He sent a communication request to Liu Xuan.
Uncharacteristically, she didn’t pick up instantly. The call connected after a few seconds’ delay.
"What’s wrong?" Liu Xuan’s voice ca through.
Lin Qi asked, "Liu Xuan, I think we can be considered friends, right?"
It was as if Liu Xuan’s brain crashed for a second.
After a mont of hesitation, she replied, "I guess so?"
Now it was Lin Qi’s turn to be confused. Liu Xuan’s reaction was strange.
Based on her past behavior, even though Lin Qi had always treated her as a friend, he was pretty sure the girl had a secret crush on him.
But this reaction didn’t seem right.
Before Lin Qi could reply, another voice ca from the other end of the line.
Although the person didn’t appear on the Intelligent Brain’s screen, Lin Qi could tell it was Liu Li’s voice.
"Sis, who’s being so rude, calling at one in the morning? Are they sick in the head?"
Her voice was a little groggy; it was clear her sweet dreams had been disturbed.
’Are the two sisters sleeping together?’
Liu Xuan first said to Liu Li, "Go back to sleep."
A mont later, Liu Li’s voice grew louder. "Wait! It can’t be Lin Qi, can it? Sis, listen to for a second... Hey, don’t leave the room!"
Liu Li’s voice was cut off. Liu Xuan spoke to Lin Qi again. "If you have sothing to say, just say it. It’s getting late."
Her way of speaking was her usual style—her tone was cool, betraying no emotional change, as if she hadn’t been affected by Lin Qi’s "friends" comnt at all.
Lin Qi scratched his head. "I want to borrow so Credit Points. I keep feeling like soone is trying to harm , so I want to upgrade my mbership with the Intercontinental Stability Trauma Ergency Company."
Liu Xuan fell silent again.
’Calling to borrow money at one in the morning?’
’Has our relationship reached that point?’
"Okay." The mont Liu Xuan opened her mouth, the word ca out instinctively.
Refusing Lin Qi’s request was sowhat difficult for Liu Xuan.
Even while using the most advanced Suppressor, Liu Xuan couldn’t maintain a calm state of mind when facing Lin Qi.
This was because Liu Xuan didn’t have cyber psychosis in the traditional sense.
According to the latest diagnostic report, Liu Xuan’s problem wasn’t with her brain, but with a higher-level dinsion: her Spiritual Power.
The doctor in charge of her case even suspected that, setting aside the symptoms, there might be an emotional factor involved.
A diagnosis Liu Xuan had denied.
Both ends of the call went quiet for a long ti.
Lin Qi couldn’t figure out Liu Xuan’s true attitude, while Liu Xuan was recalling the doctor’s diagnosis.
After a long while, Liu Xuan asked, "How much do you need?"
Lin Qi said, "I need to upgrade to a Black Gold mber. I only have three hundred thousand Credit Points right now, so I still need seven hundred thousand."
Lin Qi knew he was asking for a large sum; Credit Points had significant purchasing power. "An L-level Researcher’s annual salary is two hundred and fifty thousand, but I research products very quickly. A year’s inco will be enough to repay this debt. I..."
Before he could say any more, a ssage suddenly popped up on his Intelligent Brain.
[Payroll Account "Lin Qi (Liu’s Heavy Industries L-0129)" has received a transfer of 1,000,000 Credit Points from an anonymous account]
"I’ve transferred it to you. There are so things I can’t conveniently tell you, but you might indeed be in so trouble recently. You don’t need to repay these Credit Points; consider it compensation from the company."
Liu Xuan’s voice was like an angel’s.
Resounding and full of life.
’That’s the sound of wealth for you.’
"Thank you." Lin Qi couldn’t express much more.
To be honest, Lin Qi already owed Liu Xuan far too many favors.
If not for Liu Xuan, Lin Qi might just be a lucky rcenary who happened to get the Wizard Profession.
Life doesn’t offer many choices. Once Guang Ling’s Highest-Level rcenary Corps ca knocking, he would have been forced down a dark path with no turning back.
Although, that was without considering the existence of the Door.
But he had to admit, without Liu Xuan’s help, his life would be nowhere near as easy as it was now.
Without the job at Liu’s Heavy Industries, he wouldn’t have gained knowledge of the Cyber World, and he wouldn’t have had such smooth sailing in the Doomsday World after obtaining the Door.
Liu Xuan’s cool voice ca through again. "Is there anything else?"
Lin Qi shook his head. "Not for now."
"Then I’m going to rest," Liu Xuan replied.
Just before the call ended, Lin Qi thought he heard the sound of Liu Li complaining.
He let out a breath.
It was as if Liu Xuan’s "rich girl" act had swept away much of his anxiety.
The money was in his account, but it hadn’t been converted into a trump card yet.
Lin Qi needed to spend this money before the danger materialized.
He opened the contact list on his Intelligent Brain and found the dedicated Platinum Level hotline for the Intercontinental Stability Trauma Ergency Company.
Platinum Level was already considered a High Level client, with access to a 24-hour dedicated line.
He dialed. The call was answered instantly.
"Good day, Mr. Lin Qi. How may I help you?"
The Platinum Level didn’t include dedicated life-monitoring equipnt, so the Intercontinental Stability Trauma Ergency Company couldn’t determine a client’s vital status.
Even if rescue was needed, a call had to be made, or at least have soone else dial on their behalf.
"I want to upgrade my mbership Level to the Black Gold Level."
On the other end of the line, the custor service representative was extrely professional. "Of course, sir. We need to verify your financial account. We have already sent you an authorization request."
Lin Qi quickly approved it.
The representative continued, "Verification complete. Mr. Lin Qi, I will now explain the upgrade terms."
"First, your Platinum mber renewal is in seven months. If you upgrade to a Black Gold mber now, the funds you’ve already paid for the Platinum mbership cannot be applied as a discount. The Black Gold mber validity period will override your current mbership Level. You will be able to enjoy the services of both mbership tiers simultaneously."
The terms were simple: the money for the Platinum mbership was non-refundable and wouldn’t be reactivated after the Black Gold mbership expired.
To put it bluntly: you could upgrade, but the money you already paid was a sunk cost.
’It’s a completely predatory clause.’
But he had no choice but to accept.
"I agree to the terms. Please process it quickly," Lin Qi urged.
If this didn’t get done soon, Lin Qi suspected the explosion King Arthur ntioned was about to happen.
"Of course, sir. Deducting the paynt and processing for you now."
"One mont, sir. The system is indicating an A-Class risk. I need to consult my supervisor."
’Damn it!’
’Is the Intercontinental Stability Trauma Ergency Company’s intelligence network really that advanced?’
’The rcenaries haven’t even made a move, and they already know?’
"My Platinum mbership has been active for over three years. I should be able to upgrade to Black Gold unconditionally," Lin Qi said, dissatisfied.
"Sir, we have noted that for you. We must wait for the supervisor’s response."
The answer was very professional, very custor-service-like.
But fortunately, as a ga-corporation that stood above even major enterprises, the Intercontinental Stability Trauma Ergency Company was highly efficient.
"Sir, the supervisor has replied. You may pay an additional fee of three hundred thousand Credit Points to override this risk warning and force the transaction. Would you like to proceed?"
Lin Qi glanced at his account balance and suspected he was being scamd.
’They’re charging based on my balance, aren’t they?’
"I agree. Process it now."
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