E-Scum Gong Chapter 7
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
Chapter 7
Lin Xu suffered a minor social death, being hauled to the office of their new homeroom teacher, Mr. Wang, after school for skipping PE class.
He was detained for half an hour, yet the conversation wasn't about skipping class. Instead, Mr. Wang inquired warmly about Lin Xu's adjustment to the new class.
After all, PE classes were always a time to relax, essentially meant for recreation. Lin Xu was truly the first person to find an excuse to skip it. Hiding in the bushes to secretly play on his phone was kind of cute, so Mr. Wang didn't take it too seriously.
He simply advised, "Since it's senior year, try to spend less time on your phone."
Lin Xu's face grew warmer.
As a result, Lin Xu himself spent that half hour in a daze, not absorbing much, lost in the awkwardness of the situation.
When faced with the curious and amused glances of his classmates, Lin Xu felt like he was burning up inside, though he maintained a composed facade.
He clutched his backpack straps with both hands and walked home alone, ignoring giggling couples hiding and frolicking along the path, not daring to glance their way, distancing himself further.
His stomach was starting to rumble. His grandparents must have gone square dancing, and cooking for himself would be too time-consuming. Lin Xu had originally planned to buy something to eat near the school gates, but remembering his last experience and the aunt saying she would remember him, he silently stopped in his tracks.
Today, Lin Xu couldn't bear another social death.
Thus, he decided to go to the school cafeteria. By the time he arrived, most of the mealtime had passed, so there weren't many people left. After all, many students commuted to school, and there weren't many dinner windows open to begin with.
Nonetheless, there was still food Lin Xu could eat. He ordered a bowl of plain noodle soup and ate quietly, his mannerisms pleasing to the eye.
During his idle time, Lin Xu's eyes landed on his phone lying on the table, then slowly averted his gaze. It was the main culprit causing his embarrassment.
Lin Xu hesitated, but worried if there were any important messages, he finally picked up the phone to check.
The first notification was a missed call from the original Lin Xu's father.
Lin Xu thought it might be related to his class transfer. Daddy Lin was probably very angry, considering he had invested so much money in his education for two years, only to end up with this result.
Their family wasn't wealthy.
He pursed his lips and called back.
Lin Xu still felt a little uneasy after assuming the role of the original Lin Xu. Sometimes he wondered where the original Lin Xu had gone. The most likely possibility was that he had also transmigrated into his own body, like a soul swap.
In that case, Lin Xu couldn't help but pity the original Lin Xu. He could still redo high school without anyone noticing, but the original Lin Xu might find it difficult to continue working.
Fortunately, their family was well-off, capable of providing for the original Lin Xu's needs without worry.
Daddy Lin answered the phone promptly.
"Dad, is there something you wanted?" Lin Xu set down his chopsticks and focused on the conversation with his father.
Unlike before, Lin Xu's tone lacked the impatience typical of a rebellious teenager. And on a day when he usually asked for his allowance, he didn't immediately ask for money, which surprised Daddy Lin a bit.
However, what surprised him even more was Lin Xu's decision to transfer classes.
"It's nothing serious. Your homeroom teacher mentioned you were thinking about transferring classes, so I wanted to hear your thoughts," Daddy Lin asked, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger.
Lin Xu had no choice but to explain his thoughts.
In the current situation, taking the college entrance exam was his only way to get into university. He didn't want to waste his family's investment.
To Lin Xu's surprise, his father wasn't angry at all. He was merely curious. "With only a few months left, are you confident about the college entrance exam?"
"I'll give it my best shot."
"Okay, if it really doesn't work out, come help Dad sell houses," Daddy Lin suddenly joked, without reproaching Lin Xu for lacking ambition.
However, the mention of selling houses made Lin Xu himself a bit apprehensive, so he added, "I'll work hard, I promise."
"Hahahahaha, if you really manage to get into a university, your old man will squeeze out some money from selling houses to save up for a flat when you get married," Daddy Lin teased in an indulgent voice.
