Lin Li's View on Money Seems Genuinely Different

Danzhu used to think Lin Li and Elysia getting airsick was a joke, but after experiencing it herself, she realized it wasn't funny at all.

Wait, why is she getting airsick too? We're not even halfway there.

Slumped in her seat, Danzhu leaned weakly against Cang Xuan, looking like she was about to die.

"Why aren't you sick?"

"I don't know," Cang Xuan said, chewing gum. "Want a piece? Sister Elysia gave it to me."

"No, I feel like I'm going to throw up if I eat anything else," Danzhu replied weakly.

"Okay, this is pretty good, it's strawberry flavored," Cang Xuan said, ruffling Danzhu's hair. Sigh, why is she so difficult to please?

Sitting in front of them were Elysia and Lin Li.

To be honest, Elysia was indeed joking; neither she nor Lin Li had any symptoms of airsickness.

When Elysia first took Lin Li to Yunyan Street to catch Vill-V, Lin Li was a bit unaccustomed to long flights, but after going out with Elysia more, she gradually got used to it.

It's really eye-opening, Lin Li thought. Back in her own world, she had never flown on a plane before.

Ah... she had flown a lot in games, though.

"Xiao Li, what do you want to do when we get back later?" Elysia asked, her fingertips tracing circles on Lin Li's thigh absently.

"What else can I do? Listen to the Doctor," Lin Li said, puffing out her cheeks and resting her chin on her hands, ignoring Elysia's hand. "I'm already a working person now..."

"Why does your tone sound so sad, Xiao Li?" Elysia couldn't help but laugh. "Didn't Xiao Li always want to make money?"

"Mmm... Sigh, but they only pay once a month... it's so slow."

"...That's true," Elysia mused for a moment, seemingly unable to think of any comforting words. She then simply pulled Lin Li into her embrace.

"It's okay, work is just like that, boring and long, but it's fine. As long as Xiao Li misses me, just send me a message, and Elysia will come to your side?"

"I won't miss you..."

"Then that means Xiao Li is very strong, able to endure loneliness."

"I mean, there are so many people in the lab later, how could I miss you?"

"Mmm... that's okay too. Even if Xiao Li doesn't miss me, I'll miss you, okay? Who told you to be... mmm..."

Lin Li pinched the soft flesh on Elysia's waist, causing her to stop and put on a wronged expression.

"Let me sleep for a bit. Wake me up when we arrive."

"Mhm, mhm, Xiao Li can sleep soundly. I absolutely won't touch you inappropriately," Elysia nodded obediently and said.

"..."

Lin Li rolled her eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep.

By the time the four of them arrived at Flame-Moth, it was already dark.

After all, the flight alone took several hours, and Lin Li and Elysia had stopped to deal with a small Honkai source midway. Plus, they wasted so much time on the way back...

It was only natural that it was dark.

It was Danzhu and Cang Xuan's first time in Flame-Moth City. Looking at the bustling night scenery on the streets, they seemed accustomed to it.

They had seen plenty of such sights in Changkong City.

"Are you hungry? How about we grab something to eat first?" Elysia suggested.

"Yes, let's go eat quickly, I'm starving," Danzhu replied. "That flight almost made me throw up, I need to eat more to recover."

"You didn't even throw up, why do you need to eat more?" Cang Xuan asked.

"I can't, right? I just want to eat."

"..."

Elysia smiled and led the three of them to her restaurant.

Currently, besides the Doctor and Vill-V, no one else knew this restaurant was hers. Although it might be exposed sooner or later, the later the better.

After all, Xiao Li, that little money-grubber... sigh.

After finishing dinner, the four of them returned to Flame-Moth.

The first place they needed to go was the research institute. Elysia had originally planned to take her two sisters home to drop off their luggage first, as it was quite heavy.

But Danzhu insisted on seeing Dr. Mobius first, saying that she was someone she had always admired and that she had to meet her as soon as possible.

Elysia couldn't refuse, so she and Lin Li, dragging two large suitcases, pressed the button for the research institute's main entrance.

A moment later, the door opened, and a blast of cold air dispersed, instantly cooling the four who had been traveling in the summer heat.

"..."

Mobius's snake-like eyes gazed at them.

"I thought you wouldn't be coming until tomorrow," she said, gesturing for the four to approach. "Which one is Danzhu, and which one is Cang Xuan?"

"I am Cang Xuan..." Cang Xuan slowly raised her hand, the blue streak on the left side of her head appearing particularly striking at this moment.

"Hmm, they look almost identical. That's quite rare," Mobius commented, then waved her hand and said, "Alright, you've met. You can all go now. It's getting late, get some good rest."

"Especially you three," she added, looking at Danzhu, Cang Xuan, and Lin Li.

