"Has the money arrived?" Ji You's eyes flashed a hint of joy as she said, "It would be great if the leg could be attached sooner, then we could go pick up trash and collect materials in the wilderness together."
Before the original owner committed suicide, due to the severe impact of plagiarism and copyright infringement, not only was the original owner's academic achievements canceled and expelled from school, they were deprived of their scholarship and forced to pay a total of 1.6 million credit points in damages to the victim, Xu Siyu. However, Xu Siyu, being kindhearted, merely symbolically accepted 100,000 credit points, and then let the matter rest, stating she would pursue no further responsibility from Ji You.
That 100,000 was all the original owner had, including the little remaining savings from their parents and compensation money, plus the money the original owner had saved over the years through frugal living, working part-time, and earning scholarships... Without this 100,000, it was virtually impossible for the original owner to leave Garbage Planet No. 101.
The cunning and sly Xu Siyu knew exactly how much Ji You had in savings, and her actions not only showcased her benevolence and kindness to the public, winning a lot of favor, but also plunged Ji You into a dire financial situation.
In this move, she killed two birds with one stone, beautifully executed.
The way Xu Siyu acted not only crushed the original owner's spirit but also completely broke her will; after Ji You traveled to this world, she faced such dire straits, with a zero balance in her account and no food at home. Poor Ji You was so hungry she nearly ran out to the yard to eat dirt...
It was at this time that Uncle Xie Yi and Grandma Jenny appeared, knocking on Ji You's door and giving her a bag of nutrient solution, telling her to cheer up, that as long as she lived well, there was hope, and one day, she would clear her name.
Ji You was deeply moved at that moment.
At the same time, she also felt some regret; if Uncle Xie Yi and Grandma Jenny had come a little earlier, the original owner might not have died.
Uncle Xie Yi and Grandma Jenny not only brought food to Ji You but also invited her to join their scavenging team, which provided a breath of fresh air for Ji You's impoverished situation. Thus, she followed the group, working hard on Star Network during the day and picking up trash at night... This lasted for more than half a year.
It was all thanks to the help from Uncle Xie Yi and Grandma Jenny at that time, Ji You was very grateful to them, a kindness she would remember for a lifetime. This was also the reason Ji You could endure Xie Lingzhi's occasional harsh sarcasm and side remarks.
Hearing about Uncle Xie Yi's leg being soon ready for a new transplant, Ji You was genuinely happy.
Xie Yi explained with a smile, saying, "It was Ryan who secretly took out 10,000 credit points and gave it to the hospital, allowing the doctor to cultivate a new leg for me immediately."
Ji You listened, not too surprised; among their group of people, everyone was from the lower class of society, only Ryan had a bit more economic strength than the others. It was not odd for Ryan to be able to take out 10,000 credit points at once.
It's easy to add flowers to the brocade, but difficult to send charcoal in snowy weather.
Ji You's feeling for Ryan grew a bit more fond.
Xie Yi said, "Thanks to Ryan, but I can't take this money for free. I have to pay it back. I've agreed with Ryan to pay him back 500 credit points every month." It's one thing for someone to help you financially in an emergency for medical treatment, but one can't just accept it without any guilt; otherwise, it signifies a problem with one's moral character.
Xie Yi, forty years old this year, with his wife having passed away early, raised his two children alone. After he suddenly encountered this incident, it seemed like his children grew up overnight, becoming more sensible and considerate. Taking advantage of the current holiday, they proposed to their father to accompany Ryan to collect materials in the wilderness to earn some living expenses. After some thought, Xie Yi felt that he could not always keep his children in a greenhouse, and agreed to their request.
The family of three are now trying hard to find ways to repay Ryan's big loan as soon as possible.
Ji You smiled and said, "Yes, the money definitely has to be repaid, but Uncle Xie Yi, don't worry, take care of your health first, and then slowly repay the money."
Xie Yi said, "Although Ryan doesn't rush me, how can I not be anxious? Ah! Right, when you go to the West District to collect Iron Pear Wood, you must be very careful, you cannot be careless again."
Ji You nodded, "Yep, we know."
Under Xie Yi's repeated worries and reminders, the group finally set out. Ji You glanced at Xie Lingzhi who was following the team. This girl kept saying she wouldn't go, but still silently followed them—it was really—tsundere.
Seemingly sensing Ji You's gaze, Xie Lingzhi suddenly turned her head back and stared at her fiercely, sneering, "What are you looking at? If you encounter danger later, I definitely won't lend a hand."
This is not being tsundere.
This is asking for a beating!
Ji You immediately grabbed Sister Liya's hand and whispered, "Sister Liya, let's stick together later."
Lea nodded with a smile, "Okay."
Lea's spiritual power and Physical Strength are both D-level; although her talents aren't outstanding, they are certainly not bad. She has systematically learned combat training in school, so protecting Ji You would be quite easy for her.
Hearing this, Xie Lingzhi looked disdainful and immediately strode ahead. She carefully moved closer to Ryan and spoke in a gentle, soft voice, "Brother Ryan, can I stick with you later?"
Ryan, upon hearing this, kept his eyes straight and said, "It's not convenient."
Xie Lingzhi, upon hearing this, looked disappointed and somewhat anxiously said, "My Physical Strength is C-level, and my spiritual power is C-level, I definitely won't hold you back." She was so proud because she thought she had the capital to be arrogant; she was the most talented girl on this street, even Lea couldn't compare to her.
Therefore, Xie Lingzhi has always looked down on Ji You, whose spiritual power and Physical Strength are both at the bottom. She thought Ji You, with such talents and strength, entering the wilderness was akin to seeking death. Such a person should just stay peacefully within the protected area.
Xie Lingzhi said, "Brother Ryan, trust me, I absolutely won't drag you down."
Ryan suddenly stopped, explaining, "The place I'm going to is the inner area, it's very dangerous, it's not convenient to bring you along."
Normally, Xie Yi, Ji You, and Grandma Jenny only collected materials in the outer area of the West District; they didn't dare to venture into the inner area. Ryan was looking for materials not like Iron Pear Wood, White Dry Grass, these low-star materials, but for the likes of Jade White Flower, Spotted Tiger Teeth, Xuan Shen... These high-star materials, which required venturing deep into the inner area, where the danger was dozens of times higher than the outer area.
Therefore, Ryan never took Xie Yi, Ji You, and the others.
Upon hearing Ryan's destination, Xie Lingzhi's open mouth gradually closed.
With her capabilities, entering would be suicidal.