Chapter 106

Chapter 106: Business Trip with Boss Ji – The Door of Rebirth in the Apocalypse

After returning to her room, Gu Ning took off the emblem on her chest and held it in her hand, feeling a mix of emotions.

In that moment when Zhuang Chen had her swear the oath, Gu Ning had truly considered quitting. But under the gaze of three pairs of eyes, especially Ji Jiuzhe’s calm yet piercing look, she felt as if choosing to quit would mean she couldn’t leave that room.

If Gu Ning were someone who made promises lightly, it would be fine. But the problem was, Gu Ning never made promises easily. Once she made a commitment, she would see it through no matter what.

What if they really sent her on a mission to capture some international drug lord?

Gu Ning rolled around on the bed a few times, let out a groan, and then lay flat, completely motionless.

At 8 PM, Zhuang Chen came to Gu Ning’s room with a notebook.

Zhuang Chen smiled and said, “I forgot to tell you about the benefits of being in the Five-Star Brigade during the oath ceremony.”

Gu Ning immediately perked up, sitting cross-legged on the bed to listen to Zhuang Chen’s explanation.

The base salary for the First Squad of the Five-Star Brigade was 8,000.

But completing an S-level mission would earn at least 10 million.

“Per person,” Zhuang Chen emphasized. “The number of people required for an S-level mission needs to be approved by headquarters. Of course, how much you get depends on whether you’re a key player or just support. Last year, on Yi Shaoqing’s S-level mission, I only got 2 million.”

An A-level mission paid 5 million.

A B-level mission paid 1 million.

And a C-level mission only paid 500,000.

C-level was the lowest; anything below that wasn’t worth the Five-Star Brigade’s time.

Zhuang Chen continued, “Last year, our team took on three missions. Two S-level and one A-level. Ji Jiuzhe and Yi Shaoqing each took an S-level, I took an A-level, and Yin Sang didn’t take any because she couldn’t handle an A-level and didn’t want a B-level, so she got zero.” Zhuang Chen looked at Gu Ning for a while and then said, “You can start by taking on some private missions.”

Gu Ning asked, “What are private missions?”

“The Five-Star Brigade is like a mercenary organization to the outside world, taking on various missions. For example, that antique you had last time, the twin of the Celadon Sunflower Wash, the other one was escorted by the Second Squad in 2012 for 5 million. Private missions are lower risk and higher reward compared to official missions, but they don’t earn points. They’re just for making money. Also, all the equipment for private missions has to be paid for by you, or the client, but headquarters doesn’t cover it. However, headquarters takes a 10% cut from the earnings.”

As she spoke, her eyes were fixed on her notebook, typing in a long URL. The page she opened was very simple, without any flashy elements.

“See here? Red means available missions. Black means they’ve already been taken.”

Gu Ning looked carefully; there were at least a hundred red missions listed.

Zhuang Chen continued, “When there are no missions, your time is completely free. If you need money…” She paused, remembering Gu Ning’s Celadon Sunflower Wash, and then said, “Well, you don’t really need money. But you can come here to take private missions for practice. Though you probably won’t have much free time soon. Ji Jiuzhe definitely has other plans for you.” She looked at Gu Ning with a hint of sympathy. “You’re his first apprentice, and you’ll definitely be his only one. Given his character, he’ll be very strict with you. Be prepared.”

Gu Ning’s mind was filled with thoughts of money. Although the Celadon Sunflower Wash was worth a lot, she wasn’t in a hurry to sell it. But thinking about the huge rewards from missions, Gu Ning couldn’t help but smile, secretly cursing Zhuang Chen and the others for being so sneaky, deliberately not telling her these things and pretending they forgot. But everyone knew what was going on.

Gu Ning didn’t pay much attention to what Zhuang Chen said.

The next day, after breakfast, Ji Jiuzhe came down the stairs wearing a very eye-catching gray autumn trench coat. Gu Ning asked proactively, “Captain, are you going out?” If he went out, she’d be free! After reaching a certain level in close combat, Gu Ning naturally started feeling lazy.

Ji Jiuzhe nodded, then looked at the soy milk in her hand and asked, “Finished eating?”

Gu Ning said, “Yes.”

“Then let’s go.”

“Huh???”

Half an hour later, Gu Ning was on a high-speed train to Pingze City.

“Captain, where are we going?”

“Pingze.”

“…I didn’t bring anything, not even money.”

“I have it.”

“…What are we going to do?”

“Fight.”

“???”

Ji Jiuzhe didn’t give Gu Ning much chance to ask questions. After adjusting his seat, he actually pulled out two eye masks from his coat pocket, handed one to Gu Ning, put one on himself, and started sleeping.

