Since the last time Big Head drank too much, he started coming to Wave Runner often. Everyone gradually learned he was a good friend of Brother You. He was always polite when he came. Zhou You had told them all: when Big Head shows up, everything’s free—play whatever he wants here. Big Head didn’t stand on ceremony either, knowing Zhou You was rolling in cash now and didn’t need his pittance. He’d already quit his job at the company. Now, following his parents’ wishes, he was preparing for the civil service exam, often studying at home. When studying got tiring, he’d come practice some kickboxing, occasionally swim. Over time, he surprisingly didn’t feel like going to work at all. Seems like rest is humanity’s ultimate dream—what the hell is work anyway? Too bad he wasn’t Zhou You, and didn’t have that kind of skill. As for riding Zhou You’s coattails, Big Head had mulled it over plenty. What could he do? Same major as Zhou You, but now the kickboxing gym and swimming pool were run by pros, and he didn’t know the ropes. Other investments he couldn’t get into, or they felt shaky. The farm was out of the question—he didn’t want to go there either. Starting a business? He didn’t even dare think about it. No skills, no connections, no network, no direction—if he lost Zhou You a few million, that friendship would be over. Better to just work a steady job—won’t get rich, but won’t starve. At least his parents had given him some cushion, way better off than his classmates. If he settled in Luzhou long-term, he could hang out with Zhou You now and then, have someone to talk to. This place would be his base for eating, drinking, and having fun. Was he content? Definitely not. But there was no choice! Once you figure it out and let it go, that’s life. His parents were ordinary, he was ordinary, and his kid would probably be ordinary too! That’s fine. Living a peaceful life was its own kind of happiness. But hearing Xiao Si brag about meeting all those stars—that really stung. Today, Zhou You happened to be around, and Big Head, overestimating himself, wanted to spar with him. “Brother You, come on, let me see what you’ve got. They’ve hyped you up like crazy, but I know your skills!” Big Head shouted arrogantly. Zhou You was amused, geared up, and said, “I won’t bully you today. I’ll defend for two rounds—see if you can knock me down.” Big Head heard that and thought, really? Without another word, he started swinging wild haymakers. Zhou You could barely be bothered to move, just blocking with his gloves. He’d planned to let it go two rounds, but Big Head was winded after one. Fighting was hard work, and Big Head was clearly out of shape—wine and women had taken their toll. “Come on, let’s shower, then hit the pool table,” Zhou You said, pulling him up. “Damn, you’ve got a pool table here? How come I didn’t know?” Big Head got excited—back in school, they used to play pool together all the time. “You never asked,” Zhou You replied. He’d honestly forgotten to mention it, mainly because Xiao Si had crushed him last time, and he hadn’t played in ages. Seeing Big Head reminded him. Zhou You hadn’t sweated much, so he rinsed off quickly and grabbed a few drinks to set aside. It was just a habit—when playing pool, he’d instinctively buy some drinks. Now he had everything here, all stocked up daily. “Brother You, I’m planning to take the civil service exam,” Big Head said, leaning on the pool table with his cue. “That’s great—then we brothers can hang out more often,” Zhou You said, supportive of Big Head’s choice. It was way better than drifting outside and never coming home. “Don’t know if I’ll pass yet. I’ve been playing here every day lately,” Big Head grumbled. Just a few years out of school, and he couldn’t focus on studying anymore. “What’s there to worry about? Take it a few times. Which department are you aiming for?” Zhou You wanted to know his target. “Whichever one takes me. Pass first, figure the rest out later,” Big Head said, keeping it steady. Get in the door, then worry about the details. “Alright, if it doesn’t work, go get a PhD and end up at a university,” Zhou You joked. Big Head jabbed the cue hard. “Too late. With our major, what university would take me? You got lucky, plus Old Wang’s strong recommendation—otherwise, a master’s degree becoming a college teacher?” Zhou You chuckled, not arguing. “Yeah, but I’m a PhD now. Once I get the degree, it’ll be legit.” “Damn, when did you start a PhD? How come I didn’t know?” Big Head was surprised. “There’s a lot you don’t know. I’m a PhD candidate at Jiangcheng University now. You better show me some respect, got it? I’m high-class educated now,” Zhou You bragged without a care. But then he felt a twinge of guilt, remembering the Dr. Zhai scandal—couldn’t recall when it happened, but hoped it wouldn’t affect him. The thought was terrifying—a PhD who didn’t know CNKI was just ignorant and laughable. Zhou You had written papers on CNKI since undergrad; a PhD not knowing it struck a nerve with the public. Still, many students wished that incident never happened—everyone just doing their thing. You make your money, I pad my thesis. But why did you have to screw up? At least have some common sense. In the end, one person single-handedly raised plagiarism-check standards by several levels. Every graduation season became Dr. Zhai’s day of suffering, passed down forever, never forgotten. Seeing Zhou You zoning out again, Big Head found it normal. In his eyes, Zhou You’s habit of spacing out was incurable—same as in school, still the same now. No idea what was going on in his head; ask him, and he wouldn’t say. But Big Head envied it—meditation was a luxury these days, let alone zoning out. In a way, spacing out was a great way to relax the brain, but modern people were too busy, with no conditions for it. “Brother You, next time you bring stars around, let me know, okay? Let me see them, so I can brag later,” Big Head said, still thinking about the actresses. “No problem, next time I’ll have them toast you,” Zhou You said boldly. “No need for that. Just curious. If you didn’t have the connections, I wouldn’t bring it up. You know I’m not a fanboy, but if the chance is there, I’d like to see,” Big Head clarified. He wasn’t some obsessed fan who couldn’t move at the sight of a female star. “Alright, when you’re free after the exam, I’ll take you. Not now—I’m afraid your parents would beat me. I can’t take responsibility for leading you astray,” Zhou You said, not wanting to overstep with Big Head’s folks. “My mom’s still asking about your farm. Professor Li’s been a few times—says it’s getting bigger,” Big Head mentioned casually. “Oh, I forgot about that. When you’re done, I’ll invite your parents to check it out. I even bought a few horses—they’ll be here soon, so we can have some fun,” Zhou You said, realizing he’d neglected it. He wasn’t the type to use people only when needed. Mainly, he’d been too happy lately, enjoying life every day. Hearing this, Big Head got so mad he threw down his cue—too infuriating—and turned to head upstairs for dinner. Zhou You yelled after him, “You were about to lose! Why are you running? No class!” Big Head walked faster at that. Getting mentally wrecked was bad enough, but trying to beat him at pool? No way. If he left, he hadn’t lost. Nothing mattered more than eating. The food at Zhou You’s place was great—all organic ingredients, delivered from the farm once a week. Damn, he’d have a few extra bowls.