Starting Cultivation in Wasteland-Chapter 558 - 428: Switching

The C-level warrior, seeing that even Gradi said so, didn't dare to say anything more and contacted Qu Jianlei again.

Qu Jianlei had just finished breakfast and was on his way to the library. He found this call rather annoying.

"No need to return the money, it's not like I'm short on cash… You're asking about the recording? It's my own business, I can post it wherever I want, right?"

"What, settle it completely? Sorry, I really don't need to… negotiate the price? I'm not interested!"

After hanging up, he was too lazy to deal with other people's harassment, and directly tossed his watch into his storage ring.

However, two hours later, someone came to the library looking for him.

The people who came included a C-level guard and a burly woman, accompanied by two B-level guards.

They arrived just as Xiang Xue and Aunt Liu were there—they were genuinely there to check information this time.

The C-level guard walked in and spoke immediately, "Panda, you're here, that's great."

He gestured to the woman beside him, "Let me introduce you, this is Gradi, Gwendolyn's sister."

"Hello, ma'am," Qu Jianlei nodded, showing no interest in saying more, and turned to leave.

"Hold on," the burly Gradi spoke, "do you have the recording?"

Qu Jianlei gave her a light glance, then nodded, "Yes, I do."

"Give it to me," Gradi stated bluntly, "name your price."

So straightforward? Qu Jianlei glanced at her sideways and bluntly stated, "Five hundred thousand."

Gradi was furious at this, "Ten times the amount? You really dare to name such a price."

Qu Jianlei looked at her strangely again, "Am I wrong? Didn't you tell me to name the price?"

"You!" Gradi's chest heaved with anger a few times before she looked at the C-level guard, "Give it to him."

"Five hundred thousand?" The guard was stunned and pointed to himself, "You want me to give it to him?"

"Using Gwendolyn's account," Gradi answered decisively, "I didn't ask you to advance it."

"Well…" The C-level guard hesitated, then mumbled, "The account might not have enough money."

Upon hearing this, Qu Jianlei's face showed a quirky expression: Not even five hundred thousand, are you kidding me?

"I don't care," Gradi declared without hesitation, "go get the money, now."

The C-level guard hesitated for a moment, then plucked up the courage to say, "Sister, how about you lend him some first?"

Gradi shook her head and answered crisply, "Don't even think about it, I won't lend even a dime!"

She knew her brother too well; money lent to him was as good as gone.

And as the Guard Captain's wife, she wasn't short of spending money, insisting on repayment would only sour the relationship.

Knowing what her brother was like, these years she rarely gave him money.

As for him using her name to parade around deceiving people, she was well aware of it.

She had advised him to find something proper to do, but Gwendolyn was just a guy who aimed high but fell short.

Too tiring tasks he absolutely wouldn't do, he just liked to make quick money for leisure.

As for his assets? Gradi didn't believe her brother could save much.

However, for him to snag some small money shouldn't be too hard, just that he would live tough days next.

Gradi had her opinions about Panda's pricing: Do you not know who I am, yet you dare to ask sky-high prices?

But she thought again, her brother needed to suffer a bit more. He got lucky this time, but what about next?

Anyway, since it's her brother's money, she didn't feel bad, and learning a lesson is a good thing.

The C-level guard looked bitter, "But where do I get the money?"

The boss is so manipulative, he could even pit him, he just hoped he wouldn't be the one footing the bill.

Gradi gave him a contemptuous look and expressed mercilessly, "Don't pretend with me, do you think I'm clueless about your affairs?"

Even with her brother, she had to keep an eye open. That guy's account might not really lack five hundred thousand.

If he could cry poor and get some from her, Gwendolyn would absolutely do it without hesitating.

The C-level guard hesitated a bit, then gritted his teeth, "Then I'll have to look for the guy who hosted the meal yesterday."

Indeed, fish have their paths and shrimp have their routes. Crooks also have their own ways.

After Gwendolyn was shot post-banquet, the medical expenses had already been advanced by the host.

Now getting some money shouldn't be too difficult—the Guard Captain's brother-in-law was harmed so terribly by you, you must show some gesture, right?

The other party should have heard the news, since the Captain's wife had been to the hospital, which in itself was a form of pressure.

Gradi's heart was like a clear mirror, she snorted coldly, "Don't ask me about this, handle it yourself."

After a pause, she added, "Do not use my name, or I will deal with you!"

This clearly showed that she was fed up with her brother's antics and didn't mind pointing this out in front of outsiders.

