NABC Chapter 57 If she is young and vibrant, then I will show her all the wonders of the world.
Chapter 57 If she is young and vibrant, then I will show her all the wonders of the world.
"Given this situation, the tactics are clear."
Xia Chanming cleared his throat, stood up, and began pacing around the room. His steps were unhurried, carrying a composure unique to seasoned veterans, like a seasoned professor lecturing to students on a podium.
"As the ancients said, if she is naive and inexperienced, take her to see the world's splendor; if she is world-weary, take her to ride a carousel." He held up a finger and waved it in the air, his tone tinged with smugness. "This rabbit spirit—oh no, Miss Xiao Wu—clearly belongs to the former."
He turned around, put his hands behind his back, and his expression became serious.
"Think about it, what's her situation? A 100,000-year-old soul beast, sounds impressive, right? But the question is, what has she been doing for those 100,000 years? Just hopping around in the forest! Eating grass with other rabbits! Dodging those large soul beasts that want to eat her!"
Xia Chanming spread his hands, making a "you know what I mean" expression.
"Her life experience is actually very limited."
It's nothing more than "eating," "sleeping," "running," and "fighting." After transforming into human form, although she gained human intelligence, she was still, at heart, a naive "country girl" who had never seen the world. Ask her to do accounts, she couldn't; ask her to appreciate art, she didn't understand; ask her to savor food, she couldn't distinguish between French cuisine and street food.
He leaned forward, lowered his voice, as if imparting some unparalleled secret technique.
"The most effective weapon against this type of girl is 'sweet talk'."
Xia Chanming held up three fingers and started snapping them one by one.
"First, a materialistic bombardment. Buy her whatever tastes good, give her whatever looks nice. She likes carrots? Get her the best carrots in the entire continent, the kind watered with spiritual spring water and nurtured with soul power! She likes pretty clothes? Make her the most gorgeous dresses, so she'll be the center of attention wherever she goes!"
"Second, upgrade the experience. Take her to the most upscale restaurants, stay in the most luxurious hotels, and see the most spectacular performances. Let her experience the kind of top-tier enjoyment that ordinary people can only dream of. VIP boxes in the arena, royal hot spring resorts, private auctions that only nobles can enter... In short, take her to places that are expensive, rare, and unique!"
"Third, emotional value. Be generous, lavish, and nonchalant in front of her. Don't look at the price when buying things, and tip the waiter so much that he's moved to tears. Make her feel that money is just a number to you, and that she'll never have to worry about material things with you. This sense of security is what touches a young girl the most."
Xia Chanming curled his lip in disdain, revealing an expression of complete confidence.
"Innocent young girls are the easiest to 'cultivate.' As long as you demonstrate sufficient wealth and so-called 'pampering,' she will gradually get used to this kind of life. When you raise her threshold to a level that others cannot reach, she will be unable to leave you. Because once she leaves you, she will have to return to a life of simple meals, and that sense of loss will make her wish she were dead."
He put his hands in his pockets and gave a nonchalant smile.
"As for that Tang San? Hah, the worst thing about childhood sweethearts is when a super-rich guy suddenly appears. What can he offer Xiao Wu? Sharing hardships? Struggling together? Living in a shabby dorm together? Don't be ridiculous! Who buys into that stuff these days?"
Li Fulan nodded thoughtfully, her fingers gently stroking the rim of the glass in her hand.
Although Xia Chanming's words were mercenary, they did have some merit.
Spoiling them? That does fit his plan.
He has the resources of an entire nation poured into him. Just that Pioneer tactical assault vehicle alone is enough to make the natives of Douluo Continent drop their jaws. Not to mention that he can continuously transport all sorts of strange and wonderful "divine artifacts" from the modern world.
In this world, resources and connections are essential.
Who is Tang San? Even with the protagonist's halo, he was still a penniless nobody in the beginning. What makes him think he can fight me?
Just then, Lin An's emotionless voice interrupted Xia Chanming's incessant chatter.
"Comrade Li, Elder Yuan just sent an urgent message." Lin An bowed slightly. "He's waiting for you in the lab. He says there's been a new breakthrough in the debugging of that 'special equipment,' and he hopes you can go there as soon as possible to confirm."
Upon hearing this, Li Fulan immediately put down her cup and stood up.
