Chapter 84: A Kind Father and a Dutiful Daughter

At Qiao Mian’s direction, Number Zero offered the group a thorough explanation of the main responsibilities of each department.

The Administrative Center was in charge of staff accommodation, procurement of supplies, relaying orders, and communication with the outside world. The Little Dragon Maiden was appointed as its leader, with Granny Sun assisting her. Qiao Mian had spoken with the Little Dragon Maiden the day before, telling her that certain tasks could be confidently entrusted to volunteers. After all, free labor shouldn’t go to waste. Besides, those folks were eager to work around the clock if given the chance. The more duties assigned to them, the happier they became; every task here was, in their eyes, a blessing.

The Transport Center oversaw guest reception and also aided the Administrative Center with procurement and hosting. Currently, Optimus Prime was in charge, with Detective as his subordinate, and he was granted ten additional recruitment slots to fill as he saw fit.

The Security Patrol Department was responsible for visitor safety and maintaining discipline in the park. Its members included Bumblebee, Jazz, and Drift. The department’s head was chosen by a vote among all present, resulting in Drift’s election. His passion for martial arts and close ties with those from the Condor universe had won him extra support.

Naturally, Ironhide was put in charge of the ticket office. After all, he was essentially the gatekeeper.

The Dinosaur Hall and the Python Hall were to be managed by Rampage and Python One, respectively, who would also serve as “transportation” for the Transport Center.

The arena had previously been overseen by the Ugly Condor. However, he had grown too laid-back and had become more of a sparring partner than a supervisor. After some consideration, Qiao Mian decided to put Huang Rong in charge of the arena. Having witnessed the wonders of this place, she’d discussed with Guo Jing her intention to stay here full-time, with Guo Jing joining her once he’d settled affairs in their original world. After all, this was a land of immortality—how could a mortal throne compare? Qiao Mian also gave her two recruitment slots.

The Ugly Condor was reassigned to the Fitness Plaza, which was now under the unified leadership of Hong Qigong. Along with him and the Ugly Condor, Zhou Botong and the part-time Guo Jing were also assigned. Qiao Mian granted Hong Qigong five extra slots to fill with whomever he chose from his original world.

The Sutra Library remained under the stewardship of Huang Yaoshi, with five additional recruitment slots. However, Qiao Mian warned him in advance to avoid hiring Beggar Clan members unless they were truly exceptional—this was not a den for beggars.

As for the Haunted House… well, there was only Sadako haunting it.

Once everything was settled, the mood among the group was buoyant. Even Bumblebee, who had started the meeting in silence, and the still-grumpy Jazz, broke into secret dancing as soon as Drift promised they would split the bonus equally among the three of them. With the exception of a few beasts and ghosts, everyone brimmed with enthusiasm.

Qiao Mian watched this scene with a smile. Seeing there were no further objections, he announced that there would be a bonfire party that evening.

“There’s still over five hours to go,” he said. “You can prepare a little performance for the party.”

Noticing some people seemed less than enthusiastic, Qiao Mian grinned and added, “There’ll be a live raffle at the party, with some truly outstanding prizes. You won’t want to miss it.”

...

Evening.

Wang Lang changed into casual clothes and, under the envious stares of his subordinates, walked outside. There, a rugged jeep waited—several people in the distance were sneaking photos of it. As he approached, the car door sprang open automatically.

“Director Wang, please get in,” came a voice from inside the car.

“Thank you, Detective,” Wang Lang replied politely. “But could you wait a moment? I have a few things to bring.”

“You can wait inside,” Detective said. “Let’s have a chat.”

Wang Lang hesitated for a moment but finally got in. Detective’s curiosity was insatiable; once he started talking, he could go on forever. In short: a chatterbox.

“Where did we leave off last time?” Detective asked eagerly the moment Wang Lang stepped in.

Wang Lang felt a slight headache. “I’ve forgotten,” he admitted. “There’s been a lot going on.”

