The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human?
Chapter 677 - 484: If the Fool is Willing, I Can Be Below_2

Chapter 677: Chapter 484: If the Fool is Willing, I Can Be Below_2

Liu Zheng had an inexplicable thought.

"Huh? Don’t say it, really, don’t say it."

For the first time, Niu Ma felt that what he said made sense.

"Throw the walnut on the ground, then hide in the corner. I’m about to go big!"

He opened his mouth, and a bronze bull’s head slowly emerged.

The originally warm and peaceful lounge was instantly filled with the sounds of battle horses and a murderous aura.

"Stop, stop, stop."

Liu Zheng quickly called a halt.

"If you go at it so hard, the walnut might open, but what’s inside would probably be ruined too."

"Then what do you suggest?"

Niu Ma swallowed back the bronze bull’s head and asked irritably.

"Give it to me, and I’ll think of something."

He said.

"If I can’t do it, you think you can, kid?"

Niu Ma said somewhat displeased.

"I can’t either, but I know a lot of people. Surely someone can, right?"

Liu Zheng shrugged and said.

"Hmm... alright then."

Niu Ma thought for a moment and reluctantly said.

"If you can’t open it, return it to me intact, or else I’ll make sure you never leave the lounge for the rest of your life."

He threatened, his tone surprisingly serious.

"Got it, got it, it’s not like I’m after your walnut or anything."

He waved his tentacle dismissively.

"When aren’t you taking things and stuffing your face, kid?"

Niu Ma quipped, then went back to lie down on the haystack.

Liu Zheng ignored him and raised the walnut to examine it.

Besides being incredibly smooth, he couldn’t see anything special about it, and no item description popped up.

But that’s normal too.

Even if it really was an item, Niu Ma wouldn’t possibly give it to him unless it was extremely urgent.

"Boss Napoleon, the fish you wanted are here."

Liu Zheng called White Feather Chicken.

"All of them?"

White Feather Chicken asked.

"The numbers are right, but some varieties are no longer available, so the fisherman substituted with similar ones."

He replied.

"Similar varieties?"

"There’s no way around it. The sewer underwent surgery last time, and more than half the fish died. The new fish fry are still growing."

Liu Zheng explained.

"What kind of surgery?"

White Feather Chicken asked.

"Hemorrhoid surgery."

"...Alright, I’ll have Salmon come over to receive the goods."

"Could you have Salmon take the phone?"

He quickly said before the other party could hang up.

"Make it quick."

"Liu Zheng, what do you need from me, meow?"

Soon, Salmon’s voice came through.

"I’m going to a Black Cat’s house for afternoon tea. Besides dried fish, what other things do you have that cats like?"

Liu Zheng asked.

Even though he already had the dream combo of dried fish and a ball of yarn, he wanted to add more bargaining chips to max out his favorability all at once.

"Wow, can you take me too?"

San Huamao asked enviously.

"Of course, as long as you can get out."

Liu Zheng said.

San Huamao is cute, obedient, and can fight. Who wouldn’t want to take such a cat out to play?

"Boss, can I go out?"

San Huamao asked White Feather Chicken.

"Why do you want to go out? Didn’t you have enough fun with those two cats last time?"

"They’re clumsy and no fun, meow. Boss, I want to go out and play, please, meow~"

San Huamao switched to a cutesy tone.

"Alright, alright, stop with the meows."

White Feather Chicken’s tone was a bit helpless.

"You can go out, but it’ll cost you the reward from your last trip abroad."

"Okay, meow~"

San Huamao agreed immediately.

He didn’t plan on leaving the restaurant anyway, nor did he have any interest in promotions or raises, so the overseas reward didn’t mean much to him.

"Bring back some food and drinks for everyone in the kitchen when you return, one portion each."

White Feather Chicken added after a pause.

"I don’t have money, meow. Liu Zheng, can you buy it for me?"

San Huamao asked loudly.

"Sure, sure."

Liu Zheng nodded like a woodpecker.

"Then you go make the exchange outside, no more than an hour."

White Feather Chicken said.

Even if you’re a delivery person, you can’t just leave as you please, let alone being kitchen staff. You need a legitimate reason to go out.

And going to the sewer to get fish is a common and handy excuse.

