C1 I will Give You Three Options

In the 30th century of the 59th era, five millennia had passed since humanity embarked on the age of interstellar colonization. Yet, the rapid advancements in technology had not fundamentally altered the lives of the average person. While some journeyed between stars aboard spacecraft, others might spend their entire lives nestled in a small city on some distant planet.

The utopian ideal once loudly proclaimed—that everyone would have food and clothing, and that survival would no longer hinder human progress—had been thoroughly debunked.

The ultimate determinant of human civilization was the spirit, not material possessions—a truth that the renowned philosopher Berger had articulated five thousand years prior, and which time had repeatedly validated.

"Tang Tianyuv, it's time to pay the rent," the Landlady announced, forcefully wedging her door open with a leg. Her tone was stern, "You can pay with cash or credit points, but the rent is due today, no exceptions."

Inside, stood a young man who appeared not yet twenty, with refined features but a sickly pallor that betrayed a lack of sunlight.

"Mrs. Zhang, I'm truly broke; I haven't landed a job in a while," Tang Tianyuv offered an awkward smile. "I assure you, I'm actively job hunting. Could you possibly extend the deadline by just one more month—or even a week?"

"Another week? How many weeks have I already given you?" Mrs. Zhang's voice rose sharply, grating on the ears. "You spend all your time holed up in that room. Do you even remember how many times you've paid rent since moving in? I'm telling you, it's only my patience that's kept you here. Any other landlord would've tossed you out on the street by now. Today, you're paying the rent, no more excuses!"

With a wry smile, Tang Tianyuv gazed helplessly at the Landlady's intrusive leg and conceded, "Fine, fine, I'll pay. But please, could you retract your leg first? It's not exactly a sight for sore eyes."

"Bullshit!" Mrs. Zhang snapped, "Don't think I've forgotten how you've tricked me before. The moment I turn my back, you'll slam that door shut and cower inside like a turtle, not coming out for anything—not even a fire or an earthquake. Cut the crap and get out of the way; I'm coming in!"

With no other option, Tang Tianyuv stepped aside to let Mrs. Zhang pass, his hands clasped behind him. "Rest assured, I just need one more week. I'll definitely land a job. By the way, have you calculated how much I owe you?"

"Calculate what? You haven't paid rent in a full year. You don't seem capable of much, so I won't even fuss about the rent increase. Based on our original agreement, it's 1,000 yuan a month, which adds up to 12,000 yuan. Let's round it down to an even 10,000 yuan. Pay today, and you can stay. If not, pack your bags and leave," Mrs. Zhang declared, without a trace of hesitation.

Tang Tianyuv's face crumpled like a wilted flower. "I really don't have the money right now..."

"No money? Then something else will have to do," Mrs. Zhang said, her gaze locked onto the slightly shabby Virtual Cabin in the corner—the only item of value in the otherwise bare room. "It's perfect timing; my Xiao Yu has been nagging me for a Virtual Cabin. Yours looks a bit worn, but it'll do. I'll cut you a break and call it 10,000 yuan."

Tang Tianyuv shook his head vehemently. "Are you joking? This is only worth 10,000 yuan? I paid 50,000 yuan for it!"

"So what if it was 50,000 yuan? With the way prices are soaring, how long have you had this Virtual Cabin? It was here when you moved in. Don't try to fool me; it's at least five years old. I'm offering you 10,000 yuan out of pity, giving you a way out. Not satisfied?" Mrs. Zhang extended her hand demandingly. "Pay the rent!"

Tang Tianyuv was left at a loss for words.

"Hey, what are you hiding behind your back? Got something stashed away? Show me!" Mrs. Zhang's curiosity was even more intense than a young girl's, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"There's nothing," Tang Tianyuv insisted, stepping back quickly.

"Nothing? Then why not bring your hand out?" Mrs. Zhang lunged forward, snatching the item from Tang's hand before he could even react.

"Tsk, tsk, a young man of seventeen or eighteen and you're this slow to respond," Mrs. Zhang chided, shaking her head in disapproval. "You're not even as quick as I am."

Tang Tianyuv remained silent, his face tinged with melancholy as he let out a quiet sigh.

Mrs. Zhang had a point. His greatest challenge was his own body; not only was he unable to handle physically demanding tasks, but he would get winded from a short sprint and was prone to tripping over nothing. He even chose to rent a ground-floor apartment to avoid climbing stairs.

But Tang Tianyuv wasn't lazy. Over the past year, he had sought numerous jobs and proved to be a quick learner, often outperforming most of his peers. Yet, no matter how exemplary his work ethic, his inexplicable fainting spells were a liability no employer wanted to gamble on. As a result, he was repeatedly let go, sometimes with a month's wages, other times with nothing at all.

