“I can’t offer you any of the conditions they gave you.”
Si Junni had been nodding halfway when she suddenly froze. Can’t offer? Are you kidding me?
“I am the principal of Divine Dragon University. Compared to them, our student body isn’t large—in fact, it’s quite small. Last year’s inter-academy competition, we didn’t even have enough participants. Moreover, our university is poor. Sometimes, we can’t even pay the teachers’ salaries, let alone offer you any special treatment or subsidies.”
The smile on Si Junni’s face faded considerably. Old man, if you’re trying to play the emotional card, I’m afraid we might have to say goodbye.
But who would have thought this Old Zheng would defy expectations and say directly, “However, there’s one thing we can offer that none of the others can!”
Si Junni replied calmly, “Oh? What is it?”
“I believe that no matter what type of Awakened you are, you should grow through combat and experience—even if you’re a Healing Type! I’ll have you engage in actual combat during your freshman year. Although I’ll provide a certain degree of protection, surviving and becoming stronger will depend entirely on yourself. If you want resources, go seize them yourself! Lead teams into battle! If you can’t seize them, come find me, and I’ll take you to seize them!”
Wu Laohu immediately objected, “Old Zheng, we’ve finally found a Healing Type. She should first focus on solidifying her special ability. If anything unexpected happens, it would be a loss for all of humanity!”
Zou Wenshu surprisingly shared Wu Laohu’s stance. “That’s right. While improving through combat yields the best results, a Healing Awakener can also contribute effectively from the rear…”
Si Junni had already stopped listening, as she had completely made up her mind about her destination.
Huaxia University and Haitian University weren’t suitable for her because Si Junni herself had no desire to be constantly managed or treated like a fragile treasure—coddled to the point of being afraid she’d break if held too tightly or melt if kept in the mouth. If that kind of nurturing model were applied to her…
Si Junni felt she would go insane.
Old Zheng noticed Si Junni’s interest and added, “Look at how rigid these two are! They’d probably follow you around every day, terrified you’d face any danger! I’m different. I’ve always believed that even injuries and hardships are essential lessons for growth. The strongest fighters who emerge from adversity are always the ones who dominate the battlefield. Besides, whatever else you want to learn, I’ll teach you. At my age, whether it’s military command or experimental combat, I’m quite skilled.”
Si Junni sighed. “But you can’t give me nothing at all, can you?”
Old Zheng took out his phone, tapped on it for a while, and then held it up for Si Junni to see.
Si Junni immediately frowned. The screen was almost shattered into a spiderweb pattern, and the surrounding paint had completely worn off, making it look particularly pitiful. Was this really the principal of Divine Dragon University?
“This is all the savings I have. I’ll give it all to you!”
Si Junni carefully examined the numbers on the screen.
106.98…
How could someone of your stature be even poorer than me?
Si Junni felt a wave of despair. It seemed she was destined for poverty once again. The lap of luxury simply couldn’t accommodate her!
Si Junni was absolutely certain she wanted to be a support who fought bravely with a blade, so without much hesitation, she quickly decided on her destination. She didn’t want to waste any more words, especially since the place she had chosen was so poor it had nothing to offer.
Finally, Si Junni looked toward Long Xiao, who had arrived the earliest but had been pushed to the outermost circle.
“What about you? What do you have to say?”Long Xiao replied, “I’m responsible for selecting members for this year’s Dingbei Pass Training Camp. I wanted to ask if you’d like to join. It doesn’t conflict with whichever school you choose.”
Si Junni showed little interest. Official organizations had too many rules and too much nonsense. “Sorry, not interested.”
Through his earlier observations, Long Xiao had vaguely begun to understand Si Junni…
He tentatively said, “The salary is 68,000 per month, with social insurance and housing fund. If you agree to join, your salary starts counting from today. There are also subsidies for participating in battles. Would you like to consider it?”
Si Junni blinked rapidly several times, her breathing noticeably quickening. “Well, Captain, how do I go about the onboarding procedures? It’s not about the salary—I mainly admire our Dragon King Squad!”
Si Junni’s immediate familiarity made Long Xiao’s icy expression crack slightly. Who was it that just said, “Sorry, not interested”??
“What about me then!”
Old Zheng had initially been full of confidence. He had observed Si Junni’s unwillingness to believe and her obvious unhappiness upon learning about her Awakening type, so he felt particularly confident in his approach.
But now, seeing how easily swayed by money this girl seemed, he suddenly felt uneasy.
If only he had known… Ah, he could have borrowed some money in advance.
Noticing the old man’s anxiety, Si Junni suddenly calmed down, hesitating and unwilling to speak. She glanced at Wu Laohu, then at Zou Huli, and finally at Old Zheng.
Old Zheng steeled himself. “Little Zou, Little Wu, lend me 500,000 each! I’ll definitely pay you back by the end of the year!”
Wu Zhenghu and Zou Wenshu: (◣_◢)!!!
Do you even hear what you’re saying?! Borrowing our money to snatch the person we want!
Si Junni was also stunned by Old Zheng’s move. Could you really play it like this? A bare-handed trick to catch a wolf. Instantly… ideas flowed like a spring. Today was another day of “learning something new.”
Before Wu Laohu and Zou Huli could refuse, Old Zheng started crying.
“Back in the day, I alone resisted tens of thousands of Monster Beasts across the entire northern border! I didn’t let them cross the defense line even a step. Unfortunately, I was injured and had to withdraw from the front lines. Now… it’s only been a few years, and no one pays attention to this old man anymore.”
Old Zheng cried as soon as he spoke, leaving everyone dumbfounded.
Long Xiao was the first to lose his composure. In that battle back then, if Old Zheng hadn’t risked his life and held the line, everyone would have died.
Besides, Old Zheng’s poverty was because…
“Old Zheng, please don’t cry. I’ll lend you the money.”
With that, he directly transferred 500,000 to Old Zheng.
Old Zheng nodded tearfully. “Little Long Long has grown up now.”
“Yes, yes, I’ll lend it too, I’ll lend it too.” Wu Laohu was so anxious his face turned red. If the higher-ups found out he made Old Zheng cry, they’d come and slap his head sideways…
“Old Zheng, I’ve transferred the money. No need to pay it back—don’t be a stranger with us.” Zou Huli was even more enthusiastic, spouting sweet words one after another.
Wu Laohu glared resentfully. If only he had a mouth that could say nice things too, what a cheerful young man he would be!
In truth, everyone could see that Si Junni clearly wanted to go to Divine Dragon University. While competing for talent was important, the talent’s own wishes were even more crucial.
Only by going to an environment they wanted and suited them would their cultivation yield twice the results with half the effort.As for the money, it’s all being spent on our own people anyway. No matter how you calculate it, it’s not a loss.
So, let’s just go along with the child.