Chapter 36: A Windfall of Fifteen Thousand

During the break before the second afternoon class.

Xu Chen returned from the restroom to find many classmates staring at him.

From the noisy chatter, he learned that news had spread about him winning 150,000 yuan in an ad contest.

A group of them swarmed around, asking questions and wearing envious expressions.

Xu Chen stood there speechless, glancing at Chen Dahai and the others—he had no idea who had leaked the story.

A cash prize of 150,000 yuan naturally set off a heated discussion.

In 2006, 150,000 yuan was a huge sum, not only for high school students but even for teachers at the school.

A high school teacher’s monthly base salary was only a few thousand yuan.

Over a whole year, they might not even earn 150,000 yuan.

For a senior high student to earn that on a single contest was truly astonishing—and worthy of envy.

Xu Chen remained silent.

He thought to himself, “If Wang Laoshun’s one-million-yuan prize had landed in my hands, you guys would faint.”

……

“Xu Chen, come here!”

A deep voice suddenly rang out from the back of the class.

Immediately, the once noisy classroom fell completely silent.

Without turning around, Xu Chen knew it was the bald-headed homeroom teacher, Zhang Liqun.

Chen Dahai shot him a sympathetic look.

Xu Chen stood up and walked to the rear seats with his head bowed.

Zhang Liqun’s face was grim as he marched out the back door, hands clasped behind his back.

In the hallway, Xu Chen stopped in front of the teacher.

Zhang Liqun adjusted his brown, wide-rimmed glasses and began lecturing again:

“Xu Chen, how many times have I told you? I have high hopes for your Gaokao…

Your top priority right now is the college entrance exam. Anything that distracts you is off-limits!”

“This is about responsibility—your future is at stake!”

“I’ve heard rumors that you joined some online ad contest and won 150,000 yuan…

Is that something a senior high student should be worrying about? Even if it were a million, you shouldn’t have taken part!”

“You need to focus all your energy on the Gaokao!”

“Besides, any contest offering 150,000 yuan is obviously a scam—targeting kids!”

“Don’t try to outsmart them only to lose your money!”

……

Zhang Liqun droned on; Xu Chen listened with his head down, paying no mind.

After more nagging, the teacher sighed deeply and said:

“Bring me that… that thing…

That contest website or whatever—copy it down for me!”

“I want to see for myself if it’s a scam.”

Xu Chen froze for a moment, looking up at the teacher in puzzlement.

That old bald donkey…

Could it be he wants to win 150,000 yuan himself?!

Seeing no reaction, Zhang Liqun cleared his throat and added:

“Right now—write it down. I need to protect you from being scammed!

The internet’s too complex, the waters too deep. I’m worried you’ll get in over your heads!

They call the information superhighway a highway for a reason—it’s dangerous!”

Xu Chen was dumbfounded.

What the heck…

This bald guy really wants to enter himself? Has he gone mad for money?!

All while preaching lofty principles.

Does he think students are fools…?

Xu Chen cleared his throat and softly said:

“Teacher Zhang, you just want to check if it’s a scam, right?”

Zhang Liqun: “Of course!”

Xu Chen: “But the contest closed last week. If you submit now, they won’t accept it.”

Zhang Liqun paused: “Is that so…”

He pushed up his glasses, and a flicker of disappointment crossed his face.

Xu Chen grinned mischievously and added:

“But with your writing skills, Teacher Zhang, if you entered, they’d surely take it seriously.

Who knows…you might even win!

At least a second prize!”

Zhang Liqun’s eyes lit up: “Really…”

Then he caught himself and put on a stern face, snapping:

“Xu Chen, what are you talking about?!

I’m here to audit it, not to enter!”

Xu Chen donned an innocent smile:

“Yes, yes—Teacher Zhang must audit it!

Besides, their product demands someone like you.

Your real-life insight and empathy are perfect!”

Zhang Liqun: “Oh?…”

He hesitated, then quickly composed his expression and barked:

“Enough chatter! Write down that website address!”

Xu Chen smiled: “Sure thing, Teacher Zhang. Just a moment.”

He returned to his seat, grabbed pen and paper,

and jotted down the contest email, product name, and ad requirements—he still remembered them.

He even added his own email address out of curiosity—wondering if the teacher would actually submit something.

Chen Dahai leaned in and whispered:

“What are you scribbling, Master Xu?”

Before Xu Chen could reply, Zhang Liqun’s voice came from behind:

“Chen Dahai! No whispering!”

Chen Dahai stuck out his tongue and buried his head in his book.

Xu Chen smiled wryly, tore the paper free, and folded it neatly.

He stood up again and handed it to the teacher.

Zhang Liqun took the note, uttered an approving “hmm,” then wordlessly strode away, hands clasped behind him.

Xu Chen smirked and returned to his seat.

……

……

After the last evening class ended, a few boys rushed over and “cornered” Xu Chen.

“McDonald’s—don’t try to escape!”

Xu Chen rolled his eyes: “As if I’d miss hanging with you guys…let’s go!”

Seven or eight boys surrounded Xu Chen and headed to McDonald’s.

The restaurant was packed; there wasn’t a single empty seat for a big group.

“Let’s get takeout and eat by the roadside!” Chen Dahai suggested with a laugh.

“Master Xu, go easy on us!”

“Take it easy, as long as you can pay!”

……

In the end, they ordered over 300 yuan worth of food and drinks.

The group happily carried their feast to a spot by the street under the sunset and dug in.

Xu Chen bit into a burger, listening to his friends’ banter—and he felt completely at ease.

“Master Xu, we really envy you—good home life, top grades, and you make money too!”

“Yeah, and you’ve got a thing going with Bing Ge!”

Xu Chen rolled his eyes: “Stop spreading rumors—defamation is illegal!”

He took another bite and remembered the time he’d come here with Xie Bingran.

She’d wolfed down a burger and left without properly eating.

Next time, he decided, he’d bring her back here again.

He thought it over.

Chen Dahai asked: “What are you planning to do with that 150,000 yuan?”

Xu Chen smiled: “First, I’ll buy a new phone. The rest…I’ll spend slowly.”

Chen Dahai sighed: “Master Xu, what high-end phone are you getting? Can I borrow it?”

Xu Chen smiled without answering.

In 2006, it was still the era of Nokia and Motorola.

Steve Jobs’ iPhone revolution was still a year away.

Xu Chen recalled his past life—at eighteen, he’d dreamed of a phone he couldn’t afford.

Now he could finally make up for that small regret.”