Chapter 370: I, Wen Wuya, Am Not a Stingy Person

Chapter 370: Wen Wuya is not a stingy man

Staring at the photo sent by the Lord of Seven Emotions, Wen Wuya whipped his head around to look at Zhang Yu, who was busy gorging himself at the banquet.

"He and Bai Zhenzhen are close?"

Wen Wuya’s first instinct was disbelief; he felt as though the two were complete strangers.

Yet, as he continued his surveillance, he gradually sensed something amiss.

"Though they appear to have no conversation or interaction, each eating their own meal,

"Still... Bai Zhenzhen glances at Zhang Yu from time to time, and Zhang Yu does the same to her.

"They seem to be maintaining a constant silent dialogue."

Doubt still gnawed at Wen Wuya’s mind.

"How could a student from the Civil Engineering Department be close to Bai Zhenzhen?"

It was not that Wen Wuya looked down on civil engineering students, nor was he prejudiced or unfair toward them.

It was simply that from a scientific, immortal, social, and rational perspective, he had always believed Tianjian University should cease its civil engineering program and transfer it to one of the thirty-six affiliated vocational colleges.

But then he recalled his last encounter with Zhang Yu... surely they hadn't been meeting in secret?

Just as Wen Wuya finished a brief conversation with a friend, he suddenly noticed Zhang Yu was gone.

Bai Zhenzhen was gone, too.

"The two of them... vanished together?"

Wen Wuya messaged Bai Zhenzhen: "Zhenzhen, where are you?"

There was no reply.

He attempted a communication request, but she did not accept.

...

Zhang Yu: "Someone is trying to reach you?"

Bai Zhenzhen: "It’s that guy who came looking for me earlier. Don't worry about him."

Bai Zhenzhen: "I’m leaving tomorrow. Let’s hurry and get you more practice with the Divine Spirit Root."

...

A long while later, when Wen Wuya saw Bai Zhenzhen reappear at the banquet, he noticed Zhang Yu, looking slightly flushed and perspiring, return shortly after.

His heart gave a sudden jolt: "Could it be... did they just go out together?"

"Was the Lord of Seven Emotions right? Is Zhenzhen truly close to this Zhang Yu?"

Seeing Zhang Yu preparing to leave the banquet, Wen Wuya followed him out.

He intercepted him in a deserted alley and asked, "Do you know Bai Zhenzhen?"

Zhang Yu froze, his heart sinking as he looked at Wen Wuya.

He relayed the situation to Bai Zhenzhen: What do I do? How should I answer?

Bai Zhenzhen: How did this guy find you? Did he notice something?

Bai Zhenzhen: Should we say I forced myself on you and have him pay you hush money? You’d earn spirit coins and explain the relationship at the same time.

Bai Zhenzhen: No, he doesn't think you're worth "forcing," it would only make him more suspicious. What if I bumped into you? But you don't have any injuries.

At that moment, Fu Ji whispered: "Zhang Yu, your relationship with Bai Zhenzhen cannot withstand scrutiny."

"The mere fact that you both come from the First Layer, from Songyang City and Songyang High School, would expose that you already knew each other."

"Your concealment only works because most people subconsciously assume you have no connection and won't bother to check."

"Once someone starts to suspect, a simple investigation will confirm you definitely know each other."

"So, do not lie recklessly. Once a lie is pierced, it only invites further suspicion and curiosity."

"Now more than ever, do not be nervous. Be calm, be open."

Fu Ji concluded: "Just say you were high school classmates. That’s perfectly normal."

After Fu Ji’s advice, Zhang Yu gradually relaxed.

"Right. Even if he knows we’re acquaintances, it’s fine, as long as he doesn't discover we’ve been swapping Divine Spirit Roots."

Zhang Yu nodded and said, "Bai Zhenzhen and I were high school classmates."

Hearing this, Wen Wuya thought to himself, 'So that’s it': "They were both poor kids from the First Layer, so they became friends through some primitive, outdated method."

Recalling the words of the Lord of Seven Emotions, Wen Wuya’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Zhang Yu: "As high school classmates, are you and Bai Zhenzhen close?"

Zhang Yu gave an awkward smile: "I suppose so."

"Zhang Yu, is it?" Wen Wuya said coolly: "I can give you a sum of money..."

Zhang Yu’s heart skipped a beat: 'Is he going to tell a poor guy like me to stay away from her? To stop trying to mooch off her just because we were classmates?'

Wen Wuya continued calmly: "...teach me how to cultivate a close relationship with Bai Zhenzhen."

Zhang Yu: "Huh?"

Wen Wuya added: "Come to think of it, have you ever practiced dual cultivation with her?"

"Huh?" Zhang Yu waved his hands frantically: "No, no..."

Wen Wuya sighed: "A pity. Otherwise, I could have paid you even more to share your experience."

"You might have noticed that I, Wen Wuya, am not a stingy man. Anything that can be bought with money, I am willing to pay for."

Fu Ji whispered in Zhang Yu’s mind: "This is it, Zhang Yu! A golden opportunity to make money!"

"If you and Bai Zhenzhen team up to swindle him, you can definitely squeeze a fortune out of this guy."

