Tap! Tap! Tap!

A clear knocking sound echoed from the door.

"Who is it?"

In the midst of her busyness, Lu Ma opened the door and saw the strangely expressive man outside.

In a certain sense, it's truly hard to describe that expression, as if he's numb yet trying hard to smile while restraining himself from crying... Though it's hard to say, it somehow feels ominous.

"I, I..."

The visitor carried a black box in his hand, his expression struggling to form a smile: "Yu... Little Yu..."

"Are you Xiao Ji's friend?"

Lu Ma was bewildered and made space: "You're here early, come in... Lu Feng, don't just stand there, entertain the guest!"

In such a situation, for the puppy's dignity, she doesn't call him by his nickname.

But, the puppy didn't seem to want to give face.

Still sitting on the sofa, chewing on a sugar tangerine, he looked on half-smiling.

"Mom, I think it's better for me to watch here." Lu Feng spat out a seed, shrugging slightly: "Otherwise, the guest might feel uneasy."

Yu Hanguang remained silent, his eye twitching slightly, the originally twitching smile now held a trace of sweetness.

"Hello, Mr. Lu. Ahem, long time no see."

"Indeed."

Lu Feng nodded with a smile, took an orange from the fruit basket, and placed it on the table. His eyes never left him, "Would you like an orange?"

"No, no need." Yu Hanguang coughed slightly, his demeanor increasingly submissive: "May I ask where Mr. Ji is..."

"Upstairs."

Lu Feng replied: "Make yourself at home."

Yu Hanguang said nothing more, lowered his head as he went upstairs, and knocked on the study door.

Soon, the door was opened.

"Ah, Group Leader Yu? Long time no see."

Ji Jue's brow raised, seemingly surprised: "If there's something, just let me know, I can come to Lihua District, no need to trouble yourself to visit."

"Passing by, just happened to pass by!"

Yu Hanguang accompanied a smile, put the box on the table, straight to the point: "Heard Mr. Ji recently moved, came specially to offer congratulations."

He opened the leather buckle, turned the box over: "A small token of regard, not worth mentioning."

"Ah, since you're here."

Ji Jue gestured, his gaze falling upon the box.

The resplendent gleam of gems.

Crystal clear.

On the velvet cushion lay a collection of various colored gem crystals, red, blue, green, yellow, none of which are ordinary commercial items, but all precious crystals extracted from the earth's veins.

Without any impurities, its purity level could compete with the gems Ji Jue saw in simulation.

A total of eighty-one, flawless, with the smallest weighing over 20 grams.

Even for a prospector from the Ruins series, to gather a box like this would take several years, traveling across many famous mountains and rivers, to possibly collect such treasures.

For craftsmen, this is an excellent carrier and container for blessings, and can also serve as material for inlays or extractions, with many wonderful uses, embellishing any work beautifully.

Purely valuing it, in the Tianping Commerce orders, even the least valuable gem here is worth millions, and the sapphire nourished for years by the earth's veins to form Frost Flow transformation, is simply priceless.

Having these in hand, without saying more, Isis could directly execute an upgrade, unrestricted by basic materials, restoring a glimpse of the simulation's old view.

"Ah, isn't this a bit too exaggerated?"

Ji Jue lowered his gaze: "Such an expensive gift, I'm afraid I dare not accept."

"Mr. Ji, don't mention it, it's just a token of regard."

Yu Hanguang's smile became ever more sincere, pure: "Had it not been for your righteous act back then, I don't know how many trash and scams would be out there posing under the name of the Security Bureau. These are just some of the stolen goods retrieved from Jiang Jin's hold, perfect for compensating the victims."

"Jiang Jin?" Ji Jue was puzzled.

Yu Hanguang's expression stiffened slightly, a bit embarrassed: "That.. well..."

"Oh, I remember, that guy... Yes, seems there was such a thing."

Ji Jue laughed, suddenly realizing: "Didn't expect such a small matter to be remembered by Group Leader Yu all this time. Truly, a pillar in the Security Bureau, a blessing to the people of Lihua District."

"Flattery, flattery."

Yu Hanguang smiled along.

Cold sweat flowed down his back, tears welled up with bitterness inside: I don't want to remember, but you remember it!

Back then, getting slapped into the hospital for months was already something, playing dead as if nothing happened. Thankfully, still having the Security Bureau's skin, supported by the Yu Family behind, not getting shot dead while pretending to commit suicide.

Just a small grudge from a subordinate.

In this world, who doesn't have some enemies?

But since then, everything started to feel not quite right.

During internal conflicts in the Desert Market, one could say this guy was lucky to survive. When he got to Spring City, he realized the kind of monster Jiang Jin had brought back.

When the first name appeared on this year's Taiyi Ring announcement list, he already began to lose consciousness.

Especially when he discreetly probed Ye Xian and Ji Jue's past glories, particularly their methods in dealing with competitors, that's when he started losing sleep.

Damn, as a minor branch from the side family, painstakingly climbed out after much effort, barely reaching Rebirth Rank, living a happy life of doing as I please, how come I got targeted by such a tyrannosaurus rex?

Heavens bless, he initially just wanted to find leverage to bully a colleague in the field, why would that colleague's family dig out such an absurd thing?!

Jiang Jin, you damned old dog!

