factories is profitable, more and more people are opening factories or running illegal workshops here.

Shi Xingchao's younger sister will be eighteen next year. If she looks around a lot after coming here, she'll definitely be able to find a job.

Twenty years from now, some people may think that being a factory worker and being exploited by the boss is not a good choice, but for people in this era, being able to leave the mountains and have an income is already very good.

No one will mind.

They work hard so that their children won't have to do such hard work in the future.

“That’s right. Even if my sister can’t find a job, she can still do embroidery!” Shi Xingchao nodded. Shi Zhen’s parents were already living a good life in this town, and they couldn’t keep suffering in the mountains forever.

Although you have to buy everything to eat when you're outside, you have an income, so it's better than staying in the mountains.

Shi Zhen added, "When the time comes, I will also go back to the village and find some people to work."

Shi Zhen talked about his future plans to build houses for people.

He didn't plan to have Shi Xingchao come with him to build houses; Shi Xingchao was too frugal and not suited for that. He'd rather stay home and continue collecting and distributing sweaters; he'd earn more there than working under the sun and rain with him.

Shi Zhen and Shi Xingchao chatted for a long time. Meanwhile, after finishing his evening self-study, Liang Qinxuan found Guan Baiyu and asked him to go out and play with him on Sunday.

"What's so fun outside? It's better to study at school," Guan Baiyu refused.

"All you ever think about is studying! You know you need to balance work and rest! Guan Baiyu, I heard from the basketball team that there's a video arcade showing some really good videos from Hong Kong lately, let's go watch them!" Liang Qinxuan said.

A video recording? Guan Baiyu was genuinely intrigued when he heard about it.

One of his favorite things when he was a child was watching movies in the village.

However, they didn't show many movies in their village. But after they came to No. 1 Middle School, one Sunday evening during a weekday, the teacher showed them a movie on the playground.

He loves watching movies.

Guan Baiyu asked, "What is that video being played over there?"

Liang Qinxuan said, "I guess it's an action movie or a gunfight movie? I heard they're all the latest films, the kind that aren't shown in theaters or on movie channels!"

Guan Baiyu then asked, "How much does it cost to watch a video?"

Liang Qinxuan said, "It's privately owned, much cheaper than a movie theater. You only need to pay 50 cents to watch a movie there."

Guan Baiyu said, "Then I'll go."

He could accept the price, and if the movie was good, he could even take his brother to see it.

His brother hasn't seen many movies!

"Okay, it's settled then! Wait for me tomorrow at noon. We'll eat in the cafeteria first, and then watch a video at the video arcade." Liang Qinxuan said excitedly.

In fact, according to his usual habits, Xiao Zhou would definitely go out to eat at noon, but Guan Baiyu would most likely disagree. Even if they did go out... Guan Baiyu might just buy a few steamed buns to make do.

He thought they should just eat in the cafeteria.

Liang Qinxuan looked at Guan Baiyu with affection.

It was already dark, and Guan Baiyu didn't notice Liang Qinxuan's expression. He said, "Alright, you should go back now, or you might not have time to take a shower."

The school has a public bathhouse, which is fully open when it's hot, but only a few seats are available when it's cold, and hot water is also limited.

The main problem is that many people stop taking showers when it gets cold.

But Liang Qinxuan was a meticulous person, and he had to take a shower every night.

Upon hearing Guan Baiyu's words, Liang Qinxuan rushed to the bathhouse without a second thought.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it was noon the next day.

After spending several months together, the students in Class 1 of Grade 11 have become familiar with each other. Many of them don't go home on weekends, so some girls make plans to go shopping together, while some boys make plans to play basketball or rollerblade together.

Guan Baiyu neither knows how to play basketball nor rollerblading, and has never tried them before, but he has made plans to go to the movies today.

I hope it's a martial arts movie.

Liang Qinxuan lent him a martial arts novel before, which was really, really good. He even planned to finish reading it and take it back to his brother to see, and his brother would definitely like it.

Guan Baiyu went to the video arcade with Liang Qinxuan and the basketball team.

They wandered around and finally came to a secluded alley... It was an old house from long ago, the road was paved with stone slabs and was only about a meter wide, so narrow that even bicycles could not pass through. The houses next to it were also old-fashioned wooden buildings.

Guan Baiyu hesitated for a moment: "The video arcade is here?"

"They said it's right here!"

"Why is it so remote?" Guan Baiyu asked, puzzled.

The basketball team member said, "I don't know either! They didn't tell me, they just said the movies here are really, really good, and that a lot of people from our school came to see them!"

Liang Qinxuan nodded: "My old friends also told me that the videos here are very good, and you can watch them for an entire afternoon for just 50 cents."

Guan Baiyu could only suppress his doubts and continue walking.

Finally, they arrived at their destination.

The gatekeeper, a middle-aged man, saw their school uniforms and joked, "All the students from No. 1 Middle School, come on over, haha!"

Guan Baiyu felt that there was something wrong with his smile.

After paying, they went inside together. As soon as they entered, Guan Baiyu was overwhelmed by the unpleasant smell.

The smell of smoke, alcohol, and other unpleasant odors... It's disgusting!

With living conditions improving recently, Guan Baiyu couldn't stand the smell any longer and couldn't help but sneeze.

Liang Qinxuan also felt disgusted: "It stinks."

The basketball team members all nodded in agreement.

At this moment, they could see clearly who was inside. It was full of men, both old and young. When they saw them, their eyes were full of mockery, and one of them said, "This little brat hasn't even grown his hair yet and he's already here?"

However, some people stared intently at the screen not far away, not even blinking, completely ignoring them.

Guan Baiyu found it even stranger.

The atmosphere here is really strange, and the sounds here are too...

What are those sounds in the video? They're so strange!

Guan Baiyu and the others looked over together.

These private video rental shops play movies one after another without any breaks. However, they usually rotate between two movies every now and then, so that people don't get stuck watching them all the time.

Of course, it's fine if you don't leave, since you have to pay for food and drinks inside.

But none of these are the key points.

The key point is... all that's on the screen is white, fleshy meat!

Guan Baiyu, Liang Qinxuan, and the basketball team members were all stunned.

This...this is completely different from what they imagined!

"Little friend, isn't it beautiful?"

"Find a seat and read at your leisure!"

"They were terrified, hahaha!"

...

As Guan Baiyu listened to those people's voices and looked at the images on the screen, he felt a little nauseous.