The Interstellar Queen of Scavengers

Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Iron Apples, Flowing Money

Lea looked at Ji You and nodded gently: ”It’s possible.”

Ji You’s eyes widened in disbelief: ”Really... Really?”

Lea seemed unsure how to phrase it, and after pondering for a moment, finally said: ”If you want to continue your education, there’s currently only one way.”

Ji You leaned in, staring at Lea, filled with hope yet unable to suppress her anxiety, and asked: ”What... What way?”

Lea said: ”Sponsorship.”

Ji You exclaimed: ”Huh??”

’Sponsorship’ – the term itself sounded very expensive.

Lea said: ”The Alliance reserves a portion of student places every year in both public and private schools, which can be obtained through sponsorship. After all, when you want to attend a good school but can’t qualify due to residence status, academic performance... and other factors, money becomes the most useful tool.”

Ji You certainly knew about this and thus became even more nervous: ”...Then, how much is the sponsorship fee for entering Lanyue Star Military Academy?”

After hearing this, Lea suddenly remembered something and immediately regretted bringing it up. At this moment, she gave You hope, only to then plunge her into the abyss... Better she had not been told.

Lea let out a long sigh, regretting her impulsive slip of the tongue, and now didn’t know how to proceed.

Seeing Sister Lea stumbling over her words, Ji You couldn’t help but press on: ”Sister Lea, how much is it? Tell me.”

Lea’s eyes dropped slightly as she said: ”1 million credit points.”

Ji You: ”!!!”

Oh no~

It’s over!

The 1.2 million is at risk...

It’s doomsday~

These words were a fatal blow to Ji You, but what Lea said next made Ji You’s head spin even more: ”This is just the borrowing fee for school enrollment. Afterwards, your tuition, supplementary class fees, material fees... and all miscellaneous expenses including food, clothing, housing, and transportation, all have to be paid out of pocket. While those of us who officially passed the exams to enter Lanyue Star Military Academy, everything except food is free, and if we achieve excellent grades each year, we also receive a substantial scholarship.”

Ji You, listening to this, nearly spewed out a mouthful of old blood.

Lea took a step forward, reaching out to hug Ji You, softly saying: ”You, I was rash before. Pretend I never said those things.” Privately, Lea truly hoped Ji You could go to school to learn further.

However—

Reality is always so cruel.

Blame her.

She shouldn’t have given You hope.

Lea thought that after her words, Ji You would be utterly disheartened, but when she looked up, she found Ji You looking at her with bright, shining eyes. Lea: ”...Aren’t you... upset?”

Ji You nodded vigorously: ”I am upset. I was upset for 2 seconds.”

Lea: ”...”

Ji You: ”2 seconds is enough. I don’t allow myself to waste too much time.”

Having heard this, Lea smiled slightly, her tone immediately becoming lighter: ”Yeah, very optimistic.”

Ji You looked eagerly at Lea and asked: ”So—Sister Lea, how much would tuition, miscellaneous fees, and living expenses for a whole year be, roughly?”

Lea started, clearly knowing Ji You was serious, and after a bit of thought, conservatively said: ”By my rough estimates, at least 200,000 for one year. That’s assuming you only eat low-level nutrient solutions every day, live in the worst collective dormitory, do not take medicine baths... That’s the conservative estimate of 200,000.”

Ji You: ”...”

It’s a disaster.

The 1.2 million—

Really in the blink of an eye—gone.

And—

It’s not enough.

Is she to be estranged from credit points for life?

The despair on Ji You’s face was undeniable, so much so that Lea couldn’t pretend to ignore it, even if she tried. A splash of sympathy flickered in Lea’s eyes, rising with a flood of helplessness, as she soothingly said: ”You... don’t be too sad, you can still make something of yourself by studying at home. I believe you can definitely do it. Later, I will send you my study notes and my learning insights every day.”

Ji You: ”Yingyingying...”

Not upset? Impossible.

Absolutely impossible.

In her mind, she seemed to see a flock of white bills waving their hands, bidding her farewell~

Lea sighed: ”Sigh.”

After saying goodbye to Sister Liya, Ji You returned home with a face full of gloom.

She looked at the floor, so empty...

Looked at the ceiling, so bare...

Turned to the wall, so white...

These.

That.

...

Every single one reminds Ji You: she’s poor, dirt poor.

But—

The opportunity lies right before her eyes. If she’s willing to spend all the money in her account, she can get a chance at enrolling.

A chance to become stronger.

A chance to clear her name.

A chance to protect herself and protect Xiao You.

...

Give up?

No!

Even if it means gnawing the floor clean, punching through the ceiling, tearing down the walls, I will not give up.

A defeated glint in Ji You’s eyes suddenly blooms into a beam of determination.

She must go to school. She, this primitive, bumpkin, foolish hick... If she doesn’t carve out an opportunity for herself to learn and improve, she will eventually be eliminated by this rapidly changing, Star Beast-infested, utterly cruel society.

During this period, Ji You has been self-studying, but her progress is painfully slow. She only has the study materials from Xiao You’s memory, and when she tries to apply them, they are often abstrusely difficult to understand. Hence, Sister Liya was right—going to school for systematic, formal education is fundamental.

Ji You is desperate to learn, to become stronger, and not just for herself.

She—

Also has Xiao You, trapped within the Iron Plate, in mind.

Ji You can’t imagine how fearful and panicked a child must be, alone in a sealed, peopleless, dark space. If it were her, she might have gone mad from suffocation.

Xiao You says she doesn’t want to come out now.

But what about later?

Ji You doesn’t want to wait until Xiao You wants to come out and see, or wants to come out, and she herself lacks the ability and strength to make it possible.

In the past, she was alone and just scraped by, but now, with Xiao You, Ji You feels the weight on her shoulders has grown even heavier.

She must work hard.

Not even waste a single minute.

Thinking it over, Ji You raises her hand to touch her chest, softly asking, ”Xiao You, can you hear me? I’m planning to spend all our money to buy a place at the Lanyue Star Military Academy.”

Silence.

Ji You doesn’t feel disappointed, she continues, ”What do you think?”

Not a sound around her, nor any beating from her heart.

...

Ji You sighs.

Then, abruptly, she clenches her teeth, logs on to the Star Network, and spends 100,000 to buy 100 grams of Low-level Butterfly Honey, even going so far as to spend an additional 500 credit points for expedited, express delivery.

After the purchase, Ji You’s gaze unintentionally lingers on the variety of natural foods, especially that large apple from the Beikena Mountain Range; her look is filled with grievances:

That huge apple is always there, but the money in her account could hardly last a few days.

Desolation—

Truly an iron apple alongside fleeting credit points.

Ah ah ah—

When can she, unrestrained and carefree, gallop freely into eating a large apple?

Ding-dong—

The express delivery that cost 500 credit points is indeed very fast; in less than half an hour, Ji You receives the Butterfly Honey she ordered.

She signs for it and downs it in one gulp.

Ji You patiently waits.

After a while, as she had expected, Xiao You’s soft, mushy voice comes through her mind: [Sister!!!]

Ji You’s face brims with exuberant laughter, ”Xiao You, did you hear what I said just now? I want to spend money to buy an enrolment spot at Lanyue Star.”

[I heard it.]

[I support Sister...]

Going to Langyue Star Military Academy was Xiao You’s dream; she’s actually very happy about it.

That cheerful emotion infects Ji You, and getting Xiao You’s affirmative response, Ji You’s indecision becomes utterly firm.

Go!