The Money-Making Plan and "Exclusive" Hidden Weapons

For Soul Masters, cultivation required wealth, companions, methods, and a suitable place—wealth came first. Obtaining the First Spirit Ring was only the beginning. Future cultivation would require even more resources, and the meager income of Work-Study Students was barely enough to keep them fed, much less buy medicines or other items to aid cultivation.

The children of Seventh Dormitory had all been looking rather gloomy lately. Wang Sheng stared at the new hole in his shoes and sighed, while another Work-Study Student complained that his soap pods were nearly used up for the month, making it impossible to even enjoy a proper bath.

Xiao Wu was still carefree. As long as she had food and fun, she was happy, but whenever she saw pretty hair ribbons or snacks in shop windows, longing would occasionally appear in her big eyes.

Tang San remained as quiet as ever, but Xiao Xiaoxiao noticed that he spent even more time meditating and cultivating. Sometimes, he would stare blankly at bits of stone and iron scraps he had picked up. She knew he was studying Tang Sect Hidden Weapons. Those things required materials, and materials required money.

Xiao Xiaoxiao was worried too. She wanted to buy more tasty things to "feed" Tang San, but with the little money she had, she could barely feed herself.

No, she had to find a way to make money!

That afternoon, during a break from work, Xiao Xiaoxiao gnawed on a hard, dry steamed bun while racking her brains. What could Work-Study Students do that would bring in money quickly?

Work in the city? There was not enough time, and they were too young. No one would hire them.

Sell wild fruit and vegetables? There was too little of it to earn much, and it was highly seasonal.

Her gaze swept across the area and landed on several Work-Study Student boys fooling around and chasing one another. The knees of their trousers had been worn through again, crudely stitched with rough thread in crooked lines.

She had it!

Xiao Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up. She came from the modern world. Though she was no sewing expert, she had seen so many beautiful clothing styles that her basic mending skills were far better than those of these clumsy boys. Besides, there were so many students in the academy, and torn clothes were commonplace—especially among active Battle Soul Masters!

She immediately sidled up to Wang Sheng and pointed at the patch on his knee. "Wang Sheng, that patch of yours is practically falling off. Want me to sew it up again? I guarantee it'll look better and hold stronger than this!"

Wang Sheng froze for a moment, then scratched his head. "Huh? Xiaoxiao, you know how to do that? Sure. Might as well try anything at this point." He casually took off his trousers and handed them over to her, though he still had underpants on underneath.

Xiao Xiaoxiao took out the little sewing kit she carried with her—Granny Wang had prepared it for her—found a scrap of cloth in a similar color, and carefully began mending it. She used a few modern tricks, making the stitches fine and neat. She even added a tiny reinforcing triangle in an inconspicuous spot.

Before long, the patch was finished. It was indeed much prettier and sturdier than the previous slapdash repair.

After Wang Sheng put his trousers back on, he looked them over from every angle and exclaimed in delight, "Hey! Xiaoxiao, you're amazing! Your work isn't any worse than an apprentice at a city tailor shop!"

The other Work-Study Students gathered around to look as well, marveling at it.

Xiao Xiaoxiao took the opportunity to announce, "From now on, anyone with torn clothes can come to me for repairs! One Copper Soul Coin per repair! Holes in socks are half a Copper Soul Coin! I guarantee they'll look better than anything you can stitch yourselves!"

The Work-Study Students found the price affordable, and her repairs were clearly better than their own. They were immediately tempted. Before long, people began bringing her torn clothes and socks.

And so, Xiao Xiaoxiao's little mending stall opened for business in Seventh Dormitory. Her skills were good, her prices low, and her attitude enthusiastic. She quickly built up a reputation among the Work-Study Students. Even some ordinary students came secretly after hearing of her, and business turned out to be quite good.

After a few days, she had actually saved up a small sum of money.

Looking at the heavy Copper Soul Coins in her hand, Xiao Xiaoxiao felt full of accomplishment. She immediately ran to the cafeteria and bought two Meat Pies. She ate one herself and carefully wrapped the other in oil paper.

That night, after most of Seventh Dormitory had fallen asleep, she quietly slipped over to Tang San's bed and gently nudged him.

Tang San opened his eyes alertly. Seeing that it was her, he looked puzzled.

Xiao Xiaoxiao stuffed the still-warm Meat Pie into his hand and whispered, "This is for you. You must get hungry cultivating at night, right? Eat something and replenish your strength."

Tang San paused. In the faint light from outside the window, he looked at the greasy Meat Pie in his hand, then at Xiao Xiaoxiao's sparkling eyes, which held a hint of pride. After a moment of silence, he asked softly, "Thank you. Where did you get the money?"

"I earned it!" Xiao Xiaoxiao said with a little pride. She quietly told him about her mending business. "From now on, if your clothes or socks get torn, bring them to me. Free of charge!"

As Tang San listened, surprise flickered through his eyes, along with a barely noticeable trace of amusement. He had not expected her to think of such a method. "That's impressive," he said softly, then picked up the Meat Pie and began eating it slowly.

Xiao Xiaoxiao crouched beside his bed and watched him eat, feeling sweeter than if she had eaten honey.

After Tang San finished eating, Xiao Xiaoxiao did not leave right away. After hesitating for a moment, she took a small cloth pouch from her robe and opened it. Inside were most of the Copper Soul Coins she had earned over the past few days, along with several Silver Soul Coins.

"Tang San," she said even more quietly, her voice carrying both hesitation and anticipation, "do you need this money... to buy some materials? For... those little things you usually study?" She did not dare say Hidden Weapons directly.

