Chapter 39: The Billion Things Lu Ziji Wants

Yun Zhi thought for a moment and said, "First, you need to understand the true background of your potential rival—that is, the person Lan Ruiya is going on a blind date with—so that she isn't deceived by the facade he presents."

While this approach might be considered underhanded, the intention was good; it was for Lan Ruiya's sake. Besides, when it comes to pursuing the girl you like, who cares about being honorable?

"If the other party’s private life is beyond reproach, or if he confesses everything to Lan Ruiya himself, then what you need to do is show that you are the better man. Otherwise, why would Miss Lan Ruiya choose you? It certainly wouldn't be because you have a sharper tongue or are more infuriating to talk to!"

Lu Ziping: "...!!!"

He finally understood why his brother, in his current second-personality state, was such good friends with Yun Zhi; both of them had equally caustic tongues. However, he had to admit, Yun Zhi made a lot of sense.

Lu Ziping’s eyes lit up as he said, "I understand! I’ll have someone look into that guy's background right now!"

He had handled previous blind dates he wanted to sabotage exactly this way. For example, he once exposed a Miss Liu for having had four boyfriends and cheating with thirty-eight different men during those relationships, bringing photos of her checking into hotels with various men to the date. The date was certainly ruined, though his own reputation had suffered, and now, hardly anyone dared to go on a blind date with him. He had even been struck by his grandfather's cane several times and lectured for two hours as a result! The process was bumpy, but for Lu Ziping, the goal was achieved.

When it came to Lan Ruiya, however, Lu Ziping would habitually let his emotions take over, failing to think of this strategy. But a trick is a trick—as long as it works, it’s fine! He didn't believe for a second that the guy could stand up to investigation.

But as for showing his better side? Lu Ziping truly didn't know how. Although Yun Zhi’s tongue was sharp, she was telling the truth; the reason Lan Ruiya disliked him so much was mainly because he couldn't help but be mouthy.

Lu Ziping humbly asked for advice.

Yun Zhi suggested sincerely, "Compared to other blind dates who are essentially strangers, your greatest advantage with Miss Lan Ruiya is that you have silently loved her for many years and possess a genuine, sincere heart! Why not try telling her your true feelings directly?"

Few girls could resist a man who is handsome, wealthy, and deeply devoted, unless she already had someone else in her heart. As far as Lan Ruiya was concerned, it was highly likely she didn't have anyone, otherwise, she wouldn't be going on blind dates so frequently.

Lu Ziping said gloomily, "Do you think I haven't tried? I confessed seriously, but she thought I was playing Truth or Dare and lost, or that I had made a bet with someone and was deliberately pranking her. She didn't believe a word I said."

In other words, Lu Ziping had zero credibility in Lan Ruiya's eyes. The prejudice was deep-rooted.

Yun Zhi stroked her chin; this was a bit tricky. After thinking it over, she said, "Let's wait until you find out the details about Lan Ruiya’s next blind date before discussing anything else. How about this: if I don't have anything special to do next week, I’ll accompany you on the day of her date..."

Yun Zhi was thinking that she could play it by ear and see if she could use the Jade Dragon Spirit to create an opportunity for the two of them to speak their hearts. In a state where both were compelled to tell the truth, Lan Ruiya wouldn't doubt the sincerity of Lu Ziping's words. The key was pure honesty.

After everything was laid out, if Lan Ruiya still didn't change her mind and felt nothing for him, she would likely give a harsh rejection while under the influence of the truth-telling effect. Once faced with a direct rejection, Lu Ziping would have to learn to let go and stop playing these childish games of sabotaging her dates.

Lu Ziping had a strange, inexplicable trust in Yun Zhi, who had saved his brother from a four-year coma. He agreed instantly, "Alright, Sister Yun Zhi, my happiness is in your hands!" He even clasped his hands together in a prayer gesture.

Yun Zhi was speechless: "I'm a few years younger than you!" Lu Ziping was twenty-five or twenty-six this year.

Lu Ziping replied earnestly, "You're stronger than me, so you deserve to be called sister!"

Yun Zhi: ...

Fine, even if this cheap brother wasn't the brightest, at least he had self-awareness and was easy to boss around.

...

Not long after Lian Kangkai was caught, the remaining money in his hands was returned to Yun Xinbo, as the debts of the Yun family company had been covered by Yun Xinbo, the major shareholder. With over fifty million in cash back in his hands, Yun Xinbo had no intention of making a comeback. He remained focused on the private kitchen restaurant with Ran Yao, though he was now much more generous with the renovation budget. Previously, feeling that he was spending his daughter's money, he had been a bit stingy and calculating.

