Chapter 17 - 16: Banquet Invitation, Several Streaks of Golden Light!

Chapter 17: Chapter 16: Banquet Invitation, Several Streaks of Golden Light!

After discovering the true mechanism by which the Heaven-Stealing Superpower shared in others’ opportunities, Liu Zimo’s mood instantly brightened.

Of course, it might sound a bit hypocritical to say so.

After all, he had already "stolen" from him. Saying he felt bad about it or didn’t mean it would be pure nonsense.

Besides, he had come to Luozhou this time specifically for Lou Yuchen, the future Martial Saint!

Liu Zimo never considered himself a good person. Thirty years of surviving the Post-Apocalypse had long since ground away ninety-nine percent of his conscience and moral compass.

Refraining from unprovoked murder, arson, and terrorizing the innocent was already the greatest restraint he could muster.

Nor did he think there was anything wrong with "binding" himself to Lou Yuchen.

Natural selection, survival of the fittest!

Pursuing power and the chance to survive was the instinct of every survivor in the Post-Apocalypse.

He had awakened this Superpower through his own ability. Was he supposed to just leave it gathering dust?

Moreover, he wouldn’t take advantage of Lou Yuchen for nothing. During the Demon Calamity a month from now, he would find a way to save Lou Yuchen’s wife and daughter, ensuring that Lou Yuchen wouldn’t have to live this life with the same agonizing regret as in his previous one.

Liu Zimo believed that if given the chance to trade half of his cultivation for the lives of his wife and daughter, Lou Yuchen would agree a thousand times over. He would even be eternally grateful to the person who gave him that opportunity.

Therefore, Liu Zimo didn’t feel any psychological burden, nor did he feel the slightest bit ashamed.

However, it wasn’t until last night, when he discovered that his Superpower could even "steal" Lou Yuchen’s Lifespan, that a trace of unease and apprehension crept into his heart.

"Stealing" cultivation and "stealing" Lifespan were two completely different concepts.

Given Lou Yuchen’s natural talent, he should be able to quickly make up for any lost cultivation.

But once Lifespan was gone, it was truly gone. No amount of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures could necessarily restore it!

If his actions caused Lou Yuchen, the future Martial Saint of the Federation, to die an early death, the future of the entire human Federation might drastically change. His sins would be immense.

That was why Liu Zimo had rushed over to Jingcheng Food Industry first thing in the morning, wanting to confirm if Lou Yuchen had been severely affected.

Now, seeing with his own eyes that Lou Yuchen was glowing with health, and that his cultivation and life force hadn’t been affected in the slightest, Liu Zimo was finally at ease. This also gave him the chance to fully understand the true nature of his Heaven-Stealing Superpower.

Moving forward, he could feel completely justified in binding himself to more "Good Brothers" and secretly sharing in the various opportunities they obtained.

"Mr. Liu, rest assured!" Lou Yuchen looked earnestly at the major client sitting in front of him, making a solemn vow. "The manufacturer has already started preparing the twenty tons of ham you pre-ordered. It will definitely be delivered within twenty days!

"Our company’s reputation is famous throughout Luozhou. You can put your mind completely at ease!"

"I can get around two hundred and fifty thousand in commission from this single deal," Lou Yuchen thought. "I can finally pay off a portion of the mortgage and car loans early.

"More importantly, I’ve exceeded my sales quota for the month ahead of schedule. President Huang has recognized and praised me, so a promotion is on the horizon.

"As for that guy Sun Jiancheng, it looks like he’s still quite a bit short of his sales target this month. Tsk, tsk. Let’s see if he still dares to throw his weight around and pull rank on me...

"Once I get the commission, I’ll take a few days off to stay home and spend quality time with my wife and daughter. I’ll take them out for a big feast.

"I remember my wife had her eye on a necklace about half a year ago, but we haven’t bought it yet because money’s been tight these past two years. I can go take a look after work..."

Hearing this continuous stream of thoughts bubbling up in Lou Yuchen’s mind, the look in Liu Zimo’s eyes couldn’t help but turn a bit strange.

Looking at the man before him—whose head was entirely filled with making money and domestic bliss—it was truly difficult to compare him to the radiant, world-shaking, and decisive Martial Saint of thirty years later.

The current Lou Yuchen was still just an ordinary man burdened by mortgage and car payments, hustling all day for a few extra pennies to make a living, lacking time to spend with his family, and constantly dealing with office politics!

If it weren’t for the catastrophic upheaval of the world and the descent of the Demon Calamity, who could have imagined that such a seemingly unremarkable, ordinary salesman would suddenly rise amidst the crisis, climbing step by step to a height where he could influence—and even dictate—the fate of humanity across the globe!

"Naturally, I trust you, Manager Lou. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have sought you out specifically," Liu Zimo replied softly. "If this collaboration goes smoothly, I’ll have many more similar procurement needs for you to handle in the future. We have a long road ahead of us!"

Lou Yuchen’s eyes lit up.

This was the rhythm of a major client evolving into a long-term partner! He absolutely had to latch onto this golden goose!

"In a month, right around November 11th, I’ll be hosting a small private gathering at my newly renovated villa. If you’re interested, Manager Lou, you’re welcome to attend." Seeing Lou Yuchen’s interest piqued, Liu Zimo took the opportunity to extend an invitation. He left the villa’s address and casually added, "It’s a private gathering, so there’s no need to be too formal. Everyone usually brings their families and kids along to make it more lively.

"If you don’t mind, Manager Lou, you can bring your wife and child along when the time comes. There will be an unexpected surprise!"

Hearing this, Lou Yuchen immediately understood.

Boss Liu clearly wanted to use the guise of a private gathering to demand a kickback, or perhaps ask for something else that couldn’t be discussed openly.

Bringing family and hosting a gathering were all just a front, a smokescreen.

As a salesman, this wasn’t the first time Lou Yuchen had encountered such a situation. Naturally, he knew the drill and understood the unspoken rules perfectly well.

"Mr. Liu, don’t worry. I’ll definitely bring my family and arrive on time on the eleventh of next month!" Lou Yuchen silently memorized the villa’s address and decisively nodded in acceptance.

"As expected, no business is that easy to do," he thought to himself. "Every industry has its shady, unspoken rules.

"I originally thought Mr. Liu was young and amiable, unaware of these twisting games. Now it seems that’s not the case at all!

"I just hope this Mr. Liu doesn’t demand an exorbitant amount. If the profit margins are squeezed too low, it’ll be hard to explain to the company..."

Hearing Lou Yuchen’s inner thoughts, Liu Zimo’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

It seemed Lou Yuchen was treating this invitation as a ploy to extort a kickback.

Oh well, a misunderstanding was just a misunderstanding.

Liu Zimo couldn’t be bothered to explain. As long as Lou Yuchen brought his wife and daughter to the East Suburban Villa on November 11th, that would be enough.

With his objective achieved, Liu Zimo stood up and took his leave.

Just after stepping out of the office building and waiting for a ride by the roadside, he noticed several streaks of golden light constantly flashing at the entrance of a nearby internet cafe.

Golden Locks!

And more than just one!

Liu Zimo’s attention was instantly drawn toward it.

"Xinran Internet Cafe?" he muttered.

"Isn’t that the same internet cafe where I uploaded the post yesterday?

"No way. These people with Golden Locks floating above their heads are scattered around, guarding the entrance to this cafe... don’t tell me they’re staking me out?"