"How much?", Qin Siyang's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Li Tianming.
"Renting a place costs several hundred silver coins? I might not have seen much money, but you can't fool me like this."
"Several hundred silver coins—why don't I just buy a house instead? No, wait, even buying a house shouldn't be this expensive."
Li Tianming sneered dismissively and casually fastened his belt.
"Kid, you're still too young. You don't really understand the structure of the Safe Zone."
"You think every place is like this rundown edge of our Safe Zone, where a single silver coin is enough to buy a private room?"
"Let me tell you, the gap between different areas in the Safe Zone is even bigger than the gap between you and your classmates."
"Simply put, we're in Safe Zone No. 14121. Do you know where the Eight Major Academies are located?"
"...I don't know."
"They're all in the top thirty zones."
"The numbering of the zones works just like the numbering of Safe Zone exits—the smaller the number, the more powerful and influential the people there."
"The residents in the top thirty zones are either rich or noble. If you strike up a conversation with someone on the street, they might be a department head or bureau chief. In that place, even the Director of the Education Department has to keep a low profile."
"So, what do you think the housing prices there would be like?"
"Maybe you're wondering why all the academies have to be built in the top thirty zones."
Qin Siyang nodded, "I was just about to ask that."
"Have you ever thought about what the Eight Major Academies, supposedly built for ordinary people, truly are? Are they really meant for ordinary people?"
"You mean..."
"If they were truly for people like Wen Shu, why not establish a hundred or even a hundred and eighty academies, instead of just eight?"
"Because these eight academies were built for the children of the elite who didn't awaken any Sequence Abilities."
"These people come from noble families. Just because they didn't awaken a Sequence Ability doesn't mean they should be denied a decent education. To maintain internal stability, the United Government created these eight academies."
"You think the academies serve ordinary people, while universities for Sequence Ability users serve the elite? That's completely wrong."
"In reality, hundreds of universities serve people like you and me. The Eight Academies were established for those at the top."
"The reason these academies are so difficult to get into is largely because most of the spots are allocated in advance. After removing the elite students who get in through sponsorships, alumni recommendations, or direct admissions, only one-fifth of the spots remain for students like Wen Shu."
"In other words, four-fifths of the students belong to a privileged circle, and only one-fifth get in through their own efforts."
"Now, do you think the academy's location caters to the one-fifth, or the four-fifths?"
Qin Siyang was shocked.
He never expected the so-called Eight Major Academies to have such hidden dynamics.
"So, if you're thinking about covering a girl's rent to impress her, I'd suggest you save your money."
"Four years of academy life, considering the housing prices there, a private room costs at least several hundred silver coins—and that's if you can even find one."
"I've heard that as the Safe Zone stabilizes, housing prices in that area have skyrocketed. The usual rent for a private room has already risen to a gold coin."
"And if it's the top-ranked United Glory Academy in Zone No. 3, the four-year rent for a private room might be double that."
"And even then, you'd still have to book in advance to secure one."
Li Tianming finished dressing in his suit and poured himself a cup of hot water.
"Wen Shu talked to me about the academy situation a long time ago. I supported her decision to apply to the lower-ranked Sky Academy and Humanity Academy."
"She wants to bring her grandmother along to study, and only these two academies provide private dormitories for top-performing students."
"She even did the math—if she took out a loan to rent a place, even if she got a job in the United Government after graduation, she might never be able to pay it off in her lifetime."
"I agreed with her judgment. Because those rental properties weren't meant for students like her in the first place."
"The primary tenants are upper-class students who find it inconvenient to return home. Get it now?"
Li Tianming glanced at Qin Siyang, who was still in shock. His earlier frustration from being interrupted had completely vanished.
"Qin, let me give you some advice—hunting a God might make you wealthy compared to the average person, but in the core districts of the Safe Zone, it's nothing."
"I get that you like Wen Shu. She's a sweet, well-mannered girl and quite pretty too..."
Hearing this, Qin Siyang's gaze suddenly turned sharp.
'This lecherous old man isn't planning to make a move on Wen Shu, is he?'
Li Tianming smirked, "Relax, I wouldn't go after a student. My concern for Wen Shu is just that of an elder. Don't let your imagination run wild."
"Better not."
"She's a naive student—not my type. You can rest easy."
'Naive?'
Qin Siyang didn't bother arguing.
'It seems Wen Shu has hidden her true self quite well in front of others.'
Li Tianming continued, "Qin, I've been around. Let me give you some advice."
"When it comes to chasing girls, there are some basic rules."
"You're not seriously thinking about making several hundred silver coins, or even a few gold coins, just to help her pay rent, are you?"
"That kind of money? She'd probably never earn it in her lifetime working for the United Government. If you really want to be with her, why not save it as an investment for your future home instead?"
"Wouldn't that be better than paying sky-high rent?"
Qin Siyang was getting impatient, "I already said—I'm not chasing her."
"Right, right, whatever you say. I'm just sharing my thoughts."
"As the headmaster, I'm having this conversation with you, so just listen first. If you disagree, you can voice your opinion later."
"Fine."
"I'm not the type to lecture people, but I do admire you, so I'm saying a bit more. I hope you take it to heart."
"Mm. I know you mean well, and I appreciate that."
"Knew you'd get it."
"One last thing—love isn't set in stone."
"Look at me. I was a vice dean at a university once, had a harmonious relationship with my wife. Then I ran into some trouble, and she became my ex-wife."
"So don't throw yourself completely into something as fleeting as love."
"At the end of the day, a person should live for themselves." [T/N: Perfect]
"I've always agreed with that philosophy. I never intended to go broke helping her."
Li Tianming clapped his hands, "That's the right mindset!"
"Love? It's unreliable. Even marriage isn't as solid as a partnership."
"Doing a thousand good deeds together doesn't bond people as much as committing one crime together."
Li Tianming sighed, "Honestly, few relationships are closer than ours."
"Unless you've killed together, disposed of bodies together."
"But Wen Shu? That obedient little girl? She'd never do any of that with you."
"At the end of the day, you've got to keep your feet on the ground, Qin."
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