At Least Make a Counteroffer!

"You're back."

Lu Qian greeted Tang San from afar, his manner extremely warm.

Tang San, however, ignored Lu Qian and walked straight past everyone toward his dormitory.

Ma Hongjun was a little puzzled by this and casually asked Lu Qian:

"What's with him?"

"No idea. Maybe he's in a bad mood."

"Uh, all right, then."

Ten minutes later, all eight of Shrek's students had assembled on the central training ground.

The dean, Four-Eyed Cat Owl Flender, appeared before them at that moment as well.

Flender glanced over everyone. Lu Qian suddenly lowered his head with a guilty conscience, but fortunately, Flender's gaze merely swept past him.

Then he spoke in his distinctive hoarse voice, which carried a hint of resonance:

"This year has been quite good. We have five more Little Monsters. I, Flender, dean of Shrek Academy, welcome you on behalf of the academy. Later, each of you is to pay one hundred Gold Soul Coins to Teacher Li, who handles the finances."

"Mubai, with these five new junior students joining us, remember to explain the academy's rules to them afterward."

"Then you may all rest. Try to get yourselves back into peak condition. Today's first lesson will begin tonight. Ning Rongrong and Oscar, you two are exceptions. Stay behind in a moment."

Lu Qian had thought things would end there, just as in the original plot, but he had never expected Flender to suddenly point at him and add:

"Lu Qian, you stay too."

This is bad!

Clearly, Flender had not only recognized Lu Qian as the fellow who had tricked him that day, but, according to Lu Qian's analysis, he was also preparing to deal with him.

"Everyone else may leave. Remember what I said: get yourselves into peak physical condition. Shrek Academy's teaching methods are completely different from anything you've experienced before. Your lives may even be in danger."

After saying this, Flender paid no more attention to the others and began lecturing Oscar and Ning Rongrong directly.

Tang San wanted to see what Flender was capable of, so he did not leave. Xiao Wu wanted to stay with Tang San, so she would not leave either.

But Lu Qian had not expected Dai Mubai to stay as well. His gaze kept landing on Lu Qian from time to time. Was he waiting to watch a good show at his expense?

Zhu Zhuqing and Lu Qian exchanged a glance. Lu Qian waved at her, signaling for her to go back and rest, and Zhu Zhuqing obediently left.

Ma Hongjun, on the other hand, had no loyalty at all. He slipped away at the first opportunity, showing not the slightest concern for Lu Qian.

Yet, whether Flender was doing it deliberately or not, he lectured Oscar and Ning Rongrong for over half an hour, leaving Lu Qian standing beside them listening for over half an hour.

Only after Oscar and Ning Rongrong reluctantly ran off did Flender turn his gaze to Lu Qian and say sternly:

"Come with me."

From his tone alone, Lu Qian could tell that Dean Flender was probably very angry.

After all, getting tricked by a little brat like him had tarnished Dean Flender's reputation as a crooked merchant.

After arriving at Flender's office, Lu Qian put on an apologetic smile and said:

"So you're the esteemed dean! How disrespectful of me that day!"

"Spare me that act. Just tell me what you intend to do about this."

Flender glared at Lu Qian.

Lu Qian withdrew his smile with some embarrassment and asked tentatively:

"How about I offer you an apology and say I'm sorry?"

"You think an apology alone will do?"

Flender seemed even angrier.

"What else should I do, then?"

Lu Qian gave a dry laugh as he spoke.

"If you're going to apologize, you need to show sincerity!"

"Then how much money do you think that sincerity should cost?"

Lu Qian felt that without money, Flender's anger probably would not be settled today.

He might as well resign himself to being fleeced. After all, Lu Qian was now under someone else's eaves and had no choice but to bow his head.

The moment Lu Qian mentioned money, Flender's attitude changed, though he kept it from showing too obviously to preserve his image as dean.

And Flender was very skillful with his words.

"Come now! How can you bring money into an apology?"

"If not money, what should I bring up?"

Lu Qian asked in some confusion.

He was even more puzzled inwardly. Has this old geezer changed his nature?

"The point of an apology is to make my anger go away."

"Make your anger go away? How?"

"With a hundred and eight thousand coins!"

"You!"

If Lu Qian had not reined in his temper in time, an entire barrage of "Zaun-style greetings" would already have come crashing into Flender's face.

You old geezer!

A leopard really never changes its spots!

Lu Qian had actually thought there might be some twist!

Instead, Flender had opened his mouth and demanded a hundred and eight thousand Gold Soul Coins!

And the most laughable thing of all was that this old fellow Flender had become so shameless in his money-grubbing that he had even trotted out a pun!

Seeing Lu Qian react so strongly, Flender might also have felt that his asking price was a little high, and hurriedly amended his words:

"Ahem. Well, this price is still negotiable."

"You call that a negotiable price?"

Lu Qian demanded, his eyes wide. The balance of power between them instantly reversed.

A hundred and eight thousand Gold Soul Coins-damn it, that was enough for him to pry a gem off Bibi Dong's Pope's Scepter!

Looking at the furious Lu Qian, Flender did not get angry. After all, his ultimate goal was merely to fleece Lu Qian out of some money.

Then Flender continued in an earnest, instructive tone:

"Business is all about bargaining. I've named my price, so make a counteroffer."

"No! A hundred and eight thousand Gold Soul Coins-I can't counter that!"

Lu Qian roared in righteous indignation.

"No, no, don't be like that. Make an offer. What if it works out?"

"I won't!"

"Bargaining! At least make a counteroffer!"

Flender was getting a little anxious.

"You really want me to?"

"I do!"

Hearing Lu Qian relent, the wrinkles on Flender's old face multiplied.

Although Lu Qian was angry, he was no fool. Knowing full well that Flender wanted to fleece him, he simply would not fall for it!

Since Flender had asked for a hundred and eight thousand Gold Soul Coins, Lu Qian would give him a low offer outright.

After a moment's thought, Lu Qian said directly:

"Eighteen hundred, then!"

"Deal!"

Damn it! I let my guard down!

Lu Qian had never imagined that the dean of an academy could actually be so shameless!

And he would take anything, big or small!

The asking price had been a hundred and eight thousand Gold Soul Coins, and Lu Qian had chopped off a hundred and six thousand in one stroke, reducing it by more than fiftyfold!

But Lu Qian had clearly still overestimated Flender's bottom line as a person. This old fellow probably had no bottom line at all!

"No backing out! I even brought you the stone!"

As Flender spoke, he actually took out the worthless stone Lu Qian had casually pointed at that day.