The next morning, Tiannan City was gridlocked again. By the time Li Yundong arrived at Tiannan University, lugging the Seven Treasures Spirit Fan on his back, it was already around 9:30 AM.

Alighting from the vehicle, Li Yundong couldn't help but mutter to himself, "I really don't know when we’ll be able to fly to school. That way, I won't have to suffer through this traffic misery anymore."

Li Yundong carried the Seven Treasures Spirit Fan into the school grounds. Just as he passed the entrance, he ran straight into Feng Na, who immediately called out to him, "Li Yundong!"

Feng Na's voice was clear and crisp. Her shout instantly drew the attention of everyone nearby who knew Li Yundong, turning their heads to stare with various expressions.

Li Yundong had already learned to live under such scrutiny. He smiled at Feng Na and replied, "What is it? Anything required from the future Student Union President?"

Feng Na waved her hand dismissively and laughed, "Don't tease me; that’s still far from certain. Speaking of which, I have my campaign speech tomorrow. Are you coming to support me?"

Li Yundong grinned, "Of course, I'll be there! What time exactly?"

Feng Na laughed, "Seven-thirty in the evening, at the school's small auditorium."

The mention of the small auditorium immediately brought to Li Yundong's mind the previous uproar surrounding Days Living with an Air Hostess. He subconsciously hesitated, offering a forced smile, "Why choose that place?"

Feng Na also remembered the incident and chuckled shyly, "The Student Union chose it; what does that have to do with me? Do you think I wanted it?"

Walking side-by-side with her into the school, Li Yundong asked, "Where's Cheng Cheng? Isn't she usually glued to your hip?"

Feng Na sighed, "Ah, don't even mention it. She's a senior now, about to graduate, and about to be thrown into the vast dye vat of society. She’s busy job hunting."

Li Yundong sounded surprised, "It’s only the beginning of her senior year, and she's already scrambling for a job?"

Feng Na smiled slightly, "Better a slow bird gets an early start. Cheng Cheng's family background isn't great. She interned at a company over the summer break and managed to become an intern trainee; there's a chance she could be offered a permanent position. So, she's skipping a few classes to try and lock down that job first."

Li Yundong inquired, "What about you? Do you have any job prospects lined up?"

Feng Na sighed deeply, "It’s not that easy these days. How hard is it to find a decent job? I’d love to work at a TV station, but I can’t get in without connections!"

Hearing this, Li Yundong felt a pang of melancholy. If he hadn't embarked on the path of cultivation, perhaps in another year, he too would be worrying about various employment issues just like Cheng Cheng and Feng Na.

Feng Na turned her head to look at Li Yundong, asking with a smile, "What about you? Any plans?"

Li Yundong let out a dry chuckle, saying with feigned resignation, "No plans whatsoever. I’m just a common man with no lofty ambitions!"

Feng Na tapped him lightly on the finger and laughed, "Excessive modesty is just arrogance in disguise!"

Li Yundong smiled faintly, "It's honestly not modesty; I really haven't thought about what I'll do after graduation..." He sighed, looking at the familiar campus, and mused, "It just feels like time flies! In the blink of an eye, I'm nearly a senior, and more than half of university is already over."

Feng Na agreed with a sigh, "I know, right? That's why I need to find something substantial to add to my resume during this final year. Otherwise, why would I bother running for Student Union President?"

Li Yundong laughed, "Feng Na, you’ll be fine. With your talent and qualifications, you're definitely destined to be the leading beauty and anchor at Tiannan City Television one day."

Feng Na gave a radiant smile, "I'll take that as a good omen from you!"

As they spoke, Feng Na arrived beneath the teaching building. Seeing that Li Yundong showed no intention of heading to class, she asked, "You don't have class this morning?"

Li Yundong smiled and patted the schoolbag hanging on the Seven Treasures Spirit Fan, "Going to the library to return some books."

Feng Na's gaze fell upon the Seven Treasures Spirit Fan, tightly wrapped in black cloth behind Li Yundong. Curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, "What exactly are you carrying? I wanted to ask when I saw you lugging that big, long thing around last time."

Li Yundong smiled vaguely, avoiding a direct answer, "Nothing much, just something very important."

Seeing that Li Yundong was being evasive, Feng Na didn't press the issue, merely humming an "Oh," though her curiosity visibly deepened.

She watched him walk a few meters away, then suddenly called out loudly, "Li Yundong!"

Li Yundong stopped dead in his tracks and turned back to look at her.

Feng Na looked at him and said very seriously, "You are definitely going to be an amazing person in the future!"

Li Yundong smiled, "Why the sudden declaration?"

Feng Na put her hands behind her back and shook her head, "No reason, I just suddenly feel it. I feel like a guy like you will definitely achieve something remarkable in the future. Maybe, maybe you’ll even be the boss of a major corporation!"

Li Yundong burst into laughter, "I'm practically negative equity now, and you think I'll be a big company boss! But I’ll take your good wishes; does that count as returning the favor?"

Feng Na chuckled and laughed, "No, I really mean it. Maybe Cheng Cheng and I will come work for you someday; you’ll have to give us a meal ticket!"

Li Yundong didn't mind at all and laughed, "Deal! Bringing yourselves to me, a negative-equity capitalist, to be exploited—I have no reason to show mercy!"

