Chapter 101: Negotiating the Purchase

The banquet proceeded pleasantly. Wu Hua’s bid was 150,000 credits, but Mr. Tie insisted on giving Wu Hua a check for 200,000 credits. His reasoning was simple: as one of the main attackers, Wu Hua had managed to “win over” the five “fairies” from Blue Corporation single-handedly, which was his greatest satisfaction. Wu Hua couldn’t argue with that and had no choice but to accept the check.

Since there were fewer people at this banquet, everyone indulged freely. Throughout the evening, Mr. Tie and 1860 chatted and joked effortlessly, their witty remarks causing bursts of laughter around the table.

For the first time, Wu Hua realized that Mr. Tie was far from an ordinary figure. He could appear shrewd one moment, humorous the next, and sometimes laugh uninhibitedly like a child. Wu Hua suddenly thought of the old Shanghai Green Gang bosses from the bygone era—Mr. Tie was essentially such a tycoon, very different from Azure Blue Sky.

Blue Corporation was everywhere—pioneering new territories, seizing land, opening ports, building base stations, developing technology—basically grabbing money from all directions. Azure Blue Sky seemed to live by a creed: money is king, money decides everything.

But Qimen Company was different. It was involved in all sorts of businesses, especially maintaining cooperative relationships with many mysterious masters. It was expanding its influence everywhere, a power that truly controlled everything: media, radio stations, finances, experts, companies, partnerships...

Such an influence was truly formidable.

In the last survival mission, Mr. Tie dealt a harsh blow to Azure Blue Sky’s morale. During the Wind Forest Fire Mountain ambush battle, it could be said that Qimen Company had firmly established itself in Dreamstar City. Apart from the East Sea port, Blue Corporation would hardly have a chance to intervene in Dreamstar City again.

Wu Hua only pondered these things when he was quite drunk. He knew it was unwise to oppose Blue Corporation outright; to survive between two great powers, mere intellect was not enough—backing was essential. Of course, this did not mean pledging allegiance to either side.

He was a gunman who pursued freedom and the thrill of justice. What mattered most in his personal path was always having an edge over others. Otherwise, Long Zhan Xingye’s fate would serve as a cautionary tale.

That guy Long Zhan Xingye was decent at first, but he was willing to sell out for money, and no matter how good, his strength was limited.

After the banquet, 1860 and his spouse stayed at the Dreamstar Hotel. The Grey Wolf picked out two beauties and booked the presidential suite to play games. Yu Qing quietly excused herself, while Wu Hua and the new reporter shared a room.

“Crazy Bro!” The new reporter had drunk quite a bit tonight, his face flushed red.

Wu Hua fiddled with the ion television embedded in the wall. The Dreamstar Hotel’s facilities were quite luxurious; such a TV could receive over 500 channels.

Wu Hua smiled, “The room costs 800 credit points per night. I wonder if there are any other services available?”

The new reporter chuckled, “How about I call you a beauty? Two thousand credit points a night. You do your thing; I’ll watch and learn.”

Wu Hua laughed, “Even in the game?”

The new reporter grinned mischievously, “Of course. But watch out for wet dreams.”

Wu Hua couldn’t help but laugh, “That’s not cheap. I think I’ll pass.”

Looking at Wu Hua’s faint smile, the new reporter suddenly said, “Crazy Bro, I think you’re different from others.”

“Oh?” Wu Hua was curious.

“You always seem so calm, knowing exactly what’s going on, and you’re really good at making money and gearing up. Why do you play this game?”

Wu Hua countered, “What about you?”

There was a trace of self-mockery in the new reporter’s eyes as he smiled wryly. “Haha, I’m just a worker. Wherever the boss goes, I go.” Lying on the bed, he waved his hand, “Forget the heavy stuff. Crazy Bro, I actually want to ask you for a favor.”

Wu Hua smiled, “Heh, I knew it. You wanted to share a room with me for a reason.”

The new reporter scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. “Crazy Bro, it’s like this—you know my girl, right?”

Wu Hua said, “Iced Coffee?”

The new reporter smiled, “After Master Monica was reclaimed by the system, the management rights now rest with her, but only the management rights.”

Wu Hua was puzzled, “What does that mean?”

The new reporter explained, “When Master Monica was around, the boutique factory paid her 15,000 credits a month. Now, it’s 20,000 credits a month. The salary is higher, but the workload is unbearable.”

Wu Hua laughed, “Didn’t think you cared so much about your wife.”

The new reporter said, “Crazy Bro, we’re like brothers, so I’ll be straightforward. Mr. Tie only pays me 30,000 credits.”

Wu Hua immediately understood his meaning. The Star Battle game had a dedicated financial exchange center for credit points. Players could exchange real RMB for game credits at roughly a 1:7 ratio—1 RMB for 7 credits. But exchanging back was less favorable, about 10 credits for 1 RMB, plus a 1–5% fee. The less you exchange, the higher the fee; the more you exchange, the lower.

Of course, these rates fluctuated with player equipment levels, monster drop rates, and market prices. When the game launched, the exchange was 1:100—1 RMB could buy 100 credits. Many large corporations invested heavily early, securing cheap prices. When most players were enjoying the game and spending money, the rates shifted again.

Though many players complained, they accepted the game company’s dominance. The developer, Dali Group, had invested billions and needed to recoup costs. Since the game could make money, no one objected further.

So, when calculated, the new reporter earned just over 2,000 RMB a month, and Iced Coffee less than that.

“All for a living,” Wu Hua sighed.

The new reporter said, “Crazy Bro, you might not know, every boutique factory is controlled by a central system, but now Monica’s factory isn’t controlled by npnetbsp.”

“How’s that?” Wu Hua was confused.

The new reporter replied, “If we pay a sum to the Federation government, the factory’s operating rights for four years would be ours. The profits would be ours, and, of course, if it loses money, we cover the losses.”

Wu Hua’s eyes lit up—that was a financial opportunity. Yet, he remained cautious, “Then why doesn’t Mr. Tie buy it?”

The new reporter looked troubled, “He doesn’t know. Besides, he’s not interested in small factories; he deals in large-scale operations, grabbing big suburban territories.”

Wu Hua stared at him, “Be honest—I see you want to go solo, right?”

The new reporter was startled, hastily waving his hands, “No, no, no! Even if I had the money, I don’t have the guts. If Mr. Tie finds out, I’d be packing up.”

Wu Hua said lightly, “Heh, don’t worry, I won’t betray my brothers. You just don’t have enough money and want me to join in, right?”

The new reporter immediately smiled, “Crazy Bro, you’re wise, you’re mighty!”

Wu Hua laughed, “With your little schemes, you think I don’t know what you’re up to? Tell me—how much to take it over?”

The new reporter slowly made a gesture with his hand...