"Don't be afraid, don't be nervous. I’ll teach you what to say!" Zhang Yu sent the situation to Bai Zhenzhen to ask for her opinion.

Bai Zhenzhen: Need you ask? Of course we take the money.

Bai Zhenzhen: But wait, ask him why he needs to learn from you first.

Bai Zhenzhen: Logically, if he wanted to build a relationship, he should just be throwing money at me directly.

Zhang Yu looked at Wen Wuya: "If you want to build a relationship, why not just give the money to Bai Zhenzhen directly?"

Wen Wuya was silent for a moment before saying: "I have my reasons. I must cultivate a relationship with her without throwing money at her. You can do that, can't you?"

Bai Zhenzhen, reading the relayed answer, felt a chill: "Such a condition? Could it be that the Master set this for him?"

"Is he trying to use Wen Wuya to help me cultivate the Extreme Emotion Sword Path?"

Bai Zhenzhen wasn't sure, but she was certain of one thing... she hated this possibility.

"Wen Wuya, you’d better focus on helping Yuzi climb the path of immortality first."

On the other side, Wen Wuya looked at Zhang Yu and said: "Name your price. How many spirit coins to pass on your experience in getting close to Bai Zhenzhen?"

Zhang Yu said: "I’ve known her for so long, where do I even begin?"

Wen Wuya replied: "Then sell me your entire chat history."

Zhang Yu offered counsel: "Times have changed, circumstances have shifted; what use is there in merely staring at old chat logs?"

"Why not let me guide you on how to converse with Bai Zhenzhen?"

Wen Wuya’s gaze flickered as he asked, "Guide me?"

Zhang Yu replied, "For instance, right now, you could send her a message asking if she knows the standard concrete ratio used in the Wanfa University City."

Wen Wuya frowned, "What would be the point of that?"

Zhang Yu countered, "You didn't even know Bai Zhenzhen was interested in civil engineering? To cultivate affection, one must naturally begin with the other person's interests."

Wen Wuya was skeptical, "Zhenzhen is interested in civil engineering? How could that be?"

Zhang Yu smiled faintly, "Why do you think I’ve managed to maintain contact with her? It’s because I am a civil engineering student."

"Zhen, ever since high school, has dreamed of working on a construction site and becoming a glorious civil engineer."

Wen Wuya felt a jolt in his heart; still half-doubting, he decided to test the waters and sent the message to Bai Zhenzhen.

Zhang Yu logged into Bai Zhenzhen’s account, read the message from Wen Wuya, and replied: [Smiling face] As it happens, I was just looking into that. Wanfa University uses the classic ratio...

Wen Wuya stared at the long, detailed response from Bai Zhenzhen, stunned into silence.

It was the first time he had ever received an emoji from her, and the first time she had ever sent him such a lengthy reply.

Wen Wuya looked up and asked Zhang Yu, "How much?"

Zhang Yu: "Huh?"

Wen Wuya repeated, "I asked, how much do you charge for your guidance?"

Zhang Yu pondered, "Fifty spirit coins? Or perhaps a hundred? What do you think, Fuji?"

Fuji whispered, "What’s the rush? This is a long-term meal ticket; setting the price too high right away will only trigger his defenses."

"Let me think..."

Fuji observed Wen Wuya before her, then said, "Ask him for ten spirit coins a month to start."

Zhang Yu said, "Ten spirit coins per month."

Hearing such a modest price, Wen Wuya’s final reservations vanished instantly; he added Zhang Yu as a friend on the spot and transferred the ten coins.

Watching the ten coins hit his account, Zhang Yu couldn't help but sigh, "Damn it... I’ve been sweating bullets trading crypto for days and barely made three coins."

"Just these few sentences... and I’ve cleared ten coins, recurring every month."

Fuji said matter-of-factly, "Nonsense, doesn't crypto trading require capital? How much could you possibly make with your pittance?"

"I’ve told you time and again: fraud is the best way out for the poor in Kunxu."

Zhang Yu tried to transfer five coins to Bai Zhenzhen, but she refused the transaction.

Bai Zhenzhen: It is better if we do not have financial dealings between us.

Bai Zhenzhen: Besides, I am not short on money.

Bai Zhenzhen: I’m logging back in now, and I’ll entrust Wen Wuya’s chat to you; from now on, you handle the conversations for me.

Bai Zhenzhen: Just remember, don't talk about too much nonsense.

Zhang Yu understood that this "entrustment" meant he was to act as her proxy, communicating with Wen Wuya in her stead.

The man thought he was speaking to Bai Zhenzhen, but in reality, it was Zhang Yu behind the screen.

Just then, Wen Wuya asked, "What should I say next?"

Zhang Yu replied, "Leave her hanging for twelve hours."

Wen Wuya couldn't help but protest, "Twelve hours? Isn't that too long?"

Zhang Yu: "Trust me, I’m right."

"She will definitely message you, but do not respond to her."

Having temporarily brushed Wen Wuya aside, Zhang Yu retreated to a deserted corner on the 88th floor of Wanfa University.

As his inner energy surged and his mana began to circulate, he commenced another round of cultivation.

"The final night."

Zhang Yu thought to himself, "I will completely replicate the Green Lotus Sword Embryo!"