Work-Study Student Quota, Got It!

Back at Granny Wang's house, Xiao Xiaoxiao still hadn't calmed down from her excitement. Hugging her grandmother's arm, she laughed and bounced in place. "Granny, Granny! I have soul power! Level seven! My martial soul is a little fox—it's so pretty!"

Granny Wang was happy for her too. Her wrinkled face blossomed into a smile. "Good, good, good! Our Xiaoxiao has a bright future! Once you become a Lord Soul Master, don't forget your granny."

"I never would! Granny is the best!" Xiao Xiaoxiao buried her head in Granny Wang's arms and rubbed against her. She was sincerely grateful to this kind old woman.

Once the excitement faded, the practical problem lay right before them.

Nuoding Academy required money. Work-Study Students could have their tuition waived, but what about living expenses? Travel expenses? Granny Wang's home had nothing but bare walls; she could barely support herself, so how could she possibly afford to send Xiao Xiaoxiao there?

Xiao Xiaoxiao's little face fell. Could she really see the light at the end of the tunnel, only to be stopped at the starting line because she had no money? No! Absolutely not!

Her eyes darted around, and she quickly regained her spirits. No money? She could earn it! With hands, feet, and a brain—one from the modern world, no less—was she really going to let herself be stumped by something like that?

Over the next few days, Xiao Xiaoxiao completely transformed into a tiny model worker.

Relying on her memories, she first found several kinds of wild vegetables and mushrooms that tasted fairly good in the woods outside the village. After bringing them back and having Granny Wang confirm they weren't poisonous, she washed them thoroughly, tied them into small bundles, and squatted at the village entrance early each morning. Whenever she saw villagers preparing to head to Nuoding City to sell goods or run errands, she gathered her courage and stepped forward to hawk her wares.

"Uncle, fresh wild vegetables! Picked just this morning! Take some to the city so your family can try something new! Just one Copper Soul Coin!"

"Auntie, these mushrooms make such a delicious soup. Buy some, please?"

She was young, cute, and sweet-tongued. Quite a few adults took pity on her and admired her diligence, so they were willing to spend one or two Copper Soul Coins on a bundle. After several days, she had actually saved up a small handful of Copper Soul Coins, though she was still nowhere close to her goal.

She also tried weaving several delicate little baskets and tiny cricket cages out of a type of sturdy vine she had found in the woods. Her workmanship was rough, but the items were novel, and she managed to sell two of them.

That day, she was crouched at the village entrance, selling her last vine-woven basket, when she spotted Tang San emerging from the blacksmith shop in the distance and heading toward Old Jack's house.

She knew he was going to get a letter of introduction.

Xiao Xiaoxiao hurriedly sold the basket at a discount, tucked the dozen-odd Copper Soul Coins she had saved into her pocket, and jogged after him. She did not approach, merely waiting from afar.

Before long, Tang San came out of Old Jack's house with a sheet of paper in his hand, which was probably the recommendation letter. There was little expression on his face, but Xiao Xiaoxiao could sense that he seemed somewhat downcast. It was likely because Tang Hao did not support him going to school.

Xiao Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, collected herself, and put on an expression of nervous hope before walking up to him.

"Tang San!"

Tang San stopped and looked at her.

"Um... did Village Chief Grandpa agree to recommend you?" she asked, though she already knew the answer.

Tang San nodded and raised the letter in his hand.

"That's wonderful!" Xiao Xiaoxiao was happy for him at first, then lowered her head at just the right moment. Her little hands twisted the hem of her clothes, and her voice dropped. "That's so nice... You'll definitely become a very powerful Soul Master. I... I won't be able to..."

Tang San looked at her. "You have soul power too. Village Chief Grandpa should help you as well."

Xiao Xiaoxiao shook her head, trying to make her eyes look a little red. "Granny Wang's family... has no money. It costs money to travel to Nuoding City, and food costs money too... I can't put such a burden on Granny." She raised her head and forced out a strong smile. "It's okay! I can still live well in the village! When you become a powerful Soul Master and come back someday, I can even brag to people that I know you!"

She made herself sound both sensible and wronged, with a touch of longing for the future and complete, unwavering faith in him. She had nearly moved herself to tears.

Tang San looked at her forced smile. In those eyes that were always so calm and unruffled, something seemed to ripple ever so slightly. After a few seconds of silence, he suddenly said, "For Work-Study Students, the academy provides food and lodging. You can also earn some income through work."

"Huh? Really?" Xiao Xiaoxiao immediately looked up in "delight," her eyes wide and round. But soon, they "dimmed" again. "But... there must be very few Work-Study Student spots, right? Can Village Chief Grandpa get one for me? And... the travel expenses..."

Carefully, she took out the dozen-odd Copper Soul Coins from her pocket, warmed by her body heat, and spread them across her little palm. "I-I only have this much... I don't know if it's enough..."

That small, scattered handful of Copper Soul Coins looked truly pitiful.

Tang San looked at the little money, then at her small face, slightly dirty from running around these past few days, and her hopeful gaze. He fell silent again.

"Come with me." After saying that, he turned and headed back toward Old Jack's house.

Xiao Xiaoxiao's heart skipped a beat. She hurried after him, her little face full of "unease" and "anticipation."

