99: An opportunity (4.8K, please support!)

The hover pickup truck emitted a low hum, and as Jiang Feng gripped the steering wheel, his field of vision suddenly opened up.

In City District 03, the scenery of the upper blocks stretched into the distance under the morning light, with glass curtain walls fragmenting the sky and refracting a luxurious blue that he hadn't seen in a long time.

The stream of hover vehicles became increasingly dense, and the variety of supercars was dazzling.

On both sides of the street, boutique shops symbolized status; even in this era, anyone with a bit of technical knowledge could easily purchase a 3D printer and manufacture everything from ceramics to clothing at home.

Yet, plenty of people still spent recklessly to flaunt their "utopian affluence."

Jiang Feng narrowed his eyes, his gaze piercing through the windshield, catching sight of something that punctured the polished facade.

In the low altitude, the black-and-blue helicopters of the Anti-Terrorism Mobile Unit swept past rapidly, like ominous vultures, their oppressive hum repeatedly carving through the sky.

On the streets below, officers from the Public Security Bureau patrolled with Robot Dogs, enforcing security to the extreme in every nook and cranny.

Pedestrians on the roadside walked with hurried steps, occasionally scanning their surroundings with vigilant eyes, shoulders tense, as if ready to crouch for cover at any moment.

But as the hover pickup drove toward the core of the city cluster, the figures along the road became more leisurely in their gait. Men wore expensive suits, women wore eccentric dresses, and the sense of relaxation on their faces was something the common people a few streets away could never learn in a lifetime.

"Ding-dong."

His wristband vibrated, making a sound.

Jiang Feng looked down and immediately frowned.

[The AI deal fell through. The nine-million quote is something the young lady can't afford.]

[Any other options?]

The content was short, sent by Noli, but it felt like a needle piercing Jiang Feng's heart.

'Nine million, Moli actually... can't afford it?'

This thought sent an absurd chill creeping up his spine. How is that possible?

Moli was the heir to the Three Black Stockings Club, the most resourceful tentacle entrenched in the city's gray zone!

'Her situation is even worse than I imagined.'

'I'm afraid the club's momentum is no longer in her hands.'

For the first time, Jiang Feng realized that the "Queen" who was so boisterous and domineering in front of him was actually just a bloated balloon.

One poke and it would burst.

The star digger project had reached this point, and Jiang Feng was now stuck, caught in a dilemma.

Even though he had the blueprints and seemed capable of manufacturing fully automated mining drones, he couldn't get into space, didn't have his own company, didn't have his own ship, and certainly didn't have his own star charts, mining coordinates, or channels to sell ore...

Everything, absolutely everything, relied on Moli's vast and complex web of connections.

If she collapsed, all his layouts and investments would instantly sink into the sea, without making a single sound.

'I need time and financial resources to develop, but what I lack most right now is money and time.'

'If Moli collapses, the loss to me will be unacceptable.'

'Conversely, if Moli can hold on, I can gain more benefits from it.'

'Moreover, upgrading the Mainframe's computing power definitely requires a high-end server cluster. I haven't upgraded the Mainframe because I was waiting for the Industrial Design AI's server cluster. If this is delayed, what about my Mainframe upgrade?'

Jiang Feng's eyes narrowed, and his heart became clear: 'Saving her is saving myself.'

Once this thought emerged, it instantly suppressed all doubts.

"What's wrong?"

A voice came from beside him, like the echo of a clap in an empty valley, jolting Jiang Feng out of his own thoughts.

Lin Xiaoyu in the passenger seat tilted her head, her gaze sharp; her observation skills were so precise that he had nowhere to hide.

She was wearing a white knitted sweater today, the seatbelt cutting into the deep valley, highlighting her perfect curves even more perfectly.

Jiang Feng took a deep breath as the hover pickup merged into a wider main road.

He chose to be honest; there was nothing to hide about this: "Moli... is having a bit of trouble."

