TYMIMA Chapter 80

One vehicle carried the dazed Gong Gang back to pack his luggage. His internship life was ending just as it had begun.

 

After driving for a long time, he belatedly reacted, desperately gripping the driver’s seat back: “I won’t change dormitories anymore.”

 

The driver didn’t respond.

 

Gong Gang was frantic: “Did you hear me? I won’t change dormitories! I’m fine where I am now—I can continue interning!”

 

The driver glanced at him through the rearview mirror, puzzled: “What’s the use of telling me?”

 

Gong Gang slumped back dejectedly. Even now, he couldn’t understand why he’d been abandoned.

 

On the highway, only one bus remained, along with the five-person combat squad, two interns, and Adrian.

 

Adrian’s grey-blue eyes indifferently glanced at his watch as he spoke: “Get on.”

 

The surroundings were silent as everyone quietly boarded the bus, tacitly leaving the front seat for the director whilst sitting in the back, main taining distance.

 

Only Lance, carrying his mission, did the opposite and sat beside Adrian.

 

Adrian merely glanced once without saying anything.

 

He never felt he was difficult to approach, but they were all afraid of him.

 

Lance spoke first, assuming a cautious yet grateful expression: “Thank you.”

 

“No need.” Adrian said indifferently.

 

Lance was even more puzzled. Could it be that he looked too pure and kind, causing Adrian to superficially judge from appearance alone that he was a good person?

 

“I wanted to thank you for your trust.”

 

Adrian nodded, but his facial expression remained stern: “No need to be so polite.”

 

His voice was already quite gentle—presumably this would sound much more approachable.

 

Lance suddenly felt that Adrian’s ability to make Mad Clown hate him to the point of grinding his teeth might not entirely be Mad Clown’s problem.

 

Talking to such a stuffed gourd was emotionally draining for anyone.

 

It was better to be talkative—preferably casual but not glib, good at coaxing people but not deliberately flattering, with a complex family background yet full of sunshine. Just being close would make you feel enveloped in enthusiasm and warmth.

 

Lance couldn’t help but picture Zhan Pingchuan’s refreshed, cheerful smile in his mind.

 

He immediately snapped back to attention, hiding inappropriate thoughts and forcing himself to converse with Adrian.

 

“Actually, the senior was right. Our school advocates jungle law—logically speaking, good rooms wouldn’t be my turn.” Lance lowered his head slightly, but his peripheral vision constantly observed Adrian.

 

Adrian adjusted his sitting position, saying in a deep voice: “Star University wasn’t like this before.”

 

It was once the highest institution everyone yearned for, with the Federation’s top faculty, powerful alumni resources, sky-high teaching subsidies, and the smartest, most hardworking students.

 

Back then, Belial Howard’s planned route for him was entering Star University through the gifted program, working in the restricted zone after graduation, spending five years expanding connections, accumulating initial capital, increasing influence, then applying to join the Federation Congress. When Lucas graduated, he’d manoeuvre Lucas into Congress too. Finally, the Howard family could return to its peak.

 

However, when he wanted to apply for the gifted program at sixteen, the capital erupted in suppression warfare. The city was in ruins, everything needed rebuilding, and Star University couldn’t immediately resume enrollment.

 

He had to attend another university, completing all courses in two years under his father’s strict requirements.

 

When he applied for restricted zone work as the top graduate, he waited endlessly due to sudden changes in the restricted zone’s structure and ongoing power divisions.

 

Later came his mother’s frame-up, completely destroying his qualification for Congress.

 

He was expelled from the Howard family and came to Ghost Eye Guild.

 

His life’s turning point seemed to be not getting into Star University.

 

He regretted this so much, yet that incredibly sacred highest institution had been degraded to its current state.

 

Lance seemed to smile slightly, placing his hands on his legs: “Yes, Teacher He Jing’en said the same—Star University once had excellent school spirit and cultivated many talents for the Federation.”

 

Adrian glanced at him: “He Jing’en.”

 

His tone was flat, making his emotions unreadable.

