HSS CH33

Chapter 33: Why Work Part-Time?

In junior high, Huo Yuchuan didn’t quite grasp the concept of “early romance.” When he first noticed his unusual heartbeat, he tried to avoid and distance himself from Lin Miao, attempting to draw a clear line between them. However, during a rainy day, he lost his resolve and completely fell for Lin Miao.

But Lin Miao said they couldn’t have an early romance, fearing it would affect their college entrance exams and lead to a future of collecting trash.

Huo Yuchuan thought it didn’t matter; he could wait until Lin Miao got into college.

He also believed they had plenty of time to go through high school and college together.

Even if there were no tuition fees, he could save up on his own.

That night he stayed at Lin Miao’s house, he watched Lin Miao’s sleeping face and thought a lot, but he never imagined that he would leave early.

He didn’t know what to do when he liked someone, but seeing others in relationships give their partners breakfast, he decided to do the same.

Lin Miao looked bewildered at the soy milk and buns placed on his desk, then looked up at Huo Yuchuan.

Huo Yuchuan, with his school bag slung over one shoulder and hands in his pockets, turned his face away and said, “Bought too much, can’t eat it all.”

Lin Miao was even more confused, “But didn’t you say you don’t eat breakfast?”

Huo Yuchuan: “……”

Lin Miao noticed his discomfort and thought for a moment before realizing, “Is it because you ate at my house, and you want to express your gratitude?”

“No need to be polite,” he smiled, his eyes curving, “You can always come to my house for meals.”

Huo Yuchuan stared at him without speaking.

“But I’ve already had breakfast at home,” Lin Miao thought for a moment, took the soy milk, and handed the buns to Huo Yuchuan, “I’ll just drink the soy milk. You can have the buns.”

The soft, white buns were still steaming. Huo Yuchuan watched as Lin Miao took a sip of soy milk, accepted the buns without refusal, and took a bite.

He thought to himself, they had shared the same breakfast after all.

“By the way,” Lin Miao put down the soy milk and opened his school bag, “I didn’t have time to give you a gift for your birthday the other day. Here it is, a belated gift.”

Huo Yuchuan was slightly stunned and stared motionlessly at his school bag.

Then, he saw Lin Miao pull out two exercise books and happily presented them to him.

Huo Yuchuan: “……”

“Do you like them?” Lin Miao’s eyes shone as he said, “I spent a long time picking them out at the bookstore yesterday.”

After a moment of silence, Huo Yuchuan managed to say, “I like them.”

Lin Miao was delighted again and carefully placed the exercise books into his school bag, then asked, “Huo Yuchuan, tomorrow is the weekend. Are you free?”

Huo Yuchuan “mm”ed.

Lin Miao: “Let’s go out and have fun!”

Huo Yuchuan looked at him, “Where to?”

Lin Miao: “The library!”

Huo Yuchuan: “……”

Huo Yuchuan’s eyelid twitched, “Go to the library for fun?”

“Yeah,” Lin Miao said, “There are so many books to read.”

Seeing that Huo Yuchuan wasn’t speaking, he shook his hand, “Come on, come on. What do you want to read? I’ll find it for you.”

In the end, Huo Yuchuan, who didn’t really want to read anything, still nodded.

So, on Saturday morning, Huo Yuchuan rode his bike to pick up Lin Miao from his house and they went to the library together.

The sunlight was bright, and the bike rode through the long, tree-lined path. The wind blowing in their faces felt refreshing. Lin Miao sat on the back seat, talking to Huo Yuchuan about his favorite books, characters, and stories. His clean white sneakers swung along with his legs.

Huo Yuchuan listened quietly in the cool breeze, unable to stop thinking—this could also be considered a date.

Even though it was just going to the library to read books.

They spent most of the day in the library and had hamburgers for lunch at a nearby shop.

After ordering, Lin Miao saw Huo Yuchuan talking to the waitress not far away. The waitress shook her head and smiled at him.

He walked over and curiously asked, “Huo Yuchuan, what’s going on?”

Before Huo Yuchuan could say anything, he heard the waitress say, “I’m sorry, but I really can’t.”

Huo Yuchuan didn’t insist further and pulled Lin Miao back to the table.

Lin Miao puzzledly asked, “Huo Yuchuan, why did she say you can’t?”

Huo Yuchuan: “……I wanted to work part-time, but she said I’m underage and refused.”

“Work part-time?” Lin Miao was confused, “Why do you want to work part-time?”

Huo Yuchuan glanced at him and said, “To save money.”

Lin Miao’s eyebrows furrowed, and his face immediately became serious, “Did you run into some trouble? Do you need money? I still have a bit of pocket money. I can lend it to you.”

Huo Yuchuan: “It’s okay, I just want to save money.”

Lin Miao still frowned, “But working part-time will affect your studies.”

Huo Yuchuan: “It won’t.”

Lin Miao: “But if you’re tired from work, you won’t have the energy for class.”

Huo Yuchuan: “I usually sleep in class anyway.”

Lin Miao: “……”

Actually, Lin Miao had noticed that recently Huo Yuchuan didn’t seem to sleep as soundly in class. At least his eyes were open occasionally.

He still thought working part-time wasn’t a good idea, “You won’t have time for homework.”

Huo Yuchuan said, “I’ll do it in class.”

Lin Miao: “You won’t sleep in class anymore?”

Huo Yuchuan: “……I’ll sleep a bit less.”

Lin Miao didn’t understand why he suddenly wanted to work part-time so much. There would be plenty of work after graduation. Why rush?

“Then find something easier,” Lin Miao, unable to dissuade him, could only remind him, “And don’t get scammed. There are a lot of scammers out there.”

Huo Yuchuan nodded.

That day, they stayed together until evening before parting ways. Lin Miao told Huo Yuchuan that if he found a part-time job, he must let him know.

Huo Yuchuan watched him waving goodbye in the sunset and slowly said, “Okay.”

However, it was indeed not easy to find part-time work as a minor. He went out on Sunday and didn’t find anything suitable.

In the blink of an eye, it was Monday again. Huo Yuchuan, carrying soy milk, turned the corner of the staircase and heard a familiar voice in the hallway.

It was Lin Miao, and another voice, which seemed to be their class monitor.

The class monitor said, “You seem to be getting along quite well with Huo Yuchuan lately?”

Lin Miao replied, “Is that not allowed?”

The class monitor’s words were filled with disdain, “You didn’t know he’s a bastard child, did you?”

Lin Miao was a bit upset, “Did he choose to be a bastard child?”

He said, “It’s his parents’ fault. Huo Yuchuan is a good person.”

The class monitor sneered, “If both his parents are wrong, how could he be any good?”

Lin Miao got even angrier, “Then what about you, gossiping behind people’s backs? What kind of person are you?”

“Lin Miao!” The class monitor was furious and said, “I’m trying to help you, don’t be ungrateful!”

Lin Miao also got angry and said, “What kind of help is that? Heartless, more like!”

Then, they heard someone couldn’t help but laugh.

Lin Miao turned his head and saw Huo Yuchuan walking up.

The class monitor’s face turned a bit pale, looking scared but still trying to hold on, and walked away with a huff.

“Huo Yuchuan,” Lin Miao didn’t know how much he had heard, “Did you hear all that?”

Huo Yuchuan looked at him and said, “What did I hear?”

“Well……” Lin Miao found it hard to say, “He said you’re……”

Huo Yuchuan’s face was expressionless, “Is what he said not the truth?”

“Lin Miao,” he looked up, clutching the soy milk in his hand, “I am a bastard child, an illegitimate child who can’t see the light of day.”

“Would you feel ashamed to be friends with me?”