CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 51 THIS REQUIRES A PAY RAISE! (SEEKING RECOMMENDATIONS)

Lu Luo and Zhou Kai arrived at the reception room on the first floor. Although Zhou Kai handled most of the routine business, when it came to deals involving such large sums of money, only Lu Luo could give the final approval.

The man resting in the reception room was about forty years old, an air of persistent worry etched between his brows. He held a glass cup from the studio in both hands, occasionally sipping the purified water provided according to Lu Luo’s instructions. Purified water was a rarity in the Fourth Ring. While this made glass cups common, offering purified water to customers was unusual. The reason was simple: purified water was too expensive. Everyone else had opposed providing it to guests, but Lu Luo had strongly insisted. However, Lu Luo believed that even if purified water was expensive, it was essential here. Offering clients the highest level of experience would yield the highest level of return. This was a lesson from his previous life and a quality a high-level commission studio had to possess.

Hearing the door open, the middle-aged man looked up. Seeing the young Lu Luo, his frown deepened, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

His disappointment stems from my age, Lu Luo realized. It seems I’ll need to project some of my aura to command his respect.

"Hello, sir. I am Lu Luo, the person in charge of the Circular Hunter Affairs Office," Lu Luo said, settling into the boss’s chair he’d acquired from a second-hand market. He crossed his legs, rested one hand on his knee, and gestured slightly outward with the other, as if discussing a perfectly ordinary matter. "You can tell me about the commission and your requirements, and then we can discuss compensation."

Although his posture seemed somewhat impolite, the middle-aged man’s tightly furrowed brow relaxed a bit. Although Zhou Kai was already quite proficient, he still gave off the impression of a student new to the workforce—capable, perhaps, but lacking real-world experience. Lu Luo was different. He projected the air of a seasoned business adversary—authoritative, assertive, and with an inherent sense of command. Such an aura couldn’t be faked; it required genuine social experience, of which the middle-aged man was certain. What he didn’t know was that Lu Luo’s aura was hard-earned. It came from three years spent undercover, navigating countless dangers and negotiations, a time during which he’d even come close to becoming a gang leader’s son-in-law. It was the kind of commanding presence typical of a ’big brother’ figure.

Zhou Kai was momentarily stunned when Lu Luo mentioned compensation. Hadn’t they already agreed on 15,000? Why discuss compensation again?

"Boss Luo?"

Lu Luo raised his hand, stopping Zhou Kai. "Can’t you see I’m discussing the payment with this gentleman?"

"Oh, right!" Zhou Kai wasn’t foolish and tactfully stepped aside.

Lu Luo’s reasoning was simple: the man before him was well-dressed and distinguished, clearly successful and affluent. Such a person was likely a social elite. If he could afford 15,000 for a commission, the matter was undoubtedly complex. And if it was complex, he could, and likely would, be willing to pay 20,000 or even 30,000. The final commission fee would depend on Lu Luo’s personal business acumen.

Hasn’t the compensation already been settled?

The middle-aged man had the same question, but he was already caught up in Lu Luo’s conversational rhythm.

"I believe I already discussed the compensation with Mr. Zhou Kai. 15,000. Isn’t that enough?" the man queried.

At that moment, Lu Luo’s tone and demeanor exuded a natural superiority that took the middle-aged man aback.

[Friendly reminder: There are two subtle energies on this person. One is a strange Life Energy, very faint and similar to your Devourer energy, but impure.

The other is akin to the female doctor’s aura, most likely Holy Light power. It’s even scarcer, but definitely present. Please pay extra attention, Host.]

Lu Luo nodded slightly, now even more certain that finding the person this man was looking for would not be a simple task. "Please don’t be concerned, sir. Your commission isn’t as straightforward as it seems, and I’m sure you’re aware of that. We need to discuss this thoroughly. How may I address you?"

"My name is Qian Ming. I’d like to hire you to find my fiancée."

"Your fiancée?"

At the mention of his fiancée, Qian Ming’s eyes reddened. He removed his glasses, closed his eyes, and pinched the bridge of his nose before speaking slowly, "Yes. My fiancée’s name is Li Manting. She’s been missing for almost a month now."

"A month? That’s a long time. Mr. Qian Ming, haven’t you sought help from a Hunter?"

Lu Luo’s first thought was that for a disappearance of a month and a reward of 15,000, they should have been able to hire a Hunter and resolve this by now. There was no reason for such a delay.

"I’ve approached Hunters, and the Church, not to mention the guards. None of them found her. Even after taking the money, it all came to nothing. Man Ting had just found out she was pregnant. We agreed to get married as soon as she conceived. Today was supposed to be our wedding day, but she still hasn’t returned. I don’t want to give up. I’m forty-six years old; it wasn’t easy for us to have a child. And I love my fiancée very much. I can’t resign myself to this! I came to you because I have no other options. As long as you can find Man Ting, money is not an issue."

[The phrase ’money is not an issue’ is one thing to hear, but if you actually asked for a million, he’d probably balk instantly.]

Qian Ming spoke with tears in his eyes, clearly caring deeply for his fiancée and child. However, what truly stirred Lu Luo wasn’t Qian Ming’s display of emotion, but the details of his story.

A pregnant fiancée—today is the wedding day—the Church was involved—Qian Ming carried an aura of Holy Radiance.

All these elements are too similar. Taken together, wouldn’t his fiancée be a bride just like Lu Mengna?

A coincidence? If it is, there are far too many similarities.

[I don’t know if it’s a coincidence, but the Holy Radiance on this man is fading imperceptibly.]

Lu Luo remembered very clearly that Lu Mengna had been taken by the Church. As for what the art studio owner, Wu Yun, had ultimately done, even Lu Mengna herself couldn’t recall. She only knew that Wu Yun had died in his own studio.

Holy Radiance, the Church, a pregnant bride! Interesting.

"Mr. Lu Luo, is there some problem with this matter?" Qian Ming’s words interrupted Lu Luo’s thoughts.

"Oh! My apologies, I was just considering the situation you described. The commission itself is fine. However, I know this matter is definitely not as simple as you make it out to be. In fact, it’s likely very difficult. Regarding the payment, we’ll need to recalculate. You’ve already approached Hunters and the Church, and they couldn’t resolve it. You should understand the level of difficulty involved. Therefore, this commission will require an additional fee!"

"How much more?"

"Regardless of whether we find her or not, you’ll pay a non-refundable deposit of 5,000. If she is found, an additional 15,000 will be due. If we encounter danger during the search, such as a kidnapping or Exotic Species, we’ll have to add charges depending on the situation."

[Host’s surname: Lu, given name: Luo. He’s a difficult one, alright! Nickname: The Surcharge Specialist! No one understands tacking on extra fees better than you!]

Qian Ming didn’t dispute the price, but he was particularly concerned about the dangers Lu Luo mentioned. "Mr. Lu Luo, what kind of danger are you referring to? If it’s a kidnapping, why haven’t I received any word from kidnappers? As for Exotic Species..." Qian Ming had been about to say there were no Exotic Species within the walls, but then he recalled recent news and reconsidered.

"Please remain calm, Mr. Qian Ming. I think it would be best if we visit your home first."

"My home?"

"Yes, your home."

[My sixth sense tells me this situation isn’t as straightforward as it seems.]

Lu Luo narrowed his eyes.

Is that so? I thought the same.