Study System: I'm a 38-Year-Old Student-Chapter 264 - 180: Young Men and Women

At this time, there aren’t many people at the night market. Although it’s already October, the weather in Beijing is still muggy. Only when the sun has completely set does it get a bit better, and that’s when the night market is at its busiest.

Shen Yixiao, holding a hammer, stands out in the night market. Others are either holding snacks, their latest purchases, or occasionally fanning themselves with hand fans.

Feeling out of place, Shen Yixiao puts the hammer back into his backpack and starts wandering around the night market. When he comes across a dart booth, he stops.

This booth has a game where you throw darts at balloons. Twenty yuan for twenty darts. Hitting 10 to 15 balloons wins a consolation prize, 16 to 18 wins third prize, hitting 19 wins second prize, and hitting all wins first prize!

There’s even a special grand prize that requires hitting all in two rounds.

"Boss, let’s play a round."

Guys are typically more interested in these things. Shen Yixiao scans the code for twenty yuan and starts the first round. His performance is average, hitting 15 balloons—just one short of third prize.

"Let’s go another round."

Unconvinced, Shen Yixiao scans another twenty yuan. This time, he does better than in the first round, hitting 16 balloons and winning a third prize, but it’s just a small plush toy.

"Hey handsome, play another round. If you hit more than 15, I’ll upgrade you straight to second prize."

Seeing that Shen Yixiao has already played two rounds, the booth’s owner, a woman in her thirties, offers a perk.

Feeling challenged, Shen Yixiao immediately scans another twenty yuan!

The third round, fourth round, fifth round...

Shen Yixiao spends the next half an hour going head-to-head with the balloons on the board.

Before he knows it, he’s played ten rounds. His highest score was hitting 19 balloons, but never all of them.

"Hey handsome, pick a grand prize!"

The booth owner feels a bit apologetic and points with a smile at the row of the largest plush toys.

Shen Yixiao doesn’t hold back and chooses a grey "gangster cow" plush toy from the row.

"Sis, how about throwing in a small one too?"

Shen Yixiao points to a bunny plush among the second prizes.

"No problem!"

The booth owner smilingly hands the bunny plush to Shen Yixiao.

Earned two hundred yuan, handed out two toys, made a profit of 150 yuan while crying inside. Forget a bunny plush, she could give away a few more.

"Hey handsome, come back and play anytime!"

The booth owner waves goodbye warmly as her "big spender" leaves.

Leaving the booth, Shen Yixiao looks at the toys in his hand. Now he doesn’t have to worry about choosing gifts.

After idly wandering for a bit, Shen Yixiao gets a call from Wang Yunpeng, who has finally dressed up.

Ten minutes later.

The two meet at the main entrance of the night market.

Shen Yixiao is almost startled by Wang Yunpeng’s outfit. This guy, not sure whose suggestion he took, is in black dress pants and a white short-sleeved shirt, with the shirt tucked in. A shiny gold LX belt buckle is gleaming.

His hair is styled in a slick, formal three-seven part, thick with styling gel, so shiny it looks like a calf licked it. In the Northeastern dialect, a fly would slip on it!

"How is it?"

"Do I look mature enough?"

Wang Yunpeng seems quite pleased with his look. He smugly slicks back his shiny hair with his hand.

"Mature!"

"You’re thoroughly mature now!"

Shen Yixiao is speechless: "Tell me, Uncle Wang, what are you up to?"

"Brother Xiao, you don’t get it."

Wang Yunpeng says righteously, "Kong Xiaoyi is a top student at the University of Political Science and Law. She must feel a connection with people in the legal system."

"My outfit is modeled after how court staff dress on TV."

Shen Yixiao bursts out laughing at his friend and points to Wang Yunpeng’s chest area: "But you’re missing a judicial badge here!"

"I’ll get one online later, but there’s no time today!"

Wang Yunpeng says in all seriousness.

"Impressive!"

Shen Yixiao gives a thumbs-up and doesn’t argue further.

"Brother Xiao, what have you got there?"

Wang Yunpeng points at the two plush toys Shen Yixiao is carrying, especially noticing the over-a-meter-tall human-like gangster cow.

"Won them at darts."

Shen Yixiao responds nonchalantly.

"Wow!"

"You’re good!"

Wang Yunpeng seems quite shocked.

"Piece of cake!"

Shen Yixiao smugly shrugs, not mentioning the 10 rounds and 200 yuan he spent.

The two walk and chat.

Soon they reach the seafood barbecue spot Wang Yunpeng mentioned.

It’s dinnertime, and the place is indeed crowded.

All the dozen tables inside are filled, and outside, they’ve set up a dozen more under a large awning.

In fact, for summer barbecues, these roadside stalls have the best vibe. As it’s the tail end of summer, sitting outside isn’t too chilly.

Shen Yixiao and Wang Yunpeng find an empty table and sit down. Since the place is bustling, the waitress leaves a menu and quickly goes off to handle other tasks.

As they contemplate what to order, Shen Yixiao’s phone rings. It’s Lin Yufei and Kong Xiaoyi—they’ve arrived.

The restaurant is not too far from the subway station, so they walked over. By the time Lin Yufei calls, she’s standing on the other side of the road.

Shen Yixiao steps out from under the awning and waves at her.

Coming straight from the mall, Lin Yufei is in the same pale yellow floral dress from the afternoon, matching well with Shen Yixiao’s yellow and white checkered T-shirt, looking like a couple.

Today, Kong Xiaoyi is wearing a long white dress, with her signature bun hairstyle. If she doesn’t speak, she actually appears quite demure.

"Shen Scumbag, you’re really not sincere hosting us, are you?"

"You picked a place so far away."