Chapter 97
Parsons received Jiang Jitang’s invitation.
When invited by a close friend, there’s no reason to refuse.
Even back in the magical world, although Parsons had tried to hide it and deny it, his actions made it clear: going out with that person was far more enjoyable than staying home working. Now that he could face himself more honestly, his answer came naturally:
Let’s go. You plan, I pay.
Those born rich are fearless, but Jiang Jitang—who became rich on his own—is even more fearless. With that thought, he opened his phone to book a hotel.
Hiss… so expensive. A river-view room is 3,000 a night? Even the most expensive one is only a bit over 8,000 with off-season discount.
…Then the most expensive it is.
Parsons had stayed in a presidential suite for so long that his suitcase remained fully packed, always ready to leave, so there was hardly anything to tidy.
Aside from telling his teammates he’d be out for a few days, his nightlife still consisted of analyzing game instances on his computer, predicting changes and possibilities in higher-level dungeons.
Only when all the work was done could he relax and go out.
The suddenly liberated Mystery Seeker members confirmed again and again whether they’d really be free from seeing the boss’s face for at least five days. Once assured, that night they immediately booked a KTV, ordered a bunch of local C-Nation BBQ snacks.
“I love C-Nation’s nights! Absolutely love them.”
“I love lotus root slices.”
Allergic? Already took anti-allergy pills—no problem is a real problem.
“Don’t forget to clock in.” Nick poured cold water over the chaotic revelry.
“Darling, that’s tomorrow’s problem.” Jennifer handed him a drink. “What song do you want? Even the boss needs a holiday for a date, and you, my dear intelligence specialist, also need to chill. Come on, don’t be such a buzzkill.”
Nick shrugged, shut his laptop. “Alright.”
—
7:40 AM, the next morning, Jin City East High-Speed Rail Station.
“Parsons!”
Parsons turned around to see Jiang Jitang dragging a silver-white suitcase, sprinting over like a meteor, crashing into his arms with force. The lingering scent of his hair carried momentum as it hit his nose—the enthusiasm hurt his chest.
“Cough cough cough.” Han Shuo opposite nearly coughed his lungs out. He silently turned his head and pretended to admire the scenery.
Jiang Xingshu displayed a tolerant middle-aged smile. Old Zhang, beside him, awkwardly raised his hand, unsure if this was the right moment to say hello.
After a few seconds, he scratched his head. “Uh, quite crowded today.”
“Hi~” Jiang Jitang also noticed Jiang Xingshu and the other two. He waved with a bright smile.
The two groups merged—on one side, Jiang Jitang and Parsons going for fun; on the other, Jiang Xingshu, Han Shuo, and Old Zhang going for work.
“Brother Zhang, long time no see. Been busy lately?”
“Not really, all good.”
Old Zhang was also a level-9 player, currently part of Jin City’s top-ranked player group. He had originally been with the anti-drug police, but after dying in action, was selected into the Cube World. Later, Jiang Jitang once saved him and even healed his old injuries.
“Here, small gift—one for each.” Just like handing out wholesale goods, Jiang Jitang gave each of them a Hetian jade bracelet. The three didn’t know much about jade, only that it looked thick, smooth, and glossy—definitely not cheap.
“So valuable…”
“Put it on, put it on. See? I’ve got one too—looks like we’re one team.”
He displayed his own wrist. Right, it was covered. A dark gold “big-eye” bracelet, a cord with a date-red amber bead, and a string of Hetian jade beads.
The emerald ring, however, he didn’t wear—maybe even he thought that was too much.
Thanks to his good physique, muscular arms, and clean temperament, wearing so much didn’t make him look like a nouveau riche.
That makes four pieces? Han Shuo instinctively looked at Parsons—he wore just one bracelet, with a touch of yellow. Moreover, the material clearly came from the same stone. The design was similar to the big gold eye bracelet—square.
Case solved. They were carved from the same piece of jade. Probably even custom-made. These two grown men are totally in a “gold and jade perfect match”—like a couple in honeymoon phase.
“Thanks, I really like it.” Minister Jiang accepted it generously. The lustrous jade beads paired with his silver-white watch had a distinctive charm.
Jiang Jitang didn’t lack money, and besides, it was sincere. He was straightforward and disliked pretentiousness—pushing gifts back and forth would just ruin the mood.
With the boss setting the example, the two men who’d never worn jewelry awkwardly put on the jade beads.
Objectively, the large beads Jiang Jitang chose were pleasant-looking even on men—not weird at all. Lots of middle-aged people liked bead rolling; men and women alike. These two just felt awkward themselves and kept touching them from time to time.
“Looks nice.”
Since Jiang Jitang would not be involved in this operation—he came under the guise of fun—he didn’t stick with Minister Jiang. That’s why he strung the remaining jade beads into one-use charms, hiding energy fluctuations.
If it were an obvious game prop, they would’ve refused.
Unfortunately, the limitation was that each could be used only once. But the upside was that as soon as they were triggered, he’d be alerted and could rush over. He still kept one—the last—for the rich guy.
Thinking about his soon-to-be-stable monthly income of a million dollars, he almost couldn’t sleep.
Their train to the East Capital arrived.
The trip would take 4.5 hours, but they still bought soft seats—a private six-person compartment. Partly for safety, partly because they could talk.
They talked along the way about players and the Cube World. On this topic, Parsons actually knew more than Jiang Jitang.
Han Shuo and the others, trying to hide their special “nanny”, chatted with Parsons.