He also transferred forty million to Yun Zhi’s account, keeping only about ten million as operating capital for the restaurant. After all, Yun Zhi had previously paid off over thirty million in debts for him and had already contributed eight million for the renovation.

Yun Zhi didn't want to accept it, but Yun Xinbo insisted, saying he wasn't yet old enough to be supported by his daughter. He had been tricked by that scoundrel Lian Kangkai, and now that he had recovered his share, he couldn't let Yun Zhi suffer a loss.

Yun Zhi had no choice but to accept. However, she insisted on gifting her mother, Ran Yao, a full set of ruby and sapphire jewelry, along with several high-quality jade pieces she had acquired through trades with Qin Tianhai and Tang Panpan. She didn't leave Yun Xinbo out either, giving him the exquisite embroidered screen she had received from her first commission for Chi Xiaoyu, along with a large batch of fine porcelain, quality antique calligraphy, and embroidery acquired through her dealings with Chi Xiaoyu. They could be used to decorate the private kitchen! If a customer took a liking to any of the calligraphy or embroidery, they could even sell them.

Ran Yao had initially declined the expensive gifts, but after confirming that Yun Zhi still had plenty of beautiful gems and jade jewelry for herself, she accepted them with peace of mind. Yun Xinbo had always loved these antique-style items, and knowing his daughter had kept some for herself, he didn't stand on ceremony. But he wouldn't take advantage of her: "If the calligraphy and embroidery sell well, your mother and I will only take ten percent, and the rest goes to you."

Yun Zhi: ...

She really had more money than she could spend! After all, Zijie had already transferred two hundred million to her, saying that if it weren't for her, he wouldn't have had the chance to obtain two Luck Cards and one Life-Extension Card. However, who would complain about having too much money?

After some back-and-forth, they finally settled on: for any calligraphy or embroidery sold at the restaurant, Yun Zhi would take seventy percent, Yun Xinbo ten percent, and Ran Yao twenty percent. When asked why Ran Yao got more, the answer was that being the head chef was harder work. The couple also insisted on giving her fifty percent of the restaurant's profits.

In desperation, Yun Zhi had to show her parents her account balance of nearly 300 million. She had so much money she didn't know where to spend it! She told them she didn't need the restaurant's profits. In the end, they still insisted on giving her thirty percent. No matter how rich Yun Zhi was, that was her own money, and it didn't conflict with them, as parents, wanting to share their earnings with her. Besides, the most important factors in opening the restaurant were the imperial recipes Yun Zhi provided and the shop space, which the Lu family had given as a favor to her. Giving her thirty percent of the profits was already taking advantage of their daughter.

...

Yun Xinbo and Ran Yao had been wealthy before, but even at their peak, they had never had nearly three hundred million in liquid assets on their books. But since Yun Zhi had been so open about showing them her account, it proved the money was legitimately sourced.

Yun Xinbo and Ran Yao, who had initially only planned to run the private kitchen well and be content with modest wealth, were suddenly inspired by their daughter to give it one more try.

Yun Xinbo: "My daughter is so capable, I can't be too shabby as her father!"

Ran Yao also looked determined: "Right, I can't just be content with being a head chef... how much money can a chef make? Husband, if this first restaurant does well, let’s strive to make it a chain in Haicheng, and even nationwide!"

Yun Xinbo: "Wife, I was thinking the same thing! I’m going to draft a plan to open chains all over Haicheng, neighboring cities, and even first, second, and third-tier cities across the country!"

Yun Zhi didn't know that her parents, who had originally just wanted to be small business owners, had been motivated by her account balance.

In the days that followed, Yun Zhi continued to practice her water-element abilities and martial arts at home during her spare time. During this period, she visited the Haicheng Special Management Bureau to hand over two light-foot technique manuals and eight martial arts manuals, earning a significant amount of contribution points, which she used to exchange for ten quick-recovery potions. Her mission, plus the manuals, had earned her enough points to exchange for hundreds of such potions, but the Bureau had limited reserves; one person could only exchange for ten per month. Any more required a formal report explaining exactly where each potion was used.

As for the other items in the Bureau, Yun Zhi didn't need most of them, so she didn't exchange for them. Firearms like pistols, bullets, and grenades were available, but they required mandatory firearms training, and every use had to be reported. Yun Zhi found this too troublesome. Besides, once she mastered her water-element ice spikes, her accuracy would be no less than a bullet. If she really wanted weapons, it was much easier to trade with Cen Junfei in the post-apocalyptic world—no reports needed as long as no one else saw or heard them. Additionally, contribution points could be converted to cash, but since Yun Zhi wasn't short on money, she kept the points for now.

