"Hahaha, if not me, who else would you see here?" the newcomer said with a laugh.
Though he still exuded a chill, his smile finally made things a little more bearable.
Fang Huiran gripped Zhao Xiaoying's arm tightly, her hand trembling.
Zhao Xiaoying didn't know if she was trembling too, but seeing Fang Huiran's state seemed to infect her, and her heart pounded with nervousness.
The person opposite, though handsome, had a certain coldness in his eyes.
"Why don't I see Fu Ruhai and Liu Sandao?"
"Speak, what is your purpose this time?" the newcomer asked, not answering her question.
"We... we... we want to exchange some Fu Guo!" Fang Huiran stammered, her eyes darting around. She dared not meet the newcomer's gaze, which felt like a knife, capable of slicing away her flesh piece by piece.
"Fu Guo? What will you exchange it with?" The newcomer, recalling how Fang Huiran had exchanged money before, suddenly saw an opportunity to discover how Fu Guo was obtained. So, he decided to lead Fang Huiran step by step to reveal the truth.
"No, no, no, I misspoke! It's exchanging Fu Guo for money!" Fang Huiran grew flustered. Zhao Xiaoying's hand, holding hers, also trembled slightly.
"Fu Guo? Let me see it!" the newcomer said, his tone still calm.
"Here, we don't have any. Can't you just produce it here?" Fang Huiran took a step forward, shielding Zhao Xiaoying behind her.
The words "produce it here" and "just produce it" greatly stimulated the newcomer's mind. If he knew how, would they still have the chance to drone on here? But soon, he asked, "Who gave you the Fu Guo, and where?"
"It was Liu Sandao and Fu Ruhai. They can give it when they are here. Don't you remember, the Fu Guo I gave you last time was given to me by Fu Ruhai!" As Fang Huiran spoke more, her confidence grew, and she felt less afraid of the newcomer.
The newcomer didn't press further. Instead, he thought of a plan. He turned and went back to the only desk in the office and made a phone call: "Tell Fu Ruhai and Liu Sandao to come up to the top floor!"
After a reply of "Yes, yes, yes" from the other end, the newcomer hung up. Fang Huiran felt relieved, thinking she was saved. She glanced at Zhao Xiaoying with joy and nodded, signaling that the matter was settled.
Upon receiving the order, Liu Sandao and Fu Ruhai immediately proceeded to the top floor. Bai Suxiang was not in the office at the time, so they had no hesitations. They took the elevator, going up to the top floor through the normal channels. All this was done under the watchful eyes of their office colleagues.
"Wow! These two guys are amazing!"
"Yeah, look at Su Manni, she's been here so long and never got summoned up, but these two just arrived and were called up. That's truly rare."
"If only I had known these handsome guys earlier!"
...
"Are you all done with your work? Is your work finished?" The office's chatter abruptly ceased with a shout. Only at a few desks, for those sitting close by, could hushed whispers still be heard.
Liu Sandao and Fu Ruhai entered the 118th floor. Although they had been up before and were accustomed to the scenery, this time they still felt a hint of novelty in their hearts. This time, they were not blocked by a barrier, and Liu Sandao did not need to use the 'Ruo Shui Fu' secret technique. They entered openly and honorably. They did not stop in front of the three mirrors at the center of the main entrance, as they were familiar with everything here.
The newcomer did not avoid them. With a wave of his hand, Liu Sandao and Fu Ruhai appeared before him. In fact, the entire top floor had been set up with barriers and spells since the newcomer arrived. Thus, the office layout and the paintwork on the top floor had undergone some changes, but the location of the main office remained the same.
"It's you?" Upon reaching the office, Fu Ruhai did not speak to the newcomer immediately. Instead, he addressed Fang Huiran and Zhao Xiaoying.
Although Liu Sandao remained silent, seeing Fang Huiran and Zhao Xiaoying's presence, he suddenly realized that his previously immature ideas would ultimately have to be compensated by him. He hoped they were not here for the Fu Guo.
But Fang Huiran spoke directly, "Fu Ruhai, didn't you give me a Fu Guo last time? Do I still need to gesture on my head this time?" This embarrassed Liu Sandao and Fu Ruhai. Obtaining Fu Guo from mortals could not involve others, especially in front of the newcomer. This was their last resort. If the newcomer found out, their days at Ying Bafang might be numbered.
"This..." Liu Sandao did not answer. Fu Ruhai simply uttered this single word.
"Since they want it, you should give it to them, shouldn't you?" The newcomer, sensing their concern, said this and turned to leave the office.
"Why are you here?" As soon as the newcomer left, Fu Ruhai asked. He looked at Fang Huiran, seeking an answer.
"To be honest, if it weren't for Xiaoying facing an insurmountable hurdle this time, we wouldn't have come here!" Fang Huiran felt much more relaxed now, simply because the newcomer was no longer in the office.
The newcomer did not leave completely but returned to the crystal ball. He wanted to see how the Fu Guo was obtained, even if this method was not entirely upright. Liu Sandao and Fu Ruhai were completely unaware that Ying Bafang's crystal ball had been modified and could now see every corner of every office in Ying Bafang.
Fang Huiran explained the entire reason why Zhao Xiaoying needed so much Fu Guo and implored Fu Ruhai and Liu Sandao to help her. Liu Sandao knew that if this happened, Zhao Xiaoying's Six Stars would be quickly consumed. Was this fate? Two million required two hundred Fu Guo, which would definitely deplete Zhao Xiaoying's foundation and severely damage her Six Star Body. At best, it would cause serious injuries; at worst, paralysis.
The newcomer intently watched the crystal ball, not pausing for a moment. Fu Ruhai took out a book from his embrace. If he followed the Heavenly Secrets Elder's procedure and completed the tasks issued by the Fu Guo System, he could help Zhao Xiaoying obtain her two hundred Fu Guo. Unfortunately, this was not a task issued by the Fu Guo System.
Fang Huiran knew that Fu Ruhai was easier to persuade, so she took a step forward and grabbed his arm, "Please, save Xiaoying, I beg you!" Her voice carried a woman's delicate plea and helplessness. Any normal man would find it hard to refuse, as a weak woman naturally needed a man's protection. However, Liu Sandao said, "No! This will cost her life!"