Chapter 33: Commission

"Yesterday is like that eastward flowing water,

Leaving me far behind, impossible to keep.

Today it disturbs my heart,

With so many worries..."

Having handled another troublesome matter that required going out, Chen Shu bought a cup of milk tea to reward himself on the way back. He hummed a tune as he returned to the Dormitory, his mood excellent, not noticing Meng Chunqiu standing on the living room balcony, gazing into the distance and appearing to be reciting poetry but unable to actually do so.

"Drawing a blade to sever water, the water flows all the more,

Raising a cup to drown sorrows, sorrows grow all the more.

Tomorrow the clear breeze will drift in all directions..."

Meng Chunqiu on the balcony slowly turned his head, revealing a feminine face, looked at Chen Shu, and asked doubtfully, "Brother Chen, what song was that you were just singing?"

"Hm? Forgot."

"The lyrics were actually quite good!"

"Right? I also forgot where I heard it; it seems like when I went out to take the bus this morning, someone kept humming it, and I got addicted to it."

"Sing it again, let me search for it!"

"Emmm..." Chen Shu stood at the bedroom door, blinking his eyes, "La la la la..."

"The lyrics, Brother Chen."

"Forgot them."

After saying this, Chen Shu swiped open the room door and walked inside.

He slammed the door shut with a bang.

His Mobile Phone happened to vibrate.

Gudu Yao yo added you as a friend.

Note: Hello, I am Wang Yang.

Chen Shu clicked accept, and simultaneously typed—

Chen Shu: Hello Supervisor Wang, if there is any work that pays, feel free to call me.

Wang Yang: You are too polite.

Wang Yang: I see on your profile that you filled in that you are skilled in Spell Principles. I don't know how well you have studied; are you good in this area?

Chen Shu: /Bring it on

Wang Yang:...

Wang Yang: Do you have any research on the Protective Divine Light Spell? There happens to be a task related to it.

Chen Shu: This hits right on my specialty.

Wang Yang: 【Link】

Chen Shu clicked it open to take a look; it was a task interface.

Task: Optimize Protective Divine Light.

Remuneration: 6000 yuan.

Requirements: Optimize the Protective Divine Light Spell version, replace as many First-level Runes with higher-level Runes as possible, streamline the Spell volume, and improve the defense effect.

Detailed requirements: Omitted.

Attachment: 【Download】

This is quite simple.

Chen Shu clicked the download interface and scanned it casually; it was a common Protective Divine Light Spell among the folk in Yiguo. However, there are different versions among the folk, and this one counts as relatively new and already has traces of modifications; it was probably modified casually by the seller, who then passed it off as an updated version.

It is probably fifty years behind the latest military version.

Even simpler.

It's just this price...

Chen Shu: Supervisor, the market rate isn't this price, right? I don't really know.

Wang Yang: Just reduce the Runes by 10% and that will do. Don't worry about those requirements for improving the defense effect; they are all nonsense. This line of work is just like this; you'll know once you get familiar with it.

Chen Shu: Alright then.

Wang Yang: You can get it done in a week, right?

Chen Shu: I'll give it to you today.

Wang Yang: So fast??

Chen Shu: The sooner I finish, the sooner you give me new ones.

Wang Yang: Send it to me once you're done /wiping sweat

Chen Shu: /Mm-hmm

Chen Shu turned off his Mobile Phone and reopened his computer.

This kind of Spell is still composed of a small number of Second Tier Runes plus a large number of First-level Runes. If he were to modify it, he could make all the First-level Runes disappear directly. However, the money given by the employer was too little, causing him to have to restrain his abilities and just fool around with it.

What a bother.

He scratched his head and started working.

It can be seen that Supervisor Wang values him quite a bit, which is also reasonable. The reputation of the Spell Principles studies at Yujing Academy is well-known; graduates either cannot be found at all, or they become big shots, and you never know what those graduates who cannot be found are doing. Chen Shu was already Second Tier when he just entered school; it is not considered rare, but it is definitely not common, and it is very worthy of being valued.

One must return a favor for a gift; this is politeness.

Four o'clock in the afternoon.

Chen Shu: 【File】

Chen Shu: The number of Runes has been streamlined by 16.8%. I also fine-tuned the Spiritual Power Transmission Component to make it activate faster, which is very important for a Defense Spell.

Wang Yang: Received.

Chen Shu waited for his news for half an hour.

Wang Yang: I think you're losing out a bit.

Chen Shu: Give me a bigger share of the money.

Wang Yang: /Out of the question.

Chen Shu: ……

Wang Yang: The most I can do is recommend you to others; once your reputation builds up, maybe someone will specifically ask for you.

Chen Shu: That works.

If his reputation and fame really grew, perhaps someone would even specifically bring newer Controlled Spells for him to modify. By then, he could be like he was with Mao Xiansheng, earning money while also getting a valuable Spell for free on the side.

"Knock, knock!"

The balcony door was knocked on again.

Meng Chunqiu's voice came from outside: "Brother Chen, nothing else, just asking you, have you remembered that song from just now?"

"I fell asleep."

"Then I'll come back later."

The shadow behind the frosted glass turned and left.

……

Monday.

