Little Family Treasure of the Apocalyptic Boss - Ch 56

Chapter 56: Cooperation

“Qinglan, do you even understand the rules? I’m here first, and I’ve already paid for it. Please leave!”

“You haven’t paid yet, have you? Besides, if we talk about who arrived first, I arrived much earlier. It should be me placing the order first.”

Qinglan sneered and lifted his chin toward the attendant behind him. “What are you waiting for? Hurry up and register, so I can have my guests checked in.”

Glancing toward the balcony, Qinglan lectured, “This time, I’ve brought back a top-tier talented sub-beast. Maybe in the future, he’ll have the chance to serve in the temple and the Beast God. If you keep dragging your feet here, do you think you can afford to offend me or the future High Priest?”

“This…” Cold sweat immediately slid down the attendant’s face. Looking at Ming Ya and then at Qinglan, he didn’t know what to do.

By the rules, priority naturally belonged to Ming Ya. But the people here, he couldn’t afford to offend any one of them.

“Ye Zi.” The little snake sub-beast gently tugged on Ye Ze’s sleeve, feeling a bit lost.

“It’s okay. There are always people who bully others. Nuo Nuo, don’t learn from him. That’s what uncultured bad people do, okay?” Ye Ze patted the little snake sub-beast’s head.

Though it seemed like he was educating the little snake sub-beast, his voice was loud enough for Qinglan and the others near the gate to hear.

Ming Ya’s lips twitched, his gloomy mood suddenly dispersing. It was a close call that he didn’t burst out laughing.

Qinglan’s expression froze, staring incredulously at Ye Ze, screaming, “What did you say?! Who’s uncultured?!”

“You see, some people feel guilty for no reason. I didn’t even name anyone, yet they jump out on their own. Nuo Nuo shouldn’t imitate such behavior.” Ye Ze pretended not to hear, continuing to impart knowledge to the little snake sub-beast earnestly.

The sound, as if it could shatter the roof, made even the seabirds hovering near the window fly away. The little snake sub-beast couldn’t maintain Ye Ze’s calm attitude. While nodding, he couldn’t help but glance in the direction of the sub-beast.

This was probably what they called the colorful darkness in legends.

Standing next to Ye Ze, enveloped in his steady and reliable presence, the little snake sub-beast suddenly calmed down.

Just as Ye Ze said, the more blustering the enemy, the more obvious their weakness.

There was nothing to fear at all.

The little snake sub-beast tried to straighten his posture, showing his confidence.

—Though the tip of his tail behind them was now so flustered it didn’t know where to place itself.

Ye Ze suppressed the laughter that almost escaped his lips. Holding the little snake sub-beast’s hand, he drew circles in their palm encouragingly.

The little snake sub-beast blushed and wished he could shrink away.

“Here.” Ye Ze led the little snake sub-beast into the living room. He casually tossed a bag of Beast God stones to the two startled attendants. “Since you don’t have the authority to handle this, go find someone who does.”

Ye Ze leaned back, sitting on the soft fur-covered sofa with his legs crossed, appearing leisurely. He even took the time to prepare a fruit platter for the little snake sub-beast next to him. He glanced meaningfully at Qinglan and chuckled, “Well, I’m not in a hurry anyway. I have plenty of time to wait.”

Qinglan’s expression changed several times, gritting his teeth, “Just you wait!”

“Take care, no need to see me off.” Ye Ze waved his hand towards Qinglan’s departing figure, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.

Turning his head and seeing the adoring starry eyes of the little snake sub-beast, Ye Ze finally couldn’t hold back his laughter.

The unexpected little episode quickly passed under Ye Ze’s charm.

Listening to music, watching anime, snacking—what could be more fun than teasing the mischievous sub-beast?

Anyway, the little snake sub-beast preferred the former.

The “forgetful” little guy lived a happier life than most.

The next day, Ming Ya, who had spent the night awake with flames of revenge burning, saw the relaxed and cheerful little snake sub-beast and once again fell into self-pity.

