Chapter 41: Unexpected Wealth
However, according to a rumor, that Underground Terrorist Organization seemed to just be selling pirated discs.
Just then, a sudden knock sounded on the door of Xia Shang's Room.
He thought it was Blitz looking for him for dinner, but when he opened the door, the person who walked in was a lawyer from Vought International.
"Hey buddy, I'm really glad you're an employee of Vought International, saved me a taxi fare."
"Ilian Fast, a lawyer from Vought International. You can just call me Fast, that's what my friends call me." Fast, dressed in a suit, shook hands with Xia Shang before sitting down on the sofa next to him.
"Want something to drink?"
Xia Shang walked to the refrigerator and took out two cans of iced cola.
"I assume you're not here today to terminate my work contract," Xia Shang said with a smile, tossing a can of cola into his lap.
"How could that be? An excellent employee like you, Vought wouldn't fire you even if they fired me." Fast took out a document from his black briefcase and handed it to Xia Shang. "Let me tell you some good news, buddy, you're going to get rich today."
"Oh really? I didn't think Vought International would give us security guards bonuses."
Xia Shang put down the cola in his hand and took the document Fast handed him.
He flipped through it and skimmed it. The content of the document was simple and could be summarized in one sentence: take the money and keep quiet.
It turned out that it was revealed online that besides Hughie, the person involved in the A-Train hitting someone incident, there was also a witness.
And this witness was Xia Shang.
"Here's a check for twenty thousand US dollars. You just need to show your face at the upcoming press conference and state that A-Train was indeed chasing a bank robber at the time, and also point out that the woman was actually standing in the middle of the road that day, which is why A-Train didn't react in time."
"Just sign here, and I'll give you the check."
Fast took out a pen, uncapped it, and handed it to Xia Shang.
His expression was confident, a smile playing on his lips. With such generous terms, he figured the security guard in front of him wouldn't refuse.
But the next moment, his expression froze.
Xia Shang pushed away the pen in his hand and casually tossed the contract he was holding onto the table.
"Are you refusing?" Fast narrowed his eyes, his tone carrying a hint of threat.
"Don't misunderstand, I just feel my conscience is a bit troubled, so I need some time to think." Xia Shang crossed his legs, smiling as he took a sip of cola. There wasn't the slightest sign of a troubled conscience on him.
The experienced Fast immediately understood what Xia Shang meant.
"I can add five thousand US dollars at most."
Fast no longer had the smiling look from before. He said with a dark face.
"Currently, due to the impact of this incident, the fluctuations in Vought International's shares probably exceed several hundred million US dollars easily, and the public relations cost spent on it is at least several million US dollars."
Xia Shang's words made Fast stand up directly.
"Buddy, if you want to ask for the moon, you should consider if you'll even be alive to take the money."
"Don't be nervous." Xia Shang walked up to him, looked him in the eyes, and said, "What if I said I could come forward and testify that the woman ignored the traffic light and crossed the road, so it wasn't A-Train who hit her, but she who hit A-Train?"
The atmosphere was silent for a few seconds, then Fast's face instantly broke into a smile, like a Sichuan opera face-changing performance. "Buddy, you're a real fucking genius. Being a security guard is a waste of your talent, you were born to be a lawyer." Fast patted Xia Shang's shoulder, unable to help but praise him.
"Let's go, I'll buy you a drink. We can discuss the specifics there."
Fast put his arm around Xia Shang's shoulder, looking like a close friend.
Afterward, Fast took Xia Shang to a bar called Super Bar. The front of the bar was unremarkable, but the security was very strict. It wasn't until Fast showed his Vought International work ID that the security personnel at the door let them in.
The interior of the bar was extremely luxurious, forming a huge contrast with the plain exterior. Fast led Xia Shang through the crowd. Everywhere were dancers dressed revealingly, with extremely hot figures. They were dancing around poles, the neon lights overhead flashing rapidly, accompanied by money raining down from the sky, giving a feeling of decadence and luxury.
Unfortunately, Xia Shang wasn't interested in this noisy environment, as it would reduce his reaction ability to the outside world.
"Interesting." In this bar, Xia Shang sensed many special brainwaves. If he guessed correctly, most of the guests in this bar were Supes.
The scene that unfolded before his eyes next confirmed his guess.
A scrawny guy was actually able to extend his arm and hug five or six men at once.
"Welcome to the world of Superheroes."
Fast took two cocktails from a waiter dressed as a bunny girl nearby. He handed one to Xia Shang, gestured for a toast, and then downed the cocktail in his glass.
"Cheers." Xia Shang drank his wine along with him.
Then, the two sat down on a vacant sofa. Fast pointed at the dancers in the dance floor and said with a smile, "Buddy, whatever type you like is in there. But I'm not paying for that."
"Forget it, I prefer something cleaner."
Xia Shang leaned close to Fast's ear and whispered.
Fast burst into laughter after hearing that. "Don't let them hear you, or they'll tear you to shreds."
"Right, if you're really willing to come out and testify, I can guarantee you won't get less than this amount." Fast raised the index fingers of both hands and crossed them, forming a cross shape.
After all, if Xia Shang was willing to come out and testify, the public relations cost for the whole incident would be at least halved.
"I'll only take twenty thousand. Help me donate ten thousand of it to the children at the Welfare Institute, and the remaining seventy thousand is for you."
Xia Shang swirled the cocktail in his glass, his gaze hazy as he looked towards the center of the stage.
A flicker of vigilance flashed in Fast's eyes. "Why? I doubt anyone would think they have too much money."
"I heard my superior, Or, is leaving soon."
"I can't make that decision," Fast said, frowning. He hadn't expected Xia Shang's appetite to be so big. Or was the Deputy Manager of Vought International's Security Department, after all, and the Security Department was under the jurisdiction of Vought International's Human Resources Department.
Normally, for Xia Shang to become the Deputy Manager of the Security Department with his current position, he would have to cross at least three hurdles.
First, he would need at least three years of work experience, then become a Deputy Captain of a Security Team, then a Squad Captain, and finally have a chance to become a Deputy Manager.
"Don't be so rigid. Rules are made by people. Having connections is better than anything."
Xia Shang got up and walked towards A-Train, who was drinking alone.
(End of Chapter)