 

Lance didn’t need to guess his emotions—he just needed to guide toward the topic he wanted to discuss.

 

“Oh, he’s the dean of our school’s Attribute Research and History College. Because of my level, I once wanted to transfer to the History Department, so I became familiar with Teacher He.”

 

His logic was reasonable and wouldn’t arouse unnecessary suspicion.

 

Adrian indeed didn’t suspect anything. Studying history had no prospects from worldly perspectives, since decades of crucial history had been erased by the Federation government.

 

“Why didn’t you transfer?”

 

He guessed it was due to poverty—needing to study underground city-related majors to support the family in future.

 

If forced to abandon ideals for realistic reasons, he’d find it regrettable.

 

But Lance’s eyes flickered as he shyly touched his cheek with the back of his hand: “Because I… fell in love with an Alpha from the same college.”

 

Adrian: “.” Love-brained.

 

“Oh, it’s not entirely because of him. I just thought working hard together wasn’t bad. Besides, Teacher He was very kind—he wasn’t unhappy about it. He even said he’d rediscovered his original intention and regained passion for research.”

 

Adrian was silent for a moment before saying softly: “Really?”

 

Lance smiled: “Yes.”

 

The bus drove toward Devil City’s heartland. Continuous Yardang formations gradually appeared on both sides, orange-red wind erosion marks carved into stone walls—a magnificent sight.

 

Lance stopped at the right moment, focusing on enjoying the scenery.

 

Wheels kicked up dry sand, forming a small sandstorm at the vehicle’s rear. The nearest rock walls were almost within reach.

 

Their shapes were rugged and bizarre. Sunlight cast their shadows on the ground, depicting terrifying silhouettes matching human imagination.

 

Wind passed through stone caves—even through layers of windows, you could hear low moaning.

 

Lance suddenly remembered He Jing’en’s words from the university’s opening:

 

“A hundred years ago, the Sahara Desert suddenly experienced violent tremors. Through satellite observation, a huge iron gate appeared in the central plateau mountains…”

 

Underground cities first appeared in plateau mountain regions, extremely similar to Desert City’s terrain.

 

Perhaps such places truly had special magnetic fields capable of opening passages between other dimensions and Earth.

 

The bus suddenly slowed—they’d passed through layers of stone walls into relatively quiet heartland.

 

Compared to surrounding jagged, varied wind-eroded ridges, the huge, intact Yardang ahead seemed particularly special.

 

Like an orange mushroom cap, it lay flat on the ground. Strangely, no wind blew here either—no hair-raising moaning could be heard.

 

It was like a paradise nestled in hell.

 

However, the bus only approached before taking a side road away.

 

Lance turned back, staring at the huge cap through the rear window.

 

If you hollowed out this mushroom’s centre, it would be an excellent hiding place.

 

From ground traces, vehicles seemed to pass frequently here. Rugged rocks had been worn smooth, and sand was compressed solid.

 

Lance calmly withdrew his gaze.

 

Though Desert City had high probability of triggering underground cities, conventional sightseeing routes obviously wouldn’t find treasure.

 

The group spent three hours touring, eating mouthfuls of sand, and finally returned to the city empty-handed.

 

Adrian left the team first, switching to his SUV and driving toward the city exit again.

 

Noon.

 

In the safe house under the cap, Yan Qili sprang from his chair, scattering peanut crumbs from his beard, anxious: “Doesn’t this confirm Oliver isn’t dead? Rediscovering original intention means finding Oliver again. He originally lost research passion because of this incident, but now he’s regained it!”

 

Adrian glanced at him: “Should be.”

 

Yan Qili quickly moved a few steps, muttering: “Actually, I’ve long suspected he has connections with the Black Lantern Society. That old fellow is very clever—I don’t believe he’s done nothing all these years… If so, we can learn the Black Lantern Society’s whereabouts from He Jing’en. I should call him—maybe I can help you.”

 

Adrian looked at him expressionlessly: “No need. He absolutely won’t reveal anything to you.”

 

Adrian had great confidence in Yan Qili’s abilities—not only would Yan Qili fail to extract He Jing’en’s secrets, he might expose their hiding place.

