Chapter 235: Chapter 235: Dean, You Have a Keen Eye for People
Seeing the timing was right, Qian Qi put down the tea, clasped her hands on the table, and said calmly, "Actually, I didn’t come here for anything major this time."
After saying this, for some reason, she started bouncing her legs excitedly, her face breaking into a grotesque smile full of calculations, which made her already dubious-looking face appear even more devious and annoying.
"I heard that your Beast Taming Department receives a lot of funding and subsidies from the Beast Taming Association and the Seven Great Families every year? How much money is it? It must be in the billions, right? I understand~ Student hospitalizations, magical beasts’ meals and care all require money, and they want to secure future Beast Masters, so naturally, they have to invest ~"
She looked at Xi Mingde with a smile, her gaze constantly landing on the Light Brain on his wrist, "I just wonder if Dean Xi feels guilty spending this money? If so, why not let me reluctantly help you spend it?"
Xi Mingde: ?
Is this really reluctant? You look quite excited, don’t you???
"Qian, do you have some idea?" Xi Mingde sized up Qian Qi, knowing she had some tricks up her sleeve, and had been waiting for her to finish her own affairs and come to the Beast Taming Department.
The Magic Plant Department had already been popularized by her, and the Skill Department was thriving due to magic potions and the farm resort trend, the Command Department also benefited from the Concentration Fruit, so...
Now it should be the Beast Taming Department’s turn?
"Ah, it’s nothing like an idea." Qian Qi waved her hand modestly, "Back then, Dean Xi had the foresight to let me join the Beast Taming Department..."
Xi Mingde thought she meant to return the favor, appreciate her mentor, and help improve the graduation and contract rates for the Beast Taming Department. But Qian Qi’s tone suddenly turned disdainful, "I’m really touched, but your Beast Taming Department is too weak. When friends and family ask me which department I’m in, it’s embarrassing to say!"
Xi Mingde: ???
Doesn’t everyone know that the Beast Taming Department is the most popular and coveted department? How is it embarrassing to mention it?!
"But I know that Dean Xi invited me to the Beast Taming Department with extreme sincerity and urgency. So, to make this feeling more genuine and pure, and to make it less embarrassing for me to mention, why not have Dean Xi give me the funding, and I can help you increase the contract rate?"
Qian Qi opened her Light Brain and displayed the payment code, her eyes darting between her Light Brain and Xi Mingde’s, the implication clear.
Xi Mingde: ...
You really don’t hide your desire for money at all!
"How much do you want?"
Seeing Xi Mingde was tempted, Qian Qi grinned widely, extending two fingers: "I don’t want much, 400 million will be enough!"
Xi Mingde: ?"Didn’t you just show two fingers?"
Qian Qi sighed deeply, her face full of disdain as if questioning how Xi Mingde could survive in the workplace without understanding such a simple truth: "Can my fingers be the same as others’? If one of their fingers is worth 100 million, naturally one of mine is worth 200 million."
Xi Mingde: ...6
Taking away nearly a tenth of the budget at once, Xi Mingde was still somewhat cautious, and probed, "Then how much can you increase the contract rate?"
"Of course, that depends on how many Flame Dogs our Beast Taming Department has, Dean!" Qian Qi beamed, quickly correcting herself.
"Just improving the contract rate for E-level Magical Beasts?" Xi Mingde asked in surprise, apparently believing Qian Qi’s abilities were not limited to this.
"How can that be! Am I, Qian Qi, the kind of person who would improve only the E-level Magical Beast contract rate for a mere few billion?" Qian Qi waved dismissively, appearing nonchalant.
Xi Mingde was just about to ask specifics when he heard Qian Qi chuckle, "You’ve got me figured out. I really do mean that. If you want to improve the D-level Magical Beast contract rate, that’s a different price~"
Xi Mingde: ...
He seemed to understand why Old Li had a face of deep grievance and resentment whenever Qian Qi was mentioned, as her money schemes were endless and unbearable for anyone.
"The Beast Taming Department’s budget is still limited, if..." Xi Mingde was about to negotiate for a discount when including D-level Magical Beast contract rates, when Qian Qi suddenly remarked:
"No way, no way, I, a penniless student, can personally rake in money hand over fist, and you, as a dean, are thinking of not only getting money but also asking me for a discount?"
Xi Mingde: ...
So you do realize you’re raking in money hand over fist!
But Qian Qi’s words made sense. If she could rake in money, why couldn’t he?
With Qian Qi’s assistance, he could significantly increase the contract rate for magical beasts. With this alone, he could go to the Seven Great Families to "rake in" more school funding subsidies!
"In that case, let’s have a good discussion about the specific cooperation..." Xi Mingde stroked his white beard and couldn’t help but laugh, "Money is not a problem!"
——
After leaving the Beast Taming Department dean’s office, Qian Qi instantly felt refreshed, her face filled with exuberance.
Pressure? What pressure?
Pressure only generates motivation (money)!
"I didn’t expect Dean Xi to be so easy to talk to, even helping me double the price, though the requirements are a bit high, but..."
Qian Qi rubbed her little hands, flattering herself, "With the system in hand, the world is mine. What’s there that a System Lord can’t solve?"
System: ...[I remember you wanted to use garlic and durian against me the other day ^__^.]
"What!" Qian Qi exclaimed, her face full of indignation and accusation, "That day’s Qian Qi was so ungrateful! How could she treat you like that! I, Qian Qi, publicly despise her! Don’t bother with that brat, today’s Qian Qi is your dream lover, she will truly love you!"
Qian Qi turned to the school supermarket, spent a fortune on a perfume bottle, and sprayed the system panel until it was fragrant, "How about that? Do you feel today’s Qian Qi’s deep affection?"
System: ...[What’s your left hand doing behind your back? Hiding floral shorts secretly?]
Caught red-handed, Qian Qi laughed awkwardly twice, stuffing the floral shorts into her pocket, "You saw wrong, let’s check out! From now on, I’ll spray you with fragrance every day!!!"
After discussing cooperation with Xi Mingde, Qian Qi formally joined the Beast Taming Department, but since improving the contract rate required some preparation work, Qian Qi didn’t lead the Beast Taming Department students in studies but walked dogs at the Beast Square every day instead.
On the training ground, Qian Ba and Ah Tu stared at each other with big eyes.
After a few training sessions in the Secret Realm, Qian Ba had now mastered three skills. Besides cub horns spitting ice cubes and the tip of the tail scattering ice needles, it also learned a new skill—cub wearing armor.
The so-called "cub wearing armor" meant that the Ice Crystal Armor on its forehead would extend to cover the wolf’s back, primarily protecting the weak areas of its body.
Qian Qi didn’t like this skill.
Because the Ice Crystal Armor had ice spikes, they obstructed her from riding on the cub, and she even suspected Qian Ba did it on purpose, why were there no ice spikes anywhere else but on the back?
It must be intentional.