Lin Hao reached Foundation Establishment. The System's reward was generous: he fused with the 《Icebound Art》 Second Layer and stepped into the Foundation Establishment Realm.
After reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, Lin Hao could use Spiritual Power to protect himself. Even a knife could not injure him, and ordinary people could not hurt him.
Of course, firearms could still injure Lin Hao, but that probably would not happen.
An increase in realm also meant an improvement in every aspect for Lin Hao. Now, running a hundred kilometers would not be a problem.
That day, Lin Xiaoting came to visit Lin Hao.
Lin Xiaoting looked at Lin Hao's room and said, “My house has air conditioning. Why don't you stay at my place?”
Lin Hao laughed. “I don't dare. I'm afraid you'll make a move on me.”
“Pfft!”
Lin Xiaoting could not hold it in and laughed until her waist hurt. “You little brat, don't think too highly of yourself. You still have a lot to learn.”
Lin Hao said, “You came here without bringing me anything to eat?”
Lin Xiaoting rolled her eyes at him. “You earn a hundred a day, and you still expect food and lodging included? Don't you feel embarrassed? If you ask me, you can consider this summer vacation a success if you manage to earn five thousand yuan.”
Lin Hao told her, “I'm going to eat in the village this afternoon. Do you want to come?”
Lin Xiaoting wanted to join the fun, but no one had invited her.
Now, judging from Lin Hao's meaning, it seemed he could take her along.
Lin Xiaoting put her hands on her hips. “What? Can you take me? Were you invited?”
Lin Hao nodded. “Of course. I want to take you along for a meal. No one should have anything to say about it.”
Lin Xiaoting looked unconvinced. In her eyes, Lin Hao was not a reliable boy.
In the afternoon, Lin Hao did not go to the orchard. Instead, he went to eat.
Lin Hao and Lin Xiaoting went together to the village's Banquet venue. Each household had sent one person, but the place was still lively.
The village chief led people out to welcome them and said with a smile, “Lin Hao, you came.”
Lin Hao smiled. “This is my friend. I brought her along for the meal. Is that all right?”
The Village Chief nodded vigorously. “Of course. No problem. You could bring several more people if you wanted.”
In the crowd, Lin Yaoyang smiled bitterly. Lin Hao had brought his own Daughter along too.
They went straight over, found a table, and sat down without bothering with formalities.
Big Shots surrounded Lin Hao, leaving Lin Xiaoting bewildered.
Lin Xiaoting quietly said to her father, “Dad, what's going on? Why is everyone treating Lin Hao so well?”
Lin Yaoyang smiled. “Because Lin Hao has done our village a great service.”
Lin Xiaoting was confused and still did not understand.
Before long, the villagers served all the dishes.
The village chief raised a glass of wine and said, “Everyone, let's celebrate the revival of the she tree. Cheers.”
“Cheers.”
Everyone raised their glasses at the same time.
But Lin Hao was young, so an Elder asked, “Lin Hao, can you drink?”
Lin Hao slapped his chest. “If you can drink, so can I.”
Was he kidding? Lin Hao was a Cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Realm. A few glasses of wine were nothing; they could not get him drunk.
Thus, in front of everyone present, Lin Hao clinked glasses with them and downed a glass of fiery liquor in one gulp.
Lin Xiaoting stared in astonishment as everyone began to toast Lin Hao, seemingly treating him as an honored guest.
After that, they enjoyed their meal.
There was wine and meat, and everyone ate happily.
After the meal, the village chief gave Lin Hao a carton of cigarettes.
Lin Yaoyang looked at the carton. They were not ordinary cigarettes; it had cost more than a thousand yuan.
At the same time, the village chief took out a large bundle of banknotes and handed it to Lin Hao.
“Wow, that's a lot of money!”
Lin Xiaoting's eyes widened, and even her Glasses slipped crookedly. She was clearly shocked.
The bundle appeared to consist of five smaller bundles tied together.
In other words, each small bundle contained ten thousand yuan, for a total of fifty thousand.
Lin Hao held the fifty thousand yuan in his hands. As a Cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Realm, he had keen perception and could tell at a glance that all the money was genuine.
Therefore, Lin Hao felt reassured and did not open the bundles to inspect them one by one.
The village chief applauded. “Lin Hao, why don't you open it and take a look?”
Lin Hao said, “No need. I trust everyone.”
“Good.”
“What courage.”
“As expected of a young man who knows spells.”
Everyone cheered in approval.
A round of applause rang out through the venue.
