Urban Soldier Young Master

Chapter 1080 - 1079: Negotiating the Terms

In Chu Chengrui's view, Chu Shiyao has always been a strong-willed girl. Even after learning the truth about his approach to her yesterday, she didn't break down immediately. As for Chu Ge, there's no need to mention — from Chu Ge's previous behavior, he is definitely a bold, fearless man with defiance in his bones.However... whether it's Chu Shiyao or Chu Ge, why do they both look so disheartened now?

Ha! Either these two are putting on an act to make me lower my guard, or I overestimated them; they're nothing special after all!

Chu Chengrui thought to himself, not realizing that Chu Ge and Chu Shiyao were actually engaged in an "awareness exchange." They weren't silent all along; they were continually conversing.

Chu Shiyao appeared lifeless because she found it hard to adapt to this mode of communication at first. It was difficult for her to maintain harmony between her body and mind in both the real world and the Spiritual World.

As for Chu Ge, he simply wanted to annoy Chu Chengrui. He felt that if it were someone else, they'd be quite pleased to see him so dejected. But Chu Chengrui was different; seeing him so downcast would undoubtedly unsettle that old mad dog, flooding his mind with doubts.

Chu Ge was right, and that's indeed how it turned out.

Unknowingly, the twenty-four hours agreed upon by Chu Chengrui and Chu Ge passed, and the big screen lit up on time, with Chu Chengrui's image coming into view for Chu Ge and Chu Shiyao.

"Little Chu, Yaoyao, did you sleep well last night? I prepared a surprise for you. Do you like it?"

It was still that kind face, and still the kind tone of voice.

"Thanks to you, I had a good sleep. I quite like the surprise you prepared for us. Thank you. Actually, I also prepared a surprise for you, but unfortunately... I don't know when I'll have the chance to deliver it to you personally."

It was Chu Shiyao speaking, her expression and words full of sarcasm.

Looking at Chu Chengrui's old face, Chu Ge snorted, "Spare me the unnecessary nonsense. Don't you just want me to cooperate with your experiment?"

Seeing Chu Ge revert to his rebellious nature actually improved Chu Chengrui's mood. He nodded unhurriedly, "So then? Twenty-four hours have passed; what's your choice?"

Chu Ge stared into Chu Chengrui's eyes and said, "No problem, I can agree, as long as you fulfill your promise that once your research succeeds, you will let Chu Shiyao and me regain our freedom and never disturb the peaceful life of me and those around me again."

Chu Chengrui laughed heartily, "Of course, once my experiment succeeds, I will stand at the pinnacle of humanity. Nothing can threaten me anymore, and naturally, I won't have any reason to bother you. Killing you or confining you would be meaningless."

"Deal!" Chu Ge nodded decisively, hesitated slightly before continuing, "However, I'd like to make a few requests now."

Chu Chengrui smiled faintly. Chu Ge's response actually reassured him. If Chu Ge hadn't made any requests, he'd find it suspicious.

"Ha... although you don't really have the qualification to negotiate with me now, who am I to refuse, given my kind-heartedness? Go ahead."

"I want the freedom to move around here. Otherwise, being stuck in this big cage every day is just too boring."

Upon hearing Chu Ge say this, Chu Chengrui's expression remained unchanged. It's clear that he wasn't surprised by this request at all. He looked at Chu Ge and smiled faintly, "Do you think I will agree?"

"Why not?" Chu Ge shrugged and sneered, "Isn't this ghost place your pride? Don't you have a group of what you believe to be incredibly powerful subordinates? Do you really think that with this on, I could make you uneasy? If you truly think so, then I have nothing to say."

"You mean... with handcuffs and shackles, granting you a certain degree of freedom?"

Chu Ge's face was full of impatience, "Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Be straightforward, dare you or not?"

Chu Chengrui was amused, not out of anger or mockery, but with a pure sense of fun — as if an old fox is watching a little kitten vainly trying to show off its cleverness in front of him.

"Chu, there's no need to taunt me with reverse psychology. At my age, what haven't I seen? Your little tricks are hardly worth mentioning in my eyes, but... I can agree to your condition. Since you want to observe the fruits of my labor, I'll fulfill this wish of yours."

Chu Ge slightly raised the corner of his mouth, and Chu Chengrui did the same, his smile reaching even higher than Chu Ge's.

