Jiang Han's life gradually settled into a busy, turn-based routine: work, then class; class, then work. It was exhausting, but fulfilling.
She didn't share the complaints students usually had. Maybe it was because, after returning to the age of eighteen, she'd rediscovered her passion for learning.
On Saturday, after a fulfilling week, Jiang Han arrived at the tavern an hour early at Qin Shunying's request. In the staff lounge, she and the other part-time witches received their first weekly paychecks.
Her after-tax weekly wage was 950 yuan, her after-tax share of the drink sales was 24.7 yuan, and she'd received 120 yuan in untaxed tips, for a total of 1,094.7 yuan. Adding her original 50 yuan in spending money and another 100 yuan for the new week, Miss Jiang Han's total assets had reached the peak of her life so far! A full 1,244.7 yuan. Congratulations, congratulations.
Although she was still dissatisfied with her total assets, a contented smile undeniably appeared on Jiang Han's face.
She'd gotten up at eleven at night, worked until six in the morning, then attended class from eight until four in the afternoon. The fatigue of that back-to-back work, class, class, work routine was now completely cured by her weekly paycheck.
Lovely banknotes.
Glorious banknotes.
After counting her pay twice, Jiang Han once again discovered, with a smile, the pros and cons of being paid weekly.
The downside was that after getting paid each week, it was easy to immediately start thinking about how to spend it all, making it hard to save. It was also a hassle to keep track of expenses and income, and sums that were neither large nor small could tempt you to spend.
The upside was that getting paid felt fantastic: once a week meant four bursts of joy a month!
The witches collecting their pay on Saturday included Jiang Han, Du Ningzhuang, Chu Yujun, Tang Wen, and a witch named Chen Ligu. There were quite a few of them. According to Qin Shunying, witches liked to get paid on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
Out of the corner of her eye, Jiang Han saw the others. Tang Wen and Chen Ligu were both outgoing witches, grinning so brightly they seemed particularly cheerful and optimistic.
Even the introverted Du Ningzhuang and Chu Yujun couldn't help smiling.
Payday was when people were at their most cheerful and outgoing!
"Good evening, Miss Jiang Han. So, what are you thinking of doing with your paycheck?" Tang Wen sidled over with a radiant smile.
Unlike Chai Ying, whose outgoing nature was a little restrained, Miss Tang Wen was the type of woman who made you understand the word "excited" just by looking at her. Her smile was radiant, her eyes narrowed halfway when she laughed, and she was a little sultry but full of energy. She gave you that feeling of, "Ah, so this is what an eighteen-year-old girl is like." Though Miss Tang Wen seemed to be close to thirty?
Ahem... For witches, their prime didn't start until after forty... Jiang Han's thoughts tumbled around, and she returned the smile sweetly.
"Good evening, Miss Tang Wen. I want to buy some potion ingredients. The weather forecast says a storm is coming soon, right? I need to prepare the potions that have to be taken during a storm. Otherwise, next time I might have to make a special trip to Southeast Asia Storm Cape to brew them."
Miss Tang Wen fell silent for a moment, then rested her left hand against her cheek and let out a laugh that was a little sultry but cheerful.
"...Hahaha, I never would've thought of that. I figured you'd be like me and go buy some nice clothes and have a wild time... Hahaha, I didn't expect such a sensible way to spend it!"
What the hell did she mean, "have a wild time"...? Jiang Han's mouth twitched as she looked at Chu Yujun.
Chu Yujun put away her pay, a faint smile on her face. When she noticed Jiang Han looking her way, her eyes widened a little as she explained her plans. "...I want to buy a magical artifact. I've been saving up for ages."
"Huh? Eh? Huh-huh?" Miss Tang Wen sounded confused.
Cradling her money pouch, Du Ningzhuang gazed at the ceiling, her dark green eyes radiating the air of a cultured person. "Books, and then a bottle of Dragon Blood Ink."
"What? You all have such sensible plans for your money?" Miss Tang Wen turned to Chen Ligu, who was as cheerful and lively as she was.
Chen Ligu smiled and waved a hand, giving an answer that left no room for argument.
"Um, I'm only fifteen, so I'm not allowed to go on a wild spree..."
Jiang Han watched with delight as Miss Tang Wen made noises of "eh" and "huh." Hearing that woman make such an embarrassing racket was just too much fun!
