Study Monster Cultivation System

"Wait!" Zhang Xiaoke was incredibly sharp. "We agreed that if I won, we'd go shopping." "That was the first round." "I don't care, I don't care." Zhang Xiaoke pointed to the ground. "You have to change those shoes." Indeed, Li Zheng also felt these leather shoes didn't match at all. Just in time to explore the relaxing effects of shopping. "Alright, I'll let you have this one." Li Zheng tapped the table. "We'll talk about shopping after we finish the homework. So, what subject do you want to start with next?" "Hmm…" Zhang Xiaoke was torn. Chemistry was definitely out of the question. The last test already showed a clear gap. So, her third-best subject had to be— "English." Zhang Xiaoke licked her lips. This wasn't a random choice; she had already investigated and knew English was Li Zheng's second weakest subject. And as a woman, she had a natural advantage in language sense. "Alright, I won't hold back on English." Li Zheng quickly pulled out an English study set and handed it to Zhang Xiaoke. "We'll study independently tomorrow, see you Monday..." Halfway through his sentence, Li Zheng suddenly took out his phone. "It looks like Jiang Qinghua organized an activity in the class group earlier." "Really?" Zhang Xiaoke also took out her phone. The intense study session made them forget about checking their phones. [Grade 11 Class 4 Group Chat] [16:04] [Jiang Qinghua: @everyone, I contacted Teacher Qiao. Teacher Hu Chunmei is having surgery next Monday. I plan to visit her on Sunday afternoon. If available, PM me to join.] [Zhang Yue: @Jiang Qinghua, yay, I'm going~] [Jiang Qinghua: We're in the same room, you could just tell me… Never mind, just leave it at that.] [Liu Xin: @Jiang Qinghua, I'm going too.] [Jiang Qinghua: PM only! Do you know what private messaging is?] [Lin Yujing: Going.] [Jiang Qinghua: Alright, I'll add you.] [Jiang Qinghua: Too many people isn't great either. It should be enough now.] [16:24] [Li Zheng: @Jiang Qinghua, I'm going too.] [Jiang Qinghua: …] [Jiang Qinghua: We have enough people. We'll represent everyone's sentiments.] [Li Zheng: @Jiang Qinghua, I'm going too.] [Jiang Qinghua: Got it, got it…] [Zhang Xiaoke: Class monitor, count me in too~] [Jiang Qinghua: Xiaoke, have you met Teacher Hu…] [Zhang Xiaoke: Hey, it's important to actively participate in class activities.] [Jiang Qinghua: Alright then.] [Liu Shuo: @Jiang Qinghua, I'm going too.] [Ma Yinbiao: @Jiang Qinghua, I'm going, I'm going.] [Liu Yuexuan: @Jiang Qinghua, I'm going too.] Li Zheng put down his phone, slightly annoyed, and stared at Zhang Xiaoke. "Why did so many people suddenly decide to go when you said you would?" Zhang Xiaoke whistled cheerfully as she packed her pencil case. "What should I wear tomorrow~~~" Li Zheng shook his head. "People without school uniforms are really pitiable." "Dummy, the best times are when you don't have to wear a uniform." Zhang Xiaoke said as she stuffed materials into her backpack. "Anyway, you'll have to follow my lead." "Hmm, I'll tutor you, and you teach me how to shop. No problem." Li Zheng also started organizing the mountain of materials. "Although I don't know much about shopping, I'm familiar with transportation. We can ride eastward along Chang'an Avenue, and we'll soon reach Xidan." "Stop!" Zhang Xiaoke raised her arm and made a big "X." "Xidan? Are you from the 60s? Even people from the 60s don't go to Xidan anymore." Li Zheng asked in surprise, "Isn't Xidan the most bustling commercial area in Jijing?" "You're talking about thirty years ago." "Then… Wangfu Jing? I've been to the Xinhua Bookstore there, it has a great atmosphere." "Wangfu Jing is for out-of-town tourists to take pictures." Zhang Xiaoke covered her head. "You know less than my dad." "Got it." Li Zheng clapped his hands. "The business district keeping up with the times, you