Free Web NovelChapter 238: Chapter 188: Riding Together in a Flying Vehicle, a Strange Liu Xuan (Part 2)
Aside from them, no one else was waiting here.
"Just them? No one else? Are we the only two going to the summit?"
Lin Qi found it a bit strange. Was it really appropriate for just two people to attend such an important event?
Liu Xuan looked at Lin Qi, shook her head, and said, "To be precise, you’re the only one attending the summit. I’m just representing United Pharmaceutical in Alliance City to sign the post-summit resource allocation agreement and, while I’m at it, meet with the people from the Big Business Alliance."
Lin Qi’s expression instantly stiffened again.
’Have me represent the company at the summit all by myself? Is that really appropriate?’
’Probably not, right?’
’I’m just an ordinary researcher. Do I even have the authority?’
’Liu Xuan must trust me a little too much.’
But things had already come to this. Lin Qi could only bite the bullet and go along with it.
’I’ll figure everything out after we get to Alliance City...’
He had a bit of a headache, but amid his frustration, Lin Qi spotted a familiar face among the two rows of bodyguards: Brother Green Hair, whom he knew from Greenfield City.
Liu Xuan continued, "After we arrive in Alliance City, he’ll be in charge of your security. Alliance City isn’t like Red Fruit City; it’s even more chaotic than Greenfield City. Don’t go wandering off."
Before they left, Liu Xuan made a point of warning him, as if she knew for a fact that Lin Qi would go wandering off.
Lin Qi nodded.
Although he had never been to Alliance City, Lin Qi had heard a little about it.
It was a place where all the major corporations in the Asian Administrative Region had a presence.
The Big Business Alliance itself was a chaotic mix of personnel from various corporations.
There were those who seemed to have no background but were propped up into power, those who held multiple positions to consolidate their authority in Alliance City, and even some real hard-hitters who used the Alliance’s own legislation to brute-force their way in and climb to the top.
If the top institutions governing the city were a motley crew, the lower levels were even more so.
Jingang, a new member of the Highest-Level Mercenary Corps, came from the dregs of Alliance City.
He had survived by offering up his own body as a test subject for the major corporations.
Tasks like that were a dime a dozen in Alliance City.
It was also a paradise for mercenaries from all over the Asian Administrative Region—their favorite real-world gathering spot.
While this city held the pinnacle of power in the Asian Administrative Region, it was also the most flagrant den of filth and corruption in the entire region.
A place like this was perfect for Lin Qi to operate in. At the very least, it would have far fewer restrictions than Red Fruit City.
As he was thinking, a large floating car belonging to the Liu Clan slowly came to a stop.
Liu Xuan said, "Let’s go. We’re leaving."
Liu Xuan entered the floating car first, and Lin Qi followed close behind.
Peeking with his Spiritual Vision, he saw the floating car was divided into an upper and a lower level.
The lower level had twelve seats in total, each one quite spacious.
It was even equipped with amenities like a liquor cabinet and a coffee machine at both ends, which was already quite luxurious.
But compared to the upper level, the lower level’s accommodations seemed to pale in comparison.
The upper level was like a fully furnished room, with seats, a bed, and even a shower.
In an environment like this, you wouldn’t feel the slightest bit of fatigue even if the journey were several times longer.
Obviously, Lin Qi’s place wasn’t going to be on the lower level.
The lower level was already filled with bodyguards from Liu’s Heavy Industries. ƒrēewebnovel.com
Twelve A-Class Implanter bodyguards—a perfect fit for the seats.
Naturally, Lin Qi followed Liu Xuan to the upper level of the floating car.
Lin Qi sat down in an armchair and watched the scenery outside through a real-time feed on a screen.
The scenery wasn’t actually much to look at.
Commuting every day in this cage-like Cyber City, he had long grown accustomed to the sight of its interwoven neon lights.
The only reason he kept staring at the view outside was because he felt a little awkward.
Although the room on the floating car’s upper level was luxurious, it had almost no partitions, making it feel like a single, open space.
Being in such an environment with Liu Xuan made Lin Qi feel a bit uncomfortable.
Especially with that familiar fragrance lingering in the air.
Liu Xuan sat opposite Lin Qi, looking a bit more relaxed than he did.