Tang San stared at the coins spread out beneath the moonlight, glimmering faintly, and his movements came to a halt. He raised his head and looked deeply at Xiao Xiaoxiao. In the dim light, his gaze seemed especially profound, as though he wanted to see something on her face.

Xiao Xiaoxiao grew flustered under his gaze and hurriedly explained, "I-I don't mean anything else! I just think the things you make are amazing, and you must need money for materials... Besides, I can't spend all the money I earn for now, so just... just think of it as an investment in you! When you make something amazing in the future, just don't forget me!" The more she spoke, the softer her voice became, and her face reddened again.

Tang San remained silent for a long time. Moonlight fell across his quiet profile, making his expression impossible to discern.

Just as Xiao Xiaoxiao thought he would refuse and awkwardly prepared to take the money back, he suddenly spoke. His voice was low and clear. "All right."

He reached out, but instead of taking all the money, he picked out a few Copper Soul Coins and the smallest Silver Soul Coin. "This is enough. Thank you."

He pushed the rest back to Xiao Xiaoxiao. "Keep it yourself. Cultivation requires money too."

Xiao Xiaoxiao saw that he had taken only the smallest portion. She was touched, but also a little anxious. "But..."

"It's enough." Tang San's tone was firm, carrying an air that allowed no argument. "The first batch of materials doesn't need to be too good."

Xiao Xiaoxiao had no choice but to put the money away, though her heart felt warm. He had accepted it! Though he had only accepted a little, he had accepted her help!

"Then... what materials do you need? Can I help you buy them next time I go into the city?" she asked eagerly.

Tang San shook his head. "No need. I know where to get them." After a pause, he added, "Don't tell anyone about this."

"Mhm, mhm! I promise I won't tell anyone!" Xiao Xiaoxiao nodded vigorously, delight blooming in her heart. This was a little secret between them!

From that day on, Tang San became even busier outside of class. He often went out alone, sometimes returning with unremarkable stones, iron scraps, or tough vines. At night, after the dormitory lights went out, he would often work beneath the moonlight or sneak outside. Under the pretense of cultivation, he quietly polished and assembled something.

Xiao Xiaoxiao continued running her mending business. Aside from buying a few tasty things to "share" with Tang San and Xiao Wu, she saved most of what she earned, ready to support Tang San's "research" whenever needed.

Occasionally, she would "happen" to pass by wherever Tang San was working and secretly watch his profile as he focused on polishing parts. Whenever those clear eyes focused on something, they gave off an especially captivating light—serious and determined.

Sometimes Tang San encountered a problem and frowned at a component. Xiao Xiaoxiao did not understand Hidden Weapon crafting, but she came from the modern world and had seen more than most. She would pretend to be curious and lean closer, saying in an innocent tone, "Tang San, could this curved part be held taut with an elastic strip, like that slingshot?" Or, "If this groove were polished smoother, wouldn't the little stones fly faster?"

These seemingly casual childish remarks often gave Tang San unexpected inspiration. Each time, he would glance at her thoughtfully before lowering his head and continuing to improve his work.

Xiao Xiaoxiao secretly laughed to herself. Hehe, knowledge is power! I didn't study modern physics for nothing!

After some time, Tang San's first batch of "products" was complete. They were small, sharp stones, their edges polished exceptionally smooth and carved with tiny blood grooves. Though crude, they were far more powerful than ordinary stones.

He gave several of them to Xiao Xiaoxiao, wrapped in a piece of soft cloth. "For self-defense."

Xiao Xiaoxiao treasured them as though they were precious jewels and carefully put them away, her heart bubbling with sweetness. These were handmade by her idol! An exclusive limited edition!

With this batch of Hidden Weapons and Xiao Xiaoxiao's occasional "inspirational hints," Tang San's research progressed much faster. He even tried mixing fibers from Blue Silver Grass leaves with a special tree resin, creating bowstrings with exceptional toughness.

Xiao Xiaoxiao looked at his achievement with anticipation filling her heart. Once Tang San created those immensely powerful Tang Sect Hidden Weapons in the future, would she not benefit too? This was called long-term investment!

Of course, her "investment" was not limited to money and technical inspiration.

"Tang San, look at your hands. They're covered in scrapes." Without waiting for an answer, Xiao Xiaoxiao pulled his hand over, took out clean strips of cloth and medicine she had prepared—bought with money from mending—and carefully bandaged him. Her little face was full of concern. "Be more careful next time..."

Tang San's body stiffened slightly, as though he was unused to such intimate contact. But seeing Xiao Xiaoxiao's focused, earnest expression, he ultimately did not pull his hand away. He merely gave a low "Mm."

Seeing this, Xiao Wu bounced over and shouted, "Wow! Xiaoxiao, you're playing favorites! I want a bandage too! I scraped myself climbing a tree yesterday!" As she spoke, she held out an arm so fair and clean that it did not even have a red mark.

Xiao Xiaoxiao did not know whether to laugh or cry. She could only wrap a small strip of cloth around Xiao Wu's finger and tie it into a bow. Only then did Xiao Wu run off in satisfaction.

Tang San looked at the neatly wrapped cloth on his own hand, then at the exaggerated bow on Xiao Wu's finger. The corner of his mouth seemed to lift ever so slightly.

Xiao Xiaoxiao caught that fleeting smile, and it felt as though a spring breeze had brushed through her heart.

Her grand money-making plan had not only improved their lives; it had also become the perfect bridge for drawing her closer to Tang San.

She knew that on the path to her idol's heart, she had taken another steady step forward.

And at that moment, as Tang San looked at the girl beside him—sometimes clever and sharp, sometimes clumsy and adorable, always finding ways to be good to him—it seemed that a small stone had fallen into the tranquil lake of his heart, sending out ripples that even he himself had not yet clearly noticed.