When Lin Hai saw this, he thought, wow, this Yao Chi Fairy is really impatient.
Little Confused Immortal: Fairy, can we talk about this another day? My friend is suffering from a Peach Blossom Curse and needs saving right now.
Yao Chi Fairy: Alright then. Find me when you have time. I’ll be waiting for your news.
When he came out of the office, Du Chun greeted him.
“Master…”
“Is Mayor Tang gone?” Lin Hai asked.
“No, he’s in the lounge next door.” Du Chun pointed to a room beside them.
Lin Hai couldn’t help but sigh. This Mayor Tang is really a man of loyalty. His secretary is in the hospital, yet here he is, a dignified mayor, waiting nearby the whole time. Leaders who can do this are definitely few and far between.
But since Tang Sen is here, things just got easier.
Lin Hai pushed the door open and walked into the lounge.
Tang Sen was sitting on the sofa resting with his eyes closed. When he saw Lin Hai come in, he quickly stood up.
“Mr. Lin, how is it going?”
“Mayor Tang, there are two things right now that need your help to resolve.” Lin Hai’s expression was a bit serious.
Tang Sen took a deep breath. “Go ahead.”
“First, send someone to find Tao Tao immediately and bring her here.”
“Okay, I’ll do it right away!” Tang Sen agreed without hesitation.
“Second, Tao Tao is likely being manipulated by someone behind the scenes. She’s a victim too. I need you to find the one pulling the strings.”
“No problem!”
“Remember, we only have three days!” Lin Hai stressed with great seriousness.
“To the Public Security Bureau.” Tang Sen didn’t waste any words and left directly with Sha Wujing.
After Tang Sen left, Lin Hai stayed there for a while but realized there was nothing he could do for now. He said goodbye to Du Chun and left as well.
He called his parents, but they were out shopping, dragged along by Bald Qiang.
No one was home, and Lin Hai didn’t feel like going back, so he drove straight to school.
Thinking about it, he’d been so busy lately, running nonstop, that he hadn’t been to school in a long time.
“Man, you two slackers, skipping class again!” As soon as Lin Hai entered the dorm, he saw Wang Peng and Liu Liang hunched over the computer playing League of Legends.
“You’ve got some nerve calling us out. At least we show up on campus every day, unlike you—no one even sees your face anymore.” Wang Peng didn’t even turn around.
“Oh, hey, Liangzi, how’s that auction thing your family’s bidding on going? Any luck?” Lin Hai suddenly remembered Liu Liang mentioning his family was participating in an auction.
“Ah, don’t even mention it. My dad’s tried several times to meet the vice president of the court in charge of it, but no luck. Haizi, you might not know this, but government auctions are full of red tape. My dad says he’ll keep thinking of a way.”
“Oh.” Lin Hai didn’t really know much about auctions, but he did understand that China is a relationship-based society. Having someone vouch for you is always better than not.
Ding dong!
His WeChat notification went off.
Lin Hai opened it and saw a message alert.
The Antarctic Elder has expanded your friend capacity by one slot, costing 100,000 merit points.
Whoa, big spender!
Lin Hai’s eyes went wide.
Ding dong!
As if afraid Lin Hai would use up this new slot right away, the friend request from the Antarctic Elder arrived just after the notification.
Lin Hai suddenly remembered that yesterday, he kind of tricked this old man, didn’t he?
Accept!
Antarctic Elder: Fellow cultivator, what you did yesterday was really not cool.
The Antarctic Elder’s message came through.
Little Confused Immortal: Yesterday? What thing?
Lin Hai played dumb.
Antarctic Elder: Fellow cultivator, that’s no fun. I just expanded your friend capacity yesterday, and you used it right away.
Little Confused Immortal: Oh, you mean that. Isn’t the point of expanding friend capacity to add friends? I added one. Nothing wasted.
Somewhere in the Heavenly Court, the Antarctic Elder nearly fell to the ground.
Seriously? You didn’t waste it, but did I expand it just so you could add someone else?
Antarctic Elder: Fellow cultivator, it’s not nice to act so innocent when you know exactly what’s going on.
