3.borrow money

The familiar online shopping interface greeted him again, but this time, the items available for purchase were even more incredible.

There were actual medications that directly affected the body and experience books that promised rapid skill growth.

He had to get them!

From the descriptions, he could tell that the original prices of these two items were likely very high, something he couldn't afford even if he sold his kidney right now.

It was the first refresh of the system's shopping mall, and the discounts were substantial. Missing out on this opportunity would be a great regret!

Tang Song's eyes gleamed with desire, wishing he could buy them immediately and use them to see the magical effects in the real world.

The problem was, he couldn't come up with the required 17,000 yuan right now!

Seeing but not being able to enjoy made him increasingly itchy and anxious, scratching his head in frustration.

If he relied on daily tasks, it would take about 47 days to accumulate the necessary 17,000 yuan. Not to mention, the discounted period for these items was only one day, and the limited-time tasks lasted seven days.

Waiting until the prices returned to their original levels would likely cost him several hundred thousand, if not millions, and time waits for no one!

Looking at the task rewards, the allure of the unknown random gift packages aside, the 10x salary reward was tempting.

While others earned 5 yuan per task, he could make 50 yuan. Instead of 400 yuan a day, he could make 4,000 yuan.

Let's take off! How to do it? Where to get the money?

Tang Song rubbed his scalp in contemplation, realizing that he had no choice but to shamelessly borrow. But from whom?

First choice, undoubtedly, was Daddy Ma.

He opened his loan app and checked the credit limit – only 12,000 yuan? Old Ma, you're not generous enough! Eyes too shallow!

Without a second thought, he withdrew the entire amount to his bank account.

Now what?

He was still short by 5,000 yuan!

His university classmates had also recently graduated and just stabilized. Asking them for money felt awkward and might strain their relationships.

After some hesitation, Tang Song decided to call home.

"Ring, ring, ring~"

After a few rings, the call was quickly answered.

"Hello, son, what's up?" His mother's gentle voice came through the phone.

"Nothing much, just checking on Dad's leg. Last week, didn't he say he was going to the hospital for a MRI scan? Any results?"

"Sigh, blame your dad for not listening to me. I always told him to go to the hospital for a check-up, but he never went. The doctor said it's the result of years of heavy labor finally catching up. Now that he's older, it's all surfacing at once."

Tang Song's heart sank, and he hurriedly asked, "Is it severe? Can surgery cure it?"

"Let him get treated at the county hospital first to see how it goes. If surgery is necessary, then go to the top-tier hospital in the city. I don't know if you can get an appointment; your second aunt said her daughter knows a nurse at some hospital, and with a little fee, she can help secure an appointment. Don't worry about us; we've mostly put our savings into fixed deposits. If we run short, I'll let you know."

"No need for you to worry. You just focus on your work and save money to buy a house and get married. Houses are so expensive now, and you don't earn much..."

His mother continued to talk, giving advice and asking him not to worry about the family. Tang Song listened, his eyes moistening, and he swallowed, saying softly, "Mom, don't worry about me. Everything is fine on my end. I have a smooth job, and I'm highly valued by the company. After becoming a regular employee at the end of the month, I'll be earning a substantial salary. If you need money for the treatment, and the savings are not enough, I'll send some to you."

"No need, you just graduated. How much money can you have? Save it for yourself. The housing price in Yancheng is over 20,000 per square meter now. If we had known it would rise so quickly, we should have bought you a small apartment a few years ago. You work well over there; don't quarrel with your colleagues..."

His mother continued with more advice, seemingly endless. Tang Song listened, and his eyes became moist. He sniffled and whispered, "Mom, don't worry about me. Everything is fine here. I'll let you know if I need money."

After hanging up, he decided not to bring up the request for money. They had graduated, and he shouldn't let his parents worry about him.

He scrolled through his WeChat friends, and there weren't many who could lend him 5,000 yuan.

His university days were busy with academics and games, neglecting many friendships.

He hadn't contacted his high school and junior high school classmates for a long time.

Some good friends from earlier years hadn't talked for more than a year.

After some thought, he decided to contact her.

Opening Liu Baoyue's profile, Tang Song first checked her recent moments to understand her current situation.

As expected, it was filled with selfies and pictures of delicious food. That narcissistic girl hadn't changed.

Liu Baoyue currently worked as a fashion editor and managed her own public account and Douyin channel, frequently dealing with beauty and food.

