It Exploded

The elevator doors opened, revealing a vast underground space before Zuo Yi!

Zuo Yi could not accurately estimate the size of the first level of the Xixi Underground Trading Market, but at a glance, he could barely see its end. Thick pillars held up the lofty dome, while xenon lamps hanging overhead lit the entire space as brightly as day.

Countless pillars formed a concrete forest, dividing the underground space into neat sections. Shops densely filled each area, their varied signs dazzling to the eye, while streams of pedestrians and customers flowed endlessly past.

Hawking, bargaining, conversation, and all kinds of other noises intertwined, constantly battering their eardrums.

It made one's blood race.

But the burly security guards in black riot gear, patrolling back and forth with riot-control equipment in hand, silently reminded everyone—this was not a place where they could cause trouble freely!

"Dad."

Bao'er widened her eyes in surprise. "This place is so, so big!"

Zuo Yi smiled. "Yeah."

The little girl asked curiously, "Then where are we setting up our stall?"

"Hmm..."

Zuo Yi said, "Dad doesn't know yet either. Let's find someone and ask."

He led Bao'er forward.

Entering the trading market did not require identification or a membership card. There was only a security checkpoint at the entrance, and everyone had to pass through it to get inside.

Zuo Yi held Bao'er's hand, and Bao'er held Taike's. The three of them passed through security without incident.

Zuo Yi had worried that pets might not be allowed inside, but the security personnel paid no attention to Taike at all.

However, the wooden box in his hand was required to be opened for inspection. Fortunately, after he explained his purpose and showed his Bronze Card, the security officer readily waved him through without making things difficult.

The security officer probably noticed that Zuo Yi was here for the first time and kindly told him where the market management office was located.

To rent a temporary stall, he needed to bring his card to the market management office.

Likewise, if any transaction disputes arose, they would also be resolved there.

Though he wanted to browse around this huge market, once he left the security checkpoint, Zuo Yi led Bao'er toward the management office.

He planned to rent a temporary stall first, and judging by how bustling the market was, there might not even be any vacancies left.

"Hey!"

Before they had taken more than a few steps, the middle-aged man they had met in the elevator lobby appeared again. Smiling broadly, he blocked Zuo Yi's path. "We meet again."

He greeted him as though they were already familiar, then said solicitously, "Are you planning to rent a stall at the management office? I know people there. I can guarantee I'll help you rent a suitable stall. Besides, at a time like this, you—"

"No need."

Zuo Yi coldly cut him off. "Get lost."

Many cities in Sadea World had various kinds of trading markets, including underground black markets of all sizes.

And besides merchants, there was another kind of person commonly found in every black market.

They were well-informed and well-connected, greedy and cunning by nature. They loved setting traps to fool newcomers, and even superhumans who did not understand the situation were often played like fools by them, suffering considerable losses as a result.

Such people were known as Jackals.

Zuo Yi knew Jackals very well and had dealt with plenty of them. The moment this middle-aged man had approached him, he had caught that familiar scent. There was no way he would listen to the man's nonsense.

Out of irritation, Zuo Yi had driven him away with a mental suggestion. He had not expected the fellow to persist and come after him again downstairs, which immediately angered him.

"Uh..."

The middle-aged man had not expected Zuo Yi's attitude to be so cold. He wanted to say something more, but when Zuo Yi swept him with a sharp glance, he instantly felt as though he had fallen into an ice pit, cold from head to toe!

It felt as though a terrifying nightmare had enveloped him. His mind was clearly awake, yet his entire body was unable to move. Endless fear surged from the depths of his heart, and sweat poured from him without him even noticing.

He stood frozen on the spot!

By the time he regained control of his body, Zuo Yi had already left with Bao'er.

Damn it!

The middle-aged man shuddered involuntarily. He no longer dared linger in the underground market and hurriedly slunk away.

Zuo Yi brought Bao'er to the management office.

Just as he stepped into the lobby of the market management office, Guan Zhishang had walked out of Gold Jade Fortune Jewelry.

