Chapter Fifty-Three: An Unexpected Reunion

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  One million per hour! Zuo Xiao Yao almost couldn't catch her breath, when they first discussed cooperation, it was said that the new machine would be tested, and an initial deposit of 800,000 yuan would be paid to confirm whether its effectiveness is reliable or not, before discussing the specific rental price. She didn't expect the price to be so high!

  It turns out that she had been taking advantage of the situation for half a month, and Zuo Xiaoyao felt quite depressed in her heart. The banknotes circulating in the world did not seem like worthless paper or numbers to her, especially at this moment. This tracking monitoring device was particularly useful, with it, Zuo Xiaoyao was confident that she would be able to solve the Hongxin Group within a month, and by then, perhaps she could also disdainfully possess these banknotes that were of no use to cultivators!

  After hearing no response from Zuo Xiaoyao, the warm voice on the other end of the phone paused for a moment before continuing, "Of course, nowadays everyone doing business emphasizes flexibility. Apart from giving cash now, if Miss Zuo's funds are not abundant, we can also discuss other cooperation methods!"

  "In a situation where it will not immediately cut off the signal or recall this set of equipment?"

  Zuo Xiao Yao then asked the question that concerned her most. At this critical juncture, who dared to ruin things for her? She absolutely would not permit it. Even if she had to reveal her true identity now, in the following period of time, she wouldn't be able to appear openly as 'Xiao Yao' with a foundation stage cultivation. After all, being under twenty-five and having such a high level of cultivation was enough to attract attention from other cultivators in the cultivation world!

  "Hehe, of course, Miss Zuo seems to need this device very much now. We, the world's top, are not so inflexible that we must ruin your business!"

  The warm voice chuckled again, seemingly for the tension that couldn't help but seep into her words. Zuo Xiaoyao didn't bother to dwell on it, as long as she knew the other party wouldn't immediately ruin things for her. As she listened to the information coming back from the surveillance device, she replied, "Alright then! What are your conditions?"

  "Miss Zuo is straightforward! Very simple, using labor to make up for capital!"

  "What labor?"

  "Although I don't know how Miss Zuo was able to set up the monitoring terminal at the target point without our side sending anyone, it must have been an extraordinary means. If you agree, after this matter is settled, if you can help Ge Shi complete ten similar tasks, you can also enjoy the benefits of our internal employees. Not only will we waive all the rental fees for this equipment this time, but we will also pay you the remuneration you deserve for each task!"

  "It seems reasonable, but I don't think my worth is just this much!"

  It is possible to continue using this equipment without resorting to drastic measures. Zuo Xiao Yao was naturally delighted. She had always disliked making simple things complicated, and even more so, she disliked bullying others with her power. After all, in her past life, she had been bullied by others too many times, and after her living environment improved, she had always adhered to the principle of not doing unto others what she would not have them do unto her. Even now that she was a cultivator with considerable personal strength, she still couldn't change this principle that she had always upheld.

  "What does Miss Zuo mean?"

  It sounds like Zuo Xiao-Yao didn't particularly object to the idea, and the emotions conveyed through her voice on the other end of the phone were very good, as if she had infinite patience.

  "Once!"

  Zuo Xiaoyao replied succinctly and confidently, a stark contrast to haggling over prices in the market, this time she directly cut the price in half.

  The other end of the line was silent for almost half a minute before the same firm and moist voice spoke up again, "Five times!"

  Having the foundation-building stage cultivation method, she can do some shady things without drawing anyone's attention. Setting up surveillance at the target point is no problem for her now. Doing a few more or fewer times makes little difference, but as a cultivator, especially one with relatively high cultivation in today's cultivation world, how could she be controlled by someone like that great detective? She must do less if possible, even just once, and with Zuo Xiaoyao's own strength, the other party will not lose out.

  "Three times, but with a condition. I want information about the overseas Chinese who have returned to China: Zuo Zhenglong, Wang Quanren of Hongxin Group, and the entire family of artist Wang Shutting from S city. The more detailed the better. If it's enough to satisfy me, five times is no problem!"

  She put away the phone that had just ended the call, and continued to wander cautiously on this street, completely unaware of the humiliating deal she had just made with someone. If it were just a hobby, it would be fine, but for those worldly goods that even many cultivators wouldn't bother with, she was willing to suffer humiliation, not to mention foundation-building cultivators, even those in the fusion stage would consider this a shameful thing, and yet she had sold her own identity so cheaply!

  Less than an hour later, when Zuo Xiaoyao was wandering around a nearby job market, seemingly looking for a job, she coincidentally ran into Zhao Jingru who had been sent to intercept her. "Xiaoyao! It's really you! I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me earlier. Where have you been these past two years? I couldn't get in touch with you and was worried that something bad might have happened to you..."