must mean Guomao, right?" "That's a real commercial district, not for shopping." "Jinrong Street?" "What for? To rob a bank?" Zhang Xiaoke seriously huddled over the table. "Now, I'll give you a lesson, listen carefully." "Okay." Li Zheng quickly took out paper and pen. "No need to take notes like that." Zhang Xiaoke said helplessly. "For shopping, you first need to think clearly about your needs and budget, and based on these, decide where to shop. If you need luxury brands, go to SKP or Galeries Lafayette; top brands are there." Li Zheng took notes while asking, "Is 'Galeries Lafayette' referring to Empress Dowager Cixi? Because of her royal status?" "Shut up! No questions, just listen." "Yes..." "Anyway, you wouldn't get it even if I explained." Zhang Xiaoke directly asked, "First, tell me your shopping needs and budget." "A pair of sneakers." "No, you need clothes too." "No need, I have three sets of school uniforms." "Shut up and buy!" Zhang Xiaoke scolded. "Tomorrow, there is a class activity. I won't let you embarrass me in your uniform. We're a team now!" "Alright, it's all just shopping." Li Zheng thought for a moment and then gestured, "So, I need a complete outfit that I can wear in winter, and a pair of sneakers for playing basketball." "No, be more specific." Zhang Xiaoke pressed on, "What brand, what style, be clear." Li Zheng rested his chin in thought. "I remember Double Star's rubber-soled sneakers are pretty durable." "I was wrong…" Zhang Xiaoke held her head again. "Forget brands, just tell me your needs." Li Zheng mumbled while counting on his fingers, "Durable, functional, stain-resistant, washable in a machine without fading, suitable for multiple seasons, low-key, simple…" "That's still a school uniform!" Zhang Xiaoke angrily smashed the notebook on the table. "Now that you mention it, yeah, do you know where to buy school-uniform-style clothes?" "Haha, will Japanese school uniforms do?" "Wait, let me look up some photos…" "Alright, I get your needs." Zhang Xiaoke sighed in defeat. "Tell me your budget for a top, jacket, pants, and sneakers combined." "500." Zhang Xiaoke nearly spat. I spend that much just on a set of underwear, come on? "What's wrong?" Li Zheng asked, puzzled. "My three sets of school uniforms only cost a few hundred yuan." "Alright… I won't ask you then… I'll just decide." Zhang Xiaoke leaned on the table. "Let's go with the basics: top 300, jacket 500, pants 400, and shoes 800, totaling 2000 yuan." Li Zheng widened his eyes and scolded, "Jingjing only costs 2500!" "Shut up." Zhang Xiaoke panted. "This is my bottom line. I can't shop anywhere cheaper. If you want me to go shopping with you, you must accept this budget." Li Zheng gritted his teeth. This tuition fee was too high. I'm teaching you for free. You're so ungrateful, you reverse disciple. Despite his thoughts, Zhang Xiaoke was indeed a shopping expert; such an opportunity was rare. At worst, after learning how to shop, he could ditch her. "Then two thousand, not a penny more." Li Zheng painfully slung his backpack. "Where's your bike parked?" "Haha." Zhang Xiaoke scoffed, "Are you talking about my Ferrari or my Lamborghini?" "Don't fool me; those are cars, I know that." Li Zheng smiled cunningly. "Ugh!" Zhang Xiaoke clutched her head. "You bike home, drop off your bag, and then come pick me up in a taxi." "You don't have a bike?" Li Zheng asked without hesitation. "No worries, I can give you a ride." "Ride, my foot." "It saves tens of yuan." "No way, it's uncomfortable." Zhang Xiaoke shook her head. "Besides, in such a pretty outfit, biking would make me look silly. Taxi, I'll wait for you." "Then I won't go." Li Zheng turned and walked away. "Thinking it over, it's probably more reliable to seek Jiang Qinghua's help. If all else fails, I can still manage Xidan on my own; I'll find the Double Star counter