Final Civilization

Chapter 37: A Personal Invitation

Arriving at the law firm, Han Ming spent the entire morning compiling and pondering all the information, while also beginning to contemplate the special abilities of the Wallfacers and Wallbreakers.

The first issue was immortality.

"Immortality..."

Standing before the floor-to-ceiling window, Han Ming looked out at the city skyline, his feelings somewhat complex.

If he truly possessed the ability of immortality, it would undoubtedly be an incredibly exciting thing.

In ancient fantasy novels, eternal life was the ultimate pursuit, something no one could resist, and Han Ming was no exception.

But immortality was not without its price. He had seen in movies and novels that immortals had to hide their identities, periodically changing them. Otherwise, an ageless person would inevitably arouse suspicion from friends and family.

This also meant that for Wallfacers and Wallbreakers to survive in the world while searching for the answer to the apocalypse, the cycle of life would be endless.

However, it was still too early to think about these things now. Immortality didn't mean one couldn't be killed. Accidents, murder—all could end a life, not to mention the existence of the Wallbreakers.

Han Ming even thought: if a dark forest system existed between Wallfacers and Wallbreakers, wouldn't capturing the discovered party and imprisoning them forever be a better way to eliminate the threat than simply killing them?And how did that 'Jiang Xing' die?

Han Ming pondered deeply. If he could find some clues within that dream, perhaps it could help him avoid many dangers. At the very least... it would give him some peace of mind.

The second issue was infinite wealth.

"If state power cannot locate the existence of Wallfacers and Wallbreakers, it means the banking system cannot monitor the so-called infinite wealth. Then this can only be explained by a supernatural force."

Han Ming picked up his phone, saw the infinite balance inside, and felt a slight stir in his heart.

"From the information I've encountered so far, they all say Wallfacers only have the two abilities of immortality and infinite wealth, but they don't mention having the ability to foresee the future?"

"Is this third ability deliberately hidden, or is it unique to me?"

Han Ming kept pondering. Perhaps to learn the truth about these things, he would need to delve deeper into the Wallfacer organization.

Having made up his mind, he called Sun Lulu again.

"Hello, big lawyer. Any instructions?"

"The car accident case, help me dig deeper for clues. How long will it take?"

"That depends on how deep they've buried them. But for something involving organized murder, at most I can only help you look for leads on the living. I can't guarantee anything else. Because of the risks involved, the price will also be higher."

"Then first dig up one lead. But I have one requirement: you cannot reveal my information."

"Of course. Leaking client information is a major taboo in our line of work. How could we possibly make such a mistake?"

"The price?"

"100,000. Time: three days."

"Is this price discounted for me?" Han Ming asked.

"Of course~"

"Alright."

Han Ming didn't hesitate much. Having a professional team like Sun Lulu's to help with the investigation saved him a lot of trouble.

Knock knock.

Just after hanging up, a knocking sound came from the door. Han Ming looked up to see a female colleague from the front desk pushing open the glass door and saying to him,

"Attorney Han, someone is looking for you. It's Secretary Jin from the Tianzhou Group."

As soon as she finished speaking, Secretary Jin walked in from behind with a smile. "Sorry, Attorney Han, for disturbing you without a prior appointment. I hope this is convenient for you?"

Han Ming's mind snapped back from his reverie, his expression turning slightly serious.

Yan Jing wanted to invite him to her home for a meal. This woman was really too direct.

In their previous meetings, the pressure Yan Jing exuded and the subtle probing in her language had left him somewhat weary. It wasn't that he couldn't handle it, but compared to interacting with Yan Jing, he actually preferred playing with Yan Duoduo.

Now she was inviting him to her home for a meal. If word got out, he'd never shake off the label of a guy who latched onto a single mother CEO.

But after thinking it over, he couldn't easily refuse. Secretary Jin coming in person meant she was on a mission from her boss that had to be completed. A direct refusal would be a huge loss of face.

Forget it. Hard to decline such earnest hospitality. Might as well go see little Duoduo.

"Secretary Jin, you came specifically to find me. Is there something at the Group?" Han Ming asked, already knowing the answer.

Secretary Jin smiled slightly. "No, I'm here on behalf of Chairwoman Yan to invite you privately to dinner at her residence tonight. I wonder if you have any important arrangements this evening?"

"You mean... to Chairwoman Yan's home?"

"Yes."

Han Ming looked at her and asked tentatively, "I'd like to ask, does Chairwoman Yan often invite people to her home for meals?"

This question was very impolite, but Han Ming asked it deliberately.

"Not at all."

Secretary Jin responded calmly. "This is the first time I'm aware of."

Han Ming nodded and let out a long sigh. "Then I'm truly honored."