Once her ability level reached Level 2 and her lethality increased, she wouldn't be able to practice at home anymore; she would then use her points to rent a training room at the Bureau.

The Haicheng Special Management Bureau wanted her and Zijie to become full members. While the benefits were much better, the restrictions were also significantly tighter. Freelancers had no mandatory mission requirements, but full members had to complete at least one or two missions per month. Yun Zhi thought about it and declined. Her main focus was on missions posted by friends in the Transcender Chat Group, which could start at any time and offered better rewards than the Bureau's tasks. There was no need to settle for less when better options existed.

If she ever needed anything from the Bureau, her current points were enough to exchange for it, and if they weren't, she could always trade some of her own surplus items for more points.

Upon learning that Zijie was temporarily immobile, Qin Lei from the Bureau personally visited the Lu family to invite Zijie to join. To Yun Zhi's surprise, Zijie agreed, becoming an honorary deputy team leader of the Bureau's Second Team—the same team as Qin Lei. An honorary deputy leader, besides having better benefits, had no real power and didn't need to handle any chores; it was just a title to display his extraordinary strength and status, meaning that apart from the team leader, no one else could order him around.

During their recent trips to Y Province and the Noodle Country, Yun Zhi hadn't wanted to expose her spatial safe house, so she had attributed most of the credit to Zijie. Zijie, if infiltrating a place alone, could use his powerful spiritual soul energy to "cheat," making everyone who saw him subconsciously ignore him. It was possible, just not as convenient as the safe house and more draining on his soul energy.

After realizing how useful the "invisibility" effect was, Zijie specifically asked Lu Ziji to prepare more invisibility talismans for his trade with Yun Zhi in two days. So, even if he wasn't operating with Yun Zhi, he could use talismans to turn invisible. Zijie also asked Lu Ziji for a large batch of spirit stones, so he wouldn't have to overdraw his soul energy when powering arrays in the future.

Yun Zhi knew that Zijie choosing to join the Bureau was a deliberate attempt to put himself in dangerous situations to temper his state of mind. It was the path he had chosen, and Yun Zhi couldn't say anything. Just as she had already achieved financial freedom but still took missions from the group for the sake of becoming stronger.

Zijie informed Yun Zhi of this via phone. Yun Zhi said earnestly, "If you encounter dangerous or difficult tasks, just let me know. As long as I'm free, I won't refuse if I can help!"

Initially, Yun Zhi had befriended Zijie partly to "hug the thigh" of a powerful expert, but after experiencing so much together, she had truly come to consider him a friend. It made no sense for her to ask for help when she needed it, but avoid helping when he was in trouble, especially when she had the capacity to do so.

Zijie yawned: "Pfft, got it!"

"Besides, I'm so powerful that there shouldn't be many situations where I need your help." He didn't want to add pressure to Yun Zhi, who already had the chat group missions.

"Besides, I'm not some saint. Like this last mission, if it weren't for items like Luck Cards and Life-Extension Cards—which you can't buy with money or spirit stones—plus having you as my safety net, why would I have spent two Soul-Calming Body-Nourishing Pills and eighty percent of the power of a Heart-Questioning Illusion Array, only to end up weak for days..."

"In the future, I'll pick missions within my capabilities."

In truth, Zijie didn't really think that way. If he could truly remain indifferent after seeing so many innocent people waiting for him to save them, he wouldn't have ended up lying in bed for twenty hours a day, relying on a wheelchair to move around. That was just a case of "plans failing to keep up with changes." He said that only to keep Yun Zhi from worrying. Of course, without Yun Zhi as a safety net, he would be more cautious when going on missions with the Bureau. At the very least, he wouldn't let himself reach the point of overdrawing his soul energy to the extent of falling into a coma; he didn't trust others the way he trusted Yun Zhi.

Yun Zhi said helplessly, "Fine, it's your body, you know your limits. Remember to ask Brother Lu for more life-saving items."

Zijie: "Duh, you don't have to tell me! He gave me a long list, and I gave him one just as long! Whether I use them or not, it's better to be prepared!"

The goal was mutual destruction!

Yun Zhi: ...

Whatever makes you happy.

...