Coincidentally, Parsons was also trying to hide Jiang Jitang’s uniqueness. So by the end, the ones initially unfamiliar were deep in conversation, while Jiang Jitang glanced here, glanced there—unable to join in.
Eventually, with nothing better to do, he stared out the window.
But from Jin City to the East Capital, they were basically surrounded by mountains. Two glances of green land, then about ten minutes of tunnel flashing yellow lights—then green again, then tunnel—on repeat.
So he quickly got bored and instead opened a cooking book recommended by Chef Ding.
“If you like cooking, two national banquet chefs recently joined the training camp,” Jiang Xingshu said with a smile. Needless to say, they were brought for “other reasons”, high salary, top-notch teaching in the country.
“Parsons, national banquet chefs—let’s go eat freeload!” Jiang Jitang exclaimed happily, grabbing Parsons’s arm.
“Sure,” Parsons replied immediately. He had already taken notice.
Working trio: …The air feels suffocating. This space is so small.
4.5 hours passed quickly. Upon arrival, it was already noon. They planned to grab a quick bite at a small restaurant near the station before heading to the hotel.
But they hadn’t even exited the station when a crowd rushed past with placards and DSLR cameras like a gust of wind. Once the storm passed, only confused onlookers remained.
Han Shuo left for five minutes and came back. “Some celebrity. What’s that term… street reality show?”
Ah, a celebrity—they thought maybe some gold sale. Still, Jiang Xingshu asked, puzzled, “It’s their job. Why did they run like that?”
“People are used to seeing them on flat screens. Suddenly seeing them in 3D, whether they like them or not, they still want to watch,” Jiang Jitang explained.
“…Makes sense.”
They were still talking on their way out when they encountered several foreigners holding streaming devices, taking selfies with passersby.
“Online influencers from abroad,” Internet-savvy Jiang Jitang instantly recognized. “Back in the noob village again? Foreign friends really shouldn’t be looked at too closely—beauty requires distance.”
Beside him, his Western best friend Parsons: …I’m not like that. I’m not.
Jiang Jitang said it without realizing Parsons was well within his “verbal firing range”—after all, his dear friend was naturally good-looking.
“Minister, you guys go work. I’m off to play.” He came just to freeload after all. After lunch, they split—he and Parsons went to another hotel.
The moment the taxi pulled up, a handsome doorman stepped forward to open the door with idol-like charm and a standard smile. “Hello, do you have a reservation?”
“Yes.” They unloaded their luggage. Jiang Jitang looked up at the skyscraper reaching into the clouds. Truly the tallest building in the East Capital. Would drawing the curtains in those top luxury suites feel like standing shoulder to shoulder with the sun?
Too bad his budget was insufficient—he only booked an ordinary king room.
“Please this way. Do you need help with your luggage?”
“No, thanks.”
After saying goodbye to the enthusiastic doorman, they dragged their luggage into the hotel. Past the spacious corridor was a lobby over twenty meters tall.
The lobby covered several hundred square meters. In the vast space, only four modified support columns stood—disguised as towering peaks and covered with real plants.
Behind them was an artificial mountain wall, with a whiskered waterfall cascading from above, water crashing over dark rocks, spraying dreamlike mist.
Droplets splashed, fish leaped, and surrounding plants were arranged to give the atmosphere of a forest meadow.
It didn’t feel like entering a hotel but rather crossing into another world.
“The designer is impressive. Did they transplant mountains and rivers from ancient paintings?”
Not only the designer but also the structural engineers—experts in materials and casting techniques, reflecting the foundation of a major construction power.
Given that the hotel owner managed to build such a ‘mini world’ on such expensive land, with hundreds of square meters of space and a height of twenty to thirty meters—it showed real audacity.
Judging by results, it was the right choice—the lobby became a social media check-in spot, a local specialty of East Capital.
But to enter and post pictures, you had to book a room—boosting occupancy.
Perhaps due to central air conditioning or the mist, the temperature inside was a dozen degrees lower than outside. Jiang Jitang rubbed his shoulders. “Let’s check in first.”
Their room was on the 20th floor—drawing the curtains would let them overlook everything below. The hotel had a pool, rooftop party area, three-star restaurant, massage service—if the budget allowed, they could order room service or in-room massage.
“Once we drop everything off, let’s try—”
“Parsons?”
A voice interrupted them. They saw a blond young master with hair gel, a refined-looking man in glasses beside him, two bodyguards with arms thicker than legs, and a tall skinny youth pushing multiple large suitcases.
“Didn’t expect to see you here.”
Jiang Jitang nudged Parsons lightly. Parsons frowned, thought for a moment, then remembered. “High school classmate.”
“Still as distant as ever. And this is…?”
Parsons’s brow furrowed deeper. “I don’t think we were ever that close.” He said it and pulled the curious Jiang Jitang away.
As the third-generation heir of a well-known financial group, Parsons attended an elite private school. Whatever their personalities, most of his classmates had been products of elite education—practical and profit-oriented. Not the type Jiang Jitang liked.
Naturally, not the type Parsons liked either. Even without past-life memories, he’d always been a lone wolf.
“Young Master Layle, he doesn’t seem very social.” The refined man smirked, mocking Parsons for lacking the proper noble etiquette.
Layle simply curled his lips. “He is now qualified to be impolite.”
Only after entering that world did people understand the weight of “Parsons” and “Mystery Seeker”. That’s why his grandfather, who had long given up on him, began trying to reconnect.
Too bad he had already been won over by C-Nation, even moving his assets here.
Who knew what promises C-Nation made.
“This is just a minor interlude. Pack up—we’re not here to have fun.”