Gu Ning held the eye mask, looking at Ji Jiuzhe who was already resting with his eyes covered, and then silently put on her own eye mask and lay back to sleep.

Since unlocking her space, Gu Ning’s body seemed to have a switch. If she didn’t want to sleep, she could stay energetic for three days and nights. But if she activated sleep mode, she could fall asleep the moment she closed her eyes.

Gu Ning slept for a full two hours. When she woke up, she felt something was off. She and Ji Jiuzhe were sitting in the same row, with her on the inside by the window. But now she was leaning to the left, her face against a very comfortable fabric… She had been sleeping on Ji Jiuzhe’s shoulder?! Then Gu Ning heard the sound of pages turning. Ji Jiuzhe was already awake and reading a book. To avoid waking Gu Ning, he was using his other hand to turn the pages, so Gu Ning barely felt any movement… Just as Gu Ning was about to pretend to shift in her sleep, Ji Jiuzhe’s calm voice sounded, “We’re almost there.”

Clearly, he knew she was awake.

Gu Ning stiffened, then silently sat up straight and handed the eye mask back to Ji Jiuzhe.

“Hello, could you bring another cup of warm water?” Ji Jiuzhe said to the flight attendant.

“Of course, please wait a moment,” the flight attendant said with a beautiful smile.

Soon, she brought a cup of warm water. “Sir, your warm water.”

“Thank you,” Ji Jiuzhe took the water and handed it to Gu Ning.

“Ah, thank you,” Gu Ning quickly took it and started sipping.

Gu Ning had put on the eye mask as soon as she got on the train, so Zhao Lin hadn’t seen her face clearly. People sitting in first class were usually well-off. Zhao Lin had chosen this job after graduating and had worked hard to be promoted to first class, so she had her own plans. When she came from the previous carriage, she immediately noticed Ji Jiuzhe, who, even with the eye mask, had a sharp jawline. Combined with his obviously expensive trench coat and perfectly matched pants and shoes, Zhao Lin felt her heart flutter, sensing an opportunity. Then she glanced at the girl sitting next to him. The girl was wearing a “matching” black eye mask, but when Zhao Lin saw her “non-mainstream” short blonde hair and cheap sportswear, she immediately dismissed the idea that they were together. She started thinking about how to get his attention, preferably getting his contact information. Ji Jiuzhe had slept for about an hour.

When she saw him take off the eye mask, Zhao Lin could hardly contain her joy, her face lighting up with a genuine, sweet smile.

“Hello, could I have a cup of warm water? Thank you.”

And he was so polite!

After handing the water to Ji Jiuzhe, Zhao Lin noticed that the girl next to him had her head resting on his shoulder! Her own seat was so spacious, yet she insisted on leaning over, probably not even asleep. Zhao Lin thought to herself. When she saw Ji Jiuzhe’s brow furrow slightly, she became even more convinced. So she considerately asked softly, “Sir, should I remind the lady next to you?”

Ji Jiuzhe paused, looked at her, and said, “No need.”

Zhao Lin was taken aback but quickly thought, what a gentleman.

Her smile grew even sweeter. She leaned forward slightly, showing off her best curves, her eyes slightly encouraging. “Do you need anything else?”

“No, thank you,” Ji Jiuzhe didn’t even glance at her curves, speaking coldly. Then he picked up a magazine from the front and started flipping through it.

Zhao Lin’s smile faltered slightly, but she still said, “Alright, please let me know if you need anything.” Then she stood up and retreated to the aisle.

An hour later, he called her again.

The girl next to him had woken up. From Zhao Lin’s angle, she could only see her profile. Her skin was very pale, almost sickly, and she looked young, around 21 or 22. But strangely, she looked familiar.

Then she saw Ji Jiuzhe take the water from her and naturally hand it to the girl next to him. Were they actually together?

The girl seemed still half-asleep, turning her head in confusion. Zhao Lin caught a glimpse of her face and was stunned. She looked like someone, but who? She couldn’t quite remember.

Gu Ning took a few sips of water and felt a strong gaze. She turned her head and saw the flight attendant frowning at her. Their eyes met, and both were startled.

Zhao Lin asked hesitantly, “Gu Ning?”

Gu Ning also recognized Zhao Lin—her college classmate.

“Oh my god—” Zhao Lin covered her mouth in disbelief. “What happened to you?” As soon as she spoke, she felt a cold gaze. It was Ji Jiuzhe. Thinking her reaction had upset him, Zhao Lin quickly composed herself and said to Gu Ning, “Gu Ning, when did you come back? We heard you went missing. All our classmates were trying to find out what happened. Why didn’t you contact us when you came back?”

