Holding Out for the Right Price

More than half a month earlier, before going to bed, Sun Xiangqing had sought out Chu Fei and questioned him on Liu Tingyun's behalf about Li Honggang and Lu Hong's theft.

Chu Fei had firmly shot back, "Telling you is a favor. Not telling you is my right."

Then Chu Fei had made an even more "excessive" demand: money, and the secret techniques the four old men kept hidden away.

Sun Xiangqing had said he would report back to Liu Tingyun.

Then there had been no news.

Until today.

Today, Chu Fei's physical examination results had been off the charts. Before evening even arrived, Sun Xiangqing had shown up.

He was much more proactive than last time.

With those thoughts flashing through his mind, Chu Fei walked at an even pace until he stood before Sun Xiangqing.

"Chu Fei..."

Chu Fei cut him off directly. "Did you bring the money?"

"..."

Sun Xiangqing was a little stunned. Don't be so blunt.

But the next moment, Sun Xiangqing smiled, because Chu Fei's right hand had "accidentally" brushed against his pistol.

Brother Sun immediately caught on. He promptly pulled out a small notebook and began explaining.

"According to the investment standards, breaking through 0.03 earns a reward of 1,000 yuan. After that, every additional 0.001 is calculated using the formula 50n(n+1).

"This time, you broke through by 0.0955. Rounded off, that's 0.096. Subtracting 0.03 leaves 0.066, so n is 66!

"That comes to 221,100 yuan!

"Your reward this time is 222,100 yuan.

"There's also the 20,000-yuan investment agreement we signed back then, which required you to break through 7.65 before the end of May.

"So the total this time is 242,100 yuan."

Chu Fei nodded and got straight to the point. "Where's the money?"

Sun Xiangqing gave an awkward laugh. "Chu Fei, go back and look at the agreement we signed. None of the investments are paid in cash. They're all given directly as supplies."

Chu Fei gave an oh. "Tang Zhengang gave me 2,100 yuan last time."

"Oh, that was because he swallowed your supplies and paid out of his own pocket!"

Chu Fei: ...

After thinking it over, though, Chu Fei found it hard to believe. "The team's investment is already inflated beyond belief. Is something wrong with Tang Zhengang's brain?"

Sun Xiangqing said, "I asked about it. What the team gave you last time should have been meal vouchers for five kilograms of exotic beast meat."

"Exotic beasts?" Chu Fei frowned slightly. This was the second time he had heard the words "exotic beast."

The first time had been in Shihe Village, when Huang Gang had said it to the village chief, whose expression had changed.

Chu Fei had just arrived in this world then and had still been somewhat muddled, so he had not thought much of it.

Now, he had no choice but to search through the memories of the original owner of this body.

Sure enough, he found some scattered memories.

Exotic beasts possessed supernatural abilities and were incredibly powerful!

Their origins were varied.

Before this world had collapsed, it had been an interstellar superstate. There had been all sorts of pets, biological invasions, zoos, biochemical experiments, Genetic Engineering, and more.

Exotic beasts included, but were not limited to, magical beasts, demon beasts, biochemical beasts, lifeforms from the stars, and so on.

Some exotic beasts could be eaten, or refined into medicines and the like, and were extremely valuable.

Some exotic beasts' limbs could even be transplanted onto human bodies, creating "biological implants."

While Chu Fei was still thinking, Sun Xiangqing continued explaining, "Medicine prices are indeed somewhat inflated, but the exotic beasts are hunted by the team itself. There's no inflation there at all."

After hearing Sun Xiangqing's explanation, Chu Fei nodded slightly. "Can you make the call on 240,000 yuan?"

Sun Xiangqing, who had been about to continue explaining, immediately shook his head. "No, no."

"Then go back and tell Captain Liu that I want to discuss it with her in person."

Sun Xiangqing could only watch as Chu Fei shut the door and left him outside.

After standing there dumbly for quite a while, he stomped his foot and left indignantly.

What a show-off!

He actually wanted to talk to Captain Liu in person!

Look how full of himself he was!

