Chapter 132: Chapter 132: Plastic Friendship, Right?
Tang Yunde always feels that something is off.
Generally speaking, there’s a big gap in status and age between him and Qian Qi. Qian Qi, being just a student, should feel somewhat apprehensive facing him, right?
But she acts very familiar, as if they were old friends, without a hint of reservation.
Moreover, Tang Yunde finds Qian Qi’s voice oddly familiar.
"Qian Qi, have we met before?" he can’t help but ask her.
Next to him, Liang Yuting and Zhang Feng, who are leaning against the table, exchange a peculiar glance at Tang Yunde upon hearing this question.
The chairman can’t even pull off small talk properly!
Qian Qi hops off the table, fiddles with the Light Brain in her hand, wearing an innocent expression, "What are you talking about? How could we have possibly met given our status difference?"
No, he definitely met Qian Qi before.
Staring at her for a while, Tang Yunde suddenly recalls, "Are you Chen Tong?"
"Who’s Chen Tong?" Qian Qi keeps playing dumb, "I’m Qian Qi, as in Qian Qi who costs 200 yuan."
Tang Yunde: ...
Not mentioning this would have been better. Being reminded of this makes him recall the twelve thousand six hundred yuan he lost.
Oh, wait, it’s now one million one hundred thousand and two hundred and sixty yuan.
Tang Yunde decides to not dwell on that and cuts straight to the point, "Qian Qi, what do you mean by the frenzy powder you mentioned earlier?"
Upon this topic, Qian Qi finally smiles. She pulls a pouch of powder from her hospital gown pocket and tosses it in front of Tang Yunde, "Did you check me out when I arrived? The Blood Stopping Magic Potion that’s been crazily sought after recently was developed by our Magic Plant Department."
Qian Qi’s directness surprises Tang Yunde, as most people would be more concerned upon finding out they were investigated, unlike her.
"I’ve heard a bit about it, besides the Blood Stopping Magic Potion, there’s also some sort of Defense Fruit, right?" Tang Yunde nods.
"Yes, we’ve also developed the Demon Madness Powder." Qian Qi explains the effects of the frenzy medicine briefly, "We are currently looking for buyers."
"So this is frenzy powder..."
Tang Yunde is quite surprised while examining the small pouch in his hand, finding it hard to believe that such a small package could grant power to both ordinary people and Awakeners.
He instantly realizes the significance of frenzy medicine for humanity’s future, blurting out, "How much do you want for it?"
"Well... it’s actually not that expensive." Qian Qi smiles faintly, she pulls the blanket over herself on the bed, and bends her knees up, resting her elbows on her knees.
Then, she folds her hands near her lips, slowly raising an evil grin.
"Two pieces of B-level Defense Armor," she states slowly, "That’s the starting price."
"Starting price? What do you mean?" Tang Yunde is somewhat surprised, not only by the term "starting price," but also by the fact that Qian Qi is asking for Defense Armor instead of money.
Defense Armor is worth much more than money.
"Hahaha, starting price means," Qian Qi laughs with narrowed eyes resembling crescents, "I will hold an auction in school, inviting all factions to participate. The frenzy medicine recipe will go to the highest bidder!"
Upon hearing this, Tang Yunde’s expression instantly turns solemn. Having lived for so many years, he is well aware that once the recipe falls into the hands of capitalists, it’ll only be monopolized as a high-priced luxury item!
The recipe must not fall into their hands!
"Of course, I don’t intend to sell it to those capitalists." Qian Qi’s eyes sweep across Tang Yunde’s face, her eyes narrowing again until her expression becomes unclear, and she calmly says, "So I plan to give your Dungeon Association and Awakened Association priority in the auction."
"Awakened Association?"
Tang Yunde’s expression worsens, as he knows full well what kind of shady business goes on there, with many high-ranking officials secretly conducting experiments and human trafficking, complete lunatics.
If they get the frenzy medicine, they’ll be even more terrifying than those capitalists.
But he can’t share this with Qian Qi due to interlinked interests at higher levels. Even stepping in himself is risky, possibly resulting in failure without success; he can’t involve Qian Qi.
"You can’t sell it to them." Tang Yunde speaks solemnly, "Qian Qi, just tell me your highest asking price?"