 

Star University’s decline over the years and the old case being reopened eighteen years later had proven everything—Yan Qili would mess everything up.

 

Yan Qili scratched his sparse hair: “Actually, I could try using my wisdom.”

 

Adrian: “Don’t try even once.”

 

Yan Qili: “…”

 

After returning, Lance went to work and left work routinely, but received no news from He Jing’en for a long time.

 

This made him suspect they’d all guessed wrong—perhaps Yan Qili wasn’t taken by Ghost Eye Guild.

 

However, Lance was very patient and decided to wait longer.

 

But this wait brought Dream Witch’s phone call instead.

 

“The Tasman Pirate Nation bidding conference is about to start. I plan to take Abaddon and Lily, giving Mad Clown a holiday to rest.”

 

Lance walked through the long bathroom to the sink, holding the phone between his ear and shoulder whilst rinsing his fingers: “Fine. It’s winter break anyway—taking Lily on a trip, and Abaddon hasn’t been on a business trip for ages.”

 

The Federation government stipulated that during commercial competition between guilds, abilities couldn’t be used, nor could abilities be used for retaliation. So for them, going out to negotiate business was actually a good assignment.

 

After all, the biggest risk was having keyholes blocked, preventing them from leaving their rooms in the morning.

 

Moreover, given Tasman Pirate Nation’s extravagant style, the bidding conference would definitely be quite luxurious and prosperous—perhaps everyone would even get a luminous pearl as a souvenir.

 

Dream Witch: “Actually, I wanted you to go too. You have more devious ideas than me, but since you’re at Ghost Eye Guild now, forget it.”

 

Lance dried his hands, turned off the bathroom’s twenty lights at the door, took the phone and chuckled softly: “Don’t call me—I’m too lazy to go. Dad’s little schemes are more than enough to handle Ghost Eye Guild. Just call him when the time comes.”

 

Dream Witch teased: “How did you start underestimating the enemy too? I heard that after their last crushing defeat, Ghost Eye Guild learned from bitter experience, endured hardships to build strength, and have nearly exploited every legal loophole, all to give us a heavy blow this time.”

 

Lance casually brushed dust from the balcony railing, countless clear stars hanging directly above his head.

 

He looked up at the sky: “Our red parrot crystal ore has the best purity, and after last time’s survey, we can guarantee the reserves. What does Ghost Eye Guild have to compete with us—price?”

 

Compared to Desert City’s bright moon and sparse stars, Harbor Tan seemed shrouded in mist.

 

Fine drizzle fell again from the deep blue sky, coating the asphalt road surface with deep black.

 

Zhan Pingchuan quickly finished a gem pear, lazily leaning on the sofa: “Tasman Pirate Nation? Even if I could go, I wouldn’t. When my baby checks my passport in future and asks why I didn’t take him on international trips, how would I explain? Is this what we excellent Alphas should do?”

 

After more than two weeks in Harbor Tan, Zhan Pingchuan had completely fallen in love with gem pears.

 

No wonder they were expensive—these pears were sweet, crisp, and juicy, with a unique fragrance. Now he had to eat two daily.

 

Zhan Qinghe suppressed the urge to curse: “…How did I give birth to such an idiot? I’m asking if you’ve gotten news about how High Tower Guild plans to fight this trade war.”

 

Just as Zhan Qinghe was about to explode, the fluffy tiger ears emerging from his hair were pinched by Chu Fu: “Don’t shout.”

 

When Zhan Qinghe got agitated, his ears easily popped out—very undignified. Fortunately, only Chu Fu had seen him like this.

 

He immediately pressed his ears back and hid them.

 

Zhan Pingchuan tossed the pear core into the trash: “Dad, worth mentioning is that your contribution to having me was an out-of-control, frenzied susceptible period.”

 

Zhan Qinghe: “…Alright, business.”

 

Unfortunately, none of the people Zhan Pingchuan knew at High Tower were involved in the Tasman project.

