In order to make things easier, I switched to a cheaper smartphone, changed my phone number and bank card, settled in a youth hostel, and started looking for a job.

There is still half a month before the university starts. As long as I can gather the tuition fees or find a way before that, I can still go to college.

During the day, I found a job as a stock clerk in a boutique, and at night, I worked part-time at a courier station, earning fifteen yuan per hour. I usually worked from 7 p.m. to midnight.

I suddenly felt grateful that I had done a lot of work since I was young and was not afraid of hard work.

However, I didn't work at the boutique for long because they found an auntie who was a bit older and physically stronger than me.

They said I was diligent but too thin and fragile-looking.

Even though I pleaded with the store manager repeatedly, she still paid me my wages and said to me, "Xingxing, you are a hardworking girl. You are at the age to study now. Don't waste your youth here. Go back to school."

I walked out of the boutique clutching the money in my hand.

The wind today was particularly strong, making my eyes sore.

I bought a bowl of fried noodles and squatted on the roadside to eat.

I stared blankly, constantly replaying the store manager's words in my mind, the taste of the fried noodles in my mouth like wax.

Until the bowl of fried noodles was almost finished, a figure suddenly appeared in front of me, and a slightly worried voice sounded above my head, "Miss, are you okay? I just saw that you seemed a bit upset. Do you need help?"

I looked up and stared at the girl for a while before shaking my head blankly.

She took out a tissue from her bag and handed it to me, "Miss, your eyes are so red. If there's anything bothering you, you can tell me. Maybe I can help."

I took the tissue and said thank you.

Looking at the girl's bright smile, I inexplicably told her about my lack of money to go to school.

But the girl just smiled, "It's okay. You can explain the situation to the counselor in advance and submit an application."

I was stunned. I had never thought about this before, only thinking about raising money as soon as possible.

After speaking, she patted my head, "I have to go now. I wish you can solve the problem smoothly."

I smiled at her and said thank you again.

Throwing the disposable bowl into the trash can, I took out the wages given by the store manager and found an extra two hundred yuan besides the original wages.

All of a sudden, I felt like things might not be so bad after all.