I've been reborn, I'm definitely going to become an internet celebrity!

Chapter 14: [My Cousin, Still Growing Up]

Liu Zhuohao was somewhat bewildered. His cousin's tone was so warm and friendly that it seemed abrupt and unnatural.

It was as if he had made this difficult decision and had no choice but to ask to borrow money.

This part was not in his memory.

My cousin has never borrowed money from me, nor has he ever contacted me.

In my memory, I owned several hot pot restaurants on the street in Huacheng. My uncle and aunt had both made a special trip to patronize them, but my cousin never said a word.

Later, through the efforts of his aunt's niece, his shop spent a lot of money to hire a disgraced internet celebrity who practiced boxing to promote the business. As a result, the video went viral online, causing a significant loss of business.

My cousin probably saw the video, which is why he called me and told me to admit my mistake.

After issuing a public apology, he contacted a genuine food blogger to stop the public outcry and recover his losses.

"Brother Yue, I've already graduated from high school and I don't plan to continue studying."

Liu Zhuohao glanced at his parents and replied, "I plan to start a small business."

My uncle's family didn't even know that they had started a breakfast stall business.

My cousin didn't even realize he had graduated; he still thought he was a high school student.

"..."

The phone went silent.

"You're going to university soon."

When my cousin's voice came again, the previous enthusiasm had faded considerably, replaced by a more complex tone: "Can't you study? Is it because you didn't pass the exam, or... is there some difficulty at home?"

"I only got into a third-tier university; it doesn't matter whether I go or not."

Liu Zhuohao spoke in a calm tone, with the pragmatic spirit often seen in local young people: "If we Chaoshan people can't continue our studies, don't we all say we should go out and do some small business as soon as possible? I just want to try my luck on my own."

My cousin paused for a moment, then asked directly, "So, what happened that led you to call me?"

"I've got some things to take care of, but it's not like I'm desperate." Liu Zhuohao smoothly steered the conversation back, asking, "But what about you? Why are you suddenly asking to borrow money? Has something happened to you?"

He hadn't expected that sudden request for a loan.

After all, in his impression, this cousin had a bright future.

He works for a well-known mala tang (spicy hot pot) brand, serving as a member of the legal team. He is composed and has a wide network of connections.

This is why he has a certain status in the catering industry and can find a sufficiently influential restaurant review blogger to help him alleviate the pressure from public opinion.

"I?"

My cousin paused, then forced a smile and said, "I'm fine!"

Even though it was over the phone, Liu Zhuohao could still detect a hint of exhaustion in his voice that he was trying hard to hide.

"I remember……"

He pondered the discrepancies in his current information: "You're a lawyer."

Liu Zhuohao spoke with certainty, and under his parents' gaze, he got up and walked into the house.

As for his other relatives, his repeated phone calls asking for money were more about "self-degradation" and to warn his parents not to trust those relatives too much.

But he genuinely intended to borrow money from his cousin, Liu Zhuoyue.

Of course, an unexpected event has occurred.

My cousin, who should have been doing very well, is now asking me for money.

To be honest, if I hadn't taken the initiative to call him, he probably wouldn't have been able to bring himself to ask.

"...It's an internship, an intern lawyer."

On the phone, Liu Zhuoyue's voice was no longer as calm and composed as he remembered; it sounded quite embarrassed.

Trainee lawyer.

Four words made Liu Zhuohao understand the current situation.

Yes, my cousin is still a recent graduate and an intern at a law firm.

He did not yet have his future social standing, nor was he a member of the legal team of a catering giant with a market value of nearly 10 billion.

Liu Zhuohao asked:

"I roughly know that the salary of an intern lawyer is, well, not high."

"Oh, the expenses are high, right?"

He didn't use the word "low," leaving a sense of consideration.

It's not just lawyers; professions like doctors, designers, and accountants all require "accumulating experience," and these jobs typically have high starting salaries, high pressure, and high potential compensation.

"...By other industry standards, it's alright, not particularly low, just five or six thousand yuan." My cousin's mouth seemed to have been pried open a crack. He hesitated, but the desire to confide overcame his pride. "But the expenses... are too high."

My cousin's speech gradually quickened, and he found an outlet for the pent-up pressure that he couldn't express to his uncle and aunt:

"Just to get a decent suit, shirt and shoes to wear when meeting clients or going to court, you'll need to spend several thousand dollars. And that's just the beginning. You also need to take care of them and wash them regularly. You can't be shabby."

"Professional books are expensive, and training courses are even more expensive, but you can't afford not to learn, or you'll be left behind."

"There are also all sorts of social engagements... with seniors, colleagues, and potential clients. Sometimes a single meal can cost half a month's living expenses, but you can't always let others pay..."

There are just too many things that require money.

Moreover, it's a necessary expense; almost every penny must be spent.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they're working for free!

As he spoke, the bitterness in his voice could no longer be concealed:

"Everyone says that after studying hard for more than ten years, you should be able to relax and enjoy life once you find a decent job."