The next day was the date for Yun Zhi and Lu Ziji's second trade. At eight in the morning, the Rolls-Royce sent by the Lu family arrived outside the Jinyuan residential area. The riverside villa was more comfortable, but it was remote and quiet with few nearby food options. Yun Zhi preferred Jinyuan; she could go downstairs to the commercial district, it was lively, and she could go to her parents' place for meals or try out nearby food shops every day.

The person who came to pick her up was Lu Ziping and his driver-cum-bodyguard, Xiao Wang; both were sitting in the front. As soon as Yun Zhi got in the car, Lu Ziping started chattering away.

"Sister Yun Zhi, let me tell you, that guy Xu Junsheng, who Lan Ruiya is going on a blind date with in two days—I didn't know until I checked, and I was shocked!"

"Oh my god, I thought that Miss Liu from my previous blind date, who had dozens of boyfriends and hookups but pretended to be inexperienced, was outrageous enough. But this guy Lan Ruiya is meeting is just as bad!"

"According to the matchmaker, Xu Junsheng is the heir to a famous advertising and media company, an only child, 25 years old, and has never dated a girl... Guess what the truth is?"

Yun Zhi played along: "What is it?"

Lu Ziping slapped his thigh: "Xu Junsheng is indeed an only child, but his father has eight illegitimate children outside, and his mother has three! The key is, the whole family knows about it, but they keep it tightly under wraps for the sake of their reputation. Good grief, the family fortune, which wasn't that big to begin with, has to be split eleven ways!"

Yun Zhi: ...

My god, this couple really knew how to play!

Yun Zhi said, "The conduct of the parents is definitely poor, but the key is his own character."

Lu Ziping: "Hey, like father, like son! With parents like that, Xu Junsheng's character isn't any better. When he was studying abroad—at one of those universities you can get into just by throwing money at them—he didn't date girls or mess around, but he was into men!"

"This guy is a swing-hitter. He started with small Asian boys who were also studying abroad, and then he got obsessed with muscular white and black men... Even after returning to the country these past two years, he often goes abroad to participate in... indescribable parties..."

"In the country, he's a high-level VIP member of a certain club for muscular men and visits frequently. He just takes a different car every time and wears a mask, which is why it hasn't leaked in the circle."

Yun Zhi: ...

Being so cautious as to wear a mask to a club, while having a matchmaker claim he's never dated a girl—it seems this guy has no intention of being honest with Lan Ruiya. Yun Zhi didn't discriminate against homosexuals, but she would never forgive a gay man who defrauded a woman into marriage!

Lu Ziping said angrily, "I bribed a male model to get close to him, and after getting him drunk, I found out this jerk is deliberately hiding his private life. He’s targeting Lan Ruiya, the only daughter of the president of a construction materials company, specifically! He carefully selected her! It’s all to secure his position as the sole heir to the advertising company, and he wants the Lan family's construction company too! He’s even thinking that once Ruiya gives birth, he'll find a way to make her ‘die of illness.’ The scum is planning to take everything!"

Yun Zhi: ...

She was stunned. Such a piece of human trash—no matter what, she could not let Lan Ruiya fall into his trap.

Lu Ziping continued, "Unfortunately, the male model I bribed is a bit of an airhead and didn't record a single thing! And after the guy sobered up, he didn't black out; he even tracked down the male model and intimidated him."

"Sister Yun Zhi, how should we let Ruiya know about this?"

"Exposing that he messes around abroad and is a VIP member of a men's club is enough to make Ruiya turn him down, but I think his malicious plotting against Ruiya is what’s truly unforgivable! That’s what she needs to know most! Even if Ruiya has no interest in me, I hope she learns a lesson from Xu Junsheng and keeps her eyes open when looking for a partner in the future so she isn't deceived by scum."

Yun Zhi said, "Don't worry. On the day of Lan Ruiya's blind date with Xu Junsheng, I’ll go with you quietly. When the time comes, I’ll have a way to make him tell the truth!"

Lu Ziping said so much just for this: "Hey, my brother has that ability. Once, I couldn't help but say a bunch of mean things about him to his face, and I ended up getting a beating... but isn't he incapacitated now? I didn't expect you to have this ability too, Sister Yun Zhi. That’s great!"

"Sister Yun Zhi, it's a deal. You must help me!"

Lu Ziping knew that Yun Zhi and Zijie had joined the Bureau, but he didn't know the specifics of their abilities.

Yun Zhi: "...Fine."

If you have the ability, go say that stuff about your brother being incapacitated to his face again and see if you don't get another beating.

Having achieved his goal, Lu Ziping turned to threaten the driver: "Xiao Wang, you know what you should and shouldn't say, right?"