Can’t compare, can’t compare. Can’t compare to anything. [Crying loudly!]

While Dragon Palace City was the main residence of the Dragon Clan, the lord of Dragon Palace City was not a dragon but a beastman.

This provided great convenience for the activities of Ling Jue and Ming Ya.

—The members of the Dragon Clan have always been proud. Except for a few special races, other tribes have almost no face in front of the Dragon Clan.

Fortunately, throughout the history of the savage world, the leaders of the Dragon Clan have always been just and fair, at worst maintaining peace. There has never been a situation where a tyrant ruled.

Listening to Ling Jue’s narration, Ye Ze couldn’t help but be amazed.

In this world where bloodline continuity is particularly evident, the inheritance of the “royal family” has reached a level that is incomprehensible to modern people.

It’s no wonder the people here have an unspoken attitude towards the internal affairs of the Dragon Clan.

Although the position of the lord of Dragon Palace City is not as lofty as that of the Dragon Clan, convincing the lord of Dragon Palace City to meet Ye Ze, Ling Jue, Ming Ya, and their respective families required quite a bit of effort.

Sitting formally in the reception hall of the Lord’s Manor, being received with the etiquette befitting an esteemed guest, Ye Ze could see the sincerity of the two individuals, so he naturally wouldn’t hesitate to offer concessions in future dealings.

“Regarding your matter, I’ve already heard from Ling Jue. However, this is Dragon Palace City after all. If it’s just based on these, it’s difficult for me to allow you to undertake large-scale construction outside Dragon Palace City based solely on verbal assurances.”

“Relying solely on verbal promises, I naturally wouldn’t dare to ask Lord Jiang He for permission on my behalf. So, before coming to Dragon Palace City, I specifically asked the Lord of Little Dragon City to help me authenticate a ledger of land revenues and expenditures.”

Ye Ze took out a ledger and handed it to Jiang He, saying, “Recorded here are the farming data that has never been publicly disclosed before. It details how much resources were consumed and how much crops were harvested from these farmlands outside Little Dragon City… Every detail is included. Please have a look, Lord Jiang He.”

Jiang He noticed Ling Jue’s barely concealed surprise and then looked at Ye Ze, who seemed confident, and was surprised. He then took the ledger, opened it, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

This! How is this possible!

Jiang He quickly looked down, repeatedly confirming that the Lord’s seal there was indeed authentic, feeling even more shocked.

“In fact, if Lord Jiang He doesn’t mind, I have also prepared some food made from crops. The methods have preserved the natural flavor of the crops themselves, and the Lord can personally taste their edibility.”

Jiang He looked at Ye Ze with an increasingly strange expression.

He had some acquaintances through Ling Jue’s maternal tribe, which was why he made an exception to meet Ye Ze. Originally, when Ling Jue introduced him, he thought it was just to get him to agree, and deliberately exaggerated some facts. But now it seemed that it wasn’t an exaggeration at all; it was far from enough!

Jiang He tasted all four kinds of food one by one, becoming completely serious. “I can approve your request for building and development. However, the location of the houses must meet our requirements, and their safety will not be the responsibility of the city guard. We can also negotiate on opening up farmland, but the specific amount depends on what the higher-ups have to say.”

“Being treated like this, I am already very satisfied.”

Ye Ze smiled faintly, not expressing any objections. After discussing the specific development process with the Lord and Ling Jue, he left promptly.

Watching Ye Ze’s carefree figure leave, the Lord’s heart was filled with complexity.

This beastman is not simple. I wonder if his arrival is good or bad for the current turbulent situation in Dragon Palace City.

“You actually agreed to the restrictions on designated locations? That’s really unlike you.”

He had thought that Ye Ze would argue based on reason, resort to coercion and lure, and strive to obtain the most satisfactory location for building houses for Nuo Nuo.

Walking out of the Lord’s Manor together with Ye Ze, Ling Jue couldn’t help but feel amazed.