Honestly, during her four years of college, Gu Ning had only followed Lu Jiazhi and hadn’t bothered to build relationships. She lived at home and didn’t have close friends in the dorm. She joined a club out of curiosity at the start but was kicked out after three months for too many absences. College was full of cliques, but Gu Ning always floated on the outskirts, so she never formed deep connections.

After returning, the most troublesome thing was people asking about her disappearance. Except for her parents notifying relatives and Lu Jiazhi without her knowledge, she had specifically told her dad not to spread the news of her return.

She never expected to run into a college classmate here. Zhao Lin had been one of the class beauties, a central figure in the class, organizing most of the activities. Gu Ning remembered Zhao Lin saying she wanted to be a teacher…

Gu Ning smiled and said, “I’ve been really busy lately, so I didn’t have time.”

Zhao Lin pouted, “Really, you had us so worried! No matter how busy, you should’ve called!” After that, she skipped the small talk and eagerly asked, “Where are you going?” She glanced at Ji Jiuzhe and tentatively asked, “Who’s this?”

Gu Ning almost blurted out, “My boss.”

Ji Jiuzhe glanced at her but said nothing.

Zhao Lin’s eyes lit up, “Gu Ning, give me your number. Let’s get the class together sometime.”

Gu Ning smiled, “Sorry, I got a new number and didn’t bring my phone. I’ll call you another time.”

Zhao Lin wasn’t sure if Gu Ning was telling the truth but said, “You better call!”

Seeing that lingering wasn’t helpful and might even make him dislike her, she smiled at him and retreated to her seat, though she couldn’t help but wonder how Gu Ning got so lucky to travel with such a boss and even dye her hair so non-mainstream.

Gu Ning, unaware of Zhao Lin’s thoughts, was just relieved to have brushed her off. She wouldn’t call; she was too busy to deal with people she barely knew.

When they got off the train, Zhao Lin grabbed Gu Ning for a few more words.

Ji Jiuzhe was already outside, checking his watch with a hint of impatience. He said to Gu Ning, “Secretary Gu, we’re going to be late.”

Gu Ning was momentarily stunned but quickly caught on, suppressing a smile and pretending to be anxious. “Yes, boss!” She gave Zhao Lin an apologetic smile, then quickly got off the train and followed Ji Jiuzhe without looking back.

“Thank you, Captain,” Gu Ning said sincerely.

Ji Jiuzhe replied, “Then treat me to a meal.”

Gu Ning was taken aback but said confidently, “Captain, you forgot. I didn’t bring any money.”

At noon, Ji Jiuzhe took Gu Ning to a very traditional Chinese restaurant with a quiet atmosphere. There was no main dining area, just private rooms separated by screens.

The dishes were exquisite, even the tableware was carefully chosen, with silver chopsticks.

Ji Jiuzhe liked sweet food, while Gu Ning preferred spicy. So they ordered half sweet and half spicy dishes, all meat, plus two plates of greens. The kitchen probably hadn’t seen such an order before.

After taking a bite of sweet and sour pork ribs, Ji Jiuzhe suddenly said, “The sweet and sour ribs you made last time were very good.”

Gu Ning immediately understood, “…Then I’ll make them for you again when I have time?”

Ji Jiuzhe gave her a satisfied look. Fortunately, his apprentice wasn’t a fool.

They ate in silence, focusing on the food. Ji Jiuzhe ate more dishes, only one bowl of rice. Gu Ning had three bowls, picking out all the meat and leaving the vegetables.

When the bill came, Gu Ning’s eyes widened at the price.

“Although it was delicious, it’s too expensive,” Gu Ning muttered. As they left, she glanced back at the restaurant’s sign, memorizing it and adding it to her blacklist. Looking at Ji Jiuzhe, she deeply understood what it meant to be rich and任性 (任性:任性).

An S-level mission paid over ten million, but a meal for two cost over five thousand. That was just ridiculous.

Five thousand! How much supplies could that buy in the apocalypse?!

Gu Ning’s heart skipped a beat, suddenly remembering Ji Jiuzhe’s earlier suggestion for her to treat him to a meal. Would it be at this level? Gu Ning now had some assets, but spending five thousand on a meal was like draining her blood. Converted into supplies, it could pile up into a small mountain.

Gu Ning quickly caught up to Ji Jiuzhe, walking beside him, and said, “Captain, don’t you think my cooking is pretty good? How about I cook for you at home instead?”

Ji Jiuzhe glanced at her, “Are you that short on money?”

Gu Ning chuckled awkwardly, “A little.”

Ji Jiuzhe paused, then said slowly, “I heard from Zhuang Chen you have a Celadon Sunflower Wash?”

Gu Ning: ……