Chapter 152
After completing the task, there was supposed to be a rest period of more than ten days. But Jiang Jitang held many roles; rest was impossible for him. He still had to go to the kindergarten to treat players, and also help the big patrons keep up appearances.
The day after tomorrow, he would have to visit and provide free clinics in the small cities around the Eastern District, lasting ten days.
In the middle of all that, he still needed to take half a day to discuss a billion-level business deal with Zhao Guobing.
So day after day, he was basically never home.
As for Madam Jiang, who had returned, she seemed even busier than Jiang Jitang. She needed to visit veteran seniors in Jin City; traditionally, this was called ‘seeking recognition from elders’. Although such customs were rare nowadays, doing so helped Jiang Sujin integrate into the high-end dining circle of Jin City.
In truth, she was looking for a suitable location to open a restaurant.
But contrary to what others guessed, Jiang Sujin was not planning to open a high-end Western restaurant, nor did she intend to compete with established Chinese restaurants. She actually intended to open a mid-priced buffet restaurant.
Around 200 yuan per person.
She could hire chefs to cook according to her menu designs, and she would only be responsible for the daily special dishes. Jiang Sujin didn’t want to cook the same dishes day after day—she wanted more time to experiment with new recipes.
“These first few years might not make money, you might even lose some.” Chef Zhang worried for her. Opening a restaurant wasn’t easy, opening a buffet was even harder. It was easy to lose money; very few buffets lasted more than five years.
“Don’t worry, teacher, I’m mentally prepared,” Jiang Sujin smiled. “Now I can enjoy my son’s filial support. If we lose money, then so be it.”
She pursued excellence in cuisine, but had little attachment to wealth.
While mother and son were both throwing themselves into their booming careers, on the other side, Parsons finally contracted Paraiba, becoming the only person on Blue Star to possess a real magical beasts.
The Mystery Seeker team members, upon learning their boss finally had his own magical beasts, were so jealous their tears flowed like fountains. Many people had recently contracted magical beasts, and surprisingly, even foreigners who traveled thousands of miles like them also got theirs. If so many people in the world had magical beasts, why couldn’t they have a few more?
“Look on the bright side. There are still tons of people who don’t even know magical beasts exist.” Nick looked at a few posts discussing: “Li Tao? C-Nation players suddenly have transformable doll props. Did they top up the game?” He wore a knowing smirk.
The Cube World Forum didn’t allow manual deletion, so the discussions remained. A few idiots mentioned the existence of magical beasts, but everyone else was muddying the waters with illusions or random explanations.
Players with C-Nation IPs were surprisingly united on this—collectively guarding the secret, even for foreign players who came to C-Nation, like Mystery Seeker.
Ordinary foreign players didn’t know magical beasts existed, let alone trace them to Jin City.
In the real world, any post about magical beasts would disappear within five minutes. Even if someone discussed it, the topic would be redirected to the “AI section.”
“Come on, I’m not even familiar with Blue Star yet. A creature so perfectly fitting human aesthetics? Impossible. Everything is AI.”
Everyone wanted to minimize the denominator—no one wanted this information spreading.
Though it probably couldn’t be hidden for long. No one could resist showing off their magical beasts. Even if not online, they would share their “joy” in real life.
As more players learned magical beasts existed, more people came to Jin City. Once a second-tier city, now you could run into players every time you went outside—proof of its influence.
“I don’t care about magical beasts right now. I want to know how Mr. External Aid is doing. Those damned scumbags—those politicians and mercenaries—why can’t even the game world be rid of those parasites? He was hurt by the very people he protected. How disappointed and heartbroken must he be?”
As Mr. External Aid’s devoted fan, Browning had turned into a fire-breathing dragon recently, arguing with countless players, even breaking out in acne from anger. Since Support had not appeared, no one knew his condition. Support’s fans felt every day was torture.
“Huh? Where’s Evita? Running a dungeon?” Fatty Toby looked around, not seeing her. Today was their monthly meeting; being late meant receiving the boss’s death glare.
“I know. She still hasn’t given up. She went to queue again to wait for a magical beasts calling.” Jennifer raised her hand. Next to her, Sam quietly lifted weights. After clearing a dungeon and strengthening his body, he needed extra training to adapt.
“Give it up. Even I, the super European-luck guy, failed. She, a lifelong unluckiest-of-the-unlucky…”
Toby hadn’t finished speaking when the office door was kicked open.
At the doorway stood Evita—wearing a Klein-blue strapless gown, blue satin heels, and starry sapphire jewelry. One delicate hand rested “weakly” on the doorframe; she twisted her body into a dramatic pose, wavy curls cascading down, royal-blue earrings glinting faintly.
“Evita, what happened?” Jennifer was shocked.
“Darling, I told you—the item ‘Witch’s Divination’ said today is my lucky day, and blue is my lucky color.” Evita threw everyone a seductive wink.
She looked dazzling like a queen, but everyone was too familiar with her to be bewitched.
“So?” Jennifer spread her hands. “You wore THAT to queue? Give it up, Evi— Wait? WHAT IS THAT?!”
Jennifer screamed, leaping from her chair and covering her mouth. “My God, is that—?!”
