Chen Pingchuan looked at Guo Yihang's timid expression and asked irritably, "Seriously, what are you afraid of?"
Guo Yihang glanced around cautiously, then returned to Chen Pingchuan's side and explained mysteriously, "Bro, I'm telling you, you should seriously find another place to live."
"Cut the crap and get to the point."
"Uh... do you remember that story you told me about the Yin-Yang Road?"
"That was ages ago. Why are you bringing it up now? You were the one who begged me to tell you." Chen Pingchuan retorted. "You're the one who said you wanted to hear a special little story with plenty of conflict, thrills, and scenes where the main characters were screaming with passion. That's the only reason I told it to you."
Hearing this, Guo Yihang was instantly speechless. He knew Chen Pingchuan was fully aware of what he *really* meant. But since Pingchuan insisted on spouting such straight-faced nonsense, what could he possibly do?
While internally mocking Chen Pingchuan's childishness, his mouth didn't stay idle. "Bro, I'm really not joking with you. Look at the weather—it's hot enough to roast someone alive out there, but your room always has this inexplicable chill. So, I suspect... your room... is haunted."
Chen Pingchuan raised his arm and lightly punched Guo Yihang, cursing, "Stop with the superstitious nonsense. If anyone's a ghost, it's you—a big-headed one at that."
Hissing in mock pain, Guo Yihang rubbed his shoulder with a resentful look. "Bro, if I did something to upset you, just say so. No need for cheap shots. If you're still not satisfied with last night, I've got a bit of cash left. You could go for another 'foot massage' to relax, you know?"
"Also, bro, I'm serious, you really might have..."
Chen Pingchuan interrupted Guo Yihang's superstitious rambling. "Shut up. Listen to me, I have something important to say."
I know exactly what's going on, Chen Pingchuan thought. If I'm not mistaken, this has to be because of Black Demon No. 1. Living creatures have a natural instinct. When they encounter a potential threat, their bodies send a warning to the brain, which in turn produces feelings of fear and dread. Clearly, the fatty was just intimidated by Black Demon No. 1's aura.
Chen Pingchuan had no good solution for this, so he decided to quickly entrust him with the task at hand. He first took down a large, black leather duffel bag from the top of the cabinet, then tossed it to Guo Yihang with a playful curse.
"Take this and get out of here. Remember, wait until you're back at your apartment and there are no outsiders around before you open the bag."
"There's a plan in the bag that details what needs to be done and how. You and that Liu Yaofei kid can figure it out together."
The reason I don't want him to open it is simple, Chen Pingchuan thought. The duffel bag is stuffed to the brim with cash. If he opens it here, his first reaction will be shock. His second will be to grab me and unleash a barrage of questions. It's better to just have him get the job done. I can explain later.
A dazed expression was still on Guo Yihang's face as he left Chen Pingchuan's apartment. Hefted the surprisingly heavy duffel bag.
"What the hell is in this thing? It's damn heavy," he muttered to himself.
Another task accomplished, Chen Pingchuan thought after sending Guo Yihang off. That's right, I prepared the bag in advance. The plan inside details the overall first phase of the Doomsday Bunker construction project.
Chen Pingchuan glanced at the sky, gave an instruction to Black Demon No. 1, and headed out. He hailed a taxi and went directly to 98 Kanghua Street in the southern part of the city.
The transaction for the Energy Crystal went exceptionally smoothly. Although the eyes of the male manager handling the deal were a bit shifty, he ultimately restrained himself.
I was prepared for this outcome, Chen Pingchuan mused. After all, with a transaction involving such a large sum of Federation Coins, it would be ludicrous to think they wouldn't try to look into my background. Too bad for them. I'm a man with a simulator. In a contest of strength, I can crush them. In a contest of schemes, I'm practically prescient. Being in an unbeatable position, I can't even think of a reason why I would lose.
"Recharge!"
[Ding! 3,400 simulation points have been credited.]
[Remaining simulation points: 3,596]
[Remaining simulation attempts: 6]
"How lonely it is to be invincible, how empty it is to be invincible..." Chen Pingchuan hummed a tune, his mood cheerful.
Unfortunately, his happiness didn't last five minutes.
"Sorry, sir. Spring City Celestial Heaven only accepts reservations made a week in advance, and we do not offer takeout. We truly apologize that we cannot meet your needs."
The receptionist on the communicator spoke politely, but the pride hidden in her words was palpable.
"Believe it or not, I could buy out your Celestial Heaven right now and have your kitchen cook only for me."
"Of course, sir. First, thank you very much for your high opinion of Spring City Celestial Heaven. Second, if you have an acquisition offer, please contact our owner directly. I imagine someone of your caliber wouldn't need us to mediate. I have other things to attend to, so I'll get back to them. Goodbye."
BEEP... BEEP... BEEP...
Before the busy tone started, Chen Pingchuan heard snickering from the other end of the line.
"Hmph. Just you wait," he muttered.
He wasn't angry. If he were in their shoes, he'd also assume the person on the line was some drunken blowhard. The fact they didn't just curse him out already showed a high degree of professionalism.
Unable to order Celestial Heaven's signature dishes, Chen Pingchuan had to settle for the next best thing. He found a reasonably clean homestyle restaurant, ordered a few simple dishes, and then hurried over to Xia Qingxue's place.
But he came up empty; Xia Qingxue wasn't home. He tried calling her communicator, but there was no answer. He waited by the flowerbed downstairs for an hour, still with no sign of Xia Qingxue.
A bitter smile appeared on Chen Pingchuan's face. He recalled his best friend's personal experience from his previous life and the earnest advice he'd given him while dead drunk.
"Bro, promise me, don't be a simp."
He handed the food he was carrying to the security guard at the apartment entrance and turned to leave. He needed to go to the mall first and get some "clothes" for his big baby. After all, keeping it hidden in the rental apartment wasn't a long-term solution.
After an afternoon of running around, Chen Pingchuan finally finished his tasks. Lying down on his somewhat hard bed, he checked the dozen or so missed calls on his communicator. There were calls from Guo Yihang, Li Dafu, and some unknown numbers.
I have no intention of calling any of them back, he thought. All I want to do now is continue the simulation.
Talent, mandatory selection. Check.
Federation Coins, mandatory selection. Check.
Mysterious Black Stone... hmm... This is about my dog-son's growth, but that unknown side effect makes me hesitate... I'll take a few. Check.
Bundled research materials, mandatory. My future supply of free gene potions depends on this. Check.
Body state inheritance, mandatory. I missed it last time, but luckily I get to choose again. No loss there. Check.
After comparing the pros and cons of each reward, Chen Pingchuan made his final choice. "I choose the following rewards: the Parasite Seed talent, the Federation Coins, ten Mysterious Black Stones, the bundled research materials, and the body state inheritance."
Even though this wasn't the first time he'd inherited rewards from a simulation, this time was clearly different.
"AAAHHH!!!"