Chapter 62: A New Opportunity Ahead
Lin Hai and his son cursed as they left, their pride now shattered. Lin Hongcheng, who had bragged so much in front of his fiancée, now looked utterly humiliated.
Fang Yingying asked, “Hongcheng, are we still opening the seafood restaurant?”
Lin Hongcheng looked toward Lin Hai.
Lin Hai remained silent for a moment, then said, “Yes, of course, we’re opening!”
Lin Hongcheng was displeased, “Dad, are we really going to kneel and mourn? If I had known it would come to this, going to see him wouldn’t have hurt us. Now it’s become a handle for him to control us.”
Lin Hai was equally upset. Who could’ve predicted that this adopted kid would make a name for himself? If he had known back then, he would have listened to the old man and taken care of Lin Jiu. None of this mess would have happened.
Suddenly, there were two honks from a car. Lin Hai turned his head to see a luxury car parked by the roadside, far beyond what people like them could afford.
A man in a suit stepped out with a friendly smile. “Hello, the boss would like to invite Mr. Lin Jiu for a chat.”
Lin Hai looked at the car and then at the man, his mind racing. Could this be some wealthy big shot who found out he’s Lin Jiu’s uncle and wants to discuss a business deal? Seizing the opportunity, Lin Hai followed the man without hesitation.
Lin Hongcheng and Fang Yingying were blocked from entering the car, leaving only Lin Hai to board.
Once inside, Liao Tingyue spoke first, placing a stack of cash on the armrest before him. “Tell me everything about Lin Jiu, from childhood to now, every detail.”
Lin Hai’s eyes lit up at the sight of the money.
*
Lin Jiu asked his system to watch for any Liao family members sneaking into the restaurant. He didn’t know them, and if they did sneak in, he wouldn’t recognize them. Only the Chef God system could identify them.
After waiting a whole day without any signs of the Liao family, Jiang Ge showed up during dinner.
It was Jiang Ge’s first time dining on the second floor, and he was deeply impressed by the forest-themed restaurant. He eagerly asked Lin Jiu which interior design company had done it, wanting to recreate the same atmosphere in his own restaurant. Lin Jiu told him to abandon that idea since the forest restaurant was one-of-a-kind and couldn’t be replicated.
Aside from missing the food, Jiang Ge came to ask Lin Jiu for a favor.
“What kind of favor?” Lin Jiu preemptively clarified, “The ingredients from the Magic Fish Shop are off-limits to you, as are the leftover octopus and bluefin tuna.”
Jiang Ge was speechless.
“Do I really look like the type to mooch?”
Feeling slightly embarrassed, Jiang Ge explained, “I can tell that you’re close with Si Xu. Maybe your words carry some weight with him. I want to join Si Xu’s seven-man team, but he won’t take me. He says I’m only good at running fast and that I’d just be wasting a slot.”
Lin Jiu was at a loss for words.
Si Xu had mentioned to Lin Jiu that Jiang Ge had previously refused to join the “Special Security Department.” Now, why the sudden eagerness to get in? Could it be that Jiang Ge just wanted to follow Si Xu wherever he went?
“Isn’t there enough space on the team?” Lin Jiu asked.
Jiang Ge slammed the table. “Of course not! There are only ten spots. After you take out Si Xu’s own spot, there are only nine left. The entire Special Security Department is competing for those spots! The current enhanced people are mostly under Captain Lu, and Si Xu won’t fight him for personnel. So, Si Xu is selecting among the potential enhanciles and reservists. There are too many people trying to get in, and too few positions.”
With only nine slots left, taking Jiang Ge would indeed mean giving up a position.
Lin Jiu looked at him curiously. “This is a professional matter. I can’t just say a few words to change it. You still have to apply yourself.”
Si Xu certainly had his own criteria for selecting people, and Lin Jiu didn’t want to interfere with that.
Jiang Ge left, dejected, resolving to speak to Si Xu again.
Not long after Jiang Ge left, Si Xu arrived. Lin Jiu prepared two portions of dinner and ate with him.
Lin Jiu didn’t mention Jiang Ge’s visit, but Si Xu brought it up himself.
Si Xu had rejected Jiang Ge as a way to put pressure on him. If Jiang Ge was serious about joining the Special Security Department, he couldn’t continue to act so casually. Jiang Ge had always been easygoing, doing things as he pleased. Letting him in too easily might lead him to leave just as easily once the training got tough or the work became dull. The Special Security Department wasn’t a marketplace where people could come and go as they pleased.
Lin Jiu understood. Si Xu was giving Jiang Ge more time to think it over.
The world was changing, and no one knew what it would become. To protect oneself and one’s loved ones, one had to become stronger.
Lin Jiu didn’t encounter the Liao family on the first day. He continued observing on the second day.
As soon as Lin Jiu arrived at the restaurant, he saw an elderly lady with a cane. Her son was helping her along. This wasn’t just any old lady—it was the same one who had come in a wheelchair a couple of days ago. She had eaten here twice a day for two consecutive days, and now it was the third day. She was already able to stand, walk slowly with a cane, and her once-paralyzed leg was becoming more mobile. Even her half-paralyzed face was regaining its movement.”
