"Dear immortals, if anyone has a second-hand washing machine, whether fully automatic or semi-automatic, as long as the exterior isn't disastrously rusted or rotten, please bring it to me. The price will be fair."
Xu Bin posted a message on his social feed. In truth, with his current reputation, the last four words—"the price will be fair"—were no longer necessary, but old habits die hard.
Boss Niu had become a regular customer at Shuangquan Appliance Store. To keep a bit of leeway for himself, Xu Bin would often intentionally leave minor flaws after refurbishing items to mask the fact that they were practically brand new. It was akin to self-deception, but surprisingly effective at times.
This week's task required nine washing machines. As washing machines had largely phased out of the repair market, most available ones were fully automatic. Major failures rendered them unrepairable. The low prices and solid quality of new models protected consumer rights but made repair work unprofitable. Only older folks still used dual-tub semi-automatic machines. They could be repaired for thirty to fifty yuan, but finding second-hand ones was rare since most were dismantled and sold as scrap. To finish tasks faster and earn rewards, Xu Bin increasingly embraced the philosophy of small profits and quick turnover.
With a godlike system in hand, even this strategy could yield considerable earnings. In just one month, including system rewards, Xu Bin had netted over 30,000 yuan. Greed is a built-in trait of all life forms—inescapable and ever-present. Xu Bin also wanted more, not just for wealth, but to improve himself. His pursuit of Zhong Yu was like a high-octane fuel source, driving him to become better and always feeling a little unworthy.
He came from a small town, had no money, no house, no education, no car—nothing.
Zhong Yu came from a divorced family. Both her parents had remarried. Proud and independent, she refused to live with either household. Fortunately, their financial situations were comfortable, so she didn't have to worry about basic survival. Still, her stubbornness kept her from asking for help, even in hard times. That's why she rented out half of her shop and wore trendy but inexpensive outfits bought online—nothing branded.
Xu Bin felt inferior because of this. He wasn't sure if he truly liked Zhong Yu, but being near her made it hard to breathe naturally. He couldn't deny the attraction to her looks and figure, but deep down, his pride told him he had to be worthy first.
Setting lofty goals often isn't as effective as practical ones. Becoming a billionaire was far less realistic than successfully pursuing a girl.
While chewing on chocolate beans, Xu Bin pondered how to merge the two stores into one. If not for the drastically different nature of their goods, he might have done it already.
Refurbishing had become second nature. Only if the weekly task wasn't complete by day four would he start to worry. If needed, he'd even lose money to meet quotas—completing the task was always more important. Of course, doing both was best.
"Xu Bin, you sure eat a lot. I bet all your earnings are going to food," Zhong Yu quipped. Her shop's business was inconsistent—pet grooming and nail services weren't daily necessities. Even regulars only came once a month. Selling accessories brought little profit. Watching Xu Bin's thriving business made her feel a little down. If she were the type to rely on a man, she might've made a move. But she wasn't—independence mattered more than anything. Without it, she'd feel like she had no dignity.
Xu Bin laughed and handed her a big tub of chips. "Here. Eat while watching TV. I've got more if you finish this."
Eating is one of the most direct forms of sensory pleasure. With his gluttonous constitution, Xu Bin could indulge anytime without worry. His work and lifestyle revolved around food, so snacking carried zero guilt.
Zhong Yu took the chips with a huff. "Eat, eat, eat—till you turn into a pig."
Xu Bin pulled her into his arms, feeling her softness. Pressing his face against her back, he took a deep breath, savoring her faint scent with closed eyes.
"Pervert!" Zhong Yu laughed and smacked him playfully.
A shadow flickered across the shop's entrance. Zhong Yu's expression changed. Both of them saw who it was.
It was Lao San—who'd vanished for over ten days without contact. He hadn't looked for Zhong Yu, nor had she responded to his calls. Unable to resist any longer, he came by and saw this scene. Clenching his fists in rage, he stomped off. Alone, he didn't dare confront Xu Bin. The memory of their violent encounter at this very door was still fresh.
"I'll handle it, don't worry," Zhong Yu said softly.
Xu Bin tightened his embrace. "I won't let you leave me, no matter who the opponent is. I'll beat them all. Don't burden yourself—I'm here. Always."
The best love words are tailored to one's character. If you tell Zhong Yu you'll shield her from every storm—sir, do you even have the capital to make that promise? Don't let the wind slap your tongue.
Zhong Yu kissed him first. As their temperatures rose, so did the emotions between them. With few customers during sunset, Xu Bin scooped her up and carried her to the back room.
In this domain, he wasn't a novice. Between instinct and the internet's vast "education," he knew exactly what to do—no more fumbling at closed doors.
His rough hands slipped under her shirt, eagerly undoing her bra. Zhong Yu instinctively pushed him back. When he didn't stop, she bit his tongue gently but firmly.
"Not like this," she whispered.
She wasn't angry, just unprepared. Xu Bin's face glowed red with excitement—this was the peak of youthful desire. It was hard to calm down at this point. Just as he was about to graduate from self-pleasure to real action—he got benched.
"Sorry…" Zhong Yu apologized, kissing him on the lips.
"It's okay. We were moving a bit fast. No worries. What do you want to eat tonight? Want to go out for spicy crawfish?"
"No. Let's have spicy hotpot. And you're watching a movie with me tonight—no working. You'll wear yourself out."
"Okay, anything for my wife. Whatever you say."
Zhong Yu rolled her eyes and walked out, not rejecting the title "wife," which nowadays was more or less equivalent to "girlfriend."
Dinner was had, but life didn't follow the script. That night, more washing machines were dropped off, and more goods sold. Seeing the numbers match his task quota, Xu Bin grew excited. Thanks to Ji Peng and several delivery drivers, and his buying of refurbished parts while discarding junk, business was booming. No one seemed suspicious about his magical repairs—at least, not enough to turn him into a lab rat.
Zhong Yu had said she wanted a movie night, but seeing her boyfriend work so hard, she didn't press. She knew he hated being watched while working. So she curled up in her store, eating snacks and watching K-dramas. Her nightlife had dwindled since being with Xu Bin, but she enjoyed this slow-paced life and had no complaints.
One was engrossed in drama.
The other focused on fixing and refurbishing.
As night fell, a loud crash startled Zhong Yu. She screamed and covered her ears. The glass door shattered—shards fell to the ground, some still webbed in place. Then six or seven bricks came flying in…
Xu Bin rushed out immediately. After the incident with Che Dong, his cool-looking knife had been confiscated. He'd secretly bought a new spring-loaded one, usually tucked in his waistband. As his store was now under attack, his first instinct was: fight back.