Old Jack was somewhat puzzled when he saw Tang San, who had just left, return with Xiao Xiaoxiao behind him.

Tang San got straight to the point. "Village Chief Grandpa, she also has level-seven soul power. Her martial soul is fox-type and of decent quality. She wants to go to Nuoding Academy, but she has no money. Can you help her secure a Work-Study Student spot?"

Old Jack looked at Xiao Xiaoxiao in surprise. "Xiaoxiao, you want to go too?"

Xiao Xiaoxiao nodded vigorously and said softly, "Village Chief Grandpa, I really want to become a Soul Master... I'll work very, very hard! As for the travel expenses... I'll find a way to save them up myself!" As she spoke, she held out that handful of Copper Soul Coins again. Though she knew it was nowhere near enough, she had to make the gesture convincing.

Old Jack looked at the two children before him. One had Innate Full Soul Power but a poor martial soul; the other had decent talent but no one to rely on. Both were promising seedlings! He sighed and began calculating in his heart. Nuoding Academy did indeed only give Holy Spirit Village one Work-Study Student spot each year, but it often went unused in previous years. This year was different—there were two promising children. If he went to the city and made his case, securing one additional spot should not be difficult!

"Alright, alright." Old Jack waved his hand, a kindly smile appearing on his face. "You two little ones are both the hope of our Holy Spirit Village! Leave the spots to Grandpa! And don't worry about travel expenses either—Grandpa will cover them for you!"

"Really? Thank you, Village Chief Grandpa! You're the best, best grandpa in the whole world!" Xiao Xiaoxiao was overjoyed. This time, her tears truly came from excitement as she gave Old Jack a deep bow.

Success! The Work-Study Student spot and the travel expenses were all settled! One sentence from Tang San had been more effective than all her own pleading! As expected, winning favor was the way to go!

She secretly glanced at Tang San. He still wore that calm expression, as though he had merely done something insignificant.

But Xiao Xiaoxiao was already bursting with joy inside. Look! My heartthrob helped me on his own initiative! There must be a place for me in his heart now! (Even if it's only the tiniest little bit!)

After leaving Old Jack's house, Xiao Xiaoxiao followed closely beside Tang San, her little mouth chattering nonstop. "Tang San, thank you! If it weren't for you, Village Chief Grandpa might not have agreed so quickly! You're so nice!"

Tang San's steps paused briefly. He turned his head to look at her. "No need to thank me. You have talent. It would be a pity if you didn't go."

His tone was flat, but Xiao Xiaoxiao automatically interpreted it as "heartthrob-style concern."

"Mm! I definitely won't disappoint you or Village Chief Grandpa!" She clenched her tiny fist and declared it solemnly, then began dreaming about the future again. "Once we get to the academy, we can study and cultivate together! I heard the academy has lots of amazing teachers and upperclassmen! I wonder what the dormitories are like..."

Tang San listened quietly. Every so often, he gave an "Mm," never interrupting her endless chatter.

The sunlight stretched their shadows long across the ground, where they intertwined.

Xiao Xiaoxiao looked at the lean profile of the boy beside her, and the affection and determination in her heart grew even firmer.

Though the start had been difficult, everything was moving in a better direction!

Nuoding Academy, here I come! Sorry, Sister Xiao Wu—your Tang San's companionship rights were being reserved in advance!

Over the next few days, Xiao Xiaoxiao behaved herself much more. She focused on keeping Granny Wang company and scrubbed her little rundown house spotless inside and out. She filled the water jar, chopped the firewood—though the pieces came out crooked—and rushed to do every chore she could.

Watching the small figure bustle around, Granny Wang felt both gratified and reluctant to let her go. "Xiaoxiao, take good care of yourself once you get to the academy. Don't worry about this old woman."

"I know, Granny. I'll come back to see you often!" Xiao Xiaoxiao said coquettishly, hugging Granny Wang's arm.

The night before departure, Old Jack came over and handed Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao a small money pouch each. "This is for your travel expenses and living costs for the first month. Spend it carefully. Keep your letters of introduction safe. Tomorrow morning, Grandpa will take you to Nuoding City."

Xiao Xiaoxiao accepted the pouch, light in her hand yet heavy in her heart, and her nose stung. There were still more good people than bad in this world.

Early the next morning, when the sky was only beginning to brighten, at the village entrance—

Tang Hao indeed did not come to see him off. Tang San stood alone with a small bundle on his back, waiting for Old Jack.

After saying goodbye to Granny Wang, Xiao Xiaoxiao made her way to the village entrance with red-rimmed eyes, looking back every few steps.

Seeing that both children had arrived, Old Jack waved his hand energetically. "Let's go! Children, Grandpa will take you to Nuoding City and set you on the path of soul masters!"

The three figures set off down the dirt road toward Nuoding City, facing the rising morning sun.

Walking beside Tang San, Xiao Xiaoxiao's heart leaped with excitement and anticipation.

A new map, a new plot, new challenges!

Of course, most importantly—her academy cohabitation life with her idol—cross that out—her life as his classmate was officially beginning!

Intercepting Plan, Step Three: successfully arrived at the battlefield!