Chapter 506 - 173: The ’80s Drama Queen is Forced to Act as a Top Student (8)

Chapter 506: Chapter 173: The ’80s Drama Queen is Forced to Act as a Top Student (8)

Sheng Leyun chuckled and spoke again, asking the driver to act as a witness. She told everyone who had lost something to line up and claim their belongings. Only those who could correctly describe their items would get them back!

Surprisingly, no one argued. They all obediently formed a line to claim their things.

The pickpockets, hidden among the passengers, had mixed feelings. ’To think a little girl sees things more clearly than we do.’

The truth was, their hearts would pound in their chests whenever they were stealing, terrified of being discovered. Afterward, checking the loot was like opening a mystery box. That feeling—a mix of anxious anticipation, crushing disappointment, or sudden joy—was intoxicating.

Of course, when it came to spending the money, they had no appreciation for hard work and spent it lavishly. No matter how much they had, it never lasted them a month. And so, they would return to this filthy, dead-end trade.

But jobs were hard to find these days. ’Every spot is taken. And if a spot does open up, it’s filled by an insider. Where’s the room for anyone else?’

As for going into business, not everyone had the guts for it, and not everyone who took the plunge struck gold.

Besides, they had all drifted into this line of work gradually from a young age. There was never a single, rude awakening to steer them away.

They understood all the principles, of course, but there’s a huge gap between knowing something and actually doing it.

Sheng Leyun’s words weren’t profound. It was just a simple statement from a child, but it struck a deep chord with them. ’That’s right... life and freedom are so precious!’

Other people had told them, "Don’t do this kind of work. It’s too dangerous. One slip-up and you could be doing time in jail, or even face a bullet."

There was also the saying: if you play with fire, you’re going to get burned.

They had seen fellow thieves get locked up, never to be heard from again.

’But so what? Nothing’s happened to us, has it?’

They still enjoyed the pleasures that came from taking shortcuts—a carefree life, never having to worry about money.

But Sheng Leyun had brought up life and freedom directly. If you asked them to trade those two things for a few dozen yuan, they definitely wouldn’t be willing. After all, they’d been greedy for so long that money had become just a number to them.

They reflected deeply on their lives and felt no resentment toward Sheng Leyun for seemingly sticking her neck out.

When the bus reached her stop, Sheng Leyun finally breathed in the fresh air, escaping the stuffy, tense, and oppressive atmosphere. She couldn’t help but stretch comfortably, her eyes twinkling with a light, carefree joy—a far cry from the pitiful little girl she had been pretending to be.

It was as if a crack had appeared in the thick, muddy shell covering her grimy, seemingly plain face, revealing something vibrant and beautiful underneath.

The boy stared for a moment, then pursed his lips, stuck a hand in his pocket, and started walking ahead.

Sheng Leyun jogged to catch up, bending over slightly to peek at his expression.

’I refuse to admit,’ she thought, ’that I’m just openly satisfying my weakness for a pretty face.’

"Are you disappointed, mister? That I didn’t agree with everyone’s idea to go to the police station, and instead solved the problem with a temporary fix?"

The boy stopped, the corner of his mouth curving into a faint smile. He shook his head. "No. You were very brave. In that situation, knowing there was a gang of pickpockets around, you still stood up and found a solution that was safe for everyone involved."

"I think it was a good method. Adults’ attitudes are so polarized—they either want to keep the peace at all costs or go for mutual destruction."

"Everyone’s worry about retaliation is also very possible. It’s better for a young girl like you not to get mixed up in it. You have to ensure your own safety first, even when helping others."

Sheng Leyun laughed and shook her head. "I thought you were the cool, aloof type, mister. I didn’t expect you to be so well-behaved, even lecturing me like a little teacher."

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Sheng Leyun, and I live in the second tube-shaped apartment building at the Daily Newspaper complex. I’m starting at the affiliated elementary school over there tomorrow."

The boy pressed his lips together and glared at her. ’What an infuriating little rascal,’ he thought.

Seeing him walk around her with a cold expression and quicken his pace, Sheng Leyun giggled and chased after him. "What’s your name, mister? I didn’t get to thank you properly earlier."

"If you hadn’t been standing next to me, I wouldn’t have dared to speak up..."

Wherever the boy went, the little girl blocked his path. He finally gave in, pointed toward the school, and said, "Gong Zicheng. The middle school affiliated with that school."

Sheng Leyun smiled and nodded repeatedly. "So, Big Brother Gong Zicheng, are you saying you want me to keep in touch with you often?"