Chapter Forty-Seven: A Rookie’s First Steps (Extended Chapter—Vote Requested)

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Chapter 47: A Novice Enters the Trade

“You know him?” Uncle Tian glanced at Chen Xiao.

“An acquaintance,” Chen Xiao replied after some thought. “Last time, I was caught in a bank robbery. He was one of the robbers—not exactly a bad guy, just seemed to have terrible luck.”

The chubby man, hearing this, suddenly found a glimmer of hope. He dropped to his knees with a thud, pleading desperately. “Please, brothers, don’t turn me over to the police! I swear, I’ve only robbed a bank once in my life—no, no, I’ve only done one bad thing ever! If I hadn’t been driven to desperation by poverty, I never would have done it… please, I beg you!”

“Turn him in,” Chen Xiao sighed.

“No, please, don’t!” The man’s face went pale with fright. “I escaped from prison. My brother-in-law forced me into that robbery, but they all died and I took the blame for everything! Pretty boy—uh, no, sir, you know I never meant to hurt you! My brother-in-law was beyond redemption, but that’s not on me! If I get caught now, with all the charges combined, I’ll be executed for sure!”

Chen Xiao, at heart, was still a kind person. This chubby fellow, though sleazy, didn’t seem irredeemably wicked from the day’s events. He was just timid, foolish enough to try robbing a bank. If he were caught now, with the added charge of escaping prison, he’d likely face the death penalty.

“Let him go,” Chen Xiao sighed again.

He glanced at the man’s clothes and frowned. “With what you’re wearing, anyone would recognize you as an escaped convict at a glance. Well, since I’m helping, might as well see it through.” He took off his own jacket and tossed it over. Although the jacket would be a bit small on the man, it would do for now.

The man was overwhelmed with gratitude, sobbing. “You’re a good man! I’ll never judge pretty boys again—there are good men among them after all!”

Chen Xiao couldn’t help but laugh. He thought for a moment, took out his wallet, and handed the man a few bills. “If you want to turn your life around, find a place to start fresh. You don’t seem like a bad person, so I’m giving you a chance. If you ever… well, you know.”

They got back in the car and drove off, dust swirling behind them as the grateful man waved with all his might.

•

“You have a soft heart,” Uncle Tian finally spoke with a smile.

“It’s just compassion,” Chen Xiao sighed. “It’s all fate. I actually feel sorry for him. As he said, he was only an accomplice, but since his partners are all dead, he’s left to shoulder the blame alone. When I met him, he was just foul-mouthed, but not a bad person. To lose his life over this would be unjust.”

He paused, his tone turning odd. “He has his fate, and I have mine. I can’t change my own destiny, but if I can help someone else escape theirs, even in a small way, it feels… rather good.”

Uncle Tian chuckled. “Call it ‘misery loves company’?”

“Maybe so,” Chen Xiao replied gloomily, closing his eyes to rest.

I helped that man—just a small gesture, yet it changed his fate.

But who will change mine?

A bitter smile…

•

By ten in the morning, Chen Xiao was once again seated in the “Sunbucks” café.

All three unscrupulous owners of this failed street had gathered. “Failed Street” was what Chen Xiao privately called this commercial pedestrian street. Later, Zhu Rong told him, “Call it whatever you like—this street is ours anyway.”

At first, Chen Xiao didn’t understand. Later, he realized Zhu Rong meant that the real estate company that built the street was a shell company set up by these retired old folks. He’d once wondered what kind of brainless developer would invest in a commercial street in such a desolate place—did they have money to burn? Now he knew: these old-timers just poured money in for fun, to carve out a patch of land on the outskirts of K City as their retirement garden.

“Last night wasn’t exactly formal. Today, let’s officially welcome our new member to the team,” Uncle Tian said, his smile broad.

Zhu Rong smoked with a careless air, occasionally glancing at Chen Xiao, while Gong Gong remained as meek as ever, silent at Zhu Rong’s side.