"Weren't we planning to purchase an Industrial Design AI? She told me she knew someone who could get us an Industrial Design AI series."

"I thought she could lower the price and bypass the purchase qualification restrictions."

"But, she got 'fleeced' by an acquaintance?" Lin Xiaoyu had seen plenty of this when she was at the Trade Union.

Acquaintances scamming acquaintances was a trick you could never guard against enough; the closer the acquaintance, the easier it was to exploit.

"Yeah, I checked. The official website price is five million, but the other party quoted Moli nine million."

"An 80% markup?" Lin Xiaoyu pursed her lips: "It seems the extra four million is to cover the purchase qualification."

"I thought so too." Jiang Feng sighed.

"She can't come up with the money?" Lin Xiaoyu asked again.

"Uh-huh."

"The shortfall?"

"I don't know. I estimate she can definitely come up with at least five million, otherwise she wouldn't have come looking to buy it, so the shortfall is at most four million, and at least one or two million." Jiang Feng shook his head.

"But I don't think the problem stops there. I think her capital turnover is in trouble."

Jiang Feng made a guess: "Last time we went to the club, she signed quite a few new fighters, which was an expense, but at the same time, she reached agreements with quite a few sponsors, which was income."

"With money coming in and going out, she doesn't even have ten million in cash on hand? This is very dangerous. It's likely either her expenses are too high, or the sponsorship fees from the sponsors are too low."

"In any case, this is not a good sign."

Jiang Feng stared at the shifting traffic ahead, already having a preliminary idea.

Previously, his thoughts about controlling his own forces could only remain in his imagination, but now, the opportunity had arrived.

He could use a single transaction as a fulcrum to leverage everything.

"What do you plan to do?" Lin Xiaoyu asked after a moment of silence.

"I have to give her a hand." Jiang Feng said decisively: "You said before that some manufacturers are willing to spend huge sums to purchase parts."

"Didn't we say back then that we should bring her in for a deal, where we take less profit but have higher safety?"

"Yeah, Brother Feng, you have the parts resources but suffer from having no channels, unable to ship in large quantities."

Lin Xiaoyu said seriously: "Cooperating with her is our opportunity."

"Fine, then I'll call her."

"It's just that our plans for today are probably going to be ruined."

Jiang Feng thought about it and turned to give Lin Xiaoyu a wry smile. Originally, they had planned to go to the Trade Union first to test the waters and see if they could find some safe channels to move goods, then go shopping and find something to eat at noon, which would also be a way to relax.

But now, plans couldn't keep up with changes.

However, it was changing in a good direction.

Lin Xiaoyu shook her head slightly and smiled: "It's okay, go ahead and call."

Jiang Feng simply found a parking lot, parked steadily, and dialed Moli's number.

A few seconds later, the call connected; there was only sound, no image.

"Jiang Feng? Why are you calling so early?"

Moli's voice was very cheerful, but Jiang Feng was used to her normal way of speaking, so how could he not hear the deliberateness in her tone?

He could almost feel that Moli's embarrassment was hard to conceal, just like reefs under the blue sea surface, clearly visible.

Jiang Feng deliberately didn't mention the AI matter. His voice was steady and calm: "I found a big deal here, but I can't handle it alone, so I'm calling to ask if you'd like to take it."

"Take it, I'll take it!" Moli blurted out almost instantly.

Perhaps feeling she was too unreserved, Moli hurriedly added in a self-deceptive manner: "Ahem, what kind of big deal is it?"

Jiang Feng and Lin Xiaoyu looked at each other.

He got straight to the point: "Here's the thing, the '10 of Spades' has a batch of goods: 1.4-spec high-end data cables, 60 centimeters long, with built-in photoelectric modules, produced by a third-party factory, with genuine quality."

On the phone, only Moli's breathing remained, a little rapid.

Jiang Feng knew she must be checking it right now.

