Father Su Yun

The fresh air forcibly suppressed the foot odor that had built up in Dorm Seven for over a decade.

"The floor's too hard."

Su Yun reached into the bag again and gave it a firm tug.

Whoosh—!

A long, rolled-up shag carpet came out.

Once it was spread out, its thick texture alone made it look warm and cozy.

The Work-Study Students around him stared, wide-eyed.

How could a bag that small hold a carpet that huge?! What kind of Space Soul Tool was this?!

But that wasn't all.

"It's uncomfortable to sit on the floor."

Su Yun pulled out two enormous beanbag chairs and tossed them onto the carpet. Their soft, slouchy shape made them look irresistible.

"Let there be light."

Su Yun finally took out two LED Vintage Lanterns made for outdoor camping.

"Snap!"

There was no flame or smoke. Soft, bright, warm yellow light instantly illuminated the dim corner, creating the perfect atmosphere.

In just two minutes,

the dirtiest, most rundown corner of Dorm Seven had become a cozy, luxurious, tastefully decorated model room.

"Gulp."

Someone swallowed first.

The Work-Study Students went completely wild.

They stared at the pile of snacks, then at the corner that looked as if it had appeared by magic. Their entire worldview lay in pieces.

"Is that the legendary Space Soul Tool?!"

"That lamp's so bright! It doesn't need oil?"

"That chair looks so soft... I want to sit on it..."

Su Yun ignored these country bumpkins who'd never seen the world. He sank into a beanbag chair and sighed contentedly.

Xiao Wu expertly kicked off her shoes and hopped onto the other chair. Sitting cross-legged and sipping milk tea, she waved at Wang Sheng, who was still standing there dumbfounded.

"Hey, you kneeling over there. Stop spacing out. Go hand out the stuff on the floor. And remember to take the trash out. Don't get my carpet dirty."

"Right! Got it! On it!"

Wang Sheng had already fully settled into the role of butler. He sprang to his feet and scurried off to hand out the sausages, his face beaming with the joy of serving capital.

Dorm Seven instantly erupted into a celebration worthy of the New Year.

"Thanks, Dad!"

"My adoptive father, please accept this son's bow!"

"These sausages are so good! Wahhh!"

Creeeak...

The entrance to Dorm Seven's newly installed, sturdy, soundproof security door swung open.

A boy stood in the doorway, dressed in plain cloth clothes and carrying a battered bundle patched all over. He looked weary from the road.

It was Tang San, arriving late.

Tang San stood in the doorway, completely stiff.

His hand still rested on the doorknob, and his small eyes were wider than saucers.

Before he left, Grandpa Jack the village chief had warned him over and over that the Work-Study Students' dormitory was in terrible condition. Dozens of people crammed into one big communal bed, the place reeked of sweat, and he might even get bullied by his roommates or have his blankets stolen.

Tang San had braced himself for the worst. He'd even secretly readied a Sleeve Arrow in his sleeve, prepared to establish his authority with force as soon as he walked in.

But he'd never imagined this was what would greet him.

The stone floor that should have been dirty and dingy was gone.

In its place was a neatly laid synthetic-fiber carpet, soft underfoot.

The moldy walls had been covered with pristine white wall panels, and a ceiling light even hung overhead, shining with a gentle glow.

More absurdly, the old communal bed had been divided into more than a dozen private little rooms.

Each compartment had a latex mattress and brand-new, velvet-soft bedding. Some even had their own desks and lamps.

Meanwhile, in the shared lounge area that had been deliberately cleared in the middle of the dormitory, there was a set of Leather Sofas.

Su Yun lounged on one with his legs crossed, like a boy scattering alms. He casually pulled things out of a large silver backpack.

"You're Wang Sheng, right? This Big Gluten is yours."

"You there, go vacuum the carpet again. Here's a Silver Soul Coin for a tip."

"And the rest of you, don't fight over it. There's enough for everyone! I'm in a good mood today. Young Master Su's treating!"

With a casual wave, Su Yun sent a handful of brightly colored snack bags and a few silver coins arcing gracefully through the air.

Clatter!

The boy who should have been Dorm Seven's boss, the one who bullied newcomers, was now surrounded by a bunch of Work-Study Students at Su Yun's feet like a devout follower.

When the snacks flew over, Wang Sheng lunged like a starving tiger and caught the packet of Spicy Strips perfectly. His smile was more affectionate than if he'd seen his own father, and his booming voice shook the room:

"Thank you for your generosity, adoptive father!!!"

"Adoptive father, you're so generous! May you enjoy good health!!"

The other Work-Study Students scrambled to grab the Beef Jerky and Chips off the floor, shouting together without a shred of dignity:

"Thank you, Father Su Yun!!"

Meanwhile,

Xiao Wu stood on a chair with a Renovation Blueprint rolled up in her hand, bossily directing the older students:

"Move that vase a little to the left! It's blocking the light!"

"And that bed sheet! Smooth it out!"

"Yes, yes! Sister Xiao Wu! We'll fix it right away!"

Two older students nodded and bowed, not even daring to breathe too loudly.

Cozy, luxurious, and filled with the sweet fragrance of money.

Except for the petrified Tang San in the doorway, everything here seemed perfectly harmonious.

Tang San backed out a step, bewildered, and looked up at the room number.

[Dorm Seven]

That was right.

He lowered his head and looked at his old clothes, washed until they'd faded white, then at the room's decor, which looked like a palace.

A powerful, surreal absurdity welled up inside him.

"Is this... really the Work-Study Students' dormitory, where poor people live?"

"Did Grandpa Jack lie to me? Are Work-Study Students actually treated like nobles?"

As Tang San questioned his whole life, Su Yun, who was tossing out coins from the sofa, caught sight of the figure in the doorway from the corner of his eye.

He pushed up his Sunglasses and looked at the patched-up boy, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

Su Yun waved at the doorway.

"Well, look who we've got. Another new arrival?"

"Don't just stand there. Come in and shut the door. You're letting all the cool air out."

Su Yun casually pulled a packet of Spicy Strips from his bag and tossed it over.

"The last bed is yours. Here, a welcome gift."

Tang San instinctively raised his hand and, with the skill of Mysterious Jade Hand and Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon, caught the packet of Spicy Strips securely.

"Who are you? Is this still the Work-Study Students' dormitory?"

Wang Sheng immediately came over. He looked at Tang San enviously, then pointed at Su Yun and launched into a practiced introduction:

"New guy, standing before you is—"

"The absolute ruler of Dorm Seven, the crusher of poverty's chains, the King of Calories, the Guardian of the Fried Realm, the founder of Nezha Burger, the inventor of Happy Water and Fatty Water, and the kind old father of all the Work-Study Students—Father Su Yun!"

Tang San clutched the Spicy Strips, the corners of his mouth twitching uncontrollably.

Could this little dormitory really fit so many people?

Su Yun... Father...?

Ad... adoptive father?

"City kids... really know how to have fun, huh?"