“I have a few questions first,” Chen Xiao shook his head. “Otherwise, I can’t set my mind at ease—or do this job properly.”

“Go ahead,” Zhu Rong flicked her ash quickly. “There are no outsiders here.”

“First, why me?” Chen Xiao narrowed his eyes. “I’m nothing special, and we’re basically strangers. Becoming your agent means handling all commissioned tasks and deciding which jobs to accept. Why entrust me with such important work? Do I have ‘good guy’ written on my face?”

He shook his head. “I don’t believe in trust without reason. Even if I’m an ability user, you wouldn’t just trust me right away.”

Uncle Tian replied, “Chen Xiao, in fact, we’ve been observing you since the day you arrived.”

His kindly face now carried a sly smile. “Old Ai stored many valuables in the safe upstairs. That’s our communal property. The moment you walked in, your test began. A greedy person, seeing so much wealth in a big safe, would have tried to run with it by now.”

He smiled. “But I could tell you were only surprised—not a hint of greed in your eyes. That’s rare these days.”

Chen Xiao rubbed his nose. “Just because I’m not greedy?”

“Isn’t that enough?” Uncle Tian spread his hands. “Finding someone without greed these days is rarer than finding a panda. We’ve considered several candidates for this agent position. Most were greedy or selfish. Twice, people tried to run off with the gold as soon as they saw it.”

Chen Xiao couldn’t help but ask, “What happened to those who tried to run?”

Zhu Rong exhaled a smoke ring, her voice flat. “There’s a river on the far south side of the city…”

“…”

•

“The second reason is that you’re an ability user. Also, your background ensures our secrecy,” Zhu Rong added, her gaze flickering. “You’re on the Service Club’s watch list, and we’ve seen your file. To put it plainly, your parents are gone, your relatives and friends have all cut ties—you have no one. You’re a modern-day ‘star-crossed loner.’ That helps keep our organization secret. Plus, you’re not the talkative type.”

“Also, as an ability user, even though you won’t usually have to act, sometimes our line of work requires dealing with others like us. If you were too weak, that wouldn’t do.”

“Finally, you’re smart—young, energetic. All of us are lazy to the bone. We’ll take action if we must, but managing accounts, organizing client files, dealing with customers—that’s too much for us. We used to dump all that on Old Edward, but he’s tired of it and up and left.”

She looked at Chen Xiao. “So, I’ve said my piece. Can you accept the job?”

Chen Xiao smiled, relaxed. “Just one more question.”

All three looked at him. “What is it?”

“Payment.”

He gazed innocently at them, a sly glint in his youthful eyes. “If I’m working, I can’t do it for nothing, right?”

“One percent of every commission fee,” Uncle Tian replied. “It’s basically a no-capital business for us. Since you’re just the agent, each job you handle gets you one percent. The rest is split among those who take action. Of course, if in the future you want to take on tasks yourself, you’ll get paid accordingly. We’re fair.”

One percent…

Thinking back to the million-dollar antique sword Lucheng Zhe offered—one percent would be ten thousand dollars.

So easy to earn?

“All right, I have no further questions.” Chen Xiao considered briefly. “If I take the job, do I need to sign a contract?”

All three laughed. Zhu Rong winked. “Do you think people like us are bound by the law? No need for contracts.”

Uncle Tian patted his shoulder. “Now that you’re our agent, there are a few things to clarify. Usually, Thursday nights are when we take commissions. Last night, since it was your first time, we wanted to check in. But from now on, unless necessary, we won’t be there—you’ll handle it. We’re all in our own shops on this street; you can come to us if you need. But remember one thing.”

“What?”

Uncle Tian’s face turned serious. “We only act within the scope of the job. If it’s your personal business and you need help, we won’t intervene. That’s our rule: handle your own affairs, keep business and private matters separate. If you really need our help with private matters, you can commission us—pay the fee, and we’ll help. Otherwise…”

Chen Xiao thought it over and agreed. “That’s fair.”

