In Gotham City, the Wayne Group was unquestionably the strongest all-around company. Getting hired there meant you could basically start imagining a better life for yourself in Gotham.
If they had the chance to join, normal people generally wouldn't refuse an offer from the Wayne Group. After all, it was the best starting point for fantasies like getting promoted and earning a raise, becoming a high-ranking official, marrying a rich and beautiful woman, and reaching the peak of life.
So Ma Zhaodi looked toward the system.
"I think this is the starting point of my successful life."
"After detection, the basic requirements for workers in the Wayne Group's Technology Department include various skills such as proficiency in some intermediate mechanical skills and some intermediate programming and physics skills. You do not possess the professional skills or qualifications required for this job. If you force your way into the position, you will be unable to obtain Asset Points through work."
So Ma Zhaodi looked toward Lucius.
"Sorry, I can't do it. I'll be going."
It was hilarious. Ma Zhaodi currently had less than five hundred Asset Points. Aside from his heavily modified wheelchair at the beginning and Advanced Wheelchair Driving Mastery, he had also bought Elementary Driving Mastery and Elementary Firearm Proficiency afterward.
Those two skills were worth five hundred and fifteen hundred respectively, consuming two thousand dollars' worth of Asset Points. If he wanted to purchase all the various skills needed to join the Technology Department, Ma Zhaodi would have to save for at least several more months.
There was nothing he could do about it. This was Gotham. Without knowing how to drive and shoot, there was no way to maintain his daily life. Even if Ma Zhaodi sped to and from work every day in his high-speed wheelchair, he would still be chased and shot at by a bunch of brain-dead little gangsters on the evening streets—and eventually even have his wheelchair stolen.
Hearing Ma Zhaodi's answer, Lucius showed no particular reaction. He merely smiled and asked, "You haven't even asked about the job yet. You're rejecting it just like that?"
"I know my own situation." Ma Zhaodi sighed. "If you don't have the proper tools, you shouldn't take on porcelain work. I'm afraid I'm not qualified for this job. I'd better continue being a waiter. As for payment, I don't know what to ask for either. Would cash work?"
"Of course. I will personally pay you fifty thousand dollars as compensation. It will be deposited into your account shortly."
People from the Wayne Group were seriously rich. They were paying fifty thousand dollars for a few flowers.
Unfortunately, since this wasn't normal labor compensation, his Asset Points did not increase.
"Goodbye, Mr. Ma Zhaodi. If you find any leads about this kind of plant, you're welcome to come find me at any time."
"Next time for sure." Ma Zhaodi waved his hand. "Goodbye, Lucius."
"All right, all right. I'm not entirely sure how you got all that money, but in any case, you want to buy a car, right?"
"I already told you it came from a normal transaction." Ma Zhaodi corrected him. "Could you stop using that tone that's so easy to misunderstand? I can be called the most law-abiding person in all of Gotham. Giving me a five-star good citizen rating wouldn't be excessive."
Drake selectively ignored his words and muttered to himself, "For a car that'll be parked in Gotham's East End at night, you can't buy one that's too new, too expensive, or not sturdy enough. Think about it carefully. This week's wages are actually enough to buy you a cheap secondhand wreck. Anything more expensive would be unsafe."
"So the real expense of buying a car is actually a secure parking spot?"
Drake shot him a glance. "What kind of nonsense are you talking about? Where in the East End is there a secure parking spot? Even the Falcone family isn't capable of running that kind of business."
"Then what happens if my car gets stolen?"
"A beat-up secondhand car can last at least a year. Even if it gets stolen after only six months, would you really feel bad?"
".It cost more than two thousand dollars, after all. I'd still feel a little bad."
That was actually somewhat insincere. As long as a two-thousand-dollar junker could still move, it deserved a perfect score. If it got into an accident, he would have to blame his own driving skills.
It doesn't even mind that I'm poor. How could I possibly mind that it's beat-up?
"Hey, Drake, here to buy a car?"
"Yeah. Got anything reliable? Something around two thousand dollars is fine."
Seeing how familiar Drake was with the car dealer, Ma Zhaodi couldn't help raising an eyebrow.
"You even have connections with car dealers?"
Drake shrugged. "When I first came to Gotham, I drove here. Who do you think I sold my car to afterward?"
Ma Zhaodi understood. While the car dealer turned around to lead the way, he quietly asked Drake, "Does this guy have a conscience?"
Drake's expression turned strange. "What kind of nonsense are you talking about? Where in the East End are there car dealers with consciences?"
"Then you—"
"Of course I got fleeced. Then I took emergency measures to cut my losses."
"You pulled a gun on him?"
"No. From that day onward, I gained a part-time job as a vehicle salesman in the East End, specifically bringing people here to buy and sell cars. The car dealer and I split the profits fifty-fifty."
All right, Drake hadn't pulled a gun, but he really had teamed up with him.
".You're seriously awful."
"Besides, they'll get fleeced by every car dealer in the East End anyway. If I'm the one fleecing them, they might lose a little less."
"Then I'm coming here to buy a car—"
"Haha." At this, Drake wore a confident smile. "You're screwed, buddy. For my sake, he'll fleece you a little less."
"Isn't that still getting fleeced?!"
At that moment, the car dealer beamed as he led them to a car.
"This is a newly acquired vehicle. Everything works properly, and there are only a dozen or so minor dents on the exterior. It feels great to drive, and it's Russian-made, so it's sturdy and durable. For Drake's sake, I'll only charge you twenty-two hundred dollars. How about it?"
Before Ma Zhaodi could answer, Drake asked first, "What's the problem?"
"Hey, what kind of person do you take me for!" The car dealer's expression suddenly darkened. "With the relationship between us, would I cheat your friend? Let him get in and test it! If he finds any problems, I'll immediately replace it for you!"
Hearing this, Ma Zhaodi took the keys, climbed into the car, skillfully started the engine, shifted gears, and drove off. After testing the handling and inspecting the inside of the vehicle, he determined that the only problem was severely worn tires. The engine, brakes, steering wheel, and seats were all fine, which left him somewhat puzzled.
Could Drake actually have been reliable for once?
Watching Ma Zhaodi's movements, the car dealer imperceptibly breathed a sigh of relief. Then he thumped his chest and loudly declared, "I told you! There isn't a single problem with this car—"
"Pfft."
At that moment, Drake turned on the car's air conditioning. A cloud of bright-red mist was immediately blown out, mixed with the damp stench of blood.
"."
The car dealer's mouth snapped shut.
"Johnny, tell me the truth." Drake's gaze turned hostile. "What's the deal with this car?"
"Ahem, this car was involved in a minor accident before."
Ma Zhaodi immediately understood. This damn car came with a soul ring.
"How many times has it been sold?"
".The fifth."
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