Ye Ze raised an eyebrow. “Did I agree to that?”

Didn’t you?

Ling Jue became even more puzzled.

Ye Ze chuckled, “You guys, you still think too little. What do you think they would do with these unimaginable resources I hold?”

Either they would wholeheartedly recruit him, offer benefits, and let him serve the rulers, or they would suppress him forcefully, eliminating his uncertainty.

But wise people would know that he had no ambition, and even managing a shop was sporadic. He was too immersed in “beauty” to extricate himself. Ambition and strength were not proportional, posing no threat.

Not to mention, if these people wanted to kill him, it would depend on whether they had the ability and the capital to do so.

Furthermore, he deliberately placed pieces in the inspection team as a hidden move. With the “bribes” in the hands of the inspection team as a bottom line, he had been operating openly under the eyes of those above him. Coupled with the reality of Little Dragon City as a guarantee, it was difficult not to be classified as one of the pawns.

In this way, superficially, he does seem to be used, but in reality, all the initiative is in his hands.

Even if it’s not possible now, sooner or later, he will have the final say over the peripheral development of the farms!

After listening to Ye Ze’s analysis, Ling Jue stood in shock for a long time, speechless.

He had actually been planning all of this since so long ago!

“You’re telling me all these ambitions. Aren’t you afraid I’ll turn around and betray you?”

Ye Ze laughed, “That’s why I said there’s still a lot for you guys to learn.”

Betrayal?

What kind of position would Ling Jue and his family, who knew all this, have in the eyes of the higher-ups?

Is it more beneficial to them to gain more through current cooperation, or through betrayal?

How much does Ling Jue really understand about things like the enforcement team’s hidden moves, Ye Ze’s true strength, and his follow-up cards?

These would only push Ling Jue himself into hell, but for Ye Ze, it’s just a few twists and turns in the process of achieving his goals.

“You’re a smart person who always knows what to do.”

Ye Ze shrugged indifferently. As they approached the tavern where Nuo Nuo and Ming Ya were waiting for them, he quickened his pace.

“We have the talent test today, right? Let’s pick up Nuo Nuo and head over.”

Nuo Nuo came to Dragon Palace City full of anticipation, wanting to experience the lively life of the academy. He hadn’t forgotten at all.

Ling Jue, who had been busy for most of the day, sighed, “…”

Alright. After all, this guy has never betrayed anyone other than Nuo Nuo.

“Nuo Nuo, I heard that the food here is very special. Are you enjoying yourself?” As soon as Ye Ze entered the door, he approached Nuo Nuo and hugged him, giving him kisses and cuddles after not seeing him for so long.

Nuo Nuo’s face was squished from being squeezed. He tried hard to push the prepared food towards Ye Ze, “It’s delicious! This is for Ye Zi!”

“Nuo Nuo is amazing.” Ye Ze smiled and kissed Nuo Nuo’s face several times before hugging him and starting to eat.

Although he said he would, Ye Ze didn’t act like a tactless partner without emotional intelligence. He generously ordered a table full of dishes, and after everyone had eaten their fill, he sat in the private room chatting leisurely. Only then did he stand up with Nuo Nuo, ready to go to the academy for the entrance test.

Ling Jue put down his chopsticks, feeling relieved by half of his pent-up frustration.

Well, this guy still has a bit of conscience.

Otherwise, sooner or later, I’ll tell Nuo Nuo about his misdeeds in front of Nuo Nuo! [Single-fox grin]

Author’s note: New Year’s Day is coming soon! Happy New Year to everyone! ~(≧▽≦)/~

Nuo Nuo: In the new year, everyone should be as happy and fortunate as Nuo Nuo, welcoming the most beautiful new outlook! (*/ω＼*)

Ye Ze: Although I’m the only perfect partner in the world, considering Nuo Nuo, I can share a bit of perfection with you guys. Anyway, have a happy New Year, and here’s to promotion in 2021. [Conceited]