Chapter 36: Oh my, isn't this her wealthy benefactor!

Qian Qi changed into clean clothes in the warehouse, wrapped the Magic Electric Lion’s horn in waste paper, and tucked it into an empty iron box.

As she wrapped it, her gaze drifted to the mangled remains of the optical computer on her wrist, and she immediately felt a wave of gloom. Back when she was being chased by the beast tide, she had prioritized protecting the Earth Berry in her hand, which resulted in her already battered optical computer being chewed up by the beasts.

Still, she didn’t come out at a total loss; she had smashed all of the beast’s teeth. (Proud hands-on-hips.gif).

The problem was, she didn’t know if it could still be repaired, or how much it would cost. She didn’t have a single cent to her name right now; even getting back to school was a challenge.

Frustrated, she scratched her head and returned to the Dean’s office.

Seeing Qian Qi, Xiang Wenyun stood up immediately. "Qiqi, where did you go? You were gone so long, I thought you’d left."

"Just wandered around a bit," Qian Qi coughed twice. Her eyes swept over the slightly reddened corners of Xiang Wenyun’s eyes, and she scratched her neck. "Um, Dean... could you lend me some money? I’ll pay you back as soon as I get home."

"Oh, you. You’ve run out of living expenses, haven't you?" Xiang Wenyun shook her head helplessly. "I asked you before, and you were too stubborn to admit it. Wait a moment, I’ll transfer it to you."

"Ah, actually, I’d prefer cash..." Qian Qi coughed again.

Xiang Wenyun paused, but didn't press for details. "Alright, just wait a moment."

Xiang Wenyun stepped out and returned shortly with a bag, which she handed to Qian Qi. "I put the money inside. When you’re out and about, don’t skimp on your meals. Look at you, you’d look much better with a bit more meat on your bones."

Inside the bag were also two sets of clothes. Knowing that Qian Qi likely didn't care for colors, they were simple, clean white shirts.

Qian Qi touched the clothes and looked up. "I’m heading back now."

"Alright." Xiang Wenyun nodded gently. Just as she turned to grab some fruit, she saw Qian Qi bolt out the door, moving as fast as she possibly could.

"This child..." Xiang Wenyun shook her head with a resigned smile. Watching Qian Qi’s retreating figure, she whispered, "I wonder when we’ll be able to meet again..."

***

Qian Qi asked for directions and took the subway to reach the shopping mall where optical computers were repaired.

Although Awakened ones held high social status, ordinary citizens still made up the majority of the population in this world. Because of this, even with high-tech devices like optical computers, everyday infrastructure like subways and malls still relied on basic cash transactions.

As Qian Qi stepped into the mall, a wave of cool comfort washed over her. She looked around and quickly locked onto an optical computer store. It seemed that even in this world, stores selling communication tools were still located right at the entrance of the ground floor.

She strode into the store, and a clerk immediately approached her with a brilliant, practiced smile. "Sir, is there anything you need?"

Qian Qi hesitated for a moment. "Can you repair optical computers here?"

The clerk’s smile stiffened slightly. With a look of indifference, she pointed toward the back and walked away.

Qian Qi scratched her head and walked further in, finding a small desk tucked away in a corner with a sign that read: *Optical Computer Repair*.

She hurried over, placed the mangled mess of an optical computer on the desk, and asked the repairman, "Uncle, can this be fixed?"

The repairman glanced at the shattered components on the table, then looked at the fierce-looking Qian Qi, nearly mistaking her for a troublemaker. However, seeing the desperate look in her eyes, he said regretfully, "It’s so badly damaged, how could I fix it? You’d be better off buying a new one."

Qian Qi’s face fell instantly.

Seeing Qian Qi look "fierce" again, the repairman’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly added, "I mean, it *can* be fixed, but with so many parts ruined, the cost of replacing them would be more than just buying a new one."

The repairman gave her a sincere "trust me" look. Qian Qi hesitated, then nodded.

The clerk who had walked away and snuck back to listen immediately rushed over with an eager, brilliant smile. "Sir, are you looking to buy a new optical computer? We’ve just received many new models!"

Qian Qi looked at the clerk with a hint of shock. *Good heavens, she’s just like me! This clerk’s ability to change with the wind is truly a talent!*

But unfortunately...

Qian Qi asked sincerely, "I want the cheapest one. How much is it?"

The clerk’s smile visibly stiffened again, but adhering to the principle that a sale is a sale, she led Qian Qi to a counter and pointed at the old-fashioned models inside. "These are the cheapest."

Qian Qi checked the price; the lowest was 6,000 credits. But Xiang Wenyun had only given her 1,000 credits, and she had already spent 7 on the subway.

"Can I use it first and pay later?" Qian Qi pointed to the broken device in her pocket. "My optical computer is shattered, so I can't process payments."

