Jealous of Your Cauliflower

The other top-eight contestants present had no idea what was going on, so they naturally all agreed.

In their eyes, getting rewards even without taking first place was practically money falling from the sky.

Lu Su knew something was off, but he did not dare hesitate, afraid President Bai would spot something suspicious. He immediately agreed.

Still, he pondered inwardly, "Chairman Yan said before that Master Bai would send a card to follow me in secret. There shouldn't be any major problem."

Though he had yet to see any sign of the card so far.

After boarding the vehicles arranged by Jincai Credit, the group headed toward Jincai Credit's Headquarters building.

As the champion, Lu Su naturally rode in the same car as President Bai.

"Our Jincai Credit likes investing in young talents like you, Classmate Luo," President Bai said to Lu Su in the car, with a hint of genuine sincerity.

He was not lying, either. It was simply hard to say what kind of returns he expected from that investment.

"Thank you for thinking so highly of me, President Bai. But may I ask what Director Liu wants with us?" Lu Su responded politely before probing discreetly.

President Bai's expression did not change as he answered, "Director Liu simply wants to get acquainted with everyone."

Lu Su did not believe a single word of it.

Would the Twin Ma of his previous life really personally meet outstanding contestants just because of some minor competition?

Though this so-called Director Liu was nowhere near the level of the Twin Ma.

The cars soon arrived at Jincai Credit's Headquarters building.

The building's glass reflected a blinding glare under the sunlight.

"Does nobody regulate light pollution?" Lu Su grumbled inwardly.

Following President Bai, the group soon arrived at the chairman's office on the top floor.

Knock, knock, knock.

President Bai stepped forward and knocked on the door respectfully, waiting for a response.

"Come in."

A somewhat aged voice came from inside.

President Bai gently pushed open the door and led everyone in.

Standing before Lu Su was an elderly man with graying hair.

With a hooked nose and triangular eyes, he was the sort of person one would never forget after seeing once.

"Director Liu, these are the top-eight contestants from the Talent Cup," President Bai introduced respectfully.

Liu Jianghe smiled warmly. "I'm Liu Jianghe. You can all call me Uncle Liu."

Someone among the contestants immediately seized the opportunity and called out, "Uncle Liu."

But Lu Su merely watched everything with cold eyes.

If he had not known the inside story, he might have acted the same way.

But since he knew the other party harbored ill intent, Lu Su naturally would not act overly friendly.

Of course, aside from him, several others were similarly reserved, perhaps due to introversion, making Lu Su seem less conspicuous.

Liu Jianghe did not mind the varied expressions on everyone's faces. He simply pushed several contracts across the desk.

"These are strategic cooperation agreements that Jincai Credit wishes to establish with all of you students."

"Once you sign these contracts, you will only need to cooperate with Jincai Credit in attending certain events in the future, and you will receive substantial resources from Jincai Credit."

Liu Jianghe's tone carried a trace of temptation.

Faced with such naked promises of money and resources, even most adults might have found it difficult to restrain themselves.

Much less these teenagers before him.

Just as some of them were growing restless, unable to hold themselves back, Kong Cong hesitated before speaking. "I need to go home and discuss this with my parents. Sorry, Director Liu."

Kong Cong's words instantly woke the teenagers present.

That was right. Such a major matter had to be discussed with their parents.

Hearing this, Liu Jianghe waved his hand indifferently. "I understand. If you still wish to sign this contract after discussing it, you can call us."

President Bai then handed several business cards to everyone present at just the right moment.

Then Liu Jianghe fixed his gaze directly on Lu Su. "What about you, Classmate Luo? As far as I know, you're an orphan. So, how about it? Will you sign this contract?"

Lu Su now felt that the effect of displaying Luffy had been far too good.

Liu Jianghe was clearly targeting him now.

After a moment of silence, Lu Su still refused. "Sorry, Director Liu. I cannot accept rewards without merit. I can't sign this contract."

Liu Jianghe grew anxious upon hearing this. "How can you call it accepting rewards without merit? Once you sign, you'll need to cooperate with us in carrying out events as well."

The others present also looked at Lu Su in confusion.

Lu Su merely shook his head. He had already looked through the contract just now. All he could say was that it was very lenient—very lenient toward both parties.

And leniency meant

There was plenty of room to maneuver.

Liu Jianghe could no longer afford to care about his bearing. He shot to his feet, his age-hunched body drawn ramrod straight. "If Classmate Luo is dissatisfied with the terms, we can negotiate further."

Just as Lu Su was about to speak and refuse again, a faint sigh echoed through the office.

"Enough, Liu Jianghe. How ugly."

Everyone in the office jolted in alarm, only to see a white-haired, white-bearded old man already standing beside Lu Su.

A Red Robe Judge stood beside the old man.

At the sight of the newcomer, everyone present froze, murmuring, "Master Bai..."

That was right. The old man was naturally Bai Yueming, and as for why he had appeared here—

"Jin Ping gave you this contract, didn't he?"

Bai Yueming spoke calmly.

He had already sensed the nauseating aura on the contract.

And besides—

"Amassing wealth without virtue, secretly colluding with bandit leaders, and harming the common people—by law, you should be executed!" The Red Robe Judge beside Bai Yueming roared in righteous fury.

With the Red Robe Judge's words, an inexplicable force descended upon Liu Jianghe's neck.

Slash.

Liu Jianghe's head was instantly severed from his body, only to return to normal the next moment.

Still shaken, he touched his neck and spat resentfully, "Bai Yueming!!"

"Yes, I did join the Spirit Summoning Society. So what?!"

"Jin Ping said that once it was done, he could raise me from Jade Grade to Diamond Grade!"

"I'm already old! I don't have Lu Su's talent, much less your talent, Bai Yueming's!"

"You geniuses will never understand people like us!"

Liu Jianghe had clearly decided to stop caring.

In his view, since Bai Yueming had already arrived, the Spirit Summoning Society's plan had completely failed this time.

Resist?

What a joke. Resist a monster like Bai Yueming?

He might as well kill himself. It would be quicker.

Bai Yueming sighed. "I was wondering where the Spirit Summoning Society got such an enormous amount of money. I suppose it all came from you."

Now, the previously inexplicable sources of funding for those controlled by the Spirit Summoning Society in the Secret Realm could be confirmed.

But Liu Jianghe merely sneered at that. "You really think too highly of me."

Just as Bai Yueming was about to press him further, a fierce aura spread from above Shanghai City.

Bai Yueming's pupils abruptly contracted as he looked out the window, an enraged voice issuing from his mouth.

"Jin Ping!"