"Uncle, I want a banana!"
"A banana is a single piece." Zhang Fusheng squatted at the street corner, expertly picked up a yellow balloon, blew it into a long strip and tied it, smilingly handing it to the little boy:
"It's 5 bucks."
The little boy left joyfully.
Zhu Xiaoming, leaning on the steps, wondered:
"You can actually make balloons?"
"No, I can't." Zhang Fusheng said calmly.
His buddy scratched his bald head:
"Then what are you doing?"
"The first bucket of gold for successful people is often not very clean." Zhang Fusheng said philosophically.
Zhu Xiaoming was confused:
"I don't get it..."
At this moment, two doll-like little girls appeared, twins, bouncing along, both round and chubby, looking so adorable as if pinching their cheeks would make them howl in tears.
"Uncle!" The twins raised their heads, their eyes shining brightly.
"I want a butterfly!"
"I want a puppy!"
Zhang Fusheng spoke softly:
"It's ten bucks, do you have money?"
"Yes!" the twins said in unison, pulling out a hundred-dollar bill.
"Hmm, ten for one, twenty for two."
Zhang Fusheng, with an unchanged face, took the hundred-dollar bill, gave back eighty bucks in change, and picked up a balloon.
He 'puffed' and blew them into two long strips, handing them to the doll-like twins.
The little girls took them, speaking cutely:
"Uncle, I wanted a butterfly!"
"Uncle, I wanted a puppy!"
Zhang Fusheng looked serious, pointing at the long balloon in one girl's hand:
"This is a caterpillar, keep it at home for a few days, it'll turn into a butterfly."
He pointed at the balloon in the other girl's hand:
"This is a mini hot dog, don't eat it, it'll explode if you bite it."
The twins were confused and silent, the bright sparkle in their eyes gradually fading.
"Wah!"
They ran off crying.
Zhu Xiaoming stared blankly at this scene.
For a while.
"You..."
His eyelid twitched, wanting to say something, but he only saw the handsome young man stand up, pat his butt, and said ruefully:
"I mentioned, the first bucket of gold for successful people is always a bit dirty."
Saying this, Zhang Fusheng swiftly packed up the stall, rolling up the cloth bag:
"Let's skedaddle!"
"Why run? It's still early, isn't it?"
"If we don't, soon you'll see two crying dolls with their angry parents rushing over."
Zhu Xiaoming had no words.
After running away:
"How much did you make today?"
"Eighty-seven and a half bucks."
Upon hearing, Zhu Xiaoming shook his head:
"The Martial Arts Dojo's tuition is a hundred thousand, saving like this would take forever. Why not ask Uncle Zhang directly? Your dad's a doctor, surely he wouldn't lack that kind of money?"
Zhang Fusheng rolled his eyes:
"Talking to you rich kids is pointless, yes, my dad's a doctor, but he has principles... never mind, it's too hard to explain."
He sighed, carrying the cloth bag, walking while glancing at the Jiangzhou River to the right.
Zhang Fusheng softly said:
"I'm here to earn my first bucket of gold, I'm here to see how I can earn it."
Zhu Xiaoming was a bit puzzled:
"Old Zhang, didn't you already earn it, what was it, eighty-seven fifty?"
Zhang Fusheng smiled without answering, slightly lost in thought.
Contract.
He had a contract that could buy or sell anything, enlightenment, root bone, memory, cultivation, lifespan...
The contract appeared two days ago when Zhang Fusheng learned the Contemplation Technique, appearing on his forehead during contemplation,
At first it was very dim, unusable, but gradually it brightened, and just moments ago, it finally glowed, capable of making one transaction.
According to the naturally conveyed information on the contract, its use had no restrictions, anyone could be a trade partner, but.
The trade object must completely, wholeheartedly desire to make a deal.
No coercion allowed.
It's like the storybook devils from the West, they purchase souls, but those who lost their souls willingly agree because the devil offers an irresistible price.
How could one convince a genius to sell their talent, a blade-master to sell their technique, a long-lifer to sell their lifespan?
How to earn the first bucket of gold, or rather, complete the first transaction?
This was a dilemma.