Qian Qi raises an eyebrow, "I don’t really have a highest price in mind; it all depends on how much you two are willing to offer."
She heard both the Awakened Association and Dungeon Association are wealthy, thinking she can make a fortune this time.
"I’ll notify you of the offer from the Awakened Association later, just wait for the news." Qian Qi yawns lazily, seeming quite tired, "If there’s nothing else, you can leave."
Despite her sending him away, Tang Yunde doesn’t want to leave. He frowns, thinking hard, but after weighing pros and cons realizes he can’t come up with a means to force her to exclusively sell him the recipe, so he turns to Uncle Sun and Uncle Li for help.
Uncle Sun and Uncle Li avert their gaze, "Hey Old Li, today’s pretty good, huh~"
"Yeah, shall we have some wontons for lunch?"
Tang Yunde: ...
Seriously, nothing but fake friendships? Not even lending me a hand? Think I won’t expose your identities on the spot?
But not wanting to offend the two elders, Tang Yunde turns to Sikong Wang, the Sikong family’s heir.
Sikong Wang is eating stinky tofu, picking up a box to hand to Tang Yunde upon receiving his look, "Chairman Tang, want some?"
Tang Yunde: ...
So none of you are reliable, right?!
Feigning innocence, Sikong Wang retracts the stinky tofu.
He feels his relationship with Tang Yunde isn’t close enough to offend Qian Qi; everyone knows she’s stingy. Wanting to save money?
That’s absolutely impossible.
None of the influential people present are willing to help Tang Yunde, so he looks at the least influential, Xiao Min.
"Little girl..." Tang Yunde smiles benevolently at Xiao Min since Qian Qi seems very attentive to her, deciding to use Xiao Min to find a way in, "What’s your name?"
Xiao Min blinks her eyes, replying with another question, "Grandpa, are you very poor?"
She says innocently, "Head Nurse Mama always says if you can’t afford something, don’t buy it. Spend within your means."
Tang Yunde: ...
What strange teachings does your head nurse impart!
Plus, I’m not poor! I just want to avoid unnecessary expenses!
He finally sees that in this room, he can’t find half a person on his side!
"Alright." Tang Yunde concedes, rubbing his temples with a headache, "I’ll wait for your news. There’s something else, I hope you join the Dungeon Association to help me deal with the public opinion regarding the Yanjiao Dungeon."
This was the original purpose of his visit, but now he has an additional task.
"Okay." Qian Qi agrees readily, considering the 100 million yuan.
Not expecting Qian Qi to agree so easily, Tang Yunde feels bewildered for a moment, then his mood lightens a bit, "Then I won’t bother you resting, take care."
He gets up to leave but is called back by Qian Qi, "Wait."
Tang Yunde pauses, thinking she might have changed her mind.
"My frenzy medicine!" Qian Qi points, "How come you’re taking it with you! Don’t take advantage of me!"
Tang Yunde: ...
With a dark expression, Tang Yunde throws the pouch back to Qian Qi and storms out, slamming the door.
After Tang Yunde leaves, Liang Yuting gazes at the pouch in Qian Qi’s hand, curiously asking, "Is this the frenzy powder?"
"No." Qian Qi answers earnestly, "It’s Blood Stopping Magic Powder."
Liang Yuting: ???
"Then just now..." Zhang Feng reacts with surprise, "You were tricking the chairman?"
"No, how could I deceive people?" Qian Qi quickly shakes her hand in denial; how could she, an ultra-honest person, lie? "It’s just not made yet, there are two months left, I’ll definitely make it by then!"
Zhang Feng and Liang Yuting are shocked by Qian Qi’s confidence.
Given she could create the Blood Stopping Magic Potion, making a frenzy potion shouldn’t be a problem, so they naturally believe her.
"But didn’t you just say to the reporters you’d hold an auction in school?" Zhang Feng questions, "Why change it to selling to the two associations now?"
"Oh, how can you believe what I said a second ago?" Qian Qi waves it off, indicating it’s no big deal, "Plans can’t keep up with changes! Learn to adapt!"
Zhang Feng: ...
Hey, didn’t you just claim you wouldn’t lie?