Chapter 056 Divine Refinement Point One: Perfect Mastery

At Blue Moon Seafood Hot Pot Restaurant, beneath the swaying coconut trees and within a bamboo pavilion, the sea breeze carried the scent of salt and adventure. Le Xiaotian sat there, eyes alight with gluttonous anticipation. Although it was only around nine in the morning, his daily regimen of intense physical training had long set him apart from ordinary people. His eating habits had also shifted from the standard three meals to several throughout the day.

Gazing at the bubbling, rich broth and inhaling its briny yet tantalizing aroma, Le Xiaotian turned to the waitress. “Once you’ve opened the wine, you can leave us. We’ll take care of the rest.”

“Of course.” The waitress replied, opening the finest bottle of white wine the restaurant had to offer—the Blue Cang 2573 Reserve, priced at one hundred thousand per bottle.

After filling his glass, she moved to pour for Chen Fang as well. But Chen Fang declined, “I’ll have a soft drink, thank you.”

Faced with these two guests who chose only the most expensive, not necessarily the most suitable, the waitress’s service was all the more attentive. Such people were usually either particularly discerning, ambitious, or simply putting on a show. Regardless of whether this “couple” were genuinely refined or just playing the part, they were at least wealthy. Serving such guests well could lead to praise and smoother workdays.

Once the waitress had departed, Le Xiaotian picked up an abalone and placed it in Chen Fang’s bowl. “Eat it while it’s hot. You are what you eat.”

Chen Fang’s face flushed instantly. “You rogue, are you trying to kill me?”

After speaking, her heartbeat quickened. She couldn’t quite explain it, but with just a few words, Le Xiaotian could fluster her, set her heart aflutter, all while remaining perfectly natural and unaffected.

In her eyes, he was either born a playboy or genuinely interested in her.

Seeing Chen Fang refuse, Le Xiaotian took an abalone for himself as well. “Hurry up and eat. Each one costs three thousand. Back in the day, I couldn’t even afford a three-yuan squid skewer.”

Chen Fang shot him an exasperated look. “Do you have to exaggerate so much? Besides, with the way you spend money, will it last? You should be more frugal.”

Sipping the rich sauce from the abalone, Le Xiaotian smiled contentedly. “Let me tell you a proverb today—‘Fine clothes worn at night are wasted.’ In other words, what’s the use of wearing beautiful garments in the dark? Besides, this little sum is nothing. For the upcoming performance, I’ll be earning billions. Genius can’t be helped.”

Chen Fang nearly choked on her juice. Was he incapable of not boasting?

Setting down her glass, she picked up the abalone and took a bite, but Le Xiaotian’s earlier words echoed in her mind: “You are what you eat.”

All at once, she felt her entire body flush uncomfortably. Flustered, she returned the untouched abalone to his bowl, her voice soft and bashful, “I can’t eat this.”

As her nerves tightened, Le Xiaotian made quick work of the abalone, swallowing the whole pound-sized delicacy in a few bites. The thought that he showed no hesitation, even though she had already bitten into it and left traces of her saliva, made Chen Fang feel even hotter. After all, such things were usually only done between couples.

Sensing the rising, ambiguous tension and feeling her composure slipping, Chen Fang abruptly changed the subject. “By the way, Xiaotian, why did Commander Qin agree to let you take command earlier? Isn’t there something odd about that?”

Tearing into a large lobster, Le Xiaotian replied, “You live and learn. Qin Bufan is definitely setting me up. But don’t worry, I have what it takes to make the Empress cooperate with me. Tell me, what’s your understanding of an orchestra conductor?”

As the conversation turned serious, Chen Fang also refocused. “These days, the relationship between conductor and orchestra is generally either dictatorial or egalitarian. If you’re going to perform, those special agents might not accept your authority, and Qin Bufan will surely stir up trouble.”

Taking a sip of his wine, Le Xiaotian nodded, “You’re right. Whether it’s an authoritarian arrangement or a cooperative one, the conductor is always the artistic dictator and leader. To be a great conductor, the first thing you must master is perfect control.”

While Chen Fang pondered this, Le Xiaotian sent a message to Director Tang, requesting contact with the Empress. Then, picking up the juice Chen Fang had drunk from, he finished it in one gulp.

Chen Fang was speechless. At this rate, the two of them would soon be beyond salvaging.

Before long, the Empress’s secretary called. After a brief exchange, Le Xiaotian was soon speaking directly with the Empress.

“Hello, Your Majesty. This is Le Xiaotian.”

The Empress replied calmly, “What is it you want?”

Le Xiaotian got straight to the point. “I’m sure you’re already aware of the latest developments at Zhenxing Tower. I don’t believe Qin Bufan is truly capable of handling this mission. And you know I’ve got unfinished business with Ying Dengbo and Zhang Hao. So, I’m here to discuss cooperation.”

The Empress replied, “Your terms.”

Le Xiaotian stated, “First, revoke Qin Bufan’s supreme command here and grant it to me. Second, issue a military order: any orchestra member who misses my first recruitment will be executed without mercy. Third, all departmental approvals—military, cultural, fire safety, finance, etc.—are to be waived; I’ll take full responsibility for the combat performance. Fourth, allocate one hundred million in operating funds.”

Chen Fang was stunned. Was Le Xiaotian really negotiating such harsh terms with the Empress? Was he drunk?

After a brief silence, the Empress’s voice returned. “These terms are acceptable. But what’s your bargaining chip?”

A subtle smile curved Le Xiaotian’s lips as his tone softened. “I believe you already know that I’ve registered for the All-Star Extreme Challenge as an individual. If this combat performance fails, I’ll withdraw my individual entry and compete under the name of Fama instead. Of course, this change will require your intervention. Furthermore, I propose a fifty-fifty split of the performance’s proceeds.”

There was another long silence.

At last, the Empress spoke. “Very well, I accept.”

With a smile, Le Xiaotian said, “Looking forward to our cooperation. Goodbye, Your Majesty.”

The Empress replied coolly, “Goodbye.”

When the call ended, Le Xiaotian noticed Chen Fang still in a daze. Waving his hand in front of her, he teased, “What’s wrong? Have you fallen hopelessly in love with me?”

Shaking off her astonishment, Chen Fang asked, “How can you enter the Challenge as an individual?”

Le Xiaotian gave a helpless chuckle. “I signed up internally with Fama before, but you know how it is—someone like me, without status, gets filtered out before it even reaches the top. Judging by the Empress’s attitude now, though, those people are probably in trouble. Heh.”

Chen Fang wanted to argue, but held her tongue. Deep down, she truly hoped Le Xiaotian could represent Fama. But they’d already rejected him; even if things reversed now, he might not agree.

After all, if he intended otherwise, why would he use his participation in the Challenge as a bargaining chip?

Letting out a long sigh, Chen Fang stayed silent.

Le Xiaotian, meanwhile, returned to his meal with undiminished relish, savoring every bite.