Lin Xu thought it was because the original Lin Xu had been so unruly that the Lin family was more lenient towards him.
Knowing that their family's financial situation was average, and that so much money had been spent on him, Lin Xu felt guilty. After all, he had an older brother who was also working hard selling houses.
"Dad, why not save the money to buy a place for my big brother instead? I'll earn my own money when I start working," he said earnestly.
Even in terms of marriage, his older brother would likely be ahead of him.
"My youngest son has grown up. Don't worry about your big brother. He works very hard and has a good performance. Just focus on your studies, and come over with Grandma and Grandpa after the college entrance exam."
Daddy Lin had been selling houses in the capital for many years. Lin Xu had grown up under the care of his grandparents since he was young.
"Okay," Lin Xu agreed. In truth, he felt somewhat touched. Perhaps to compensate for the lack of parental presence, the original Lin Xu had been overly spoiled, but he had never realized it. Instead, he had gotten caught up in comparisons with his classmates.
"By the way, is 3,000 yuan for pocket money enough this month?" his father asked again.
For an average family, this was quite a generous allowance. In his previous life, Lin Xu rarely spent money. He usually kept it in his card without touching it, as he didn't have many places to spend it.
However, for the original Lin Xu, this amount wasn't sufficient. Otherwise, why would he be asking for gifts from people he met online?
Wanting to lighten his family's burden, Lin Xu said very sensibly, "It's okay, I'll keep 1,000 yuan."
"Oh, is that enough?" Daddy Lin was surprised, not expecting such a change in his son.
"It's enough. I don't even spend that much just on food. Don't worry, Dad. I'm an adult now, and I understand our family's situation. I won't be extravagant anymore," Lin Xu spoke openly and honestly.
His father was momentarily speechless.
"What about clothes and shoes? Should I have your mom buy them and send them to you?"
Normally, Lin Xu would bargain for branded clothes, but today he simply replied, "A few sets of school uniforms are enough. I rarely wear my own clothes anyway, so there's no need to buy them. Dad, you really don't need to spoil me anymore."
Daddy Lin suddenly felt a twinge of guilt, as if he were abusing Lin Xu. In the past, Lin Xu never thought he was spoiled. He would only complain about not having enough money to spend. Daddy Lin usually acknowledged his complaints.
Now, Lin Xu had truly matured.
"Alright, your mom and I will wait for your good news. Study hard," his father finally said. After all, a few months of hard work should be bearable, which would benefit him in the long run.
It seemed that the college entrance exam was truly a threshold into adulthood. Compared to before, Lin Xu had grown much more mature.
After finishing the call with his father, Lin Xu received 1,000 yuan. The allowance from the previous month and the money he got from selling Gu Jinzhi's gift was almost gone.
This was another headache.
Lin Xu now recalled one benefit the original Lin Xu had enjoyed — a watch worth tens of thousands. The original Lin Xu had even thought about borrowing money by claiming a business failure, but before he could do so, Lin Xu had transmigrated.
The watch had since been sold, the money spent. Lin Xu could only plan to find a part-time job after the college entrance exams.
He noticed a message from Gu Jinzhi popping up, casting a shadow in his heart, yet he clicked to open it.
Gu Jinzhi seemed in a good mood, mentioning how his stomach was bursting after dinner. In a warm and clingy tone, he asked what Lin Xu had eaten.
Lin Xu simply sent a photo of his simple dinner. Unsure how to navigate this relationship, he replied to whatever Gu Jinzhi asked.
After boasting about a plate of lobster and a heap of seafood, Gu Jinzhi was stunned to see Lin Xu's simple bowl of noodle soup.
For a moment, he sat up straight, no longer rubbing his belly, and was actually a little bit flustered.
He had almost forgotten that his older boyfriend relied on eating soft rice for a living. He hadn't mentioned wanting any gifts or red envelopes in the past two days, and Gu Jinzhi hadn't paid much attention.
Only now did he realize that his older boyfriend was living very poorly, and he was partly to blame.
Lin Xu's rescue earlier had brightened Gu Jinzhi's entire afternoon, and now he felt he should do something nice in return, or else he'd blame himself.