The clerk’s smile collapsed. She suspected that Qian Qi was either trying to scam her or was just an idiot. "Sir, activating an optical computer requires real-name authentication. Once you activate it, it becomes a second-hand item!"

Who knew if Qian Qi even had money in his account? What if she let him bind it and he then refused to pay?

Qian Qi hadn't realized there was such a rule. She looked at the counter with regret. "Then I suppose that won't work..."

*Maybe I should go buy a mobile phone? I wonder if they exist in this world. Or maybe I should go back and look for a place that sells second-hand ones.*

Money was so hard to hold onto; she really had to be frugal.

Just as she was thinking this, a voice full of surprise rang out from behind her: "Big Brother Qian Qi!"

Qian Qi’s ears pricked up. Her "wealthy person radar" instantly activated. *Oh, I recognize that voice!*

She turned around, saw "Little Wang" jogging toward her, and immediately hurried to meet him.

"Little Wang!" Qian Qi’s voice rose and fell with dramatic flair, as if she had spotted a wealthy sucker and was preparing to pull the defense fruit from her pocket. "I have something here—"

Before she could finish, Little Wang rushed up to her, his innocent, wide eyes fixed on her. "Big Brother, what are you doing in my store? Are you buying an optical computer?"

*Huh?*

Qian Qi accurately caught the key point. She looked up at the luxurious decor of the store. "You own this?"

"Haha, well, not exactly," Little Wang waved his hands, acting modest. "My family owns it. Didn't you know? My family runs a chain of optical computer stores."

He pointed to the most luxurious display in the center of the store. "See that latest model? My uncle’s company developed it!"

Qian Qi: *Oh, wow!*

Qian Qi was delighted. So, Little Wang wasn't just a wealthy kid—he was a tycoon in the making! As expected of the "moneybags" she had set her sights on; his background was truly extraordinary!

Qian Qi wiped her face and put on a slightly troubled expression. "To be honest, my optical computer broke, and I was looking to buy a new one."

*So, see, given our friendship, could we perhaps arrange for me to take the goods first and pay later?*

"Is that all? You should have said so sooner!" Upon hearing this, Little Wang immediately patted his chest heroically. "I’ll have them bring you the latest model right away—free of charge!"

Qian Qi: !!!

Qian Qi looked up at the latest model, her eyes widening. "Oh, that wouldn't be right! Aren't you being too polite?"

Seeing this, Little Wang immediately caught her drift. "What’s wrong with that? If it weren't for you appearing back then and saving my life with that hemostatic medicine, I’d be dead by now. How could I even be standing here in front of you?"

"A life-saving grace should be repaid with... ahem... with the latest optical computer! Please, don't be so modest with me!"

After his near-slip of the tongue, Little Wang pointed to the clerk and ordered, "Quick, go pack up the latest model for Big Brother Qian Qi!"

The clerk, hearing this, had her previously stiff, fake smile replaced by one of genuine terror. She scrambled to pack the latest model and placed it into Qian Qi’s hands with trembling fingers, not forgetting to apologize, "Respected guest, I am so sorry about earlier..."

"What happened?" Little Wang noticed something and his expression darkened. "You didn't think that because Big Brother Qian Qi looks poor, he couldn't afford an optical computer, did you?"

Qian Qi, who actually *couldn't* afford it, thought: *...There's no need to specifically point out that I look poor, you know! And this is the 'Guangdong Rich Person's Humble Style'—do you even understand aesthetics?!*

"Little Wang, your clerk is quite diligent." Qian Qi didn't think the clerk had done anything wrong, and she didn't care about such trifles. She gestured to the optical computer. "Thank you for this."

To her, saving money was the big deal. And establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with a little moneybags was even more important!

She had to keep interacting with him. Little moneybags could lead her to big moneybags, and big moneybags could lead her to a whole crowd of them. A crowd of big moneybags would eventually guarantee her a sweet, comfortable retirement!

"Little Wang, I actually happened to get my hands on something good recently..." Qian Qi gave him a conspiratorial wink. "You know what I mean~"

"Oh! I understand!" Little Wang caught on immediately, returning the wink and gesturing toward the inner office. "Come, come, let’s go inside and talk details!"

Ten minutes later, Qian Qi left the store, feeling immensely satisfied with the 30,000 credits added to her account.

After Qian Qi left, Little Wang emerged from the inner office. He gripped the item he had acquired tightly and instructed the clerk, "From now on, if this person comes back, pack the latest optical computer for her immediately and put it on my tab."

A life-saving debt could never be fully repaid. The Wang family must not lose the chance to build a relationship with such an expert over a few petty profits.

He had to accumulate more favor with her to ensure he stayed on her good side!

And that was that. His great-uncle was entering a D-rank dungeon tomorrow; he had to sell him a defense fruit before he went in!

Hmm, how much should he charge...

He’d give him the "family discount": 100,000 credits!