Liu Chuang leaped three feet into the air, grinning like an idiot.
At first, he'd only heard the news and been egged on by some of his newer underlings to come give it a try.
He hadn't expected to get anywhere.
After all, he knew what sort of person he was.
He'd dropped out of high school and learned the hard way that making a living in the real world wasn't easy. By then, it was too late. He'd put phone screen protectors on for a living and hauled bricks at construction sites. Eventually, when a contractor refused to pay him, he'd taken some people along to demand their wages and beaten the guy up. It was like a switch had flipped, and he'd set off down a road of no return.
At first, he'd been cautious. But little by little, he'd realized that you had to be ruthless to get by in this world. If you weren't, people would walk all over you. Besides, he didn't even know if he really had powerful connections. Every time he got into a fight and was unlucky enough to be arrested, he was always the first one released.
But he genuinely couldn't remember having any high-ranking relatives.
After he made a name for himself, his fights had only gotten more and more brutal.
During all that, it seemed true that he never faced any consequences. Over the past couple of days, he'd become increasingly certain of it.
But just when he'd started to believe he really did have connections, and that he could do whatever he wanted as long as he didn't kill anyone—even break someone's arms or legs without a problem—he'd landed a job at a big company!
He wouldn't have to live that way anymore!
What a joke.
Who'd keep running with the wrong crowd when they could have a respectable, legitimate job?!
"Ahem?"
Zhao Xin gave a grunt.
"Ah? Zhao... Xin... M-Master Xin, what's up?" Liu Chuang stammered, lowering his posture as he asked.
"Right, Chuangzi. If everything's in order, sign the contract now." Zhao Xin deliberately put on an air of authority.
"Huh? Sure, sure! Heh, thanks, Master Xin."
Liu Chuang grinned as he signed.
"Oh, right. The contract you signed is a little unusual. Are you willing to work paid overtime? Triple pay."
"Overtime? Paid? Triple?! No problem!"
"I can work myself to death!"
Liu Chuang shouted.
"Enough, enough. Hurry up and sign."
"Oh, right, right. Heh."
"By the way, Chuangzi, remember to follow orders from now on. And as for certain bad habits of yours—well, we go way back, so you know what I'm like. I won't make things difficult for you. I'll just dock your pay. How's that?"
Zhao Xin wore a mischievous grin.
Liu Chuang straightened up.
"Dock my pay?!"
"Don't worry. I'll disband them as soon as I get back."
"Good. That's all I needed to hear."
"..."
"Here are Liu Chuang's movements and detailed information from the past two days. We've discovered..."
Subduing Liu Chuang
"...There are already two of them, Zhao Xin and Liu Chuang. The odds of that are low. I suspect..."
"Did Han Fei guess something?"
The speaker was a tall, shapely blonde woman with delicate features and a cold expression.
"Given how unpredictable the other party has proven to be, I think we should guide Liu Chuang."
Her voice carried a note of gravity. She wore white gauze gloves.
Dukao watched Liu Chuang on the screen, his thick brows furrowing slightly.
On-screen, Liu Chuang was cheerfully joining the security department, while Han Fei had been nowhere to be seen from beginning to end.
"Lian Feng, do you think Han Fei really inherited an alien legacy?"
Dukao suddenly asked.
There was a note of uncertainty in his voice.
Lian Feng thought for a moment, then slowly shook her head. "I'm not sure. But whether he did or not, we can't make any rash moves."
"Phew... You're right. Step up the surveillance. As for Liu Chuang, guide him carefully and see if Han Fei gets in touch with him. Then we'll decide what to do."
Lian Feng glanced at the screen, instinctively wanting to say something.
For instance, Liu Chuang's value as the Nuo Star God of War meant he shouldn't be used as bait. But then she remembered that his was only a dormant gene, and that they would be monitoring him...
"Yes."
Lian Feng withdrew.
Dukao kept watching the screen, silent for a long time.
Elsewhere.
Han Fei was watching too.
He wanted to see whether they would act over Liu Chuang. No, they would definitely act—but what would they do? And how big a move would they make?
