“Dear passengers, the coach you are riding is about to arrive at its destination. Please make sure you have all your personal belongings with you and wait to disembark. Watch your step when exiting, as the stairs are suspended! Thank you for choosing Sky Rider Company Coach K042. We wish you a pleasant trip in Tower City!”
As the announcement ended, Butler Yas stood up and put away the tablecloth.
Cang’er slowly opened her eyes. After reporting her safety to Mingya, she rubbed her numb temples—her mental power had once again been completely depleted.
The coach stopped at a suspended platform on the rooftop level. Because of the high altitude, a faint mist lingered all around. Beneath their feet, buildings stood in dense rows—towering metallic skyscrapers reflecting dazzling sunlight. Miya waved to Cang’er, then boarded a black flying car with her two butlers.
Following the flow of people, Cang’er left the platform and arrived at ground level. Compared to Embracing the Moon City, Tower City’s streets were wider and brighter, with far more detailed zoning.
“7018, navigate to Taman Academy,” Cang’er issued a command to her light brain. She waved her hand to open the holographic screen. A small arrow icon spun once in the central waiting hall, then guided her southward. Two hours later, when she was still three kilometers away from Taman Academy, Cang’er stopped at a park to rest.
Taman Academy was located at the southern end of Tower City, occupying the city’s best geographical position. It was built beside a lake and covered an enormous area.
Her timing was perfect—Cang’er arrived just in time for the academy’s summer enrollment. After browsing the official Taman website on her light brain, she saw that there were still three days left before the new admissions period.
The Yellow Agility Division, Blue Mecha Design Division, and Green Healing Division each required a miscellaneous fee of one gold coin, used for dormitory rental and teaching materials. The Red Combat Soldier Division required two gold coins, due to higher training consumption. Cang’er secretly rejoiced that she had a blue talent—otherwise, she would not even be able to afford the tuition.
Making money was urgent!
She found a bank and opened an account connected to her light brain, depositing all her money there. After deducting tuition, she was left with only nine silver coins. She chose the most ordinary-looking inn to stay at, which cost her another silver coin. Cang’er paid with a pained expression. Big cities were expensive— even the most basic low-grade nutritional solution cost one copper coin per vial, a mid-grade cost five copper coins, and a high-grade cost one silver coin.
Lying on the bed, she browsed job listings on recruitment sites, planning how to earn money next. The most suitable job for her was submitting design drafts to a clothing factory for sale. After all, she would soon start classes, and her time would not always be flexible.
At that moment, her light brain notified her of a video call from Mingya.
“Cang’er, were the design drafts you sent me earlier drawn by you?” Mingya sat at her office desk, turning her holographic screen toward Cang’er.
Displayed on the screen was the set of designs Cang’er had sent before: a rose-themed dress, a brown shirt, and a pair of tall boots.
Cang’er nodded. The light brain’s video connection was highly realistic, making Mingya seem as if she were sitting right in front of her.
“That’s wonderful!” Mingya exclaimed excitedly as she stood up.
“I showed your designs to the design headquarters, and they were pleasantly surprised. They’re very satisfied and are willing to buy them outright for ten gold coins. If you’re also willing to help guide the pattern-making and production process, I negotiated the price up to fifteen gold coins for you. What do you think?”
Mingya looked at Cang’er happily, convinced she would agree.
“Thank you, Sister Mingya,” Cang’er said sincerely. She had been worrying about how to earn money, and now that there was a buyer for her designs, things had become much easier.
“I can accept helping with the pattern-making and production,” Cang’er continued, “but it must be stated that I am the designer. Please use the name ‘Cangcang.’ If they agree, I have no problem.” After speaking, she sent the two characters “Cangcang” to Mingya.
“No problem—don’t worry. With me here, no one can steal your designs. I’ll go communicate with them right away; they’ll agree. I’ll send you the contact person later. Our company headquarters just happens to be in Tower City.”
With that, Mingya hurriedly hung up the video call. Sure enough, once gentle Sister Mingya got to work, she became a completely different person…