When Xie Ran was using the electronic dictionary (in other people’s eyes), Xu Feiyan was just as shocked as everyone else, beyond words.

Xie Ran actually managed to handle Wang Siyi’s tricky questions!

Moreover, he behaved with ease and composure, and his spoken English was extremely outstanding. The professional level of the content Xie Ran described was so high that even Xu Feiyan, who had been reborn and already had several years of work experience, could not immediately fully digest all the English expressions.

Wang Siyi, a highly skilled English teacher, was speechless in front of Xie Ran.

Xu Feiyan was momentarily full of doubt and uncertainty.

For a moment, he even suspected that Xie Ran might have been reborn just like himself, but he quickly rejected the idea— even if reborn, Xie Ran’s performance shouldn’t have been like this.

Before rebirth, during the years he had been with Xie Ran, Xie Ran had always been timid and cowardly. Because of a poor upbringing, Xie Ran had never been exposed to high-end circles. To prevent Xie Ran from having any chance to independently escape, after graduation, Xu Feiyan did not allow Xie Ran to go out to work. It could be said that until their deaths from the fall, Xu Feiyan had thoroughly raised Xie Ran to become a narrow-minded, talentless “pretty useless person” with no survival skills.

Therefore, if Xie Ran had been reborn, he simply could not have shown such outstanding performance.

So why was this happening?

Xu Feiyan’s mind raced as he carefully recalled memories from high school.

Because it was a long time ago, Xu Feiyan actually did not remember clearly what had happened in the second year of high school. He only remembered that when he found out Xie Ran had lost his scholarship and tuition waiver, he was overjoyed, called Xie Ran out that same night, and threatened him to stay with him. But afterward, he felt it was too embarrassing if others knew he was with Xie Ran, so in front of everyone, he bullied Xie Ran even more viciously.

At that time, Xie Ran, pressured by debts, did not dare to resist him, and silently endured without fighting back as he did now.

Could it be that back then, Xie Ran had also prepared himself and considered resisting but had held back due to debt pressure?

Later, was it the long suffering and hopeless life that completely wore down Xie Ran’s sharp edges and exhausted his talent?

And now that Xu Feiyan had been reborn and wanted to treat Xie Ran well, he did not use debt to threaten him. Xie Ran was still unaware that his scholarship was about to be revoked and that his family would soon face a huge crisis, so he dared to explode recklessly?

This reasoning was the only reasonable explanation Xu Feiyan could come up with, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt it must be true.

This was the so-called butterfly effect. Because of his own rebirth, a chain reaction had occurred. Xie Ran had not yet been crushed under heavy debt and forced to bow down but had completely erupted.

Having understood this, Xu Feiyan slightly relaxed.

Although this development was somewhat unexpected, it was still within his acceptable range. What he wanted to do this time was to treat Xie Ran well, to let Xie Ran live safely and happily.

Anyway, since he had just been reborn, he still had plenty of time with Xie Ran.

While thinking, Xu Feiyan stared blankly at Xie Ran, who still looked like a young boy, delicate and handsome, with eyes cold but still dark and bright, not the lifeless look he had many years later.

This was the best moment in Xie Ran’s life, and although he was still poor, Xu Feiyan had many ways to save him, to make Xie Ran grateful and completely belong to him in body and mind.

They would have a brand new, beautiful future.

News that Xie Ran had severely beaten Xu Feiyan, Liu Man, and others quickly spread among the students at Qixing.

At first, many people simply did not believe it, thinking it was a rumor. Only after seeing the bruised and battered Xu Feiyan and Liu Man did they believe the school bullies, who usually acted with impunity, had truly been beaten.

As for whether the poor little guy Xie Ran was the one who had done it, many people still doubted— after all, Liu Man certainly wouldn’t admit it himself.

Although the news wasn’t fully confirmed, it still had a certain deterrent effect. The usual troublemakers who liked to gang up on Xie Ran behind Liu Man’s back temporarily dared not come looking for trouble. Xie Ran unusually spent the first day of school without any storms.

After school, Xie Ran packed up his things, then installed batteries into his electronic dictionary and turned it on to type.

But the dictionary clearly typed faster than he did.

Electronic dictionary: [Sir, where did you buy batteries? Why did it take so long!]

