At one of the stalls, various exotic flowers and herbs were on display, each looking remarkably unique.

"Boss, how much for the Power Flower?"

"Five thousand!"

The moment Chen Shu asked, options suddenly appeared before his eyes.

[Option 1: Loudly question why the boss is selling fakes.]

Completion reward: Medium amount of Beast Taming Power

[Option 2: Don't expose the boss, give up the purchase.]

Completion reward: Golden Slime size +10%

[Option 3: Angrily say: "Using paint to fake Power Flowers is too much, and it's fucking WET PAINT at that!"]

Completion reward: Medium-Grade Wind Attribute Potion

Chen Shu was speechless. He hadn't expected black market goods to be this fraudulent.

Just as he was pondering which option to choose, a familiar voice suddenly rang out.

"Boss, I'll take it! I'll pay ten thousand!"

"Huh? Where'd this massive sucker come from?"

Chen Shu froze. Someone was actually buying this paint job?

He turned around—it was Zheng Yi from Beast Taming Class 3.

Zheng Yi's face was still covered in black and blue bruises, hatred burning in his eyes.

"Chen Shu, you shameless bastard, you actually ambushed me."

"What are you talking about?" Chen Shu looked bewildered.

"I've already memorized your face. You'll get what's coming to you."

Zheng Yi glared fiercely at Chen Shu.

"Want the Power Flower? In your next life."

Power Flowers were the core ingredient for making Strength Potions. They rarely appeared at black market stalls.

Only the major shops had small stocks, but the prices were exorbitant.

"Then I'll offer fifteen thousand."

"Huh? You have fifteen thousand?"

"None of your fucking business."

"Twenty thousand!" Zheng Yi gritted his teeth.

One Power Flower could make about five bottles of Strength Potion, worth roughly twenty-five thousand.

Buying a Power Flower for twenty thousand wasn't really a loss.

"Thirty thousand!"

Chen Shu spoke casually, unhurriedly.

Though his pockets were cleaner than his face, he radiated extreme confidence.

If the boss forced him to buy, he'd directly expose the fake. They couldn't really make someone pay thirty thousand for a fake flower, right?

The stall owner was practically delirious with joy—this was his first time at the black market, and he'd always heard there were stupid rich people here, but he hadn't expected it to actually be true.

Zheng Yi's face turned green, looking indecisive, feeling completely suppressed.

"No way, no way—a rich second generation has to think this hard about buying a flower? Where's your swagger?"

Chen Shu shook his head, his face full of pity and mockery.

This passive-aggressive attitude instantly ignited Zheng Yi's competitive spirit.

"I bid FORTY THOUSAND!"

"Good! SUCH BOLDNESS! Uncle Chen acknowledges you!"

Chen Shu turned around decisively and walked straight away.

Zheng Yi stood there dumbfounded. Why was he so decisive? Something felt wrong.

But he was still someone with a face to maintain.

Though forty thousand for a Power Flower was somewhat of a loss, he could still afford it.

"By the way, Class Monitor Zheng, if you need paint brushes, you can find me anytime. I guarantee a discount!"

Chen Shu suddenly turned back and said something, leaving Zheng Yi completely confused.

The stall owner grew anxious and immediately completed the transaction, then hurried out of the black market.

"Chen Pi, I didn't expect Zheng Yi to show up halfway through. What rotten luck," Zhang Dali said, having witnessed Zheng Yi's targeting and naturally feeling indignant.

"Let him be. He'll probably have a rough time when he gets home. Forty thousand isn't pocket change."

Chen Shu was in excellent spirits, even whistling.

"By the way, how did he find out so quickly that I was the one who attacked him? Don't let me find out who snitched."

Chen Shu snorted a few times, clearly annoyed about the informant.

"Of course it was me!"

Zhang Dali suddenly slapped his thigh, his face proud, as if asking for credit.

"Chen Pi, you're already a celebrity in our grade now. But no need to thank me!"

"You?"

"Yeah! Right after you told me tonight, I immediately shared the news in the grade group chat. So many people are discussing you!"

Chen Shu took out his phone and indeed saw countless @ messages in the group.

Lonely Wolf (Zhang Dali): Zheng Yi, the one who beat you up is my brother Chen Shu. If you dare retaliate, you can come find me anytime. I, Zhang Dali, don't mind playing with you.

Zheng Yi: @Eternal Chen Pi, so it really was you who attacked me. I've memorized you.

Wang Yugang: Chen Pi is too ruthless. Truly a role model for our generation.

Teacher Fang Ke: Chen Shu, come to my office tomorrow.

Zhou Buwei: This is a brute group chat. Us Beast Tamers should be the ones leaving, right?

Wu Kai: As a Beast Tamer, actually choosing physical sneak attacks—this kind of person doesn't deserve to be called a Beast Tamer. Wait, I've done that too... never mind then...

...

"Chen Pi, look how lively the group is now. Everyone's discussing you!"

Zhang Dali had a silly grin, completely unaware anything was wrong.

"Dali, in the future we don't need to be so high-profile. Being low-key is the ultimate flex, understand?"

Chen Shu spoke earnestly and patiently.

He'd calculated everything but hadn't expected Zhang Dali would 'betray' him.

"Got it, got it." Zhang Dali had a sudden realization and nodded repeatedly.

"Let's go see if we can find any Power Flowers."

The two continued browsing the black market, but unfortunately, no Power Flowers appeared at the stalls.

This resource was extremely scarce, basically all bought up by major corporations and officials.

After all, Strength Potions were common potions—most contract spirits needed power enhancement.

"Let's check out the shops here."

Finally, Chen Shu had no choice but to enter the darkest side of the black market shops.

There were only a few shops here, but their inventory was extremely comprehensive.

More importantly, as long as you had money, you could buy anything without needing any qualifications.

"Power Flowers cost twenty thousand? Goodbye!"

Chen Shu entered the shop and was instantly speechless—these black market shops really were too expensive, with other materials added bringing the cost to twenty-five thousand.

Regular Potion Masters could only make five bottles, basically breaking even. What's the point?

Chen Shu wasn't making it anyway.

"Hey boss, are you hiring?"

Chen Shu suddenly thought of something.

High school was about to end and summer vacation was coming, so he wanted to find a part-time job—not only could he earn Chinese yuan, but he could also broaden his horizons, and the more people he met, the higher the chance of triggering system options.

"We're hiring! It's posted outside."

Chen Shu hurried outside and indeed saw a job posting.

URGENT! URGENT! URGENT!

Hiring shop assistant (internship).

Job description: Mainly responsible for organizing and categorizing various goods.

Working hours: 9am to 9pm.

Salary: 400 per month. If converted to full-time, salary doubles.

Note: Summer jobs accepted, salary HALVED.

Good lord! I'm saying GOOD LORD! Chen Shu was completely speechless—black market shops TRULY deserved to be called black shops.

Even the Wolf of Wall Street would proudly cry seeing this exploitation of desperate job seekers.

"Young man, interested? Looking at your distinguished appearance, I can let you skip the interview and start anytime."