Chapter 25: Unable to Even Pay the Electricity Bill, Miserable and Wretched

When Lin Li originally bought this TV, he had researched many user experiences online. People said this brand's quality was excellent and that it wouldn't have any issues for eight or ten years.

But now, after using it for less than a year, it wouldn't even turn on? Everyone else's worked perfectly fine, yet when it came to him, it turned out like this. Could his luck really be this bad!

Fortunately, the TV was still under warranty. Just as Lin Li was preparing to contact after-sales service, his eyes suddenly fixed on a specific spot on the television.

Under normal circumstances, there should be a small indicator light there. When the light is on, it means the TV is receiving power.

Now, that little light was dark, which meant... No way! The power was out at home!

To verify his suspicion, Lin Li immediately stood up to press the light switches in his house.

*Click, click, click...*

He tried several switches, but not a single light turned on.

"Just my luck. Whatever I fear most always happens."

Lin Li muttered to himself, then picked up his phone and opened his utility payment app. It showed that the user was two months in arrears, totaling 375 yuan, and the power was currently disconnected.

"It really was a power cut due to unpaid bills!" Having confirmed his theory, Lin Li scratched his head, then immediately opened another app on his phone.

The backend system of "U-Speed Recycling" prompted: *Your goods are being processed, please wait patiently.*

This was bad. The Rabbit Beast and Wild Boar Beast were still being processed, so he wouldn't receive any money for the time being. He was penniless, and it would be dark in a little while, leaving his home in pitch-black darkness.

Even more fatal was that his phone battery was down to only fifteen percent.

In this day and age, the blow of a phone dying due to lack of power was undoubtedly massive for anyone.

How important a phone is to people today—for example, take a news story seen recently.

A person was on the operating table for surgery; after the operation, before the anesthesia had even worn off, the semi-conscious patient actually lifted their right hand and began playing on a phone in mid-air.

Looking at the 15% battery remaining on his screen, the thought of reducing power consumption immediately popped into Lin Li's mind.

He opened his settings, dimmed the screen brightness, and then locked the phone.

As long as he didn't touch it, the phone could last another seven or eight hours in standby mode.

Being penniless, paying the electricity bill was impossible. The only way out was to wait.

Once "U-Speed Recycling" helped him sell the prey and the money arrived, all his problems would be solved.

"Damn... I never thought I'd fall into a state where I couldn't even afford my electricity bill," Lin Li sat on the sofa, muttering to himself with a look of frustration.

*Ring, ring, ring...*

Just as he was thinking about saving power to make the phone last until the money from "U-Speed Recycling" arrived, someone called.

"Who is it? Don't they know answering the phone wastes battery?" Lin Li grumbled. He reached out, checked the phone, and saw it was Su Yue calling. He answered and asked, "Hello, is something wrong?"

"Lin Li, an elderly man in my complex went fishing by the river and caught a lot of fish. I happened to run into him on my way back, and he gave me several black mullets. I'm planning to stew them into a soup tonight. Do you want to come over and have a taste?"

"Sure! I'll be there right away," Lin Li agreed immediately upon hearing this.

As for the injury on his hand... the bruise on his right arm was recovering faster than he had expected.

His left hand was wrapped in gauze, so the specific appearance was hidden; he could just make up a random excuse to fool her.

After finishing the call with Su Yue, his phone battery was down to 14%, but Lin Li was no longer worried about it dying.

Because he was going to Su Yue's place for dinner, he could charge his phone while he was there for a free meal.

Should he bring a charger... no, better not. Su Yue would have one at her place.

Phone chargers are universal nowadays; it would feel a bit strange to bring his own while crashing for a meal.

***

*Knock, knock, knock...*

"Coming!"

With a *click*, the door opened!

Su Yue appeared before Lin Li, her figure as striking as a blooming rose.

She was wearing a blue spaghetti-strap dress today—simple, clean, and without excessive accessories.

Although the dress was plain, it was form-fitting, hugging Su Yue's body and perfectly showcasing her bust, slender waist, and long legs.

Under the lights, her curves were even more pronounced and alluring.

Lin Li was completely dazed, and Su Yue knew exactly how beautiful she looked.

Before Lin Li arrived, she had checked herself in the bedroom mirror several times. Seeing his silly, stunned expression now, her heart felt incredibly happy, as if it had been coated in honey.

"Huh...? Lin Li, what happened to your left hand?" Su Yue suddenly noticed the white medical gauze wrapped around his left hand and asked with concern.

Snapping back to his senses, Lin Li lifted his injured left hand, flexed it easily, and gave his prepared excuse with a smile.

"I accidentally cut it while chopping vegetables at noon. It's nothing serious; I've applied some ointment, and it'll be fine in a few days."

"Oh, you're so clumsy! How can you hurt yourself just chopping vegetables..."

"It's normal to accidentally cut your hand while cooking!"

"Who told you that? I've been cooking for years and I've never once cut myself."

"..." Lin Li fell silent, complaining inwardly... *That's because you're naturally gifted, how can I compare to you!*

"Alright, the fish soup is almost ready. Come on in!" Su Yue didn't doubt his excuse. She muttered something under her breath, then turned and leaned over to take the indoor slippers reserved for Lin Li from the shoe cabinet.

Wearing clothes that were already tight, Su Yue's casual act of bending over was full of temptation.

"Prosperity, civilization, freedom, equality, justice, integrity... Hmph, don't even think about defeating me with such small-scale temptations."

Lin Li whispered a "Heart-Cleansing Incantation" from another world under his breath, turning his head away to avoid looking at Su Yue.

"Lin Li, what are you mumbling about?" Su Yue placed the slippers in front of him and looked at him curiously.

"Nothing?" Lin Li quickly put on the slippers and hurried toward the kitchen.

Seeing Lin Li's slightly flustered manner, a cunning, fox-like smile finally broke across Su Yue's beautiful face.

***

(End of Chapter)