 

Uncle Lu was on holiday, Old Bang was visiting his daughter out of town. He had no channels for intelligence gathering, only knowing that [Rainforest] had abundant red parrot crystal ore.

 

Zhan Pingchuan: “What tricks could they have? Didn’t they notify everyone to carry paper in their pockets? Besides, this time on the cruise ship, they don’t worry about tyres being deflated. High Tower’s red parrot quality is indeed good, but they’re still mining whilst we have ready stock. We can deliver once contracts are signed. The king’s wedding is in a month—what does High Tower Guild have to compete with us?”

 

The drizzle was about to stop but hadn’t quite yet.

 

On the phone, Dream Witch asked: “Then… should we let your little Alpha come along?”

 

After all, it was a cushy job with free food and drink—naturally they’d think of their own people first.

 

Lance propped his chin, pondering for a moment before nodding: “Also fine. His family’s conditions weren’t good before—he probably hasn’t travelled abroad much. Sending him on a company-paid trip to have fun.”

 

Energetic little wolf cubs always loved excitement. Seeing a nation built on the sea would definitely amaze him.

 

Dream Witch said with interest: “No wonder Dad’s gums have been inflamed for days—old fathers know best when their sons are being led astray.”

 

Lance’s eyes showed shrewdness: “Clearly I’m the one leading him back.”

 

The next day was clear. Zhan Pingchuan went to High Tower building’s park bench area to work as usual. After helping compile crystal ore qualification rates, he was about to go to the bar area for a cocktail when he ran into an HR employee.

 

The girl cleared her throat, looking at him solemnly: “Zhan, congratulations. Due to your outstanding performance in the underground city, the guild has decided to include you in the bidding team for the Tasman bidding conference.”

 

Zhan Pingchuan’s lazy mask nearly shattered: “…Where did you say?”

 

The girl winked: “Surprised? Unexpected? Don’t panic—you deserve this.” Weep with joy, young master-in-law!

 

Zhan Pingchuan: “…”

 

He was Ghost Eye Guild’s young master, yet they wanted him to represent High Tower Guild in bidding, standing against his own family?!

 

Huh???

 

Zhan Pingchuan smiled wearily, walking past the girl.

 

The girl watched him leave, quickly grabbing her phone to type in the gossip group—

 

[Young master-in-law heard this good news and was so excited he became mentally dazed!]

 

[Worthy of being young master-in-law—very easily satisfied.]

 

[No wonder he has the young master completely smitten.]

 

…

 

Zhan Pingchuan walked to an empty area, quickly pulling out his phone to call Adrian.

 

“Uncle, has our Tasman bidding team been selected?”

 

Adrian was puzzled: “Why are you suddenly concerned about this?”

 

Zhan Pingchuan looked miserable: “Emergency situation. High Tower Guild, considering my previous rescue, added me to their bidding team. Now I have to go abroad with High Tower’s team!”

 

“Oh.” Adrian’s tone remained calm. “Then when your wife asks why you didn’t take him on international trips, what will you do?”

 

“Exactly—” Zhan Pingchuan’s tone was emphatic, the focus clearly on the latter half: “You put my wife in our bidding team so we can briefly reunite.”

 

Adrian: “You’ve got it all figured out.”

 

“Please, uncle, thank you uncle. Uncle, rest assured—I’ll definitely find ways to sabotage High Tower and ensure our successful bid.”

 

The sun set westward.

 

Lance rose from his seat, lazily stretching his limbs.

 

He’d heard Ghost Eye Guild’s bidding team was selected—still the same group who’d endured hardships. Given their moral bottom line, they obviously couldn’t outmanoeuvre High Tower Guild, so Lance wasn’t worried at all.

 

Just as he was about to pack up and go home, he saw Adrian wearing a black windbreaker, looking stern and serious as he entered from outside.

 

Adrian’s gaze swept around before settling on Lance’s face: “You’ll do. Someone in the bidding team took leave—you’ll replace him on the Tasman Pirate Nation business trip.”

 

Lance’s hand slipped: “?”

 

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 (advanced chapters available on kofi)