Staying Over / The Art of Language

After he left, the Emperor hopped back onto his chair, lit a cigar, and looked at Bai Ye. "Kid, want to roll with us?"

Only then did Bai Ye understand what the Emperor had meant earlier by, "We'll decide whether to throw a welcome party or beat you up together."

Had everything since he entered been an interview?

Ifrit had probably handled the technical interview, seeing whether he had any actual skills.

Bai Ye had not expected that stumbling into this would give him a chance to join Penguin Logistics.

Penguin Logistics was indeed good—one could even say it was excellent—but Bai Ye truly had no intention of joining.

The reason was simple enough. Penguin Logistics's current business was mainly concentrated in Lungmen, and Bai Ye did not want to spend all his time there.

It was true that Players logged into Lungmen during the open beta, but once version 1.0 officially launched, they would be able to freely choose their general landing location.

Victoria, Lungmen (Yan), Laterano, Columbia, Ursus—those were the landing locations available in version 1.0. If he wanted to interact with Players later on, he would definitely need to travel all over the world.

Joining Penguin Logistics would not really be a good thing.

Bai Ye believed his best choice was Rhodes Island. It was a neutral pharmaceutical company with offices all over the world.

Bai Ye's plan was to join Rhodes Island first, then find a way to take on a mission to Lungmen once the open beta began. He would figure out the rest after the open beta ended.

Rhodes Island suited him well, and it contained many important NPCs. This organization appeared in many major world events, and according to conclusions drawn by Players in his previous life, it was likely closely tied to the main storyline of the world.

That meant plenty of missions and generous rewards. Bai Ye could use its influence to attract Players. Wouldn't that be perfect?

Yet now, the Emperor seemed to want to recruit him...

Bai Ye did not want to give up this connection with Penguin Logistics either. Rejecting him outright would not be ideal.

Penguin Logistics was one of Lungmen's major forces. Though it did not have many people, it monopolized the entire underground logistics industry and stood on equal footing with another large Courier Company. The Emperor himself could chat and laugh with Lungmen's upper ranks.

Bai Ye could not bear to let such a good organization go.

Players were greedy. They did not want to give up any benefits. Only games from the old era forced Players to make all sorts of choices. Players of the new era said: I want it all!

With that in mind, Bai Ye looked at the Emperor and slowly said, "Mr. Emperor, I won't be staying in Lungmen for long. I have matters to attend to. However, we can cooperate."

The Emperor tapped the table and suddenly asked, "Cooperate? In what way? Who can you represent? How much capital do you have? How far can you go?"

The Emperor was not running a charity.

If it had been someone else, they would have been taught a lesson long ago.

After all, Bai Ye had offended them first. Now the boss had generously extended an olive branch, only for him to pick and choose. Wasn't that a little disrespectful?

The only reason the Emperor could ask so peacefully without getting angry was because Bai Ye's Charm stat was too high.

There was no helping it. Being around Bai Ye simply felt comfortable. His temperament made it difficult for people to feel hostile toward him. As long as he had not offended someone beyond all repair, it was easy for him to gain their goodwill.

Hearing the Emperor's questions, Bai Ye smiled.

That was right. After transmigrating, he had not a penny to his name. Everything he had came from "Zero Yuan Purchase," and even obtaining identification had required such danger. On the surface, he truly had nothing.

But Bai Ye possessed something no one else had. He had a game interface. He was an anomalous existence caught between reality and the game.

Charm alone was not enough. If he wanted cooperation, he needed to offer the Emperor something he needed.

After thinking for a moment, Bai Ye said, "Would an intelligence network spanning the entire land be enough?"

After saying that, he shifted his posture at the bar and poured himself a glass of liquor.

Then, out of habit, he took a huge gulp.

His whole face immediately turned red.

That was reckless!

Staying the Night

Bai Ye had instinctively taken a large gulp of alcohol. After all, in his previous life, he controlled a virtual character in a game. Even when drinking, it only simulated the flavor; he would not actually get drunk.

Back when he was in Ursus, he had once competed in drinking with NPCs at a tavern and drank everyone in the entire place under the table.

So when he raised the cup now, he instinctively took a huge drink, forgetting that he was no longer some virtual character.

He had never drunk alcohol in his previous life either. One mouthful was enough to turn his whole face red.

How embarrassing!

The Emperor looked at the youth before him and found him somewhat unbelievable.

He was a deeply contradictory existence.

He possessed a unique air, as though he had seen everything. No matter what he encountered, he could calmly come up with a solution.

He seemed to have met many important figures. Despite meeting the Emperor for the first time, he could still chat and laugh with him as though they were old acquaintances.

Yet this guy also had a remarkably immature side. He clearly could not handle alcohol, but he still took a huge gulp and ended up red-faced.

The Emperor had lived for a very long time and seen countless people, but he had never met anyone like Bai Ye.

After pondering for a moment, he suddenly held out his hand. "Then, happy cooperation."

A-Zhe.

This time, it was Bai Ye's turn to freeze.

He had originally thought that after saying that, the Emperor would at least question him further and express doubt. Then Bai Ye could sell him a grand vision to fool him... no, persuade him.

He had not expected this penguin to not even ask a single question.

That was it?

I've already dug the pit. Why aren't you jumping in?

I've taken off my pants, and this is what you show me?

Helplessly, Bai Ye slowly extended his hand and shook the penguin's.

"Happy cooperation."

Come to think of it, why did a penguin have hands?

How strange.

After the handshake, the Emperor did not ask how Bai Ye intended to cooperate or what they would be doing. He simply went over to the record player to entertain himself.