He stood. “So, I’m now your agent?”

All three nodded. “Exactly.”

“And now I’m the owner of this café?”

Again, they nodded.

“Very well.” Chen Xiao grinned. “First order of business: regarding Mr. Lucheng Zhe’s commission—since it’s my first, and such a significant one, I’ll accept it. Any objections?”

No one objected—approved!

“Second matter.” Chen Xiao’s smile turned mischievous. “It’s clearly stated at the café door: all beauties eat and drink for free. But as for the rest… Ahem, you three have been drinking coffee here for two days—well, Uncle Tian, you had tea. Other than Sister Zhu Rong, who needn’t pay, Uncle Tian, Brother Gong Gong, please settle your bill.”

He whipped out a small calculator, tapped quickly, and beamed. “Two cups of premium Biluochun green tea and one authentic Blue Mountain coffee, that’s five hundred and six yuan.”

Old Tian and Gong Gong exchanged a look, sighed, and obediently took out their wallets.

•

The fire-and-water couple quickly left, wickedly dumping the task of training the newcomer on Uncle Tian.

Uncle Tian’s demeanor turned serious as he led Chen Xiao to the storage room at the back of the café. Chen Xiao had already checked it out before—it wasn’t big, and held little except the food he’d bought after selling a piece of gold yesterday.

But when Uncle Tian pushed aside the freezer, a wooden trapdoor appeared underneath. Lifting it revealed a secret passage below. Chen Xiao showed no surprise; he’d seen enough oddities lately to have nerves of steel.

“This is the equipment storeroom,” Uncle Tian said sternly. “You need to familiarize yourself with everything here quickly. And you must never let anything from here leak out!”

Chen Xiao shrugged. “I’m not that bored. I don’t want to be treated as a freak either.”

He followed the stairs down and soon arrived in a secret chamber.

What surprised Chen Xiao was that he’d expected something like a high-tech research lab from a sci-fi movie—but no.

The place was… rather bare.

The walls were simply painted white—clean, but that was all. There were no high-tech security devices, not even modern lighting—just an old-fashioned hanging bulb casting a dim glow.

In the fifty-square-meter space, various unknown devices were scattered about.

“Stand there,” Uncle Tian indicated one machine—shaped rather like a gym treadmill, with a long base, a display screen in front, and metal sensors on the handles.

Chen Xiao followed directions, gripping the handles and relaxing his body.

Uncle Tian took two steps back. As Chen Xiao wondered what would happen, the screen suddenly flickered on.

A line of text appeared: “Unknown subject, initial analysis in progress…”

Then the handles gently opened, and Chen Xiao felt a slight prick on his fingers. Two sharp needles had pierced him, drawing a drop of blood that traveled up a thin transparent tube.

“Hold on, don’t let go,” Uncle Tian reminded him.

The screen displayed: “Blood sample analysis…”

A few seconds later, an outline of a human figure appeared on the screen—his own. The device had scanned his weight and body shape.

“Basic blood analysis: blood type A. Hemoglobin level: normal. White blood cell count: normal…”

The screen continued: “Alert: Blood sample contains unknown substance. Possible foreign contamination. Data insufficient. Cannot analyze.”

Uncle Tian smiled from behind. “I heard you inhaled some ‘Purification,’ right?”

“…” Chen Xiao nodded.

•

“Subject ability assessment:
Preliminary ability classification: Combat-type ability user.
Intelligence: Unknown (insufficient data)
Strength: Grade B (beyond human limits)
Speed: Grade D (normal)
Endurance: Grade D (normal)
Energy level: Grade D (normal)
Combat skills: Grade C (muscle and skeletal scan indicates some training)
The above is real-time data. Composite battle index: 136.
Overall rating: C-.
Potential for enhancement: Unknown… Blood sample analysis indicates potential for enhancement… Grade A!!”

…

So this is my test result?

Chen Xiao stared at the screen…