Little Confused Immortal: Acting innocent? My name is Little Confused Immortal. Being confused is my nature. Why would I need to act? You’re talking about confusion with a confused immortal. Are you confused, or am I confused? Going on and on about confusion will confuse even the unconfused.
Lin Hai started rambling like a tongue twister.
Antarctic Elder: … (followed by a row of sweating emojis)
Antarctic Elder: Alright, fellow cultivator. I admit defeat on yesterday’s matter.
Little Confused Immortal: Don’t go admitting defeat all confused-like. We may be confused people, but we’re not confused inside. No matter how confusing the matter, with a confused person it’s bound to be confusing. And with a clear-headed person, even the most confusing matter won’t be confusing.
Antarctic Elder: Shut up! Can we talk business?!
The Antarctic Elder was going crazy. His big head was spinning from all the nonsense.
Little Confused Immortal: Uh… alright, Big Spender Brother, go ahead.
Big Spender Brother? The Antarctic Elder paused for a moment.
Antarctic Elder: I tried a China brand cigarette from Iron Crutch Li once. I heard it came from you?
Lin Hai’s eyes lit up. Oh, here comes a deal.
Little Confused Immortal: That’s right. I got it from a secret realm.
Antarctic Elder: Do you have more?
Little Confused Immortal: Sure do.
Antarctic Elder: Ten thousand merit points per pack?
Little Confused Immortal: What are you talking about? (followed by a shocked emoji)
Antarctic Elder: That’s what Iron Crutch Li told me. You gave him a payment plan at ten thousand per pack.
Little Confused Immortal: You just don’t get it. I needed something from Iron Crutch Li. If not for that, would I sell at ten thousand a pack? Besides, the cigarettes are limited. Every pack I give away is one less.
Lin Hai could tell—this Antarctic Elder was definitely a big spender. When you meet a big spender and don’t take the chance to cash in, the heavens themselves would be offended.
Antarctic Elder: So how much per pack then?
Little Confused Immortal: One hundred thousand merit points per pack.
Antarctic Elder: Jacking up the price ten times? Fellow cultivator, this is extortion. Do you take me for a fool?
Little Confused Immortal: Rarity drives value, I’m afraid. No bargaining.
The Antarctic Elder went silent. A long time passed with no reply.
Now Lin Hai was panicking.
Uh oh. Did I go too hard and scare away the big spender? That would be a real loss.
Ding dong!
WeChat chimed again. Lin Hai quickly grabbed his phone to see if the Antarctic Elder was coming back to negotiate.
“Huh?” Lin Hai looked at the profile picture. It was Little Nezha.
Nezha: Fellow cultivator, your One Piece manga is so awesome! When are you sending me the second volume?
Little Confused Immortal: The second volume isn’t done yet. Just wait a bit.
Lin Hai was too preoccupied with the Antarctic Elder to deal with kid stuff.
Nezha: When will it be done? My friends and I can’t eat or sleep, we’re waiting so anxiously.
Lin Hai nearly choked. This is exactly how I acted when I was waiting for new chapters back in the day.
Little Confused Immortal: Soon, soon. Just wait a little longer. I’ll send it to you once it’s done.
Nezha: Oh, what do you think Luffy will run into next on the sea? Will he meet the East Sea Dragon King? Will he slay him?
Pfft!
Man, this kid Nezha has way too much imagination.
Little Confused Immortal: I don’t know either. Alright, go talk about the plot with your classmates. I’m busy.
Nezha: Oh, please send me the second volume as soon as it’s out, I’m begging you (followed by a row of teary-eyed emojis).
Wow, Lin Hai suddenly felt guilty, as if he had deceived a child’s innocent and pure feelings.
After waiting a long time again, there was still no message from the Antarctic Elder. Lin Hai started to regret asking for so much.
Just then, his phone rang. Lin Hai quickly answered.
“Mr. Lin, Tao Tao has been found!” It turned out to be Peng Tao calling. It seemed that with the mayor personally involved, the big bureau chief had to take action himself.
“Where is she?” Lin Hai’s spirits lifted.
“In a rental house. But… she’s already dead.”
“What!” Lin Hai was stunned.
