Now that Ye Cheng had money in her pocket, she walked taller than before. The moment she stepped out the door, she grabbed Yang Yu's arm.
"Tubby, help me think—what should I give Aunt Zhou as a thank‑you gift?"
If Aunt Zhou hadn't gone out of her way to help her file that income‑adjustment request, Ye Cheng never would've been allowed to keep this much money. She absolutely had to show some gratitude.
Without hesitation, Yang Yu pointed to a nearby advertisement board. Ye Cheng looked over—on the enormous screen, a dazzling green liquid gleamed under light: Star‑Realm Juice, made from fruit grown on the Golden Eleventh Star. Price tag: 99,000 credits a bottle.
"This one…"
"The fruit has health‑enhancing properties," Yang Yu explained. "In refined form, its effects are stronger—it can improve physical constitution. Long‑term use even allows New‑Humans to slowly develop elemental energy. It's an ideal gift—no one dislikes it."
That was all Ye Cheng needed to hear. She turned on her heel and walked straight into the shop.
The store looked like a luxury boutique from old Earth—opulent décor, warm lighting, fine glass cases. Bottles of Star‑Realm Juice glittered inside like jewels. If Yang Yu hadn't already explained, she would've mistaken the place for a high‑end perfume shop.
The clerk came forward immediately, expression bright and professional. "Good afternoon, miss! Are you looking for any particular variety? Our products have purity ratings of 95 percent—the highest in the Union. The latest batch is Dawn‑Green in grade, produced from fruit grown on the Golden Eleventh Star—once under the domain of the First Humans. The elemental energy there makes the fruit far superior to artificial cultivars."
Ye Cheng didn't even blink. "Three bottles, please. Wrap one as a gift."
It took the clerk five whole seconds to process what she'd just heard. Then he hurried to fetch the scanner. Ye Cheng placed her Subspace Ring on the pad and approved the triple purchase in a single swipe. The clerk almost ran in delight, voice honey‑sweet: "Right away, miss! I'll prepare your package at once!"
While he worked, Ye Cheng removed the other two bottles from their boxes, turning them curiously under the light. At last, she uncapped one bottle, held out the other to Yang Yu, and said nothing.
Both Yang Yu and the clerk froze. When Yang Yu failed to move, Ye Cheng simply raised her own bottle and pressed it lightly to his lips, forcing him to take a sip before opening the second bottle and drinking herself.
The Dawn‑Green juice was sweet with a tart edge, reminiscent of apple. She drained it and felt… nothing. No surge of vitality, no element‑infused tingling. Maybe those ads exaggerated. Still, she smiled—at least she'd tried something rare.
As soon as they stepped outside, she opened a comm link. Aunt Zhou appeared on screen, wearing an apron and holding a spoon.
"Aunt Zhou—I'm disturbing you again, aren't I?" Ye Cheng said sheepishly.
"Not at all, I just finished cooking," Aunt Zhou replied warmly. "What's the matter?"
Relieved, Ye Cheng's voice brightened. "Good news, Aunt Zhou—we found two high‑grade Source Crystals! I can finally afford proper medical care now. I even brought you a little thank‑you gift!"
Aunt Zhou's smile grew. "Oh, gifts aren't necessary, dear. I'm just glad you did well. Is it still raining in Sunset City?"
That turned Ye Cheng's mood again. "The weather's strange here. The dust storm barely ended, and now it's pouring nonstop. I wanted to go sightseeing."
"The hot springs there are nice, though not in this weather. Enjoy some food and shopping instead. Once you're back, start reviewing and studying again," Aunt Zhou suggested. "If your finances allow, consider applying to the Star‑Realm Academy—it's Yilan Star's best university, though the entrance exam's not easy."
"I will!" Ye Cheng promised. "Once I'm home, I'll hit the books. Talk soon, Aunt Zhou—I'll bring you something nice."
After ending the call, she opened her account ledger. The rising digits made her grin. "Tubby," she said, "book us a ride. Let's find something good to eat!"
Yang Yu summoned an autonomous mag‑rail taxi using his Subspace Ring. Within minutes, it glided up and opened its doors.
Settling in, Ye Cheng remembered one last errand. She opened a digital window, linking directly to the official Yilan Star slave‑management network.
Previously, Yang Yu's Union Credit balance had been wiped out. She'd topped him up a little here and there—but only enough for essentials, and every request required bureaucratic approval. This time, things were different.
She filled out the form and transferred a full 100,000 credits to his account, citing his assistance in unearthing a Chaoshi‑ and a Zenith‑grade crystal as justification. The reasoning was airtight: her income increase had been recorded legally, and sales receipts backed it up. Moments later, his Subspace Ring pulsed with confirmation.
