Chapter Six

Chapter Six

Improving Bai Sha's physical abilities through training, whether it was Holman or Jing Yi, they both believed this approach was right, as it was the path they had followed themselves.

"Train as hard as you can without dying." Ultimately, Jing Yi didn't take Bai Sha to engage in group fights, but privately taught her more combat skills. Even if Bai Sha had no intention of becoming an unmatched expert, under Jing Yi's strict gaze, she had no choice but to compromise. "When you can fight me to a draw, even just 40 to 60 in my favor, then you'll have passed my test."

Bai Sha thought to herself that she might never pass this test in her lifetime.

When Holman trained Bai Sha, he set goals that pushed her physical limits, and coupled with Jing Yi's merciless sparring... a week after the "Advanced Combat Class" started, Bai Sha inevitably fell ill.

She found herself back in the infirmary.

Gwyneth conducted a check-up and, seeing the abrasions and bruises from training, almost went crazy with anger, suspecting Bai Sha was being abused at the orphanage. Further biochemical tests, however, still showed malnutrition.

Holman was also somewhat stunned, apparently not expecting Bai Sha to be so frail, but then thought that she probably hadn't fully recovered from her previous illness.

Gwyneth, seeing that Baisha was still in a deep sleep, lowered her voice and said to Holman, "I suspect it's a genetic issue with this child."

Holman was startled. "Does she have a genetic disease too?"

"But it's different from the radiation illness prevalent on Lanslow Star. They're not from the same source," Gwyneth explained.

Holman said, "It feels like feeding batteries to a leaking electrical device."

Gwyneth: "This child's energy needs are unusual. She doesn't need batteries, but energy blocks."

Holman: "I think it's you who wants the energy blocks, right?"

Gwyneth: "What's so strange about that? As a robot, I've been surviving on cheap electric energy for years, which has been quite challenging. I want to try the legendary energy block that can guarantee my normal operation for ten years. Is there anything wrong with that?"

Holman: "No, but we don't have the money to buy energy blocks. I'm sorry."

Gwyneth: "It's okay, I'm used to it."

After Holman and the robot finished their light-hearted banter, he folded the bill, closing the door to the medical room.

Jingyi and Yaning were squatting on the steps outside the door, staring eagerly at Holman as he came out.

"Is she alright?" Jingyi asked anxiously, guilt evident on her face. "I didn't break her, did I?"

Holman explained that Baisha was like a leaking electrical device because the days of training hadn't harmed her organs or other body tissues. Her collapse was simply due to insufficient internal energy.

Since the device itself wasn't broken, the problem wasn't serious. It just needed a sufficient energy supply.

"She's quite a handful to take care of," Jingyi muttered under her breath, but without any intention of abandoning her. "Does our orphanage not have enough money?"

"This was my oversight. I'll take responsibility for her recovery," Holman stated decisively. "But we really should prepare for the future."

After saying this, Holman left thoughtfully. He often came and went at the orphanage without specific times, and Madam Qiong never reprimanded him. Jingyi and Yaning watched his retreating figure, thinking he was off to earn money for the orphanage.

"What should we do... Can we go in to see her?" Yaning glanced back at the medical room window. Through the window, they could see Baisha lying on the white medical bed, sleeping peacefully.

"The medical robot will take good care of her," Jingyi said, her hand on the window, gently touching Baisha's cheek through the glass. Her expression became resolute. "We also need to get some money."

Yaning replied, "But we're not old enough for part-time jobs, and Madam Qiong wouldn't allow us to go out."

Jingyi decisively said, "Then I'll just rob."

Yaning, shocked, responded, "Isn't that going too far? Last time, Wei'an and Kelai only stole lunch from a peer, but now you're planning to directly steal their money? That's really crossing the line. Besides, how much savings could they have?"

Who would stay in the orphanage if they had money?

"Then what do you suggest we do!" Jingyi said, somewhat irritated. "Just watch her faint from time to time?"