Electronic dictionary: [I waited so long I nearly wilted!]

Xie Ran skillfully ignored Meng Feixuan’s barrage: [We are going to the internet cafe now.]

Electronic dictionary: [Oh my god, is this the world of the poor?]

Xie Ran: [Yes.]

Before crossing into this world, Xie Ran had also learned about the lives of different social groups through various information. But those depictions of misery and hardship were just strings of data to him, suitable only for analysis and organization. His innate personality flaws made him unable to deeply understand such situations and the emotions they bred.

For him personally, poverty seemed impossible.

Even with only tens of thousands of yuan left in savings, he could quickly rise again through various financial means.

Only after crossing into this world and seriously examining the original owner’s situation did he personally experience that for real poor people, even tens of thousands of yuan were an insurmountable gap.

The original owner’s parents earned only a few thousand yuan a month together. After deducting rent and living expenses, they couldn’t save even ten thousand yuan a year. And the mother’s serious illness had instantly burdened the family with huge debt.

What was more frightening was that the interest on the debt alone was enough to consume their yearly income surplus, making life a vicious cycle.

In other words, the financial elite, technology company CEO Xie, was not facing the problem of how to rise again with tens of thousands of yuan, but how to get tens of thousands in the first place.

The original owner’s family had no resources or connections and was heavily in debt. They rented their house. Besides an old TV, a landline phone, and the original owner’s electronic dictionary, there were no other electronic products.

Xie Ran just wanted to surf the internet but had to go to an internet cafe.

Fortunately, the original owner still had around twenty yuan in his backpack given by his family for meals, otherwise, Xie Ran wouldn’t even afford the internet cafe.

Having grown used to luxury living with Xie Ran, Meng Feixuan sighed and reluctantly started to budget carefully.

Electronic dictionary: [Sir, there are two internet cafes nearby: one is high-end, luxurious, and clean, but charges 20 yuan per hour.]

Electronic dictionary: [The other is a shady internet cafe, with poor environment and smoky air, but it’s cheap—only 5 yuan per hour.]

Xie Ran didn’t hesitate: [Go to the nicer one.]

Electronic dictionary: [Sir, did you leave enough money for batteries? I think this electronic dictionary uses power quite fast.]

Xie Ran remained expressionless: [Type less, save power.]

Electronic dictionary: [I’m already being frugal. If this electronic dictionary’s processor were better, I could type more.]

Electronic dictionary: [Sir, how about I try to hack surveillance cameras to steal others’ bank passwords so you can secretly withdraw some money?]

Xie Ran continued ignoring: [Lead the way.]

Xie Ran gave the command, and Meng Feixuan immediately switched to work mode, starting the navigation system to guide him.

This was Xie Ran’s first time going online at an internet cafe. Meng Feixuan found the best internet cafe near Qixing Middle School. The environment looked bright and clean overall, but scenes of people kicking off their shoes, crossing their legs on chairs, and crumbs falling into keyboards still made Xie Ran feel very uncomfortable.

Xie Ran thought about his current situation and the small amount of cash he had, quickly suppressed his discomfort, calmly registered, paid, and logged on.

True poverty could make a real CEO humble and adaptable.

Still, when Xie Ran picked up the over-ear headphones provided by the internet café, his pores all reacted strongly in resistance. These headphones covered the entire ear and had been worn by countless people before.

Xie Ran hesitated for a moment. On the computer screen, subtitles popped up: “Sir, can you hear my voice?”

Xie Ran glanced at the subtitles, silently put on the headphones, adjusted the microphone, and replied: “Yes.”

A familiar voice immediately sounded in his ear: “Sir, I’m here.”

“I will always accompany you in this world. Don’t be afraid.”

The boy’s voice was clear and bright, with a slight metallic hint, which suddenly made Xie Ran feel that the heavy headphones were not so unbearable.

Xie Ran unconsciously chuckled softly: “I know.”

No matter which world he traveled to, his system would find him among countless parallel worlds, no matter what form it took—even if it was inside a low-tech, weak-signal electronic dictionary.

Xie Ran had never needed to rely on anyone before, but constantly traveling in completely unfamiliar worlds, having Meng Feixuan’s unwavering companionship made him feel, for the first time, a feeling probably called “security.”

This was perhaps what people online called his life’s armor.