Driver Xiao Wang replied helplessly: "...Don't worry, Second Young Master. Have you forgotten? I participated in the Bureau's interview; I just didn't pass the ability requirements. I signed a non-disclosure agreement."

Yun Zhi hadn't expected that Xiao Wang, who looked so ordinary, was actually an ability user. She asked curiously, "Xiao Wang, what is your ability?"

Xiao Wang said, "Watch this!"

As he spoke, the speed of the car increased sharply, hitting the legal speed limit within five minutes and arriving at the Lu family estate. Once they hit the highway outside the city where there was no speed limit, he pushed the car to its maximum speed!

Lu Ziping turned pale, and as soon as the car stopped, he jumped out and vomited. Yun Zhi, whose constitution had been modified many times, felt no discomfort.

Yun Zhi said oddly, "Is this... a speed-driving ability?"

Driver Xiao Wang: "Not exactly. After I activate my ability, my vision, hearing, reaction speed, and calculation ability are all higher than an average person's... The Bureau said I have a 'brain-domain' type ability!"

Yun Zhi said curiously, "That sounds like a very powerful ability. Why didn't you pass the screening? If you couldn't join the Bureau, couldn't you have gone into research or something?" Brain-domain abilities were usually a good fit for scientists.

Xiao Wang said distressingly, "But my grades in both liberal arts and sciences were a mess. I only scored 200 on the college entrance exam, so I couldn't do research. My combat techniques are mediocre, about the same as a normal bodyguard. When I use my ability, my combat power can double or triple..."

Yun Zhi was stunned; she hadn't expected a brain-domain ability to be paired with the attributes of a poor student.

"Oh? Tripling combat power is actually quite good!"

Xiao Wang: "It’s just that I don't have much stamina. My ability can only burst for five minutes at most. After five minutes, I’m done. I have to rest for seven or eight hours before I can 'rise again' for another five minutes."

Yun Zhi: ...

No wonder you ended up as a driver-cum-bodyguard for the wealthy.

At this point, Lu Ziping finished vomiting and returned to yell at Xiao Wang: "Your bonus for this month is gone!"

Xiao Wang gave him a deadpan stare: "Second Young Master, are you serious? If you say that, then unless you don't want me as your driver for the rest of the month, I’m going to pull that stunt every time my ability recharges! Hey! The bonus is already gone anyway! If you try to dock my salary, I’m quitting!"

For the sake of special circumstances, Lu Ziping still liked keeping Xiao Wang around. With Xiao Wang as his driver, he had avoided two near-miss car accidents. But normally, he really didn't want to experience Xiao Wang's "flying" speed!

Lu Ziping waved his hand tiredly: "Fine, I’ll let it slide this time since you were just showing your ability to Sister Yun Zhi."

Subordinates with special talents were just that arrogant, even if their ability only lasted five minutes.

Yun Zhi ignored the two clowns and followed the butler waiting at the door into the mansion. The butler didn't lead Yun Zhi to the main villa but took her to an open-air sightseeing vehicle. A few minutes later, they arrived at a newly constructed shed; it was fully enclosed and about the size of a football field.

Zijie was waiting in his wheelchair at the entrance of the shed. After dismissing the butler, Zijie was pushed into the shed by Yun Zhi. Once they were inside, Zijie pressed a remote control, and the rolling door closed automatically.

Zijie pointed to the myriad of items before them and said: "These are everything Lu Ziji requested."

There were large amounts of books and data, many ordinary laptops, a supercomputer, generators, and large quantities of gasoline and diesel... There were also two helicopters, two decommissioned military fighter jets, and a half-old tank. There were also assault boats, speedboats, yachts, and a submarine. Firearms, ammunition, grenades, rocket launchers, and explosives were also present in large quantities.

Yun Zhi: ...

Lu Ziji wasn't just trying to build a spirit network in the cultivation world; he was prepared to blow up everyone who wanted to kill him!

*Giving the cultivation world a little shock.jpg*

Yun Zhi said with complicated feelings: "If the Lu family could get a nuke, would Brother Lu want one of those too?"

Zijie said regretfully: "It's not like we can get one."

Yun Zhi: ...

"By the way, you should also need some firearms for self-defense. Take whatever you need. I've prepared plenty; there’s far more than one copy of everything."

Yun Zhi: "No, these are for Brother Lu. I do want some firearms, but you can help me buy them later!"

When it came to firearms, it was much more convenient to have the Lu family buy them than for her to do it herself.

Zijie agreed readily: "No problem!"