eventually." "Hey hey hey!" Zhang Xiaoke hurriedly slung her bag and chased after him. "Can Jiang Qinghua compare with me?" "At least he has a bike." Li Zheng went downstairs without looking back. Zhang Xiaoke was left dumbfounded. So angry. Stomping her feet, pulling her hair. Ahhhhh. Bikes are so not cute. After struggling for a while, she finally rushed downstairs. "Even if we bike, you need to drop off your bag first." "Alright." Li Zheng smiled. ... The scene on the street was like a movie. A spirited high schooler carrying a girl who sat sideways, although his legs were tired, his face was full of joy. It was supposed to be a beautiful scene, but oddly, the girl's attire didn't look pure at all, fitting more in a BMW's backseat. Moreover, this beauty couldn't face anyone. One hand grabbing the backpack, the other covering her face the whole time. "Not to be rude…" Li Zheng struggled, "But you're quite heavy." "Shut… up..." "Is all your weight in your stomach?" "..." "Maybe it's high bone density, that's a good thing, makes you sturdy for work." "Say one more word, and I'll jump off." "Jump onto your Ferrari?" Li Zheng laughed heartily. "I'm getting funnier by the day." "..." A few hundred meters felt like a lifetime to Zhang Xiaoke. When they finally reached Li Zheng's building, she could get off the bike. Looking around, the neighborhood was quite nice, with plenty of greenery and well-spaced buildings. Looking up, the building had about fifteen or sixteen floors. The neighbors passing by were well-dressed and cultured. If she guessed right, the north side should offer a view of Lake Ying. Watching the Tesla drive into the underground parking garage, Zhang Xiaoke asked, "What's the name of this complex? I've never heard of it." "It doesn't have a name. It's for government employees." Li Zheng locked his bike. "Are you coming up?" "Huh? So suddenly?" Zhang Xiaoke quickly turned away and shook her head. "Don't you ever think before you speak…" "Oh, then wait here." Li Zheng then walked into the building alone. Zhang Xiaoke stomped her feet again. So annoying. Not cute. Li Zheng walked quickly up the stairs to find that Old Li was already back, cooking boiled vegetables in the kitchen. "Where have you been?" Li Yi asked as he heard the door open. "Studying." Li Zheng replied. "Oh." Li Yi naturally believed him. Li Zheng hurriedly put down his backpack, touched the credit card in his pocket, and said, "Dad, I'm going to buy new clothes and shoes." "Oh?" Li Yi rushed out of the kitchen, surprised. "Finally decided to buy?" "Mainly, the shoes are worn out, so I'll get some clothes too." Li Zheng lifted his foot. "Leather shoes are uncomfortable to walk in, otherwise I'd manage." "Buy, buy, buy, good." Li Yi kept nodding. Hehe. This silly boy knows to mind his appearance now. "The… budget…" Li Zheng scratched his head. "Might be a bit much." "Buy whatever you want. I know you, you wouldn't spend much." Li Yi said while going to the shoe cabinet and taking out a hair salon card from a top drawer, handing it to Li Zheng. "Get a haircut while you're at it. Don't go to those fifteen-yuan salons; get a nice one." "Leave it there. I'll deal with it later." Li Zheng turned to leave. Li Yi stopped him. "Not staying for boiled veggies?" "Running out of time. I'll eat out." "With whom?" Li Zheng's face turned red. "...Classmate." "Hehe~~" Li Yi teased, flicking his son's nose. Li Zheng impatiently pushed Old Li away. "What are you thinking? We're just studying together." "Of course, definitely studying." Old Li patted his son on the shoulder. "Go, don't keep them waiting. I'm in a good mood today, no budget limit, get something good to eat." "You're so broke, why still put up a front?" Li Zheng scolded. "I have plenty of money, spend away." "Really… if Cheng Wenyue knew she partnered with a teacher like you, she'd switch careers."