Chapter Twenty-Four: A Calamity to the Nation (Seeking Votes~)
Chapter Twenty-Four: "A Calamity to the Nation and Its People"
The old man really seemed to have something urgent to attend to, and hurried off in a flurry.
"There really are such irresponsible people in the world," Chen Xiao muttered, turning to look at the vast, empty shop—now he was the only one left. From this very minute, Old Edward had left this entire large store in his hands.
"People who work at these service agencies are definitely not normal," Chen Xiao grumbled under his breath, clutching the ring of keys the old man had tossed to him, and first ran to inspect every nook and cranny in the back rooms of the café.
Behind the café was a kitchen, and upstairs on the second floor, there were two rooms. In one of the offices, Chen Xiao found a safe. He hesitated for a moment, but curiosity got the better of him, and he opened the safe (though calling it a "safe" was generous—it was really just a metal cabinet secured with a big padlock). After all, the old man had given him all the keys, so it was as if he’d entrusted him with safekeeping; it wouldn’t hurt to take a look, Chen Xiao reassured himself.
But when he opened the safe... he was stunned!
Three shelves were packed with a dazzling, sparkling brilliance!
Even though Chen Xiao had grown up in a well-to-do family, the sight before him left him utterly dumbfounded!
On the top shelf, neatly stacked, were bars of gold! Chen Xiao, afraid of making a mistake, picked one up and inspected it carefully, finally confirming—it was indeed a bar of pure gold! Each weighed about a kilogram, and there were nearly a hundred of them lined up on the top shelf.
In other words: a hundred kilograms of gold?!
On the second shelf, there were seven or eight old aluminum lunchboxes, battered and blackened from oxidization. Chen Xiao casually picked one up—it was heavy, and when he shook it, it made a clear, tinkling sound. He had no idea what was inside.
But when he opened it, his eyes grew even wider!
The lunchbox was filled to the brim! Inside were chunks and fragments of sparkling, crystal-clear stones of various sizes!
Could they be... diamonds?!
Chen Xiao could at least be sure these definitely weren’t glass...
Of course! Who would hide a lunchbox full of broken glass in a metal safe? And together with a hundred kilograms of gold, no less!
If all those battered lunchboxes were filled with diamonds...
Chen Xiao quickly estimated their value in his mind, and immediately sprang to his feet in shock!
Those old lunchboxes alone were enough to buy up every block in the neighborhood several times over!
Who could have imagined that behind the counter of an almost bankrupt café, such an astronomical fortune was hidden?
Even someone as cold and reserved as Chen Xiao was left thoroughly shaken at the sight of so much gold and so many diamonds, staring in a daze for several minutes before he finally regained his senses.
He couldn’t help but laugh wryly—Old Edward certainly trusted him... Was the man insane? He’d only met him once, yet he wasn’t worried that Chen Xiao might abscond with this fortune? If someone carried off what was in that safe, they could disappear to any corner of the world and live a life of unimaginable luxury for the rest of their days!
Definitely not a normal person!
Though shocked, Chen Xiao had no thoughts of coveting someone else’s property. After a moment, he was about to close the cabinet, when suddenly he remembered something.
Wait!
Before leaving, the old man had said he might not be back for a while, and that when it was time for payday, Chen Xiao should take his wages straight from the safe...
But inside this metal cabinet, there was gold and diamonds... but not a single bill in cash!
Not even a single coin!
How was he supposed to collect his salary??
Was he supposed to take a gold bar or a diamond? His wages were only a few thousand, but a single gold bar was worth many times that!
Of course Chen Xiao would never take what didn’t belong to him. But... if the old man didn’t return for several months, would he have to go without pay that entire time?
Guarding such a fortune in the safe, yet unable to get even a cent of his wages—wasn’t that absurd?
Chen Xiao could only smile in exasperation.
When payday arrived, what was he supposed to do—take a gold bar out and sell it?
And what if the old man was away for a month? Who would pay the rent, utilities, and other bills for such a big store? He couldn’t very well use gold bars to pay those!
Feeling a bit dazed, Chen Xiao left the back room and returned to the main floor. He hurried behind the counter to check the cash register.
As expected...
The register was spotless—not a single bill. He should have known; there hadn’t been any business here for ages, so how could there be money in the till?
Lost in his thoughts, Chen Xiao suddenly heard a chime as the shop door opened and a figure drifted inside.
Huh? A customer?
Having worked in a fast-food restaurant before, Chen Xiao’s training kicked in and he bowed automatically in greeting. "Welcome!"
He looked up and was stunned by the sight of his guest.
It was... it was...
It was truly a beautiful woman!
At first glance, Chen Xiao was surprised.
With a second look, he was absolutely astonished!
To quote his friend Xu Ershao—"A beauty who could bring ruin to nations!"
A woman of such breathtaking beauty had nonchalantly walked into this deathly quiet café.
Her figure was slender and graceful, perfectly proportioned, standing around 165 centimeters tall, with a waist so narrow it seemed a breeze could carry her away. Her long, glossy black hair fell to her shoulders in gentle waves. Her face was immaculate and flawless, her complexion so delicate and fair that it glowed with a youthful, healthy blush, untouched by any cosmetics. Her eyes, framed by long lashes, held a luminous, dreamy allure; even a casual glance radiated an indescribable, gentle charm.
In Chen Xiao’s eyes, only one phrase came to mind: "Enchanting beauty, captivating grace."
The young woman looked at Chen Xiao behind the counter, her eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of surprise. Seeing him staring in a daze, the corners of her lips curled into a faint smile.
She floated into the room with effortless poise, each step radiating elegance and grace.
To be honest, though Chen Xiao had met many pretty girls at Kede Academy, he had never seen one who could make even walking look so mesmerizing!
She strolled casually into the shop, picked a sofa at random, sat down, glanced at Chen Xiao, and then smiled gently, tapping the table lightly as she spoke.
Her voice was soft and melodious, as clear as a songbird in spring.
But...
Her words instantly jolted Chen Xiao out of his reverie.
Because, as beautiful as she was, what she said was certainly not what one would expect from an otherworldly beauty.
"Hey, boy! Slice up two pounds of beef, bring me your finest wine—a bottle—and a few refreshing side dishes, whatever you have!"
(Always be good, and don’t forget to vote when you read~)
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