Chapter 26: Chapter 6 My name is Xiaowu, the dance “wu” (3)_1
Translator: 549690339
Ink Mark said, “Tang San, you and Xiaowu are first-year work-study students, and you will be responsible for cleaning the garden south of the playground from now on. You will earn ten copper soul coins every day. Remember, you must clean every day, especially the debris which must be tidily cleared away. Otherwise, we will deduct your wages. If you are found slacking off, the academy has the right to expel you. Did you understand?”
Tang San and Xiaowu both nodded, indicating they understood.
Ink Mark continued, “Tomorrow is the opening ceremony. The day after tomorrow classes will begin officially; first-years will have classes in Class 1 on the first floor of the academic building. Just be on time for class the day after tomorrow. You can start your normal work duties from the day after tomorrow. I’ll conduct random inspections. Alright, you can rest for now. Wang Sheng, seeing as you’re the eldest here, explain the rules to them.”
Clutching his bedding, a wave of warmth flooded Tang San’s heart, and the somewhat stiff face of his master, Tang Hao, inevitably surfaced in his mind.
“Bedding? This seems to be a problem.” Xiaowu stared blankly at the bedding in Tang San’s hands, embarrassment flickering in her eyes.
Work-study students all come from poor backgrounds and are more sensible than noble descendants. Some quick-witted students immediately spoke up, “Boss, use my mat first. I can just half-spread, half-cover myself with the blanket.”
Another one said, “Boss, then you can use my blanket. I can make do with the mat.”
Xiaowu glanced at the work-study students’ beddings. Although they could not be said to be filthy, most of them were tattered. She frowned and said, “Don’t keep calling me boss; you make me feel old.”
Wang Sheng said, “But that’s the rule.”
Xiaowu replied, “Since I’m the boss, what I say should be the rule. From now on, just call me Sister Xiaowu.”
While speaking, her eyes finally settled on the bedding in Tang San’s hands, “Tang San, what do you say we discuss this?”
Tang San was taken aback. He understood that Xiaowu probably had her eyes on the bedding he was holding. It wasn’t that he was stingy, but the bedding had just been given to him by Master, and he felt somewhat reluctant to part with it. Besides, Xiaowu was a girl.
“Discuss what?”
Xiaowu said, “Your bedding looks quite large. It shouldn’t be a problem for two people to share it. Let’s put our beds together; then we’ll both have something to use, right?”
“Ah?” Share it? Tang San looked at Xiaowu. His mentality was not that of a six-year-old child. Even though he and Xiaowu were still very young, this sharing a bed…
“Men and women should not be too close; this is not appropriate.”
Xiaowu huffed, “What’s inappropriate about it? I don’t mind, so what are you afraid of? Are you afraid I’m going to rape you?”
“Uh…” They say girls mature earlier than boys, but this girl is only six years old.
Tang San was at a loss for words, while the other students looked on, some with envy, others eager for a good show, but most with smiles, and none spoke.
“Uh what uh, come on, move your bed over. Aren’t you pretty strong?” Xiaowu urged impatiently.
Subconsciously, Tang San pushed his bed next to Xiaowu’s. She took the bedding from his hands, laid the mat on the bed first. The bedding, being for adults, was indeed large. Though it couldn’t completely cover both beds, it managed to cover over seventy percent.
Xiaowu placed her bag at the joint where the two beds were put together, “Put your bag here too. From now on, this is our boundary. If you cross it, don’t blame me for not being courteous.”
Watching Xiaowu set the boundary, Tang San heaved a sigh of relief, quickly nodded, and placed his bag next to hers. Only then did Xiaowu cover them both with the blanket, creating a simple double bed with a clear dividing line.
Wang Sheng said, “It’s lunchtime. Sister Xiaowu, Tang San, let’s go together.”
The mention of eating had Xiaowu jumping up excitedly, “Yeah! What’s for lunch?”
Wang Sheng and the other work-study students exchanged glances, smiling wryly. “What good food can we work-study students afford? We just buy some cheap meals at the canteen and make do.”
Tang San shook his head, “You go ahead; I won’t come.” His family was so poor it was painful, Tang Hao spent all his money on alcohol. To avoid going hungry, Tang San had brought some dry food he made himself, coarse bread that was enough to fill the stomach. He would have a salary once he started working the day after tomorrow.
Seeing the patches on Tang San’s clothes, Wang Sheng understood and did not insist, “Sister Xiaowu, let’s go.”
The excitement on Xiaowu’s face suddenly froze for a moment, “You have to pay for meals, right? That soul coin thing?”
If it weren’t for her strength, Wang Sheng might have been inclined to curse. Isn’t it obvious that eating costs money? Who provides a free lunch? Nevertheless, it was clear to him that the new boss, like Tang San, was probably short of cash.
Wang Sheng generously said, “It’s fine. For these two days, I’ll cover your meal expenses. Tang San, we’re dorm mates from now on. Let’s stick together. If it’s too much, you can treat me back when you’ve got the money.”
Tang San hesitated for a moment but then agreed. He had never much cared for money, and Wang Sheng’s forthrightness pleased him, while Xiaowu immediately beamed, giving Wang Sheng flirtatious looks. However, recalling her soft skills, Wang Sheng kept his distance from her. When she had thrown Tang San earlier, she did it with a smile on her face. Who knew when she might get excited and decide to toss him around too.
Including Tang San and Xiaowu, a group of eleven left Dormitory Seven and headed to the canteen under Wang Sheng’s lead. The canteen was in the academic building, which required crossing the entire playground.
By now, the playground was bustling, with many students in academy uniforms heading in the direction of the academic building, evidently going for lunch as well.
The canteen of the Primary Soul Master Academy was very large, able to accommodate more than three hundred people, including six classes and the teachers. At the moment, long lines had formed at the entrance to the canteen. The canteen itself had two floors, with the first floor alone offering three hundred seats.