Life Through the Ame Chapter 18: Do We Get Paid?

County High School.

"We're famous now! Completely famous!"

Emtt appeared out of nowhere, bursting with excitent.

"Really?"

Adam smiled faintly, seeming indifferent.

"Why aren't you excited?"

Emtt waved his hands dramatically, displeased by Adam's nonchalant attitude. "You're acting like you don't care—are you trying to make

look ignorant?"

"What's there to be excited about?"

Adam chuckled as he walked toward the classroom. "Other than venting so frustration yesterday, what's worth celebrating?"

"Are you kidding ?"

Emtt's signature chatty tone erged again. "Have you seen how popular we are today? Those girls are going wild for us! If we just lift a finger, they'll—"

He paused as Adam stopped, smiling at him knowingly. Realizing what he was implying, Emtt's expression darkened. "Don't act all cool! I know you've never had trouble attracting girls before, but now it's on another level. Are you seriously denying it?"

"I'm not denying it," Adam admitted with a smile. "But I have a mild case of face blindness. To , most girls look the sa. I've never really cared about appearances."

Emtt couldn't take it anymore and flipped him off.

"What a sha. If this song were completely original, it would've been perfect."

After so playful banter, Emtt smacked his lips. "With a song like this, you could release a single, get rich and famous, and never have to worry about money again."

"Yeah," Adam sighed.

In his previous life, he wasn't much of a music enthusiast. Even racking his brain, he could only recall this song, which turned out to be an adaptation of soone else's work. He wasn't the original creator, so he didn't own the copyright.

In the U.S., copyright laws are extrely strict, which greatly benefits original creators. Many small artists earn enough from one or two hits to achieve financial freedom.

For soone like Adam, who modified soone else's song without permission, it was fine for casual use. But any attempt to comrcialize it would surely lead to a lawsuit.

Besides, his main focus wasn't on music. So, he decided to let it go.

Maybe one day, when his intelligence points increased significantly, he could recall every detail of his past life like the protagonist in *Limitless*. But by then, he wouldn't need to make money through music.

"Hey, Adam."

Another voice suddenly interrupted, startling Adam.

"Hey."

Adam was about to lose his temper but softened his expression when he saw the speaker was a righteous-looking girl. He smiled brightly.

"My na is Gretchen."

The girl appeared to be a Latina mixed-race beauty, with striking features, a curvaceous figure, and stylish curly hair. Her bold, fiery gaze was fixed on Adam.

"Are you free tonight?"

"Huh?"

Adam was stunned.

It wasn't the first ti a girl had asked him out, but never this directly.

"Today's my birthday. My family is throwing

a party," Gretchen said, staring intently at Adam. "I'd like to invite you…"

"Ahem."

Emtt couldn't help but cough.

"…and your band to perform at the party. What do you think?"

Gretchen quickly rephrased, much to Emtt's satisfaction. "Of course, we'd love to," he replied eagerly.

"Will we get paid?"

Adam blurted out instinctively.

Emtt's eyes widened in disbelief. He seed to be saying, "A beauty of this caliber is inviting you to a party—most people would jump at the chance. And you're asking for money? How did a blunt steel-hearted guy like you ever manage to date anyone?"

But what happened next left Emtt utterly shocked.

"Of course!"

Gretchen seed montarily stunned but then smiled even more brightly. "You'll be satisfied, I promise."

As the only daughter of one of the wealthiest families in the area, money was the least of her concerns. Anything that could be solved with money wasn't a problem.

"I'll need to discuss it with my bandmates," Adam said, tempted but cautious.

"Sure."

Gretchen gave him a flirtatious smile. "Even if you co alone, you don't need to perform."

With that, she sashayed away, leaving Emtt staring after her, practically drooling.

"I'm definitely going!"

Emtt exclaid.

"Okay," Adam nodded.

Once Emtt cald down, he looked at Adam with envy. "What were you thinking, asking for money? Are you serious?"

"You don't care about money?"

Adam looked at Emtt in surprise, as if doubting his humanity. "If that's the case, I won't split the earnings with you."

"No way!"

Emtt protested imdiately. "We're a team! Everything should be shared!"

"Then what's your problem?"

Adam teased. "Money isn't appealing to you?"

The Duncan family, by inco standards, barely qualified as middle class. But as a "one-family-four-kids warrior clan," their average lifestyle was far from middle-class standards.

Following the original trajectory, the Duncan family's inco and expenses were balanced. But with Adam striving to get into an Ivy League school—top private institutions—they'd face imnse financial pressure.

Private schools were excellent but shared one significant drawback: they were ridiculously expensive!

Not to ntion dical school after college—truly "where money talks, and talent without cash doesn't walk." Many graduates worked for a few years before applying to d school because of its daunting costs.

The Duncan family couldn't possibly afford it.

Adam wasn't going to put that burden entirely on them. He'd already started planning ways to earn money, even though he still had four years before college.

So, when an opportunity to make money arose, he wouldn't pass it up—even if it was just pocket change. He could start saving for gas money once he got his driver's license next year.

No money, no gas, no driving—simple as that.

As for worrying about what a girl might think?

Please. He wasn't interested in her for that.

Who cares?

Later, when Juno and Sheldon arrived, Adam explained the situation.

"Gretchen Venus?"

Juno smirked. "Sounds fun!"

Adam frowned slightly, sensing sothing odd about Juno's expression, but he couldn't pinpoint why.

"Sheldon, what about you?"

"A party? No, thank you!"

Young Sheldon shook his head vigorously.

He avoided shaking hands without gloves; attending a crowded, sweaty party was out of the question.

"Fair enough."

Adam didn't push him, as long as it didn't affect Sheldon's daily contribution of 0.005 intelligence points.

Sheldon's personality never changed throughout his life. Adam didn't expect to be the one to change him. Besides, would Sheldon even be Sheldon if he changed?

(End of Chapter)