Chapter 10: One Million
"You really think highly of me, Hall Master Fang," Li Pin said sincerely.
The two conditions Fang Lingjue had offered were both very sincere.
If Li Pin didn't have any aptitude in martial arts, this would be the best place for him.
In Taibai, people with an annual income of a million yuan a year were one in a million.
Furthermore, their income would include all kinds of equity, dividends, and sole-owned businesses that the individuals may have.
"I remember the first time I met you, Hall Master Fang. You said you desired to meet a Grandmaster or even a Martial Saint." Li Pin looked at Fang Lingjue. "Although our goals aren't exactly the same, they are similar."
Fang Lingjue felt a little sorry. "I understand."
If he could really rope in Li Pin with 5% or 10% of the shares and keep him in the Changfeng Martial Hall… in all likelihood, they would have another Core Force martial artist at one point.
At that time, their martial hall would get a great boost to their reputation just for having two great martial artists!
If he could advance further in his cultivation from the Core Force phase, then it wouldn't be a mere pipe dream to make the Changfeng Martial Hall the number one school in Zanglong City.
"Then how about I have you oversee the operations? You only need to step in to deal with some challenges that ordinary coaches can't deal with; it won't delay your training," Fang Lingjue said.
"Sure, but let's sign a one-year contract first," Li Pin said.
The 16th Jiang Province Martial Competition was still six months away, and the competitions would continue to run for three months.
There was the provincial competition, the national competition, and the World's Top Martial Competition organized by the Tianyuan Federation.
So, one year was enough for him to basically figure out the limits of his gift and decide on his future path.
It wasn't very likely that he'd stay at Zanglong City, even.
"We can do that," Fang Lingjue said with a nod. "You should still be venturing on the martial arts path in the coming half a year right? I'll send you a one-million yuan signing fee in advance."
Li Pin glanced at Fang Lingjue. "A paycheck in advance?"
Fang Lingjue returned a smile.
Li Pin understood that Fang Lingjue was trying to show him his goodwill, so he didn't ask him the question he had on his mind: "Aren't you afraid that I'd run off with the money?"
Instead, he returned the smile and accepted it. "It's true. These one million yuan are very important to me. Thanks."
"Just hearing this is enough."
Fang Lingjue said, " It is now the 25th of December in the 93rd year of the Astral God's Calendar. The Astral Advent Festival is right around the corner, and the martial hall will go on break for a week. Are you going home or staying in Zanglong City? I'll ask Manager Su to pass you the key to the martial hall later. Practicing at the martial hall will be more convenient since there's the training ground and equipment."
"I'll probably be heading back," Li Pin said.
Even since that turbulent era had passed, people designated the time when they had first "seen" the Astral God as the first year on the Astral God Calendar. Since that day happened to be the 1st of January, it was designated the Astral Advent Festival every year. This was the most important festival for all the countries around the globe.
All companies and organizations would take a vacation ranging from three to seven days during this period in celebration of the opening of a new era.
Li Pin didn't want to go home, but he didn't feel that it was right to do so. Despite what happened just two months back, neither Li Pin's mother nor Li Yunyan had come to bother him in Zanglong City. This already displayed that they had great respect for his emotions.
It wouldn't be right of him not to return….
Ring ring.
A ringtone sounded.
Li Pin glanced at the caller display on his phone.
Li Yunyao.
"Go answer the phone." Fang Lingjue laughed. "I'll be waiting to see you make a stunning appearance at the Jiang Province Martial Competition then."
Li Pin nodded and left the office to pick up the phone.
— Brother, I brought my friends to Zanglong City to play. Since this is your place, you'll be the host; you can't leave me by myself.
"Where are you?"
— We just got off the train. Where are you? We'll take a taxi there.
"I'll come and pick you up," Li Pin said.
— Don't. We'll just take a taxi by ourselves. It'd be a waste of time for you to travel to and fro just to come pick me up.
"Alright then."
Li Pin felt that since he accepted the identity of this body he was now in, there wasn't a need to act so pretentiously with his siblings.
"Let's meet at Starlight Center's east entrance."
— Wow, you intend to splurge on us?
Li Pin chuckled. "Don't worry, I won't let you guys starve."
Back in his previous life, Li Pin's parents had died of illness when he was six years old. He had no siblings either.
Now that he had been granted this new identity, Li Pin couldn't help but find the feeling not bad at all.
Li Pin ended the call. He had been about to leave when he heard a voice call out, "Li Pin, catch."
Li Pin turned to see Fang Lingjue tossing him a car key.
Fang Lingjue smiled and said, "Zanglong City is not a small place. It's not convenient to bring your friends around without a car. The car is parked at the exit of the underground parking lot."
"Thanks," Li Pin said.
Fang Lingjue waved him off. "Go on, go on."
After Li Pin left, Fang Lingjue recalled something and quickly called Manager Su over. He passed her the approved contract and said, "This is Li Pin's account number. I need you to go to the bank and transfer the money to him as soon as possible. Take the express channel and aim to get the transfer done before nightfall."
Manager Su was a bit surprised. "One million yuan?"
She then said hesitantly, "Will Master Yang have an opinion?"
"Li Pin is different from Old Yang."
Fang Lingjue said, "I'll speak to Old Yang on this."
Manager Su nodded and quickly went to do as told.
***
Li Pin didn't take the car. He went straight to the Starlight Center.
After he arrived, Li Pin waited for less than half an hour before he caught sight of Li Yunyao, walking over to him in a hurry.
Li Yunyao had slightly curled, shoulder-length hair and wore a purple sweater with two rabbit ears on the hood. She was wearing a pair of white casual pants that perfectly complemented her slender legs.
She gave off a youthful vibe.
Needless to say, coupled with their family's favorable genes, she was like a lively young girl who walked out of a painting.
"Brother," called out Lin Yunyao. She arrived next to Li Pin then began to circle around him and size him up, surprise on her face. "Xiaolu, Xiaolu, what do you think? Haven't I told you that my brother has become more handsome?"
Next to Li Yunyao was her childhood friend, Lin Xiaolu.
Lin Xiaolu was too embarrassed to meet Li Pin's eyes and just replied with an "mmm."
"Let's go, it's rare for you guys to come to Zanglong City. The things you girls would like…I'll take you both to the roof of Starlight Center so you can take photos. Then, I'll take you both to Yunxia Ancient Street for snacks. Of course, we could also eat a proper meal…."
"Snacks, let's go get snacks." Li Yunyao immediately spoke up. "I want to eat all the delicacies in Yunxia Ancient Street even if it means I'll gain an extra 1.5 kilograms!"
"Let's go then," Li Pin said.
Li Yunyao nodded vigorously, but she still couldn't help but size up Li Pin.
"Brother, you've really changed. I couldn't tell in the video calls, but after seeing you in real life… I can feel your vitality[1]… you're like a completely different person."
Li Pin told her the same thing he had told Fang Yubai when he mentioned this.
"A person would naturally experience a few changes in their mindset after going through a near-death experience. Also, I have recently picked up martial arts again, so there will naturally be a few changes in my vitality."
Li Yunyao was slightly relieved to see that Li Pin could talk to her about this topic naturally.
She understood from this that her brother had put the horrible opinions the public had about him behind his back.
Looking at this version of Li Pin who was sunny, spirited, and confident—a far cry from his introverted and sullen former self—Li Yunyao couldn't help but smile, revealing two lovely dimples on her face.
How nice, she mumbled in her heart.
1. The vitality here refers to the vibe/feeling/energy that the individual is giving off in terms of his health/cultivation. ☜
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