"Why should I?" This time, William Thompson really refused to give in, but thinking that the other party might leave in a few days, he forcibly suppressed his anger. "Senior, when is your off-campus assignment?"

This time, Senior Marshall's answer was even more outrageous. "It's arranged by the academy, how would I know?"

Damn it, William Thompson really couldn't hold back his anger anymore. So you don't even know when you'll have to do your assignment, yet you insist on hogging this position in the library for inspection?

As long as you don't go on your off-campus assignment, I can't come to work? This is truly outrageous!

William Thompson knew that upper dorm students had more off-campus assignments, so he could understand her eagerness to earn money, but... is it so hard to talk things out properly?

Thinking of how Jason Brooks had repeatedly emphasized how hard it was to get this position, William Thompson decided that this time he really had to fight for it. He spread his hands and asked with a smile, "So you mean as long as you're here, I can't come to work?"

Susan Marshall drooped her eyelids and didn't answer, which was an implicit admission.

And this kind of silence was filled with considerable arrogance—I'm going to do it this way, what can you do about it?

Chapter 6: Examination

William Thompson was angered by Susan Marshall's silence, his face darkened, and he stated bluntly, "Sorry, but I really can't agree to that. Odd days or even days, you pick. If you don't pick, I'll go to the library supervisor and have them pick for you."

"Off-campus assignments for upper dorm students last at least two months," someone nearby spoke softly. It was none other than Ethan Shaw, who drooped his eyelids and muttered, "Never heard of anyone hogging the volunteer subsidy for that long."

That was the truth. The so-called volunteer subsidy was meant for students to take time for work-study, not for someone to monopolize the position. Let alone being away for two months, even if your coursework is unqualified, the academy can stop your subsidy.

Because that goes against the original intention—you are here to cultivate, not to do odd jobs.

"Exactly," William Thompson nodded and spoke calmly, "You're taking a volunteer subsidy that should be canceled, and trying to bargain with me?"

Susan Marshall hadn't expected that these two new external dorm students would actually guess the truth. For a moment, she couldn't keep her composure. She glared and shouted, "Do you even know what being an upper dorm student means to you?"

"A senior in the fourth year, so what?" William Thompson mumbled the first four words indistinctly, then snorted, "Do you know what it means that I could do library inspection as soon as I arrived?"

It means I have connections, so don't mess with me!

Susan Marshall was well aware of this. She had connections too.

She wasn't sure if her connections could outmatch the other side, so she took a step back. "Junior, I'm doing library inspection mainly to read more books... why must you hinder my cultivation?"

Why didn't you say so earlier? William Thompson hated people who bullied the weak and feared the strong the most. If Senior Marshall had said this from the start, they could have negotiated. Although Thompson was a bit strapped for cash, he didn't care about such a small amount.

But now, forget it. He smiled slightly, "You choose, odd days or even days?"

Susan Marshall looked at him with red eyes, gritting her teeth, "Are you really set on delaying my cultivation?"

For cultivators, delaying cultivation is like cutting off their future. Even a little delay brings more uncertainty.

William Thompson glanced at her indifferently, saying nothing, which was an admission.

That's exactly how Senior Marshall had acted earlier, so of course he would do the same.

It was actually Ethan Shaw who was a bit unhappy. "Delaying your cultivation? Clearly you're the one delaying William's cultivation, and you have the nerve to say that!"

Seeing that the other side wouldn't budge and that intimidation didn't work, Susan Marshall was stunned for a while before snorting, "Anyway, I won't pick odd or even days. I'll take the first half of the month, you take the second half. If you don't agree, let's go to the library supervisor."

"You should've said that earlier, wouldn't that have settled it?" William Thompson rolled his eyes at her, waved to Ethan Shaw, and left triumphantly.

When the two had walked some distance, the pretty boy asked in a low voice, "Why didn't you insist on odd or even days? If that woman does her off-campus assignment in the second half of the month, wouldn't you lose half a month's work?"

"I wanted to insist," William Thompson sighed helplessly, "but if it goes to the supervisor, we might not have the upper hand."

Ethan Shaw admitted that was possible, but he was still curious, "Then why did you look so pleased when you left?"

"Heh heh," William Thompson couldn't help but laugh, "Just to annoy her... If I left unhappily, wouldn't she feel good?"

"You rascal," Ethan Shaw laughed too, pointing at him, "You're sly... but Susan Marshall is even worse!"

William Thompson grinned, "I think she should be called Mary Sue!"

Mary Sue... what kind of reference is that? The pretty boy really didn't get it. "Heh, you sure know a lot."

By now, William Thompson had settled down in the academy. He had roommates, classes had started, and he had even secured a work-study position.

In fact, about ten days later, he even completed the requirements set by the miscellaneous studies instructor. After Travis Sullivan had almost fully recovered, he came to see Jason Brooks, and the three of them sat together, happily chatting for quite a while.