"Understood." Li Fulan straightened her collar, turned and walked towards the elevator without glancing at Xia Chanming again. "Lin An, I'm leaving this to you."
"Yes, Comrade Li."
As the elevator doors closed, Li Fulan's slender figure disappeared into the silvery metallic sheen.
A brief silence fell over the rest area, leaving only Lin An and Xia Chanming.
The invisible pressure from those in power dissipated with Li Fulan's departure, and Xia Chanming visibly relaxed. He let out a long sigh, like a mouse finally escaping a cat's claws, and slumped onto the sofa, his snobbish face reappearing.
"Phew—finally gone." He muttered to himself, fanning his face with his hand. "That boss had such a strong presence; I was sweating buckets when I talked to him."
He rubbed his hands together excitedly, pulled out his gold-plated phone studded with rhinestones from his pocket, and waved it around. His bank app was on the screen.
"Hehehe, Mr. Lin." Xia Chanming sat up abruptly from the sofa, his face beaming with a fawning smile. "Look, I've put forward this plan, done the analysis, and the boss seems quite satisfied. Shouldn't we settle the bill?"
He rubbed his fingers together, making a gesture as if counting money.
"Triple consultation fee, as agreed. And travel expenses, lost wages, compensation for emotional distress, etc., you can pay whatever you think is appropriate, I'm not picky."
He looked at Lin An expectantly, his tone carrying a hint of flattery.
"Oh, right, could you send one of those driverless cars to take me back to the city? You know, that big, black behemoth, it's so cool! If I rode one to the nightclub and parked there, it would be a showstopper! All those rich kids' Lamborghinis and Ferraris would be nothing compared to it!"
Lin An maintained her polite and elegant smile.
"Please rest assured regarding the compensation. The triple consultation fee has been deposited into your reserved offshore account, and you can check it at any time."
"Really?" Xia Chanming's eyes lit up, and he quickly looked down to check his phone.
Sure enough, the account balance had a long string of zeros.
"Great! Absolutely fantastic!" He was so happy he almost jumped up, excitedly springing up from the sofa and straightening his dazzling sequined suit. "I love bosses like you—efficient and quick to pay! If you ever need any advice, just call me. As long as the price is right, I, Xia Chanming, will be there anytime!"
He was about to walk out, already planning how to squander the money—should he go to Macau for a spin? Or should he buy that modified Mustang he'd been eyeing for so long? Or maybe he could go to the Maldives for a vacation, take some photos with internet celebrities and models, and post them on social media to show off?
However, he had only taken two steps when he discovered that Lin An had somehow blocked his way.
The once gentle and refined Mr. Lin An, who seemed harmless, now stood there silently like an insurmountable mechanical monument. His posture remained unchanged, and his expression was still that standard smile.
But for some reason, Xia Chanming felt an invisible pressure, as if an invisible hand was choking him.
"Mr. Xia," Lin An said, his voice still polite and courteous, yet carrying a chilling coldness that sent shivers down one's spine, "I'm afraid you've misunderstood something."
"Misunderstanding...?" Xia Chanming's smile froze on his face, a sense of foreboding rising within him. "Misunderstanding what?"
"Regarding the matter of 'leaving'," Lin An tilted his head slightly, the movement as precise as a robot's, "it's not within the scope of our agreement."
Xia Chanming's expression changed instantly.
"What do you mean?" He instinctively took a step back, his voice trembling slightly. "Didn't we have an agreement? I'd provide consultation, you'd pay me, and then I could leave? I even signed a confidentiality agreement! I absolutely wouldn't tell anyone!"
"The confidentiality agreement is just a psychological defense." Lin An slowly took a step forward, the sound of his leather shoes on the metal floor crisp and rhythmic, like a countdown signal. "But for this level of secrecy, it's far from enough."
He took another step forward.
"You now know the secret of time travel."
Another step.
"I have seen the internal structure of the Seventh Base."
Another step.
"They even participated in the tactical planning for targets in the other world."
Xia Chanming's back was already pressed against the wall, and the cold metallic touch made him shiver.
"To ensure Comrade Li's safety and the absolute secrecy of the base, we cannot take any risks."
Xia Chanming's legs went weak, and she almost knelt on the ground.
Lin An made a "please" gesture, pointing to another passage deep within the base. The passage was deep and dark, with no end in sight, like a path leading to an unknown abyss.