"Don't feel proud because…the handcuffs and shackles on you are not ordinary. Even if I gave you the most powerful chainsaw today, and let you saw away at the chains ten days and nights with full force, you wouldn't leave a scratch. As long as you don't have the key, you'll never take these off in your lifetime."

Chu Chengrui spoke with a calm confidence. Seeing a slight pause in Chu Ge's demeanor, the sly smile on his old face became even more satisfied and smug.

"You think that's the end, don't you? Then I'll have to pour some cold water on your expectations. Although it's virtually impossible, even if you could remove the handcuffs and shackles, you still can't escape this place. Remember the 'War Machine No. 97' I showed you yesterday? There are many people like him in your S District. Let me think... how many are there?"

Seeing Chu Chengrui obviously posing and pretending to think, Chu Ge's expression grew uglier.

Chu Chengrui was evidently pleased with Chu Ge's current expression, eyes gleaming with the confidence of a cat playing with a mouse, deliberately pausing seven or eight seconds before continuing.

"About... seems like... there are over fifty in the S District? Hmm, I'm not too sure, haha, getting older, memory's not what it used to be, sorry, sorry. But... if you do something I don't want to happen, they will absolutely appear in front of you immediately. Besides, there are some things I can responsibly tell you."

"I can confirm that their numbers are tied to their strength. The 'No. 97' you saw is already one of the weaker ones among them. What you saw was nothing significant. Oh, and by the way, if the situation demands, these 'war machines' can enhance their power several times instantly, turning into complete monsters."

Chu Ge's eyes twitched violently, his fists clenched tightly.

"Just imagine the scene of a violent conflict with these monsters. You must think that would be a very unpleasant experience, wouldn't you?"

Chu Chengrui shrugged, his old face full of undisguised confidence and smugness.

"Let's take ten thousand steps back and talk about an absolutely impossible scenario. Even if you successfully take down these 'war machines', your escape route won't be smooth. As for what's next, I won't introduce it to you for now. Anyway... you wouldn't be foolish enough to hear these things and still attempt to do something stupid, would you?"

Chu Ge clenched his fists tighter. He had been standing in front of the bed facing the screen wall showing Chu Chengrui's image, but now he slowly sat on the edge of the bed as if his legs no longer had the strength to support his body.

Chu Ge remained silent, those eyes that were bright and shining just a moment ago now dimmed, as if two bright stars had been obscured by a dark cloud, desperately trying to pierce through with starlight, almost futilely struggling against the clouds.

Chu Shiyao tightly gripped Chu Ge's slightly trembling arm, her gaze as if spitting fire, wanting to turn Chu Chengrui on the other side of the big screen into ashes!

Chu Chengrui was very satisfied with Chu Ge's reaction and expression, seeing him sit down slowly in a seemingly calm manner was far more entertaining than if he had staggered and collapsed to the ground.

As for Chu Shiyao? Heh... just a spare. Since he now had Chu Ge, Chu Shiyao had become insignificant!

For Chu Chengrui, the feeling of giving hope and then leaving one in despair was endlessly delightful, almost comparable to the great excitement brought to him by his great scientific research.

In the deathly silence, time flowed slowly as Chu Chengrui contentedly watched Chu Ge's eyes struggle constantly between dimness and brightness.

The scene was simply too beautiful, the glimmer in Chu Ge's eyes akin to a flickering candle in the wind, which could be extinguished at any moment, persevering only to endure tortured futility, perhaps only extinguishing would be relief.

On the big screen, Chu Chengrui leisurely picked up a bone china coffee cup adorned with a gold dragon soaring through red clouds, gently blew the fragrant steam swirling above, then took a delicate sip, the rich, smooth taste blossomed on his taste buds, fingers caressing the intricate patterns of the golden dragon, what a pleasure it was!

Bone china, a very refined material, originated in the United Kingdom, it has long been the choice porcelain of the British royal family and nobility, recognized worldwide as a high-end porcelain type, serving both aesthetic and functional purposes, a symbol of power and status, known as the king of ceramics, with delicate translucent texture, elegant and beautiful shapes, bright and glossy colors, and vibrant patterns.

Of course, the price of bone china is extremely high, and the process of making it into cups is equally intricate, with fewer than ten countries in the world possessing the technology to make bone china products, and the processing very challenging, requiring high standards in every detail, and naturally, the rate of defective products is also very high.

However, this is not the main reason why Chu Chengrui liked bone china.