In the quiet aftermath of Bai Yiyuan's departure, Lin found himself alone in the compact space of his new single dormitory. The simplicity of the room belied the monumental step he'd taken towards his future at Xia Jing Academy. Lin's decision for a single dormitory, costing him 2,000 points a month, was a testament to his desire for solitude and focus, despite the advice to economize on points. The disparity between points and gold coins had never been clearer; where a dorm cost mere hundreds in points, gold coins demanded a small fortune.
"Be frugal with your points," Jiang Tao had cautioned, an advice Lin filed away as he chose his solitary living space, Room 201 of Building 8. His considerable balance of points made the choice easier, though Jiang Tao's reaction to Lin's wealth in points — an astonished gasp and a look of disbelief — underscored the rarity of such affluence among students.
"A reward," Lin simply stated, brushing off Jiang Tao's astonishment as he stepped into his new quarters, leaving behind a wide-eyed administrator marveling at the opulence of points seldom seen.
The dawn's light crept into Lin's dormitory, a soft knock at the door interrupting his meditation. Opening the door, he was greeted by Ning Yiyi's familiar face, her presence a reminder of the world outside his contemplations. "What, don't you recognize me?" she teased, breaking the silence that had settled around Lin.
Her offer of breakfast and a tour to acquaint him with Xia Jing Academy was a welcome interruption. The cafeteria was bustling, a lively hub of activity that contrasted sharply with the solitude of Lin's room. Ning Yiyi's hearty selection of food was a vivid reminder of her undiminished appetite, and when it came time to settle the bill, Lin instinctively reached for his ID card, offering points in lieu of gold coins he did not possess.
Ning Yiyi's surprise at his choice to spend points over gold coins — where the latter would suffice — sparked a light-hearted scolding, "You actually paid with points? Where you can use gold coins, you definitely don't need points." Her advice was well-intentioned, a nudge for Lin to conserve his valuable currency for necessities beyond the reach of gold.
Lin's admission, "I don't have gold coins," was met with Ning Yiyi's playful chastisement and a reminder of the preciousness of points within the academy's walls. "Never use points where you can use gold coins in the future," she advised, a wisdom Lin accepted with a nod, already planning to convert his bounty of materials and weaponry into gold coins at the exchange.
As they dined, a gem materialized in Lin's hand, a tangible symbol of the adventures and spoils that lay ahead, waiting to be transformed into the currency that would fuel his journey through Xia Jing Academy. The paths of knowledge and power were paved with the choices made today, each decision weaving the tapestry of Lin's destiny in the hallowed halls of the academy.