Shadows of the Deep Space-Chapter 106 Lin Fang (Second Update)

"No way, not only did I get the upper bunk, but they also put me next to the toilet."

Rhein walked to the bunk bed near the toilet and said somewhat unable to hold back.

Su Ming turned his head to look over and immediately saw his own name sticking on the lower bunk, rubbing his forehead with a headache.

He finally understood why Alfam had that expression when talking about the dormitory. It was a pitfall indeed.

"This is too bad. If it’s six people in a room, we could squeeze in, but ten is just too much, we can’t even take a shower!"

"It’s really too bad. I might consider applying to live outside."

"Right."

...

The dormitory students were all very dissatisfied.

At this time, Rhein said to them irritably.

"Live outside? Can you even afford it?"

Su Ming looked at Rhein with puzzled eyes upon hearing this.

The dormitory students didn’t take it well either, but they still restrained themselves and said to Rhein.

"What do you mean by that? We haven’t offended you, have we?"

"I’m not targeting you guys. You’re just thinking too simply. The residences around Imperial Court Academy are even more expensive than those in the A District. The rent is outrageously high. If you want to live off-campus, check your wallets first."

Rhein’s words doused everyone’s spirits like a bucket of cold water.

"How expensive?"

The crowd asked somewhat sheepishly.

"A 30-square-meter single room costs at least 500,000 Federation coins a month."

Rhein replied irritably.

"500K? That’s robbery! Who could live there?"

Everyone was shocked by the price, unable to believe it.

For a moment, the noisy dorm fell into silence.

Su Ming thought the price was crazy too. Although he could barely afford it, he couldn’t bear to be so extravagant.

Suddenly, he thought the dormitory at Imperial Court Academy wasn’t so bad after all.

As for the other students in the dorms, after a brief silence, they began to compromise and accept reality. A very shrewd-looking guy spoke up.

"Let it be, it’s just a place to sleep, we can make do."

"That makes sense!"

Those who had been clamoring to move out also changed their tune.

Su Ming sighed and said calmly.

"I’m going to the cafeteria for lunch."

"We’re coming too!"

Rhein and others also followed suit.

So Su Ming and the others prepared to leave for lunch together, but when they reached the dormitory entrance.

Whoosh~

Dozens of second-year students in Imperial Court Academy uniforms gathered around, completely blocking the entrance.

"Huh? You guys?"

Su Ming and the rest were taken aback, looking at them in astonishment.

"Junior, my name is Wang Jing, from second-year Mecha Class 8! Are you interested in hiring a tour guide? It’s very cheap – only 2000 Federation coins. I can show you around the entire school and tell you some very important tips, guaranteed to save you a lot of trouble! It’s a bargain."

A pretty girl with her hair tied up and a forthright demeanor enthusiastically said.

"Choose me, I only need 1500 Federation coins!"

"I’ll do it for 1000 Federation coins!"

...

One by one, strong senior boys pushed through to recommend themselves.

Suddenly, a rather skinny boy with a large blue birthmark on his face was squeezed out and lost his balance, ending up sitting down on the ground with a thud.

Seeing this, Rhein and the others didn’t hesitate to start picking their tour guide.

Although these senior students seemed like they might be selling something, as newcomers, they knew far too little about Imperial Court Academy, and spending a bit of money for information was definitely worthwhile.

"This senior sister, I choose you!"

"You then."

...

One by one, everyone was led away.

The boy who had fallen got up from the ground, patted the dust off his clothes, and showed a resigned and disappointed expression on his face.

At that moment, a sunny and confident senior approached Su Ming with a pitch.

"Junior, hire me for just 1,500 Federation dollars!" frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

"No thanks."

Su Ming declined politely, then squeezed his way through the crowd.

He approached a man with a birthmark on his face and asked calmly,

"Hello senior, how much for hiring you?"

"You want to hire me? Just 500 Federation dollars, and I guarantee you’ll get your money’s worth."

The senior looked stunned at Su Ming at first, but then realizing what had happened, he eagerly said,

"Alright, it’s a deal then, my name is Su Ming! How should I address you, senior?"

Su Ming asked politely.

"My name is Lin Fang! I’m in Mecha Class 6 of the sophomore year."

Lin Fang quickly introduced himself.

"Good. Have you eaten yet?"

Su Ming asked with a slight nod, as naturally as ever.

"Not yet."

"Then let’s go have a meal together, it’s on me. We can talk while we eat."

"Okay, let’s go to the cafeteria."

Lin Fang agreed without any hesitation.

The two then left the dormitory building together and headed toward the three cafeterias.

On the way, Su Ming talked with Lin Fang.

"Senior Lin Fang, I want to ask you something. The facilities of Imperial Court Academy seem pretty good. Why is it that only the dormitory is so shabby, with ten people to a room?"

"Are you dissatisfied with the dorm? Actually, it’s not just you, students throughout the years have been unsatisfied, but there’s nothing that can be done. The land is limited and expensive, and Imperial Court Academy can only use the limited land where it counts the most. That’s why every facility in Imperial Court Academy is decent except for the terrible dorms. My advice is to put up with it, as there’s no particularly good solution. The commercial housing outside is even more expensive, absurdly so."

Lin Fang answered earnestly.

"Mhm."

Su Ming nodded slightly.

By then, Su Ming and Lin Fang had arrived at the entrance of Cafeteria No. 1 and they walked in.

The first floor of the cafeteria was very spacious. It had a primitive layout. The far end consisted of different food windows, each selling a variety of dishes, while the rest of the space was filled with simple, long dining tables.

For a moment, Su Ming thought he had returned to the cafeteria in a junkyard.

"Student Su Ming, are you picky about food?"

Lin Fang collected his thoughts and asked Su Ming.

"Not really, as long as it’s nutritious, I’m not a hardcore food enthusiast."

Su Ming replied casually.

"How about I take care of this meal?"

Lin Fang offered.

"Sure!"

Su Ming didn’t say much else.

Lin Fang then led Su Ming to a small window on the right side of the cafeteria and said,

"First, top-up your card. You can use your student card, just recharge it with 1,000."

Su Ming recharged his card with 1,000 Federation dollars as Lin Fang had suggested.

Soon after, Lin Fang took Su Ming to window No. 72, ordering two meal sets, each comprising a portion of shredded meat, a portion of bok choy, as well as a bowl of clear soup and steamed buns.

Su Ming used his student card to pay and then the two found a quiet table to sit down at.