Chapter 736 - 755: Money Troubles
Chapter 736: Chapter 755: Money Troubles
The next day, after getting her leave approved by the Mecha Department, Jiang Qiuqiu went to the Spirit Healing Department.
There was supposed to be a theory class that morning, but it was canceled at the last minute for some unknown reason. Dean Zhu was taking over the lecture instead.
Attendance was full. Jiang Qiuqiu guessed everyone had been notified in advance. They all sat primly in their seats, looking like something major was about to happen.
She turned her gaze to the podium as well.
Zhu Tiansheng, dressed in a professor’s robe, had a calm gaze. His salt-and-pepper beard spoke of age and authority. "Hello, students."
"I’ve taken over your history class today to announce something rather important."
"The end of the year is approaching, and you’ve been studying for the better part of it. Some of you may already know this, but the Spirit Healing Department has a tradition: every September, our new students must participate in a Spirit Healing Master practicum."
This will be a true practicum, not a trip to an orphanage or a charity home. You will be going directly to a Remote Star System.
"You could call it a practicum, or you could call it an aid mission. But calling it an aid mission isn’t entirely accurate either, because the school’s year-end freshman evaluation will be based on your performance during this activity. Therefore, participation is mandatory for every student."
"There are twenty days until September. As I said, the destination is a Remote Star System. Once we arrive, we’ll be stationed at a small local hospital. The living conditions are fairly basic, resources are scarce, and interstellar shipping is exorbitant. You should use the remaining time to purchase any necessary supplies and prepare yourselves."
"And remember, bring only what’s necessary. Don’t pack everything you own, understand?"
Dean Zhu didn’t say much more, and the rest of the time was used for registration.
The mediums that Spirit Healing Masters use to channel their abilities are countless and varied, so the department needed to register and prepare what everyone would need to ensure there were no shortages.
Take Jiang Qiuqiu, for example...
Speaking of which, being a Healer was quite expensive for Jiang Qiuqiu.
’Maybe we’ll have to control her costs a little?’
These thoughts flashed through Dean Zhu’s mind.
Jiang Qiuqiu filled out the class information form with the items she needed. A trip to a remote Low-level Star...
Other than the vague memories from the body’s original owner, she had never seen a Low-level Star herself.
’Supporting a small local hospital.’
Jiang Qiuqiu was starting to feel a little curious about this practicum.
...
After class, Dean Zhu called Jiang Qiuqiu to his office.
"Dean, you wanted to see me?"
"It’s like this, Qiuqiu..."
’Ah, how can I tactfully explain that the department doesn’t have that much funding?’
"Your healing ability is food, which is a consumable-type ability, so you need to prepare dishes..." Dean Zhu looked up. "Here’s the thing. We’ll be there for a month, and we might have to treat a great many people."
Some natural food ingredients are quite expensive. The department’s budget for this trip is already tight. Adding a bottomless pit for food expenses on top of that... we might not be able to cover it.
The dean’s hint was clear, and Jiang Qiuqiu caught on. "Dean, are you asking me to control my costs?"
"Yes."
"So, go back and think about what you could make that’s relatively low-cost. When you’re ready, send me your procurement list via communicator, and I’ll have the logistics team prepare it."
"Is there a general budget?"
The dean gave her a number.
Jiang Qiuqiu: ...
-
After coming to this era and becoming a wealthy woman, Jiang Qiuqiu was once again vexed by money.
The number Dean Zhu had given her was far too low.
If people were coming for treatment from morning till night like he said, she would need to have an ample supply of food, all while staying within budget.
She scoured Taotao Fresh but couldn’t find anything that fit the bill.
And so, when Liu Tingting and the others returned, the first thing they saw was Jiang Qiuqiu sitting at her desk, looking conflicted.
A conflicted look was a rare expression to see on Qiuqiu’s face.