Rags to Riches: The Rise of a Dual-Talent Prodigy
Chapter 36: Oh, isn’t this her benefactor!

Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Oh, isn’t this her benefactor!

Qian Qi changed into clean clothes in the warehouse, wrapped the Demon Electric Lion’s horn in waste paper, and then stuffed it into an empty iron box.

As she wrapped, her peripheral vision caught the sight of the tattered Light Brain on her wrist, and she immediately felt frustrated.

Earlier, while being chased by the Magic Beast Tide, she had protected the Earth Fan Fruit in her hand, resulting in her already worn-out Light Brain being bitten by a magic beast.

But it wasn’t a total loss; she smashed all of its teeth~ (proud hands-on-hips.gif).

She wasn’t sure if it could still be repaired in this state and how much it would cost... Right now, she didn’t have a single coin to her name, not even knowing how to get back to school was a problem.

Scratching her head irritably, Qian Qi returned to the director’s office.

Seeing Qian Qi, Xiang Wen Yun quickly stood up, "Qiqi, where did you go? I thought you left after so long."

"Just wandered around." Qian Qi cleared her throat twice, her eyes flitted over Xiang Wen Yun’s slightly red eye corners, and she scratched her neck, "Um, Director... could you lend me some money first, I’ll pay you back when I return."

"It’s your living expenses that ran out, isn’t it?" Xiang Wen Yun shook her head helplessly, "I asked you before and you insisted otherwise, hold on, I’ll transfer it to you."

"Ah, I was thinking, I kind of need cash..." Qian Qi coughed again.

Xiang Wen Yun paused for a moment, didn’t ask further, "Alright, hold on a sec."

Xiang Wen Yun went out for a while, then returned with a bag in hand, handing it to Qian Qi, "I put money in there, when you’re out don’t be reluctant to eat, a bit of meat looks good on you."

Inside the bag were also two sets of clothes, clearly knowing she didn’t like colors, so they were clean white shirts.

Qian Qi touched the clothes, then looked up, "I’ll be heading back then."

"Okay." Xiang Wen Yun gently nodded, just about to get some fruit, when she saw Qian Qi bolt out the door, as fast as she could go.

"This child..." Xiang Wen Yun shook her head helplessly, looking at Qian Qi’s departing figure, she softly said, "Next time, who knows when we’ll meet again..."

——

Qian Qi asked someone for directions, took a subway ride, and finally found the shopping center that repaired Light Brains.

Though Awakener’s social status was high, in this world, ordinary people still made up the majority, so even with high-tech like Light Brains, people still used basic cash payments for subways and shopping centers.

Qian Qi stepped into the mall, greeted by a refreshing sense of comfort, she looked around and quickly locked onto a Light Brain store.

Looks like even in another world, stores selling communication tools are still located at the entrance of the first floor.

She walked into the Light Brain store in big strides, instantly a store assistant greeted her, smiling brightly, "Sir, what do you need?"

Qian Qi paused a moment, "Can you guys repair Light Brains here?"

The assistant’s smile slightly froze, then casually pointed inside before leaving.

Qian Qi scratched her head, walked further in, and saw a small office desk in a corner with a sign that read Light Brain Repair.

She hurried over, placed the completely broken Light Brain from her pocket on the desk, and asked the repairman, "Uncle, can this still be fixed?"

The repairman glanced at the broken parts on the table, then looked at the fierce-looking Qian Qi, almost thinking she was here to cause trouble.

But seeing the eager look in her eyes, the man regretfully said, "It’s too broken to fix, just buy a new one."

Qian Qi’s face instantly fell.

Seeing Qian Qi "get fierce," the man panicked internally and quickly added, "It can be repaired for sure, but with so many parts broken, it’s cheaper to buy a new one than to replace them."

The man with a sincere "trust me" expression made Qian Qi hesitate before nodding reluctantly.

The assistant who left and returned secretly to eavesdrop ran eagerly back over, grinning brightly, "Sir, looking for a new Light Brain? There are many new models available~"

Qian Qi glanced at this assistant in bewilderment, amazed at how much this opportunistic assistant reminded her of herself!

Unfortunately...

Qian Qi sincerely asked, "What’s the price for the cheapest?"

Visibly, the assistant’s smile froze again, but sticking to the principle of making any sale, she led Qian Qi to a counter, pointing to the older models inside, "These are the cheapest."

Qian Qi looked at the prices; even the cheapest was six thousand bucks, but Xiang Wen Yun only gave her a thousand, and she had already spent seven on the subway.

"Can I use it first and pay later?" Qian Qi pointed to the Light Brain in her pocket, "Mine is completely broken, can’t make payments."

