I Really Didn't Mean to Make Money

“It’s a square dance competition!”

“Well, we can treat it like a show—nothing wrong with that.”

Wang Bin spoke casually.

A square dance competition?

Chen Mo’s mouth twitched. No wonder there weren’t many young people around the square.

But since they were already here, might as well join in the fun and take a look.

Wang Bin was actually pretty amusing—who would’ve thought he liked watching square dancing?

Seeing Wang Bin’s enthusiastic expression, Chen Mo couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.

“Mozi, my mom’s the team leader for the Blue Team. Help us out and vote for them later. I’ll treat you to dinner afterward.”

Ah, that explains it!

Hearing Wang Bin’s words, Chen Mo finally understood why he was so invested—turns out his mom was leading one of the teams!

Soon, the square dance competition began.

It was more entertaining than Chen Mo had expected. The routines were well-coordinated and surprisingly enjoyable to watch.

As he watched the elderly men and women dancing, an idea suddenly came to Chen Mo.

He had previously planned to place some of the able-bodied Empty-Nest Elders that Yang Xingguo had been gathering into various companies to do odd jobs.

But now, seeing this, he realized he could start an Elderly Performance Troupe instead.

Let them perform square dances like the ones happening right now in the square.

He’d pay them a salary, and they’d be responsible for performing.

Of course, not many people would be willing to pay to watch a square dance. After all, if you wanted to see one, you could just go to any park or plaza in the evening and watch for free.

Who would actually spend money on that? Only a sucker.

But the more Chen Mo thought about it, the more viable the plan seemed. Not only would it help the Empty-Nest Elders, it would also be a great way to lose money.

A win-win.

Just like the Pet Park—while helping stray cats and dogs, it also served to drain System Funds.

Watching the dancers in the square, Chen Mo quietly made a mental note of the plan.

Once he got back to the company, he could put it into motion. He’d have Yang Xingguo bring in the elderly who still had the ability and willingness to work.

Not bad.

He came out for a stroll and ended up with a new money-losing idea.

When the square dance ended, he cast a vote for Wang Bin’s mother’s team and then headed straight home.

Wang Bin still wanted to treat him to dinner, but Chen Mo declined—it was just too cold outside.

...

At the orphanage, A group of kids stared at the table full of delicious food, drooling uncontrollably.

“Go wash your hands first. You can only eat after washing up,” Shen Rou said, urging the children gathered around the table.

“Go wash your hands!”

“Once you’re done, you can eat all the yummy food!”

“...”

The kids lined up and ran off to the bathroom.

“They really listen to you, huh?” Yang Ju walked over to Shen Rou’s side with a smile.

Since their whole family had moved to Jiangcheng, there was no need to return home for the New Year. After discussing it, they decided to spend the Little New Year at the orphanage.

“You’re the one who raised them well,” Shen Rou replied with a smile.

“All the dishes are ready. Let’s have the kids come eat.”

Yang Ju’s parents walked in carrying the last of the food.

The kids quickly finished washing their hands and rushed back, sitting down around the table and digging in.

After the Little New Year meal, afternoon came quickly.

Shen Rou and Yang Ju sat at the orphanage entrance, watching the children play and laugh.

Suddenly, Shen Rou’s phone rang.

She glanced at the caller ID—it was Zhang Lan. She quickly answered.

“Xiao Rourou, did you miss me?”

Zhang Lan’s voice came through the phone.

Hearing her voice, Shen Rou smiled softly.

“How did your competition go?”

“Don’t even mention it, I’m furious,” Zhang Lan huffed.

“What happened? Did something go wrong?”

“I’ll tell you in person. I’m in Jiangcheng. Come out and grab a bite with me!”

“It’s almost New Year’s. Why aren’t you going home? What are you doing back in Jiangcheng?”

Shen Rou was confused. Zhang Lan’s hometown wasn’t in Jiangcheng, and it was already the Little New Year.

Normally, she should’ve gone straight home.

“I figured you’d be spending the holiday alone, so I came to keep you company. I’ll head home after the Little New Year. I sent you my location. You’ve got two hours—get your butt over here and show yourself to this young lady!”

Hearing Zhang Lan’s playful tone, Shen Rou was deeply touched.

Ever since they were kids, aside from the orphanage, Zhang Lan had always been her closest friend.

...

Jiangcheng.

Inside a hotpot restaurant.

Shen Rou pushed open the door and quickly spotted Zhang Lan waving at her from a nearby table.

She hurried over.

“It’s been ages! Let me take a good look—have you gained weight or lost it?”

Zhang Lan teased as Shen Rou approached.

“I think you’ve lost a lot of weight,” Shen Rou said, looking her over. Zhang Lan was clearly thinner than when she’d left.

It was obvious that things hadn’t been going smoothly while she was away.

After a bit of playful banter, the two began eating hotpot and chatting.

“So, what happened with your competition? Last time we talked, everything seemed to be going well.”

Shen Rou looked up at Zhang Lan, concern in her eyes.

“Don’t even get me started. I ran into some sleazy old perv who tried to pull a casting couch move on me. I hit him with a Severing Descendants Kick, and just like that, I was out of the top 36.”

Zhang Lan gritted her teeth. If it hadn’t been for that creep, she might not have made it to the top 8, but she was confident she could’ve reached the top 16.

“What?!”

Shen Rou gasped, then looked at her nervously.

“They didn’t do anything to you, did they?”

“What could they do? Just rigged the results and kicked me out. I want to be a singer, sure, but I’m not selling my body for it.”

Zhang Lan shrugged it off, clearly unfazed by the elimination.

Shen Rou studied her expression—seeing no signs of distress, she finally relaxed.

“So, what are you planning to do next?”

“I’m going to open a Music Studio. What do you think—want to invest?”

Zhang Lan said confidently.

“You’re starting a Music Studio? Can you handle that on your own?”

Shen Rou hadn’t expected Zhang Lan to come back with plans to start a studio.

“Of course not by myself. Even though I didn’t make it in the competition, I met a lot of fellow music lovers. We’ve already talked it over—after the New Year, we’re going to open a Music Studio together.”

Zhang Lan’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Before, she had only herself, and starting a studio had been nearly impossible in terms of funding and manpower.

Now that she had found so many like-minded music lovers to start a Music Studio with, she no longer had to worry about that problem.

“So, where are you planning to open the Music Studio? In Beijing?”

Shen Rou looked up at Zhang Lan. Since their competition had taken place in Beijing, most of the people they knew were from there, so it was quite possible they’d open the studio in Beijing.

“Opening a studio in Beijing is way too expensive. After discussing it, we finally decided to open the Music Studio in Jiangcheng.”

“Aren’t you happy? We don’t have to be apart.”

———

Little New Year (小年) is a festival about a week before Lunar New Year, marked by sending off the Kitchen God, cleaning the house, and starting preparations for the Spring Festival.