Bai Ye was left standing there, completely bewildered.

Good lord, was everyone here this casual?

"Bai Ye!"

Seeing that their boss had left, Exusiai waved at Bai Ye.

Bai Ye turned around and saw the four members of Penguin Logistics sitting together.

"You aren't going to sleep?"

Bai Ye walked over to them and asked in confusion.

It was already nearly four in the morning, yet Exusiai and the others were still full of energy.

"Ah, we just pulled off a big job and we're having a party to celebrate!" Exusiai held an apple pie in her hand and looked to be in an excellent mood.

In fact, Penguin Logistics couriers had somewhat reversed day-night schedules.

As mentioned before, Penguin Logistics was not an ordinary Courier Company. Most of their business consisted of shady underground dealings, and what they transported was usually contraband and the like.

Regular logistics couriers worked during the day, but Penguin Logistics usually worked at night.

"Ah, your face is so red. What happened?" Exusiai suddenly noticed Bai Ye's appearance and asked curiously.

"Cough, cough. I drank some alcohol just now, and I'm not really used to it..." Bai Ye answered awkwardly. The reason was honestly difficult to admit.

"Pfft—"

Sure enough, after hearing his answer, Exusiai could not help laughing. She handed Bai Ye an apple pie. "Here, have something sweet. I baked it."

"Thank you. I've long heard that Laterano people are skilled at making desserts, so I won't stand on ceremony."

Bai Ye had exerted himself heavily earlier and was already hungry. The apple pie before him, radiating warmth and a sweet-tart fragrance, was immensely tempting.

Bai Ye took a bite. It was indeed delicious.

He had been able to eat as a Player in his previous life, but it had ultimately been virtual. It was still lacking something.

As he ate, Exusiai suddenly clapped her hands and looked at Bai Ye. "Oh, right, we forgot to introduce ourselves. You're weird too—you didn't ask a single question."

Of course I didn't ask. I saw all of you in the game in my previous life. I know you already.

But Exusiai obviously had no way of knowing that. She pointed to herself first. "I'm Exusiai. As you can see, I'm from Laterano. I like parties, gatherings, and apple pie."

"Texas." The black-haired girl who had driven earlier was completely different from the lively, energetic Exusiai. She was very calm.

"Say a little more." Exusiai then explained to Bai Ye, "Texas was born with that kind of personality, so don't mind her."

Bai Ye smiled and nodded. "It's fine. Besides, having such a dependable teammate around must make people feel very secure."

Exusiai looked delighted upon hearing that. "Exactly! Looks like you've got good taste too. But Texas is mine—I'm not giving her to you!"

That wording...

Bai Ye did not know whether to laugh or cry, and hurriedly waved his hands.

However, while Exusiai had said it without thinking, someone else took it to heart. Bai Ye's casual praise of Texas seemed to resonate with the blonde twin-tailed girl beside them. She looked at Bai Ye and said, "My name is Sora. I'm a professional idol from MSR, and I currently work part-time as a courier for Penguin Logistics."

The girl looked at Bai Ye warmly because his words had raised the natural goodwill she already felt toward him even further.

As long as you praise Texas, you're our good friend.JPG

The last to introduce herself was the Fervent Hoof girl sitting beside Sora. She raised a thumb. "I'm Croissant. I usually handle the jobs that require muscle."

Courier work was generally divided into two categories. One involved delivering letters or information, while the other involved delivering goods. The former required speed, while the latter often required strength and patience.

Within Penguin Logistics, Miss Croissant clearly mainly handled the latter type of courier work.

She was a particularly forthright girl. As she spoke, she patted Bai Ye on the shoulder. "I've got some good stuff too. If you're interested, you can come take a look. I can give you a discount."

Only then did Bai Ye remember that Penguin Logistics's special shop seemed to be run by Croissant.

She would open her shop from time to time, and it contained quite a few good things.

"Definitely next time." Bai Ye remembered that. It might come in handy later.

"What does Mr. Bai Ye do?" Sora asked curiously.

She had only just learned that Bai Ye was the thief who had broken into Penguin Logistics.

Originally, she had thought Bai Ye would be severely taught a lesson, but unexpectedly, not only was he fine, he could even chat and laugh with their boss.

"I'm Bai Ye, a... traveler. I recently came to Lungmen because of some matters. I'll be staying with Penguin Logistics for the time being, so I hope you'll all take care of me. If you need help with anything, you can also come to me."

Since they had reached a cooperative relationship, there should be no problem with troubling them for a while, right?

Not far away, the Emperor smiled and shook his head.

Bai Ye really did not stand on ceremony.

The specifics of their cooperation had not even begun to take shape, and he was already moving into Penguin Logistics?

You really are something else. Got addicted to Zero Yuan Purchase, huh?

The Art of Language

After the party ended, Bai Ye followed them to Penguin Logistics's dormitory.

Croissant found Bai Ye a room in the dormitory.

"This is the oven, there's a refrigerator in the corner, and the indoor climate controller is on the wall..." The girl pointed out the equipment in the room one by one, then looked at Bai Ye. "Any other questions?"

Bai Ye absorbed it all in a rough, haphazard way and scratched his head. "I think I understand. Feels like I can manage."

Croissant blinked, suddenly feeling that although this person was good-looking, he seemed a little slow?

Bai Ye did not mind.

He was actually somewhat helpless with appliances. Or rather, he truly was not good with household appliances from Terra.

After all, he had never used them in his previous life—most Players would not specifically learn how to operate the appliances here unless they were cooking enthusiasts.