Poor Beyond Words

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

Thinking of this, Chen Ping couldn't help sighing a little.

Wang Dong really had it rough.

Putting aside the fact that she was, in plain terms, one-third of Tang Wutong, she had also inherited all the suffering.

Entering the boys' dormitory, living in a double room, bathing in the dormitory, and supporting each other all the way with Huo Yuhao—she had certainly been through her share of hardships.

Yet just when she had finally completed her karmic merit and was about to reap the rewards, she was forcibly logged off at light speed, leaving Tang Wutong to come online and receive the fruits.

Of course, whether Wang Dong had it rough was her own business. Chen Ping was currently like a clay statue trying to cross a river—barely able to protect himself—so he didn't dare get involved.

Thus, on the way to the cafeteria, Chen Ping deliberately took a look at the bulletin board that had just been posted.

Chen Ping, Freshman Class Nine.

Seeing that he had been assigned to Freshman Class Nine, Chen Ping nodded inwardly, then glanced at the Class Teacher's name.

Mu Jin, Freshman Class Nine

Only then did Chen Ping's suspended heart fully relax.

At least it wasn't Class One, where Zhou Yi was. For Chen Ping, that was already quite a good result.

To prevent himself from misremembering Zhou Yi's record, Chen Ping had specifically asked Bei Bei and Xiao Ya, and finally obtained a definite figure.

Of the students in the class Zhou Yi had led, nine-tenths had been expelled last year for all sorts of inexplicable reasons.

That had been a Third Year class, a class that had already endured the sifting of the sands and three rounds of elimination at Shrek Academy!

Every student who could remain at Shrek Academy through their Third Year would be no mediocre idler. Yet even so, Zhou Yi had still managed to expel ninety percent of them. It was simply heaven-defying.

No wonder having connections was so useful.

Just because Zhou Yi's husband was Fan Yu, she could torment the students and ruin their futures while remaining safe and sound.

At most, she had merely gone from harming Third Year students to harming First Year students.

That was why Chen Ping was most unwilling to be assigned to Class One.

Even though being assigned to Class One would let him freeload off Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong's Martial Soul Fusion Skill, giving him a very high chance of taking first place in the New Student Competition, Chen Ping still resisted being placed in Class One.

If Tang San was Tang Buddha, then Zhou Yi was King Yama Zhou. In Chen Ping's view, falling into the hands of either of them would probably end up about the same.

After confirming that he would have little to do with Zhou Yi, Chen Ping finally relaxed and walked straight into the cafeteria. He went to the Eighth Window as usual, flattered the chefs a few times, and made the chef at the Eighth Window laugh heartily.

Then, Chen Ping not only obtained that day's two dishes made from Soul Beast materials, but also got a basin of Crystal White Corn, each kernel plump and round like a tiny pearl.

Although Chen Ping now had the right to order food for free at the Eighth Window, he could only order each dish once. It was impossible for them to let him eat without limit.

That was why Chen Ping's tongue was so sweet, and why he had built such a good relationship with the chefs at the Eighth Window.

He did it so he could get more Crystal White Corn.

Although they couldn't add more of the rice itself, the chefs still had the final say in how much they served him each time.

Chen Ping took the folding wooden stool and folding wooden table from his Storage Necklace and set them up in the cafeteria.

He had just sat down and rubbed his hands, preparing to feast, when he saw a boy about his age squatting in a corner of the cafeteria, pitifully eating stir-fried vegetables and white rice.

The boy squatting in the corner had short black hair that looked neat and clean. The only problem was that he was far too thin. Chen Ping felt that a random gust of wind could blow him away.

"Are you a New Student too? If you didn't prepare a stool and table, I have some here. Come sit and eat with me."

As he spoke, Chen Ping had already taken out another folding stool from his Storage Necklace, unfolded it, and set it in place.

"Ah, no need—"

The black-haired boy had just wanted to refuse when he saw that Chen Ping had already set up the stool. Only then did he awkwardly shuffle over.

He placed a bowl of rice and a plate of vegetables in the corner of the table and said sheepishly, "Thank you. I didn't know the academy cafeteria didn't have tables and chairs, and I didn't know the food from the cafeteria wasn't allowed to be taken out."

Seeing that the black-haired boy didn't even dare occupy much of the table, Chen Ping shook his head.

"It's fine. The first time I came here, I also squatted in the corner of the cafeteria to eat. Just pay attention next time."

"When you're away from home, people should help each other out. I'm also a New Student at our academy this year. My name is Chen Ping. Having one more friend means one more path."

As he spoke, Chen Ping poured his bowl of Braised Ironhide Wild Boar Meat and Stewed Phoenix Tail Cockscomb Snake Soup into his rice, then began eating quietly.

The black-haired boy didn't eat slowly. In fact, it was obvious that he was deliberately speeding up.

He was probably worried that if Chen Ping finished eating before him, he would have to trouble Chen Ping to continue waiting.

But while eating, the black-haired boy also secretly observed Chen Ping.

He had arrived a little earlier than Chen Ping, so he had naturally seen the prices of the dishes at the Eighth Window. Those dishes, whose prices started at Gold Soul Coins, were things he simply couldn't afford.