"Uh, Doctor, don't we still have plenty of time? Is there anything we can help with?" Cang Xuan asked timidly, wanting to make a good impression.

"No, there's nothing I can do right now that you can help with. Hmm... Of course, if you'd like to stay here and work overtime until midnight to eat instant noodles, you're welcome to," Mobius replied.

"Uh, then maybe not," Cang Xuan chuckled sheepishly.

Seriously, even if she loved doing experiments, she wouldn't stay to work overtime...

"Okay, then head back. I won't see you out," Mobius said, turning away.

The four of them returned to the laboratory entrance. Looking at the closed door, Cang Xuan felt a pang of disappointment.

"Sigh, I really wanted to leave a good impression on the Doctor. Looks like that's not happening."

"You? It's good enough if you don't cause trouble," Danzhu said.

"What do you mean? Is that how you talk to your older sister?"

Cang Xuan, already in a bad mood, was completely set off by Danzhu's remark. She grabbed Danzhu's ear, furious.

Lin Li was a bit surprised. She had always thought Cang Xuan was calm and collected...

"Say that again?"

"Hiss... I won't say it, I won't say it anymore! Let go!"

"Hmph."

Cang Xuan released her hand, huffed, and crossed her arms.

Danzhu rubbed her ear aggrievedly and turned to Elysia. "We're going home now, right? Let's hurry back and get to bed early. I'm so sleepy."

"Mhm," Elysia nodded.

She was thinking about something.

With colleagues like Cang Xuan and Danzhu, who were such lively characters, Xiao Li surely wouldn't be bored, right?

And then there was... Dr. Mobius. Perhaps she might even change her personality a little because of Danzhu and Cang Xuan?

The journey home was uneventful, except for Danzhu complaining a few times on the way about the long road and how tired she was.

Upon arriving, Danzhu's eyes widened at the sight of the spacious living room. Disregarding her luggage, which Lin Li was still holding, she practically threw herself onto the sofa and plopped down.

"Wow, this is so comfortable. Is this what a mansion is like?" Danzhu exclaimed, then suddenly noticed Cang Xuan's gaze and felt a bit awkward. She retrieved her luggage and brought it over.

"Sister Elysia, where will we be staying?"

Cang Xuan was very polite. She had been calling Elysia "sister" all the way here, unlike Danzhu, who hadn't even called Elysia by name and had only referred to Lin Li.

"I told you to just call me Sister Elysia," Elysia said with a smile, pointing to the empty room on the first floor. "It's right there. No one has ever stayed there. I'll go tidy it up."

"Mhm, mhm."

Cang Xuan obediently walked over to the sofa and even confirmed with Lin Li before sitting down.

Lin Li couldn't help but chuckle and couldn't resist patting Cang Xuan's head.

So well-behaved, so cute.

"If you want to sit, just sit. It's fine."

"Then I won't be polite."

Danzhu was truly not polite. Cang Xuan sat on one end, and seeing the ample space, she sprawled out on the sofa, resting her head on her sister's lap.

"It really is so comfortable..." Danzhu stretched.

As she opened her eyes, she saw her sister's look of utter bewilderment.

"Danzhu, this is someone else's house, can you please be more mindful?"

"Mindful of what? Lin Li said it's fine," Danzhu replied nonchalantly and picked up the remote to turn on the TV.

Guess what? As soon as she turned on the TV, the familiar SpongeBob SquarePants interface appeared.

Danzhu liked it even more.

"Wow, Lin Li, you didn't happen to investigate my liking for SpongeBob SquarePants beforehand, did you? That's so heartwarming!"

"...?" Lin Li's eye twitched slightly.

What is Danzhu even talking about? This SpongeBob was for her own viewing. She just didn't expect Danzhu to like it too.

Tsk... Speaking of which, she forgot along the way that both these sisters are older than her... Hmph, Elysia even said she looked childish earlier. This is not childish at all.

"If you think it's good, then watch it. Just don't watch that episode," Lin Li said.

"I know, I know, the Shovel Killer. I always remember that episode," Danzhu waved her hand. "Actually, although the process was a little scary, I still think the most terrifying part was when that person suddenly appeared at the end to press the switch."

"Yeah, I agree. I was so scared I almost jumped out of my skin when I watched it alone back then," Lin Li said, feeling like she had found a kindred spirit.

"Hmph, it's good that the silly Cang Xuan is watching with me. She's even more scared than I am."

"..." Cang Xuan's expression was blank. Lin Li could tell she had a lot she wanted to say, but she probably wanted to save Dan Zhu some face, so she held back.

At this moment, Elysia walked out of the empty room. Seeing the harmonious and friendly scene of the three people on the sofa, a smile involuntarily appeared on her face.