Of course, ever since relations with the Fisherman soured, this perk disappeared.

"Alright. I’ll contact you when I have an order."

Liu Zheng hung up the phone.

Going to the sewer for fish is a benefit for the kitchen staff, not for the delivery department.

"Salmon, huh."

Niu Ma appeared behind him again without him realizing.

"Boss, if you must be so elusive, next time can you come in front of me? It makes me feel very insecure."

Liu Zheng said with a squint.

"You wish. Letting you be behind me makes me feel even less secure."

Niu Ma rolled his eyes at him.

"Do you think there’s a possibility, I’m saying is there a possibility, that you could lure that cat over to our delivery department?"

It looked at Liu Zheng with hopeful eyes.

"Then you have to answer a question for me first."

"What’s the question?"

"Can you beat Napoleon?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"Hmph, not to brag, but if I risk my life, that chicken might not be able to beat me."

Niu Ma said confidently.

"You’re willing to risk your life just to recruit a new employee. Boss, you sure are public-spirited. But doesn’t that mean you’re about to leave?"

He pointed out the issue.

"Do you think I’m recruiting for myself?"

Niu Ma looked at him as if he were an idiot.

"With your performance and my recommendation, after I’m gone, it’s a sure thing you’ll become the acting minister."

"By then, the restaurant will definitely need one or two more staff, and you’ll need your own strength to suppress newcomers."

"But if that cat joins, given your relationship, it becomes part of your strength. By then, with the two of you—one handling internal affairs, one external—no matter who comes, they’ll have a hard time shaking things up."

"Do you understand?"

Niu Ma explained his thoughts eloquently.

"Impressive, I didn’t expect you, Boss, to have such plans."

Liu Zheng admired.

"Heh heh, don’t think just because you’re a Succubus you’re something special. No matter how much you navigate around, you’ve never been a leader, there’s a lot you still need to learn."

Niu Ma said smugly.

"Yes, yes, Boss’s strategy is profound and planning superior, making me look up in awe and wonder."

"But Napoleon has a good relationship with us; isn’t poaching them a bit inappropriate? Plus, Salmon might not necessarily want to join the delivery department. I think we should consider this in the long term."

After a string of flattery, Liu Zheng said tactfully.

Niu Ma’s plan wasn’t wrong, but the key was where did the far-reaching part come from.

When the time comes and Niu Ma leaves, followed by him, wouldn’t San Huamao be in a bind?

Not to mention whether it has the ability to handle it alone, it also simply doesn’t have the intention.

Tricking others is one thing, but tricking a cat would surely invoke divine retribution, no way.

"Hmm, what you say makes sense. After all, it’s your business, you handle it."

Niu Ma nodded.

"Alright."

Relieved, Liu Zheng exhaled.

Due to asymmetric information, both parties often can’t understand each other’s actions.

Done well, this is playing the information gap for advantage; done poorly, it’s a good intention gone wrong.

"Oh right, I forgot to notify the Tentacle Monster."

Liu Zheng called the Tentacle Monster.

"Did you get in touch with the Fool?"

The Tentacle Monster impatiently asked.

"I did. It didn’t agree to take you as an apprentice, but it’s willing to share some writing experience with you."

He said.

"Ah? Okay, that’ll do."

The Tentacle Monster was a bit disappointed but accepted it.

"And it’s invited me to its place for afternoon tea and asked me to bring you along."

Liu Zheng said.

"Oh. Oh? Oh my God!"

The Tentacle Monster screamed after realizing.

"When are we going?"

It asked after finally calming down.

"In a little while."

He glanced at the time and said.

"Ahhhhh!!!!!!"

The Tentacle Monster emitted a sharp shriek at the words.

"Why so soon? What to do, what to do?"

"How about you calm down first?"

Liu Zheng cautiously suggested.

"Calm down? How can I calm down?! If your goddess invited you to her home for tea, could you stay calm?"

The Tentacle Monster retorted.

"Uh, aren’t you male?"

"What does that matter, meeting an idol is even more thrilling than meeting a goddess. If the Fool is willing, I wouldn’t mind being the one below."

The Tentacle Monster stated without hesitation.

"Hmm... alright then"

Liu Zheng once again confirmed that there’s an insurmountable gap between his worldview and that of these Metropolis residents.