As Nian Jiaojiao finished speaking, a hearty female voice came from outside the door:
“If Junior Sister Nian puts it that way, I’ll be hurt!”
Everyone looked towards the door as a young woman in a dark blue fitted outfit strode in.
Upon recognizing the newcomer, Nian Jiaojiao exclaimed in surprise:
“Senior Sister Lei…”
Then, she seemed to realize something:
“Senior Sister Lei, you’re the one who’s supposed to pay two hundred thousand taels!”
Lei Juan came up to Nian Jiaojiao, nodded, and patted her shoulder vigorously, saying:
“Junior Sister Nian, you are truly remarkable. This time, you’ve brought unexpected joy to me, no, to our entire Miscellaneous Studies branch!”
Nian Jiaojiao rubbed her shoulder, feeling a slight sting.
She had reason to suspect the other woman was retaliating for her calling her a sucker.
“Senior Sister Lei, why so much money…”
Before Nian Jiaojiao could finish, Lei Juan interjected:
“Hey, Junior Sister Nian, this isn’t my personal money; it’s from our branch. Besides, do we, the entire branch, look like suckers?”
Nian Jiaojiao’s expression turned sheepish.
Lei Juan said carelessly:
“Junior Sister Nian, don’t worry, your book is absolutely worth this price, and even more.”
With that, she took out a stack of banknotes from her怀 and said:
“Your friend is quite amusing. I’d just mentioned the money, and without waiting for me, she turned and ran.”
As she spoke, Lei Juan glanced at Tong Fu with a half-smile.
Tong Fu awkwardly scratched the back of her head.
Nian Jiaojiao took the banknotes and saw they were for ten thousand taels each!
“Junior Sister Nian, aren’t you going to count them?”
Lei Juan asked when she saw her friend hand the banknotes directly to a man of ordinary appearance.
Nian Jiaojiao shook her head, revealing her eight pearly white teeth, and said:
“Senior Sister Lei, can’t I trust you?”
“Alright, the money has been delivered. Our branch will begin copying your books. But don’t worry, we won’t compete with you in the market. These books are for the disciples of our Miscellaneous Studies branch.”
Speaking of which, Lei Juan glanced at the sky and said:
“Alright, I have other matters to attend to, so I must take my leave.”
“Senior Sister Lei, I’ll see you out.”
Nian Jiaojiao personally escorted Lei Juan to the main entrance. Lei Juan then said:
“I’m becoming more and more eager for you to join our branch. I imagine our quiet sect gate will become lively again then.”
Nian Jiaojiao looked demure:
“Senior Sister Lei, you jest. Jiaojiao has always been demure.”
Senior Sister Lei: …
…
Bai Chuan Academy.
Sky Class Two.
At the entrance.
“Excuse me, senior, is Nian Anshou here?”
Nian Zhenzhen peered around the entrance for a long time, unable to find Nian Jiaojiao, so she asked a learned female student from Sky Class Two.
The learned student glanced at the relatively polite Nian Zhenzhen and looked her up and down, saying:
“Who are you?”
Nian Zhenzhen replied:
“I am from the same hometown as Nian Anshou.”
The learned student nodded and answered her previous question:
“Nian Anshou is not at the academy today.”
Nian Zhenzhen: “Do you know when she will come to the academy?”
The learned student seemed to recall something, covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, then realized she was being impolite in front of a junior student and composed herself, saying:
“Nian Anshou, well, it’s uncertain when she will return to class, as our class attendance is flexible. Aren’t you from her hometown? You should go find her at her home.”
Nian Zhenzhen had no idea where Nian Jiaojiao lived. She smiled awkwardly, thanked the senior student, and turned to leave.
Returning to the dormitory entrance.
Fang Fang strode over:
“Zhenzhen, how did it go?”
Nian Zhenzhen shook her head.
“No way, she wouldn’t even lend this little money? She’s a distinguished scholar, after all, and we even helped conceal the fact that she comes from a poor family!”
Fang Fang said disdainfully.
Nian Zhenzhen frowned:
“What nonsense are you talking about? Nian Anshou isn’t at the academy, and besides, didn’t we agree not to mention that matter?”