[What's with calling her "my wife"? How can someone just randomly call a stranger that? Imagine how you'd feel if your friends or family were addressed that way by a stranger. And besides, she is my wife! I'm about to lose it!]
[Well, well, well, the truth finally comes out.]
[But there's something oddly out of place about Elysia, the newly appointed White Eagle Eight member, compared to the others. It's like they just grabbed some random student from a nearby school. She's way too young—can someone like that really govern a country?]
[Wait a minute, I've seen Miss Elysia's videos before! She's one of the White Eagle Eight?! I always thought she was just a streamer.]
Regardless, Elysia had made her first major international splash, bringing her to the attention of a wider audience. Though, this newfound fame likely meant little to her.
Meanwhile, while Elysia was stuck in tedious meetings, Robin and her group, led by "Mr. Local Snake," had arrived at a large outdoor venue in the city center. "This is absolutely the best place around for a concert!" he declared, gesturing at the site.
"The space is spacious, the location is excellent, and most importantly, the price is reasonable!"
The group entered the venue and quickly found the owner. However, when they mentioned renting the entire space for a concert, he immediately quoted a seven-figure sum—in US dollars, no less!
To put it mildly, Robin wasn't short on cash. But that was beside the point; this price was undeniably exorbitant, far exceeding the average for such a venue.
Chu Xingyu, Robin's manager, frowned immediately. But before he could speak, Mr. Local Snake stepped forward, his brow furrowed. "Boss, this price seems unreasonable, doesn't it?"
The owner chuckled. "Ha! You wouldn't understand. Venues of this caliber always command such prices. Feel free to check around if you don't believe me."
This was clearly a scam. The owner had undoubtedly recognized the group as foreigners and was deliberately inflating the price, knowing they wouldn't know where to check. Newcomers like them? Where would they even start?
As he spoke, the owner couldn't help but glance at Mr. Local Snake. While the presence of a local among the foreigners had surprised him, it was a mere inconvenience. What could one ordinary local possibly do?
Having a local as a guide might protect you from scams at tourist spots or ordinary shops, but when it comes to million-dollar deals, what good is a local? You need real power and influence!
Suddenly, Mr. Local Snake declared, "No, no, no! I think you're the one who doesn't understand the situation. Boys, show him how things really work!"
His words stunned everyone—Shu Cat, Chu Xingyu, Yu Lin, and even Robin.
In the next instant, two passersby who had been wandering aimlessly around the stadium rushed forward. As they ran, they pulled on black balaclavas that covered everything but their eyes and mouths.
The two men seized the stadium owner's arms and dragged him away in full view of everyone.
Shu Cat: "???"
Chu Xingyu: "???"
Robin: "???"
Yu Lin stepped in front of Robin, shielding her with her body, and glared warily at the sudden arrivals.
"Ahem, don't panic, everyone. This is perfectly normal in White Eagle," Mr. Local Snake said with a nervous cough. "Just wait a moment. I'm sure when he returns, he'll be much more cooperative and offer a price that satisfies everyone."
As Mr. Local Snake spoke, the stadium owner's increasingly distant screams could still be heard:
"How dare you!"
"Someone help! Where's security?!"
"Call the police!"
"Aaaaaah!"
Shu Cat hesitated before whispering, "Are foreign local snakes... really this ruthless?"
Chu Xingyu shook his head, equally bewildered. "I have no idea."
"But considering White Eagle's presence here," Shu Cat continued, "maybe this is... somewhat normal? And they didn't even pull a gun. In movies, gangsters just have shootouts in the streets, blasting away in gun battles."
"Stop watching so many movies," Chu Xingyu retorted. "That's impossible..."
Before he could finish, Mr. Local Snake leaned in, interrupting. "Oh, but it's all true."
With a flourish, he lifted his coat to reveal a handgun holstered at his waist. "I considered drawing my gun earlier, but since you're foreigners, I thought a more cautious approach was best."
Shu Cat: "..."
Chu Xingyu: "..."
Robin: "..."
Although Elysia had ordered them to help Robin organize her concert, that was the extent of her instructions. She had no idea how Baldy Burke had relayed the order. Watching the scene unfold before her, Robin couldn't help but find it utterly absurd.
Moments later, the venue owner nervously shuffled back, his face pale. He looked at the group, rubbed his hands together, and forced a servile smile. "Haha, everyone, I'm so sorry! I didn't realize who I was dealing with."
"Free of charge! You can have the venue for as many days as you need!"
There had been no torture or coercion. The explanation was simple: after dragging the venue owner into a corner while he protested about calling the police, the two men who had escorted him showed him their White Tower identification cards. "White Tower business," they said. "Full cooperation is required."
In terms of authority, even the lowest-ranking White Tower staff member outranked the police. The venue owner immediately fell into line.
At that moment, Chu Xingyu felt a chill run down his spine as he watched the scene unfold. A faint urge to retreat crept into his mind. They had only come to put on a concert—what if they got caught up in some gangland crime and ended up arrested?
Seeing Chu Xingyu's hesitation, the venue owner suddenly rushed over and clung to his leg. "Please, rent this place! If you don't, I'm ruined!"
Chu Xingyu: "..."
Shu Cat stared in disbelief. "What kind of upside-down world is this?!"
Of course, everyone except Robin assumed the owner was terrified of being targeted by the gang. In reality, he was terrified of being arrested by the White Tower.
Finally, after lengthy negotiations and paying a fair price, Chu Xingyu secured exclusive use of the venue for half a month. With the location settled, preparations for the concert could officially begin.