This never-before-experienced feeling was strange, unfamiliar, yet comforting. His heart felt a little unruly, as if the difficulties he faced were less urgent.

Even though Xie Ran initially did not feel it very hard, at this moment he suddenly felt more determined.

As he responded, the screen flashed suddenly, and the headphones transmitted a crisp “cluck cluck cluck” sound. A chubby cartoon-style speckled hen jumped out from the bottom of the screen.

Meng Feixuan made a seal-like chest-beating sound: “Sir, I brought Jiu Ji data along too.”

Xie Ran: “…”

On the screen, the cartoon hen stretched its wings and ran circles around the screen frame like a battle chicken.

Meng Feixuan explained: “I think Jiu Ji is a bit too fat, so I am training it to run and lose weight.”

Xie Ran: “…” His system was really serious about learning how to behave, instead of just directly adjusting Jiu Ji parameters.

Rarely did Xie Ran not stop Meng Feixuan from talking. He let the boy chatter in his ear, while his slender fingers quickly moved the mouse and typed fast on the keyboard with clear thoughts, opening a series of website pages.

The original owner was outstandingly poor, so Xie Ran for the first time in his life began calculating expenses. He planned his internet time and used the precious 20 yuan to buy one hour on the computer. Naturally, he had to seize every minute to finish his work before the time ran out.

At this moment, he slightly felt the mood of other guests on variety show in his first world, when they saved and scrimped.

…Of course, if he had a budget like on variety shows now, he wouldn’t be so hard up.

Xie Ran focused on the internet and didn’t notice a group of boys laughing as they came into the internet café.

Guan Heng and others were known rich playboys at Qixing, but unlike the bullies Xu Feiyan and Liu Man, who liked to torment other students, Guan Heng and his friends liked to play online games. They usually gathered at internet cafés to play together.

On the first day of school, Guan Heng, as usual, gathered his friends to the best internet café near school to play games and gossiped about today’s big news at Qixing—the fact that Xie Ran had beaten Xu Feiyan and Liu Man.

Xu Feiyan bullying Xie Ran was known school-wide, so Guan Heng and friends had heard about it but didn’t care. Qixing’s student hierarchy was special, every year there were arrogant bullies, and usually, those special-admitted students without power or influence were treated badly.

They just didn’t know why Xu Feiyan particularly targeted Xie Ran, so Xie Ran’s suffering was especially obvious.

They did not expect this well-known “poor little guy” to suddenly explode today—not only beating Xu Feiyan but also starting to play online games like the top low-achieving students.

Guan Heng and his friends became very interested and exchanged looks, then grinned as they walked up and put a hand on Xie Ran’s shoulder: “Top student, you also came to play games…”

While saying this, Guan Heng glanced at Xie Ran’s computer screen, wanting to see what game would make a poor top student fall from grace, then he was stunned: “…damn.”

On Xie Ran’s screen were various study websites—math, physics, and even all in English, filled with many nightmare-inducing problems that made Guan Heng dizzy.

Xie Ran calmly worked on the problems and solved them very fast. For many math problems, some symbols of which Guan Heng couldn’t even recognize, Xie Ran just glanced and filled in numbers.

Guan Heng: ???

No way? How could anyone just look at math problems and know the answers?

Guan Heng, who often had his pocket money cut off for bad grades, suddenly felt extremely unfair and didn’t know whether to criticize Xie Ran for studying at an internet café or feel bitter about the IQ gap between them.

“Top student, why are you doing homework at an internet café?” Guan Heng, being rude, said while pressing the exit button for Xie Ran’s program: “Is this a place for studying?”

Xie Ran wore headphones and listened to Meng Feixuan’s voice, not noticing someone coming. Guan Heng’s move was unexpected, before Xie Ran could react, the screen with half-finished problems was exited.

Xie Ran: “…”

In the headphones, Meng Feixuan angrily shouted: “Sir, I didn’t save yet! He’s dead!”

Xie Ran took off his headphones, slowly turned his head to look at the suddenly appearing boy, and coldly said two words: “Pay up.”

He showed no anger on his face, his eyes were indifferent but somehow carried a lofty attitude.

Guan Heng’s hand froze on the exit key, and he involuntarily swallowed.

