Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Bai Xingshu packed his bags cheerfully, humming some random tune, his joy obvious to everyone.

"Got any plans for the long break? Where are you heading?" Shen Geng, relaxed by Bai Xingshu's mood, asked offhand.

If it seemed fun, he might tag along too.

"That shopping mall we ate at before was really nice—crowded, lively, and everyone seemed cool. Seemed like fun," Bai Xingshu said optimistically. "I remember there was this adorable puppet dog too. I’d love to check it out."

"But first, I should find a place that provides room and board. Not sure if that restaurant is still hiring, but the owner seemed cool."

The more Shen Geng listened, the stranger it sounded. By the end, it finally made sense.

Huh? Wait...what???

"You’re… getting a job??" Shen Geng’s eyes widened.

"Yeah, doesn’t it sound fun?" Bai Xingshu was really looking forward to experiencing what ordinary life was like in this era. He didn’t understand why Shen Geng was so shocked. "Isn’t it normal for college students to pick up part-time work during breaks for some extra cash?"

"Besides, if I don’t work, where would I stay?" Campus dorms were closed during the break.

Bai Xingshu had poured all his money into maintaining his platform account, and his balance now hovered steadily around fifty or sixty. Even a single night’s stay on the capital planet would be tough.

Only then did Shen Geng remember Bai Xingshu’s financial situation and went quiet.

Despite having little money, Bai Xingshu never seemed to worry about it—not even now.

If Shen Geng hadn’t asked, he would’ve genuinely thought Bai Xingshu was just going on vacation.

"...What if you can’t find a temporary job that covers room and board?" As someone from the command track, Shen Geng instinctively considered all angles.

Bai Xingshu formed a figure-eight with his fingers and rested them under his chin, brimming with confidence. "With looks like mine, who’d turn me down?"

Shen Geng: "..." Fair point.

With Bai Xingshu’s face and personality, even if he did nothing but stand at the entrance to attract customers, offering him room, board, and a small salary would still be a profitable deal.

Seeing Shen Geng’s speechless expression, Bai Xingshu coughed awkwardly.

That argument probably didn’t hold much weight with Shen Geng, who knew all too well about his long list of rejection stories.

So, Bai Xingshu swiftly changed tactics, clapping Shen Geng on the shoulder. "Even if I can’t find something right away, I can always call you and stay at your place. You’re a local, right?"

Shen Geng, who was returning to the imperial palace, felt his heart race.

He had never considered the possibility of a classmate visiting his home!

As the crown prince, Shen Geng certainly had no shortage of residences or assets—but none he could actually offer right now.

Crap!

Bai Xingshu glanced at Shen Geng’s expression and picked up on his hesitation. He understood that his request was abrupt and that it might be inconvenient.

Not wanting to pressure him, Bai Xingshu brushed it off before Shen Geng could respond. "If that doesn’t work, I can always ask Lin Lie instead."

"He’s been assigned by his family to shadow his brother in the military corps during the break—perfect timing to see him off too." Bai Xingshu went on, already working on Plan B.

If it's still inconvenient, Bai Xingshu has a long list of contacts in his communicator—from classmates and teachers to directors and crew members from film sets, over a hundred people in total. There’s always someone who can accommodate him.

With so many friends, he’s got nothing to worry about!

Hearing Bai Xingshu’s words, Shen Geng, who had been hesitating, suddenly changed his tone and immediately said, "Just crash at my place."

As for housing, he and his father might not have anything suitable, but his mother probably had a few properties for temporary stays when hanging out with friends.

No. Big. Deal!

Bai Xingshu, totally clueless that Lin Lie had other intentions toward him, staying at Lin Lie’s place for a few days—who knows how much he’d be taken advantage of!

Shen Geng recalled Bai Xingshu’s bad hygiene habits.

No way was he letting Bai Xingshu stay with someone else.

Other people wouldn’t be as careful as him.

"Before, my parents asked about you, curious about what my roommate was like and whether we got along well." To strengthen his case, Shen Geng brought up his parents.

"Just come home with me tonight." No point dragging it out—better not let Bai Xingshu think his idea was right.

Shen Geng rarely talked about his family. Seeing him mention his parents now, Bai Xingshu noticed that despite the minor complaints, his eyes softened in an almost unbelievable way.

Looked like they got along great…

This made Bai Xingshu curious to see for himself.

Might as well go for it!

"Sounds good!" Bai Xingshu agreed instantly.

Shen Geng casually hummed in response, picked up his communicator, and said to Bai Xingshu as if it were nothing, "I’ll just text my mom that I’m bringing a friend over." Then he started spamming his mom with messages.

—Mom! Do we have any normal person’s place?

—Got any?

—My roommate’s coming over!

—Just for a few days. I’ll head back to the palace later too.

The queen, working on a painting in her studio, heard her phone buzzing. She checked it and immediately grinned.

She cupped her chin, reading the texts, then skipped the teasing and just sent what he needed most.

—Unit 1702, 17th Floor, No. 133, Changle Yunfeng, Yonghe District.

—I’ll register your current identity info in a bit.

Shen Geng exhaled in relief, quickly sending his mom a bunch of gushing thank-yous before looking up at Bai Xingshu. "She said yes. Let’s go."

Bai Xingshu went, "Oh—" then suddenly remembered something. "Wait, how many bedrooms you got? Am I bunking with you or what?"

Shen Geng: "......"

"There’s two bedrooms, okay?!" Shen Geng said with great emphasis.

Bai Xingshu gave Shen Geng a deadpan look: "There must be two rooms, otherwise where would your parents stay?"

Shen Geng: "..." He hadn't even thought about where they’d stay.

Bai Xingshu shot Shen Geng a puzzled look: "You don’t even know how many rooms your own home has?"

"...You’ll know when you see it," Shen Geng dug in his heels, trying not to give himself away.

Bai Xingshu didn’t press the issue—just making small talk while packing up.

He didn’t have much to pack anyway, so it didn’t take long to get everything together.

"Let’s go!"

An hour later, the hovercar landed at the entrance of the Changle Yunfeng residential complex. Bai Xingshu stared at the entrance, almost as grand as the Capital Military University’s gates, and let out an involuntary "Wow."

Though Bai Xingshu didn’t know much about the world beyond the military academy, he could still spot luxury when he saw it.

Shen Geng’s family was loaded.

Bai Xingshu thought to himself as he followed Shen Geng to the entrance, only to meet the suspicious gaze of the security guard.

"Who are you here to see? Do you have an appointment?" the guard asked cautiously.

Bai Xingshu: "?"

If Shen Geng lived here, shouldn’t security know him by sight??