Shrek City, Mingmeng Chamber of Commerce, Vice President's office.
The gray semi-plane portal opened silently, and Kong Mingan, dressed in casual white clothing, walked out followed by Meng Hongchen.
Ju Zi, who was hunched over her desk processing documents, looked up, her chestnut-colored hair sliding down from her shoulder. Seeing the newcomers, her eyes widened slightly, and then a gentle and professional smile appeared on her face.
Rising, Ju Zi respectfully bowed slightly. Her form-fitting uniform tightened slightly with the movement, outlining the full curves of her chest. With a respectful tone, she said softly:
"President, you have arrived."
Afterward, Ju Zi stood up, her gaze falling on Meng Hongchen behind Kong Mingan, and she bowed slightly once more, "Young Miss Meng, long time no see."
"Long time no see, Sister Ju Zi." Meng Hongchen greeted her, recalling the movements she had just witnessed in her mind. Her keen intuition told her that Ju Zi's actions just now were by no means unintentional.
Narrowing her eyes slightly, Young Miss Meng shifted her position ever so slightly, very casually revealing the hand she was holding with someone.
In a familiar tone, she asked:
"Is Sister Ju Zi still busy?"
"It is my duty; it is merely part of the job." Ju Zi responded softly, her tone as gentle as before, seemingly unchanged.
She habitually took out the folder placed to the side, then looked at Kong Mingan, "President, do you need me to report on the recent situation of the Chamber of Commerce?"
"No need, I'm just out for a stroll with Meng."
Kong Mingan's tone was calm, but he noticed a hint of fatigue in Ju Zi's eyes, "Has work been very busy lately?"
Ju Zi paused, then explained, "...Heaven Dou City will be hosting the next AdvancedSpirit Master Academy Spirit Fighting Tournament. The Heaven Soul royal family is showing goodwill toward the Chamber of Commerce and has transferred some of the business related to the competition to the Chamber.
"Because it involves the Heaven Soul royal family, there are many areas in the transfer process that require my review, so it took a little extra time."
"Is that so..."
Kong Mingan understood. After thinking for a moment, he took a small bottle of emerald green liquid that emitted a pure life aura from his Storage Ring and placed it on the table.
"Life Essence, it can alleviate physical fatigue, but for mental exhaustion... I still suggest you get some sleep and rest."
Looking at the Life Essence on the table, Ju Zi was stunned for quite a while before speaking with inexplicable difficulty: "...Thank you, President."
"Consider it an employee benefit."
Kong Mingan said with a smile, "Then Meng and I will head out first; take your time, Sister Ju Zi."
"...Yes, President."
Ju Zi revealed her usual gentle smile, watching them leave the office. But as the door closed, her gaze involuntarily fell upon the small bottle of Life Essence on the table.
Pursing her lips, Ju Zi's eyes were dark and unreadable, unsure of what she was thinking.
"You're quite good to your employees, even giving them things directly?"
What a strong smell of vinegar...
Kong Mingan glanced at Young Miss Meng beside him with slight surprise, then shook his head:
"I just don't want to exploit my employees."
"Tsk..."
Young Miss Meng clicked her tongue. She believed that he indeed had no other intentions for the time being, and was truly just concerned for his employees.
But... promising revenge and granting her power, then endowing her with value and establishing a new spiritual sustenance...
After all this, if it were her, she would probably be unable to help but develop other thoughts, right? Especially since he is so good-looking...
At this rate... she felt like her future rivals might be numerous?
Young Miss Meng fell into distress.
A moment later, the two walked side by side out of the Chamber of Commerce building, blending into the bustling crowd of Shrek City.
Meng Hongchen temporarily put aside her distress; it was a long-awaited outing after all, so she should relax first.
Young Miss Meng looked around, sometimes stopping at a stall selling trinkets, or being attracted by the performance of a street Spirit Master.
After all, this was Shrek City; in terms of prosperity and cultural heritage alone, it was undoubtedly number one in Douluo.
Kong Mingan followed by her side, his gaze occasionally sweeping across the surroundings, also observing the city.
However, it just so happened that at one moment, his gaze unintentionally swept over the window of a private room in a teahouse opposite, and he happened to lock eyes with a pair of cold, slightly weary eyes.
It was Zhang Lexuan.
She held a cup of clear tea in her hand, looking at the restaurant across from the teahouse, seemingly observing something.
Their gazes met briefly in the air. Kong Mingan was slightly stunned, then politely nodded slightly at her, the corners of his mouth lifting into a faint smile, counting as a greeting.
Then, he naturally withdrew his gaze and walked away with Meng Hongchen, who was pointing at a nearby sugar painting stall and saying something.
By the teahouse window, Zhang Lexuan's hand holding the teacup paused slightly.
That good-looking youth... she remembered seeing him at the entrance of the Chamber of Commerce last time. At that time, he was with another purple-haired girl. How did he change to a silver-haired girl this time? Changing so quickly?
Zhang Lexuan frowned slightly, but immediately shook her head, casting this insignificant episode to the back of her mind.
Shrek City is not big, but not small either. Moreover, this youth was too conspicuous; it would be hard not to notice him. She figured... it must just be a coincidence.
She drank the slightly cool tea in her cup and continued to cast her gaze toward the restaurant below.
She was here today because she had discovered that someone in the logistics department of the Shrek Outer Court was reselling academy resources, and now she was waiting for the rabbit to hit the tree stump.
Slightly weary, she reached out and gently rubbed her brow, forcing herself to stay awake.
She still didn't understand why there was so much hidden filth in Shrek, but it was fine... she would definitely be able to make Shrek better, she definitely could...
Zhang Lexuan slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air and regained her spirit.
"Some things have rotted to the roots; how could it be so easy to heal them back?"
Kong Mingan murmured softly, feeling a little sympathy for this nominal clan sister of his.
Wanting to save a large tree whose roots have already decayed—if one is not careful, one might even be battered and bruised by falling branches.
And at that time, whether it be the tree or the onlookers standing by, they would blame the person trying to heal the tree, saying it was her insistence on healing that ended up killing the tree.
The despair that would surge at that time would be enough to swallow anyone.
Shaking his head, Kong Mingan withdrew his attention and did not continue thinking. Today was about accompanying Young Miss Meng to play; other things should be put aside for now.
The outing with Young Miss Meng in Shrek City ended in a relaxed and subtle atmosphere.
Returning to the Mingmeng Chamber of Commerce base, the two were preparing to return to the Capital City via the semi-plane, but before the portal could open, Ju Zi pushed the door and entered, her face showing a hint of haste different from her usual work reports.
"President," she first bowed to Kong Mingan, then nodded to Meng Hongchen, before hurriedly speaking,
"President, a subordinate reported that we have found something on the list you previously asked us to search for."
"Something on the list?" Kong Mingan raised an eyebrow. He had indeed given Ju Zi a list, which contained various treasures that had appeared in the original work,
Such as the Ice Jade Scorpion Left Arm Bone that appeared at the auction, or the ten thousand year profound ice marrow of the Earth Dragon Gate; these kinds of treasures were all on the list.
However... judging by Ju Zi's appearance, it didn't seem to be an ordinary item?
"Yes." Ju Zi took a deep breath, her voice softer but every word clear, "At our branch in Star Luo City... we acquired a 'Hundred Thousand Year Soul Beast Embryo'."
Kong Mingan's hand, which was about to pick up his teacup, paused in mid-air.
No...
What the heck?
A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Beast Embryo?!
(End of Chapter)
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