Chapter 3

Chapter 3

After having lunch at the clinic, Xu Qiao got on her bicycle and set off. She arrived back in the neighborhood precisely at 12:45 PM.

It was already mid-March, and the noon sun was bright, causing fine beads of sweat to form on Xu Qiao's forehead and nose.

Taking advantage of the tenant's arrival time, Xu Qiao washed her face again. As she turned off the faucet, she glanced at herself in the mirror. With a flicker of thought, a transparent water arrow suddenly appeared between her and the mirror. The arrow, stable like a piece of clear glass, had a sharp tip that glinted coldly.

Xu Qiao's secondary ability was Water Element.

Among the five common elemental abilities—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth—Wood Element abilities branched into cultivation, healing, and combat, while the other four were primarily combat-oriented.

E-level ability users only had enhanced physical constitutions; their spirit bodies and abilities could not be externalized. At most, they possessed innate talents related to their spirit bodies. For example, E-level Wood Element ability users found it easier to study cultivation and healing, while E-level Metal Element ability users excelled in developing metal products and repairing machinery.

D-level ability users could externalize their spirit bodies and abilities, but their capabilities were limited. D-level Wood Element ability users could handle tasks like tilling soil, watering crops, and picking produce, or work as nurses in hospitals. D-level combat ability users were suited for police work within the base or taking on the least dangerous mercenary missions.

C-level ability users began to truly possess the combat power needed to take down powerful beasts alone.

Major military academies had long ago established specialized curricula based on scholars' recommendations and the experiences of ability users over the past century.

For someone like Xu Qiao, with forty-two classes per week, only four were dedicated to developing her D-level Water Element ability, aimed at strengthening her physique and providing basic survival skills for missions outside the base, so she wouldn't struggle against weak D-level beasts.

During those three years, Xu Qiao never slacked off despite her low Water Element ability level. She consistently scored full marks in the Combat Department.

When her lotus flower spirit body suddenly gained thirty-three petals, Xu Qiao carefully concealed her abundant Wood Element spirit energy and practiced her equally abundant Water Element ability under the cover of night.

C-level water arrows and water balls for attack, C-level water walls and water shields for defense or restraining enemies. As long as the tenant wasn't a B-level ability user, even if they had criminal intentions, Xu Qiao could retaliate.

At 12:55 PM, Xu Qiao, standing in the Lu family courtyard checking on the vegetables, suddenly heard the sound of a car approaching.

She stood up from beside the vegetable beds and looked in the direction of the sound. A black car approached slowly and finally stopped steadily outside the courtyard.

It was a brand-new sedan.

Within the base, buses and subways operated normally, which were the preferred modes of transportation for most ordinary people and low-level ability users. Only those with ample points would purchase such cars for use within the base, while professional mercenaries preferred modified SUVs that could withstand beast attacks.

Ordinary cars came in economical and luxurious versions. Judging by the brand of this one, it was clearly an understated yet expensive luxury vehicle.

This must be the straightforward tenant?

No wonder they didn't haggle over the ten-thousand monthly rent.

As Xu Qiao speculated about the new tenant's financial status based on the luxury car, the driver's door opened, revealing a tall figure in dark gray trousers and a white shirt.

From the back, the person was at least 1.9 meters tall, with well-tailored clothes that accentuated broad shoulders, a slim waist, and long legs.

In Xu Qiao's life, she rarely encountered men dressed like this, except for male celebrities in TV shows and movies. Most low- and mid-level ability users she knew were busy rushing to companies, factories, or farms, or returning from missions covered in blood to seek treatment at the clinic. Even if they had the means to buy such clothes, they lacked the leisure to dress themselves up.

At this moment, the man walked around the front of the car, revealing a strikingly handsome face.

Outstanding looks and physique often created a sense of distance for ordinary people. When their eyes met, Xu Qiao felt a surge of nervousness, but the man smiled gently, his eyes warm, immediately putting her at ease.

"Hello, I'm here to see Ms. Xu. We arranged to view the property."

Standing at the edge of the courtyard, Qinchi introduced himself to the girl, whose age was unclear. His gaze then shifted to the 102 window behind her, guessing there might be an elder inside.

Xu Qiao: "…I'm the one you're looking for. May I know your name?"

Since he was the tenant, Qinchi's smile widened. "My surname is Qin, and my given name is Chi, like the pond."

Xu Qiao couldn't help but think of her nickname "Little Pond," which coincidentally matched the tenant's name. Her earlobes turned slightly red, and she looked away towards the entrance. "Shall we go inside first, Mr. Qin?"

Qinchi nodded and followed her inside.

The Lu family's house was similar to the photos, minus the small items Lu Yang had taken. Xu Qiao led him through the rooms, introducing them while subtly observing his reactions to gauge his satisfaction.

However, Qinchi maintained his initial polite expression, responding with a nod or an affirmative "mm-hm" regardless of what Xu Qiao said.

They quickly finished the tour and returned to the living room. As Xu Qiao turned to Qinchi, she noticed his long neck, with the top two buttons of his white shirt undone, giving him a relaxed appearance.