Yet for some reason, perhaps because of a poor man's intuition—or the unspoken understanding between poor men—the black-haired boy had a powerful feeling that this fellow who could afford food from the Eighth Window was also a poor man, just like him.

Beneath the white School Uniform the other boy had just changed into was a short-sleeved shirt that had been washed countless times, yet still retained its worn-out look.

The gemstone on the Storage Ring on his hand was only about the size of a grain of rice. If placed outside, it would be worth only a few Gold Soul Coins.

If there was anything different between the other boy and himself, perhaps it was that he was still somewhat unaccustomed to his own shabbiness, especially after coming to Shrek and seeing the stark contrast between himself and the other well-dressed students.

But this student seemed to be poor in a truly stirring, soul-shaking way?

But how exactly had this student earned enough money to afford food from the Eighth Window? Or did he have some other method?

Chen Ping had no idea what the boy eating across from him was thinking. Otherwise, he would have pulled away the table and left.

What did he mean, "poor in a truly stirring way"?

He didn't want to be this poor either! What could he do about it?

The soul-stirring part was his personality. It wasn't because he was poor that he was so stirring!

After finishing the entire basin of rice, Chen Ping wiped his mouth, still unsatisfied, and glanced at the black-haired boy, who had eaten only a bowl of white rice and a plate of vegetables.

To be honest, Chen Ping wanted to ask whether the other boy was interested in buying some medicine.

Invigorating Tonics and the like weren't easy to sell, but he also had a potion that increased one's metabolic speed and appetite.

Selling Treasured Buddha Jumps Over the Wall followed a high-end route, but selling supplements at low profit and high volume could also serve as a source of income, couldn't it?

But looking at how awkwardly the boy ate even his white rice and small plate of vegetables, recommending supplements that increased his appetite didn't seem appropriate yet.

At the very least, Chen Ping had to wait until the boy had completely overcome his struggle for food and no longer worried about eating before promoting supplements to him. Only then would there be sales.

"Thank you, Big Brother Chen. My name is Huo Yuhao. After some time, I might try selling grilled fish outside the academy. When the time comes, I'll treat you to some for free."

The boy wiped his mouth and spoke to Chen Ping with a grateful expression.

Chen Ping stared at the absurdly thin boy, his eyes widening.

This was Huo Yuhao?

Huo Yuhao was this thin?

Without a recommendation letter from the Tang Sect, Huo Yuhao had still really managed to enter Shrek?

Chen Ping's thoughts were flying in all directions, and he had no idea yet that before long, Huo Yuhao would become the first customer to purchase all sorts of supplements from him.

However, what Huo Yuhao would buy wouldn't be supplements that accelerated his cultivation progress, but supplements for Consolidate Foundation and Cultivate Origin and conditioning his body—supplements that, logically speaking, Huo Yuhao should have needed the least.

And even if Chen Ping wasn't assigned to Zhou Yi's class, he would ultimately and inevitably stand on the opposite side of Zhou Yi.

Chen Ping thought that, since he was familiar with the plot, he could avoid every event connected to major turning points and quietly grow stronger. But when had the world ever been so accommodating?

From the moment Chen Ping entered Shrek and used Shrek's platform to grow stronger, he had already become one of the people near the Storm, liable to be drawn into it at any time.

A book recommendation: Douluo Dalu: My Crazy Self Turns the Whole World Upside Down

After transmigrating into the era of Douluo Dalu II, I awakened the Painted Skin Martial Soul and disguised it as the Evil Eye White Tiger Martial Soul. I was a glorious undercover agent planted by the Holy Spirit Cult in the Duke's Estate.

My cheat was—the Best Drama System and Electrolux!

I was going to put on the most dramatic performance and turn everyone upside down!

the Duke's Estate reunion:

"Uncle Dai Hao, this is my newly hired personal maid, Huo Yun'er."

Dai Hao: ...

the Star Luo Imperial House:

"Jiujiu, you really are high and mighty."

Xu Jiujiu: I'm sorry! I'll do anything!

the Shrek running exercise, when Zhou Yi was about to expel nine students:

"Only nine? That's too few! This will affect our class's advancement rate. Teacher, I want to report you!"

Zhou Yi: ?

Everyone: !?

Ma Xiao Tao's Evil Fire erupted:

"Demonic Body—Open!"

"You're crazy? I'm even crazier than you! Ahahaha~! Red-haired beauty, come play a game with me~!"

"This isn't a battle. This is a hunt!"

Ma Xiao Tao: Don't come any closer~

And so, I went from being an undercover agent in the Duke's Estate to an undercover agent in the Imperial House, then an undercover agent in Shrek, and finally became the Holy Son, taking several Holy Maidens back with me.

I never spoiled anyone, went crazy whenever and wherever I wanted, and turned everyone upside down!

This book was also known as:

"My Crazy Self Is Above All of You!"

"After Becoming the Holy Son of the Holy Spirit Cult, Isn't It Reasonable to Take Several Holy Maidens Back?"

(There are some comedic elements, but this isn't a pure comedy novel. Feel free to read.)