Feng Na giggled and waved goodbye to Li Yundong, "Well, I'm off to class! See you later, and don't forget to come support me the night after tomorrow! You must come!"

Li Yundong waved back, "I’ll definitely be there!"

He watched Feng Na go upstairs before turning around and heading towards the library.

As he walked, Li Yundong pondered: What exactly could he do in the future?

Or rather, how would he support himself?

He couldn't just sponge off people and live on handouts all day long, could he? What good would that do?

As the saying goes, one is constrained by what one receives. Living off handouts or being kept all day long—how could he cultivate? Even if he managed to cultivate, his foundation would be shaky!

Moreover, he needed to provide for Su Chan eventually. He couldn't let her suffer alongside him, could he?

He absolutely had to figure out a way to make money!

But how?

Li Yundong reflected on his two years in university; they felt utterly wasted. And what he was studying—this damned Chinese Literature—he didn't even know what kind of job he could find after graduation!

It seemed like any job might be suitable, yet looking around, it felt like no job was truly right!

What the heck was he supposed to do?

"Why did I choose such a useless major as Chinese Literature back then?" Li Yundong couldn't help but give a bitter smile. "It would have been better if I’d studied Finance or something! Job hunting would be so much easier!"

While walking and thinking, Li Yundong realized that getting from the teaching building to the library required crossing the school sports field. As he reached the field, he heard bursts of shouting coming from the area.

He turned his head and immediately broke into a grin. A group of young students dressed in green military uniforms were undergoing their military training on the spacious, flat lawn of the field.

It was still the height of the "Autumn Tiger" heat, and the sun overhead was scorching the students on the field, causing them to sweat profusely. Some were standing at attention under the blazing sun, others were practicing high-stepping for parade marches, and some were learning military boxing routines from the instructor.

As Li Yundong walked across the lawn, he observed the freshmen with a slight smile, remembering his own first days at school.

These students undergoing training also noticed Li Yundong passing through the field. Some of them, who frequented online forums, recognized him and began whispering amongst themselves, "Hey, isn't that Li Yundong?"

"Yeah, he doesn't look like his profile pictures and videos on the forum!"

"Hmm, he's a bit darker in person, but I think he looks handsomer! Hey, what is that thing he’s carrying? It looks heavy?"

"No idea, maybe it’s just a prop to look cool?"

"Cool? I think he's just showing off!"

"Come on, if someone capable shows off, it's called being awesome. If someone incompetent shows off, it's called being an idiot!"

"Hmph, I don't believe he’s anything special. I bet it’s all hype!"

The freshmen continued to murmur and point at Li Yundong. The instructor nearby bellowed, "What's all the noise?"

The shout startled the students, who instantly stiffened, quickly withdrew their gazes, daring not to look again or utter another word. They dutifully stood at attention. Only one tall and sturdy-looking boy watched Li Yundong's receding back thoughtfully, a flicker of sharp, excited light gradually appearing in his eyes.

Li Yundong returned his books to the library and checked out a few more. Since he didn't feel like attending class, he sat down in the reading area, flipping through books while wrestling with his problem: what could he actually do in the future to earn a living with some skill?

Although cultivation could lead one beyond the mundane, without money, even basic necessities like food and lodging couldn't be managed!

The further Li Yundong progressed on the path of cultivation, the clearer it became: money wasn't everything in cultivation, but without money, everything was impossible!

Li Yundong pulled out a piece of paper and a pen from his bag, listed the skills he possessed, and stared at them one by one. He realized that, genuinely, besides being able to fight and treat minor ailments, he truly knew nothing else!

"What should I do? What can I possibly do?" Li Yundong started to fret. But just as he was worrying, he suddenly heard a crisp slap echo through the quiet reading room.

Smack! With the sound, Li Yundong turned his head to see a girl crying hysterically at a boy, shouting, "You bastard, you bastard! How could you break up with me!" As she spoke, she swung her fists toward the boy.

Li Yundong focused his gaze and couldn't help but smile knowingly: Oh ho, isn't this the pretty boy with the flirtatious eyes whom Su Chan had previously diagnosed with Yin Deficiency of the Kidney?

This pretty boy indeed had a face that attracted attention. He hadn't expected the girl in front of him to make such a scene, actually slapping him in front of everyone present. Embarrassed and furious, he clutched his cheek, his face turning purplish-red, and roared, "Are you crazy?"

The girl cursed and hit him hysterically, "Yes, I’m crazy! I was crazy to like a scumbag like you! I’m done with you today!"

Seeing everyone’s eyes fixed on him, the pretty boy felt dizzy. Following the noble tradition he showed when facing Su Chan, he couldn't draw a breath, his eyes rolled back, his mouth went slack, and he fainted.

============================================ A word off-topic, people often ask me: Tang Tang, how long will you write this book? How many chapters will it have? Questions like that~ Every time, I can only offer a bitter smile. How would I know? Wait, you might say, you're the one writing it? Right, your life is your own. Can you know how many years you will live, how many days you have left? Heh, you don't know either, do you? Unless you end it right now, you can't answer my question, and neither can I, unless I abruptly abandon the serialization! So, please, stop asking these questions in the future. Just keep reading. For you, it's just one question asked once, but for me, it's been asked countless times~ I can't take it anymore~ Please, please, thank you, thank you! H