“I know, I know, relax.” Evita extended her bejeweled hand and dramatically declared, “Come out, my darling, Minos! Show these foolish mortals your majesty and power!”
No one cared about her arrogant theatrics. Their eyes were glued to the slowly forming silhouette.
Answering her call, the silver-blue magical beasts appeared—still in its doll-like form.
Its turquoise-blue back scales shimmered like gemstones, its belly snowy white. The fist-sized head bore several straight horn-scales bordered with gold—impressively fierce.
Its eyes were golden, with natural black eyeliners, and a snowy mane circled its neck.
This was a magical beasts between a dragon and a serpent—just a baby, yet over a meter tall. One could imagine how spectacular it would be as an adult.
It didn’t resemble an evil mythological serpent monster at all, but rather a divine companion—holy and noble.
“Oh my God, Evita, my dearest sister—can I help take care of it? I can be its godmother! What color sack—no—what color HOME does it like?”
Jennifer lunged forward, but Evita immediately clutched her magical beasts protectively. “No! You called me a wicked witch yesterday!”
“I have always supported you, Evita.” Toby seized the chance to pet the beast’s fluffy mane, trembling with excitement.
“F*ck, I MUST have my own magical beasts baby.”
Even the stoic Sam, indifferent Browning, and scheming Nick crowded over excitedly.
None of them expected the first among them to get a magical beasts would be Evita—the woman infamous for killing every pet she ever raised.
Was the lucky color effect really that strong?
Should they check their own lucky colors?
No one could escape the charm of magical beasts—no one.
Jiang Jitang would repeat that a hundred times.
“So, Miss Zhang came from the Central District to the Eastern District… just for magical beasts?” Even elites from the Central District were coming—wow, Jin City really made it big.
“What attracted me also includes the overall environment of the Eastern District. I’ve long heard of Director Jiang’s reputation—you’re decisive and strong, a model for other districts.” Zhang Qian said respectfully.
In the Central District, she was a well-known player. Her bound special growth-type item made her the top pick for team-ups. But she knew clearly: at most, she was at national tier-three importance. Before her stood a tier-one national-level figure. And one with real power—he ruled the Eastern District.
“Join the Eastern HQ; you’ll like it here.” Jiang Jitang extended his hand.
After meeting this top-tier support player from the Central District, Jiang Jitang rushed to catch the train to a nearby city—he had promised to treat the casual players there that afternoon.
Sister Xia arrived with the contract drafted by lawyers—regarding his purchase of four buildings and two villas in Jin City Jinyuan.
Most of the contract detailed requirements given to the developer: building materials, layout planning, greenery percentage, safety standards, etc. For Jiang Jitang, there was only one requirement—pay on time.
Jiang Jitang carefully examined the building plans provided by Zhao Guobing. As expected of a lavishly funded professional design team—very reliable.
The four buildings he received were long east-facing blocks, 36 stories tall. From the 3rd floor up were residences; the lower two floors were reserved for his use.
Each building had A and B units, with four small apartments per unit, four apartments sharing two elevators and one emergency exit. Each floor also had two independent fire safety facilities.
But the reason he said the design team was reliable was because every apartment was well-designed: multifunctional, ventilated, well-lit, with no wasted space.
Their renovation plans also maximized small-apartment space, maintained comfort, pushed costs down, and were very client-friendly.
Making miracles in tiny spaces—truly impressive.
The apartments came in two types:
Two-bedroom single apartments: 45 square meter including a 4 square meter balcony.
Three-bedroom family apartments: 86 square meter including a 6 square meter balcony.
When construction and renovation were complete, he would rent them out at Jin City’s lowest prices:
500/month for the smaller ones
800/month for the larger ones
Mostly to cover property fees; otherwise it could be even cheaper.
The first two floors of the four buildings would also be used wisely. The easternmost building faced the street—perfect for commercial shops, for personal use or rental. The Dream Food House would likely be moved here.
The other three buildings were within the community; their lower floors could become swimming pools, public libraries, cafés, ping-pong rooms, etc.—places where players could gather and socialize.
Jiang Jitang flipped to the construction cost page.
“Excluding renovation and land cost, the construction cost is 3,800 yuan per square meter?” He looked at Sister Xia. “What’s the lowest public presale price of Jin City Jinyuan?”
“16,500 per square meter—the lowest is the 3rd and 4th floors of the northwest building.” She answered immediately.
“Damn… real estate makes this much money?”
As long as follow-up capital stayed steady and half the units could be sold, real estate was a golden goose. His two hundred million was nothing in comparison.
Of course, you needed inside information, knowledge of which land would rise, and the ability to buy it.
And strong government connections—to get approvals passed. There were certainly hidden costs involved… Hmm? Zhao Guobing selling him these buildings was basically a hidden cost.
The transaction looked normal, but Jiang Jitang knew exactly how many benefits he was receiving.
The contract’s blatant imbalance existed for two reasons: one, for the Dream Food House; two, because Zhao Guobing feared he might use his influence to alter the location of the player community, causing major losses. And indeed—he did have that power.
Jiang Jitang suddenly realized… he was the real big boss. Backed by C-Nation’s real government authority, with a single sentence he could cause real estate tycoons to lose money—legally and properly.
“Wow.”
Thrilling.
