Chapter 060: The Path to Prosperity

“Yang Tian, what are you doing? You don’t have to work so hard just because you owe me money!” Seeing Yang Tian busy in front of several computers, Zhang Zhi brought over two bottles of Jianlibao, handed one to Yang Tian, and laughed as he asked.

Following Yang Tian’s advice, Zhang Zhi had bought another dozen computers, so now the small internet cafe had twenty machines in total, finally looking like a proper internet cafe.

At that moment, Yang Tian was installing “King of Fighters 98” and “Red Alert 98.” The official versions hadn’t been released yet, but after visiting a few game software markets, Yang Tian managed to find pirated copies. He had long predicted that pirated games would spread much faster than the official releases.

Though pirated versions had many flaws, Yang Tian was confident they would ignite business for the cafe.

He remembered clearly: before his rebirth, when he was in high school, “King of Fighters 98” and “Red Alert 98” were all the rage!

“I want to discuss something with you.” Yang Tian spoke formally, installing software and sipping his drink.

“Don’t always be so serious. If you have something to say, just say it. Are you short on money again?” Zhang Zhi smiled with ease.

“No, I’m thinking of launching game membership cards under the internet cafe’s name—weekly cards, monthly cards, and annual cards. With a weekly card, people can play games for only four and a half yuan an hour, monthly cards for three and a half, and annual cards for two and a half. What do you think?” Yang Tian proposed with a smile.

“That’s a great idea! The main reason people hesitate to come is the high internet fees, but games don’t require internet access, so our costs aren’t high. Other cafes charge five yuan an hour, some even six, seven, or eight. If we launch game membership cards, we’re sure to make a killing!” Zhang Zhi calculated quickly and exclaimed with delight.

“Yes, but I have one condition.” Yang Tian nodded with a smile.

“What is it? You always beat around the bush—just say it!” Zhang Zhi was excited, thrilled to have a way to boost the cafe’s popularity.

“I want forty percent of the profits from the game membership cards. Of course, I’ll handle the whole process myself,” Yang Tian tested, desperately needing money to pay off his debts and unwilling to let this opportunity slip by.

“All right! My health isn’t great—I can’t handle too much. As long as you can carry out the plan, I’m fine with splitting fifty-fifty!” Zhang Zhi agreed readily. His dream was to grow the cafe, not to make money, which explained why he continued running at a loss with such enthusiasm.

The next day, Yang Tian posted a bright red notice at the cafe entrance, explaining the membership card scheme. It stated that cardholders didn’t need to show ID—anyone with a card could play, so several people could share one card.

Sure enough, within three days, many came to buy cards—mostly students from Second High, Third High, and the Vocational School. There were a few from First High as well, but fewer, and most pooled together for a single card, since students rarely had much money.

At first, the cafe’s twenty computers were barely filled, but within a week, there were not enough machines. Many members came to play but couldn’t find a computer and demanded explanations from Zhang Zhi and Yang Tian.

Yang Tian was worried, but Zhang Zhi was overjoyed. Business was booming, and he seemed to have been injected with adrenaline, bouncing around like a child all day.

Zhang Zhi quickly borrowed more money from his family, refurbished the small back room of the cafe, knocked down the walls, and installed twenty more computers. This temporarily eased the members’ frustrations.

Everyone was coming for “King of Fighters” and “Red Alert,” and thanks to Yang Tian, the computers’ configurations were better than those at other cafes, making gameplay smoother. It was no surprise business was so lively.

But disaster struck: Zhang Zhi fell ill, probably from the recent strain of renovations and new purchases, and his body couldn’t take it.

He was hospitalized, leaving the cafe to Yang Tian alone, which meant Yang Tian skipped classes for several days. This was a big issue, and soon he was called to the office by Bao Yuehong.

“Where have you been these days? Making money?” Bao Yuehong first scolded Yang Tian harshly in front of all the teachers. Seeing this, the teachers said nothing more. Once they left, Bao Yuehong softened her tone.

“I’ve just been busy for a few days—things will be back to normal next week,” Yang Tian replied with a sincere smile. Bao Yuehong’s scolding reminded him abruptly of his days before rebirth, back in junior high, when she often berated him. Partly because his grades were poor and he always slept in class, partly because his health was bad and he liked to get into fights.

Now, she had scolded him again, but he could sense it was for show, to stop the other teachers from criticizing him. She didn’t really want to scold him, otherwise she wouldn’t be speaking so gently now.

It warmed his heart.

“You’re still working as an admin at that cafe? Don’t wear yourself out. You can repay your debts when you’re older! Besides, if An Qi finds out, she’ll only worry more and feel guilty,” Bao Yuehong said, handing him a creamy bun from the drawer—something she’d bought for him on her way to work that morning.

“I know. Thank you, Teacher Bao!” Yang Tian took the bun and began eating. He’d gone straight to the cafe in the morning, business was so good that he hadn’t had time for breakfast, and he was starving.

“Slow down, no one’s going to snatch it from you! So, now that you’re in high school, you call me ‘teacher’ instead of ‘sister’?” Bao Yuehong teased, both annoyed and amused, leaning in close to Yang Tian.

“How about this: help me take a few more days off—say I have urgent family matters. I promise not to skip class next week!” Yang Tian squinted and smiled. Zhang Zhi would be discharged next week, and then Yang Tian could just handle the cafe in the evenings.

“All right! But you have to promise me three things. First, no matter how busy you are, eat on time. You’re still growing—how can you starve yourself? Second, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, I must know. Otherwise, I won’t let you off, you rascal! Third, next week there’s a singing contest, then the midterm exams, and after the National Day, the sports meet. You’re not allowed to miss any of them, and you must show me some achievement—do you hear me?” Bao Yuehong tapped Yang Tian’s head, pretending to be stern.

Yang Tian didn’t answer, just smiled again, and after chatting a bit more with Bao Yuehong, he turned and left her office.

When he came out, he found Huang Juan, Chen Ming, and An Qi waiting outside. As soon as they saw him, they rushed over to ask questions. Yang Tian didn’t tell them he’d skipped class to earn money; instead, he spun an elaborate tale about helping an old lady find her relatives in the city, searching for days before succeeding.

Although Huang Juan and the others didn’t suspect him, they posed another challenge: they wanted to meet the old lady to say hello.

Yang Tian broke out in a cold sweat, forced to continue lying, claiming he couldn’t remember the address of her relatives. Only then did they let it go.

[Second update complete, please vote for recommendations!]