Although Guan Heng was not as violent as Xu Feiyan, his school reputation was not great either. Usually, no one dared to argue when he teased classmates.

This time he just wanted to prank Xie Ran for studying at the internet café and never thought the other party would dare to have an opinion.

Xie Ran didn’t exactly have an opinion, but his posture looked far more terrifying than simple resistance. The sharpness coming from inside was something the playboys had never seen in other classmates, with a kind of condescending scrutiny.

…Though what he said sounded a bit ridiculous?

Guan Heng looked confused: “Huh?”

Just then, a notification popped up on Xie Ran’s screen: “Guest at machine 03, your computer will shut down in 10 minutes. To continue, please renew at the front desk.”

Xie Ran repeated coldly: “Pay up.”

Guan Heng blinked, suddenly understanding: “You… don’t have money to keep surfing?”

Xie Ran showed impatience but said nothing, only stared at Guan Heng.

Though his expression was blank and not deliberately fierce, Guan Heng suddenly recalled the gossip about Xie Ran beating Xu Feiyan.

Guan Heng’s friends became unhappy and crowded around: “What’s with the attitude? Don’t you see it’s Brother Heng?”

“Didn’t he just mess with your computer?”

“Don’t mind him, Brother Heng, let’s hurry and game.”

Guan Heng wanted to act like usual, prank and then swagger away, but for some reason, under Xie Ran’s cold gaze, he felt unwilling to move. He deeply regretted provoking someone who just wanted to study at the internet café.

But with his friends watching, and normally, it was impossible for Guan Heng to admit defeat.

His mind raced and suddenly had an idea. He laughed awkwardly and said: “It’s just some internet fees. Top student, how about you play games with me? I’ll pay you fifty yuan per game, how about that?”

He figured Xie Ran was stingy about 20 yuan internet fees, so giving 50 yuan for a game would make him happy.

His friends twitched their mouths: “Brother Heng, are you crazy? Who wants to play games with a nerd? And pay him too!”

Guan Heng couldn’t say it was actually losing money, so he forced a calm tone: “I just think it’s interesting, so what?”

Friends: “…Fine, if you have money, you decide.”

In the headphones, Meng Feixuan kept swearing: “Fifty yuan per game? Does he think he’s inviting elementary school kids?”

Xie Ran still didn’t say anything and just quietly looked at Guan Heng.

Guan Heng felt his scalp go numb under that gaze and thought, this top student might really be crazy. Today, they really might fight. Just as he considered running away…

Xie Ran finally spoke: “Fifty yuan?”

His tone was calm but carried a sharp mockery that made Guan Heng instantly feel his money was insulted.

Guan Heng said: “Fifty yuan is the usual price for a game partner. If you can lead us to win, we can negotiate more.”

Xie Ran: “How much?”

Guan Heng: “…” Did he really take this seriously? The nerd wouldn’t actually think he could win games, right?

Is this what real poverty was?

Guan Heng raised an eyebrow and deliberately said: “Alright, I’ll give you two options. One, you play with us no matter win or lose, fifty per game. Two, you lead us, and if we win all games, you get one thousand per game. But if you lose one, you get nothing. How about that?”

In the headphones, Meng Feixuan quickly reported the latest intel: “Sir, this Guan Heng has fifty thousand yuan pocket money monthly, and his friends usually have ten to twenty thousand each.”

Xie Ran listened calmly to the report and looked at Guan Heng: “Two thousand.”

Guan Heng: “Huh?”

Xie Ran: “Two thousand per game if all wins.”

Guan Heng: “…” He didn’t really think he could win them all, did he?

If the nerd could win them all, what would be the point of playing games?

Guan Heng couldn’t help but laugh: “Okay.”

Xie Ran nodded and asked: “Which game?”

Guan Heng: “…” He didn’t even know which game they were playing but dared to boast?

Guan Heng realized for the first time that poverty really could drive people crazy.

Meanwhile, Meng Feixuan continued beating his chest: “Sir, I can make money again! I’ll play games to support you!”

Author’s note: Zhu Chuanjia: Mr. Xie, you finally have your day! Hahaha!

Half an hour later

Mr. Xie: “What’s wrong?”

Zhu Chuanjia: “…Forget I said anything.”

Mr. Xie: “Poor? Impossible.”

 

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