Why did parents and teachers always say that a "good learning environment is important"? This was why! The environment mattered. When everyone around you loved studying, anyone who didn't would feel awkward and lonely. The same went for witches: when everyone else collecting their pay had sensible plans for their money, even someone who wanted to spend it all on food, drink, and revelry would be influenced in the opposite direction.
But kids these days were growing up fast. Chen Ligu was only fifteen... Jiang Han edged half a step closer to her, and confirmed she was right: Chen Ligu was half a head taller than she was...
"Th-then I'll save mine, too, and wait for a sensible reason to use it someday," Tang Wen said, sounding guilty.
After handing out the witches' pay, Qin Shunying lightly tapped the table with her long pipe and smiled.
"Miss Tang, you've reached the age where you need to start saving, too... Otherwise, you might not be able to find a wife in the future."
Tang Wen let out another mournful cry.
"B-but can't I get married later?"
The question of whether she'd marry a wife or husband set off laughter and all sorts of teasing in the lounge. Even Chu Yujun, who usually spoke so slowly, managed to tease Tang Wen a little.
"All right, all right, don't tease Miss Tang," Qin Shunying said, stopping things from getting any worse before the story turned into "Tang Yiji." She chuckled. "You still have some time to shop. Remember to be back on time, ladies."
Jiang Han checked the clock. It was ten thirty, and they didn't have to start work for another hour and a half. It seemed Qin Shunying had set aside time for them to go shopping after getting paid.
She took out her notebook and glanced at her list. Jiang Han decided to collect all the ingredients for the "Dispel Magic" potion today. It was Saturday, the day the Witch Market received its deliveries, and many ingredients that were usually unavailable would be brought to the market.
On Saturdays, even a small city's Witch Market would have plenty of ingredients on offer.
At the largest market in the south, even legendary magical ingredients were sold. Treasures like Ancient Dragon Jade sometimes appeared at certain stalls without a fuss... South City not only had the largest market in the south, but also the most biodiverse hunting grounds in the south. In the future, it would even have the world's largest Folded Space special zone.
Just before she left the Witch House, someone called out to Jiang Han from behind.
She turned around and saw Miss Tang Wen in a sweater and shorts, waving at her energetically. Her ruby-red eyes were fixed on Jiang Han as she asked,
"Miss Jiang Han, are you familiar with the Witch Market?"
Jiang Han shook her head. The first time she'd come here had been with her substitute teacher, Cen Jing, and afterward she'd only come to work. She hadn't had much time to wander around. "Not really. I'll probably just look around first."
"Then how about I take you to buy ingredients?" Tang Wen lightly tapped her lips with her index and middle fingers and asked sincerely. "I know my way around pretty well."
She'd been worried she might not be able to find all the ingredients within an hour and a half... Jiang Han happily replied,
"Then I'll trouble you."
"No trouble." Tang Wen really was quite lively. After hearing Jiang Han's shopping list, she took the lead and guided her along briskly.
It had to be said, she was like an encyclopedia of the market. All you had to do was tell her what you were looking for; she'd think for a little while with a hand on her chin, then lead you straight to the stall selling it.
With such a capable helper, Jiang Han soon spent most of her 1,200 yuan, in both pain and delight, leaving only 50 yuan in her pocket for emergencies.
She'd bought all the ingredients needed for the Dispel Magic potion. When she and Tang Wen returned to the Witch House lounge with their bag of ingredients, Du Ningzhuang, who was reading, and Chu Yujun, who was copying spell notes, gathered around curiously.
Qin Shunying, who'd been smoking and playing cards, joined in for the fun as well.
Along with Tang Wen, three witch coworkers helped Jiang Han check that all the ingredients were there.
"Fifteen grams of Volcanic Rock, high quality, and six grams of pure gold."
"An expensive ten grams of Blue Cat's Eye Stone. Is it for a mystical ritual?"
"Two grams of Wine Stone. Sniff, sniff... vodka! It's vodka Wine Stone."
"Twenty milliliters of Agave Lavender Solution, and ten grams of sliced Moon Root. They're all perfectly preserved."
In the end, Qin Shunying gave her verdict.
"These are excellent ingredients for the Dispel Magic potion. All you're missing now is stormy weather. Get your Rainproof Cloak and Lightning-Resistant Cape ready, and have a map of the hot springs prepared. Once the storm comes, you may have to go brew the potion at the hot springs."
"Of course, if you're willing to pay me twenty Witch House points, I can help you brew it! I got a 98 in my A2 Potions exam."
Before you continue