Secretary Jin gave a light laugh and said politely,

"Chairwoman Yan specifically asked me to tell you not to have any concerns or feel any pressure. Miss Duoduo is very much looking forward to your visit. And Chairwoman Yan's purpose in inviting you to her residence for a chat is also very simple."

She looked calmly at Han Ming and said,

"Chairwoman Yan greatly admires you."

"Thank you." Han Ming nodded.

"I admire myself too."

...

Secretary Jin returned to the car in the parking lot with a smile on her face. After closing the car door, her tense expression was immediately replaced by one of astonishment.

She looked utterly incredulous. What on earth was wrong with this man? Someone expresses admiration for him, and he replies that he admires himself too.

Inviting him to her home for a meal, and he actually directly asks if Yan Jing often invites people back for meals...

"Are all lawyers' mouths this sharp..."

After calming her emotions, she resumed her professional demeanor and dialed Yan Jing's phone.

"Chairwoman Yan, Attorney Han will arrive on time."

...

Having to go to Yan Jing's for dinner in the evening, Han Ming checked the time and decided to find Lin Xiaoyi for lunch to discuss investment matters. In the afternoon, he'd buy a gift for Duoduo. Showing up empty-handed for a visit wasn't good. Since he was already cast in the role of someone attached to a wealthy woman, he had come to accept it.

Han Ming still had some calculations in mind. He needed to enter wealthy circles to legitimize the source of his wealth. The best way was to build relationships with people like Yan Jing, Lin Xiaoyi, and even Tao Jie. That way, even if he made money from investments, others wouldn't see it as a sudden rags-to-riches story, but rather as having guidance from big shots, a sure bet.

He gave Lin the Hound a call. In less than half an hour, the Mercedes G-Class was parked downstairs at Huatian Tower.

Hearing that Han Ming wanted to do some investments with him, Lin Xiaoyi got so excited he left in the middle of a game.

As soon as Han Ming got in the car and saw Lin Xiaoyi's flashy outfit of shorts and flip-flops, he said helplessly,

"Article 90 of the Road Traffic Safety Law: drivers operating motor vehicles while wearing flip-flops will be given a warning or fined between 20 and 200 yuan."

"Good thing you're not a policeman."

Lin Xiaoyi sighed deeply. "Otherwise, you'd definitely annoy me to death."

Han Ming smiled. "You studied law too. Shouldn't you be more sensitive to these things?"

Lin Xiaoyi drove out of the underground parking lot, put on his frog sunglasses, and grinned handsomely. "I studied law for you. Who told you're my buddy?"

Han Ming blinked.

"That sounds like either you have a secret crush on me or you're planning to bring me to justice?"

"Tsk tsk. I originally thought we'd be in the same major, and we brothers could form a devastatingly handsome duo at Peking University, making waves for a while. But you, you got so addicted to studying you couldn't extricate yourself. Is that any way for a successor of socialism to behave?"

Han Ming smiled and said, "That's a good combo. I'll be in charge of the handsomeness."

"You're such a jerk."

Lin Xiaoyi retorted directly, then said seriously, "Getting back on topic, why the sudden interest in investment? Because of Yan Jing's 30 million?"

"What else?" Han Ming said. "With this initial capital, it's time to use it to create some wealth."

"Cut the crap..."

Lin Xiaoyi smiled helplessly. "Right after graduation, I asked you to partner with me, but you insisted on being a lawyer. Then I asked you to be the legal director at my company, and you refused. Now you suddenly have an epiphany? Who are you trying to fool?"

"Friends going into business together is actually a major taboo in the business world. I've handled many commercial dispute cases. The ones where people stab each other in the back the most over profits are often the so-called 'friends' from the start."

Han Ming said with a serious expression,

"So I believe that for friendships to remain pure, there shouldn't be financial dealings between friends."

Lin Xiaoyi glanced at him and said with a smile,

"Then why do you want to invest with me now? Are we not pure anymore?"

Han Ming said calmly,

"No, there's a fundamental difference here. First, my main job is still being a lawyer; investment is a side venture. Second, what I'm looking for is a venture where I only invest and don't participate in operations. It's essentially borrowing your connections and insights, but I make the decisions. If the money is lost, it's my money. Third..."

"You got this money quickly, so it doesn't hurt?" Lin Xiaoyi answered for him.

Han Ming smiled faintly.

"The best methods for sudden windfall wealth are, first, to save it, and second, to let people who know how to make money manage it, rather than being clever and thinking you can control this wealth yourself."

Lin Xiaoyi nodded with a look of admiration. "Wow, I actually admire your clarity of mind. Getting 30 million out of the blue and being so calm about it. If it were me, I'd already be driving an Aston Martin, catching the sea breeze on Miami Beach."

"You already did that when you were 18."

"I know. I was putting myself in the perspective of you working folks."

"..."