"The room is all tidied up. Shall I help you move your things in?"

"Mhm, thank you, Sister Elysia," Cang Xuan replied obediently.

"Oh, no need to thank me!" Elysia smiled even more happily. "Come on, Xiao Li, let's do it together."

"..." Lin Li rolled her eyes.

Elysia had said she would move it herself. She had felt a moment of relief inwardly, only to find out she still had to help...

There was no choice. She had to listen to Elysia. Well... after all, with great power comes great responsibility. The suitcase was indeed a bit heavy. If Elysia had to move two, it would be quite strenuous.

After moving the luggage, the two also sat on the sofa. Since it was a two-seater, the space was a bit tight. Coupled with Lin Li being tall, otherwise, she would have definitely laid down like Dan Zhu and rested her head on Elysia's lap.

"Cang Xuan, are you planning to live here long-term?"

After this episode ended, Elysia suddenly asked.

"Uh, are there any other houses for rent around here?" Cang Xuan asked back.

"Hmm... probably not. The other places are for soldiers. This area only has this one villa for now," Elysia recalled for a moment and said. "At least not within Flame-Moth. Of course, there are many apartments or rental houses outside Flame-Moth City, but the commute to the research institute would be much longer than from here."

"Then we'll live here long-term. Dan Zhu and I will definitely be working here all the time, so it doesn't matter," Dan Zhu said.

"Mhm, if that's the case then..." Elysia nudged Lin Li's shoulder.

Lin Li immediately knew what she wanted her to say, but... she felt too embarrassed to say it herself!

She had lacked confidence even when she first told Elysia about it... Speaking of which, now that she and Elysia were so close, did the rent even matter anymore?

"What's wrong? Is something up?" Cang Xuan looked at the two of them, her expression shifting from confusion to sudden realization. "Is it about the rent?"

"Mhm," Lin Li nodded.

"Hmm... how much is it per month?" Dan Zhu asked.

"...One thousand?"

"Why are you so uncertain when you say it yourself?" Cang Xuan was a bit speechless.

"Uh, then one thousand."

"Really? But with this kind of environment, one thousand seems a bit..."

"If it's not okay, then eight hundred!" Lin Li finally became a bit firmer.

But Cang Xuan's eyes became even more confused. Not just her, Dan Zhu also found it outrageous.

Were the prices in Flame-Moth City really that low? Why was the rent Lin Li mentioned so cheap?

In Changkong City, they paid two thousand a month for a small apartment, and that didn't even include utilities.

However, they always had various allowances and funding from their experiments, so they didn't think much of it.

This villa looked like a high-end property. When they were in Changkong City, they couldn't even afford to rent one, let alone at such a low price.

So...

Cang Xuan suddenly received a message on her phone.

It was from Elysia.

She looked at Elysia in confusion. Elysia was frantically signaling to her.

"..."

She opened her phone. The message said:

"The prices here are normal. It's just that Xiao Li's standard for rent is a bit different from normal people, so just propose a rent that you think is reasonable."

"But don't make it too high, or Xiao Li will feel bad."

Is that how it is? Cang Xuan thought to herself, and then said:

"Sister Lin Li, how about two thousand instead? Otherwise, you'll be at too much of a disadvantage."

This statement earned Dan Zhu's approval, even though she still felt it was a bit low.

While it was true that you shouldn't pass up a good deal, they genuinely didn't care about this small amount.

"Eh... eh?" Lin Li was a bit dumbfounded.

"Isn't that a bit too high?"

"Actually, it's very low," Cang Xuan smiled. Looking at Lin Li's reaction, she thought Sister Elysia was indeed right.

"But... the salary at Doctor's research institute isn't that much. If you come here to earn money, what if you can't even afford the rent?"

"Ah? Sister Lin Li, who told you we came here to earn money?" Cang Xuan was confused again.

"Isn't that the case? If it's not for earning money, then what is it for?" Lin Li retorted.

"...Actually, we're not short on money. We came to Doctor Mobius's place just to learn more profound things," Cang Xuan said helplessly.

It seems like Sister Lin Li is only thinking about making money, I don't know if I should call her shallow, sigh.

"?"

Elysia could directly translate the question marks filling Lin Li's mind from her face.

She probably figured Lin Li was thinking: "Why else would you go to work if not to make money?"

What a little money grubber, this is too embarrassing, sigh.

Elysia grabbed Lin Li's hand, signaling her to stop talking.

"Then it's settled, Xiao Li, let's go back to the bedroom."

"Mm... okay, fine."

Lin Li was still a bit dazed, probably genuinely unable to understand.

Elysia didn't plan on explaining either. She just pulled her away.

And so, in the living room, Danzhu and Cang Xuan were left behind, continuing to watch SpongeBob SquarePants.