Qin Siyang stared at the five words Red Fermented Bean Curd Braised Pork Trotters, his eyes nearly popping out.
"This... this dish, this Red Fermented Bean Curd Braised Pork Trotters, is it real pork trotters?"
He pointed at the dish name and looked up to ask.
The owner chuckled, "Good eye, young student! This dish is my specialty, but it takes a while to cook. As for your question, is it pork trotters? Yes, indeed."
"The four-legged kind of pig?"
"Yes."
"The kind with pink skin, two big ears, and a snout?"
"Haha, young student, you're quite amusing. Yes, the very same pig you're thinking of."
Qin Siyang swallowed hard, "Pigs… didn't they go extinct?"
"Extinct? Who told you that?"
"If they're not extinct, then why is it that all we ever eat are three-eyed flying fish and blood-red mutant jellyfish?"
The owner smirked, rubbing his round belly as he chuckled, "Young student, pigs aren't extinct. The reason you all usually eat mutant creatures is very simple."
"Because pork is too expensive. Ordinary people can't afford it," Saying that, the owner extended his thick fingers and tapped on the menu, "Just look at the price of this dish, and you'll understand."
Qin Siyang glanced at the price next to the dish name.
'1,299 copper coins?'
'Isn't this daylight robbery?'
He was about to object when Zhou Xing spoke up, "Since Qin wants to try this dish, Boss Du, I'll leave it to you! Just bring us two more dishes of your choice."
"Alright!"
"No, no, Uncle Zhou, this dish is way too expensive. I'd rather just get the Deep-Fried Ten-Legged Octopus instead."
"Boss Du, add one Deep-Fried Ten-Legged Octopus as well."
"Got it!"
Qin Siyang froze for a second, "Uncle Zhou, that's not what I meant. We don't have to get the pork trotters."
Zhou Xing adjusted his black-rimmed glasses, smiling, "I'm treating you to a meal. It wouldn't be right to be too stingy. After all, our dear Qin here is bound to become a big shot in the Safe Zone someday."
Qin Siyang understood. The moment Zhou Xing said that, he was signaling they were getting to business. So, he stopped focusing on the dishes.
"Uncle Zhou, don't say that. I don't even know which university I'll get into after the exams."
"That's exactly why I'm here, to give you a little push."
"Qin, have you looked into the Special Admission Quota?"
"Yeah, Principal Li mentioned it to me."
"Your Insurer? Hmm, Principal Li should know about it. So, what's your take on it?"
"Of course, I'd love to get a special admission slot. But in our region, as you know, it's tough."
"Yes, you've got that right," Zhou Xing picked up the teapot and poured them both a cup of tea.
Then, he clasped his hands together on the table and said seriously, "This Special Admission Quota isn't easy to get. It requires favors, connections, and influence."
"In our region, there's only one slot, and it's in the hands of the Administration Bureau Director. I heard it was traded away not long ago."
"I have a classmate who works in the admissions office at University of Humanity and Kindness. I've been running around, pulling strings, and putting in a lot of effort to secure this special quota," Zhou Xing was openly explaining how difficult it was to get this slot, as if he saw Qin Siyang as an experienced businessman rather than a high school student. He didn't bother sugarcoating anything, even if Qin might not fully grasp it.
Qin Siyang nodded, "I understand. Whoever gets this slot should definitely remember this huge favor."
"And saying things like I'll repay you someday is meaningless. This favor must be repaid immediately."
"For example, if Uncle Zhou needed Sequence Potions in the future, that person should provide them to the best of their ability. Uncle Zhou, don't you think so?"
Zhou Xing's hand holding the teacup trembled slightly, as if he hadn't expected Qin Siyang to say that.
He had never interacted with Qin Siyang before. He only assumed, based on Qin's Insurer, that the kid had some mysterious backing.
In Zhou Xing's eyes, Qin Siyang was just an ordinary teenager. Even when they spoke on the phone this morning, Qin still had the typical arrogance of a young boy who didn't fully understand the world.
But now that they were face-to-face, Zhou Xing realized this kid wasn't simple.
And that last statement? Pointing out his true motive so directly? That was unexpected.
Zhou Xing put down his teacup and leaned back in his chair, giving Qin Siyang a scrutinizing smile.
"Qin, did Principal Li tell you to say that?"
Qin Siyang shook his head, "Principal Li is my Insurer, not my Babysitter. What I just said came from the heart."
Zhou Xing nodded lightly, "I have to admit, what you just said really hit home. This Special Admission Quota wasn't easy for me to get, and I do intend to make something out of it."
"I wonder if I could fulfill your request, Uncle Zhou? You know, I'm just a wandering orphan. Aside from a bit of silver, all I have is a few dozen Sequence Potions. That's all."
"If your request is beyond my capability, I won't be able to help."
Zhou Xing smiled, "Yes, I understand your situation. The reason I asked you here today is to borrow some Sequence Potions from you."
"Uncle Zhou, that doesn't sound quite right. How can you call it borrowing? If you need them, I don't mind giving you a few. How many do you need?", Qin Siyang didn't bother beating around the bush.
Since Zhou Xing was after Sequence Potions, he might as well ask for his price directly.
Zhou Xing held up five fingers.
"Five bottles?"
"Fifty bottles," Qin Siyang's smile froze for a moment. He suppressed the anger rising in his chest and said slowly, "Uncle Zhou, that's a bit difficult for me."
Fifty bottles? No way in hell.
Even Li Tianming, his Insurer, only took eight bottles.
If Li found out that a Special Admission Slot was traded for fifty bottles, he'd probably be furious enough to disown him on the spot.
Zhou Xing said, "Qin, you have so many Sequence Potions, and you'll get even more in the future. You can't sell them anyway, so why not give them to me?"
Qin Siyang shook his head.
If they were negotiating, then let's be upfront.
"Uncle Zhou, even though I'm just a student, I'd never do anything illegal. But plenty of people have contacted me, offering eight silver coins per bottle for large purchases of my Sequence Potions."
"You're asking for four hundred silver coins' worth of potions all at once. That's really hard for me to agree to."
Zhou Xing's face darkened slightly.
He had assumed Qin Siyang didn't know the true value of Sequence Potions and thought he could trick this naive kid.
Now, his plan had fallen through.
"Thirty bottles."
Qin Siyang still shook his head, "Uncle Zhou, if you're willing to help me secure the Special Admission Slot, then let's negotiate."
"But if you're asking for too much, how can I explain it to others?"
Zhou Xing chuckled, "You said it yourself, you're an orphan. Who do you need to explain anything to?"
Qin Siyang responded with a bright, youthful smile, "Uncle Zhou, have you ever seen an orphan from the Safe Zone's outskirts awaken a Sequence ability?"
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