Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 994 - 497:

"Young Master Chen, you’re a straightforward person!"

Pan Wendi looked at the table full of money and couldn’t help but give a thumbs up:

"It seems I misunderstood you before. I’ll have to learn about this perspective from you in the future."

"Young Master Pan, you’re kidding."

Chen Xu’an gave a bitter smile, speaking sincerely:

"Now that our two families are allied, besides some dirty money, the Chen Family really doesn’t have much to offer in terms of force."

"I just hope this small contribution can help strengthen the organization, so in the future, if the Chen Family faces difficulties again, we’ll have more confidence and support."

Fang Cheng looked at the checks and cash in front of him and did not refuse.

The Illuminati is indeed short of money now, buying a base, recruiting people, purchasing equipment—each is a gold-eater.

The funds from Chen Xu’an are a timely help.

Moreover, he already regarded the Chen Family as an outer force of the Illuminati, so accepting their tribute is only natural and just.

"Alright, I’ll report this when I get back, noting Mr. Chen’s kindness and support, and enter these funds into the account."

Fang Cheng took the check and handed it over to the "Logistics General Manager" Lin Chuqiao beside him.

Chen Xu’an saw this, and his face immediately lit up with joy. He then took out the last document from the folder.

Amidst black and white text was a commercial real estate contract, with the property owner field left blank.

"And..."

He spread the document on the table and pointed to the terms:

"This is an entire floor of office space at the top of the Cui City World Trade Center, with clear property rights and complete decorations."

"I thought that the Illuminati might need a foothold in Tian Nan Province, and this place has the best security and view in the city."

"Just sign on the dotted line, Mr. Bai, and this will be our organization’s branch in Tian Nan Province."

Fang Cheng’s eyes scanned the valuable property deed, but his fingertips didn’t touch the offered pen.

He lifted his head and looked at Chen Xu’an, speaking with profound meaning:

"This place is nice, we’ll take it. However, don’t sign my name."

Chen Xu’an was taken aback:

"Then whose name should be signed?"

"Yours."

Fang Cheng’s eyes were intense, with a hint of a leader’s expectation in his voice:

"Since you are the representative of the Illuminati in Tian Nan Province, this branch should naturally be under your charge."

"This is not just an office location, but also the organization’s trust in you. I hope you can manage this place well and not let me down."

He paused briefly and added with more gravity in his tone:

"After this evaluation period, we will convene an internal meeting to formally induct you into the decision-making body. By then, you’ll be one of the core members of the Illuminati."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xu’an’s body trembled violently.

At that moment, he felt he was more than just a sponsor or a weakling seeking protection.

He was truly accepted by the Illuminati, becoming a part of its core circle and representing the organization’s foundation and face in Tian Nan Province.

"Yes!"

He straightened his back with excitement and responded loudly:

"Chen Xu’an will never disgrace his mission!"

This display of loyal devotion dissipated the originally slightly heavy parting atmosphere in the living room, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and warmth.

Fang Cheng reached out and patted his shoulder, his gaze full of encouragement.

Ye Zhiran and Lin Chuqiao also stepped forward, speaking with this newly promoted quasi-member, their words reflecting a bit more familial closeness.

After some simple exchanges, they didn’t linger. Accompanied by two bodyguards, they prepared to depart with a heavy safe.

At this moment, the afternoon sun was just right, filtering through the dappled shadows of trees and falling on everyone.

Outside the courtyard, a convoy that had been waiting for some time revved its engines, ready to go.

Three black business cars, led by a bulletproof Rolls-Royce in front, left the quiet villa area, speeding towards Cui City International Airport.

The business cars were pre-arranged by Pan Wendi to transport people and luggage.

As for the leading Rolls-Royce, it was insisted by Chen Xu’an as a personal escort, to show respect to "Mr. Bai."

Inside the car, the excellent soundproofing completely isolated external noise.

