Chapter Eight: Your Smile Is Quite Sinister

The Magical Botany Department has a dedicated fertilizer storage room. However, due to the limited funding allocated to the department, students can only apply for a fixed amount of fertilizer each month.

After securing some free fertilizer from the storage, Qian Qi hoisted several small fertilizer sacks over her shoulder and huffed her way up the back hill to find Li Shuyun’s plot of land.

The roughly three-square-meter patch once home to the half-chopped Phoenix Lotus—cut down by the previous owner—had been cleared away by Li Shuyun. Not a single weed remained.

Beside the field sat a small supply box, fully stocked with planting and testing equipment, which delighted Qian Qi immensely as an agricultural student.

“Looks like Senior Li is not only diligent with her planting but also quite well-off!” she thought. “I must make sure to get on her good side in the future! I do love wealthy people~~~”

Muttering to herself, Qian Qi used the instruments to check the soil’s pH and moisture levels. Then, cradling the Phoenix Lotus seed in her hand, she silently chanted: “Divine Touch.”

Instantly, a strange yet warm energy flowed slowly from her arm into her palm and finally into the seed. After a faint warming sensation, Qian Qi sensed the seed pulsing with life, eager to sprout.

“Is that all?” she muttered, inspecting the seed. Knowing that in seven days this could become a terrifying magical plant, a small thrill crept to her lips, pulling them into a subtle smile.

System: [Your expression looks somewhat frightening.]

Qian Qi cleared her throat. “I’m just excited because the fruit of this plant is extremely valuable!”

After burying the seed about three centimeters deep, she fetched water from the well and irrigated the soil with a mix of water and a kilogram of 0.1% urea solution. Then she opened the worn light-brain device strapped to her wrist and recorded:

[April 23, 3023, 06:45. Clear weather. Li Shuyun’s field. Phoenix Lotus seed planted about 3 cm deep. pH 6.9, humidity 63.77%. Irrigated with 1 kg of 0.1% urea solution.]

“Alright, that should do it,” she said, dusting soil off her hands. Now, it was time to plant her own magical plant.

Guided by memory, Qian Qi found her own plot. It was much smaller than Li Shuyun’s. Peering at nearby classmates, she noticed they too had only one square meter each.

One square meter—barely enough for a single small magical plant...

Qian Qi clicked her tongue. That’s hardly enough space to showcase her skills; she needed at least ten square meters!

“Better ask Senior Li if I can apply for some extra land,” she decided, opening her light-brain and sending a message to Li Shuyun.

Soon enough, Li Shuyun replied.

[No Name Change Without a Diploma]: You can’t apply for more, but many upperclassmen in second and third year have vacant land. You can rent from them on the school forum.

[I Am Your Uncle]: School forum? How do I find it?

[No Name Change Without a Diploma]: [School Forum Link]

Qian Qi clicked the link and found the school forum functioned much as she expected: students posting and exchanging messages. However, compared to other departments, the Magical Botany forum was relatively quiet, mostly featuring posts from upperclassmen renting out land.

She browsed enthusiastically but soon frowned. “Renting one square meter for a week costs 70 yuan?”

That market price was outrageously high—more expensive than renting a 30-square-meter fully furnished apartment downtown!

But downtown apartments can’t be used for planting, and ordinary farmland lacked the permit to grow magical plants. For that, students had to cultivate on the school’s back hill.

She considered occupying unclaimed land, but unfortunately, the back hill was small. To ensure student safety, large safety gaps were left between plots, drastically reducing usable land.

And all remaining land had long been divided up.

“Even the best cook can’t make a meal without rice,” she muttered. No matter how powerful her planting skills, without land, she couldn’t perform.

Scratching her head in frustration, Qian Qi turned and noticed many plots overgrown with weeds nearby.

Wait a moment—these all looked like first-year students’ plots.

Counting quickly, her Magical Botany Class 1 had 39 students, and nearby there were at least 39 plots, nearly 20 of which were vacant.

Her previously despondent expression instantly morphed into one of eager regret. “What’s wrong with these students? They’re wasting such precious land resources. I feel obligated to educate them properly!”

Tracing her own plot, she began recording the names of students who hadn’t planted magical plants. Anticipating what was to come, she let out a sly chuckle.

System: [Your smile looks rather sinister.]

“You’re mistaken,” Qian Qi said with righteous indignation.

...

When Qian Qi entered the classroom clutching her textbook, many students were already seated. Due to a shortage of teachers, two or three classes often shared a lesson.

“Whoa, Qian Qi’s actually here for class?”

“The sun must have risen in the west! Maybe she’s afraid of failing finals and getting expelled, so she decided to come.”

“Shh, be careful not to let her hear.”

Several students in Magical Botany Class 1 whispered, only to freeze stiff when Qian Qi sat down right in front of them.

She scanned them before locking her gaze on one student. With a serious expression, she grasped his wrists and said earnestly, “Han Tian, I heard you haven’t been planting recently?”

“W-what?” Han Tian was startled by the sudden grip, a shiver running through him.

Help! Why is Qian Qi talking to him?

If he says the wrong thing, will he end up like Senior Chen Tong with a ruined reputation?

“My planting assignment is already submitted. I don’t need to plant magical plants this semester!” Han Tian struggled to pull his hands free, speaking quickly.

“What!” Qian Qi exclaimed, surprised but intrigued. “So how many of your magical plant quotas are left?”

“Huh?” Han Tian was caught off guard. Seeing her expectant look, he swallowed nervously. “I think I still have about seven left?”

“You’re such a good student!” Qian Qi’s excitement grew. “I have a favor to ask. What do you think?”

Han Tian felt like crying silently. What favor? What if he can’t manage it? Would he get beaten like Senior Chen Tong?

“Don’t be afraid,” Qian Qi said, offering a kind smile, hoping to improve her image. “I’m a good person.”

Han Tian wasn’t convinced—her smile was genuinely terrifying.

Luckily, a few of his roommates were nearby, giving him some courage. “Qian Qi, what favor do you want to ask?”

Qian Qi said, “Could you ask Mentor Mo to allocate seven magical plant seeds to me?”

Han Tian blinked. “Just that simple?”

“Yes, just that simple!” she confirmed firmly.

Looking at his roommates, he saw them nodding their agreement, so he nodded as well. “Alright.”

After all, it was just a few seeds; it wasn’t difficult.

“That’s great!” Qian Qi was overjoyed. Now she could save a lot of money! “Han Tian, you really are a good person!”

Han Tian smiled awkwardly. “I guess…”

“Don’t worry, I’m not one to freeload. From now on, with me backing you up, you can walk tall in both the Magical Botany and Magical Beast Departments!” Qian Qi patted her chest, full of swagger.

Han Tian thought: … That’s not really necessary!

“So, since I’ve promised you this…” Qian Qi’s beaming eyes shifted toward his roommates. “Maybe your friends’ magical plant quotas could also be…”

Caught off guard, the roommates exchanged bewildered looks: ???

Is it still possible to run away now?

Fortunately, Han Tian was somewhat honorable. “They haven’t finished their planting assignments yet. They probably still need to apply for seeds…”

“No problem!” Qian Qi assured them. “I can help you with your assignments!”

Han Tian and friends: …

Han Tian and friends: ???

You’re the lowest-ranking student in the class. Are you really sure you can help us with our assignments???