I Became the Alchemy Master by Picking Up Trash-Chapter 146 - 145: Chu Ying

"Li Xing, aren’t you afraid of getting fat eating so many carbs?"

Shangguan Xian Yu also loved the pastries supplied by the Chu family, but she didn’t dare eat much, as girls are very strict about their body image.

"Not at all, I’m the type who eats without gaining weight."

Shangguan Xian Yu and Bai Ling both sighed in unison. She’s good-looking and doesn’t fear getting fat—truly biased by the heavens.

Bai Ling said, "I watched the event replay, and I must admit, in this competition, your ’Cure-All Squad’ surpassed us. Li Xing, you are truly a unique Healing Master, and your application of medicine has refreshed my understanding. I wonder if we can discuss the art of alchemy in the future to learn from each other and exchange knowledge?"

"Of course, if you have any questions to discuss, just send me a message, and I’ll surely reply when I see it."

Li Xing had a good impression of the straightforward Bai Ling, and Bai Ling also found Li Xing to be easygoing and talkative, not at all like Lin Caier described as manipulative.

Meanwhile, Chen Qi discreetly tugged on Shangguan Lin Yuan’s sleeve. The latter understood, cleared his throat, and asked, "Junior Li Xing, do you have any more of the jerky you sold us yesterday? We’d like to buy some more."

Li Xing shook her head, "None left."

This semester, she was busy with classes and training, leaving no time to make jerky. What she sold were her last rations, and she didn’t even have any for herself.

"Then—could you make some more? We can pay a deposit."

Li Xing was less than a year away from turning eighteen, yet the ’Eternal Green Technique’ was still at the late peak stage of tempering the flesh.

Though it seemed just a small step from advancement, that step would cost tens of millions of low-grade Crystal Stones. She was in need of money!

Although the military school competition prize money and endorsement fees were considerable, the competition lasted too long, and there was no telling when the money would come in. Li Xing didn’t dare wait. Right now, every extra coin counted, so she agreed without a second thought.

"Sure, but I don’t have time to hunt in the Star Beast Forest. If you can provide the Star Beast Meat, I can make the jerky faster."

Chen Qi immediately patted his chest and said, "No problem! I’m heading to the wilderness to practice martial arts when I get back anyway, and I might as well hunt some Star Beasts. I just don’t know how our desert Star Beast meat will taste when made into jerky."

"The Four-Winged Sand Lizard, Soft Bone Rabbit, and Long-Toothed Sand Beast are all high-quality ingredients for making jerky, even tastier than what I sold you."

Chen Qi was tempted, "What’s the price?"

"If you provide the ingredients, the price remains the same as before, but I need to transact in low-grade Crystal Stones." Desert Star Beast meat is firmer than forest Star Beast meat, making it more labor-intensive to process. Li Xing not raising the price was already quite fair.

"Haha, great! I’ll get the ingredients to you as soon as possible. Li Xing, make sure to put your heart into it; don’t let me down!"

Jiang Yuesheng and An Qing were about to take this opportunity to place orders with Li Xing, but Lin Caier, once again, beat them to it. She snorted and said cynically:

"Providing the ingredients yourself and still selling it for five thousand a pound, Li Xing, aren’t you ripping people off?"

"Star Beast meat is not hard to acquire, but the jerky-making process is complex, requiring careful mixing of various spices to ensure a delicious taste. Additionally, I’ve added a lot of herbs beneficial for external injury recovery, making it both food and medicine. Five thousand a pound is a friend’s price. Once the jerky hits the shelves at the ’Yijian Shop,’ the price will only be higher. If everyone feels it’s expensive now, we can cancel our transaction."

Excited, Chen Qi quickly said:

"Not expensive at all, not at all! Junior Li, make as much as you can; I’ll buy it all!" After saying this, he glared fiercely at Lin Caier:

"Hey, have you even tried the jerky? If not, don’t blabber. If you’re not buying, step aside and let others proceed!"

Lin Caier’s face twisted in anger, "You—!"