Outside, rain lashed against the windshield; inside, the car was warm and still. Ye Cheng rested her chin near the window, watching the drenched city glow under neon light.
Yang Yu was scrolling through restaurant options when he noticed the new balance in his account. His gaze shifted toward her—she was turned away, gazing out the window, the ends of her hair swaying gently with the car's movement. For a moment, he wasn't sure what flickered behind his eyes: gratitude, gentleness… something more.
Suddenly his device blinked again. A call request.
"Master," he said, "someone wishes to speak with you."
"Huh? Who is it?"
"I don't believe you know him. Perhaps someone from the acquisition office noticed your transaction." He frowned slightly. "The format's unusual—this kind of formal request is only used by high‑status individuals. It's… odd, they'd contact a civilian this way."
Curiosity outweighed caution. "Let's see what he wants," Ye Cheng said.
The screen lit up, revealing a middle‑aged man with silver‑gray hair, impeccably dressed. His bearing was elegant, posture flawless, like a career diplomat. Instinctively, Ye Cheng straightened.
"Good evening, Miss Ye Cheng," the man greeted. "My name is Andreas von Artwright, from Fontanne Star. I apologize for contacting you so abruptly. May I invite you to dinner?"
Ye Cheng blinked. "Mr. Artwright, thank you for the offer, but… I don't believe we've met."
He smiled, lips barely creased by age. His presence was calm, cultured—a warmth that conveyed both breeding and restraint. "You're right, my apologies. Allow me to explain. My secretary informed me that you recently discovered two mid‑ to high‑grade Source Crystals in the Eastern Rock Range. I have a private matter that requires urgent discussion. Might I have a moment of your time?"
Ye Cheng wasn't particularly hungry yet; and the man's anxious tone left her unable to refuse. "That's fine. I'm new in Sunset City, so I'm not familiar with the area. Why don't you pick the place? I'm currently on Street 49."
"Understood," said Andreas, momentarily turning aside to confer with someone off‑screen. When he faced her again: "There's a Prolo Seven‑Star Hotel nearby. Shall we meet there in thirty minutes?"
"That works," Ye Cheng replied.
Once the call cut off, she turned to Yang Yu. "What do you think that's about?"
Yang Yu frowned in thought. "I remember the name. A major merchant from Fontanne Star—his family were nobles once. Fontanne's near the Firsts' border, rich in crystals, second only to Yilan Star. For someone of his standing, even Chaoshi‑ and Zenith‑grades aren't rare curiosities."
Old nobility turned tycoon. Ye Cheng's stomach knotted. "Then why come all the way here? Unless he's guessed that we have—"
"Master," Yang Yu interrupted gently, "please be careful what you say in public."
Right. She'd nearly blurted something reckless. "You're right. We'll see what he wants when we get there. Change our stop—Prolo Hotel instead."
It took less than five minutes to arrive.
The hotel's interior gleamed with understated luxury. The staff at the entrance had clearly been briefed; they greeted the pair with elegance, offering no trace of contempt at their simple attire, and escorted them upstairs to a private lounge.
Ye Cheng had expected at least twenty minutes of waiting, but Andreas arrived within five.
He apologized for keeping her waiting, ordered drinks, and dismissed his attendant to stand guard outside—where Yang Yu also remained, leaving the two alone.
"Miss Ye Cheng," Andreas began without preamble, "I need you to buy a slave. As soon as possible."
Half an hour later, Ye Cheng was sprinting through the government auction yards under pounding rain, her raincoat plastered to her skin and her shoes soaked.
The government auction house handled all confiscated or abandoned assets—anything from machines to livestock to human property. Some items bore price tags; others offered barter terms. Whoever could meet the cost could take them.
She ran breathless through the cluttered alleys of goods, Andreas's words echoing in her ears.
"Miss Ye Cheng," he had said urgently, "I had a slave who committed a crime and was sentenced by Governor Kairald of Fontanne Star. He's been sent here as punishment… seven days without food, and he has two children with him. I—his former owner—am forbidden from repurchasing him. Nor can I entrust anyone else. But when I heard you had mined high‑grade crystals and credited your own slave generously, I believed you might be someone trustworthy.
"This is the highest‑grade crystal I still possess—a Fall‑grade Source Crystal, ten centimeters across. Please take it. I beg you to negotiate with Kairald, persuade him to lower the price, and buy back that man. Save him—and his children."
Panting, soaked, Ye Cheng turned a corner and finally spotted it—an iron cage standing alone in the farthest, darkest corner of the auction yard.