Chapter 10: Yulian and Penniless

The campus was covered in snow. Some laborers and volunteer students were shouting loudly as they shoveled the thick snow off the paths with spades. Several girls were carrying large bamboo baskets and spreading salt on the cleared paths. It was said this was a method learned from the northern Five Great Archipelagos—salt could help melt the snow and prevent the ground from freezing.

As winter days grew dark early, the sky was already turning black. Oil lamps were lit everywhere. Stretching and yawning, Lin Qi walked along the corridor through the campus. Wherever he passed, people avoided him. Students who had just left their classes, both male and female, carefully kept their distance from Lin Qi while holding books close to their chests.

Deep within the campus, a low bell rang from the clock tower. It was the signal that the cafeteria had prepared dinner. A few greenfinches fluttered down from a large tree that had lost all its leaves, landing on the withered grass where the snow had just been cleared, searching for food with difficulty. Watching these small birds, Lin Qi sighed softly and said, “Birds in winter are as pitiful as Lin Qi with no money to spend!”

Sighing, Lin Qi glanced at a tall, round stone tower in the distance and couldn’t help curling his lips, a greedy glint flashing in his eyes.

As elites of the Empire, students of Fifth University enjoyed excellent living conditions. The dormitory where Lin Qi lived was built with heavy gray marble. The six-story dormitory building could accommodate two thousand students. At each corner of the dormitory stood a sharp square tower thirty meters high, while the center of the building was crowned with a large round dome. The square towers featured strange statues with wings on their backs, and the round dome was inlaid with colorful, translucent shells, dazzlingly splendid.

When Lin Qi entered his dorm room, Yulian—a core member of the Iron Fist Brotherhood and one of Lin Qi’s right-hand men—was sitting on Lin Qi’s bed, legs propped up on the headboard. Holding a letter, he was grinning proudly, nibbling at his dashing little mustache and chuckling softly.

Two years older than Lin Qi but in the same grade, Yulian was a notorious playboy at Fifth University. Coming from a declining noble family, Yulian was tall, handsome, and had neatly styled golden short hair that looked quite dashing. A dapper little mustache on his upper lip curved slightly, making him seem as if he was smiling all the time.

Yulian had a pair of watery, sky-blue eyes—lively and spirited, as though constantly sending out flirtatious glances. With his tall and robust build, handsome looks, captivating eyes, a sweet tongue, and the title of Hereditary Baron, Yulian often appeared in the spring dreams of many girls in University City.

Seeing Yulian’s smug grin and the pink letter in his hand, Lin Qi couldn’t help but groan, “Deity, which poor woman has fallen for you again? Oh, dear Yulian, are you adding another romantic affair to your list?”

Yulian kissed the letter affectionately, then meticulously folded it into a rose shape and carefully placed it in the pocket over his heart. Jiggling his leg triumphantly, he smiled at Lin Qi and stretched out a hand. “Boss, lend me a Wowo Call. She’s the daughter of a small city’s lord, and she’s proposed a private and intimate date with me.”

Taking a deep breath, Yulian exclaimed passionately in a recitative tone, “A wonderful date, a shy young girl, a pure body, a soft form. Moonlight, roses, a serenade, fine wine, and tender little steak—oh, with just one Wowo Call, what a marvelous night I could enjoy!”

Lin Qi sighed softly. He pulled out two Indulgence Scrolls he had bought from Father Barin at the school gate and solemnly placed the two palm-sized, roughly made papers into Yulian’s palm. “May the Deity save your soul, damn Yulian! I don’t have a single copper coin left, hear me? Not one copper coin!”

Slapping Yulian’s glossy head hard, Lin Qi snorted coldly, “A Gisean traveling troupe has arrived outside the city!”

Yulian’s eyes widened, and a sly smile spread across his face. “Oh, yes, a large Gisean troupe with over three hundred people, including forty-seven young and beautiful girls. Well, the lead dancer Gina has a great figure—truly great. My hand couldn’t even fully grasp her! Boss, you know, I’ve touched at least three hundred girls’ chests, but none compare to hers!”

“Deity above!” Lin Qi rolled his eyes helplessly. The Gisean traveling troupe had just arrived, and Yulian had already hooked up with the lead dancer. Such efficiency could only mean Yulian had exceptional talent in seducing women.

Lin Qi crooked his finger and snorted, “Mr. Gron wants to ask Gina out—the lead dancer is named Gina, right? Mr. Gron wants to have dinner with her, you know what I mean. Offer Gina a price; if she’s satisfied, take her to meet Mr. Gron. And with Mr. Gron, you know, follow the usual arrangement!”

Yulian jumped up excitedly, snapping his fingers triumphantly and lightly twirling on the spot twice.

“I knew it! I won’t have to miss my date with that little darling. Oh, the daughter of a city lord, a well-bred young lady—I can’t wait for the glorious moment I undo her corset!” Embracing Lin Qi warmly, Yulian danced out of the room with fluid, joyful steps. “Don’t worry, Boss, your academic credits and my dating funds are secured. Mr. Gron is a generous gentleman—I know, he’s very generous!”

“Damn scoundrel!” Lin Qi watched Yulian’s retreating figure helplessly. Frowning, he opened his drawer. Sure enough, the last three Silver Coins he had hidden in a secret compartment were gone without a trace. In the entire Fifth University, only Yulian would dare sneak into Lin Qi’s dorm and steal his last bit of savings.

Three beloved Silver Coins had vanished into thin air. With no dinner in sight, Lin Qi felt a sharp pain in his heart.

“Oh no! I must find a way to earn some money!”

Pacing around the room in distress, Lin Qi sighed deeply. “Winter—I hate winter. As soon as winter comes, traveling merchants and visitors drop by ninety percent. Every winter, I struggle with money! Damn patrol Dragoons, damn Garrison Office—why are there so many Copper Helmets in University City?”

The thought of those secret police with their copper helmets made Lin Qi feel bitter and uneasy.

“I have to get some money!”

Penniless, Lin Qi sighed and helplessly looked out the dormitory window toward the tall cylindrical stone tower.

“I must get some money, damn it!”