Before Chen Qi and Lin Caier could start arguing, Li Xing interrupted:

"In business, voluntary trade is key. If Sister Lin, Senior Jiang, and Senior An find the jerky overpriced, they are free not to buy it. Even if the deal doesn’t go through, we can remain friends. I can bring over some cheaper goods for you three to choose from in the future!"

Jiang Yuesheng and An Qing felt frustrated: We didn’t even do anything! You could have just addressed Lin Caier, why drag us into it? o(╥﹏╥)o

Chu Yunyi, sitting across from Li Xing, saw her savoring plate after plate of desserts and said, "Ah Xing, if you like desserts, I’ll have the kitchen make some for you to take home!"

Li Xing was delighted, "Sure, thank you!"

While Chu Yunyi was merely being a gracious host, it didn’t stop Lin Caier from feeling envious. Rolling her eyes, she spoke in a sly tone:

"Hey, Li Xing, I heard from a friend studying at Harssas Academy that you and Ye Qingting and the others share a dormitory? Wow, I knew Harssas Academy had modest facilities, but I didn’t think it was so poor that they mix genders in dorms! Li Xing, be careful not to get taken advantage of."

Li Xing ignored her, but Cui Tianxiao glared and audaciously replied:

"Who are you implying? What advantage, huh? We paid for it! Qingtian and Xiao Ming as well!"

Ye Qingting and Qi Ming facepalmed, resigned to Cui Tianxiao’s antics! His explanation only added to the misunderstanding. An Qing and Chen Qi were so shocked their mouths could probably gobble up a Fire Crown Chicken egg!

Lin Caier laughed meaningfully, her gaze shifting between Li Xing and Ye Qingting’s group: "Oh! So paying is all it takes, huh? I never would have guessed you’re that kind of people!"

Qi Ming was furious, "What do you mean ’that kind of people’? Sister Xing’s Twin Heavenly Armor status got her a special permit to live in a high-level suite. We wanted to benefit from her quota, so we asked her to share the room. The money was for the dorm fee, what else did you think it was?"

Qi Ming rarely spoke so fully in a single breath, driven by Lin Caier’s provocation, achieving exceptional dialogue.

In fact, most in the crowd had their own judgments. They were unfamiliar with Li Xing, but Ye Qingting had an excellent reputation among noble family children, a genuinely upright person.

Aside from his sharp tongue, Cui Tianxiao had no other faults. Although they didn’t interact with Qi Ming often, someone who blushed so easily when talking couldn’t have any malicious intent. These three definitely wouldn’t do anything inappropriate.

Concerning a girl’s reputation, Lin Caier’s conduct was frankly disgraceful, causing Bai Ling and Shangguan Xian Yu, as females, to feel irritated, casting her sidelong glances.

"Caier, the four of them are a lot like us. When we’re out training in the field, we often stay in the same tent too."

Chu Yunyi’s casual remark calmed the storm.

A similar team composition of three men and one woman, all having shared the same room, no one should throw mud here.

Ye Qingting’s group’s expressions softened, while Li Xing maintained a look of indifference throughout, as if watching a show.

Chu Ying, having finished socializing, happened to overhear Lin Caier’s insinuations as she approached.

"Exactly! As men and women of the world, we don’t fret over such things. When I first joined the army, I was stuck in a cave with male soldiers for five days and nights. We ate, drank, and were together the whole time, and not a single word of gossip was heard! A virtuous person fears no shadows, only the guilty see everyone as a crook."

"Commander!" "Aunt Ying—!"

Chu Ying gestured with a hand, allowing the crowd who had started to stand in salute to remain seated, casting a glance at Lin Caier, unconsciously furrowing her brow.

This Lin Caier showed no trace of noble family demeanor in her words or actions, inheriting her mother’s unruliness completely.

Chu Ying: "Caier, you are a noble family girl and should know that some jokes shouldn’t be made lightly."

"... Yes, Aunt Lin, I was wrong."

Chu Ying’s frank criticism left Lin Caier’s face looking extremely sour.

No matter how unruly, she knew to pick her battles. If she ever marries into the Chu family, Chu Ying would be her elder and mustn’t be crossed. Besides, Chu Ying’s fiery temper also deterred her, leaving Lin Caier secretly fuming.