But judging by her actions, it was clear her attention wasn’t on the physical world at all.
All sorts of lights flashed in her eyes, a clear sign she was reading internal company documents.
The floating car started up and slowly departed from Red Fruit City.
The route was confirmed: they were heading straight for Alliance City.
At the floating car’s speed, they would reach Alliance City in about seven hours.
For seven hours, Liu Xuan naturally wouldn’t spend the entire time reading documents.
When the various lights in her eyes vanished, Liu Xuan’s attention returned to reality.
The luxurious room suddenly felt cramped, and even Liu Xuan seemed faintly uncomfortable.
The purple light in her prosthetic left eye slowly began to brighten once more.
Although the brightness indicator showed its power was less than twenty percent, this was an S-Class Suppressor.
If even an S-Class Suppressor couldn’t control her condition, then Liu Xuan would be in big trouble.
The Liu Clan couldn’t produce X-Class Suppressors on its own.
Only the truly top-tier corporations could produce X-Class Prosthetic Body equipment.
Intercontinental giant corporations—X-Class was a taboo they had established.
Switching to the S-Class Suppressor ahead of time meant that Liu Xuan had anticipated this situation. She knew very well that her condition was related to Lin Qi.
Whether she had too much contact with Lin Qi in a short period or no contact for a long time, her condition would change drastically.
It was a sickness, but it was also the price for becoming a "miracle."
"Lin Qi."
Liu Xuan suddenly called his name.
Lin Qi’s entire body tensed up, and he looked at Liu Xuan.
’This is a huge headache.’
’Oh, for crying out loud!’
’I didn’t do anything to you, did I?’
’Your left eye is practically a lightbulb right now!’
Lin Qi could only guess about Liu Xuan’s condition; he didn’t understand the specific pattern.
He only knew that it had something to do with him.
"What is it?"
Lin Qi asked softly. At a time like this, it was best to just go along with whatever she wanted.
Besides, from what Lin Qi knew of Liu Xuan, she wasn’t the type to make small talk or discuss personal matters with him.
In all the time he’d known her, Liu Xuan had rarely ever mentioned her private life.
It seemed the only time the topic of their conversations had changed was when they were facing danger in Greenfield City.
"I just filed the paperwork with the Big Business Alliance to transfer ten percent of United Pharmaceutical’s shares into your name."
’Definitely not a personal matter, but this is even more terrifying than small talk.’
’Company shares aren’t that easy to accept.’
’Taking shares comes with a price.’
Lin Qi asked, "What should I do?"
Liu Xuan didn’t hide anything from him. "At this Asia Political Zone Advanced Pharmaceutical Enterprise Summit, United Pharmaceutical and Liu’s Heavy Industries are actually in a very precarious position. I need to go to the Big Business Alliance and mediate, to at least change the minds of some of the permanent council members."
"Otherwise, this summit will only be the beginning, not the end."
"This summit, when you get right down to it, is just an extension of the Greenfield City incident. With your intelligence, I’m sure you understand that."
Liu Xuan was talking about business, but she had brought it around to Lin Qi himself.
Her gaze was scorching as she looked at him, filled with a bewildering trust.
Even though their personal relationship had never progressed beyond the level of "regular friends."
’A headache. A massive headache.’
Lin Qi had a feeling that Liu Xuan knew something.
Her words were laced with implications.
Lin Qi really wanted to say, ’I don’t understand! What is it I’m supposed to understand?’
But reason told him he couldn’t say that.
Based on the level of intelligence he usually displayed, even if he weren’t part of the Highest-Level Mercenary Corps, even if he weren’t a Wizard, there was no way he could be completely ignorant of the Liu Clan’s predicament.
Sighing, Lin Qi could only nod and ask, "What do you hope I’ll do?"
Lin Qi had changed his tone.
"Should" and "hope" have two completely different meanings.
The former implies he is bound by his status as a company employee, accepting an order from a superior.
The latter, however, frames it as a personal request from Liu Xuan, one that Lin Qi has a choice in.
With the difference of a single word, Lin Qi had shifted his default position.
He had transformed the exchange from one between a subordinate and a superior into an equal conversation between friends.