A crowd had gathered around the old lady. Some were taking photos, while others chatted with her. The old lady spoke clearly, showing no signs of stroke aftereffects. She was very kind and let people take photos, answering each question about how she felt after eating the seafood.
Just two days ago, when the old lady came to the restaurant, she had been in a wheelchair, and many had seen it. Now she could walk with a cane. If it weren’t witnessed firsthand, no one would believe that the food at the Magic Fish Restaurant could be so miraculous.
The old lady’s surname was Fu, and her son shared her surname; his name was Fu Zhi.
When Fu Zhi saw Lin Jiu approaching, he whispered a few words to his mother, making sure she stood steady. Then, Fu Zhi walked over to greet Lin Jiu.
From a distance, Fu Zhi extended his hand. “Boss Lin, thank you so much. We never thought my mother could recover like this.”
Lin Jiu shook hands with him.
Fu Zhi held Lin Jiu’s hand tightly, and Lin Jiu could feel his excitement and gratitude.
Suddenly, the system’s voice rang in Lin Jiu’s mind.
[Host, I’m not sure if I should say this.]
Lin Jiu: …
Lin Jiu: If you don’t want to say it, you can just stay silent.
[It has something to do with both you and your ‘idol,’ so I thought I’d ask. If you’re willing to spend some magic points, I’ll tell you.]
Lin Jiu: … Have your methods for getting magic points turned into fishing tactics now?
[… If you don’t want to know, fine. Just don’t regret it when someone else finds out first!]
Lin Jiu immediately asked: How many magic points?
Since it concerned both him and Si Xu, Lin Jiu was definitely interested.
[Special offer: just 5 points!]
Lin Jiu: …
Lin Jiu: No thanks, not interested.
[Why are you so stingy when you have so many magic points?]
Lin Jiu: Magic points should be spent wisely.
[This is a wise investment. Knowing this information will benefit both you and your idol and bring great advantages to your country.]
Fu Zhi was still expressing his gratitude, saying, “If there’s ever anything you need, just say the word. The Fu family will never refuse to help.”
Lin Jiu replied, “No need to be so polite, it’s just a business transaction.”
They had paid for their meals, and Lin Jiu had provided the service. It was, indeed, a straightforward deal.
But Fu Zhi said, “I know Boss Lin knew the pan-fried lobster would help my mother’s health, which is why you gave it to us. We’ll always remember this kindness.”
[Well? What’s your decision? For just 5 magic points, you’ll gain an ally, and it’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss!]
Lin Jiu: …
Lin Jiu: Fine, take the points.
Lin Jiu had a feeling that this matter might involve Fu Zhi, and with the system pushing so hard, he had already guessed something.
[5 magic points deducted.]
[Host, the person in front of you is in the awakening phase of the Ruta Clan. Success means survival, failure means death. The Ruta Clan is extremely loyal. You can help him awaken his Ruta bloodline and gain their loyalty.]
Lin Jiu: …
Lin Jiu: … And what is the Ruta Clan?
[One of the intelligent races of the Magic Sea world, with two natural forms: human and beast. They have great combat power. The Ruta Clan once received a favor from the Spirit Demon Clan, offering their loyalty and becoming the fiercest warriors of the Demon Spirits. Now, you have the chance to gain their loyalty too.]
Lin Jiu: …
Lin Jiu: How could I not seize this opportunity? I must!
But…
Lin Jiu worried, “To help him awaken, wouldn’t I need a gene-enhancement serum?”
He was short on those himself. How could he have any spare to help someone else?
[That would be ideal, but it’s not necessary. Feeding him magic food and wine will also help him awaken.]
Lin Jiu: ???
[The bloodlines of Magic Sea’s ancient races have become diluted and weak through generations of intermarriage. Fully awakening is difficult, and the stronger the race’s genes, the harder it is. The Demon Spirit Clan has the hardest time awakening.]
[But there are exceptions. In cases where bloodlines are pure and strong, individuals without magic energy will wither and die. That’s exactly what happened to your idol, and it will happen to Fu Zhi too. However, after four consecutive meals with magic-rich ingredients, Fu Zhi is already awakening. The Ruta Clan’s awakening is much easier, and magic food can help him complete it.]
Lin Jiu now looked at Fu Zhi differently. He was curious about the Ruta Clan’s beast form, and after seeing Zang Ye transform into a bear, he was quite open to these kinds of things.
Lin Jiu said, “Mr. Fu, do you have time after lunch? I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”
Fu Zhi was surprised but quickly nodded, “Yes, of course.”
Lin Jiu replied, “Great. Go ahead and queue up, and let your mother wait inside.”
The old lady was still unsteady on her feet, and Lin Jiu felt bad making her wait outside in the cold wind.
Fu Zhi thanked him repeatedly and went to tell his mother.