The assistant’s smile crumpled instantly, suspecting Qian Qi might be trying to freeload, or thinking she was a fool, "Sir, to turn on a Light Brain, real-name authentication is needed, once it’s on, it becomes second-hand."

Who knows if Qian Qi had money in her account, what if he linked it and then reneged on payment?

Qian Qi didn’t expect such a rule, she regrettably glanced at the Light Brain in the counter, "Then never mind..."

How about she buys a phone? She doesn’t even know if this world has phones, or maybe she could look for a second-hand Light Brain.

This money is hard to come by, so she has to save where she can...

Just as she thought this, a voice filled with surprise rang out from behind, "Qian Qi, oh great one!"

Qian Qi’s ears perked up; her "rich person radar" activated in an instant.

Oh wow, she knows this voice well!

She turned around to see Xiao Wang running over, and quickly went up to meet him.

"Xiao Wang!" Qian Qi’s voice rose and fell as if she had seen a big spender, ready to pull out a Defense Fruit from her pocket, "I have here..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Xiao Wang excitedly rushed in front of her, his wide, innocent eyes staring at her, "Boss, what are you doing at my store? Buying a Light Brain?"

Huh?

Qian Qi precisely caught the key point, and she looked up at the lavishly decorated Light Brain store, "This is yours?"

"Haha, of course not." Xiao Wang hurriedly waved his hand, modestly saying, "It’s my family’s store, didn’t you know? My family runs a chain of Light Brain stores."

He pointed to the central, most luxurious Light Brain display in the store, "See that latest model Light Brain? It was developed by my uncle’s family~"

Qian Qi: Oh wow~

Qian Qi was instantly delighted. It turns out Xiao Wang is not just a simple rich guy!

As expected of the wealthy backer she had her eye on, his background is indeed extraordinary!

Qian Qi wiped her face, showing a slightly troubled expression, "To be honest, my Light Brain broke, and I want to buy a new one."

So you see, with our friendship, can we perhaps receive the goods first and pay later?

"I see! You should have told me earlier!" Upon hearing Qian Qi’s words, Xiao Wang immediately patted his chest with generosity, "I’ll get the latest model Light Brain for you right away, for free!"

Qian Qi: !!!

Qian Qi looked up at the latest model Light Brain, her eyes instantly glued to it, "Wow! Isn’t this a bit too much? Aren’t you being too polite~"

Seeing this, Xiao Wang immediately understood, "What’s not to like? If you hadn’t shown up in time with the Hemostatic Medicine to save my life, I would be dead now and wouldn’t be standing in front of you!"

"A life-saving grace should be repaid with onesel—cough, I mean with the latest model Light Brain! No need to be polite with me!"

Almost slipping his tongue, Xiao Wang quickly instructed the staff, "Go quickly, wrap up a latest model Light Brain for Qian Qi."

The staff, startled with a stiff smile, quickly wrapped up a latest model Light Brain and handed it to Qian Qi with trembling hands, apologizing, "Esteemed guest, I’m truly sorry just now..."

"What happened?" Xiao Wang sensed something, his face suddenly souring, "You didn’t assume that because Qian Qi is dressed poorly, she can’t afford a Light Brain, did you?"

Qian Qi, who indeed couldn’t afford it: ... No need to emphasize my shabby clothing, okay!

Anyway, this is simple Yue Province wealthy aesthetics, don’t you understand style?

"Xiao Wang, your staff is quite responsible." Qian Qi felt the staff did nothing wrong, she wasn’t bothered by such little matters, she pointed at the Light Brain, "Thanks for this Light Brain."

To her, saving money is what’s important.

And forging necessary business ties with a small-time wealthy fellow is even more crucial!

Interacting more with a small-time wealthy fellow could lead to meeting big-time wealthy fellows, and a bunch of big-time wealthy fellows could lead to a sweet and happy retired life!

"Xiao Wang, I recently got something good..." Qian Qi raised an eyebrow meaningfully, "You know~"

"Oh~ I understand!" Xiao Wang immediately caught on, mimicking the eyebrow raise and pointing to the room at the back of the store, "Let’s talk in there!"

Ten minutes later, Qian Qi was satisfied as she left the Light Brain store with her account 30,000 more in cash.

After Qian Qi left, Xiao Wang also exited the back room, clutching his things tightly and instructed the staff, "In the future, when this great one comes again, give her the latest model Light Brain directly and put it on my tab."

The life-saving grace cannot be repaid; the Wang Family cannot miss the opportunity to befriend a great one for a small benefit.

More goodwill must be sold to great ones to securely hold onto their powerful legs!

No more chatting, his granduncle is entering the D-level dungeon tomorrow, and he has to sell him the Defense Fruit before he enters!

Hmm, how much to sell it for...

Let’s make it a family price, 100,000!