“Haha, we were talking about your tunnel warfare!” Detective exclaimed, excited. “I’ve been thinking—even though that tactic is ancient, it still has valuable insights for modern strategy…”

About five minutes later, someone came running over with several large boxes.

“There’s my stuff,” Wang Lang said quickly.

“Put it behind me,” Detective said, clearly reluctant to stop talking.

The trunk opened automatically.

With Detective’s endless chatter and Wang Lang’s occasional responses, they slowly made their way to the Fantasy Park.

Today, he was a special guest at the park’s bonfire party. Wang Lang was overjoyed to have received this invitation—it meant he had earned Mr. Qiao’s approval. Even his former superior had called, half-jealous, to offer congratulations.

Half an hour later—

Wang Lang arrived at his destination, deep within the jungle of Fantasy Park. Along the way, he had seen many fantastical dinosaurs, and even a species of white giant ape. The party was to take place atop the mountain where the apes lived. The summit was flat, with a clear, bubbling pool at its heart. The water was so pristine he could see the bottom.

No sooner had Wang Lang gotten out of the car than he spotted the pool, just a few steps away.

“Could this be some magical spring?” he wondered.

Seeing that no one was paying attention, he crouched down and scooped up a handful of water to drink. The sweet spring water left him feeling clear-headed and refreshed.

“It truly is enchanted!” he thought, leaning in for a few more gulps.

But as soon as his tongue touched the water, he felt the spring shudder violently, and a blast of hot air hit his face.

“Is it some kind of hot spring that just activated?” Wang Lang wondered, bewildered, lifting his head.

Before him was a fiery red eye, larger than a light bulb, and a gaping red maw big enough to swallow two of him whole, huffing hot breath at him.

His face changed instantly; he landed on his rear, nearly crying out.

A languid voice drifted from behind. “Why are you fighting Rampage for a drink?”

Looking up, Wang Lang finally realized that the eye and the mouth belonged to a colossal beast the size of a small mountain.

Rampage.

It glanced at Wang Lang with a look of utter disdain, then lowered its head and resumed drinking at its own pace.

“Haha, he’s looking down on you,” Liang Xiaoyu said gleefully, taking pleasure in his misfortune. “Director Wang, aren’t you a little too timid?”

Wang Lang often called her for advice about the park, and they’d become quite familiar. Glancing over and seeing that the livestreamer wasn’t holding a selfie stick, Wang Lang finally relaxed.

With a straight face, he said, “That was nothing. I wasn’t scared to death or anything.”

He let his arms hang limp, stuck out his tongue, rolled his eyes, and put on a perfect impression of a hanged ghost.

Liang Xiaoyu’s face turned green.

Was he ever going to let her live this down? So what if she’d died of fright a few times?

“Director Wang, you’re just as bad,” she said irritably.

Wang Lang wiped off his “ghost face” and grinned. “Spending time with you young people is making me younger myself.”

Liang Xiaoyu huffed twice, then leaned in, lowering her voice mysteriously. “Something big is about to happen. Want to hear it?”

Wang Lang’s heart leapt. “What is it?”

“You have to promise me something first,” Liang Xiaoyu said.

“Promise you what?” Wang Lang asked, curious.

He’d dealt with her many times and knew the streamer came from a distinguished family, but she’d never asked him for any favors before. Could it be about her company’s trademark application that was rejected last time?

Liang Xiaoyu looked deadly serious. “Help me take the wealth of the capitalists and put it in the hands of the working people.”

Wang Lang was dumbfounded.

“Just get your people upstairs to pressure my dad to step down and transfer the shares to me,” she said, growing indignant. “What does he need all that money for? I even braved the haunted house the other day, and he still wouldn’t give me money to buy a superpower!”

“Old capitalist! Always scheming to get a discount from me at the park!” Liang Xiaoyu grew more and more agitated. “What does he need so much money for? Isn’t it enough to have enough to spend?”

Wang Lang stared at her in amazement, thinking, “This is the very picture of a loving father and devoted daughter.”