Zhao Xiaoyu, a professional flight attendant, was the second female lead.
She lived in the same residential community as Lin Fan.
On the day the extreme heat erupted, she happened to be at home on leave.
Because she usually ordered takeout, there was almost no food stored in her apartment. She could only grit her teeth and endure hunger while waiting for government aid.
From the original plotline, Zhao Xiaoyu was not a decorative character.
After going hungry for three or four days and finishing the relief supplies she had received, she went out alone at night to search for food.
Of course, as expected, something went wrong.
She got into a conflict with a group of hooligans in a convenience store.
Then Lin Fan happened to appear, played the hero saving the beauty, and from that point on she moved into the protagonist’s safe house.
Later, because of her resilient personality, she trained continuously and eventually became the main combat force within the protagonist’s harem team.
She even saved Lin Fan during a crisis.
If Gu Ziming intercepted her, the protagonist’s Destiny Points would definitely be greatly reduced.
However, the interception process had to be carefully planned.
If he rushed things, leaving a bad impression on someone like Zhao Xiaoyu would create unnecessary trouble.
Gu Ziming recalled all the relevant information about Zhao Xiaoyu in his mind.
She came from a poor family and had a gambling-addicted father. Yet she herself was cheerful and lively.
In university, she earned full scholarships and majored in both English and Island language. To repay her father’s debts, she worked two jobs simultaneously.
Besides being a flight attendant, she also did magazine translation work.
In summary, she was the classic “beautiful, capable, and tragic” second female lead.
If the original author had not forced a regret-driven plotline, Zhao Xiaoyu would probably have been the female lead.
Two hours later, the flight was about to arrive in Island Nation.
Zhao Xiaoyu approached again and gently reminded Gu Ziming, who was resting with his eyes closed, that the plane was about to land.
“Sir, please wake up. The aircraft is about to land.”
Gu Ziming heard her soft voice near his ear and inhaled faint fragrance before slowly opening his eyes and saying, “Alright, thank you for the reminder.”
“Miss Zhao, correct?”
Gu Ziming pretended to glance at her name tag before asking, “Do you often fly the Island Nation route?”
“Hello, sir. My name is Zhao Xiaoyu. This is my first time flying this route. May I ask if you need anything?” she replied with confusion in her eyes, unsure why he asked.
“It’s like this. This is my first time visiting Island Nation for travel, and I would like to hire an Island language translator. Do you happen to know someone? I will need them for about three days.”
Gu Ziming chose the most direct approach: have her act as his translator and then gradually intercept her storyline.
He guessed Zhao Xiaoyu would volunteer herself, because the crew would remain here for two to three days.
With her family burdened by debt, she would certainly compete for this part-time opportunity.
“Sir, what level of translator do you require? If it is just ordinary translation, I believe I can handle it.”
As expected, Zhao Xiaoyu recommended herself.
“Ordinary translation is fine. I need to handle some matters first, and then I plan to tour Kyoto for two days.”
“As for compensation, 10,000 yuan per day. Does that sound acceptable?”
Hearing the amount, Zhao Xiaoyu instantly became alert.
“Sir, I will only do translation. I will not do any strange things.”
“Of course. You only need to translate my Mandarin into Island language for others, and translate their Island language into Mandarin for me,” Gu Ziming said with a smile. “You do not need to do anything else. Do you understand?”
“In that case, I will come find you after landing. Our flight will stay in Kyoto for three days, and we can return together afterward.”
Looking at Gu Ziming’s handsome and refined appearance, Zhao Xiaoyu felt he did not seem like a bad person and agreed.
Still, she planned to buy a bottle of self-defense spray after landing. If Gu Ziming tried anything improper, she would show him that Zhao Xiaoyu was not someone to mess with.
Gu Ziming was unaware of her thoughts and handed her a business card.
On the back was the address of the hotel his assistant had reserved. He told her to meet him there later.
This time, Gu Ziming had come alone. With the Suit-Wearing Enforcer Template, he was not afraid of petty troublemakers.
After negotiating the price, the rest would naturally be handled by his professional legal team, so there was no need to bring many people.
Kyoto Airport.
As soon as Gu Ziming disembarked, someone came to greet him.
“Hello, are you Mr. Gu?” a man in a suit and glasses asked with a bow.
“Yes. Are you the representative of Sanjin Co., Ltd.?” Gu Ziming asked directly, without waiting for the translator standing nearby.
Before coming to Island Nation, Gu Ziming had spent 100 Destiny Points to exchange for Master-Level Island Language Skills.