In the end, someone even took photographs to preserve evidence of their handing over the money.
The Village Chief and the others also took a group photo with Lin Hao, looking honored.
Seeing scene after scene like this, Lin Xiaoting became numb.
Lin Yaoyang chuckled. He understood his Daughter's shock; at first, he had not believed that Lin Hao possessed extraordinary power either.
In the end, Lin Hao had won Lin Yaoyang over through his actions.
When the lively gathering ended, everyone went their separate ways and returned home.
On the way back, Lin Yaoyang said, “Lin Hao, you don't need to go to the orchard tomorrow.”
Lin Hao asked, “Uncle Lin, why did you fire me?”
Lin Yaoyang smiled. “That's not it. I want you to become the deputy manager.”
Lin Hao looked puzzled. “Deputy Manager?”
Lin Yaoyang said firmly, “Yes. I am in charge of this District, which makes me the Manager. If you become the Deputy Manager, I can raise your pay to one thousand a day.”
“Gasp.”
“Not bad, not bad. But what exactly would I have to do?”
Lin Hao was curious about the duties of the deputy manager position.
Lin Yaoyang said, “You negotiate prices, accompany me into the mountains, watch how I work, and gain experience. Are you willing to become the Deputy Manager?”
Lin Hao replied, “I am.”
After becoming the deputy manager, the work became much easier.
Beside them, Lin Xiaoting listened to the entire conversation and grew increasingly shocked.
Even her own Dad thought so highly of Lin Hao?
What talents did Lin Hao possess?
After they finished talking, Lin Xiaoting spoke. “Dad, if you transfer Lin Hao away, what am I supposed to do here?”
Lin Hao's departure would make her regretful. They had not had much time together.
Lin Yaoyang patted his daughter on the shoulder. “Don't worry. I'll assign more people to you.”
Lin Xiaoting pouted. She felt that things were fun only when Lin Hao was around; other people did not have the same appeal.
“What? You can't bear to part with Lin Hao?”
Lin Yaoyang teased her.
Lin Xiaoting cared about saving face, so she denied it. “Not at all.”
At her answer, Lin Yaoyang and Lin Hao exchanged a smile. No explanation was needed; they understood.
Finally, Lin Xiaoting said, “Lin Hao, can I come find you to play?”
Lin Hao smiled. “Sure.”
Lin Xiaoting rubbed her hands together, pleased. “Thank you. I need a friend like you.”
All three of them laughed.
Afterward, Lin Hao once again rode in Lin Yaoyang's car to town and deposited the money into his bank card.
As for the carton of cigarettes, Lin Hao did not smoke, so he gave it to Lin Yaoyang.
He had already earned sixty thousand yuan from coming here.
Only a few days had passed, yet he had earned enough to cover four years of university tuition. That was a decent pace.
Over the next few days, Lin Hao served as Deputy Manager, accompanying Lin Yaoyang into the mountains to negotiate Lychee prices. He learned the entire process.
It turned out that working as a Lychee Purchasing Manager was not difficult; the only requirement was having money on hand.
That day, Lin Yaoyang received a call from the boss.
The Boss said, “The Manager of the neighboring District has something to deal with and can no longer continue. Lin Yaoyang, can you manage two Districts at once?”
Lin Yaoyang frowned. “Boss, you want me to manage two districts?”
The boss sighed. “I can increase your pay.”
Lin Yaoyang nodded reluctantly. “All right, but handling matters may be a little slower.”
“It's all right. I understand.” The Boss then mentioned something distressing. “Sigh, the ten mu of Peach-Fragrance Roses at home are about to die. I'm afraid I may lose several million this time. Money is hard to earn; there are gains and losses.”
Hearing this, Lin Yaoyang's eyes lit up. “Boss, I can recommend someone to you. He may have a way to help you recover your losses.”
The boss asked, “Who?”
Lin Yaoyang took a deep breath. “His name is Lin Hao!”
“Lin Hao...”
That night, Lin Hao saw a shooting star in the sky. It was an auspicious sign. He wondered whether his chance to make a fortune had arrived.
Lin Hao exclaimed, “I'm going to make a fortune!”
Lin Xiaoting, sitting beside him, laughed and rested her chin in her hands. “You've already earned fifty thousand yuan. Isn't that a fortune?”
Lin Hao shook his head. “If it isn't a million, it doesn't count as money.”
Lin Xiaoting laughed so hard that her body trembled. “Fine, then. I hope you make a fortune soon. I'm going back to sleep.”