  Looking at the woman in front of her, who was singing and writing with a look of surprise on her face, holding her own hand and asking long questions, although she was already over 50 years old, but because of her meticulous beauty maintenance, her figure was still slender and elegant, looking like a woman in her 30s or 40s. It's hard to imagine how she could be so hypocritical, earlier when she received the phone call from her 'godfather' on her headphones, you could hear how surprised and excited she was, making promises left and right to ensure that she would complete the task.

  Wiping away the last hint of melancholy in her eyes, she knew that from this moment on, all the emotional connections she had with him before were completely severed. Zuo Xiao Yao smiled and asked, "How are Auntie Zhao, Grandpa Wang, and Zi Jia doing?"

  "Okay, okay, I was worried about you, didn't know how we suddenly lost contact. When I went to your house, I found out that it had been sold too. What have you been doing in other places for the past two years? Are you living well?"

  The voice is still so gentle and warm, with a caring tone that overflows from the words, making people feel like they are in spring breeze. At the same time, the purpose is also very clear.

  No matter how much she misses the warmth of the past, everything that has passed may also have a few parts of truth, otherwise, it wouldn't have made her sensitive grandmother and herself trust all the people in the Wang family so much. But Zuo Xiao Yao is also clear-headed and knows that what's fake will always be fake. "Auntie, don't worry, I suddenly decided to go out of town to clear my mind, and when I left in a hurry, my phone was lost on the train. Later, I didn't even bother to buy another one, so I couldn't contact you guys. I was just planning to settle down and then come find you!"

  "What brings you here?"

  "I'm just taking it easy for now, I've spent most of the money I saved up over the years, so after a break, I want to find a job as soon as possible."

  Zhao Jingru smiled gently and nodded "Then let's find a place to sit down first, I'll call Xīa Jiā right now, she'll be so excited to know you're back!"

  It's been over two years since they last met, and Wang Zi Jia, dressed in casual attire, had completely shed her former greenness. Her face was rosy and radiant, looking like she was doing very well. As soon as she walked into the teahouse and saw Zuo Xiao Yao, she quickly stepped forward and tightly hugged her, who had just stood up. She couldn't conceal her excitement and exclaimed loudly, "Xiao Yao, it's great that you're back! Where have you been for these two years? You didn't even contact me, I almost thought you were dead! Next time, if you do this again, I won't forgive you!"

  "Sorry, I won't leave without saying goodbye again. This time it's because I knew Zhang Kun was here, so you must be doing well, and I left with a clear conscience. It turns out my judgment wasn't wrong!"

  She warmly hugged Wang Zijia, who was emotionally agitated, and a warm current surged in Xiao Yao's heart. She had never doubted that Wang Zijia was involved, so she didn't want to let her know these cruel truths that were hard to believe, like being disappointed with one's own blood relatives, even despairing, and doubting the true feelings of this world.

  "You! Always bullying me. But since your mouth is still so sharp, I can tell you've been doing alright these past two years, right? Mom!"

  "Yes, yes, this is a tea house, no loud noise allowed. You two quickly sit down." Zhao Jingru still sat there with a smile and said.

  Subconsciously, she glanced around and noticed the other customers who were paying attention to their commotion. Wang Zi Jia awkwardly stuck out her tongue "I didn't mean to disturb anyone, we sisters haven't seen each other for a long time, it's normal to be excited, I'm sure they can understand!"

  Although he didn't think so in his heart, his voice lowered a lot as he pulled Left Xiaoyao's hand to sit down. "Xiaoyao, quickly confess and explain, where have you been for the past two years? Can you be so poor that you don't even have a place to make a phone call?"

  Lowering her eyes, Xue Xiao Yao's expression turned gloomy as she said, "During that company gathering, something unpleasant happened. I really wanted to put aside these annoying things, so I suddenly decided to go out and clear my head!"

  Two years ago, Li Ping made a scene at Zuo Xiaoyao's company annual meeting, and Zhao Jingru and Wang Zijia had both heard about it. For anyone, this was quite annoying, and Zuo Xiaoyao suddenly wanted to avoid her, seemingly with good reason. Of course, the real reason behind this was also vaguely known by Zhao Jingru, who was sipping tea with a lowered head, but she wasn't entirely sure either.

  Seeing that she had inadvertently reminded Zuo Xiao Yao of 'heartbreaking things', Wang Zi Jia suddenly felt guilty and didn't want to continue this topic. "Just come back! We'll be at ease once you're back, now you've sold the house, if you come back there won't even be a place for you to stay, first go live with me."

  Zuo Xiao Yao smiled and shook her head, jokingly saying "I don't like being a big light bulb, you don't have to worry about the house, one of my friends came to S city on business not long ago, rented a house with a relatively long lease, she doesn't live here much, can lend it to me to stay, also counts as helping her take care of the house."