Chapter 564: Chapter 5: Skillful Side Hustles
Even Zhang Yiyi realized that to live well in the future, one must have Heaven-defying Value, and according to Xu Lan Ya’s group’s earlier statement, aside from distribution, there must be other ways to earn Heaven-defying Value.
"The use of Heaven-defying Value. Heaven-defying Value can be applied to any aspect, whether it’s food, clothing, accommodation, transportation, or even the daily consumption of electricity and water bills, or even going out, you need Heaven-defying Value." Before Central Computer Shakespeare could finish explaining, Xiao Xian and Zhang Yiyi both moaned in dismay.
Both had entertained the thought that, in the worst-case scenario, one could use Gecko Climbing and the other could use the Cloud Ascension Technique to buy some everyday supplies from outside, right?
Who knew that Central Computer had already made a clarification: "Each student’s first exit from North Campus is free. From the second time onwards, the walls of the campus will automatically emit mustard gas to prevent students from illegally scaling them. All legal ways of leaving must pass through the campus gate (that is, the thick door made of manganese-chromium steel)" and the turnstile alongside, a single passage costs 500 Heaven-defying Value.
"Ah, the Heaven-defying Value on both our cards combined is just enough for one trip out, not even enough for the return trip," Zhang Yiyi completely abandoned the idea of going out to buy daily necessities.
"Don’t be disheartened yet, keep listening, where there’s spending, there’s income, they can’t just have us only eating and drinking for a month, can they?" Xiao Xian wasn’t discouraged either, asking Zhang Yi to be quiet and listen carefully as Central Computer continued.
"Beginners can only view the campus work-study program and internal BBS for earning Heaven-defying Value. Recommended jobs, such as helping Romeo One with cleaning, 2 Heaven-defying Value per time. Helping the Strategic Goods Shopping Center with delivery, 1 Heaven-defying Value per time. Helping Juliet One maintain order within the campus, 5 Heaven-defying Value per day. Regular repair of the campus gate, 5 Heaven-defying Value per time. In addition, the alumni BBS has posted a variety of exchange methods, and students can select the corresponding earning method based on an equitable exchange." Central Computer explained in detail, and Xiao Xian and Zhang Yiyi more or less understood.
The laundry service Xu Lan Ya mentioned earlier must have been an exchange method from the internal BBS. Xiao Xian and Zhang Yiyi would rather work as porters for Romeo than to deal with Xu Lan Ya’s attitude.
"Additionally, Central Computer also comes with some maps, students can click on the campus map as needed to see the corresponding locations in the campus." When Central Computer got to this point, Zhang Yiyi shouted: "Let’s listen to it when we come back, I’m starving, let’s go see nearby first, and sort out the eating situation."
Before Xiao Xian and Zhang Yiyi exited, they did some budgeting. They needed to buy essentials and also consider the utility bills for water and electricity in the dorm. Sharing a dorm room, the two could save some money.
They could no longer afford instant noodles, so the most economical way to live was to buy two big bags of Hainan rice and see if they could get some side dishes. They planned to stay in the dorm every day, attend classes through Central Computer, strengthen their abilities, and get into the Intermediate Class as soon as possible.
Hearing this plan, many might think Xiao Xian and Zhang Yiyi had matured, knowing now to study hard, but in fact, the reason they wanted to get into the Intermediate Class so soon was singular: to earn enough Heaven-defying Value to leave campus and stock up on heaps of junk food from outside.
Stepping out of the dorm, the view was still a desolate wasteland, occasionally with sun-scorched yellow weeds. Xiao Xian and Zhang Yiyi had just arrived and were unsure how large Area C was, let alone what Areas B and A inside were like.
On the way there, it was relatively quiet; they didn’t encounter a single person. Juliet, responsible for patrols, didn’t show up either. It might be due to classes given by the Central Computer or possibly because of the high temperature outside reaching forty to fifty degrees, Xiao Xian and Zhang Yiyi didn’t see any new students from the Beginner Class.
What was certain was that the only place to purchase goods in the entire Area C was the "Strategic Goods Shopping Center" that Romeo had mentioned earlier. In retrospect, this little store lived up to its name.
"If I knew that eating a bag of biscuits would be so expensive, I’d have stuffed myself with ten or eight bags before coming in, to get my money’s worth," Zhang Yiyi’s face was scrunched up like a bitter melon.
"Forget about food, we’ll only buy a bag of rice and a dozen eggs, a bottle of fermented tofu, and use the rest for daily necessities. Mats and quilts, you go pick one out." Xiao Xian pointed to the shelf across from them.