Ning Qing went out to pick up a package, and Zhang Suannai, having nothing to do, followed behind her, her steps even lighter than Ning Qing's.

"Don't you have class?"

"I do, but I don't have class this afternoon."

"Don't you train?"

"I do, but I'm not training this afternoon."

"Don't you cultivate?"

"I do, but I'm not cultivating this afternoon."

"I feel like you have nothing to do every day."

Ning Qing felt that if she continued like this, she would sooner or later lose her martial advantage, and if she kept courting death then, she would definitely be beaten to death by someone.

Arriving at the courier station.

Three cardboard boxes; the flowers, complete with pots and soil, were very heavy, and the shipping fee was enough to buy a new pot.

Zhang Suannai carried one in each hand, very easily, and said happily to Ning Qing: "Look, look, you weren't even happy about Grandma coming out with you, but if it weren't for Grandma, not only would you have to run twice, but with those little arms and legs of yours, you'd be tired half to death!"

Ning Qing pursed her lips and said nothing.

As soon as the boxes were brought back to the Dormitory, in a moment of inattention, a Long Sword appeared in Zhang Suannai's hand, and she excitedly wanted to unpack the boxes for her.

Ning Qing also said nothing.

Three large pots of flowers; many branches had been pruned for shipping, but they still had buds, and some had bloomed during transport.

"They're actually quite pretty!"

Zhang Suannai leaned close to a flower to smell it, turned her head, and said to Ning Qing: "Where are you keeping them? On the balcony outside your room?"

"Mm."

"Why only three pots? Get a few more, put some on the living room balcony too."

"We'll see."

"Fine, fine." Zhang Suannai was already used to her attitude. "It's a good thing our balconies are connected; rounding it up, it's like I planted three pots of flowers too."

"1.5."

"What?"

"1.5 pots."

"Oh, oh, oh... Hahaha... When do these flowers bloom? Do they bloom in autumn?"

"Spring, summer, and autumn."

"They don't bloom in winter?"

"They bloom in winter in Yuanzhou, but they can't in Yujing."

"That's great!"

Zhang Suannai's Sword spun a few times in her hand, performing a beautiful sword flourish, then with a *shing* sound, it was cleanly and neatly sheathed.

Ning Qing moved the flowers to the balcony, took a careful look, re-pruned the parts that hadn't been cut well, applied antibacterial medicine to the wounds, watered them with dissolved fertilizer, and then walked out of the bedroom, preparing to go out again.

Zhang Suannai was still sitting in the living room, legs crossed, her legs toned and strong, and she turned her head to look at her:

"Where are you going again?"

"Out."

"Where to?"

"Outside."

"What are you going outside for?"

"I have things to do."

"I'm going too."

"Don't bother me."

"Ah, you're so annoying..."

Ning Qing silently opened the door and went out.

This person really had too much going on; not only was she annoying, but she actually turned the tables and said that Ning Qing was annoying.

It was even more annoying.

Twenty minutes later, Ning Qing arrived at another logistics company node, retrieved her small motorcycle, and checked the box to ensure it wasn't damaged; only then did she ride it toward the west—the University City itself was located at the westernmost edge of Yujing, and Ling'an Academy was also on the west side of the University City; continuing further west, passing Yujing Academy, would take her out of the University City area.

She had an appointment today with a pair of elderly professors to look at a house.

This was the house she wanted.

She guessed.

The result was also very smooth; the conditions of the courtyard and the rent perfectly met her requirements, and she could move in on the first day of next month, spend a few days tidying up and getting things settled, and then it would be ready to live in.

The last day of July.

Today is Thursday.

There is the old gentleman's class again.

Ning Qing stood under a small-leaf banyan tree, holding her books against her chest, wearing a mask, waiting quietly.

Before long, the old gentleman walked over slowly.

Ning Qing took off her mask, walked over, and said just as she had to other teachers: "Hello, Professor Ou, sorry to bother you. I am a student in your class. My name is Ning Qing, and I have something I would like to discuss with you."

The old gentleman turned his head to look at her, revealing a smile:

"Please, go ahead."

"Due to my cultivation, I need to practice Closed-Mouth Zen for a period of time. During this time, I will attend class on time, but I cannot speak, write, or communicate with others in any other way. I hope to have your support, Professor."

"You mean I shouldn't call on you to answer questions?"

"Yes."

"Support, of course I support it."

"Thank you."

"May I ask, when will you begin?"

"Next week."

"That's fine." The old gentleman nodded, his smile kind, "But when you finish, you must let me know. I very much look forward to having more interaction with you during class. The thoughts of young people can often benefit me greatly."

"I will."

"Class is about to start, let's go."

"Okay."

Ning Qing and the old gentleman walked toward the Teaching Building together; one in the prime of youth, the other with hair as white as snow, their paces kept in sync, and in the setting of the campus, the scene was exceptionally harmonious.

Before entering the classroom, Ning Qing put her mask back on and did not have any interaction with her classmates.

Seeing this, the old gentleman couldn't help but ponder—

Could it be that this young girl said that just because she didn't want to interact with her classmates and teachers in class?

Or was she afraid of the teacher asking her to stand up and answer questions?