Yet the most painful thing in the world is like this - people are dead, but you're still alive, and chances are you might be close to dying, perhaps even worse than death.

After realizing things were getting out of hand, he could only seek help from the family. The response from the Family Head was nothing but two slaps and this clear path: take the goods and bow, solve it while kneeling, if unsolvable then hang yourself at Ji Jue's doorstep, don't come back. If you die, that's fine, just don't bring disaster home.

The family's days have been getting worse each day over the past two years, so why is there still someone complaining that life's too good and wanting to add some little tests?!

Do you really not know how fierce Ye Xian is!

She seriously dares to mess with Jian Yuan!

Would you dare? I wouldn't dare anyway!

If you don't want to die, just kowtow until you die!

Outside, there were too many people just now, which made it a bit difficult to act. But in the study, if Ji Jue even dared to frown slightly, he would dare to lie on the floor and start crying.

The world is so beautiful.

Bro, I don't want to die.

But Ji Jue didn't give any face at all, making him even more anxious. Considering the average quality of craftsmen... he was already thinking whether to just lie on the floor and go through the motions.

Until, there came a light sigh from across the table.

"Mr. Yu, I appreciate your thoughtfulness."

"It's nothing, nothing, just a small…"

"However, I am just a craftsman who barely got his license, and I'm not very capable. Right now, I can't even afford a workshop—"

Ji Jue paused and said poignantly, "I'm afraid I won't be able to come up with a decent return gift."

"What are you saying, it's just a token of my intentions, how would I dare ask for anything in return?" Yu Hanguang wiped his sweat, forcing a smile: "Besides, hardship is always temporary, I believe with…"

"Exactly, Mr. Yu spoke well!" Ji Jue nodded with a smile, agreeing: "There's no need to be so polite. There will be a lot that we need your help with in the days to come."

"Ah? Oh, oh, yes, exactly."

Yu Hanguang wiped his sweat, a heart sunk to the bottom trying to squeeze out a trace of a smile, though it didn't look much better than crying, "It's my duty, my duty indeed.

It's just that I might be weak..."

"The heart is what counts, no need to dwell on it."

Ji Jue gently consoled, holding hands and gazing fondly, with utmost sincerity: "I have no relatives or friends in Cliff City, what I lack is a good friend like Mr. Yu. Surely Mr. Yu doesn't look down on a mere craftsman like me, right?"

"No, no!!!"

This overwhelming warmth felt like wearing a cotton-padded jacket in the blazing heat by a fireplace, Yu Hanguang felt like he was literally about to be scorched to death.

Being looked at by those black eyes, seemingly burning with a hidden flame, he couldn't spare any thought for heartache or decline.

Either his wallet joins Ji Jue's workshop, or he himself joins Ji Jue's workshop.

Which is more important, he could still distinguish clearly.

Even if it meant going bankrupt and taking a loan, it was still better than Ji Jue not wanting a single penny, right?

The opportunity only comes once.

He had no part in reviving the glory of the Security Bureau, just not crying out loud is a victory.

"Ah, it's come to this, huh."

Ji Jue looked at the watch, more enthusiastic: "Since you're here, why not stay for a simple meal?"

Yu Hanguang was stunned, then delighted: "Is this appropriate?"

"It's appropriate! Why wouldn't it be?" Ji Jue smiled: "There are quite a few people coming tonight. Besides the teacher, I invited many friends too, so everyone can have a lively time together.

Please wait a bit, we'll be starting soon!"

"..."

A brief silence, and Yu Hanguang's eye corners couldn't stop twitching violently.

The hand in Ji Jue's grasp suddenly turned cold.

Damn, can this wait?

If I wait any longer, while you guys are at the table, I'd be on it already!

"Ah, what a pity, there's still a lot to do at the bureau, Lihua District hasn't been very peaceful lately." He coughed, lowering his head: "Next time, next time for sure!"

"Then take care."

Ji Jue slowly released his hand, smiling sincerely: "I won't see you off then, but I'll definitely visit soon."

And so, watched as an almost fleeing Yu Hanguang hurriedly left.

The car by the roadside outside the window disappeared from sight.

Ji Jue returned to the table, raised his hand, picked up a small diamond, took a look, and tossed it back into the box: "See, I told you, sometimes, just sitting at home, money can come knocking on your door."

"Incorrect."

A cold voice sounded: "In terms of pure value, compared to these trivial gifts, that Mr. Yu holds much higher. Whether for research or practical use, he is considered a rare talent."

"To be fair, indeed."

Ji Jue nodded in agreement.

"Okay, memo updated, planned matters recorded."

Isis responded, a hand of Mercury extended from beneath a ceiling resembling a blooming lotus, picked up the box, and disappeared.

Before leaving, the final reminder:

"Your friend has arrived, sir."

"Hmm, I see them..."

Ji Jue sighed, trying hard to control his blood pressure.

In his gaze, a flamboyant pink sports car swayed over at a speed of thirty, then started tirelessly parallel parking.

Until giving up, it directly drove up onto the curb, and parked steadily.

Isn't it just a ticket and a fine?

Piece of cake!

Soon enough, a cheerful, chubby man was already off the car, hugging a money tree adorned with red ribbons, extravagantly brushing through hair that hadn't moved in the wind, he waved at Ji Jue by the second-floor window.

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