"…Actually, I think I'm usually quite okay," a weak voice suddenly came from the gap in the window. "You and Teacher Holman don't need to push me further in training. I can actually handle it."

Yaning and Jingyi were startled and turned their heads. "You're awake?!"

"Yes. Awake," Baisha replied, sitting up and rubbing her head. "I heard someone talking about robbing for me while I was asleep…"

"Robbing? Don't make it sound so bad. It's borrowing! Legitimate borrowing!" Jingyi raised her voice. "And Wei'an and Kelai are no saints. They're apprentices with mechanics outside and can afford lunchboxes with their own wages at the factory, yet they still steal from other kids here. Don't they deserve a lesson?"

Under Jingyi's explanation, Baisha somewhat understood the situation.

The children in the orphanage started vocational training after turning twelve. Some, talented and diligent, found apprentice jobs in various fields, essentially starting to earn their own living.

Wei'an and Kelai had become apprentices under factory mechanics, a coveted part-time job. They didn't think of giving back to the orphanage, which was understandable—times were tough for everyone, and the orphanage didn't expect their meager wages. It was enough that orphans could stand on their own and find a job to support themselves. However, they went too far, secretly forcing kids of similar age to save their meals for them. They targeted the weaker and more timid, exploiting their vulnerabilities. Among the older children, stealing clothes, food, and even jobs was common. Madam Qiong rarely intervened, as a way to prepare them for the harsh realities of society, so Wei'an and Kelai became more blatant in their theft.

This continued until victims formed an alliance under Jingyi's leadership and fought back, ending the tyranny. Wei'an and Kelai ended up with cracked heads and nearly broken arms, too afraid to complain. Jingyi, on the other hand, gained some connections and a portion of their stolen treats.

"They stole food from others, and you've taught them a lesson," Baisha said. "But now you want to steal their money. That's different."

Jingyi: "No, I chose them because it's easy. They couldn't beat me before, and certainly not now. If there were a better target, I would change my strategy."

Baisha: "…" Can we not normalize banditry, please!

"Alright, alright, I was joking," Jingyi glared at Baisha. "So, what do we do now?"

"You said Wei'an and Kelai are apprentices to mechanics, right?" Baisha pondered. "Can you call them here? I have something I want to ask them."

"If we're desperate for money, then we have to start with what we know best."

Wei'an and Kelai were quite reluctant when they were brought in, looking as if one more glance at Jingyi would make them explode with rage. It was clear they weren't subdued; their words confirmed this. They shouted at Jingyi, "What's the reason for calling us here? Don't think we're afraid of you. You're just a girl, and last time, you only won by deceit and outnumbering us! We advise you not to go too far, or we'll deal with you even if Madam Qiong finds out!"

Jingyi scoffed disdainfully, "Just the two of you?"

Wei'an and Kelai exchanged glances. One with an arm in a sling and the other with a bandaged head, their white bandages seemed to mock their own ridiculousness. The boys, flushed with anger, were now genuinely tempted to fight Jingyi to the death.

"Alright—can everyone just calm down?" Baisha, still lying on the medical bed, called out loudly and then gasped for breath with some difficulty. "I have a question for you two."

"Aren't you apprentices to mechanics? Why can't you even afford food?"

Jingyi was taken aback, and Yaning shook his head in disbelief. Jingyi had assumed Wei'an and Kelai acted out of sheer malice, never considering that their actions might stem from a simple, unglamorous reason: they were hungry.

Caught off guard by Baisha's question, they hesitated before speaking with reddened eyes.

"Everyone thinks being an apprentice to a mechanic promises a bright future. But learning the trade is so hard. They say teaching the apprentice starves the master, so they're reluctant to teach us their skills. They avoid giving us important tasks and make us do menial work."

To change their situation, they had to hand over half their wages to the mechanic and spend the rest on gifts and favors. Only by getting the master to acknowledge them as 'apprentices' would they be taught anything practical.

Baisha: "…"

Teaching the apprentice, starving the master?

How quaint for an interstellar age, isn't it?