Consequently, Tang Tianyuv had been perpetually jobless for a year, accruing a significant debt to his landlady. The modest savings left by his foster parents had long since dwindled to nothing.

He kept these struggles to himself, preferring to bear his burdens in silence. Mrs. Zhang was under no obligation to him, and her patience with his year-long rent delinquency was more than generous. Despite her sharp tongue, Tang Tianyuv didn't hold it against her.

With the world being so vast and opportunities so abundant, why was it that he found life so challenging? Tang Tianyuv pondered this as he reflected on the television's constant portrayal of a world overflowing with material wealth.

Mrs. Zhang glanced down at the paper in her hand, which bore an advertisement Tang Tianyuv had scrawled in black crayon just ten minutes prior.

"Offering long-term services in bullying classmates and completing homework for elementary students. Rates: 50 yuan for any amount of daily homework, 200 yuan per workbook during winter and summer breaks, 100 yuan for bullying. An additional 50 yuan hardship fee for targets over 1.6 meters tall, 50 yuan for hitting a female teacher, 200 yuan for a male teacher, and 500 yuan for the principal. Physical education teacher services are not currently offered.

Parent-teacher meetings are a flat rate of 80 yuan. Cash transactions only, no credit. First-rate reputation, quality guaranteed!"

Mrs. Zhang couldn't help but laugh in frustration. "Tang Tianyuv, oh Tang Tianyuv, is this really the job you've been seeking? You asked for a week to find work and this is what you come up with? You're trying to give me a heart attack! I can't fathom why Xiao Yu keeps speaking so highly of you!"

A rare blush crept onto Tang Tianyuv's pale face as he offered a strained chuckle. "I just found this online; I haven't decided whether to go through with it yet."

With a look of disgust, Mrs. Zhang flung the paper to the floor and stomped on it, then repeated with venom, "The rent!"

After rummaging through his pockets, Tang Tianyuv produced a handful of wrinkled bills, counted them, and said, "Ninety-eight yuan and twenty cents, that's every last bit I own."

Mrs. Zhang dismissed him with a wave of her hand. "It's not enough."

Realizing there was no escaping the situation, Tang Tianyuv resigned himself and sat down on the edge of the bed, hands outstretched. "Well, I'm out of options. Maybe you have a suggestion? I'm willing to do anything to make the rent."

After scrutinizing him for a moment and concluding he truly had no savings left, Mrs. Zhang spat on the ground in contempt and declared, "I'll give you three choices."

"Go ahead," Tang Tianyuv said, devoid of energy. "But let's skip any ideas involving murder or arson. I've considered them, but honestly, I just don't have it in me."

"The first option," Mrs. Zhang began, "is to go buy a lottery ticket. The odds are slim, but if you hit the jackpot and win five million, all your problems are solved."

Tang Tianyuv gave a wry smile. "I'm not that lucky. How about another option?"

Mrs. Zhang said, "For the second option, head straight out the door for 1,300 meters, then make a left and walk another 500 meters to the Jinhui Building. Take the elevator up to the 27th floor; there's a casino there. With a bit of luck, you could turn your 100 yuan into tens of thousands if you hit it big on the roulette a couple of times."

Tang Tianyuv quickly shook his head. "No way, that won't work. I've considered that before, but they wouldn't let me in because of my shabby clothes. And even if I did get in, I should stick to the slot machines. Roulette's a losing game."

Mrs. Zhang huffed, "Well, that leaves only the third option."

"Let's hear it," Tang Tianyuv said, rubbing his hands together. "I'll take that one."

"You have 100 yuan, minus the cost of transportation, which leaves you with 80," Mrs. Zhang explained. "That's not enough to buy stones, but you might scrape by with some scraps. Head to Black Stone Lane."

Tang Tianyuv was taken aback and after a moment, he asked, "Buy what stones?"

"Worm Iron Ore from Black Stone Lane. Don't tell me you've never heard of it?" Mrs. Zhang said with impatience. "If you're clueless, look it up online. You have a Virtual Cabin, and it's top-of-the-line at that."

She gestured dismissively and headed for the door, leaving him with a parting shot, "Out of consideration for Xiaoyu, I'm giving you one more month. If you can't make the rent by then, don't blame me when I have to evict you!"

Tang Tianyuv breathed a sigh of relief and called out, "Alright, I understand."

Once Mrs. Zhang had left, Tang Tianyuv reclined in his Virtual Cabin and logged into the virtual network.

The network of this era had evolved from the computer age of five thousand years ago into the Holo-Brain era. The expansive interstellar network system spanned most of the colonial planets within the Carlos Federation. Humanity had conquered the challenge of signal transmission through innovations like space folding and wormhole jumps. Despite the lengthy delays in interplanetary connectivity, it was still a revolutionary achievement.