The C-level guard left with his head down, and only then did Gradi look back at Qu Jianlei, "Where's the recording?"

"Bring the money first," Qu Jianlei responded without hesitation, "otherwise I don't trust it."

Gradi raised her eyebrows, ready to argue, but then reconsidered, thinking that if the other party was so keen on receiving money, they probably wouldn't leave a copy.

So that's a good thing too, she snorted, "Remember, I don't want to see a second copy."

Truly worthy of being the Guard Captain's wife, she didn't even mention the consequences, and the condescending tone in her speech was something most people couldn't imitate.

However, Qu Jianlei wasn't actually upset, because she agreed to give him five hundred thousand.

Making money is nothing to be ashamed of... plus the tenfold compensation made his mood cheerful.

So he curiously asked, "Do you know something too?"

He wasn't clear about the complex relationship between the siblings, and the promise of five hundred thousand was too straightforward.

He couldn't help but speculate, if she didn't know the potential capabilities of the Starr Clan, would she really agree so easily?

"Hmm?" Gradi was taken aback by his words, I told you not to leave a copy, what are you talking about?

But having been married to the Guard Captain for so many years, she had seen too many strange things and was very sensitive.

So she only hesitated for a moment before frowning, "What do you know?"

Unfortunately, when she asked this question, her tone remained condescending.

But this time, Qu Jianlei wasn't going to indulge her, he frowned, "What I know... does it have anything to do with you?"

"You..." Gradi didn't expect he would turn hostile so abruptly.

She wanted to scold him, but thought he might know some information, so she held back. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Then she smiled slightly, "I've given money so promptly, it's not good for you to hide things, right?"

Since entering the government system, she not only developed an arrogant demeanor but also mastered the fine balance of being affable.

The transition between the two was seamless and very natural.

Is it your money? Qu Jianlei didn't bother to argue with her, he responded indifferently.

"You should also know, the Starr Clan spans across the Star Realm, and someone married out."

Gradi certainly knew this, having casually inquired when she heard her brother had a dispute with the Starr Clan.

The reason this family's B-level didn't decline after death was because of attention from other Star Realms.

However, she was focused on something else, "Are you implying it's the Starr Clan's doing?"

Qu Jianlei shook his head at her words, "I didn't say that, just that the family isn't easy to mess with."

"So, the things Gwendolyn said, once spread out, could be detrimental to him..."

Gradi looked at him thoughtfully, paused, and then smiled amiably.

"Why do I feel like you know something else?"

Qu Jianlei also smiled at her words, "My level of information probably can't compare to the Guard Captain."

Gradi pondered for a moment and straightforwardly spoke, "Name your terms, what will make you willing to share the information you hold?"

Very naturally, she switched back to her condescending tone.

Qu Jianlei rolled his eyes, "Switching between these two states... isn't it tiring for you?"

"Switch?" Gradi pondered at his words, then shook her head, "Not tiring, have you really acquired some information?"

Qu Jianlei smiled indifferently, "Do you think my information is that well-informed?"

He didn't mind leaking information about those two assassins; if he could get someone else to act, why bother doing it himself?

But the Guard Captain's wife's tone really annoyed him—I'm not one of your subordinates.

Moreover, he noticed that the two assassins also have Storage Talisman, so if they really come after him, it's better to deal with them personally.

Most crucially, he couldn't fully trust this woman; if the information got out, he'd surely be on the defensive.

You can't fully trust what people from the government say.

"Still not denying..." Gradi thought for a moment, and curiously asked, "What are you worried about?"

It must be said, her ability to perceive emotions was indeed impressive, unrelated to Cultivation Level, purely based on observing behavior.

Then she emphasized, "Feel free to name your conditions, there aren't many I can't agree to."

At that moment, Qu Jianlei was indeed a bit tempted, as there was a lot he needed.

But, a mere Guard Captain's wife probably couldn't offer him much, it would be better if it were the Guard Captain himself.

Not to mention he had just extorted a sum from her, which made it hard to shift his emotions immediately to friendship from enmity.

So he slightly shook his head, "What I know isn't valuable enough to warrant conditions."

He's not a greedy person, nor did he know how to bargain.

Gradi raised her chin, realized her mistake, and smiled again, "Then feel free to say it."

"Not worth saying," Qu Jianlei shook his head, "it's just some information everyone knows."

However, after pausing for a moment, he did offer a suggestion.

"You can start by checking, recently who's been inquiring about the news of these families."

Gradi pondered for a moment and nodded, "That's a good idea... I'll have them look into it later, are you sure you don't want to talk?"