Reborn As Lucky Star-Chapter 1323 - 2: Lu Zhu, Money, and the God of Wealth (Part 1)

Money.

This word has long been Lu Zhu's goal and only belief.

She is an atheist.

Even though sometimes the atmosphere around her feels superstitious, and with Jun Feifei, a staunch believer in ghosts, by her side, Lu Zhu remains unshakable in her belief that there are no such chaotic gods or ghosts in this world.

Except for one—

The God of Wealth.

This becomes especially evident during the Chinese New Year.

On the fifth day of the New Year, when welcoming the God of Wealth, Lu Zhu always devoutly prepares three thousand firecrackers.

Two bundles!

Placed in her own courtyard, she selects an auspicious time to set them off punctually.

Usually, it's at 6:06, or 8:08.

Such two bundles of firecrackers were a burden when Lu Zhu was a child.

At that time, her family was so poor they could only eat with the chili sauce made by her mother, and she had to fill herself up with water to fight hunger. Where was there any money to buy firecrackers?

But Lu Zhu insisted on setting off firecrackers!

She never believed that gods exist three feet above her head, yet she believed that firecrackers could wash away the misfortune of the past year, and she would surely make a fortune the coming year.

So she would start saving money months in advance, whether by pulling hair and fighting for junk with others or by making money at school by helping wealthy classmates with their homework, Lu Zhu would save every penny for the firecrackers.

Living in a cramped and chaotic box, such early firecracker sounds would always infuriate the late-rising small-time thugs.

Some would even come to the door cursing.

Lu Zhu would pull the iron hook from the stove, emotionlessly blocking the door.

The thugs would resentfully grit their teeth and spit at her.

"Setting off these useless firecrackers, better spend the money on some food."

Lu Zhu would sneer, though still just a child, she already had her own belief.

To make money, and a lot of it.

So much that she would never have to bow down and beg those bastards again, letting them loftily toss bits of money at her head.

Even though that money was less than one percent of the father's pension, which rightfully belonged to her and her mother.

Listening to the lively firecracker sounds, Lu Zhu made her wishes devoutly.

Ah, she would definitely make a fortune. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Gradually, the noisy firecracker sound became the proof of the New Year in the alley.

The people living here were all a bunch of scum.

Only slightly better than the homeless sleeping on the streets, their houses were always drafty, clothes patched up again and again, and there wasn't a single decent piece of furniture.

When survival itself became the most basic problem, who would have the heart to think about celebrating the New Year or not?

But after the firecracker sounds, there would always be someone exclaiming involuntarily.

The New Year has come.

Occasionally, some mischievous naked kids would rummage inside, looking for a few leftover unlit firecrackers, secretly taking them home to set off for the noise.

In later years, once Lu Zhu had just set up the firecrackers and hadn't had time to light them when she heard a knock on the door outside.

A disheveled thug peeked in at the door.

"Hey, why haven't you set off the firecrackers yet this year?"

Amidst these crackling sounds, Lu Zhu gradually grew up.

Her grades were excellent, something Lu Zhu was quite grateful for because she was very smart.

Like a sponge, she eagerly absorbed all the knowledge she could.

Because this knowledge could help her make money.

She kept learning, using every spare moment, earning money while studying.

Lu Zhu was too young, so many jobs were unavailable to her, leaving her to find ways to earn money from her classmates.

Initially, she would get up before four in the morning to go to the wholesale market, buy some hairpins, bands, or fancy notebooks at low prices.

These items sold quickly; not only did people in her class want them, but even students from other years would come looking for them.

But soon Lu Zhu's business faced devastating setbacks.

The shopkeeper of the school's small store directly reported Lu Zhu to the class teacher.

The class teacher, with great distress, brought Lu Zhu to the office, earnestly advising her.

"With your grades being so good, how can you waste time on such trivial things? I know your family situation, so I applied for financial aid for you at the beginning of the school year; you don't need to do this."

Lu Zhu remained silent, not saying a word.

She understood the teacher's words, but the teacher didn't understand what she was facing.

Her mother's legs were broken, and her personality was soft.

Together, these meant she couldn't work outside.

All the pressure at home fell on Lu Zhu's shoulders.

In the eyes of her teachers at school, Lu Zhu was a martyr, receiving state compensation.