Chapter 022: Three Unusual Roommates

Another class break came.

A classmate slinked over to Xiao Yang, lowered his voice, and whispered, “Xiao Yang, you’re doomed.”

Xiao Yang glanced at him and recognized who it was.

It was Zhang Ren, who used to live in Dormitory 9527. Jiang Shaohuang had mentioned him during the previous break and had even pointed him out to Xiao Yang.

Looking at Zhang Ren, Xiao Yang asked, “What’s wrong?”

Zhang Ren looked left and right, making sure Jiang Shaohuang wasn’t in the classroom, then whispered, “Jiang Shaohuang’s cooking is absolutely terrible. If you eat it, you’ll puke.”

Xiao Yang was surprised. “Really? But he said his dream is to become a gourmet. Even if his cooking isn’t great, it can’t be that bad, can it?”

Zhang Ren chuckled. “Him…? When it comes to cooking, I could make tastier food with one hand than he could with two.”

Xiao Yang found Zhang Ren’s words odd. Could cooking skill really be measured by using one or two hands?

Zhang Ren saw the look on Xiao Yang’s face and realized he’d misunderstood. He hurriedly explained, “It’s just a figure of speech, you know? Not really about using one or two hands. I mean, even if I only used half my skill, my food would still taste better than his.”

“Zhang Ren, are you challenging me?”

A voice sounded from behind Zhang Ren. At some point, Jiang Shaohuang had entered the classroom, staring straight at him. “Come on… Let’s have a contest. Whoever loses has to eat the other’s food.”

Zhang Ren’s face froze, then filled with dread. He howled miserably, “No way, I won’t compete, not even if I die!”

From his reaction, it seemed he must have suffered some unspeakable torment before.

Otherwise, why would he be so worked up?

After letting out his wail, Zhang Ren bolted away.

Xiao Yang glanced at the honest-faced Jiang Shaohuang—round, plump, with a smile as genial as the Laughing Buddha. He thought to himself, He looks so gentle, like he wouldn’t harm a soul. So why does Zhang Ren look at him as if he’s seen a ghost?

Jiang Shaohuang grinned at Xiao Yang and said, “See… He’s just embarrassed. Ever since he moved out of 9527, he gets uncomfortable whenever he sees us, and runs away ashamed.”

Ha.

Is that really running away out of shame? Clearly, it’s out of fear!

Xiao Yang was starting to believe Zhang Ren’s words. Jiang Shaohuang looked honest, but what he said… didn’t quite add up!

After the morning theory classes, it was time for cultivation lessons.

They began training in martial arts—Vajra Fist!

In the lower grades, the school would teach one style of fist, palm, footwork, and leg technique—each a basic, entry-level martial art.

These four techniques were compulsory. If students wanted to learn others, they had to apply to the school and study them on their own. They could seek guidance from instructors, but instructors wouldn’t teach additional styles during regular cultivation classes.

Training martial arts required years of dedication and practice to achieve true proficiency and mastery. It was time-consuming.

For most students, just keeping up with the four styles taught by the school was already overwhelming. Few ever applied to study more.

Usually, it was only the upperclassmen—those who had hit a bottleneck in their mastery of the basic arts—who sought to expand their repertoire.

For Xiao Yang, it was his first day learning, and he only managed to pick up some experience. Mastery would take time.

Once the day’s classes ended, the students all returned to their respective dormitories.

Jiang Shaohuang and Duan Fei enthusiastically led Xiao Yang back to Dormitory 9527.

On the way, Jiang Shaohuang remained silent and smiling, his round face brimming with geniality. Duan Fei, on the other hand, was lively, introducing Xiao Yang to all the ins and outs of the Tianshu Institute.

As they neared the dorm, Duan Fei said, “Xiao Yang, since it’s your first day, let me treat you to a welcome dinner. Don’t turn me down—I’ve got some business to take care of.”

Xiao Yang nodded. “All right, as you wish.”

“Good roommate!” Duan Fei patted Xiao Yang on the shoulder, then turned to Jiang Shaohuang. “Old Jiang, let’s talk business. How about you cook up some great dishes tonight to welcome Xiao Yang? You bring your own ingredients, and I’ll pay you two thousand for your labor. Deal?”

Jiang Shaohuang looked at Duan Fei and said, “Old friend, how about a twenty percent discount?”

