Chapter Seventy-Three: A Visit

In the main control room, Fan Bei chose not to rest; instead, he placed the iron sphere on the table and watched Housekeeper Huo’s admonishments to the servants through the surveillance monitors. From initial murmurs to eventual submission, he couldn’t help but sigh—management truly was a complex and profound art, and the human heart was even harder to grasp.

This was why the Silver Chamber’s puppet servants had such a market; he believed that even with the competition from the Star Chamber, the demand would not disappear and would persist for a very long time—unless the strong artificial intelligence from legends of his previous life were to emerge.

But then, was there even a need for strong artificial intelligence? If the puppet servants continued to be improved...

Fan Bei dismissed the thought, just as Xiao Bai suddenly spoke up:

“Hey, Old Fan, among those connected to me, there are two who are seriously dissatisfied with you. I’ve already calmed them down.”

He recognized its tone at once, and deftly pulled a spirit core from his pocket, tossing it over.

“Who are they? What are they unhappy about?”

Xiao Bai swallowed it in one gulp and replied, “They are Wu Liang and Ren Hao. Their complaint is that you promote outsiders instead of them, and Housekeeper Huo imposes such harsh requirements on them. They no longer have the freedom to work as much as they wish, rest as long as they please, or eat as much as they like.”

Fan Bei gave a cold laugh. “Indeed, they should resent me. Find an opportunity to reveal your identity, connect with Housekeeper Huo, and hand her the list so she can keep a closer eye on them.”

“Uh, but in doing so, I feel less like an avatar of the Great Lord and more like your lapdog...” Xiao Bai grumbled.

Da Bai barked, interjecting, “Xiao Bai, to be a master’s lapdog is a blessing earned over three lifetimes. You must cherish this opportunity.”

“Yes, Da Bai, you’re right. I ought to cherish it,” Xiao Bai said, swallowing his pride. There was no other way—having finally achieved their sworn brotherhood, if it were to break, it would be a disaster.

Fan Bei checked the time; it was already deep into the night. In a few hours, dawn would break, so he strolled back.

Indeed, the human heart is inherently greedy.

Were the rules harsh? They were merely the standard management policies from companies in his previous life: three rotating shifts, eight hours a day, one and a half days of rest per week, with meals and lodging included.

He didn’t know about others, but at Langsheng’s place, the policy of resting one day a month had only just begun, along with increases in wages and reductions in rent for ordinary residents.

As for Silver City, the vast civilian quarters were cramped and narrow; many still went hungry. Master Liu would chat idly, and even so, many sought to squeeze into the city.

...

In the morning, he visited the residential district to see Lin Zhongshi, wishing to reciprocate the gift of books he’d received on departure.

Lin Zhongshi was resting in bed, with Lin Xiaolu attending him.

“Thank you, Brother Fan, for coming to see me. I am ashamed that my injuries prevent me from greeting you properly,” Lin Zhongshi said, forcing himself to rise.

“Brother Lin, please don’t get up. Thank you for the books you gave me the other day. I haven’t much to offer in return, but I found this item in the cold storage. Perhaps it will help with your recovery; please accept it.”

Fan Bei produced a glass vial containing some golden tomato seeds.

“Mr. Fan, you’re so kind! This is exactly what Brother Shi needs,” Lin Xiaolu said happily, inspecting the vial. “I’ll use it for his medicine right away.”

Lin Zhongshi did not refuse and nodded, “Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Brother Fan.”

Fan Bei sat on a chair by the bedside, chatting casually. “I was invited to watch the match and saw your bout against the President. I noticed your magnanimity; you don’t seem the type to turn against your own kin.”

Lin Zhongshi breathed out slowly, “You’re right. The President Lin is my sister, but the circumstances are complicated, and I cannot explain it all to you right now.”

“In that case, forgive my intrusion,” Fan Bei apologized, then added with deeper intent, “No matter what, blood is thicker than water. Brother Lin, it’s best to let go of your grudges. I’ve just started some cooperation with President Lin, and I feel she’s a decent person.”

Lin Zhongshi gave no reply, falling silent.

