"Is that so?" Shi Yu stepped into the dormitory. Seeing that the room wasn't fully cleaned yet, he decided to help.
"I'll take care of it. You'll be my young master's classmate and roommate in the future—how could I let you do such chores?" the man said with a laugh, trying to stop him.
"I'd feel uncomfortable just standing around. This dorm is for two people, after all. I should do my part too. I don't want to trouble you both," Shi Yu replied with a smile as he took a broom and began sweeping.
Seeing Shi Yu insist, the man didn't argue. He looked around for something else to do but, finding nothing, simply stood there awkwardly.
"By the way, classmate, I didn't see you bring any luggage. No clothes?" the man asked casually.
"I didn't buy any. Just the ones I'm wearing," Shi Yu replied plainly.
These clothes were the only set he had bought since arriving in this world, along with a single pair of shoes.The rest of his money had gone to food and lodging. Now, he only had ten copper coins left—barely enough to survive.
If not for Song Lingzhen helping him with meals and a place to stay recently, he probably wouldn't have had anything to eat at all.
"I see..."The man's tone shifted subtly, and a flicker of contempt crossed his eyes. It seemed he had judged Shi Yu as a poor boy with no background.
Shi Yu didn't care. They were strangers anyway, and he wasn't interested in winning the approval of people who judged so easily.
"By the way, what's your young master's name?" Shi Yu asked.
"Dai Huabin."
Shi Yu paused, a bit surprised.
"You know him?" the man asked curiously.
"I don't," Shi Yu replied with a shake of his head. But in his mind, he sighed—what luck. He'd ended up sharing a room with Dai Huabin.
He knew a little about him. Spoiled, proud, and very much the young master type.Being his roommate was likely going to be uncomfortable, with conflict more or less inevitable.
But there was nothing to be done. With no connections or background, he couldn't exactly request a room change.
Since things were set, he might as well accept it and try to make the best of the situation.
"Our young master is the son of the White Tiger Duke of the Star Luo Empire," the man said proudly. "He's sure to rise in the future—one of the empire's most important figures."
"Great," Shi Yu responded casually. He listened to what the man wanted to say without arguing or making a fuss. There was no need to stir up trouble.
"You should try to win the young master's favor," the man continued. "If he likes you, he might reward you with all kinds of things."
Clearly, he was trying to rope Shi Yu into becoming Dai Huabin's follower—someone who might be useful in the academy.
Shi Yu just gave a polite but awkward smile. He didn't respond.
He had his own pride. He wasn't jealous of the powerful, nor did he resent the rich.But he certainly wasn't going to lower himself to curry favor. He wouldn't starve without wealth and status—so why sell his dignity?
"Don't be foolish," the man said, trying to persuade him again. "If you stick with the young master, your life will be great. You could have new clothes made of fine silk, as many as you want. Look at my outfit—it's worth ten gold soul coins. That's probably dozens of times more than what you're wearing."
Shi Yu grew irritated. He quickly finished sweeping, then lay down on his bed.
"I've been traveling a lot lately. I'm tired. You guys carry on," he said simply, closing his eyes and pretending to sleep.
"You don't know how to appreciate kindness," one of the men muttered under his breath.
Shi Yu ignored him and drifted off.In the seven days he spent in the distant past, he hadn't rested properly. Now that he was finally back, sleep came easily.
Not long after, a tall, well-dressed young man stepped into the room.
"Young Master," the two men greeted respectfully.
Dai Huabin nodded casually, then glanced at the sleeping figure on the other bed.
"That's your roommate. I asked his name—Shi Yu. Doesn't seem to have any background. Kind of shabby," one of the men whispered to Dai Huabin.
"I see."Dai Huabin didn't show any particular emotion. "You two should go. Find a place near the academy to stay. I'll contact you if I need anything."
"Yes, Young Master."The two left quietly.
Dai Huabin sat on his bed—across from Shi Yu's, about two meters apart.He took off his shoes and began meditating. A platinum-colored light radiated from his body, and the faint shadow of a white tiger appeared behind him.It wasn't solid—just a vague silhouette that only appeared when he was cultivating.
Shi Yu slept until dusk. When he awoke, he stretched, feeling refreshed and full of energy.
Across from him, he saw someone meditating. By process of elimination, this had to be Dai Huabin.
He studied the other boy's features carefully. Handsome, with a strong and commanding presence—he had a kind of innate dominance, likely a trait of his White Tiger martial soul.
Tall, well-built, and clearly someone who could fight.
Just then, Dai Huabin came out of his cultivation state and opened his eyes—right as Shi Yu looked at him.
"Hello," Shi Yu greeted with a smile.
The two servants had left a bad impression, but Shi Yu wouldn't judge someone before even exchanging a word. That would be unfair.
Dai Huabin just gave a slight nod, his expression cold. He checked the time, got off the bed, put on his shoes, and headed out for dinner.
Shi Yu watched him leave. Definitely hard to get close to...
But he had no intention of trying to win Dai Huabin over. He wasn't the type to force relationships.He rubbed his stomach, feeling the hunger again, and decided to head out himself.
As he left the dormitory, he passed by the same courtyard and instinctively glanced toward the bench where Moon En always rested.
The old man was still there, lying in his chair as usual.
"Uncle, why are you still here? Don't you want to eat?" Shi Yu greeted naturally.
Moon En replied like any ordinary old man: "Not hungry yet."
"You've got better endurance than a young guy like me," Shi Yu said with a grin, giving him a thumbs-up before walking off toward the cafeteria.
Moon En watched Shi Yu's back disappear down the path. Then, with a faint smile, closed his eyes again.
"I need to find a part-time job... or I won't be able to afford food."
Shi Yu sat in the cafeteria, chewing on a steamed bun while seriously thinking about his situation.
Dinner was two buns and a bowl of porridge. Three copper coins total—the cheapest combo available.
That left him with seven copper coins. Enough for breakfast tomorrow. But lunch? Probably more expensive. He might not have enough.
The academy provided a place to live, but not meals. Song Lingzhen had only promised food during the journey here—he was on his own now.
"I can't be defeated by hunger," Shi Yu thought with a grimace.
After eating, he asked around the cafeteria about part-time jobs.Maybe he could work there—get food and some money at the same time. Two birds with one stone.
"You'll need to come here right after class at noon and in the afternoon. Help with serving and clean up after. We'll provide food for lunch and dinner. Monthly salary: ten silver soul coins," said the cafeteria manager.
"I'll take it!" Shi Yu agreed without hesitation. The salary was generous.Ten silver soul coins equaled one thousand copper coins—around a thousand yuan in modern currency.