"Brother Buyu, it's taken care of. I had a company under me swoop in and snatch that project at a high price. Heh!"
Only after getting everything settled did Big Goose excitedly come to report to Chen Nian.
A dignified CEO of a major corporation, a middle-aged man nearing forty, was actually sitting happily by his phone, eagerly awaiting a reply from "Buyu."
Yes, just like a simp desperately pursuing his goddess.
Chen Nian: Good. I owe you a favor.
Big Goose shuddered and immediately replied: Not at all, big brother. It's an honor to help you!
Chen Nian: If I remember correctly, your talent is Knight? I'll keep an eye out for anything relevant for you.
Big Goose: Hahaha, you're too kind, big brother! Thanks in advance!
The moment that conversation ended, he immediately went to show off in the group chat.
Being able to help "Buyu" was absolutely something worth bragging about!
If nothing else, it would raise his standing in the group. That was the influence "Buyu" wielded.
"Awesome, Big Goose!"
"Looks like we'll all have to call you Brother Goose from now on."
"Brother Goose, Brother Goose! I'm your little brother from now on. Carry me!"
Big Goose's vanity was instantly satisfied in full. Never mind anything else, this alone already felt worth it. Everyone in the group was elite!
In the world to come, they would all be powerful connections!
Building a good relationship with Buyu meant having connections. Connections meant power, and power meant being able to establish a foothold in the new era.
He understood those interests perfectly well.
Chen Nian went straight back to lurking.
This had only been a minor punishment. He hadn't taken Liu Xingchen seriously at all.
A clown had tried to jump onto his head, so he had casually slapped the clown. That was all.
There weren't many people capable enough to warrant his attention.
Someone on Ye Hongling's level qualified...
But I have a girlfriend now, so she shouldn't be able to track me down that easily.
Chen Nian's plan was simple: continue resting for another two days, then head out to level up again once the supernatural power in his body had fully recovered.
Supernatural power came from unlocking the genes within one's body.
Overusing it would overtax those genes and cause them to collapse, resulting in irreversible consequences!
[Important notice: All students are to return to school as usual tomorrow. The school will establish a new "martial arts division" for supernatural beings to study and develop, with potential opportunities for official recruitment. All students, please take note.]
This was the pinned announcement in the school's main group chat.
School is resuming operations?
That makes sense. Even if the game and reality have merged, the real world's operations can't collapse. Otherwise, where would people get their income? How would they live?
It wasn't just schools. Everyday amenities, entertainment facilities, and businesses across all industries were rapidly resuming operations.
The difference was that the talent most needed in this era had become "supernatural beings"!
The school wanted to train supernatural beings.
Chen Nian received another call. To his surprise, it was from his "girlfriend," Qin Yu.
"Hello, Chen Nian?"
"What is it?"
"I... I'm going to register at Linhai City University tomorrow, to study in the 'martial arts division.' Could you come with me?"
Qin Yu sounded hesitant, seemingly a little shy.
"..."
Chen Nian attended Linhai City University himself. That was quite a coincidence.
Those three friends of Qin Yu's are probably pulling strings behind the scenes, talking her into coming here so she'll have more chances to spend time with me...
After all, they know my real identity.
"Why aren't you saying anything?"
When he remained silent, Qin Yu clearly grew a little petulant.
"What about the people at your agency? Isn't anyone taking you?"
"My manager said... said that since I have a boyfriend now, I should have my boyfriend pick me up and drop me off. She could also find a time to help me announce it officially on Weibo."
Lying on her bed, Qin Yu buried her crimson face hard in her pillow, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into.
She hadn't expected her agency to simply leave her to her own devices!
"Sure."
"What do you mean, sure? Isn't picking up your girlfriend what you're supposed to do? Hmph!"
"Then let's meet at the entrance to Linhai University tomorrow."
"Don't you dare stand me up, or I'm done for!"
Qin Yu knew that, given her identity, she would inevitably be surrounded by a huge crowd once she entered campus.
Without her manager and bodyguards beside her to protect her, she couldn't handle it at all. She had no idea whether that guy Chen Nian was reliable.
Early the next morning, Chen Nian headed out.
Although he was a homebody, as long as he dressed neatly, his looks were every bit as good as anyone else's.
With his short hair naturally fluffy, a loose T-shirt, jeans, and white sneakers, he looked every inch a handsome college student.
Rather than driving himself, Chen Nian took a taxi.
Unfortunately, he got stuck in traffic!
Almost all the traffic along this street was headed for Linhai City University!
That was because Linhai City University's "martial arts division" was also accepting public applications!
Enrollment wasn't limited to current university students. Anyone with supernatural powers who met the age requirements could apply.
Joining Linhai University meant receiving systematic training, along with opportunities to cooperate with the authorities. For the vast majority, that was far better than going it alone!
"Just my luck. Traffic jams and red lights!"
The driver cursed, then lit a cigarette and struck up a conversation with Chen Nian in the back seat.
"Young man, are you going to apply at Linhai University too?"
"Yes."
"Ah, if you ask me, young people are better off learning a trade and living a peaceful life. What's the point of all that stuff?"
The driver blew smoke out the window. "My second nephew was into that. He thought he was going to become some big badass, but yesterday the law enforcement officers brought his body home."
Chen Nian: ...
"How could fighting those monsters be easy? Young people are just hotheaded. Living a peaceful life is the right way to go."
Chen Nian shook his head. "Sir, peaceful times don't come from nowhere. Someone has to shoulder the burden."
"Shoulder the burden? That's not a job for you kids!"
Just then, on the pedestrian crossing ahead of the taxi, a little girl with a schoolbag was skipping across the road.
Boom!
A manhole cover beside the road shot into the air like a cannonball!
Several pitch-black tentacles swiftly reached out of the manhole, wrapped around the girl's arms and legs, and dragged her into the sewer!
"Aaaaaah!!!"
Deafening screams erupted on the street.
Pedestrians fled in every direction in terror.
"Xiaoke! Xiaoke!"
The girl's mother screamed her daughter's name like a madwoman and tried to jump in, but a male passerby behind her held her tightly back.
"Let go of me! A monster dragged my daughter in there! Let go!"
"Don't be rash! Don't be rash, ma'am!"
The driver stared blankly at the scene, apparently scared witless on the spot.
In broad daylight, a monster had emerged from the sewer and snatched a living little girl away. Just thinking about it was terrifying!
Chen Nian put on a face mask and opened the car door.
He shot forward in a single stride, forcibly broke through the crowd, and nimbly leaped into the sewer.