It was already past 1 a.m., and there were no buses running. I watched as Leah King's manager haggled with a taxi driver. It was already the third cab, but he still couldn't strike a deal.
"Brother Zhang, let's wait a bit longer. Right now, we only have..."
I smiled and said.
"No need." I looked into the distance. In the night sky, a taxi flickering with green light sped toward us.
"You’re here, Ethan. It’s been a long time."
It was Ray Lin. He flashed a cheerful smile. I walked over and extended a hand. Ray Lin took it, and I turned to look at Leah King and her manager.
"Get in. He’s my friend."
Just now, I suddenly sensed a surge of ghostly energy within the range of my ghost network. I immediately knew it was Ray Lin. My ghost network covered a radius of three hundred meters—any disturbance, and I’d know instantly.
After getting in, Leah King and her manager kept thanking us. I told them it was nothing. Ray Lin looked genuinely happy.
"By the way, Ethan, it’s been a while—you’ve gotten a lot stronger."
Ray Lin kept glancing at my back as he spoke. He could see the things wrapped in evil energy, crossed behind me with the ghost soldiers. I smiled.
"I'll let you see it someday. It's for hunting monsters."
As soon as I said that, the two people behind me looked confused. I quickly stopped talking. Ray Lin drove slowly, already knowing my destination. About half an hour later, the car stopped at the entrance of Redmane Entertainment Company. Even at this hour, many floors still had their lights on.
On the way, I glanced at Leah King's manager. His name was Nathan Che. He'd been Leah King's college classmate for over ten years, even older than her by two years. From the start, he recognized Leah's talent and entered the entertainment industry with her, step by step. Leah's rise was due to his diligent work. Even now, at rock bottom, he still believed Leah could return to the top, never leaving her side.
The rolling shutter slowly rose, a beam of light spilling out. After we got out of the car, Vivian Maple appeared. She was dressed formally, wearing a mask, and walked toward us.
"Come in, Ethan Zhang. The president is waiting for you."
Vivian Maple glanced at Leah King and Nathan Che. After saying hello to Ray Lin, I nodded.
"I'm really looking forward to this, Ethan."
"When things start happening, just come over."
Ray Lin nodded and leaned back.
"I'll see everyone through to the end. I'll wait here and drive these two back later."
Nathan Che immediately turned and thanked him repeatedly. We followed Vivian Maple inside. It was almost unchanged from two years ago, except for the lack of any human presence. I could sense two very familiar human auras—one was Hugh Thompson, the other was Lan Yin.
I looked around, then followed Vivian Maple into the elevator straight to the 19th floor. Leah King seemed a bit nervous, while Nathan Che looked happy, occasionally glancing at Vivian Maple.
"Ethan Zhang, that thing on your back..."
I smiled.
"I'll show you when I get the chance."
With a ding, we stepped out of the elevator and saw the hallway bustling with people.
"Tomorrow, you two go to the filming location for a field inspection. Make sure the photos are clear. And don't forget to fax a copy to the other company. Get this settled within two days."
I stared in surprise at Hugh Thompson, who was giving orders to Lou Tianyun and the elderly ghost king from Exile Town. Both listened intently. At that moment, Hugh Thompson noticed me, smiled, and walked over.
"Tianshuo."
"Ethan."
Hugh Thompson and I shook hands, both of us visibly moved. I tried to calm myself, knowing I still needed to take Leah King to see Redmond.
Hugh Thompson led us to Redmond's office. Inside, Redmond was drinking tea. Leah King and Nathan Che looked a bit uneasy.
"Oh, Ethan, why did you only come now after being out for so long?"
Redmond gave a wicked smile, stood up, and walked over, glancing at Leah King and Nathan Che.
"Sit down."
We all sat on the leather sofa in the reception area. Vivian Maple immediately brought in tea. I felt a bit puzzled, but Leah King's situation was more pressing.
"Mr. Redmond, this is Ms. Leah King and her manager Nathan Che."
I quickly made the introductions. Leah King and Nathan Che looked respectfully at Redmond.
"Vivian, calculate..."