"When my parents celebrated me passing the bar exam, they threw a banquet and set off firecrackers. They felt I had finally made something of myself and could become a great lawyer..."

He paused for a long time, so long that Liu Zhuohao thought the signal had been lost.

"They also called my uncle, but he said he was busy and didn't come."

His cousin lowered his voice, and Liu Zhuohao smiled helplessly: "I know."

Does he really know?

he does not know.

The two families are indeed not close. They must have called each other, but the father declined and didn't mention it to me.

"I'm only now realizing that this isn't about enjoying life at all!"

My cousin gave a self-deprecating laugh, a dry laugh, "I'm just moving from the college entrance exam and the bar exam to another arena."

"And that's not all. My parents went into debt to support my master's degree in law and my passing the bar exam."

"I'm like this now, I really... sigh... when the hell will this ever stop?"

He couldn't help but curse.

But then he quickly apologized, saying he was a little too excited.

Clearly, as a newly graduated intern lawyer, the work at the law firm, his life in another city, and the pressure of family debts for his education were pushing him to the brink of collapse.

My cousin now is not the cousin of the future who can give me advice and easily point out my way out; he is just a greenhorn who has just graduated.

He is still growing, transforming, and slowly becoming "that person".

Liu Zhuohao didn't immediately offer comfort, but waited until his cousin's breathing calmed down a bit before speaking in a calm, matter-of-fact tone:

"Brother Yue, I don't understand law."

"But I know that many seemingly glamorous industries are like this: you're eating dirt for the first few years, like doctors, designers, accountants, investment bankers... It's all about having the willpower and capital to sustain you."

He changed the subject:

"Your biggest problem right now is that you don't have enough money, right?"

"Face, social obligations, outfits—everything is draining you dry. Your salary can't keep up, and you can't possibly ask your aunt and uncle for money anymore."

"Let me make this very clear to you: you can't back down now; you can only move forward."

He hit the nail on the head, shattering all the facade his cousin was barely maintaining.

Liu Zhuohao had struggled to maintain this semblance of dignity even after graduation.

Or rather, many people who leave their hometowns to work elsewhere have done this.

"so……"

Liu Zhuohao's voice remained calm throughout, "I'll discuss it with my parents and lend you the money for a while, so you won't panic when you have dinner with clients next time."

"However, even brothers should keep clear accounts."

"This money isn't free; consider it a loan from me. I won't charge you interest, but you have to promise me one thing."

He paused, his tone softening slightly, "Once you've caught your breath and aren't too busy, could you help me take a look at the legal risks I might encounter when setting up a stall, how to draft the contract, and whether there are any pitfalls?"

"Consider it, um, an advance payment for your legal consultation."

"You're a professional, and you're my brother, so I have to trust you."

Perhaps my actions might have prevented my cousin from experiencing certain challenges.

But the call had already gone through, and Liu Zhuohao couldn't just sit idly by.

Moreover, he had great confidence in his cousin's professional abilities.

"...Xiao Hao."

My cousin opened his mouth with difficulty, about to say something.

"Stop dawdling. What you need now is not politeness, but to quickly establish yourself in the law firm and become a qualified lawyer."

Liu Zhuohao interrupted him, "Brother Yue, we were both students. We came from ordinary families, got into prestigious universities, passed the bar exam, and then interned at law firms."

"I think many people understand the difficulty involved. If you can get through this, you must have your strengths, advantages, and talents."

"I bet you can establish yourself in the law firm, become a real lawyer, and make it big."

……

……

When they returned to the living room, their parents remained silent.

"Didn't manage to borrow it?"

The father stroked his teacup and said, "If you don't want to take our money, then borrow it from your uncle..."

"My uncle has no money left either."

Liu Zhuohao sat down again, picked up a cup of tea from the coffee table and gulped it down. "My cousin is now a lawyer. My uncle and aunt borrowed a lot of money to support his studies."

The parents paused for a moment, then nodded.

"and you……"

The father spoke up, "What are you planning to do now?"

"As expected, I have no choice but to borrow from you."

Liu Zhuohao looked at him seriously, "I need to borrow tens of thousands of yuan. Twenty thousand is for my own business, and the rest is borrowed from my cousin."

No matter how hard or tiring his past life was, he never took a single penny from his family; he only ever contributed money to them.

My parents occasionally offer to transfer money to me, but I always return it, telling them to use the money to book a tour and enjoy their retirement instead of spending all their time saving up for a wedding house.

But in this lifetime, he still spoke up.

He spoke up not because he was desperate, but because Liu Zhuohao knew very well that he would be able to repay the debt in this lifetime!

The father's hand never put down the teacup; his fingers continued to rub it as he said:

"You can take it and use it. It was originally saved for your college tuition."

He gestured to his mother, who then got up and walked towards the bedroom.

Only the father and son were in the living room.

"You're not the type to spend money recklessly. Our family's money is all in fixed deposits. We recently deposited 50,000 yuan, so withdrawing it now isn't a loss."

The father's throat tightened. "You're more capable than I am."

"You make the decision."

He put down his teacup.