Due to the height difference, Xu Qiao took a few steps back before looking up at his eyes. "What do you think, Mr. Qin? Is there anything you're not satisfied with?"

Qinchi sensed her hidden nervousness and smiled. "It's perfect. When can we sign the contract?"

Xu Qiao: "…You're really decisive. Signing the contract is no problem, but the house belongs to my brother. He's in high school and usually comes home around nine PM on weekdays. Which time suits you better?"

Qinchi: "If he agrees to rent it to me, we can sign tonight or wait until the weekend. I'm not in a rush."

Xu Qiao: "My brother is easy-going. He has two requirements for tenants: treat the house well and get along with the neighbors. May I ask, what does Mr. Qin do?"

Qinchi smiled. "I just got hired as a lecturer at the Secondary Military Academy. Here's my appointment letter."

As he spoke, a red-covered appointment letter appeared in his hand.

This indicated either spatial ability or possession of a spatial crystal core.

Displaying proof of employment was a polite gesture, and Xu Qiao could examine it closely. However, Qinchi's friendly demeanor made her feel that scrutinizing it too much would seem distrustful.

So, Xu Qiao unfolded the letter briefly to confirm the Secondary Military Academy's appointment of Qinchi and quickly verified the academy's seal before closing it and returning it. "Of all the tenants who've come to view the property, your profession and demeanor are the most reassuring. My brother will definitely agree."

Qinchi: "Your courtyard is very tidy. If I can live here, it will be my honor."

Proud that her efforts were acknowledged, Xu Qiao explained, "I need to go to work now. I'll discuss this with my brother tonight. As soon as he agrees, I'll send you a message."

Qinchi: "Alright. Where do you work? If it's on the way, I can give you a ride."

Xu Qiao smiled and said, "It's just nearby. I can ride my bike there; it's only a ten-minute trip."

Qinchi: "Alright, I'll be on my way then. Maybe we'll meet again someday."

Xu Qiao saw him out, and as the black car drove away, she locked the door and rode her bicycle to the clinic.

When Lu Yang returned in the evening, Xu Qiao happily told him about Qinchi.

Hearing that it was a male tenant, Lu Yang instinctively frowned, but since Xu Qiao spoke so highly of him, it would be unreasonable to object solely based on gender.

"I'll see if he meets my standards."

Every homeowner who grew vegetables in the courtyard installed surveillance cameras. Xu Qiao took Lu Yang to the study and played back the footage for him.

Thus, Lu Yang saw Qinchi's low-key luxury car and the ability user who seemed straight out of an idol drama.

Lu Yang tried to find any character flaws, but the surveillance showed that Qinchi had not even peeked at Xu Qiao beyond maintaining social etiquette.

As a tenant, Qinchi was truly impeccable.

Xu Qiao: "Mr. Qin knows you're coming home at this time; he might be waiting. What do you say?"

Lu Yang: "…Have him come over. I'll talk to him, and if everything checks out, we can sign the contract tonight."

Nine o'clock wasn't too late, and renting the house sooner meant a few extra days of rent. Xu Qiao immediately contacted Qinchi.

"Okay, he said he'll be here in about twenty minutes."

Lu Yang: "You go rest; I'll wait for him in 102."

Xu Qiao: "Are you sure you can handle it alone?"

Lu Yang: "…You're not trying to sneak a few more looks because he's handsome, are you?"

Xu Qiao poked his forehead with one finger. "I'm not that shallow."

Lu Yang: "He could be forty and still be a university lecturer."

With the enhanced constitution of ability users, their lifespans were extended. A thirty-seven or thirty-eight-year-old looked almost the same as someone in their twenties. Only after forty did they enter middle age. But for a young woman like Xu Qiao, who was only twenty, finding a partner under thirty was usually preferred.

Xu Qiao poked him again. "You can joke around with me, but be polite when you meet Mr. Qin. You might end up going to the Second Military Academy."

Lu Yang: "Impossible."

The Southeast Base had nine military academies in total. Besides the First Military Academy located in the central district, the Second Military Academy was the strongest. Due to lower tuition fees, many financially constrained A-level ability users chose it, making its admission standards extremely high. Even B-level students without family background found it difficult to get in.

Uncle Lu had saved enough for Lu Yang's two years of tuition at the Third Military Academy, which was also quite reputable.

Xu Qiao didn't want to pressure Lu Yang, so she didn't mention the possibility of him awakening an A-level spirit body as a joke.

Actually, it wasn't entirely a joke. Low-level ability users or ordinary people had a chance of having high-level ability user children; it was just a matter of luck.

After fifteen minutes, Qinchi arrived.

Xu Qiao accompanied Lu Yang to greet him and then returned to 101 alone.

Whatever they discussed, the lease contract was signed.

Two copies of the contract, each with photocopies of both parties' IDs.

Xu Qiao was curious about one thing. She took the contract Lu Yang brought back and flipped to the end, where she saw Qinchi's ID information.

Turns out the new lecturer at the Second Military Academy was only twenty-nine years old.

Lu Yang snatched the contract and stared at her. "He'll be thirty next year; that's not young anymore."

Xu Qiao: "…"