Chapter 404: 404. Chapter 404: It's Not That We Won't Let You Go Out

404. Chapter 404: It's Not That We Won't Let You Go Out

The morning a few days later.

After Jiang Cheng said goodbye to his family, he took the stairs and arrived on the first floor.

Just a few steps after stepping out of the lobby, a familiar voice came from behind.

"Jiang, little brother!"

"Is that Tian Lao?"

Jiang Cheng turned his head.

He saw an elder in his fifties or sixties, jogging to catch up.

It was Tian Mao from the small circle, also the oldest among them.

"Yeah, little brother, what a coincidence—didn't expect to run into you as soon as I stepped out today."

Tian Mao grinned broadly, "Little brother, you're heading to Lian Dan Shi, right? How about we go together?"

"If we're together, then together it is."

Jiang Cheng smiled.

He had been in the elevator and clearly hadn't seen him, yet after stepping out he ran into him—what that implies is self‑evident.

"Little brother, you probably don't know, but in two days we won't see Ding Lei any more," Tian Mao sighed.

"Why?"

Jiang Cheng was startled.

"I heard he's already found a new patron; in less than two days he'll be gone."

Tian Mao sighed again.

"I see."

Jiang Cheng also sighed.

He still had a bit of rapport with Ding Lei.

People strive upward, water flows downward; it's all normal.

Just like him, he's already resolved to leave this place.

"I heard he's going to the Gao Family. Though their influence doesn't match that of our Gu Family, they're willing to pay. I heard the commission on elixirs alone is fifty percent, much higher than here, and when doing Refining Alchemy, you don't have to worry about being watched, and the technique won't be leaked."

Tian Mao continued, then suddenly changed tack and asked, "Little brother, do you have any thoughts? Don't worry, tell me and I won't tell anyone else."

Jiang Cheng found the remark amusing.

He truly regarded himself as a fresh‑off‑the‑street greenhorn.

Even in the workplace, when switching jobs, you can't tell colleagues until the very last moment after signing a contract with the new employer.

Otherwise, most likely you'd end up empty‑handed, unable to stay in the original position, forced to resign and leave.

"Tian Lao, you've misunderstood."

Jiang Cheng walked while saying, "I think staying here is quite good. In terms of pay, safety, and other aspects, it's countless times better than when I was in Outer City District. Apart from the occasional monotony of constantly refining alchemy in Lian Dan Shi and wanting to stroll around, there's nothing bad about it."

"Is that so?"

Tian Mao looked a bit incredulous, "Little brother, you really, really have no dissatisfaction at all?"

"Do you mean, Tian Lao, that you have some points of discontent?" Jiang Cheng retorted.

"Ahem, little brother, stop teasing me; I never said that."

Tian Mao quickly denied it, glanced around, and said, "I'm just feeling a bit unfair on your behalf, little brother. With your abilities, if you went elsewhere you could at least get a fifty‑percent share, but here it's only forty percent. Besides that, what you enjoy here, other places would also give you. Of course, I know you're new and your connections in Inner City District are modest. Fortunately, I have contacts with many other family forces. If you're interested, I can inquire for you, okay? It's just asking, it costs nothing. If an opportunity arises, that would naturally be better, wouldn't it?"

"Thank you for your kindness, Tian Lao."

Jiang Cheng shook his head.

"I still think staying here is fine, and to be honest, I owe Brother Changlin a lot of money and must repay it." "And that's it?"

Tian Mao asked curiously, "How much?"

"That, I can't say conveniently; anyway, it's a lot, and I have to repay it slowly," Jiang Cheng said with a wry smile, shaking his head.

"Alright, if that's the case, let's leave it at that for now. If you change your mind later, you can call me anytime," Tian Mao said, a hint of disappointment in his heart.

Just gathering this information and reporting it to Gao Ling isn't of any benefit, is it?

But perhaps it's Jiang Cheng's acting that's too good, or maybe he truly thinks that way; in any case, he sees no flaw.

The two arrived at Lian Dan Shi, and after parting, each headed toward their own Lian Dan Shi.

Once inside the room, Tian Mao eagerly initiated communication with Gao Ling.

After hearing the report, a smile involuntarily appeared on Gao Ling's face.

For Tian Mao, fearing that the world wouldn't be in turmoil, and with Jiang Cheng here, the degree of importance they receive is far less than before.

But for Gao Ling, he hopes everything stays as it was.

"Does he have absolutely no opinion?"

"He does, but it's hard to call it an opinion."

Tian Mao helplessly said, "He says staying in Lian Dan Shi all day is too tedious and wants to go out for a walk."

"Hmm."

Gao Ling nodded slightly.

That's normal; after all, Jiang Cheng hasn't left the compound at all in the few months he's been here, at most walking within it.

"Supervisor, before we part, I specifically instructed him that if he changes his mind later, he can call me anytime; perhaps in a few days he'll call me, who knows."

"Hmm, if that happens, remember to tell me immediately."

"No problem, supervisor," Tian Mao replied promptly.

After cutting the communication, Gao Ling couldn't help but sigh, "That kid really is an honest person."

If you swapped that person with Jiang Cheng's role, they would certainly have considerable objections; finding a replacement is also possible.

In fact, they also allow others to change jobs, after all those people basically live in the Inner City District; if even changing jobs were prohibited, once the word got out, who would dare come to the Gu Family?

But Jiang Cheng is different.

First, he has no real background and is even wanted; he has made many enemies in the Outer City District. Second, this money‑tree, they will not let go under any circumstances; even if they have to resort to force in the end, they won't hesitate.

Another two days passed.

That night, Jiang Cheng received a text message; after reading it, he deleted the message, as if nothing had happened, and slipped the phone back into his pocket.

The next day, late at night.

Gao Ling, as usual, came to inventory the pills.

"Brother Gao," Jiang Cheng said, looking embarrassed.

"What's the matter, Jiang Lao Di? Anything? If there is, just tell me, I'll do my utmost to help you finish it," Gao Ling said with a smile.

"Brother Gao, I've been here for several months, always doing Refining Alchemy here, and my family has never gone out either, so I'd like to request a half‑day or a full‑day leave to take them out for a walk and broaden their horizons."

"I see."

Gao Ling's face showed a look of difficulty.

"Brother, it's not that we won't let you go out, but Gu Zhangjun has constantly sent people to watch from outside; if you go out, he'll easily notice, and the consequences would be unimaginable."

(End of chapter)