24: Chapter 24 I'm a Billionaire Too

A certain mountainous area in the southwest of Huaxia.

The night was as black as ink, dyeing the continuous mountain ranges into silent silhouettes.

Deep in the mountain hollow, a three-story small courtyard was lit up alone, resembling a tiny diamond on black velvet.

Chen You stood before the floor-to-ceiling window on the second floor, gazing at the myriad stars outside, feeling as if he were living through an absurd and lengthy dream.

The facilities in the underground base were not much worse than here, but the psychological expert suggested that he needed to ground himself, to look at grand natural scenery like the starry sky and the wilderness, which would help alleviate mental stress.

After all, a person cannot always live caged by steel and data.

Thump, thump, thump.

A regular knocking sound echoed.

Chen You jolted, snapping out of his trance, and hurried to open the door.

Standing outside was Director Li Guoan, dressed in casual clothes, lacking his usual sternness and showing a touch more warmth befitting an elder.

"How has your rest been? Is there anything else you need?" Director Li Guoan walked into the room, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings calmly.

"No need, no need, everything is great." Chen You quickly waved his hands, forcing a smile onto his face, "I'm living in a mansion now; I never dared to dream of this."

What he said was true; not only was it a large villa, but it was also surrounded by layers upon layers of top-tier security.

Director Li Guoan nodded, not dwelling on that topic. Instead, he took out a document from his briefcase and handed it over.

"Take a look."

"What is this?" Chen You accepted it suspiciously. The document was thin, and the cover bore several large characters stamped in gold foil—"Special Talent Employment Contract."

He flipped to the first page, and his gaze was instantly pinned to the salary column.

[Annual Salary: Ten Million Yuan Total (After Tax)]

Chen You's breath hitched abruptly, and his eyes instantly widened.

Ten... Ten Million?!

He blinked hard, thinking he had misread it, but the clear Chinese characters followed by a long string of zeros told him this was real.

He, an office worker whose annual salary barely exceeded sixty thousand, now had an annual salary of ten million?

This was faster than riding a rocket!

His gaze moved further down, landing on another clause that made his scalp tingle even more.

[Supplementary Agreement: For all items in the "Source Realm" project that can be converted into real-world profit, after the Party A (the State) reclaims them, the Party B (Chen You) shall receive a 10% cash share of the item's fair market value.]

Chen You's brain buzzed, nearly crashing.

A 10% share?

Director Li Guoan seemed to see through his thoughts, his tone as calm as if he were discussing the weather.

"I forgot to tell you, the commercial value assessment for the 'Cancer Cure' is out."

"The estimated revenue from just the first batch of clinical applications and technology licensing will be enough for your personal share to exceed one billion."

One... Billion...?

Director Li Guoan said it lightly, but his peripheral vision subtly flickered towards the window glass.

In the reflection of the glass, one could vaguely see figures in white coats standing ready in the shadow behind the door crack.

The medical emergency response team was prepared to rush in at any moment.

"Gulp."

Chen You swallowed hard. He could clearly feel his heart beating wildly, his blood surging through his veins as if it were boiling water.

However, strangely enough, apart from the initial dizziness, his body showed no discomfort whatsoever.

The powerful physique of a first-level Qi Refiner kept his physiological functions terrifyingly stable even while enduring such intense emotional shock.

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, and the frantic pounding in his chest actually subsided.

He looked down at the contract in his hand; those thin few pages felt heavier than a thousand pounds now.

"Director Li..." His voice was a little dry, "This... is too much."

"I... I haven't done anything, I don't deserve this..."

This wasn't modesty; it was the truth.

He just played a game, spent some premium currency, and that currency was the nation's money in the first place. Why should he take so much?

This money felt hot; he didn't dare accept it.

"Don't deserve it?"

Director Li Guoan's expression darkened. He stepped forward, his gaze sharp, looking directly into Chen You's eyes.

He had just spoken with the psychological expert.

An ordinary person simply did not have the concept of controlling hundreds of millions in assets in their mind.