Yet when Sun Xiangqing returned to Liu Tingyun, he had no choice but to report everything truthfully.

"Talk to me in person?" Liu Tingyun remained calm. "Then I'll wait until his dinner time."

There was less than an hour until dinner, but it was more than enough time.

Sun Xiangqing hurriedly sought out Chu Fei again.

"Where is Captain Liu?"

Sun Xiangqing was panting from his run. "At the foot of the mountain. The team's office can only be down there."

Chu Fei nodded. "I'm not going down the mountain before graduation! How about we go to the Academic Affairs Office instead?"

Sun Xiangqing: ...

I give up! I really give up! I, Sun Xiangqing, have finally seen what a madman looks like.

Yet Sun Xiangqing did not dare say anything. He turned and sprinted down the mountain again.

Meanwhile, Chu Fei leisurely headed toward the Academic Affairs Office.

When he arrived, Zhou Haiyi and Cao Liwen were discussing something. Both of them looked a little confused when they saw Chu Fei.

Chu Fei briefly explained the situation. Cao Liwen looked at him strangely. Zhou Haiyi, on the other hand, was quite approving. "You're right not to go down the mountain!"

Chu Fei stood at the door and waited. When the dinner bell rang, he bid the two teachers farewell and headed toward the cafeteria.

Zhou Haiyi and Cao Liwen also slowly made their way toward the cafeteria.

But when they arrived, they saw Sun Xiangqing standing at the entrance, looking at them eagerly.

"Chu Fei, Captain Liu is waiting for you on the second floor."

Chu Fei immediately ran over to Zhou Haiyi. "Teacher, Captain Liu is waiting for me on the second floor. Could I trouble you to be a witness?"

"Ha, let's go." Zhou Haiyi had a favorable impression of Chu Fei.

It was Chu Fei's first time on the second floor of the cafeteria. Compared with the first floor's small tables for four and plastic stools, the second floor had individual tables with rattan chairs, and the serving windows offered made-to-order dishes.

Still, Chu Fei spotted Liu Tingyun immediately.

A beauty was the center of attention wherever she went.

Today, Liu Tingyun wore a denim-style leather jacket. Compared with the qipao she had worn last time, she looked even sexier and more fiery.

She held up a light screen in her left hand, apparently reading something. In her right hand, she held a crystal spoon and idly ate cake.

When she saw Cao Liwen, Liu Tingyun gave him a slight nod before turning her gaze to Chu Fei.

Her gaze was rather sharp.

Unlike the appreciation she had shown last time, this look carried a measure of scrutiny.

Chu Fei walked straight over to sit across from Liu Tingyun, dragging over a chair. Compared with his caution in the Academic Affairs Office earlier, he was now remarkably bold.

Liu Tingyun could not help speaking up. "You've got some nerve!"

Chu Fei replied calmly, "I'm more afraid that if I'm too timid, Captain Liu won't think much of me."

That domineering, unconventional answer left Liu Tingyun completely stunned.

Her right hand hung in midair, and cream left a white streak at the corner of her mouth, standing out against her red lips.

Even the teachers nearby could not help looking at Chu Fei, before quietly shifting their gazes toward Liu Tingyun.

Without changing expression, Liu Tingyun set down her crystal spoon, picked up a napkin, and wiped the corner of her mouth. Then she looked seriously at Chu Fei.

"You're right. I really don't think much of timid people.

"But this is the first time I've seen someone so audacious!

"Now that I'm here, what do you want to discuss with me?"

Chu Fei asked solemnly, "Captain Liu, is the investment agreement between the Greedy Wolf Team and me still valid?"

Liu Tingyun nodded decisively. "It is!"

Chu Fei said, "Then according to the agreement, I'll receive a one-time investment of 242,100 yuan this time!"

"Clatter..."

Quite a few teachers around them stood up in shock.

When Dawn Academy recruited students, an outstanding youth's life was worth 1,500 yuan.

What did 240,000 yuan mean?

At that moment, everyone suddenly understood Chu Fei's earlier words.