Lin Ming had never endured such humiliation. At the Academy, he was a renowned figure, commanding respect far and wide—the infamous Profit Seeker. Even so, he was far from poor. He still had 1000 Gold Coins on him! How could he be called a pauper?
Lin Ming pondered thoughtfully. He glanced at Yuhan He before him. 'Wait! 1000 gold coins is a fortune for ordinary people, but compared to her... it’s nothing! How many times is 1000 less than a million... 1000 times?'
'1000 times!' The thought made the atmosphere around Lin Ming grow heavier. His eyes turned slightly hollow. 'Compared to that 1000-fold difference, I really am a pauper!'
'Senior, what’s wrong? Hey, hey!' Yuhan He waved her small hand before Lin Ming’s eyes. Seeing no reaction, she called out a few times.
'N-nothing. Just thinking about a suitable location,' Lin Ming replied on the surface. Inside, he was silently weeping. He couldn’t lose face, at least in words.
'I see,' Yuhan He said, suddenly enlightened.
Yaya watched with a dark sweat drop on her forehead. Though young, she’d been fending for herself since childhood. She saw things clearer than Yuhan He. For instance, Lin Ming had clearly been dejected just now! He wasn’t thinking about locations at all—he was just upset!
'So where should we go, Senior?' Yuhan He asked Lin Ming.
Lin Ming had already decided. He pointed to the tall tower at the city’s center. 'There. The city’s landmark: the Wind Tower.'
Yaya and Yuhan He followed his finger. A tower stood there, soaring high into the clouds.
'That tower’s pretty tall,' Yuhan He remarked.
'Senior, Yaya, let’s hurry over there!' Yuhan He chirped eagerly to Yaya and Lin Ming.
'Yeah!' Yaya exclaimed excitedly.
Lin Ming, however, was listless. That comparison with Yuhan He’s wealth had crushed him. His reply was weak. 'Oh...'
'Then let’s go!'
...
At the Wind Tower
Lin Ming and the girls arrived quickly. Yuhan He gasped at the crowd, denser than the main streets. 'Wow! So many people!'
Lin Ming looked at her, speechless. 'Of course. Did you think this was like those fake tourist spots? If a city’s landmark is fake, the whole place is doomed.'
'Fake tourist spots?' Yuhan He stared at him, shocked.
'Naturally. It’s just the City Lord’s marketing trick. Take the Dragon’s Rest Pool, for example—that tiny spot couldn’t even fit a dragon’s foot!' Lin Ming explained.
'How could they?' Yuhan He’s face fell. She hadn’t expected it to be a scam.
Yaya hurried to comfort her. 'Sister, it’s not your fault. Even if fake, it’s still pretty, right?'
'But it still hurts a little,' Yuhan He muttered glumly.
Lin Ming sighed. 'Why are you here again?'
'To help Yaya sell flowers!'
'Good. Watch me demonstrate first.' Lin Ming turned to Yuhan He, who’d remembered their purpose. He took a purple flower from Yaya’s basket.
Lin Ming scanned the crowd. His eyes lit up when he spotted a lone figure.
'Young lady, please wait,' he called out smoothly.
'Huh? What is it?' The girl turned. Her looks were ordinary.
'Young lady, your beauty dazzles like a blooming flower—it blinds me!' Lin Ming lied effortlessly, not even blushing. A true veteran.
'Really? My mother says the same!' The girl blushed slightly, seeing a handsome guy (Lin Ming was actually very handsome).
'Then your mother is remarkable—to have birthed someone like you,' Lin Ming continued, unfazed. After three or four exchanges, he cut to the chase. 'But you lack one thing.'
'Huh? What?' The girl panicked.
'Mystery. You shine too brightly. You need more mystery,' Lin Ming said thoughtfully.
'What should I do?' The girl grew anxious.
'I have a solution.'
Lin Ming smiled faintly and held out the purple flower. 'This is purple—symbolizing mystery, nobility, luxury. Perfect for you. I’ll gift it to you.'
The girl took the flower, blushing. 'I can’t accept this for free. How much?'
'No need. That’d be too polite,' Lin Ming refused.
The girl bit her lip, pulled out five Gold Coins, and pressed them into his hand. 'No, handsome. I must pay. I have to go.'
She hurried off, face red. 'Ah! I touched a handsome guy’s hand today. No need to wash it!'
Lin Ming stared blankly at the five Gold Coins. He flicked his hair stylishly. 'Ah, people! Being handsome really pays off. Money just walks up to you.'
Yuhan He and Yaya watched, dumbfounded. The former was shocked by Lin Ming’s shamelessness; the latter by his salesmanship.
Lin Ming sauntered over, tossing the coins. 'Impressive, right?'
They snapped out of it. Yaya’s eyes sparkled at Lin Ming. Yuhan He crossed her arms, face dark.
Yuhan He glared at Lin Ming. 'Senior, why didn’t you compliment me like that this morning?'
Lin Ming sensed the dangerous shift in atmosphere. His instincts screamed life-threatening peril, but he ignored it. 'Why would I compliment you this morning?'
Yaya covered one eye, peeking through her fingers at Lin Ming. 'Brother, rest in peace.'
Yuhan He’s aura intensified. She asked in a deep, ominous tone, 'Then why did you flatter that girl like that?'
Lin Ming broke into a cold sweat. He felt her Mana gathering. Even he knew she was furious. 'It’s just a sales tactic! Like the Dragon’s Rest Pool scam.'
'So it was a lie?' Yuhan He’s aura calmed slightly.
She smiled. 'I knew it, Senior. You’re not that blind!'
'You could see it that way,' Lin Ming wiped his sweat. Thankfully, only he sensed the Mana buildup. 'Just business flattery. Is it really that big a deal?' he thought.