He guessed right; Moli was checking online, looking up the price of this lifesaver in the black market right now.

The moment she saw the price, her pupils visibly contracted, her body leaned forward subconsciously, and she exclaimed in her heart.

'Thirteen thousand for one? It's worth that much?!'

"How many are in this batch?"

"Eight hundred." Jiang Feng threw out the number, clearly hearing Moli gasp.

"If we can make the deal all at once, the '10 of Spades' is willing to lower the price per unit to 5,400 earth federation coin."

The car was deathly silent.

Moli calculated quickly in her heart.

The cost price is 5,400 each, so 800 is 4.32 million.

The selling price is 13,000 each, so 800 is 10.4 million.

With money in and out, the profit margin in between could reach up to 6.08 million, and even with some cuts here and there, it wouldn't be much less.

In the back seat, Little Handsome and Xiao Mei were quietly on standby, while Gold-Wrapped Silver and Iron Clad Gold were curled up in the corner, their electronic eyes not even lit.

"My meaning is, you are responsible for securing the buyer and taking the whole batch at once. I will vouch for it and persuade the '10 of Spades' to deliver the goods before payment, at the unit price of 5,400."

"But the payment must arrive immediately, and it must be secure and untraceable. All turnover expenses cannot be included."

"Whatever price you end up selling it for, the extra is yours."

Jiang Feng slowed his speech: "I only want a 4% commission, purely a brokerage fee."

He was testing, like baiting a fishing spot; he needed to know what Moli really thought about partnering with him.

Was she going to go with the flow and take the lion's share, or was she willing to share the profits with him?

And most importantly, whether her connections were truly as effective as she thought, capable of being monetized in a crisis.

Moli didn't think that much; the moment she heard Jiang Feng's offer, her eyes suddenly sharpened, as if struck by a high-voltage current.

That layer of feigned strength was instantly torn apart by something more primitive and vicious.

It was the all-in gamble that a gambler, in a desperate situation, would inevitably make when seeing hope for a comeback!

She straightened her back, chin lifted slightly, the dullness in her eyes replaced by a scorching light.

Jiang Feng saw the video signal; Moli in the image was like a female leopard, baring her ferocious tusk.

"Deal!" Her voice was crisp and decisive, carrying the hoarseness of burning bridges.

"However..." she changed the subject: "Great engineer, your commission is too thin; that's not fair."

"Let's split the profit fifty-fifty." She said like a machine gun.

"The club's name isn't just for show. In the black market, among those who post orders and move goods, who doesn't rely on the club to make the connections?"

"Here's the plan: I'll personally find a few buyers, test the waters first, and prioritize those with the ability to pay in one lump sum."

"In any case, for this kind of business, safety is above all else. We must ensure we aren't tracked and ensure we aren't targeted."

"This might take a little time. I'll screen as many people as possible to see if I can achieve a balance between profit and safety."

"Once I've found the right people, I'll arrange the trade at the club. How does that sound?"

Jiang Feng felt much better upon hearing this.

It seemed Moli treated him as a partner, not just a subordinate. The reason she was willing to offer a fifty-fifty split wasn't because she was a nice person, but because she saw clearly who had the ability to give her a hand.

Jiang Feng was very satisfied with Moli's performance. Now he just needed to verify further if she could find a reliable buyer.

'If she can indeed do it, then it will be my turn to firmly tie her to my chariot.'

'I can't let such a good ally get away.'

Jiang Feng thought to himself, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, and replied briefly.

"Fine."

"Notify me when you've arranged it, and I'll bring the goods over."

Moli ended the call decisively. Jiang Feng shook his wristband and revealed a big smile.

"Where are the goods?" Lin Xiaoyu asked, turning to the side: "And that '10 of Spades', do you know his background?"

"Selling at cost price, although there are safety considerations, won't there be any problems with this?"

Jiang Feng laughed; some things couldn't be hidden from one's partner: "There are no problems."

