Number One Survival Rule

Yiyi was obviously not expecting that response from Liu Xinyu. "Money?" she asked in confusion. "Where did that thought come from?"

"You can't travel with empty pockets," was Liu Xinyu's answer to her question. "I can't depend on my young father and squeeze his kindness. I have hands and feet, of course, I need to earn my own money to survive. And don't tell me you don't know that money is very important for survival. You can literally do nothing without it. The number one rule of survival in a foreign land is to have enough money. So, even if my goal is to just explore this past, I need money for that."

"Sounds reasonable," Yiyi nodded her head with a thoughtful look. "But you should still listen to what he said. The body is the capital. Don't be in a hurry. You need to recover first before you do anything."

"I know," replied Liu Xinyu. "I am not that careless about my health." She kept looking at the money that Yi Qin gave her. It felt like she was getting pocket money again. She counted the money and realized it was a little more than a thousand. Although it was not much, in 1998 it wasn't as small amount either. At least, for an average household, a thousand could be used for a whole month.

Maybe she was exaggerating since she didn't know much about this era but the inflation wasn't as bad at this time as it was later, so she believed that her guess wasn't that far off either.

"This money is different," commented Yiyi as she came close to also observe the banknotes. She looked curious and very interested in this.

"Of course, it's different. Do you think we are still using the old copper coins or silver and gold taels? Even silver banknotes are a thing of the history." Liu Xinyu looked disgusted by Yiyi's lack of knowledge and it suddenly reminded her of something. "Ghostie!"

"I have a name!" retorted Yiyi.

"I don't care," was Liu Xinyu's response. "Dead people should not have opinions. And even they do, their opinions don't really matter."

"Are you saying I have no rights?" asked Yiyi.

"Even living people are struggling with their rights, what makes you think people will acknowledge the rights of the dead?" Liu Xinyu shot back without holding back. "Anyway, let's not discuss that. I want to ask you something. I understand that you're an ancient ghost but that means you should be wandering in the world for at least over a century. You should know about the flow of history. Why do you look like everything is new to you?"

Yiyi went silent for a moment and sat down on the other sofa. She seemed to contemplating something and only after coming to a decision did she tell Liu Xinyu, "It's true that I've been dead for a long time. But I haven't been wandering in the world. I don't know how the world changed. Because the last memory I have is of my own death. After that, when I opened my eyes, I was right by your hospital bed."

Liu Xinyu found it fantastical and magical but also very creepy as she shuddered and rubbed her hands on her arms.

"And why is that?" asked Liu Xinyu.

"How would I know?" asked Yiyi in return. "You should be telling me instead. Because it seems like you are the reason I am here."

"I didn't do anything. Do I look like I am interested in summoning ghosts?"

Yiyi also knew this discussion was redundant. Liu Xinyu didn't even know why she was here, how would she know about why Yiyi was here? They both were just as lost as the other person. So, they could only depend on each other in these unfamiliar times and cross the bridge holding each other.

"The world has really changed a lot that I can't seem to keep up with it. What to do if one wants to know about the history?" asked Yiyi seriously.

"Go to the internet and look up whatever you want..." Liu Xinyu bit her tongue and shook her head. "Right. The Internet is relatively new at this time. It is difficult to find anything there. Before internet... Yes! You can check the library. Books are always the right answer. And when you want to find out about a place, the best idea is to check the library to get familiar with that place."

"Where is that library you speak of?" asked Yiyi.

"I don't know," answered Liu Xinyu. "I didn't live in Yuchen City before so I am not that familiar with this place. And whatever familiar places I have in mind, they don't exist right now. Even the famous financial center has just started construction at this time if my memory serves me right. But don't worry, I'll look for the library with you. I should also read about this era."

"You don't know your own country's history?" asked Yiyi with disdain.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I wasn't particularly fond of history back in school." She stood up and winced a little as she put her weight on the sprained foot. "I am gonna take a nap. Don't disturb me."

Yiyi didn't say anything as she watched her enter the bedroom. Once Liu Xinyu was gone, Yiyi started looking around the house. She found a few scattered magazines and newspapers in the cabinet. She looked at the closed door of the bedroom before she picked up the newspaper and started reading it intently.

The way she held the newspaper was no different from a human. She didn't look like a ghost who had any trouble touching any physical objects. She seemed at ease but her brows were furrowed slightly. The characters used were different from her times, so she was finding it a bit difficult to understand what was written in the newspaper. She could hardly make sense of it.

"Do I have to learn the language all over again?" asked Yiyi in a low voice to no one in particular. But that still didn't stop her from trying her best to read the old newspapers and magazines. A piece of news caught her eye.

["Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks Start of Construction for World Financial Center"]

Yiyi raised her brows and looked at the date, the newspaper was from last year which was 1997. It seemed Liu Xinyu's knowledge of history wasn't as bad as she claimed. Actually, Yiyi had been feeling complicated about Liu Xinyu since yesterday.

At first, seeing how crazed and lost Liu Xinyu looked, Yiyi thought this girl wouldn't be able to accept the reality she was in. After all, she had such a breakdown in front of her eyes. But today, she looked like she had a very clear idea about what she wanted to do and how she wanted to do it too. Even the fact that she was lost in the wrong times did not seem to faze her as she was still able to think about earning money to survive here.

More than the era, she had an interest in Liu Xinyu. After all, the girl seemed to be the reason why she was here. But how it happened was the real question for her right now.

....

Yi Qin rode his bicycle slowly towards the family house. He seemed to be in no hurry to get back home. Even if he didn't have a penny in his pockets, he was still able to keep his sunny and bright smile intact on his handsome face. He had an optimistic and sunny personality and it actually showed.

As she was about the turn towards the residential area, a car came to a stop beside him. The windowpane rolled down and a young man with a cheeky smile poked his head out, "Yi Qin! It's been a while!"

Yi Qin looked at the diamond stud on the ear of the young man with the crazy hairstyle in front of him and rolled his eyes at him unceremonically.

The young man didn't mind his attitude as he laughed like a ruffian. "Didn't you say you'd show me your new ride? Don't tell me you're talking about this."

Seeing how the man looked at his bicycle, Yi Qin pursed his lips and told himself to stay calm. He was already short on money because he fought with someone. He couldn't punch this one. At least, this one was his childhood friend. He should give him some face.

"Shan Cheng," started Yi Qin. "Get lost!"

The man named Shan Cheng laughed even more loudly and half of his body was hanging out of the widow of his car. "How about you call me Ge? I'll let you drive my new car. How is it? Nice, right?"

Yi Qin looked at the sports car Shan Cheng was showing off and had to say he was a little bit tempted but he couldn't fall for this trick. As for calling Shan Cheng as Ge? He must be dreaming!

"Shan Cheng, it's good we met here. I was just about to pay your father a visit and share with him how you have been in deep love lately."

Shan Cheng's expression changed once he heard that, "Yi Qin, is that what friends should do? Don't you dare tell my father about it?"

Yi Qin snickered, "If you don't want me to say anything, get lost! I am already at rock bottom. One more trouble won't hurt me, but are you sure you can part with your precious new sports car?"

"You're ruthless!"

"Friends should share blessings and misfortunes."

"Who wants to share blessings and misfortunes with you?" Shan Cheng drove his car like he was running from something.

Yi Qin tsked seeing him leave, "This is so unfair! I don't even have a chaotic personal life, yet I am suffering. And here is that Shan Cheng! Even with so many problems, he is able to get a new sports car. I only managed to get one after I graduated at the top of my class. Unfair! So unfair!"

He could only lament at his situation as he rode back towards the old Western-style villa.