Chapter 46: Negotiations and the Class C Contract (Please Continue Reading)
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At the Zhongming Martial Arts Hall, one of the top three martial arts halls in Tianhai City, the entire building was designed with a streamlined aesthetic, resembling a blue battleship ready to set sail. The central office floor was elegantly appointed, decorated entirely in blue hues that evoked the vastness of the sea. The spacious ground floor was divided into dozens of office areas.
In the central area, a dozen employees clad in blue-and-white uniforms busily went about their tasks. Dozens of projection screens floated in the air, streaming copious amounts of data.
“Tianhai No. 3 Middle School’s Cheng Minghui has been reviewed as a Class C genius. We can send someone to discuss a contract with him tomorrow!”
“Tianhai No. 8 Middle School’s Zou Jun—Class D contract.”
Deputy Director Ding Liang of the Contracts Department reviewed the materials submitted by his subordinates and reached conclusions.
“Lin Qi—Class C contract, with potential for Class B?”
“Huh?”
Ding Liang frowned as he looked at the projected data.
“Xiao Jiang!”
He called out, and a young man nearby hurried over.
“Did you review this file?”
“Yes, Director.”
“I analyzed Lin Qi’s data carefully—his growth is rapid, and he’s quite talented.”
“Although he ranked only 288 in the monthly Tianhai exams, he stands 50th on the Red List, showing great potential. I think it’s worth taking a chance and offering him a Class B contract,” Xiao Jiang explained earnestly.
Ding Liang didn’t reply immediately but studied the data intently.
Every martial arts hall collected extensive information on university students. After reviewing, based on his decades of experience, Ding Liang concluded that Lin Qi was indeed a genius.
“Alright! It’s worth the gamble. He has Class B potential. I’ll go see Director Gu now.”
At Zhongming Martial Arts Hall, contracts of Class B or higher required approval from a director.
The director’s office was luxurious, with a backdrop simulating a sunny beach. On the sand, a woman with exquisite makeup reclined leisurely in an ergonomic chair. Seeing Ding Liang, she spoke calmly:
“Deputy Director Ding, what brings you here?”
“Director Gu, I’ve sent you an email with a file for your review.”
“This is a genius worth a Class B contract—his name is Lin Qi…” Ding Liang began to explain energetically. Director Gu projected the file and sipped her coffee leisurely while reading.
When Ding Liang finished, he looked at the director expectantly.
Director Gu replied casually, “I’ve reviewed the data, but I don’t think Lin Qi deserves a Class B contract.”
Ding Liang’s heart sank.
“What’s the reason?”
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“My uncle once said that achievements in the Red Realm arena can be referenced, but not fully trusted.”
“The key is the school’s assessments—that’s the most authentic and reliable data. Lin Qi is talented, yes, but a Class C contract is sufficient.”
“Class B? He’s not qualified yet,” Director Gu explained lightly.
“Is that all?” Ding Liang wanted to argue but, seeing her expression, sighed, “No, that’s all.”
Turning to leave, he thought, “If I were the director, I would definitely give Lin Qi a Class B contract, but unfortunately, I’m not.”
“My position was taken over by this director parachuted in from elsewhere.”
Sighing, Ding Liang returned to work.
In the office, Director Gu shook her head, muttering to herself, “Old Ding is really out of touch. Lin Qi appears to have made great progress, but that’s because he started low—he has lots of room to grow.”
“People get the wrong impression; a Class C contract is already generous.”
“If I give a Class B contract and it turns out poorly, the responsibility falls on me. I don’t want that.”
“Doing nothing is fine—being a director is comfortable, so why strive?”
……
At the Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall office floor:
“Director Sun, progress is going well. One genius has successfully signed an A-level contract, nine others from various schools have agreed to B-level contracts, and a few are still considering.”
Listening to the excited report, Director Sun nodded:
“Good, keep it up!”
“The next focus is on geniuses with C and D level contracts.”
“Every file must be carefully verified, especially those advancing to the Star rank. We can’t afford to miss any geniuses.”
“Director, I have three geniuses I’m uncertain about. I need your judgment.”
The subordinate projected three files representing three geniuses.
Director Sun scanned the documents quickly and decided:
“Give these two Class C contracts. For the last one, Lin Qi, I need to consult the deputy hallmaster. I’m not certain either.”
“The deputy hallmaster will return in a few days. I need to hear his opinion.”
“Understood!” the subordinate nodded.
……
At the Hei Yao Martial Arts Hall, the contract department director was a middle-aged man with a beer belly.
He glanced at the files sent by his subordinates and quickly made his judgment.
“Lin Qi… just a Class C contract. Another one of these geniuses—such a headache. A few appear every year.”
“The hallmark of these geniuses is that sometime during their senior year, they suddenly make huge progress.”
“It fools most people into thinking they’re truly talented, but most end up mediocre.”
“Nine out of ten are fakes; only one is genuine. Unfortunately, I don’t dare to gamble anymore.”
“Our Hei Yao Hall has been burned too many times—three last year, four the year before. It keeps cutting my bonus.”
“Hmph, these so-called geniuses are fraudsters, just here to scam contracts.”
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“This time, let them trouble Chiqiong and Zhongming. Hei Yao won’t get involved,” the director muttered.
……
That day, at Tianhai No. 2 Middle School:
“Beep!”
Lin Qi, Jiang Tao, and Chen Zichuan, who had just stepped out of the office, almost simultaneously received notifications on their phones.
[Your industrial and commercial card ending in XXX has received 800,000 Summer Country currency!]
Lin Qi smiled as he saw the 800,000 Summer Country currency deposited. Though he hadn’t secured the top-tier genius loan, he was very satisfied.
He now had over one million Summer Country currency on him.
“Haha, an extra two million Summer Country currency. I’m not in a hurry to sign any contracts with the martial arts halls,” Jiang Tao smiled.
Chen Zichuan was happy too.
……
At lunchtime, Lin Qi ate while operating his phone. He transferred 300,000 Summer Country currency to his mother, Fang Huiyi, to help repay a loan.
Fang Huiyi messaged back, telling Lin Qi she had discussed with his father and uncle, Fang Zhe.
The money Lin Qi sent would be used first to repay the loan. His father, Lin Zhen, would pay off his own loans. They planned to clear the family debts gradually without affecting Lin Qi’s training.
“Phew.”
Lin Qi took a sip of soup, feeling relieved. His family’s life was finally stabilizing and would only improve from here.
“Buzz!”
His phone vibrated. Someone added him on WeChat with the note: [Zhongming Martial Arts Hall] · Dong Fangqi.
Is this someone from Zhongming Martial Arts Hall reaching out about a contract?
Lin Qi accepted, and soon began chatting with Dong Fangqi.
As he had guessed, the other party was indeed representing Zhongming Martial Arts Hall to discuss a contract.
Ten minutes later—
At a small private room in a café outside Tianhai No. 2 Middle School—
A beautiful woman in a fitted black blazer greeted him with a smile.
“Hello, Lin Qi.”
She took a document from her bag to verify her identity.
Lin Qi opened his phone, checked Dong Fangqi’s profile on the official website to confirm she wasn’t a fraud, and then nodded to begin the conversation.
“Lin Qi, after careful evaluation, Zhongming Martial Arts Hall is very optimistic about you and wishes to sign a contract to invest in you,” Dong Fangqi stated plainly.
……