“What do you mean by that?”
Ding Changchun, former real estate agent turned car salesman, annoyed Xinyue with his attitude.
Even though he didn’t utter any outright insults, his tone and gaze were dripping with disdain.
“Of course, I mean exactly what I said, ma’am,” Ding Changchun replied with a fake smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “As a mother, please watch your kids. If you’re not buying, don’t touch the cars. And that goes for you too.”
“…I know bratty kids are annoying, but I haven’t even touched anything yet!”
“Who said I’m not buying?!” Xinyue snapped, her anger evident. “And I’m not their mother! Do I look that old?!”
“I’m not here to comment on your personal life, but I really don’t recommend dropping out of school to have kids and get married while still a minor… that’s the kind of backward custom found only in underdeveloped areas. You’re so young—it’s a shame.”
“You…”
Xinyue clenched her fists tightly. With the Underground Queen’s temper, if this were an underground arena, her opponent would already be in intensive care.
I patted Xinyue’s shoulder and pointed across the street.
There was another car dealership right opposite this one.
“How does a jabbermouth like you even become a salesman?” I asked sympathetically, glancing at Ding Changchun. “Don’t you want your boss’s business to shut down even faster?”
“Sorry to say, but the owner of this shop is my uncle. He gave me the right to choose which customers to deal with.”
“If he found out you just drove away the biggest client the shop’s ever had, he’d be pretty thrilled, huh?”
“The biggest client?” Ding Changchun’s condescending attitude resurfaced. “Don’t talk about biggest clients. Can you even afford a single car here? I can tell you’re just some internet celebrities coming here to take photos… lying on luxury cars to show off on social media. I despise fake socialites like you.”
Absolutely ridiculous!
If this guy ever works at any other dealership, I should open a shop across the street and become the richest person in the world just by doing nothing.
“Let’s go. We’ll try another dealership.”
After all, rivals in the same trade are enemies—needless to say, only one survives.
Ding Changchun was lucky. He always managed to find the stronger side and jump on their winning wagon.
“If nothing unexpected happens, that dealership opposite will be closing down next month.”
Their cash flow was broken, debts piling up. Not just the shop opposite, but the entire car sales company behind it was on the brink of bankruptcy.
Ding Changchun and his uncle, Ting Jiu, sipped tea leisurely.
“No customers today?” Ting Jiu asked.
“No, just some poor bums. I already sent them away.”
“Poor bums?”
“Yeah, weirdos. I was afraid they’d damage the cars.”
“Is that so? Let me see.”
Since it was his own shop, Ting Jiu took the tablet and began watching the surveillance footage.
At that moment, the street suddenly echoed with roaring engines!
The loud noise made both Ding Jiu and Ding Changchun lean out to see what was happening.
“That kind of engine power… at least a Platinum-tier Immortal Spirit supercar tactical vehicle! Our shop hasn’t sold one of those in a long time. Which wealthy VIP is passing by?”
Before they could get a clear look, more roaring engines sounded one after another.
“Damn!”
“Snap!”
Ding Changchun’s recently healed jaw dislocated again.
He drooped his chin painfully, mouth hanging wide enough to stuff a chicken inside, but still stared in shock at the street.
Fifteen Platinum-tier tactical vehicles of various models were lined up, stretching across the entire row in front of the dealership.
The opposing shop’s owner stood by the street, looking so excited he seemed ready to have a heart attack on the spot.
“Thank you to the three honored customers for your patronage!”
With salutes and confetti celebrating as if welcoming the Empire’s Prime Minister, three girls walked out from the dealership.
At that moment, Ding Jiu glanced down at the tablet and noticed the surveillance footage.
Huh?
They look familiar!
During the day, they were just weirdos in night outfits and shy shut-ins hiding in boxes—hahaha!
Thinking this, he fainted.
“Where should we park them after all these years?” Even Miss Cluru couldn’t help but ask, curious.
“Don’t worry, Sister Xinyue will run out of fuel soon enough,” I answered confidently.
“…”
Furious, Xinyue dragged us into one of the cars.
“Let’s talk this out, don’t be like that,” I said nervously, trying to jump out and escape.
But Xinyue had already hit the gas pedal. “Today, you’ll see the Class Leader’s driving skills and understand just how valuable my license really is!”
“Now, please welcome the Freshman Representative Yun Luo Xian to the stage for a speech!”
Before we knew it, the day of the new semester had arrived.
As per tradition, at the opening ceremony, the school invites an outstanding freshman to deliver a congratulatory speech.
Naturally, I was chosen this year.
So I extended my right hand, maneuvered the wheelchair’s joystick, and slowly but steadily moved up to the podium.
My resolute spirit in the face of disability was truly moving.
“Respected teachers, fellow students, good evening.”
“Today, my speech topic is: Reckless Driving Brings Tears to Loved Ones.”
After the ceremony, I reunited with Cluru and Sister Xinyue.
The three of us wheeled side by side.
“Shall we race to see who gets to the dorm first?” Xinyue suggested.
But under Cluru’s and my expressionless stares, she quickly dropped the idea.
“No race then… why so fierce?”
I said nothing, glancing at the cast on my tailbone.
Cluru didn’t say anything either, but the eight massive casts standing upright behind her wheelchair looked like throne decorations, making her wheelchair appear imposing.
“Um, I’m heading back to the dorm now, bye, see you tomorrow.”
Feeling the atmosphere grow tense, Xinyue sped away like she was fleeing.
In the quiet night, I turned the wheelchair with my only remaining arm, the metal creaking beneath me as I slowly moved toward the lights of Zhuque College’s girls’ dormitory.
Finally reaching the staircase, I looked up at the seemingly endless steps and felt an overwhelming sense of despair.
Climbing the Heavenly Ladder was never this hopeless.
I tentatively tried to push the wheelchair’s wheels up the stairs a bit.
“Crash!”
Losing balance, the wheelchair tipped backward.
Cluru tried as well.
Her eight casts made her fall even faster than me.
There we lay at the foot of the stairs, staring blankly at the sky with dead fish eyes.
The moonlight tonight was beautiful.
But I didn’t want to look. Go away.
Before our anger levels hit the breaking point, a kind classmate passing by helped us up.
Helping me up was easy, but it took all their strength to lift Cluru.
After all, she had eight giant casts.
“Dorm 303? I’m in Dorm 303 too!” the helpful classmate exclaimed cheerfully. “Looks like we’re roommates!”
“…”
We wanted to respond with some enthusiasm, but neither Cluru nor I were in the mood to talk.
And so, amidst a rather miserable prelude, college life began.