Fan Bei rose to leave; those final words were his true gift to Lin Zhongshi. If the man was genuinely good and receptive, it would bring him immense benefit; if he was a hypocrite, he would miss the opportunity.

He could not assign the system; it had already reached its limit, and with Lin Zhongshi so close to him, it was impossible to involve him further.

From now on, Fan Bei would not let the system appear by his side again.

It had taken effort to arrange Xiao Bai as his agent, and the benevolent Great Lord existed only in name. He would not court further trouble.

After Fan Bei departed, Lin Xiaolu anxiously watched Lin Zhongshi.

“Blood is thicker than water?” Lin Zhongshi murmured.

Thinking back, his sister had never wronged him; on the contrary, she had cared for him in childhood. The fault lay with those people—their unequal treatment, their peculiar glances, their shortsighted actions...

Soon after, Lin Xiaohong entered, placing a box at the bedside and saying coolly, “She refused it, said it was for you to use.”

“Ah, as expected, she doesn’t need it,” Lin Zhongshi said wistfully, opening the box to find a crystal-clear amber within.

He placed the amber on his chest, lay back, and closed his eyes.

The two women left the bedroom.

“Brother Shi has been discouraged again…” Lin Xiaolu said, cradling the glass vial Fan Bei had just given her, feeling sorry for him.

“It’s not the first time. With his temperament, he won’t be defeated,” Lin Xiaohong replied without concern.

“But, Sister Hong, is Sister Qing really so formidable, completely unscathed?” Lin Xiaolu asked, unwilling to accept it.

“I haven’t had a chance to meet her, but judging by her subsequent actions, there’s a hint of covering up—she’s not in the best shape either,” Lin Xiaohong analyzed.

“I knew it! Brother Shi has worked so hard these years, never relaxing for a moment—it couldn’t have been in vain!” Lin Xiaolu said with delight.

“Tsk, if he hears you say that, he won’t necessarily be happy. Do you really wish his sister were badly injured?” Lin Xiaohong tapped her forehead, scolding, “You have no sense. If you ever go out alone, could you survive a day?”

Lin Xiaolu hung her head. “I—I’ll go prepare the medicine.”

...

Meanwhile, at the bedside of another patient in a lavishly appointed room—like a hotel suite, with a luxurious bed and every medical monitoring device imaginable—

Bang! A freshly delivered basket of flowers was hurled to the floor by the patient, scattering scarlet roses everywhere.

“Damn it! Lin Zhongshi is such a failure! He wasted all the terms we offered! Has the big boss responded? Are those siblings colluding to cheat us?” Long-haired Li Xing propped himself up with one arm, questioning the man at his bedside.

Xie Bo replied cautiously, “The big boss responded—all went normally in the match.”

“Damn it, so all our efforts were for nothing?” Li Xing raged, utterly lacking any composure.

“No, based on our analysis of the footage, Lin Zhongqing suffered severe soul injuries, but her backer was powerful and healed her immediately,” Xie Bo hastily soothed.

“Oh, I see.” Li Xing’s face relaxed, his anger dissipating. As long as the fault wasn’t on their side, it was fine.

Big boss, it’s not for lack of effort on our part—their backing is stronger than ours...

“Exactly,” Xie Bo leaned in to whisper, “Mr. Li, it seems her new patron is not only powerful, but caters to her every request.”

That’s why she betrayed the Chamber so decisively, establishing herself… Li Xing filled in the rest mentally.

“I understand what you mean…” His gaze flashed with undisguised envy. “Looks like her new master is not just a patron, but a husband.”

Men like them worked so hard for the big boss—could they ever expect such treatment?

Don’t even think about it. Get injured, treat yourself; want the boss to help? It would cost years of savings, plus the most precious approval.

Just like when he sought the cause of Wu Zicheng’s demise—he used a secret method to pray to the boss, suffered mental backlash, and to maintain his standing had to endure in bed for a month, even with expensive medicines.

Yet she, suffering greater wounds, was fully recovered overnight, out taking contracts and running business as if nothing had happened…