The two pretty hostesses at the entrance bowed in unison. "Manager, take care."

Guan Zhishang nodded expressionlessly.

Normally, this was when he would feel superior to everyone else, but he had been restless all afternoon. His mood was terrible now.

After leaving the jewelry store, Guan Zhishang headed toward the nearby parking lot, where his car was parked.

As he walked, he took out his phone.

His first call was to his wife at home, informing her that he had to work late tonight and would not be coming back.

Without listening to the yellow-faced woman's nagging and complaints, Guan Zhishang ended the call and dialed a second number.

That number belonged to his mistress.

This time, Guan Zhishang's expression and voice became much gentler as he told her he was heading over to her place.

When Guan Zhishang's mistress received the call, she was having dinner with her best friend. They had originally planned to go shopping afterward, so she naturally pouted and complained.

Guan Zhishang coaxed her for a few moments and promised to buy her a handbag, finally calming her down.

His mood improved considerably as well.

After retrieving his car from the parking lot, Guan Zhishang soon arrived at his other home in Hang City.

When he got home, his mistress had not returned yet.

He was in no hurry. He went to the liquor cabinet, took out a bottle of whiskey and a glass, then sat on the sofa and drank alone.

As he drank, Guan Zhishang carefully recalled everything that had happened to him recently, trying to guess why he had suddenly become so uneasy.

Zuo Yi's figure abruptly sprang into his mind!

Could something have happened on Joker's end?

Guan Zhishang was startled and subconsciously picked up his phone.

But he quickly put it down again.

Guan Zhishang had worked with Joker many times and understood the latter's temperament well. He knew that calling now would only make Joker unhappy.

And Joker had never failed after taking on so many jobs. This time should be no exception.

According to the information he had gathered, that ungrateful Zuo Yi was all alone, with no status or background to speak of. He had even disappeared for several years in the past. Joker should be able to deal with him easily.

Refusing a toast only to drink a penalty!

Guan Zhishang viciously gulped down a large mouthful of whiskey, his eyes seeming to burn with flames.

Whenever he thought of that gold coin, Guan Zhishang's heart raced and his ears burned. He had never imagined that one tiny gold coin could be worth hundreds of thousands!

In his judgment, Zuo Yi definitely possessed quite a few more of those gold coins. Originally, he had planned to negotiate with Zuo Yi and buy them all, using them as capital to curry favor with Young Master Yuan and rise within the company.

Who would have thought that Zuo Yi would ask for five hundred thousand, instantly infuriating him?

He, Guan Zhishang, was no pushover!

Leaning back on the sofa with his glass in hand, Guan Zhishang looked at the furnishings in the living room, his anger rising without end.

With Guan Zhishang's current salary, he could not afford this new house even if he went without food or drink for twenty or thirty years. Nor did he dare tamper with the company accounts—the Yuan Family was not to be trifled with.

But he had still found a way. Over the years, he had made quite a fortune. Not only had he secretly kept a mistress, but he had also bought a second home and begun living a very different life.

Guan Zhishang planned to wait a few more years until he had made enough, then sell the house and emigrate overseas with his mistress. He would no longer have to be Young Master Yuan's dog and could live freely every day.

The more Guan Zhishang thought about it, the fiercer his anger became. Before he knew it, his face had flushed crimson, and the veins on his forehead throbbed violently!

Pop!

Like a hot-water bottle suddenly bursting, Guan Zhishang felt his head grow hot as something exploded inside his skull!

Clang!

The glass in his hand suddenly fell, shattering into pieces against the marble tiles as liquor splashed everywhere.

A dark red haze flooded Guan Zhishang's vision. He gasped harshly, making hoarse sounds, and his right hand weakly clawed at the air, trying to grab something—but there was nothing to grasp.

The next moment, the manager of Gold Jade Fortune Jewelry collapsed limply, his head slamming heavily into the coffee table in front of him.

Bang!