"The goods are on West 14th Street, at the 'Shunshui' Automated Storage Base. We're going there right now."

"As for the identity of the '10 of Spades'..." Jiang Feng just wanted to mention it, but Lin Xiaoyu suddenly became alert.

"Don't say it, I don't want to know." She reached out and covered Jiang Feng's mouth, her face full of seriousness.

"Why?" Jiang Feng was confused by her sudden reaction.

Lin Xiaoyu looked at Jiang Feng gloomily: "It's too dangerous. Some things are better known by you alone. Otherwise, if I'm kidnapped by someone someday, I won't be able to withstand the torture, and if I blurt it out, you'll be in danger."

"Don't worry, you won't be kidnapped by anyone." Jiang Feng's face darkened, and he said seriously.

"Besides, if you're worried and really want to think of the worst-case scenario, then I'll give you some peace of mind."

"If you get kidnapped, just tell the truth. Don't worry about me; prioritize saving your life."

"If money is gone, I can earn more; if things are gone, I can get them back. But if I lose my wife, wouldn't I be miserable for the rest of my life?"

Jiang Feng held Lin Xiaoyu's palm and smiled slightly.

"That's not necessarily true. A three-legged toad is hard to find, but aren't there two-legged women everywhere?"

Lin Xiaoyu turned her head away, pursing her lips to hold back a laugh.

"It's really that serious." Jiang Feng laughed.

"Anyway, you are special in my heart; no matter who it is, they can't replace you."

Lin Xiaoyu didn't speak again, instead tightening her grip on Jiang Feng's large hand.

Jiang Feng smiled knowingly, didn't speak again, and drove onto the overhead ramp, heading toward the edge of the city.

A moment later, a vast complex of gray-blue buildings came into view.

At the entrance, cold fluorescent signs flickered: Shunshui Automated Storage Base.

The hover pickup parked in the berth, and Jiang Feng unbuckled his seatbelt: "Little Handsome, come with me."

"Understood."

Lin Xiaoyu remained in the passenger seat, watching Jiang Feng and the robot walk one after the other toward the alloy gate. The gate slid open silently and closed silently, swallowing their figures.

Time passed minute by minute in the monotonous blowing of the air conditioning fan.

Lin Xiaoyu's gaze was locked tightly on the motionless gate. Iron Clad Gold seemed to sense her anxiety, coming over to gently nudge the back of her hand with its cold iron heads.

The gate finally slid open again.

Jiang Feng's figure stepped out first, his pace still steady.

Little Handsome, following closely behind him, held a huge, nearly person-sized sealed equipment box in its arms.

The box was matte black, without any markings, riveted with sturdy alloy edges at the corners, and was exceptionally heavy.

Lin Xiaoyu pushed open the car door and walked up quickly. Her gaze swept over the box and returned to Jiang Feng's face, her voice lowered.

"Brother Feng, why don't you send me home first, and then you go meet..."

Jiang Feng stopped, turned his head, and met her eyes squarely.

"What are you afraid of?" Jiang Feng pouted: "Is the club a tiger's den? I can go, why can't you?"

"There's nothing to worry about. We're just going to mooch some food and drinks, and you can meet Moli and get familiar with her."

All of Lin Xiaoyu's worries were instantly stuck in her throat.

She looked into Jiang Feng's eyes; there was no evasion, no guilt, only normalcy.

Her tense shoulders finally relaxed under Jiang Feng's gaze.

A barely perceptible curve appeared at the corners of her mouth. Lin Xiaoyu didn't say anything, turned around neatly, opened the car door, sat back in the passenger seat, and relaxed her body into the backrest.

Even the hand she had been clutching earlier relaxed, resting naturally on her lap.

Jiang Feng gave her a thumbs-up and put the box into the truck bed.

"I'm hungry. Let's go, let's go eat first."

"Aren't we waiting for Moli's call?"

"Sigh, you can't eat a phone call..."