Chapter Twenty-Five: A Way to Make Money

Sunday afternoon.

Still deep in sleep, Yuchen Nangong was startled awake by a sudden, urgent knocking at the door. Groggy, he opened his eyes, hearing someone outside calling his name. He quickly dressed and got out of bed to answer.

With a creak, the door swung open, revealing an old man with white hair and beard. His face was etched with dry wrinkles, his body slightly stooped, yet his clouded eyes gleamed with shrewd intelligence, their searching gaze making one instinctively wary.

Impatiently, the old man complained, “Young man, are you even planning to stay here? Every time I come to collect the rent, I have to make several trips!” Grumbling, he attempted to step into the room.

“Wait!” Yuchen Nangong’s drowsiness vanished at once. He grabbed the old man, pulling him out, and, a little embarrassed, took five hundred yuan from his pocket and handed it over with a sheepish smile. “Sir, here’s the rent. There’s really no need for you to come in. I was just about to shower and head out!”

With that, he retreated into the room, preparing to close the door. He dared not let the landlord see inside; if he discovered the door in the bedroom, he’d be doomed—he’d have to pay several hundred more, and then he wouldn’t even have money left for food!

After paying the rent, he had just over three hundred yuan left in his pocket. He would have to scrimp and save to get through the month.

“Hm! The amount is just right. But why are you shutting the door? Let me just take a quick look inside!” The old man pocketed the money and pushed at the door, protesting.

“Ah…yes, but it’s already half past three, and I need to leave in ten minutes for something important. Next time, let’s arrange for you to check when we’re both here!” Yuchen Nangong finished speaking and firmly closed the door, leaving the landlord no chance to enter.

Bang!

“Hey, hey! You young fellow…” The old man pressed his face to the crack in the door, peering in, but seeing Yuchen Nangong had already departed, his curiosity and suspicion grew. Why wouldn’t the young man let him in? Was there something he couldn’t allow others to see?

Stroking his beard thoughtfully, the landlord concluded there must be something valuable inside Yuchen’s room, something the young man wished to keep hidden. The more he pondered, the more convinced he became. He made a mental note of the room, planning to return in a few nights for a surprise inspection… Heh heh!

With that thought, the old man walked away, as gleeful as a child.

“Phew! At least he’s gone.” Leaning against the wooden door, Yuchen Nangong listened to the departing footsteps, feeling a rush of relief.

He returned to the bedroom and lay on the bed, no longer sleepy. Staring at the pale yellow ceiling, he recalled the events of the previous night.

Not only had he failed to win his sister’s forgiveness, he had apparently offended the warden of Zone A—Ling Tian Zhou! His rank was Second Lieutenant. For Yuchen, that level of officer was terrifying. If the warden ever changed his mind and decided to kill him and Kexin, what would they do?

He and his sister would have no ability to resist; with a single accusation, they might not even know how they died.

This thought left him both stifled and anxious. It was the urgency of the weak in the face of danger.

“It’s all because I’m too weak,” he muttered to himself, taking two bottles of nutrient solution from the wardrobe. Gazing at the nearly empty bottle, his eyes gradually burned with anticipation.

It was this half bottle of nutrient solution that had doubled his physical abilities. If he finished both bottles, could his strength break through to the first tier?

Excited, he took the remaining half bottle and poured it all into his mouth, eager to experience the changes within his body.

Last time, he had drunk too much at once and passed out from the pain, missing the sensations of transformation. This time, he would train as he absorbed the nutrients, sensing their effects.

“Phew!” He jumped off the bed, feeling warmth spreading through his body, and began basic physical exercises: squats, sit-ups, push-ups, and a series of other routines.

Two hours later, drenched in sweat, he collapsed on the floor. The strange feeling had faded. Upon checking, he realized that this dose hadn’t brought much improvement—perhaps because it wasn’t as much as last time, but Yuchen felt that even if he finished the other bottle, he couldn’t reach the first tier.

“So, I have to figure out a way to get more nutrient solution,” he thought. After experiencing the soaring boost from the nutrient solution, he was no longer content with ordinary training. He had to work, after all; he lacked the time and energy to train without aid. Without nutrient solution, his progress would slow again.

Money was the only way to obtain more nutrient solution. Without it, he’d return to the grueling, fruitless training of days past. Encounters like those with Tianyou Cheng and Feng Mu couldn’t be repeated; he simply couldn’t reach the first tier in a short time.

And the promise made to his sister yesterday—who knew when he could fulfill it?

Yuchen’s expression darkened at the thought. While his parents were alive, theirs was an ordinary family, not wealthy. Now, his monthly salary was only three thousand; after giving two thousand to Kexin, he was left with one thousand for himself.

The landlord had just taken another five hundred. Even daily living and food were a struggle, let alone the exorbitant cost of nutrient solution.

Watching the sky outside darken, Yuchen’s thoughts raced. He pondered ways to quickly earn money and improve his abilities.

At that moment, he remembered the ring he kept close and the two pieces of mech equipment hidden under the floorboards.

“If I sell all these mechs, maybe…”

His eyes grew brighter, as if he had glimpsed a path to salvation in the darkness.

He quickly retrieved the hidden mech parts—boots and a long rifle—and carefully examined them. He took out his phone, attempting to search online for information and prices.

Disappointment struck; he found nothing about the mech equipment, as if all information had been blocked.

“What should I do?” Yuchen felt frustrated. The mech equipment before him was like meat just out of reach—no matter what, he couldn’t get his hands on it. The itch in his heart was maddening.

After much deliberation, he decided to call Lehan.

The chubby Lehan’s family was well-off; his father ran a business—not a true tycoon, but with several million to his name. Yuchen wondered if he knew anything about mechs.

Ring, ring…

“Hey, Yuchen, what’s up?” Lehan answered, though the background noise suggested he was out.

“Lehan, do you know of any stores or places that sell mech equipment?” Yuchen asked cautiously. He dared not reveal he had mechs himself—not out of distrust, but because the fewer who knew, the safer. This concerned the cause of Tianyou Cheng’s death; he had to be cautious.

“Mech stores? Why do you ask? Don’t tell me you and Angel broke through to the first tier yesterday during your wild outing?”

“…,” Yuchen was speechless at Lehan’s usual nonsense. “I’m just asking—do you know or not?”

“Fine, I’ll tell you in detail at school tomorrow morning. I’m busy right now, gotta hang up!”

After ending the call, Yuchen was filled with hope. Tomorrow, he would learn about mech stores from Lehan. Then he could sell the equipment, buy some nutrient solution, and even get some for Kexin.

No matter what, his sister Nangong Kexin was always on his mind.

Glancing at his phone—it was already 18:04—he hurried to the bathroom to shower.

Twenty minutes later, freshly washed, Yuchen Nangong, brimming with excitement, left home and headed toward the café on Tianhua Street, Zone B…