So, he tentatively said, "That looks too bland. You’ll lack energy for workouts and I might not be able to see abs in the future. Should I order takeaway for my gege? Can you pick it up now? (heartbroken)"
Lin Xu was unaware that he was being pitied. His mind was filled with the debt he still owed and he didn't dare to owe any more.
"No, thanks. I've been busy with work these days, no time for working out." He decided to stop thinking about his abs. He couldn't build them up in a few days, even though he'd already made a workout plan.
Gu Jinzhi never thought he would be rejected. For a moment, he was confused.
What was going on? Why wasn't his older boyfriend accepting his things now?
Could it be that he wanted cash?
"Oh, is it because my gege won't like what I order? Why don't you buy it yourself?" And he tossed a red envelope, anxiously waiting for Lin Xu to pick it up, fearing that he might not.
However, the red envelope was not claimed for a long time because Lin Xu had already finished eating and was heading home with his phone.
Today, his grandparents didn't even go square dancing, so Lin Xu was shocked when he saw the two elderly people sitting on the sofa as soon as he entered.
"Grandpa, Grandma," he greeted them, then slowly put his backpack on and changed clothes.
Grandpa and Grandma Lin stared at each other for a moment. "We heard from your dad that he agreed to let you transfer classes?"
Lin Xu nodded. "My grades aren't good enough to study abroad." Since things had been decided, he was quite calm about it, but he knew he had let everyone down and still felt a bit bad inside.
"My dear grandson, it's okay. If necessary, Xuxu can repeat the year and apply again next year. Don't transfer to another class." Grandma Lin's heart ached seeing him looking downcast, so she pulled Lin Xu over and patted his back, not wanting Lin Xu to blame himself.
In the past, her grandson had been carefree, enjoying life every day. Now, seeing how mature Lin Xu had become, she couldn't help but feel sorry.
"Grandma, I really don't mind. It costs a lot to study in the international class for a year, and I really want to take the college entrance exam. This is my own choice," Lin Xu replied, feeling embarrassed.
It was all his fault, so why was his whole family comforting him?
"Don't worry, we're not... broke. Your dad can earn more money, and there's your big brother too." Grandma Lin didn't want her grandson to worry about money or feel sorry for himself. Under Grandpa Lin's meaningful glance, she barely shifted the subject, though she still glared angrily at her husband.
"I really mean it. I'm not upset." Lin Xu forced a smile, though he felt this was basic conduct expected of children from ordinary families. There was no need to comfort him.
Moreover, his grandparents were getting older. Their retirement burden rested on his parents' shoulders. He had to be sensible.
"Alright, alright. Your dad said he gave you a thousand this month. You're not even buying shoes?" Grandma Lin frowned again.
"There are plenty of shoes in the shoe cabinet at home, more than I can wear." And some were of the brands Lin Xu had worn in his previous life as well. They were bought by his elders and weren't cheap for an average family.
The original Lin Xu's lifestyle completely did not match the family's financial situation. He was overly spoiled.
That was why the original Lin Xu dared to make such exorbitant demands, asking for gifts worth tens of thousands.
"Those are all worn out. If your dad won't buy them, Grandma will. Grandma even has some private money. Today, let's take our Xuxu shopping at the mall. Whatever you want, Grandma will pay for it." Grandma Lin stroked his clear and bright brows, her loving eyes filled with tenderness.
"Really, it's not necessary. You both go dance in the square. I need to review. The college entrance exam is coming up soon." Lin Xu was too helpless, so he had to push his grandparents out, and then he finally breathed a sigh of relief, and returned to his room feeling tired.
He saw several messages from Gu Jinzhi questioning why he wasn't responding.
Lin Xu propped his chin on his hand, beginning to understand why the original Lin Xu resorted to online deception and eating soft rice.
As a child from an ordinary family, wasn't he facing too many temptations?
Nevertheless, one's character must not be shaken by poverty. He turned off his phone, spread out his books, and earnestly focused on his studies.
