Lin Langtian frowned upon seeing the message.

Is this factory director joking?

I own the most prosperous street in Kyoto, and you’re telling me to hand it over without taking a single penny?

Dream on!

Absolutely ridiculous.

But he knew this factory director wasn’t someone to mess with, so he held back his temper.

“Friend, if we’re going to collaborate, I hope we can show some sincerity.”

Little Three’s reply came almost instantly:

[I don’t want the land above, I just need the underground space. Hand over the underground space of that plot to me.]

Lin Langtian narrowed his eyes and replied:

“Why should I?”

“Even if it’s just the underground, you should know how much that land is worth, right?”

In fact, the underground space of that land was what Lin Langtian planned to develop next.

The surface had already been developed; the next step was to squeeze more value out by attracting investments.

A huge profit.

And now Little Three just outright wanted the underground?

There’s no way Lin Langtian would let go without getting serious benefits.

Little Three:

[Let’s make a bet.]

Lin Langtian: ???

This was something any businessman would be familiar with—a bet agreement!

“How do we bet?”

[I’ve looked into your corporation’s revenue. It’s been declining for years, hasn’t it?]
[A 5.5% decline year over year.]
[So let’s bet this: Give me this land for a year, and I’ll double the surface revenue for you!]

!!!

Lin Langtian was shocked.

To be honest, although he owned prime real estate in Kyoto’s most bustling district,
he hadn’t developed the underground space yet.

Why?

Because their group was operating under debt.

This piece of land wasn’t originally theirs.

They bought it second hand.

Combined with the development costs, they were in a deep financial hole.

Although they earn a lot each year, expenses are equally high.

It was estimated that it would take at least five years to pay off the debt.

[If I fail, I’ll compensate you 200 billion and hand over the developed underground space to you.]
[If you agree, then for all future real estate projects, I’ll prioritize working with you!]

!!!

Lin Langtian was stunned into silence.

Developing the underground was already budgeted at 150 billion.

Given his pace, it would take at least seven to eight years.

But he quickly regained his composure.

“You’re being unrealistic. How many years do you think it’ll take to develop the underground? You haven’t factored that in.”

“During that time, it’s still considered me leasing it to you.”

Chenxing (Little Three) scoffed when he saw that message. Typical businessman behavior.

He replied directly:
[Don’t worry about that. Just one year. If you agree, the clock starts today.]
[Within a year. Double the revenue. Bet or not?]

“Deal!”

Lin Langtian agreed almost without hesitation.

He didn’t care if this factory director was crazy.

This bet was a guaranteed win for him!

It’s like he was getting 200 billion for free!

Even if the factory director succeeded and didn’t pay the 200 billion,
doubling the revenue meant his investment would return faster.

No matter how you look at it, it was a win.

Though he didn’t think someone of the factory director’s caliber would scam him,
he still had doubts—was this deal really reliable?

As he pondered, Little Three sent another message:

[I’ve sent you the contract.]

The next second, an electronic contract appeared on the screen.

Two names were already signed.

Chenxing, and “Founder of Future Factory.”

Lin Langtian: …

He had hoped to learn the real name of the factory director, but no such luck.

To reassure him, Little Three added:

[Relax. I make billions a day. I don’t need to scam you. The physical contract will follow.]

That line completely convinced him.

It was the truth.

This factory director was a business legend…

To be honest, if the director had negotiated rent with him, he would’ve found that suspicious.

But offering a bet agreement? That felt just right.

This was the factory director’s style!

“Alright!”

With that one word, Lin Langtian sealed the deal.

And Chenxing had just snagged a prime piece of land for free—

And what a location: directly beneath the city’s most prosperous commercial district!

Afterward, Lin Langtian carefully reviewed the electronic contract.

Just one clause: the bet agreement.

But he read it over and over, his heart pounding with excitement.

Damn, how did such a golden opportunity fall into my lap?

He’d just forged a connection with the factory director!

It took him quite a while to calm down.

Once he returned to his senses, he began to see flaws in the deal.

He couldn’t help but send a probing message to Little Three:
“Do you need me to do anything?”

Little Three replied instantly:
[Just lie down and wait for the money.]

Lin Langtian: …

Ridiculous…

As expected of the factory director. I really want to see how you’ll fulfill your promise!

Meanwhile, Chenxing only had to wait for the goods to sell tomorrow.

Then he would use the earnings—crystal coins—to start developing the underground.

And let the system handle it.

With the system’s help, it would take only three days.

At a cost of 150 billion crystal coins.

Then he’d have the demon people do the manual work underground.

Compared to the Future Factory, this was child’s play.

Those demon workers could finish the job in two days.

Five days—starting from scratch to founding an academy!

This speed would shock the world.

After the conversation ended, Lin Langtian went straight to the Mo family.

He had spent a million crystal coins on a security program, only to see it easily breached.

He needed an explanation.

But of course, he had another motive.

Mo family’s youngest son—Mo Ran!

Lin Langtian wanted to use his daughter to forge ties with the Mo family.

And what kind of family was the Mo family?

A world-class tech dynasty.

Just from that, you could see Lin Langtian’s ambition—real estate was no longer enough.

After witnessing the sudden rise of the Future Factory, he realized tech was where the real money was!

Mo Ran was a genius, no doubt about that. Definitely worthy of his daughter.

However, Mo Ran was also permanently disabled.

Back in Minghua City, Chenxing and Little Zero were browsing products.

He planned to sell more items through the Future Factory.

Combat gear sold well and was expensive.

But the audience was limited.

Most people were still weaklings.

Most of them couldn’t afford such gear even if they sold everything they had.

Like that book sold for 390,000 crystal coins—tons of people bought it.

So now they were browsing for what to sell next.

“Hmm… this looks fun!”
Little Zero pointed at something in the “Daily Use” category.

[Disguise Mask: Customize appearance, perfect fit, perfect face switch. Unlock cost: 100,000 spirit points.]

Chenxing chuckled. It was fun, yes, but… it lacked something.

This world didn’t seem to really need such a thing.

“There’s so much stuff… I can’t pick anymore…”
Little Zero’s eyes were spinning.

Chenxing smiled and ruffled her little head, speaking softly:
“Take a break.”

“Mm… okay~ hehe.”

Little Zero then closed her eyes and nestled into Chenxing’s arms like a kitten.

Chenxing continued browsing the categories.

“Hm… why don’t we do pre-orders?”

Little Zero suddenly said.

Chenxing paused—then in the next moment, it was like a lightning bolt of clarity struck him.

Pre-orders!

But not just regular pre-orders.

A new model of pre-ordering.

Get the money first, then produce!

Since the production machines were essentially free, Chenxing could ramp up production to its max.

Just list all of the Future Factory’s products online.

What to produce wasn’t up to him—it was up to the market.

Whatever the people want, he’d make it.

Now that was the perfect business model for Chenxing!

He looked down at Little Zero in his arms, amazed.

“You’re a genius!”

“Hehe~ kiss~”