Shang Wei nodded confidently, swirling the drink in his glass. "You said you wanted proof of financial strength. I'll pay in full by tomorrow, provided the goods check out."
Lin Fang didn't reply right away. He leaned back on the sofa and crossed his arms, thinking.
Even if they were sold at a steep discount, still, selling all of them at once in bulk is akin to a dream deal. A month ago, he didn't even have 10,000 credits in his bank account. Now, he was about to add 6 million credits? Now, if that's not a dream for someone like Lin Fang, then what would be…
However, the fact that it is too good to be true made Lin Fang wonder about Shang Wei's motives. But then he realized why he should care what Shang Wei plans on doing. As long as he gets the money, isn't that enough? Moreover, he can create more eggs later on, anyway.
Coming to a decision, he said. "Alright. I'll text you the place tomorrow, around dawn."
"Happy Cooperation." "Happy Cooperation."
Both of them shook hands briefly before Lin Fang left the room at a hastened pace.
"Six million credits…"
He whispered again, like he was trying to convince himself it was real.
"I bought those eggs for coins received as a part of the reward money from finding Nemesis' spirit, which was literally given for free."
He laughed under his breath, half in awe, half in disbelief. "6 million.. 6 million… 6 fuc*ing million…"
As he passed by the crowded bar and moved toward the lounge where his friends were still dancing and drinking, his brain raced faster than the bass.
With such money, he could reopen a physical pet store, even bigger than the previous one. How long has it even been? Not even a month since he vacated the store, and now, he gets to buy a bigger one; A real store with a training lab, a monster daycare. Or maybe even build his own hatchery or sponsor monster tamer students.
As he reached the table, Zhi Yan waved at him. "That took a while. Who was it?"
Lin Fang just smiled, dazed. "Opportunity."
"Huh?"
He collapsed onto the couch next to her, still grinning. "Nothing, let's just say that a deal went through with the client, and I earn money. I mean, millions…"
Zhi Yan grabbed his arms with a wide laugh. "Great. That's really great."
Meanwhile, in the private room;
The woman sitting beside Shang Wei scoffed, putting the glass on the table.
"Who is the idiot that gave that guy so many monster eggs to sell?" she muttered, swirling her glass. "Either he's planning on scamming you, or he's just some fool who doesn't know the actual value of what he's holding."
Shang Wei leaned back in amusement. "Relax, babe," he said, placing an arm around her waist casually. "I've already done my homework. Up until a few weeks ago, Lin Fang was drowning in debt. Had to sell both his family home and a physical storefront. He is a total nobody."
He paused to sip his drink, eyes gleaming with interest.
"But then… bam… out of nowhere, he starts an online pet store and begins selling high-quality eggs at wholesale prices. And at such prices that forced me to just buy everything he posted so that no one else realizes that he even sells them. But I didn't expect him to possess so many of them."
The woman frowned. "And you don't think that's suspicious?"
"Oh, it's very suspicious, alright," Shang Wei smirked. "That's why I'm making the move now. Once we make the deal, assuming he takes the six million tomorrow, the bank transaction will get automatically flagged."
"Flagged? Why?"
Shang Wei's smile sharpened as he swirled his glass, "Anything above five million in a single transaction gives the authorities the right to access and audit a person's bank records. And my buddy at the Revenue and Trade Investigation Bureau can look up his bank statements legally and trace the source of funds. If someone is supplying Lin Fang with the eggs, he will get back the money from him, correct? And we just need that name."
The woman's eyes slowly widened in understanding. "So you're saying... the moment he accepts your money, he's basically handing over his financial secrets."
"Exactly," Shang Wei said, tapping her glass with his. "If he has a supplier, we can make a deal with them instead. And if he doesn't, then it will confirm my initial hypothesis that he owns an illegal breeding ground. Either way, it's good for us."
The woman frowned at his explanation. "You're going to pay an extra one million just to peek at his bank statements? You can offer him 5 million, too."
Shang Wei chuckled and shook his head. "No, not just for that."
He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice. "See, five million sounds… business-like. A round figure. It tells him I want the goods, but I haven't really considered what they're worth."
The woman tilted her head. "I don't follow."
He smiled and reached out, patting her gently on the head, like he was both teasing and teaching. "Okay. Let's say I give you 100,000 credits and tell you to go shopping. Buy anything you want."
"I like that…" she said slowly, amused.
"Now instead," Shang Wei continued, "imagine I surprise you with a handbag that costs 115,000 credits. No occasion, no reason… just something I picked because I knew you'd love it. Which situation do you like more?"
Her eyes lit up as the meaning sank in. "Obviously, I'd pick the handbag."
"Why? Is it because it is worth more?"
"Not really. It's not about the extra 15,000. It shows that you care enough to put atleast a little effort in buying me a gi… gift…" Her eyes widened in realization. "I see. Now, I understand."
Shang Wei smirked.
After a while;
Lin Fang and the other four, cheeks flushed and arms draped around each other, laughed uncontrollably as they walked out of the club. A cab was already waiting for them beforehand.
Zhi Yan and others get inside.
Lin Fang helped close the door gently, tapping the roof.
"I'll be right behind you all," he said with a tired smile.
"Don't drive fast, though." Li Liu waved her hand, her speech slurred in drunkenness.
Zhi Yan said. "Why not join us. We can scoot in the back."
Lin Fang put up a smile. "It's alright. I'm not as drunk as you all. I'm sober enough to drive on my own. You guys go ahead."
"Alright." "Drive safe." "See you at home."
They waved at him through the window before the cab pulled away. Lin Fang turned and made his way toward the parking lot where his motorcycle was waiting.
Taking a seat, Lin Fang sat there for a bit and smiled. "6 million credits… Fortune just smiling upon me every day."
He stretched his shoulders a bit before reaching out for his helmet hanging from the handlebars. But just as he was about to put it on…
Psst.
A sharp prick at his neck.
"What the…"
His body stiffened.
Lin Fang barely managed a glance at the figure behind him. It was a tall man, hulking in frame, his face hidden beneath a hood, muscles quite bulging though, from beneath a sleeveless jacket.
There was a glint of green inside the empty syringe now in the man's hand.
Lin Fang's knees buckled. The helmet clattered to the ground. His vision blurred in seconds, then darkness swallowed him whole.
Thud.
His limp body hit the ground.
The man stooped silently, slinging Lin Fang over his shoulder like a bag of rice, then briskly made his way toward a black vehicle idling nearby with its lights off.
The back door opened with a soft click, and he dumped Lin Fang into the back seat without a word. As he slid in and closed the door, a voice crackled from the monitor's speaker.
"Target secured?"
The man nodded once. "Yes, Sir. Bringing him to the location."