Duan Fei thought for a moment. “Guests are rare—ten percent off, that’s as low as I’ll go.”

Jiang Shaohuang beamed. “Deal! Ten percent it is.”

Xiao Yang looked at the two, utterly confused.

Duan Fei was hiring Jiang Shaohuang to cook and bring his own ingredients. Shouldn’t Duan Fei be paying Jiang Shaohuang for his labor?

Why was Jiang Shaohuang trying to haggle the price down, and Duan Fei refusing to go lower, insisting on only a ten percent discount?

Soon, Xiao Yang understood.

Jiang Shaohuang pulled out a wad of hundred-yuan bills, counted out 1,800, and handed them to Duan Fei.

Xiao Yang was stunned. Why was Jiang Shaohuang giving money to Duan Fei?

Jiang Shaohuang was providing the ingredients, cooking the meal, serving Duan Fei’s guest—and still had to pay Duan Fei?

A sudden realization dawned on Xiao Yang.

No wonder Duan Fei called it “doing business.” If he were just paying to host a guest, it would be pure expense—hardly business. But by passing Xiao Yang on to Jiang Shaohuang, Duan Fei pocketed 1,800 yuan. That was real business.

Still…

Xiao Yang felt as if he’d been sold. Did that 1,800 yuan count as his selling price?

After pocketing the money, Duan Fei patted Jiang Shaohuang on the shoulder. “Good brother, someone is sure to appreciate your culinary skills. Xiao Yang is a cut above the rest—he’ll definitely appreciate the extraordinary flavors in your cooking.”

Jiang Shaohuang patted Duan Fei in return. “Good brother, may your business prosper. When we graduate, let’s partner up and start a grand food company—you provide the sales, I’ll provide the cuisine. We’ll bring our food to every city on Earth Star.”

Duan Fei nodded. “Agreed. Together, we’ll strive for our dreams.”

Xiao Yang watched the two flatter each other and thought, You only managed this deal by selling me off. Couldn’t you talk about your plans somewhere I couldn’t hear?

Hand in hand, Jiang Shaohuang and Duan Fei discussed their future partnership in the food business, only remembering Xiao Yang when they reached the dormitory gate.

Jiang Shaohuang let go of Duan Fei’s hand and warmly took Xiao Yang’s instead. Still grinning, he said, “Good brother, Wu Chi must have gotten back first. Once we’re inside, chat with him while I prepare a feast. In an hour—you’ll enjoy a banquet like no other!”

Xiao Yang looked at Jiang Shaohuang. “Why do I have a bad feeling about this?”

Duan Fei leaned over. “It’s all good, absolutely reliable!”

The three entered the courtyard.

Inside, a scholarly-looking youth wearing glasses sat in a grand chair, engrossed in a book.

At the sight of him, Xiao Yang’s first thought was: Who is this?

From Duan Fei and Jiang Shaohuang’s introductions, the other roommate was Guan Yun, nicknamed Wu Chi—a martial arts fanatic. With such a nickname, he should look like a maniac obsessed with training.

But the young man with glasses, quietly reading a book, looked every bit the studious scholar—nothing like the martial arts maniac he’d imagined.

So Xiao Yang dismissed the idea that this was Guan Yun, having no clue who he might be.

But Duan Fei and Jiang Shaohuang greeted him familiarly.

“Wu Chi, the new roommate is here. Aren’t you going to come out and welcome him?”

“Wu Chi, I’m making a feast tonight. Want to join us for some fine food?”

Xiao Yang was taken aback. This studious youth with glasses was really Wu Chi, Guan Yun?

If someone said he was a bookworm, he’d believe it—but a martial arts maniac? Not at all!

Guan Yun closed his book, placed it on the stone table before him, and walked over.

Xiao Yang sized him up, and Guan Yun returned the gaze. He said, “A friend from afar stirs my heart with joy. Welcome. I am your roommate—Guan Yun.”

He extended his hand.

“Hello, I’m Xiao Yang.”

Xiao Yang shook hands with him, thinking, He even talks like a bookworm.

A sudden thought struck him. He asked, “May I ask… what are your hobbies and dreams?”

Guan Yun adjusted his glasses and replied earnestly, “My hobby is reading. My dream is to become a great writer.”

Xiao Yang was stunned, nearly toppling over.

It seemed none of his three roommates were normal. Was he the only true martial artist among them?