In the City That Never Sleeps, Getting Things Done Was All About Personal Connections

"Glug, glug, glug!"

Before Xiao Nian could answer Joe Solence's question, a commotion came from Good Night's side, preemptively attracting the attention of this Noble the Solence Family.

The huge beer mug was brimming with beer, which Good Night gulped down in one go.

"Xi Ba... strong, refreshing, sweet... this is a good Xi Ba wine, it's a pity that Comrade Yin Lan isn't here."

After finishing his Good Night, Liang Ye's face flushed, and he let out a loud burp.

"Thank you for your hospitality, sir! I'm Xi Ba thirsty!"

Joe Solence looked at Good Night with surprise.

"This is a blended fruit wine produced by Great Wilderness Fruit Industry, a subsidiary of our Universal Chamber of Commerce. Even I couldn't drink this much at once. Brother Good Night is truly generous! Excellent!"

"Miss Huang, your friend is indeed quite skilled... It seems he might be even more capable than I imagined!"

Good Night waved his hand in response to Qiao's praise.

"Hey, Xi Ba, you flatter me... Our best drinker and fighter hasn't arrived yet."

"She's busy with things Outer City. If you had the chance to meet that woman, she'd probably be even more to your liking!"

Joe Solence raised an eyebrow. "There's someone this powerful?"

Xiao Nian nodded. "Indeed, he is my senior... one of the most powerful people in our organization—although he is not quite at the level of the top experts, he is undoubtedly the number one among first-rate experts."

"Moreover, she really has a high alcohol tolerance."

Joe Solence laughed, "What a pity, you should have brought her along too."

"Perhaps we'll have a chance to meet this time, since we'll be staying in the City That Never Sleeps a while longer," Xiao Nian said casually. "After all, we do have an important mission this time."

As he spoke, Xiao Nian took a small sip of the wine in his glass.

"Oh? A major mission," Joe said, taking a large gulp of his drink. "You rarely speak so seriously; this certainly seems like something important..."

Xiao Nian nodded. "Yes, so... rather than asking for your help, I'm here to discuss a deal—because this matter might be quite troublesome for you as well."

"You can refuse if you want."

Joe Solence raised her hand again, and the floor next to the liquor cabinet opened up, revealing a refrigerator. She opened the refrigerator door, took out a bottle of clean water, handed it to Good Night, and then said...

"What's this 'trouble' or 'not trouble' about, Miss Huang... You saved my life, so your business is my business, Joe Solence's business!"

Xiao Nian smiled and said, "I hope you'll still say that after hearing the details of my request..."

"We've come here for 'Supreme Evolution' —we want some of the alchemical technology that Supreme Evolution left behind after its bankruptcy."

A look of surprise flashed across Joe Solence's face, then he took another sip of his drink; his glass was already half empty. "This is certainly a 'troublesome' matter... but it's not too difficult."

"While I can't directly help you obtain those inheritances, I can certainly Xingyi favors."

Xiao Nian looked at Joe Solence and added, "The 'part' I'm referring to is the most crucial, undeciphered 'part'—the part with the highest Confidentiality Level."

Joe Solence fell silent, then downed the drink in her glass and exhaled deeply.

"Phew... that part? I can't guarantee whether that part has been preserved or even ever existed."

"Let me ask you this first, Miss Huang, are the explosions at the three Sealed Location of Divine Power Group this morning related to you?"

The Xiao Nian said in a low voice, "Yes, but it's a different group of people, just here for the same purpose as us."

Joe Solence began, "I can't guarantee I can help you much with this, but I'll do my best within my duties and capabilities."

Xiao Nian nodded. "Don't worry, we've brought many experts this time... I've only come to you because I need you to do me a favor."

"Besides, we won't let you suffer any losses, Joe. I'll apply to the organization afterwards, and if any of our people have the opportunity to go to the Great Wilderness, they will do their best to support your 'business development activities'."

"I know you've been having trouble securing the mining rights to that newly discovered Mining District lately... I have a way to help you get it."

Joe Solence was stunned. "What are you planning to do?"

"I have my own way of doing things," Xiao Nian said, then raised his hand. "Also, I've brought you a personal gift."

As he spoke, Xiao Nian took out a long wooden box from his [Item Space].

Joe Solence looked at the shape of the wooden box with a hint of surprise.

"Miss Huang, my dear Partner, what's going on here...?"

"This is the specialty of our world that you've been talking about ever since I mentioned you," Xiao Nian patted the box and casually opened it, "Pump-Action Shotgun —you like hunting, and while this thing can't compare to those alchemical hunting devices, the feel of handling and the power will definitely satisfy your needs."

"Wow, it really looks absolutely beautiful," Joe Solence said, picking up the gun from the wooden case with obvious delight. "Miss Huang, you really are... How can I possibly accept this!"

Xiao Nian smiled and said, "I'm not the kind of person who would take advantage of someone's kindness and make them do things for me for free. Our friendship can only last if there's give and take, Mr. Qiao."

Qiao nodded. "Yes, friend... I'm so lucky to have you as a friend!"

Good Night watched this scene from the side and couldn't help but sigh.

"Oh, Xi Ba Year God... So, the other day you applied to the organization for special channels to buy a hunting rifle, it was for a gift."

"You must have spent a lot of contribution points running around Xi Ba!"

Joe was somewhat surprised. "Is that so? So these guns are quite valuable where you are?"

Xiao Nian shook his head. "No, it's just that guns are banned in my area, so it's not easy to get one."

Qiao was even more moved. "Miss Huang, I really have no way to repay you... Don't worry, although the things from 'Supreme Evolution' are all tightly sealed—I'll lead a force to attack and help you snatch those things back!"

Xiao Nian quickly waved his hand. "It's not that bad..."

"Then I'll reciprocate with a little something... the spoils of my own hunt," Joe waved his hand, and the walls on both sides opened and rotated, while more display cases appeared on the floor, filled with animal pelts and specimens. "Which one do you two like? Just pick one!"

Just as Xiao Nian was about to politely decline, Good Night's exclamations rang out from the other side.

"Wow, Xi Ba... these beasts look incredibly fierce! Did you fight all these tigers, leopards, jackals, and wolves yourself, Mr. Qiao?"

"Is there Alchemy Monsters in here? Although the specimen has been rendered harmless, the residual Alchemy Energy is far too potent!"

Hearing Good Night's exclamation, Qiao laughed as well.

"I played all of these myself... but as you know, I'm rich and well-equipped, so there's nothing to brag about."

Even so, Joe couldn't suppress the smile on his face.

"If you're interested, I can give you a more detailed introduction!"