He wanted to gauge their attitude.
Several days passed.
During that time, aside from chatting with Qi Lin now and then and taking care of some business, Han Fei had no contact with Liu Chuang at all.
As for Deno, it seemed they had only stepped up their surveillance.
Han Fei decided to push the test further.
So, one day...
"Ahem."
"Good morning, boss!"
"Ahem, ahem." The cough grew more urgent.
"Boss?"
Han Fei looked at the man in the black security uniform—tall and burly, yet wearing an ingratiating expression—and felt speechless.
"Liu Chuang, sit down."
Han Fei spoke warmly.
Liu Chuang was flattered.
Though they'd had some unpleasant dealings in the past, Han Fei was now a man of high standing, while Liu Chuang was still working under him. It was only natural that such a friendly attitude would leave him feeling uneasy.
"Chuangzi, do you have a dream?"
Han Fei stopped Liu Chuang from moving, poured two cups of black tea, and handed one to him.
Liu Chuang sat ramrod straight. He froze when he heard Han Fei's question, then a look of understanding flashed through his eyes. He spoke loudly, as if making a declaration.
"My dream is to become a security guard for the Black Star Group. I've already achieved it. From now on, I'll devote myself to the great Black Star Group—"
"Stop, stop."
"I'm asking about your real dream. Do you know how I got to where I am today, step by step? It's because I had a dream!"
As if!
"I'm asking because I want to know what you think. Don't worry, I'm just asking. You've been with the company for days, so you should know the rules by now. I'm not going to mess with you over this."
Han Fei spoke earnestly.
Liu Chuang seemed a little stunned, perhaps puzzled by Han Fei's frankness, perhaps lost in thought.
After a long while...
"Honestly, I don't really have a dream. When I was a kid, like everyone else, I wanted to be something like a scientist or a soldier. When I got older, all I really wanted was to enjoy people's admiration and respect. But in this society, you need money for that, and I'm no good at studying. I had a terrible temper, so I dropped out, thinking I could make a name for myself. But..."
Liu Chuang's face was full of bitterness.
"My life now is the exact opposite of what I wanted back then. Nobody respects me. They're only afraid of me and hate me..."
"After all these years, I don't really have any dreams left. If I had to name one, I guess I'd just want to live a decent life. A life with money, I mean. And if possible, one where people respect me too."
"Good! Very well said!"
Han Fei clapped, looking at him with approval.
"I can help you!"
"Liu Chuang, I believe in you. You're talented. Don't let that talent go to waste!"
"Money? I've got plenty. I can help you return home in glory!"
"Respect? Become a supervisor, a department head, even a director. Once you have money, you can make a few investments and do some charity work. People will naturally respect you!"
"So, Liu Chuang, are you with me?"
Han Fei's words sank into Liu Chuang like a venomous snake's fangs.
Only...
It all sounded too good to be true.
He wasn't well educated, and his past wasn't exactly respectable. Why would Han Fei go to such lengths for him? Unless...
His experience in the underworld had taught him that nothing came for free. Did he have some value?
Maybe Han Fei was making such an extravagant promise because he wanted Liu Chuang to take the fall for him.
Money, respect, and a life where people knew his name.
How wonderful it all sounded.
This was an opportunity.
"Boss, can I ask why?"
In the end, Liu Chuang decided to be direct. Hesitating and holding back wasn't in his nature!
If Han Fei wanted him to be some kind of hitman, killing people and doing dirty work, he wouldn't dare!
And he didn't want to!
Han Fei leaned back in his chair.
He turned around.
And looked out at the sky.
"You can think of it as winning you over, or as an investment."
"An investment?"
"Knowing too much right now wouldn't do you any good. But it's not what you're thinking—not murder, framing someone, and then getting rid of you." Han Fei glanced at him.
Liu Chuang smiled awkwardly.
"Well, you can't blame me for wondering."
Han Fei didn't mind. He waved a hand.
"In short, it's an investment in your future. Are you willing?"
Liu Chuang gritted his teeth.
He thought about the past twenty-odd years of his bleak life.
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