Qin Siyang said to Wen Shu, "You and Grandma can rest in the chairs in the lobby for a bit. I'll take Edward upstairs to sort out the accommodation, then come down to get you."
Wen Shu nodded lightly, "Okay."
Qin Siyang then reached out and gestured to Edward, "Come on, let's go upstairs."
The two of them entered the elevator. Edward felt uneasy inside.
He said, "Brother Qin, I think thirty silver coins a month for rent isn't a small amount. I'd better pay it myself."
Qin Siyang asked, "Edward, do you have a way to earn money?"
"Uh, just hunting gods to earn some silver coins."
"And other than that?"
"Other than that… nothing."
"Earning money just by hunting gods is too slow," Qin Siyang shook his head.
He himself had risked his life hunting a few Ghost-faced Egrets and had only earned a few hundred silver coins.
Although the later hunts for the Corrosive Black Centipede and the Thunder Snow Wolf gave him more rewards, those were windfalls that couldn't be counted on.
Edward had been admitted to South Glory University thanks to his father's position. His god-hunting score probably wasn't very high, at least not enough to reach the five-thousand-point threshold for special admissions.
By that calculation, the silver coins Edward had wouldn't last long.
"So, then the lodging expenses are being paid by Governor Jonathan?"
"Yes."
"Then let me pay your rent. You shouldn't be covering it yourself."
Edward was stunned for a moment, "I'm a student, not a worker, so of course I don't have much income."
"Besides, according to your tradition, when children study away from home, isn't it normal for parents to pay for their living and housing expenses? Why does it sound like Brother Qin thinks… that's something abnormal?"
Qin Siyang shook his head, "It's not that I think it's abnormal for parents to cover those costs. I'm just considering your and your father's positions."
"Positions?"
"Your father, Governor Jonathan, how much after-tax salary does the United Government pay him per month?"
"About ten silver coins."
"Exactly. Just ten silver coins. And staying here costs thirty silver coins a month. A short stay is fine, but over time, how can your father afford that rent?"
Edward scratched his nose, "Well, Brother Qin, my father doesn't rely only on his after-tax salary."
"Shh!"
Qin Siyang put a finger to his lips, signaling Edward not to go on.
"Edward, it's better not to say things like that out loud."
"Oh, but my father said that Brother Qin is someone trustworthy."
Qin Siyang waved his hand, "I may be trustworthy, but that doesn't mean the people around you are."
He pointed to his ring, "Right now, since you're with me, I've activated conversation shielding, no one can hear what we're saying. But if someday you talk to someone else, and certain people overhear you, that could cause trouble."
Edward's heart tightened when he heard that, and he immediately showed a worried expression.
"Don't panic. Everything's fine right now."
The elevator doors opened, and the two of them walked out.
Qin Siyang continued, "For example, what I just said, your father's salary isn't enough to cover your tuition and lodging here. Over time, people with an agenda could easily use that to attack Governor Jonathan."
"When that happens, things will get difficult."
Edward muttered, "But my father has never mentioned being concerned about expenses."
"Governor Jonathan has too many things to worry about; he can't remind you about every detail. He probably doesn't even know I arranged for you to stay in such an expensive guesthouse. He might think you'd be living in a four-person dormitory that costs only two silver coins a month."
"Besides, who in State 14 could possibly threaten Governor Jonathan? He might've already overlooked the fact that there could be potential enemies in Zone 7."
Edward nodded slightly. He knew what Qin Siyang said made sense.
After spending just two minutes alone with him, Edward realized that his father's evaluation of Qin Siyang had been completely accurate, not a word exaggerated.
"So, let's just put your lodging expenses under my account. That way, your coming to study at South Glory University won't cause Governor Jonathan trouble because of me."
"But that's not a small sum. I can't accept such generosity for nothing."
Maybe it was Qin Siyang's sincerity and easy-going attitude, or maybe his father's constant reminders had taken effect, but Edward now fully believed that Qin Siyang had no ulterior motives.
He simply didn't care about money and just wanted to help.
But Edward had been taught strict manners since childhood, he couldn't possibly accept such a long-term favor without repaying it.
Qin Siyang looked at him in mild surprise and saw a bit of pride in his eyes.
He sighed inwardly.
These days, people like Edward, who still cared about self-respect, were rare.
Almost like an endangered species.
"Then just think of it as a loan. Find your own way to pay it back later."
"Pay it back? But that's too much money…"
"I'm covering your lodging because I want to make a friend. If even that feels too much for you, then it'll be hard for us to really get along."
Qin Siyang glanced at the door number, opened it with a key, and said casually, "Might as well have Governor Jonathan transfer you to Central Glory instead. With your background, you'd make friends more easily there."
Edward fell silent, clenching his fists.
He knew Qin Siyang had built his wealth and reputation through bold, reckless god-hunting.
But himself, he clearly wasn't the type good at fighting.
Make friends? Was that even possible?
Seeing through Edward's thoughts, Qin Siyang comforted him, "Edward, don't pressure yourself too much. Everyone has their own place."
"I made my name by charging ahead. You don't have to be like me. Friends don't only have to walk the same path, they can walk complementary ones too."
Edward frowned, thinking, "Complementary, huh?"
"No rush. You can think about it slowly."
Qin Siyang walked around the room and said, "This place isn't as good as the tenth-floor suites, but it's got everything, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, balcony. Fine for one person or even for a couple."
"My rooms on the tenth floor are mostly rented out, and the rest are still being negotiated, so you'll have to make do here."
"I really appreciate your arrangement, Brother Qin. Using the word 'make do' here seems a bit much. I'd say 'tasteful' fits better."
"You even play with homophones, your language proficiency is pretty good, better than many people's."
Edward gave a bitter smile, "Language is just a tool for communication. For most people, mastering it is only the icing on the cake it won't make you rich."
Qin Siyang gave a thumbs-up, "That's something only someone with perspective and vision would say."
"Alright then. When it's time to eat, just call the front desk and have them send the food up. If anything comes up, contact me, I live on the tenth floor, room 1001."
"Mm. Thank you, Brother Qin."
Edward then sat alone on the sofa, deep in thought, "A complementary friend… I can't figure that out right now. I'll have to ask Father."
———
Qin Siyang went back to the lobby to pick up Wen Shu and her grandmother.
Just as he stepped out of the elevator, he saw two people surrounding Wen Shu.