Being forced to grow like a pig? But I'm immune to the consequences!

"How about I go back later and find an opportunity to ask?" Yan Liang suggested tentatively.

Xu Fei immediately adopted a nonchalant attitude: "Whatever. Anyway, I don't think he has any deep relationship with the people at the advanced training ground."

He paused, then suddenly remembered something, turning to look at the other bed: "By the way, Liu Zhi, I remember you know someone at the advanced training ground, right?"

Liu Zhizheng was lying on the bed looking at a picture book. Hearing this, he looked up with a smug look on his face: "Yes, I have a friend over there. I'll ask him about this Wu Sheng when I have time."

"Okay then." Xu Fei nodded, his tone becoming more relaxed.

Listening to what the two were saying, Yan Liang's wavering resolve subsided.

Xu Fei and his group really do have connections. Especially Liu Zhi; although he's a bit disgusting, as long as his background is strong enough, it's all good.

At this moment, Xu Fei spoke up again: "By the way, that subsidy—"

He talked about the subsidy, explaining the first benefit.

Yan Liang listened very attentively.

He'd heard about the subsidy yesterday and had been wanting to know exactly what it was. But nobody had told him, and he had no way of finding out.

Now Xu Fei brings it up himself, saying he feels he made the right choice by joining this trip—isn't this the reward?

Tu Nan and his team probably don't know this information yet.

But Xu Fei's next words froze Yan Liang's smile.

"However, if a lot of people sign up, we might have to vote." Xu Fei said casually, as if he were talking about what to eat today. "You can give your vote to my friend."

Yan Liang opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything for a moment.

He felt very uncomfortable.

Upon learning this information, his first reaction was to apply for the subsidy himself—he was from outside the city, so it was perfectly legitimate.

But Xu Fei's friend? Isn't that friend from the inner city? Why should people from the inner city compete with them, people from the outer city, for this subsidy?

And didn't Xu Fei consider that Yan Liang needed this subsidy even more?

Xu Fei's first reaction was to tell him to give the ticket to someone else—what kind of logic is that?

Seeing that Yan Liang remained silent, Xu Fei drew out his words, speaking in a condescending tone:

"I'll treat you to a meal then!"

His tone was so perfect, like he was performing in an opera. It was as if a meal could buy Yan Liang's ticket, as if the meal was far more valuable than Yan Liang's ticket, and that inviting him to eat was an act of charity.

Yan Liang's facial muscles twitched.

If it were someone else, they would probably have already turned their back and left by now.

But Yan Liang has always been very resilient – ​​after all, he and Xu Fei are essentially the same kind of people.

He neither agreed nor refused, he simply opened his mouth:

"Let me think about it..."

……

In the dormitory of Tu Nan and his group.

"These bastards, they're a bunch of scum!" Tu Nan rarely lost his temper, slamming his fist on the edge of the bed. "They're clearly trying to take advantage, yet they act all high and mighty! I thought these so-called inner-city people were something special, but now it seems they're nothing special!"

Zhao Dele leaned against the headboard and smiled when he heard this.

"Even in the inner city, apart from the nobles, people are divided into different classes," he said slowly. "If I'm not mistaken, Xu Fei and his group are nothing in this inner city. The world created by Soaring Goose is all in 'Being Forced to Grow Like Piglets? But I'm Immune to the Cost!' So there's no need to worry too much, and don't treat them like any powerful figures."

He paused, a hint of certainty in his eyes: "I, Zhao Dele, may not have much else, but I've developed a keen eye for people. Those with genuine family backgrounds naturally possess confidence. And those with confidence would never put on airs like them every day."

"They—" Zhao Dele drawled, "are nothing at all."

He actually saw it clearly.

When he first entered the dormitory, he saw how shrewd Yan Liang was and assumed he was a smart guy. Since Yan Liang was so eager to curry favor with Xu Fei and his group, Xu Fei and his friends must have some connections.

But after these two days, he realized that he had been overthinking things.

Yan Liang isn't smart. Xu Fei and his ilk aren't exactly influential figures either.

"You might think I, Zhao Dele, am too arrogant if I say this," Zhao Dele grinned, "but to be honest—from beginning to end, I have never looked down on them."

"I don't like to offend people easily, but I'm not afraid to offend people like them. I'm not like Yan Liang, trying to have my cake and eat it too."

He glanced at Tu Nan and the others, his tone somewhat frank: "Of course, they are better off than us. But that's only because of their family background. Without that wealth, they would be nothing but good-for-nothings."

Zhang Lin listened intently and couldn't help but ask, "Then, Brother Dele, in your opinion, what kind of person is truly capable?"

"Well—" Zhao Dele pondered for a moment.

"Let me put it this way," he said, counting on his fingers, "The first-class benefactors are those who truly have a background, resources, and ability—they excel in every aspect. These people don't need to put on any show; just by standing there, you can tell they're different."

"The next level is the kind who might like to show off and act superior, but they really have connections and resources. Most importantly, they are genuinely generous."

He abruptly changed the subject, his tone laced with sarcasm: "As for Xu Fei and his ilk—they're utterly laughable!"

"I, Zhao Dele, have truly seen something new today. This is the first time I've ever encountered such a person—some resources, but not many, not even enough for themselves, yet they act all the time, putting on airs more like nobles than any aristocrat. They're incredibly stingy, trying to emulate the superior, albeit less noble, behavior of giving away scrap metal."

"They're incredibly despicable when they're sucking up to others." Zhao Dele clicked his tongue and shook his head. "But then again, their two-faced behavior, while disgusting, is indeed useful—at least the nobles don't care about that, as long as it's convenient to use them as dogs."

He stroked his chin thoughtfully: "To be honest, I, Zhao Dele, might have to learn from them in this respect."

Upon hearing this, Tu Nan, Zhang Lin, and Suo Guli exchanged a smile.

Although I've gotten used to Zhao Dele's "frankness," it still feels fresh every time I hear him say something like that.

"Hehe, let's get back to the main topic," Zhao Dele continued. "The first-class benefactors, for example—the advanced training ground student that Mr. Wu invited to help you today, is someone with a truly extraordinary family background."

He looked at Soguli: "People like this are worth trying to befriend. I wish I, Zhao Dele, could meet someone like Brother Wu Sheng."

As he spoke, he muttered to himself again:

"To be honest, although I look down on Xu Fei and his group, I don't want to offend them too much. Those cliques are a real pain."

"But there's nothing I can do, I guess it's fate. Who told me to be assigned to this dorm and stay with you guys?"