The Interstellar Queen of Scavengers

Chapter 57: Chapter 57: A Rich City Dweller, Prime for the Taking...

Unlike Ji You’s inner turmoil, Cheng Yu was extremely happy. Staring at the pale face on the holographic screen, with an expression serene and composed like that of a ’Master’, he let out a sigh of relief and said, ”Master, please allow me to reintroduce myself. My real name is Cheng Yu, online nickname ’Ah Da Takes You Shopping’, my main profession is a ’Social and Humanities’ teacher, and my sideline is a Star Network broadcaster. My place of origin is Peace Street, West District of Sky City on Nami Star in the First Star Domain...”

After Cheng Yu finished introducing himself, he saw Ji You still maintaining her serene facade, gently nodding towards him, ”Mm.”

Mm?

Just mm?

The Master isn’t surprised?

Truly a Master indeed.

The First Star Domain is a vital hub for the Alliance’s politics and economy. Many distinguished personalities, politicians, tycoons, aristocrats... all settle on Nami Star. Few from Nami Star are of common birth.

And with the Master’s ever-steadfast composure, Cheng Yu speculated: first, she might be from Nami Star herself; second, she has seen her fair share of eminent figures, hence no surprise at all.

Little did he know, Ji You’s lips were almost breaking from holding back.

Surprised!

She was indeed genuinely surprised.

She was playing the role of a ’distant and aloof Master’, a persona that didn’t allow for such a reaction reminiscent of a country bumpkin unfamiliar with the world. So when Cheng Yu had turned into an ugly man right in front of her, she didn’t show any response.

But—

It was just a bluff on her part, yet she had not expected the honest child Cheng Yu to shock her with such a surprising identity.

Ji You’s eyes flickered slightly as she managed to maintain her ’distant and aloof Master’ image.

Nami Star?

What’s that? To the citizens of the Interstellar Alliance, they usually don’t call it by its real name, Nami Star; instead, they refer to it as the Main Star.

Right.

The Main Star.

And—how far is the Main Star from Ji You’s location on Garbage Planet 101? They are separated by a whole six Star Domains. The Main Star resides in the First Star Domain; Garbage Planet 101? It’s in the Sixth Star Domain. How big is a Star Domain? Ji You really had no means to define its range with exact numbers; suffice it to say, each Star Domain is incredibly vast and boundless...

Just by looking at the political and economic divisions of the Alliance, it is evident that the First Star Domain is the heart of the Interstellar Alliance’s political body. The Sixth Star Domain, due to its remote location and meager natural resources, is known as a genuine backwater of the Alliance.

Also, there’s a saying. Given that the Interstellar Alliance’s territories span across six Star Domains, and based on the Main Star’s position, the first to third Star Domains fall to the north, and their inhabitants are often teased as Northerners.

People living in the fourth to sixth Star Domains are considered Southerners due to their location.

When people from the various Star Domains meet in reality or on the Star Network, they often clash over cultural differences like food preferences and lifestyle habits... just like Ji You’s past world’s sweet versus salty soybean pudding debate, amusing yet exasperating.

So—

Cheng Yu?

= City-dweller from the North.

= Wealthy Northerner.

= A ripe target.

Ji You maintained her composure and categorized him in her mind.

Cheng Yu, seeing Ji You as unflappable as ever, exuding an unparalleled master’s grace, felt his admiration for the Master rise even more. He looked at Ji You, wishing he could immediately pour out his heart’s true sentiments:

”Master, although I was born on Nami Star, I am now the abandoned child of my family. Ah, no, that’s not it—I relentlessly strive for self-improvement and have willingly given up the glory and status of my family to make my own way. I have now immigrated to Lanyue Star in the Sixth Star Domain, and here I’ve found a great and noble teaching job, vowing to educate and pass on my ideals and beliefs...”

Ji You: ”...”

[Masquerading your family’s rejection as something grandiose, you truly are something else.

And—

You dress up as a woman and do spicy eye live streaming on the Star Network...

I sincerely can’t picture you as embodying any kind of noble character...]

However—

Ji You did develop a speck of fondness for Cheng Yu. Regardless of anything, he was willing to reveal his true identity in front of her, even if he had ulterior motives; at least he was upfront about it.

Ji You didn’t fear Cheng Yu having an agenda, what she feared was him harboring ill intent.

Cheng Yu ranting his heart out, suddenly changed the topic, saying, ”Master... my dream is to teach and nurture the Alliance’s youths so they all have a spirit of unyielding struggle, but my heart aches... My own strength is limited, capable only of teaching some sociology, humanities, arts... Though these disciplines are vital, the sad truth is that students do not understand or accept them, they just don’t care to listen to my teaching.”

Saying this, Cheng Yu even touched a hand to where tears might have been, his chubby face scrunching up, finally revealing his real purpose: ”My request is for the Master to custom-make a Soul Device for me to enhance my spiritual power, so that if the students refuse to listen to class, I can swiftly... give them a good beating. Ah, no—I mean, guide them to love learning, and develop a well-rounded education...”

Ji You: ”... Ahem.”

Caught up in excitement and accidentally voicing his true thoughts, Cheng Yu patted his chest and cautiously glanced at Ji You.

Ji You maintained her composure, not picking up the thread, instead indifferently said, ”You mentioned in your letter about offering 5 million more for another Grass Seed Fruit Pendant...”

Cheng Yu, don’t be fooled by his humorous personality—having streamed for many years on the Star Network and working in teaching, he had the ability to read between the lines. Hearing the taciturn Master suddenly speak up, especially about this subject, he instantly grasped it.

The Master—

Is she short on money?

Cheng Yu’s shrewd eyes, of course, didn’t escape Ji You’s notice. She raised her hand, clearing her throat, and said, ”I am researching a new technology, this entire experiment is being handled by my personal lab...” After saying ’handled’, Ji You purposefully extended the tone, prompting Cheng Yu to take the cue.

Cheng Yu indeed showed an expression of immediate understanding, astutely saying, ”Master, rest assured, the progress of the experiment must not be delayed. I personally am willing to sponsor the Master with one hundred million unconditionally.”

Saying this figure, Cheng Yu also felt a twinge of pain. Although he was wealthy, it wasn’t something he could afford to do lightly. When he left his family, he had already spent much of the wealth he took with him to enhance his personal strength. What remained of his fortune now was accumulated from broadcasting online, from tips and advertising fees... that’s what he had saved. As for his teacher’s salary? That money wasn’t even enough to be considered pocket change.

Therefore—

This one hundred million was about to cost Cheng Yu half of his remaining wealth. Of course, he wasn’t foolish; money lost could be earned again, but the opportunity to be connected with a Master was rare. Spending a bit of money to buy the Master’s good graces was indeed worth it.

And—