C6 Fortyeight Thousand Eight Hundred and Eightyeight

This disease occurs after damage to both upper and lower motor neurons, leading to gradual weakness and atrophy of muscles, including those controlled by the medulla, as well as muscles in the limbs, torso, and chest and abdominal areas.

The doctor informed us that Tang Qingjing would progressively become completely paralyzed and immobile within two years.

Given that current medical technology cannot cure this condition, Chiang Hao's sole focus is to grant Tang Qingjing's wish before paralysis sets in — to purchase a set of high-quality broadcasting equipment.

Tang Qingjing is both beautiful and intelligent. To earn money for her education, she has been live streaming her singing online. Her voice is captivating, with a broad vocal range, earning her a substantial fanbase. Unfortunately, the modest quality of her microphone and sound card has been a detriment to her live streaming quality.

Now with the chance to do so, Chiang Hao is determined to buy her the top-notch broadcasting equipment she desires.

"Borrow money?" Han Xun'er asked, taken aback.

She hadn't expected Chiang Hao, a man known for his financial acumen, to be in need of money. She had assumed that his refusal of her grandfather's ten million was because he was well-off.

"Yes, not a lot. Just fifty thousand yuan will suffice," Chiang Hao confirmed with a nod.

During a meal they shared, Tang Qingjing had mentioned a particular set of broadcasting equipment she was fond of, priced at 48,888 yuan.

"Take this! There's two hundred thousand yuan on this card. The PIN is the last six digits of the card number. Spend it freely, and if it's not enough, feel free to ask me for more," Han Xun'er offered, handing Chiang Hao a bank card from her shoulder bag.

"This is quite generous, but I'll make sure to pay you back," Chiang Hao assured her, taking the card and leaving the villa.

Han Xun'er had her secretary drive Chiang Hao back to the city center, where he made a beeline for a well-known digital store in B City. The store boasted an extensive array of products, from USB drives, card readers, and headphones to cameras, microphones, speakers, and computers. With the surge in live streaming's popularity, the store had even dedicated a section exclusively to live broadcasting equipment.

Chiang Hao strolled into the live broadcasting equipment section, where a screen showcased a popular outdoor streamer's live feed. The streamer was in a secluded village, fishing in the river, lighting a fire in a pit he'd dug, and cooking his own meal—completely self-reliant.

Watching the broadcast, Chiang Hao was transported back to his childhood days in the countryside with his sister. They too had frolicked in the rice paddy river, chasing dragonflies and catching cicadas, their laughter filling the air. Lost in nostalgia, he became engrossed in the scenes playing out on the screen.

Time slipped by unnoticed until a well-dressed young man, draped in designer labels, approached with an attractive girl on his arm. "Hey, isn't that Chiang Hao? What brings you to this neck of the woods?" the young man sneered with a cocky tilt of his head.

The voice pulled Chiang Hao from his reverie. He turned to find Wang Gebi, a fellow alumnus from A University, and the girl with him was none other than Zhang Xiaomei.

"I'm here to shop. What else?" Chiang Hao replied tersely, sensing the antagonism in the air.

Back in their sophomore year, Wang Gebi had run against Chiang Hao for the position of student council secretary, and losing to him had left a bitter taste. Ever since, Wang Gebi had taken every opportunity to needle Chiang Hao, even dating Zhang Xiaomei partly because Chiang Hao had once pursued her.

"You, a con artist who hustles on overpasses, dare to shop here? Do you even realize where you are?" Zhang Xiaomei scoffed.

Zhang Xiaomei and Chiang Hao had become acquainted through the student union, collaborating on numerous events. Over time, Chiang Hao's feelings for her had deepened. Despite chasing her for two years, he never won her over.

She had always played it cool—never committing, never rejecting, never taking responsibility. In her eyes, Chiang Hao was less than a backup option; he was merely a jack used to prop things up while changing a tire.

Deep down, she found Chiang Hao somewhat attractive, but his lack of wealth was a deal-breaker. In her mind, being the girlfriend of a poor man was simply out of the question.

"Of course I'm aware this is a digital equipment store," Chiang Hao replied coolly, unfazed by Zhang Xiaomei's scorn.

"If you know, why bother coming? Any piece of equipment here could eat up two months of your food budget," Zhang Xiaomei boasted, snuggling even closer to Wang Gebi.

Since becoming Wang Gebi's girlfriend, she had experienced the luxury of hotels and malls she'd only heard of before, carried the designer bags she'd once dreamt of, and indulged in coveted, pricey cosmetics. These joys made her life feel fulfilling, and she was convinced she'd chosen the right partner—a boyfriend who truly loved her.

"He's probably here just for the music and the live streams. A deadbeat without the cash for internet—it makes sense he'd hang out here," Wang Gebi mocked.

He was convinced Chiang Hao had resorted to deceit to win the student council's Propaganda Department Head election. How else could a broke nobody like Chiang Hao ever measure up to someone like him—wealthy and good-looking?

"Quit your yapping; you're disrupting my shopping. Keep it up, and you'll regret it."

Chiang Hao's patience was wearing thin with their relentless taunting.

"You think you're shopping? Just scram, stop leeching off the Wi-Fi and getting in the way of our purchases."

Wang Gebi hadn't anticipated Chiang Hao's bold retort, and his voice grew louder in response.

"Come on, everyone! Check this out—here's a guy with no money to shop, hogging space and blocking others from buying."

Crack!

The onlookers, drawn by Wang Gebi's commotion and eager for a spectacle, gathered around. But to their amusement, no sooner had Wang Gebi finished his rant than Chiang Hao delivered a resounding slap, sending him to the ground with a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth.

[Ding! A swelling slap to the face earns you +40 Exclamation Points!] chimed the system notification.

"You penniless nobody, how dare you strike someone in broad daylight? Have we abandoned all law and order?"

Zhang Xiaomei rushed to the fallen Wang Gebi, helping him up and furiously pointing at Chiang Hao as she berated him.

"This is merely a small lesson for you. If you persist in your obstinance, don't fault me for not showing courtesy," Chiang Hao stated icily.

He stood before the couple, confident that he had never wronged them. Yet, they consistently sought to provoke him—an affront he could no longer tolerate. With the system now at his disposal, there was no way he would allow their harassment to continue unchecked.

Just then, a thirty-something man in a suit and gold-rimmed glasses approached, flanked by several security guards.

At the sight, Wang Gebi immediately reacted as though he'd found his guardian angel. Clutching his face, he hurried to take refuge behind the bespectacled man.

"Manager Xin, I was merely shopping in your store when this kid attacked me without cause. I demand you provide me with an explanation!"