"So, welcome to the 'New Yuan City' project."
Lin An's voice was as calm as if he were reading out a regular job offer.
"For the next few decades, you will enjoy a life of luxury as a permanent resident and special emotional advisor here. The base will provide everything you need, including but not limited to luxury accommodations, gourmet food, entertainment facilities, and even certain 'special services' that are difficult to obtain through legal channels. Of course, in exchange..."
He paused, then smiled.
"Your activities are limited to underground."
Xia Chanming's face turned deathly pale instantly, as if someone had poured a bucket of ice water over his head.
"No! Sir! Brother!" His legs went weak, and he really knelt down, clasping his hands together and bowing desperately. "That's not what you said before! Do you know this is illegal? This is unlawful detention! It's kidnapping! I'm calling the police! I'm looking for a lawyer! I..."
"Call the police?" Lin An tilted his head slightly, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Mr. Xia, do you think the police can find this place?"
Xia Chanming's words choked in his throat.
Yes, this base is buried dozens of meters underground somewhere unknown. He was brought in blindfolded and has no idea of its exact location. Even if he calls the police, what can they do?
"Furthermore," Lin An added, "from a legal perspective, the 'confidentiality agreement' you signed an hour ago is actually a 'voluntary employment contract.' Article 37, Section 5 of the contract clearly states: 'Party B voluntarily accepts the unified management of the base and promises not to leave the designated area without authorization during the contract period.' The contract term is... fifty years."
"Fifty years?!" Xia Chanming's eyes widened like saucers. "How come I didn't know that? This is fraud! This is an unfair contract!"
"Didn't you read it carefully when you signed it?" Lin An's tone carried a hint of innocence. "You can't blame us for that."
Xia Chanming remembered.
The agreement was hundreds of pages long, filled with legal jargon. He didn't have the patience to read it line by line; he just flipped to the end, signed his name, and that was it.
He never expected that these people had dug such a big pit inside!
"I...I refuse to accept this!" He struggled to stand up. "You can't treat me like this! I have elderly parents and young children to support...okay, I don't, but I have a career! My clients are waiting for me to serve them! Who will compensate me for my losses by locking me up here?"
"The base will fully compensate you for your losses," Lin An said with a smile. "As for your clients, we will arrange for someone to impersonate you and explain to them that you need long-term care due to the accident. Rest assured, everything will be handled properly."
"Impersonating me?" Xia Chanming's eyes widened in horror. "What do you want to do? Take over my life?"
"It's just a temporary arrangement," Lin An said. "After all, it's too suspicious to let someone disappear into thin air. But if he's hospitalized for a long time because of 'illness,' everyone will gradually forget about him. One year, two years, five years... eventually, Xia Chanming will disappear from everyone's memory."
Xia Chanming felt his blood run cold.
These people are no ordinary wealthy individuals! This is a tightly organized and ruthless group...
He dared not think any further.
"Please..." His voice was already trembling with sobs, "I really won't say anything... I swear... I can continue to be your consultant, for free! Not a penny! Just please let me go..."
"Mr. Xia." Lin An crouched down, meeting Xia Chanming's gaze as he knelt on the ground. His electronic eyes remained devoid of any emotion. "You know what? Comrade Li is actually a very good employer. As long as you cooperate, life here won't be too bad. But if you don't cooperate..."
He stood up and looked down at Xia Chanming.
"We have other ways to shut you up. Those ways aren't so...humane."
Xia Chanming's body trembled uncontrollably.
Two guards in black combat uniforms emerged silently from the shadows and lifted Xia Chanming, who was already terrified and incoherent, onto their left and right sides. His legs were as weak as noodles, and he couldn't stand up at all. He could only be half-dragged and half-pulled forward by the two guards.
"No—! Please—! I was wrong—! I was really wrong—!"
The cries of cicadas echoed in the empty corridor, gradually fading away at the end of the deep passage leading to the "permanent residential area".
Lin An stood there, watching their departing figures.
Only when the cries and screams were completely silenced did he slowly turn around and walk back towards the control room. His steps remained elegant and composed, as if nothing had happened.
"One new person has been added to the personnel list of the Seventh Base."
He reported to the void.
"Identity: Specially Appointed Emotional Consultant. Security Level: C. Activity Area: Living and Entertainment Cabins in Zone B."