Looking at her cute and lovely oval face, Tang Song couldn't help but smile. Each person has their white moonlight in their student days, and Liu Baoyue, his classmate since junior high, was his white moonlight.

Not only did she have excellent academic performance, but she was also exceptionally attractive. From childhood to adulthood, she was always the child in other parents' eyes.

The two of them had gone through the inseparable period of youth, experiencing the ups and downs of adolescence, blending friendship with ambiguity, complaining to each other, encouraging each other, and growing together.

They had known each other for more than ten years now and could definitely be considered each other's best friends.

After the college entrance exam results were announced, Liu Baoyue unquestionably entered a prestigious university in the capital.

No miracles happened in their story. Tang Song only entered Yancheng Science and Technology College, a local second-tier institution.

As the time for graduation approached and they were about to go their separate ways, Tang Song felt a bit panicked and reluctant.

Perhaps it was fear that the long-distance relationship would gradually fade, or maybe it was a rush of blood to the head. He confessed his feelings to her.

The result was her straightforward rejection, which allowed him to focus on the game instead of love during his college years.

What he couldn't accept was how decisively she rejected him, as if she had no romantic interest in him whatsoever.

This became a thorn in his heart, and it took a long time for him to overcome it.

When he first entered college, Tang Song, with his decent appearance, attracted the attention of many female students.

However, influenced by Liu Baoyue, he never dared to explore new relationships. Instead, he wasted his time on the game, "Tomorrow's Divine Sovereign."

By the time he was finally liberated from this relationship, Tang Song had already become immersed in the game to the point of no return, naturally leaving him with no time for romance.

During the four years of college, although they didn't talk as much as before, the two of them stayed in touch, occasionally visiting each other's schools and catching up. Even during holidays back in their hometowns, they would go out to watch movies and stroll around.

She remained his best friend.

Back in the chat interface, Tang Song hesitated before finally mustering the courage to say, "Hey beautiful, how have you been lately?"

"Little Song! You actually called me 'beautiful.' You're not asking for a favor, are you?"

The response came quickly, accompanied by a shy emoji – one that Tang Song had created using her photos. The whole series comprised more than twenty cute emojis.

Tang Song: "Um, (⊙o⊙)... Well, there is indeed something. I'm not sure how to say it. Can you give me a moment to organize my thoughts?"

Liu Baoyue: "You're being so hesitant. It's not like you're asking me for money, is it? No way! No way!"

Tang Song: "You're really smart. Congratulations, you guessed it!"

Liu Baoyue: "Come clean! It's not that you found a girlfriend, right? Let me tell you, girls who spend money recklessly are trouble. Be careful not to end up with both your heart and wallet empty."

Liu Baoyue: "Hehe, that's impossible. Do those girls you know even compare to me in terms of looks? With such a beautiful woman for comparison, finding a girlfriend must be tough."

Tang Song: "Honestly, our company's Bai Xiaomeng is even better than you, and we have a good relationship. Who knows, she might become my girlfriend one day."

Liu Baoyue: "No money! Goodbye!"

Tang Song: "Wait, wait, don't get angry. It's just a joke. I actually just resigned from the company today, and now I don't have money to eat. I'm starving to death o(╥﹏╥)o."

Liu Baoyue: "How much?"

Tang Song: "5,000. I'll pay you back next week."

Liu Baoyue: Angry and frustrated.jpg, You're putting me in a difficult position.jpg.

After a while, a WeChat transfer notification arrived, exactly 5,000 yuan.

Tang Song: Willing to offer myself.jpg

Liu Baoyue: "I just graduated not long ago too. This 5,000 yuan is my entire net worth ╥﹏╥. If I find out you're buying gifts for other girls, I'll kill you (??へ??╬)."

Tang Song accepted the transfer, trying to please her, "No, no, I have serious business to attend to. I'll repay you generously once things work out. If I ever buy gifts, it will definitely be for you."

Liu Baoyue: "You better be sensible. You know the consequences if you lie to me."

Exiting the chat, Tang Song immediately withdrew the money to his bank account, opened the system mall, and made the purchase.

"Ding, congratulations, host, you have obtained (Physique Optimization Capsule), this item is only usable by the host."

"Ding, congratulations, host, you have obtained (Motorcycle Driving Skill Book), this item is only usable by the host."