CHAPTER 391: CHAPTER 391: CREATIVE WAYS TO PLAY THE VICTIM

After entering, before the event began, Ye Hong and Professor Jiang Yulan were on stage, directing students to move and set up various types of equipment and instruments, which were obviously temporarily allocated here.

It was evident how much the two professors were valuing this discussion and research.

Ji You didn’t immediately go up to the stage; her gaze swept and searched through the crowd... Finally, in a slightly secluded corner, she spotted Director Wang, who was leisurely sipping tea with his legs crossed.

For a moment, Ji You was filled with new grievances piled on top of old ones, wishing she could skewer Director Wang into a sieve with her gaze alone.

Ji You’s sharp gaze, piercing as thorns, was something Director Wang could certainly feel. He lifted his head, and his eyes met Ji You’s fierce stare right away.

Director Wang’s lips twitched, cursing inwardly: Despite being a school leader, this brat has no sense of respect for him whatsoever.

So, Director Wang put on an amiable and kind smile timed just right and beckoned to Ji You to come over.

Upon seeing this, Ji You immediately took a step forward, but after one step, she turned back and said to Chu Jiaojiao, Shen Changqing, and the others behind her, "You guys find a seat and sit down. I’ve got something to discuss with Director Wang."

Hearing this, the others didn’t express any interest in asking what it was about, nodded their heads, and went to find seats.

Ji You wished she could dash to Director Wang in one fell swoop and confront him: "Why charge for the auditorium twice?"

Charge her once.

Charge the other students once.

And it all happened on the same day. Isn’t that double charging?

But the more anxious she was inside, the slower Ji You’s steps became. Dealing with an old fox like Director Wang, one must not let him see the urgency in her heart, or she’d be jumping into a pit with eyes wide open.

One step.

Two steps.

Three steps.

...

For a short distance, it took Ji You nearly 3 minutes to finally approach Director Wang.

Director Wang glanced at her obliquely and pointed to the seat opposite to him, saying, "Sit."

Ji You chuckled and quickly said, "Thank you, Director Wang."

As soon as she sat down, the fragrance of tea wafted to her nose. Ji You glanced at the live fire stove boiling water with her eyes, then at the teacup in front of Director Wang...

Well, well!

Gongfu tea!

This Director Wang really knew how to enjoy himself.

And this tea, just by the smell, she could tell it was premium quality. Wafts of the tea’s fragrance, through the nostrils, penetrated the heart and spleen... Her entire Spiritual World felt much clearer. However, compared to the zealous reaction to the Cloud Mist Tea, the six dumb creatures in the Spiritual World just slightly wagged their tails upon smelling this scent and did not cry out wanting it...

Thus, Ji You realized that this thing might not be as valuable as the Cloud Mist Tea, but must also be pretty good.

Knowing it’s a good thing, where would Ji You keep any pretension?

A fool wouldn’t take advantage of a good deal! After plopping down, without waiting for Director Wang to invite her, Ji You grabbed the teapot, took a teacup for herself, and boldly poured herself a cup of tea.

Director Wang’s eyelids twitched.

Then, setting down the teapot, Ji You very naturally picked up the teacup, took a sip with a slight slurp, and the fragrance mixed with a hint of bitterness spread in her mouth. Enraptured, Ji You praised, "Good tea."

Director Wang: "..."

Director Wang swore with a characteristic smile: "You really know how to enjoy yourself, don’t you?"

Ji You chuckled and said, "Not at all, not at all... All thanks to Director Wang’s blessing, otherwise, such expensive tea, a poor ghost like me who relies on loans to pay tuition fees, how could I afford it?"

Without a proper prelude, lamenting poverty directly.

That’s right.

It’s simply crude and straightforward.

Ji You didn’t believe it; having made such a pitiable plea, would Director Wang still have the gall to swindle her hard-earned money?

This 250,000 entrance fee, she must get half.

Who knew, upon hearing Ji You’s words, Director Wang just smiled kindly and said, "If you haven’t drunk it before, then drink a little more."

Ji You: "..."

It seems that he plans not to take any action, right?

In that case—

If the enemy does not move, I will not move.

Ji You also laughed heartily, drained her cup in one gulp, and poured herself another cup of tea, saying, "As per Director Wang’s wish, I won’t be polite."

Director Wang pointed at the kettle on the stove, smiling, "This tea is called Iron Goddess; it’s a famous plant drink from Ancient Earth in our Hua Country... Long-term drinking has many effects such as revitalizing the spirit, reducing blood pressure, and maintaining health."

Ji You put down the teacup and immediately showed a bitter face, speaking mournfully, "The tea is good, I’m aware of its great benefits for the body, but us poor folks, how can we afford such luxuries? To be frank, this is my first time drinking Iron Goddess Tea, and I didn’t expect it to be justly famous and taste so good, it leaves an unforgettable impression."

Seizing the moment, she sold her misery furiously.

"Alas..." Before Director Wang could speak, Ji You sighed deeply and continued, "It’s also because of the determination to grit my teeth and take a heavy heart to get a loan for education that I got out of garbage planet 101. Otherwise, I might never have the chance to drink Iron Goddess Tea in my life. The days I spent on the garbage planet were truly tough, barely getting enough to eat, having a low-level nutrient solution that had to be split into three parts for three meals, and even that was considered good times... Sometimes, when I was so hungry, seeing a Carrion Rat appearing in the room, I almost wished I could slaughter it to eat. At that time, I just thought that if I died, all would be finally settled." Carrion Rats are Star Beasts, their hide and flesh contain massive amounts of radiation and Star Beast toxins, making them inedible.

Director Wang: "..."

Director Wang’s eyes flickered twice, his lips still smiling, and he said, "It is a bit bitter. Since that’s the case, have a few more cups of tea."

Saying that, he lifted his hand, actually wanting to pour tea for Ji You personally.

Ji You: "..."

Old fox, indeed an old fox, not taking the bait at all.

It seems—

Unless directly confronted, he plans to pretend as if he knows nothing and pocket today’s 250,000 entrance fee all to himself.

Ji You gritted her teeth inwardly, but could only keep a cheerful face, ready to broach the topic of the entrance fee, when she heard Director Wang suddenly change the topic, pointing to Ye Hong and Professor Jiang Yulan on the stage, saying, "Ji You, do you feel ready to share the stage with the two professors this afternoon?"

Ji You: "..."

What a nice way to change the subject, quite skillfully too.

Ji You immediately said, "Ready or not, not really, anyway I’m just a beginner, I’ll follow the professors’ leads and commands. No big problem."

No big problem?

This little rascal, really has no respect for size or weight.

Director Wang smiled and said, "That won’t do! No matter what you’re learning, the first thing is to have a serious attitude toward your studies. Just thinking of getting by won’t do; since the professors take it so seriously, even personally setting up the equipment, you have to take it to heart as well. After you drink a few cups of tea, go up there and see if there’s anything you can lend a hand with."

Ji You: "..."

Shameless!

Directly serving an eviction notice.