Chapter 82

Chapter 83: … Wow, You Really Are a Villain

All morning, Qian Qi answered questions from the A grade researchers. Every answer shook the room. One by one, their eyes changed as they looked at her. She seemed like a miracle.

Someone finally asked the big question, saying: “Classmate Qian Qi, how do you know all this?”

Sitting in the guest seat, she sipped hot goji tea and drawled, saying: “How else would I know? Because I’m a genius.”

She ran a hand through her messy nest of hair and didn’t hide her pride, saying: “Don’t ask. You wouldn’t understand the world of a genius.”

System: [Ugh.]

After that Q and A, her status in the institute rose like a tide. She even surpassed Li Hong Sheng in their minds. Many researchers asked to add her as a friend, and she agreed with a grin, saying: “As long as you give a little ‘Little Qian,’ I can help answer some questions.” By that, she clearly meant a small fee.

Of course she wanted to win them over. A grade researchers knew the most about magiplants and learned news first. Being close with them would make it easy to pick up useful rumors later.

[Hey, you’re adding all these people for a reason, aren’t you?] the System said, suspicious of her smile.

She immediately put on a fawning, slightly creepy grin, saying: “No way. Who could ever replace my great, selfless, unbeatable Lord System? I just want to earn more money so I can support you in your golden years.”

System: [So your plan is to replace me. Don’t think I’m stupid. You just want to freeload magiplant knowledge so you don’t have to buy it from me.]

After mooching a free lunch at the institute, thrifty Classmate Qian made her first request, saying: “I want one hundred Fire Qilin Lotus seeds.”

Li Hong Sheng sprayed tea, saying: “One hundred? Why don’t you just rob us?”

She tapped her Light Brain and looked innocent, saying: “The Hemostatic Potion formula. I haven’t given it to you yet.”

Face dark, he trudged to the warehouse and came back with a pouch of seeds. He handed over one hundred Fire Qilin Lotus seeds with pain in his eyes, saying: “It’s free, yes, but keep it reasonable.”

She stuffed the seeds into her pocket with quick hands, saying: “Don’t be so stingy. Money is earned by opening new sources, not by pinching every coin.”

Li Hong Sheng twitched. [Give me a break. I heard about your famous ‘2 yuan packaging fee.’ You’re the stingiest one here.]

After the trade, Qian Qi finally passed him the Hemostatic Potion recipe, saying: “With your brains, you should be able to make it. The effect won’t be as good as when I do it myself…”

She patted his shoulder like a coach, saying: “Old man, go for it. If you get stuck, ask me. I’ll teach you until you learn. Super responsible.”

He forced a smile and switched topics, asking: “Thanks so much. Then shall we talk about the Defense Fruit?”

She turned on her heel, waving back, saying: “What Defense Fruit? Don’t know, not clear, never heard of it. Don’t ask me.”

Li Hong Sheng stared after her. [If you want something, just say it. Don’t dangle it in front of an old man. My heart can’t take it.]

Qian Qi had no plans to hand over the Defense Fruit yet. A certain good-looking senior hadn’t paid her the three hundred million. He also hadn’t paid for those packets of Hemostatic Potion. [Senior Su may be handsome, but if he doesn’t pay, he goes on my blacklist. Once you’re on it, you pay double.]

She shook her head on her way out, saying: “People keep taking advantage of my kind heart. I won’t stoop to their level.”

Before leaving, she made a special stop to see Chen Miao Miao, who had been detained by the guards.

Inside the holding room, Chen Miao Miao roared at the guards outside, saying: “I told you I’m not a thief, and I’m not a spy. Let me out. This is illegal detention. I’ll sue you.”

Qian Qi popped her head up in the window with great interest.

The instant Chen Miao Miao saw her, she rushed over like someone drowning who had found the last straw, pounding the glass and shouting, saying: “Qian Qi, get me out of here. I only picked up a pass to return it. I have no idea whose pass that is. Please, save me.”

But straw is still straw. It can’t save you in a rapid river. Qian Qi spread her hands, saying: “Can’t help you. I just came to say bye. I’m going back to school.”

She pretended to be kind, saying: “Classmate Chen, I don’t know what you did, but make sure you eat and drink well in here. Don’t get skinny. If you don’t look good, what if Senior Chen dumps you?”

Chen Miao Miao’s face fell and she screamed hoarsely, saying: “Qian Qi, what nonsense are you spouting?”

Qian Qi shook her head like she hated iron that wouldn’t turn to steel, saying: “Forget it. We’ll talk after you get out. I’m heading back to school. I’ll get your classes excused.”

With a smile tugging at her lips, she left the holding room. As she walked, she used her Light Brain to record the angry, broken shouts from behind. When she got far enough that she couldn’t hear them anymore, she hit play and looped the audio.

She sighed in delight, saying: “Wow, that’s music to my ears.”

System: [Wow. You really are a total creep.]

Back at school, Qian Qi went straight to the Principal.

She stood in front of his desk with a heavy voice, saying: “Principal, after the trip to Song City two days ago, I reflected on my selfishness. I’ve decided to hand over the potion recipe.”

The Principal, who had been wondering why she came, stared wide-eyed. He jumped to his feet, almost knocking over the water glass, and asked in a rush, saying: “Really? You’re finally willing to sell us the recipe?”

She waved both hands with righteous air, saying: “Sell? Talking about money is so tacky. This is my duty as a student of Awakener University. I was too petty before.”

Her sudden change of heart made the Principal doubt his eyes, but the only things he saw on her face were guilt and awakening.

He sat forward and tried to confirm, asking: “Since you say so, then the recipe…”

She smiled like a born merchant and cut in, saying: “Even if the recipe can be free, I still want to ask you for something, Principal. For example…”