I watched in confusion as Vivian Maple took out her phone, opened the calculator, and began tapping away. Before I could figure out what was happening, she spoke up.
"Boss, according to the calculation, Ethan Zhang, including our previous help, will need to work under you for a total of 273 years and six months to pay it off. Work must start immediately—if you delay even one day, interest will add another seven days."
"Are you running a loan shark operation?"
I couldn't help but laugh. Redmond nodded.
"What? I don't like helping people unless they ask. Even you, Ethan."
I stood up and looked seriously at Redmond.
"I hope you can help Ms. Leah King."
Redmond looked at me. Leah King and Nathan Che also stood up, bowing respectfully.
"Mr. Redmond, I truly hope your company will sign me. I will..."
This chapter isn’t finished yet~.~ Click next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Redmond gestured for them to sit, then waved Vivian Maple over to the desk. She brought some blank paper and a pen. I found it strange—the items radiated a cold, ghostly energy.
"Write it down—a promissory note. Ethan Zhang, if you ask for my help, of course I’ll help you. Ha! Hahaha..."
Redmond laughed loudly, then stood and patted my shoulder. Vivian Maple handed me the pen, and I prepared to write.
"I’ll say a line, you write a line."
I nodded, bent over, and started writing.
"I, Ethan Zhang, in need of help from the great and respected Redmond, now owe Redmond a tremendous favor. If I can’t repay it, I’ll become Redmond’s slave and work for him for life."
"Hey, don’t go too far, damn it."
I glared at Redmond. He just smiled.
"Just write it, Ethan Zhang."
I left out "great" and "respected," wrote the promissory note, and Vivian Maple brought ink for my fingerprint. I signed and pressed my fingerprint. Redmond, pleased, handed the note to Vivian Maple with a grin.
"One more for my collection, Ethan Zhang. You’d better get to work soon, or you’ll be working for me for centuries."
Redmond’s words made Leah King and Nathan Che look awkward and helpless.
"He’s just joking, don’t mind him."
But inside, I felt a chill. To be honest, Redmond was just like Yin Chou—except he had a serious childish streak.
Nathan Che discussed the concert in two days with Redmond and the others.
"Is there enough time, Tianshuo?"
"What do you think?"
Hugh Thompson smiled, then looked at Redmond.
"Mr. Redmond, Ethan has already written the promissory note."
Redmond stood up and shouted loudly.
"Vivian, get all the staff moving. Since I promised Ethan Zhang, two days from now will be a grand concert."
Vivian Maple hurried out, followed by Hugh Thompson. Just then, the door opened and Lan Yin staggered in, looking drunk.
"E-Ethan... Why didn’t you say hello when you came?"
Leah King and Nathan Che also went out, following Vivian Maple’s arrangements.
"Oh, the freeloader is here. By the way, how much do you owe me now?"
Redmond glanced at Lan Yin, clearly annoyed.
"Doesn’t matter, I’ve got a long life. Redmond, get lost—I want to catch up with Ethan."
Lan Yin staggered over. For some reason, seeing him made me feel a deep sense of sorrow in his heart.
Lan Yin carried a bottle of liquor, reeking of alcohol. Suddenly, he started sobbing, tears streaming down his face.
"What’s wrong with him?"
I watched Lan Yin keep sobbing.
"Drunk every day, freeloading—I can’t even scold him. He’s been here for two years. Even when his people come for him, he refuses to leave, says he’s waiting for you to come back."
After crying for a while, Lan Yin collapsed on the sofa and started snoring.
I looked seriously at Redmond and asked.
"How has the Ghost Burial Squad been these past two years?"
Redmond shook his head.
"Those guys are hiding deep. No news in over two years. So Tianshuo has been working for me temporarily—he’s now our company’s manager."
I gasped, almost dropping my jaw in shock.
"But his salary isn’t low—hundreds of millions a year. You’ve got nothing to do, so hurry up and work at my company. I can pay you ten or twenty thousand a month."
"Doing what? Sweeping the floors?"
I couldn’t help but laugh. Redmond nodded, and I looked at him resentfully. He really did want me to be their janitor.