Steward Song whispered, "We can't break it, didn't you break it too... This day is supposed to be a day of rest, but you only let the main estate rest, while the branch estates are still operating..."
"What do you know, old man!"
Chen An glared at him, "I'm doing this for the economic sake of the Fifth Universe! If my Ziyun Bank stops operating, wouldn't the Fifth Universe's finances collapse in a day? These merchants and wealthy people should be thanking me!"
Steward Song said, "You're right about the second half of what you said, but I disagree with the first half. Who's the old man is still uncertain... I just look precocious..."
Chen An looks young, but he is actually an old monster who has lived for seven hundred years. Compared to him, Steward Song is just a young man who is over two hundred years old.
Chen An ground his back teeth and said with a grin, " Steward Song, I didn't realize you, such an honest and unassuming person, could be so good at witty remarks! Hey, how much is your monthly salary? Let me check if I'm overpaying you..."
Upon hearing this, Steward Song was terrified and quickly put on a fawning smile, saying, "Master, please don't do this! I have elderly parents and young children to support; I can't take such a joke!"
Then learn to shut up.
"Okay!"
Let's go.
After their banter, Chen An felt instantly refreshed. He straightened his clothes and walked towards the counter.
Behind the sandalwood counter, the entire wall was hollowed out, revealing a purple crystal table. On the table sat a white jade tablet with only the three simple words " God of Wealth " written on it.
Steward Song brought three incense sticks, lit them, and handed them to Chen An. Chen An's expression became respectful. He held the incense and bowed once, twice, and three times.
"May the God of Wealth bless our descendants with peace, prosperity, and boundless wealth, ensuring they stand tall in the Fifth Universe forever... May he bless my descendants, that is, me, Chen An, with limitless good fortune throughout my life, free from petty people, blessed with good marriages, and romantic luck—one romance isn't enough, three, four... uh, am I being too greedy? Okay then, one will do..."
"And may I never encounter anyone trying to rob me of my debts. Since I took over this money exchange ten years ago, it has been threatened and robbed by various forces. I'm exhausted... I was originally hired as the elder guard of the money exchange, but who knew that in that battle ten years ago, the owner died, entrusting this huge money exchange to me before he died. I'm constantly on edge, afraid that I'll ruin such a large business. If you, God of Wealth, are watching from heaven, wouldn't you send me a dream to compensate me for this mental anguish?..."
Chen An kept muttering to himself, Steward Song, who was getting drowsy from listening, finally couldn't take it anymore and said, "Master, you're too greedy. Even if you could make a wish, you have way too many!"
Chen An thought about it and agreed. He made a new wish. "I hope the God of Wealth will bless the bank, ensuring its stability and preventing the appearance of Dao of Hegemony or rude individuals. Although I am a martial artist, my heart yearns for peace..."
Steward Song said, "Actually, wishes made to the God of Wealth don't come true... it's just superstition..."
Chen An glared at him. "I know! I'm willing!"
Steward Song: "..."
After making his wish, Chen An lay back down on the armchair. When Steward Song saw that the roasted oranges were cooked, he took them out and gave them to Chen An. The orange peels were charred black from the smoke and had a unique, refreshing fragrance.
While eating an orange, Chen An suddenly said, " Steward Song, I mentioned before that I wanted to have some defensive soft armor made. Did you arrange it for me?"
Steward Song blinked guiltily and said, "Is that so?"
"I think I really should calculate my wages properly!" Chen An threatened with a forced smile.
"I admit it was my oversight. I'll take care of it right away, but... Master, what budget are you planning to allocate?"
Steward Song rubbed his hands together, his heart filled with despair. He had experienced firsthand how stingy this man was over the past ten years!
Trying to squeeze more money out of him is incredibly difficult.
He can't use his own wages to subsidize everything; he has elderly parents and young children to support...
Chen An scratched his cheek, thought for a moment, and asked, "One hundred thousand?"
Steward Song said, "One hundred thousand can only buy one piece of silver silk soft armor."
Two hundred thousand?
"That's enough to buy two pieces of silver silk soft armor."
Three hundred thousand?
"That's enough to buy three pieces of silver silk soft armor!"
"..."
Chen An felt like vomiting blood. He complained, "Why do you keep buying silver silk soft armor? What's the use of that? What can it defend against?! I'm docking your pay today!"
Steward Song helplessly spread his hands. "Master, this isn't my fault. The defensive soft armor on the market now is all inlaid with Mystic Star Stone, and Mystic Star Stone is incredibly expensive; a palm-sized piece costs a million!"
How effective is the Mystic Star Stone in defense?
"Medium!"
"Damn, this is only mid-range?"
Chen An hesitated, but Steward Song advised, "Master, look, if you spend a million on a mid-grade soft armor, its defense won't be good, and its lifespan won't be long if you encounter danger. You'll have to keep buying it. It's better to spend a lot of money on a high-grade soft armor with superior defense!"
"What you said makes sense. How much does the premium version cost?"
"More than ten million!"
"Do you have top-tier defense?"
"I received some news that many people went to the Fourth Universe, claiming they discovered the Emperor Bone Stone, which boasts top-tier defensive capabilities. A piece the size of a finger could withstand attacks from at least a God- King Grade!"
Steward Song recalled.
Chen An was tempted. "I want this Emperor Bone Stone, let's go buy it now!"
Steward Song shook his head and sighed, "Unfortunately, this item is priceless. After hearing about it, I sent people to search for it, but to no avail. I heard it was taken away by a group of powerful individuals."
Chen An sighed deeply, "What a pity! I have so much money, yet I can't buy a single Emperor Bone Stone! Fine, I'll settle for Mystic Star Stone then, ten million, right?"
He flicked his finger, and a card traced a smooth golden arc in the air before landing perfectly in Steward Song's arms.
Steward Song held the card, hesitant. He felt... was the lord being a little too generous today? Something felt off, so he checked the Emperor's Fortune number on the card...
Three million...
Steward Song nearly coughed up blood. Clutching his heart, he asked with his last glimmer of hope, "Master, we're still... we're still short seven million..."
"Oh, I can't come up with that much right now, it's a bit of a hassle. Steward Song, please subsidize me this time, and I'll give you a raise later!"
Chen An peeled the orange casually.
Steward Song: "..."
He nearly fainted. It happened again; they were exploiting him again!
How much subsidy has he given over the past ten years?
He gritted his teeth, truly afraid that he would lose control and strangle Chen An!
" Steward Song, why are you so angry that your lips are trembling?" Chen An asked with wide eyes, his face full of knowing full well what was going on.
Steward Song's face turned pale, then green, then red, finally he asked timidly with a mournful expression, "Could you please give me a raise...?"
Chen An smiled and winked, "Don't worry, I won't treat you unfairly!"
Just as Steward Song was about to leave with the card, there was a knock on the door!