If you tell someone earning five thousand a month to spend one hundred million in a single day, the first thing they feel is not excitement, but fear and bewilderment.

To fundamentally reverse Chen You's fatal mindset of 'saving money,' he first had to make him psychologically accept one fact—

He, Chen You, possessed immense wealth and could spend it however he pleased!

What Director Li Guoan needed to do now was completely shift Chen You's mentality.

"When you were almost pecked to death by a chicken in the novice mission, was it us who blocked it for you?"

Chen You was stunned and subconsciously shook his head.

"When you were besieged by Vengeful Spirits in Zhao City and took direct hits from their attacks, did we carry them for you?"

Chen You's lips moved, but he couldn't speak.

"When the Vengeful Spirit General stabbed through you with his spear, making you taste death, did we feel the pain for you?"

Director Li Guoan's voice wasn't loud, but every word struck Chen You's heart like a heavy hammer.

"Chen You, you need to understand one thing."

"This contract is not a reward from the State, nor is it some welfare benefit."

Director Li Guoan pointed at the contract, his tone decisive.

"This was earned with your life! It is what you deserve!"

Director Li Guoan's tone became sterner.

"Every time you enter the 'Source Realm,' you are embarking on a life-risking expedition for Huaxia, for the entire civilization!"

"The dangers you face, we cannot predict, nor can we provide any substantial support!"

"Those few wolf corpses you brought back, that set of armor, that battle saber—any single item is enough to advance our foundational material science and biology by decades!"

"Do you think you are just grinding monsters to drop equipment?"

"No, you are opening up an entirely new era for our civilization, for all of humanity!"

Director Li Guoan's voice grew heavier, every word smashing fiercely into Chen You's heart like a hammer.

"So, put away that ridiculous idea of 'not deserving it!'"

"This money wasn't given by me, nor was it given by the State."

"It is the reward you earned every time you struggled on the edge of life and death!"

"Your mission is not to fret over whether you deserve it! Your mission is to take this money and use every means possible to survive in that world and become stronger!"

"Strong enough so that nothing can threaten your life!"

"Spend it! Turn it into your level, your equipment, your cultivation techniques! That is the only way you can 'deserve' it!"

Chen You was stunned speechless by these words, his mind blank. He stared blankly at Director Li Guoan, his mouth open, yet unable to utter a single word.

Director Li Guoan looked at his pathetic state, feeling both annoyed and amused, and his tone softened slightly.

"Child, you need to broaden your perspective."

"Your safety is the highest-level strategic priority."

"Money is merely the most insignificant tool to accomplish this mission."

He picked up a pen from the table and placed it in Chen You's hand.

"From now on, you must get used to your new identity."

"You are no longer the person you were before; billions in wealth is nothing to you."

"Sign it."

Director Li Guoan's voice left no room for argument.

"Starting from the moment you sign this contract, forget everything about your past."

"You have only one identity—Chen You, the pioneer of the new era."

Chen You lowered his head and remained silent for a long time.

He looked at the shocking figures, then recalled the piercing pain and coldness of the Vengeful Spirit General's spear piercing his chest.

Yes, Director Li was right.

There is only one life.

He never wanted to experience that fear of near-death again.

He tightened his grip on the pen.

Finally, he looked up, the confusion and panic in his eyes swept away, replaced by an unprecedented determination.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.

He signed his name at the end of the contract.

The handwriting wasn't particularly beautiful, but every stroke carried a sense of resolve.

Seeing that he had signed, Director Li Guoan's tense face finally showed a slight smile.

He took the other copy of the contract and patted Chen You on the shoulder.

"Very good. Get some rest early; there is a new mission tomorrow."

With that, he turned and left, leaving Chen You alone in the room.

The night wind blew in from the window, carrying a hint of coolness from the wilderness.

Chen You crossed his legs and sat down cross-legged.

Rest?

No, I must cultivate!

The State gives me such a high salary; I cannot let down the State's trust!