Dongxia, Heng Province New Star, Tai'an Metropolitan Area.
Located in the heart of the commercial street, a brown plush bear squeezed through the entrance of Silver Horse Gym, wobbling under the central air outlet and commenting on the muscle men in the equipment area:
"That's how beginners are, exhausted after just a few sets."
"Brother Kun just finished his Fist Power test, with a final score of 275kg.
Tell me, young man, how many punches can your frame withstand?"
Qin Shi, who was at the front desk, smiled and handed over a bottle of mineral water.
In the scorching summer heat, wearing a heavy plush bear costume to hand out flyers was indeed hard work.
"So what, if it really comes to blows, he'd be on his knees in no time, begging me not to die!"
The teenager, his skin slightly tanned and sweating profusely, removed his headgear and greedily enjoyed the cool air:
"Old Qin, tell the truth, did you bribe Old Xu? We all came out for a summer job, why do you get to enjoy the air conditioning while I stand on the street in over 30 degrees heat dragging in customers!"
The teenager's name was "Zhou Ning", Qin Shi's classmate, neighbor, and childhood friend.
Both were senior students at New Star High School, taking advantage of the summer break to earn some money.
"Old Xu is a money-grubber, and I'm penniless, how could I have bribed him?"
Qin Shi spoke calmly:
"He simply said that I have the skills to handle the front desk tasks very well."
Zhou Ning looked puzzled:
"Handling membership at the front desk and distributing flyers, what's the difference? Anyone can do it..."
Before he could finish, his eyes scanned like radar, locked onto a beautiful lady in a pink sports vest and tight yoga pants entering through the door.
She sauntered in, completely ignoring the conspicuous plush bear, Zhou Ning, and smilingly fixed her gaze on Qin Shi:
"Little Qin, is Coach Luo here today?"
Qin Shi quickly put on a shy smile:
"Coach Luo usually arrives after three. Miss Lin, as a valued VIP member, you can rest in the VIP lounge. If you need coffee, light snacks, or treats, just let us know."
The beautiful lady leaned forward slightly, placing her hands on the counter:
"The VIP room is so dull by myself. Little Qin, can you chat with me?"
Qin Shi still looked shy:
"The store rules state that employees must not leave their post during work hours."
The beautiful lady's eyes turned into crescent moons as she deliberately asked:
"So, after work, can you keep me company?"
Qin Shi bowed his head in embarrassment, seemingly at a loss.
Seeing him like this, with his gentle, delicate face, made the beautiful lady even more charmed:
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. I'm in a good mood today, later help me renew my membership card for another year."
This little episode started suddenly and ended quickly.
As he watched the curvy beautiful lady step into the VIP lounge, Qin Shi quietly put away his customer-service face.
Beside him, Zhou Ning, acting like a supporting character, was green with envy and gnashed his teeth:
"Old Qin! You sold yourself for a front desk summer job? Have some dignity!"
Qin Shi shrugged helplessly:
"Gotta make a living. Manager Wang promised that I get a commission for every premium client I renew.
Handing out flyers means wearing that heavy, hot costume, but working the front desk has its own challenges, like workplace harassment."
Zhou Ning felt both jealousy and disdain:
"Then let's swap!"
Qin Shi shook his head:
"This job has too many complexities. I'm afraid you wouldn't handle it, Xiao Zhou."
The two bantered and slacked off until it was finally lunchtime.
"Synthetic food again, I'm sick of it after eating it at school so many times."
Zhou Ning opened his lunch box and immediately wore a disappointed face.
"There's nothing wrong with synthetic food. It's cheap, plentiful, filling, and provides the human body with necessary nutrients. Be grateful.
It's still better than prefab dishes and gutter oil from the Old Era."
Qin Shi buried his head and ate, chewing slowly to savor the bland taste of synthetic beef.
Honestly, the nutritional value of synthetic food wasn't bad, just the flavor was monotonous.
Like eating instant noodles in a previous life: one pack isn't enough, and two packs are too much.
The only side effect of long-term consumption was that the smell alone would make you feel nauseated.
"No matter how healthy it is, who can stand eating it every day! I really miss the little eateries on Old Factory Street..."
Zhou Ning muttered softly.
[Energy Boost #17535]
[Growth +1]
"Apart from reminding me of my meal count and tracking steps, it's useless.
This lame functionality is not even as good as those cheap smart bracelets with free shipping online..."
Qin Shi had long grown accustomed to ignoring the glowing square text that appeared in his field of vision.
How could such a thing dare to accompany him through a time-travel?
At least provide some benefits like power boosts or one-click automation!
"By the way, Qin Shi, are you going to the Youth Palace later?"
Zhou Ning grumbled but still polished off his meal without wasting a bite.
"Yes, I am. I can get twelve hundred for a month here, and three hundred for each weekday at the Youth Palace. It's not bad."
Qin Shi quickly finished his lunch, tossing the empty container into the trash bin.
"What's the point, just look at how expensive those martial arts classes are. How much for ten lessons?"
Zhou Ning said dejectedly.
"Each class is two hours and costs around five hundred, I think."
Qin Shi pondered seriously.
"Look, despite our hard work on summer jobs, we still can't afford the tuition for the martial arts class."
Zhou Ning had already taken off the hot, stuffy plush costume and was studying the well-printed flyer in his hand:
"Moreover, the martial arts classes at the Youth Palace only teach basic moves and are useless for developing Life Force.