Fang Cheng leaned back in the comfortable leather seat, watching the Cuihai Lake scenery fly by outside the window, feeling quite satisfied.

This trip to Tian Nan was indeed fruitful.

Not only did he successfully resolve the Chen Family’s troubles and complete the entrusted tasks, but he also found traces of his uncle.

Meanwhile, he gathered a lot of hidden insights about his father’s old case from Xuan Zhen and the Professor, drawing closer to revealing the mystery of the past.

Additionally, his breakthrough in martial arts was an unexpected delight.

With the Skill Upgrade in Tai Chi Boxing, he gained a deeper understanding of martial arts, giving him more confidence to reach the "Inner Scenery External Manifestation" realm.

Most importantly, the foundational development of the Illuminati is steadily grounding.

The cohesion of core members, each performing their roles, and the startup funds sent by Chen Xu’an are in place.

Once back in East Capital, the construction of two bases and the completion of the organizational structure can immediately proceed.

From personal grievances to competence growth, and organizational construction, every aspect exceeded expectations, truly a perfect conclusion.

The vehicle traveled smoothly, and near the airport, Fang Cheng suddenly remembered something.

Then he turned to look at Chen Xu’an, who was sitting upright beside him, and asked:

"Mr. Chen, there’s a personal matter I want to ask about. When you originally commissioned Naihe Bridge to investigate the Chen Family case, how much was the total fee?"

Chen Xu’an was slightly taken aback by this question, seemingly not expecting Fang Cheng to ask, but he answered frankly:

"At the time, the situation was quite dire, with many casualties. We were anxious and hoped to attract a real expert, so we directly offered a reward of fifty million."

As he spoke, he glanced at Fang Cheng, eyes full of gratitude:

"Fortunately, we found you, Mr. Bai. Forget fifty million, even if it were five hundred million, it’s worth every penny to save over a hundred lives of the Chen Family!"

Seeing Chen Xu’an’s grateful expression, Fang Cheng’s face took on a quirky look.

Fifty million?

He remembered clearly that when he accepted the task from Naihe Bridge, the reward was only twenty-six million.

Eighteen million of which was fixed base pay, and the remaining eight million was performance bonuses based on the client’s final rating.

Counting it up, there was at least a twenty-four million discrepancy.

Fang Cheng’s mouth twitched slightly, and he silently looked away, secretly complaining internally:

"This Naihe Bridge really is shady! They outright pocketed half the fee, calling it an agency fee when it’s clearly blatant robbery!"

.................

In the dark dimension.

The sky over Night City remained shrouded in that perpetual dense fog.

A massive floating eye slowly turned among the clouds.

A beam of eerie green light, like a god’s sword of judgment, swept through the bizarre architecture, monitoring every inch of shadow in this chaotic city.

In the city’s core area, a towering octagonal building with layered eaves rose from the ground.

Constructed from unknown dark wood, strings of large red lanterns hung from the flying eaves.

Inside were not ordinary lights, but ghostly blue flames.

Amidst the surrounding sea of cyberpunk neon lights, this ancient-style tower appeared incongruously, yet exuded a daunting aura of authority.

At the top floor, within a study room adorned with simple elegance.

An elder in a Tang suit stood with his hands behind his back, gazing down at the ant-like people below through the floor-to-ceiling window.

His figure was unusual, appearing somewhat illusory under the light, with semi-transparent edges.

As if he could turn to vapor and drift away with the breeze at any moment.

"Knock, knock, knock."

In this moment of silence, the sound of knocking was notably clear.

"Come in."

The elder did not turn around, his voice aged yet carrying a soul-piercing power.

Eeeek.

The door was gently pushed open, and a young man with a handsome face, dressed in a tailored suit, walked in quickly.

He closed the door behind him with the back of his hand, then respectfully walked to the elder’s side, softly calling:

"Grandfather."

The elder looked at the vastness outside the window and asked calmly:

"Has that organization called ’Ideal Land’ sent someone again?"