Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 1021 - 509: Payment Settlement (Part 2)

Fang Cheng listened, and couldn’t help but feel a bit moved.

This Naihe Bridge has really invested heavily to win over S-Class customers.

Just the half-price intelligence and Black Market cost price alone can save clients in need a lot of expenses.

For himself and the Illuminati, which is still in its early stages of development, it is an invaluable secret channel.

"Indeed, not bad."

Fang Cheng nodded, showing a satisfied expression on his face.

Seeing the big shot satisfied, Manager Wang’s smile grew wider, and he quickly continued:

"For experts like you, Mr. Bai, the most valuable aspect is the safe house."

"Not only is it equipped with top-notch security systems, but it also has emergency medical kits and war supplies. Whether you need shelter or a temporary rest, you can move into any major city or even desert area around the world, ensuring you feel at home."

"Mr. Bai, if you need, you could start with a one-year package service, just to experience it first..."

"We’ll talk next time."

Fang Cheng listened for a while, then waved his hand, interrupting him:

"Manager Wang, I’m here this time to collect the payment I’m owed, let’s settle the task reward first."

"Of course, of course!"

Manager Wang quickly agreed, pouring Fang Cheng a cup of hot tea with enthusiasm.

Then he took out a prepared document from the safe and respectfully handed it over:

"This is the task settlement, please review the details."

Fang Cheng took the form, his previously relaxed brow raised slightly.

On it, two lines of numbers were clearly listed:

Task Reward: Base payment of 18 million, performance rebate of 8 million, totaling 26 million.

Actual amount issued: 20.02 million.

And in the glaring deduction details, it was written:

Platform basic service fee 5%, high-risk task risk fund 5%, channel maintenance fee 3%, and a mysterious "emergency PR fee" 10%.

So after hearing about those VIP privileges for so long, it turns out when it comes to paying, they still extract money?

"Manager Wang."

Fang Cheng pointed to the settlement amount, looking at the other with a half-smile:

"Since I am an S-Class VIP, shouldn’t these fees be discounted?"

"Oh, Mr. Xiao Bai, this is putting me in a tough spot."

Manager Wang’s smile instantly turned into a bitter one, rubbing his hands as he explained:

"These S-Class privileges are for your future spending and tasks, but this bill was for a task you took on before becoming a member, so according to the rules... it stays the same."

"After all, there are rules in every trade. If we set this precedent, everyone would follow, and we wouldn’t be able to do business."

Manager Wang sighed, his tone full of helplessness:

"Besides, you know, the scale of this task was too big. Our Naihe Bridge had to handle the aftermath for you and cover disasters, which took a lot of real money to smooth over relations."

"This 15 million is truly a conscience price!"

Looking at Manager Wang’s look of "we’re already selling at a loss," Fang Cheng’s mouth twitched slightly.

What a conscience price indeed.

This Naihe Bridge truly is a miserly iron rooster, not giving an inch.

However, he understood that if the other party could withstand the Ideal Land’s pressure and ensure his client’s whereabouts weren’t leaked,

they indeed had to bear considerable risk, and charging a protection fee was understandable.

"Alright."

Fang Cheng didn’t dwell further, nodding calmly:

"What are the options to claim this money?"

"It depends on your own needs."

Seeing Fang Cheng not renegotiating the price, Manager Wang quickly resumed his professional smile, detailing:

"Considering the security of funds and your privacy, our Naihe Bridge thoughtfully offers three confidential methods to claim it."

"First, real currency offshore account transfer. We will whitewash it through dozens of overseas shell companies before finally transferring it to any account you specify, absolutely untraceable, but it takes 24 hours to receive."

"Second, physical delivery. We can pay in cash, or covert it into equivalent gold, jewels, or rare materials, left at the safe house chosen by you in the real world, available for immediate pickup, but there is some transport risk."

"Third, convert it to our Night City ’Credit Coin.’ This is hard currency in the underground world, not only for purchasing any Black Market goods here but also for circulation at secret bases of major organizations, with no handling fees."

Fang Cheng lightly tapped the armrest of the sofa, deep in thought.

Take it all in real currency?

Though safe, he wasn’t cash-strapped now, as he hadn’t yet spent the huge sum Chen Xu’an gave him.

Besides, real currency isn’t very useful in Night City; even buying intelligence incurs high fees, too costly.

If he converted it all to cash now and needed to exchange it back later, that would be foolishness.

Take it all in Credit Coin?

Couldn’t do that either.

The Illuminati is just starting up, requiring real money for base construction, personnel recruitment, equipment procurement.

Not to mention, he planned to buy an apartment for his mom.

After pondering for a moment, Fang Cheng made a decision.

"Transfer half to this account."

He reported an anonymous account previously set up by Lin Chuqiao overseas, then said:

"The other half, convert entirely to Credit Coin."

"No problem, you’re truly wise!"

Manager Wang beamed, proceeding immediately.

In under two minutes, with a crisp prompt sound, a card entirely black, with dark golden patterns flowing on its surface, was handed to Fang Cheng.

"This is your S-Class membership card, in which has been deposited an equivalent of 6.5 million Credit Coin."

"With this card, all your spending at Naihe Bridge and its affiliated Black Markets, will enjoy a 20% discount, and also..."

Manager Wang lowered his voice, speaking mysteriously:

"If you need to stay in Night City long-term, conserving your funds and items, we can offer luxury single apartments in the core district, also at an internal discount."

Fang Cheng toyed with the black card, sensing the special energy fluctuations it contained.

This was indeed far superior to the previous temporary number card.

"The apartment matter can wait."

Fang Cheng pocketed the card and stood up:

"If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave."

"Alright, take care!"

Manager Wang nodded and bowed, escorting Fang Cheng to the door.

Only when his figure vanished at the end of the street did he straighten up, wiping the sweat that unknowingly formed on his forehead.

Secretly muttering to himself.

This man radiating golden light, his presence is something else.

.........

Meanwhile, inside a monitoring room at the top floor.

Shen Shuhuan stood with his hands behind his back, eyes fixed on the screen showing the progressively distant figure.

"So that’s ’Xiao Bai’?"

He muttered to himself, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"Incomprehensible... completely incomprehensible."

"This man’s spiritual power is extremely restrained, like a bottomless ancient pool. Even when obtaining a huge reward, his heartbeat and micro-expressions showed no fluctuation."

Shen Shuhuan turned around, instructing the shadow-like presence-less assistant behind him:

"Lock his membership file, encrypt all his transaction records. Only I can access them with authorization."

"Also, assign some astute experts to keep an eye on him, but not too close, as experts of this level have heightened senses."

"I want to know his foothold in Night City, but he must not become aware of our monitoring."

"Yes, young master."

The assistant immediately took the order, slightly bowing before swiftly exiting the monitoring room to arrange personnel.

Shen Shuhuan’s lips curled into a meaningful smile:

"Since Ideal Land wants him dead, we’ll ensure his safety. The enemy’s enemy is a friend, this deal, is sure profit..."