Claiming on the plane that he did not know the language had merely been a small tactic to approach Zhao Xiaoyu.
“Oh, so Mr. Gu speaks Island language. Yes, I am the president of Sanjin Co., Ltd., Inoue Matsubara.”
After speaking, Inoue Matsubara extended his right hand for a handshake.
Gu Ziming looked at the short, balding president with a thin mustache and returned the handshake with a faint, meaningful smile.
Sanjin Co., Ltd. was one of the shareholders of Ocean Group and also its largest creditor.
Ocean Group had previously operated luxury ocean tourism.
The board had misjudged the long-term prospects of the industry and incurred enormous debt to acquire this 200,000-ton cruise ship as a luxury spectacle.
They planned to turn it into an ultra-luxurious sea hotel named “Imperial Palace at Sea,” symbolizing a moving palace upon the ocean.
Unfortunately, just after its completion, the ocean tourism market cooled drastically. Revenue fell far below expectations.
Over several years, debt continued to increase rather than decrease, until the chairman of Ocean Group died in an accident.
As the largest creditor, Sanjin Co., Ltd. gained the right to dispose of the cruise ship.
However, Sanjin specialized in jewelry and precious metals.
They had limited interest in operating a luxury sea hotel.
Moreover, Inoue Matsubara had witnessed firsthand how Ocean Group gradually descended into losses.
The cruise ship was a massive money-burning machine, with investment and returns completely disproportionate.
Inoue Matsubara had only one thought.
That was precisely why a company president personally came to pick up Gu Ziming at the airport.
He clearly understood that Gu Ziming had the financial strength to take over this burden.
…
Sanjin Co., Ltd., conference room.
Gu Ziming sat alone on one side of the table. Opposite him sat a row of executives.
They had not expected him to come alone for negotiations. At the airport, they assumed his team had simply arrived separately.
Gu Ziming lifted his teacup and took a gentle sip before speaking.
“I came alone this time. I believe I am here to conduct a transaction, not to quarrel. Isn’t that right?”
“Of course. We are here for mutual cooperation,” Inoue Matsubara replied first.
“We previously discussed an initial offer over the phone. 1.8 billion USD, paid in full.”
Gu Ziming stated his offer calmly and took another sip of tea.
Island tea was still not as good as Wuyi Da Hong Pao. Even if it was imported from Xia Nation, the location was different, and it lacked that distinct Eastern essence.
The executives murmured among themselves before Inoue Matsubara responded.
“Mr. Gu, we cannot accept that price. When Ocean Group purchased this ship, it already cost 1.8 billion USD. Subsequent interior investment alone exceeded 1.2 billion USD.”
Gu Ziming remained silent, waiting for their counteroffer.
“Our asking price is 3 billion USD. If you purchase it now, you can immediately begin operations. Ocean Group spent five years from ordering to opening.”
“Oh? As far as I know, Ocean Group has not made a single profit from this ship,” Gu Ziming replied calmly. “If I purchase it now, I am simply exchanging dark green dollars for a pile of steel waiting to corrode.”
He knew they had no buyers and only decided to sell this so-called Island Nation “Imperial Palace at Sea” to a Xia Nation businessman because they had no choice.
“I just happen to have too much money and nowhere to spend it. I want to buy a cruise ship for novelty. I will add another 200 million USD. This is my final offer, considering I am still somewhat interested. Perhaps in a few days, I might become interested in toys that fly in the sky instead.”
After speaking, Gu Ziming placed the teacup down and calmly adjusted his custom-made master-level suit.
Seeing his posture as if he might leave at any moment, Inoue Matsubara became anxious.
“Mr. Gu, please allow us to discuss internally once more.”
“No problem. May I tour your company in the meantime?”
“Of course. Assistant, please escort Mr. Gu to our exhibition area,” Inoue Matsubara instructed a professionally dressed woman before turning back to Gu Ziming. “If you have any needs, please inform the assistant. We will make a decision when you return. Regardless of the outcome, Mr. Gu will always be our honored guest.”
“Very well. I will take a look. I also hold goodwill toward your company. I hope this transaction will not affect our friendship.”
With that, Gu Ziming followed the assistant out.
Friendship?
If he did not have money, and if his late father did not carry a reputable name, these people who devoured others without leaving bones would never sit here negotiating politely.
Still, enduring a moment of disgust to seize a bargain was worthwhile.
They did not yet understand the true value of this cruise ship.
If they knew the apocalypse was coming, they would not sell it even at ten times the price.
They would rather hide on a luxury cruise ship to escape chaos and continue their extravagant lifestyles.