Zhang Fusheng considered finding well-known people about to pass away to sell them lifespan, but then there's a problem.
Throughout history, the door-opening brick has been most crucial.
Never mind that he had no means to approach such esteemed figures,
also forget convincing them of this magical ability.
What about after selling the lifespan?
Precious yet dangerous possessions turn one into a target... one could foresee oneself being kept captive, endlessly trading with one person after another, all proceeds flowing to the esteemed figures.
"Old Zhang."
Zhu Xiaoming touched his big bald head:
"Why not have a word with my dad, let him lend you some money first? Interest-free, repay when you're successful."
Zhu Xiaoming, Zhang Fusheng's high school best friend, soon-to-be freshman at Jiangzhou University's Martial Arts Department, comes from a wealthy family, his father is a construction company owner.
Zhang Fusheng shook his head:
"Forget it, it's not the hundred thousand bucks I lack, but talent. You reached entry level in the Contemplation Technique in freshman year, I only got there recently."
He sighed lightly, he too was soon to be a Jiang University freshman, but unlike Zhu, who was in Martial Arts, he was in Computer Science.
Jiang University's Martial Arts Department, aside from cultural requirements, also demanded that before college entrance exams, students must cultivate at least one of either the Contemplation Technique or the Breathing Technique to a Minor Achievement, the former tests enlightenment, the latter examines root bone.
Zhu Xiaoming, a bit shook, said:
"You know my situation, it's no secret, all my talents were stacked up with dad's money... Chen Nuanyu, that kind, is truly talented, top academic scores aside, dual Great Success in Contemplation Technique and Breathing Technique, already nearly a Martial Artist, admitted into Jiang University's Martial Arts Department."
Chen Nuanyu, the elite among the elite in Lishu Middle School's talent class, is the kind you admire from afar.
Of course, they knew Chen Nuanyu, but she didn't know them.
"Talent, ha..." Zhang Fusheng sighed: "My neighbor, Uncle Wang, has practiced the Contemplation Technique for fifty years, yet hasn't reached entry level, unable to sense the Mysterious Factor, I'm slightly better, but not by much."
Zhu Xiaoming comforted:
"Honestly, computer science isn't bad either, jobs are plentiful, the Federation is prioritizing AI development now, martial arts isn't the only path."
Zhang Fusheng shook his head:
"Federation developing AI is to serve Martial Artists, isn't it? Martial arts isn't the only path, but it surely is the best."
"Since we're here in this world, how could we not strive towards the summit? I'd love to see what flying in the sky feels like too..."
Zhu Xiaoming was silent for a moment, confused:
"Old Zhang, I feel you've changed somehow..."
"Changed how?" Zhang Fusheng smiled: "More confident maybe?"
"No."
Zhu Xiaoming shook his head, rolling his eyes:
"More unrealistic."
Zhang Fusheng laughed heartily:
"Alright, I have to go help, see you around."
"See you around."
They parted ways at the crossroads, one headed to the bustling Central Three Districts, the other toward the perpetually clouded Lower Three Districts.
The Federation is a class-divided federation, even the city districts are tiered, from one to nine, the smaller the number, the richer, more prosperous, peaceful, and safe.
Zhang Fusheng lived in the Seventh District, not a slum, just a regular folks' area.
Except, his father was not ordinary.
Passing by rows of shops on the street, turning into a dark alley leading straight to the Eighth and Ninth Districts, ignoring the heavily made-up prostitutes casting flirtatious glances his way, Zhang Fusheng finally stopped at a small clinic.
The clinic's door was tightly shut, a 'closed' sign hung—clearly, there was business.
He entered the clinic, turning into the basement.
In the dim basement, a middle-aged man was calmly performing surgery, wearing a white lab coat,
A coolly detached young girl lay on the simple operating table.
The girl was holding a handgun, the black muzzle pointed at the doctor. Seeing someone come in, she shifted the gun's direction toward Zhang Fusheng.
"Dad." Zhang Fusheng ignored the gun aimed at him and called softly.
He glanced at the girl.
Elite student of the best high school in the Central Three Districts — Lishu Middle School, Jiang University's Martial Arts Department admit, Chen Nuanyu.