However, he knew that there was already a craze for eating crayfish in Pingchuan, the provincial capital. He remembered that when he first started college, he went out for barbecue with his roommates and found that a plate of shrimp balls cost fifty or sixty yuan, yet there were still countless people eating them.

He came to Oriental Plaza this time precisely to check out the market.

In his previous life, he remembered his dad once saying that if he had had more foresight back then and sold Dongping’s crayfish to the provincial capital, the price difference between the two places would have been enough to make a fortune.

But David Thompson was afraid he might be remembering wrong. If crayfish were already popular in Dongping now, then all his plans would be for nothing.

What he wanted was exactly the current situation: Pingchuan and Dongping were separated by several hundred kilometers, information wasn’t as accessible as it would be in the future, and the craze for eating crayfish had only just started in the provincial capital. The news hadn’t spread over there yet.

Once summer officially arrived and Pingchuan’s love for crayfish spread over, there would be no more chance to profit from the price difference.

Lost in thought, a smile appeared on David Thompson’s face. It seemed his first pot of gold would have to come from this.

He knew this wasn’t a long-term business—just a quick opportunity to make some money. It all depended on how well he could seize it.

Chapter 6: Who to Walk Home First?

He and William Clark had almost finished a whole case of beer between them, while the girls had a few drinks each, their cheeks now flushed and even more beautiful.

David Thompson hadn’t expected William Clark to be such a good drinker—he’d never noticed before.

After the barbecue, everyone was clearly much closer than before. China really is a foodie society; only after eating and drinking can people talk about feelings.

Even Sarah Young, whom he usually found a bit annoying, didn’t seem so bad now. Beauty really does have its privileges—even small flaws are easily overlooked.

When it came time to pay, David Thompson was full of emotion. A world without inflation really was wonderful.

Five people ate and drank their fill for only eighty yuan. In the future, it would be impossible to get away with less than two or three hundred.

But after paying, David Thompson was left with only a fifty-yuan bill and a few coins—he didn’t even have enough for another meal.

Truly, a hero can be stumped by a single penny. If he didn’t make some money soon, he wouldn’t even have the means to chase girls, let alone support a family.

Still, David Thompson wasn’t worried. Aside from the process being a bit troublesome, making money wasn’t too hard for him.

After dinner, it was already past nine, and no one felt like strolling around anymore.

William Clark, face flushed, wanted to walk Evelyn Brooks home. Whether it was the alcohol or something else, who could say.

David Thompson was about to walk Hannah Quinn home when he heard Evelyn Brooks say, “David Thompson, Xiaoxue and I don’t live in the same direction. Why don’t you help walk Xiaoxue home?”

“No way!”

Sarah Young refused without even thinking. David Thompson mumbled, “You agreed, but she doesn’t?”

But Evelyn Brooks ignored Sarah Young and continued, “It’s so late, it’s definitely not safe for Xiaoxue to go home alone. David Thompson, I’m leaving Xiaoxue to you. I’m heading off first.”

With that, William Clark, that guy who forgets his friends for a pretty face, happily ran off after Evelyn Brooks, leaving David Thompson and the other two staring at each other.

He looked at Sarah Young, then at Hannah Quinn, feeling a bit resentful—what a tough choice.

Deep down, of course he wanted to stroll under the moonlight with Hannah Quinn, but Evelyn Brooks was right. The public security wasn’t as good as it would be in the future, and letting a delicate beauty like Sarah Young walk home alone could easily lead to trouble.

Without much hesitation, David Thompson said, “How about this: Yuhan’s house is closer, so we’ll walk her home first, then I’ll walk Sarah Young home.”

Hannah Quinn didn’t say anything. Sarah Young was about to refuse, but David Thompson cut her off, “That’s settled! After I walk you home, I still have to go home and sleep!”

...

David Thompson walked in silence, while Hannah Quinn and Sarah Young chatted quietly behind him. He didn’t bother to listen—it was probably just girl talk.

A dozen minutes later, they arrived at Hannah Quinn’s building. Hannah Quinn said goodbye to Sarah Young.

She looked up at David Thompson without saying anything, but just as she was about to go upstairs, she turned and grinned, “David Thompson, make sure you get Sarah Young home safely. Next time, I’ll treat you to dinner.”

Before David Thompson could reply, she dashed up the stairs and disappeared into the darkness.

“Let’s go. Where do you live?” Seeing that Hannah Quinn was gone, David Thompson finally turned to ask.

Only then did David Thompson realize he had no idea where Sarah Young lived—pretty embarrassing.

She was at least a campus beauty, and even sat in front of or behind him in class, yet he’d never thought to ask.

Sarah Young seemed to sense that David Thompson didn’t like her much and felt a bit wronged. She replied irritably, “Mingyuan Community!”

“Uh...”

David Thompson didn’t dare say anything else. This was quite a blunder—no wonder she was upset.

After all, he knew about Mingyuan Community. The county town wasn’t that big, and this area was the center, where all the upscale communities were.

And Sarah Young’s home in Mingyuan Community was just across the street from Hannah Quinn’s, and they’d just passed by there.

After a moment, David Thompson looked at the sulking Sarah Young and said, a bit frustrated, “Then why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“Hmph!”