Chapter 114 - The World Is Your Oyster (3)
"It is to save time, Miss Bai. I would not like to dawdle with you about this and turn it into a small game of back and forth—it's better that we are forthright in this conversation and come to an agreement."
"Or not."
"Or not—but I probably won't stop until you eventually give in." Missions were missions. He could not escape them even if he wanted to not take them.
"Then you'll only be harassing me until I agree with you." the Mermaid scoffed. "Well, I will not simply take your word for it. Show me something that will let me find proof in how you'll make me even more powerful than I already am."
The CEO stared at her—she had no cultivation.. He wondered if she could do it, but based on his assessment, it was possible. However, he had no cultivation method to offer her or anything at all. Li Yang silently berated himself for the lack of proof… until one an idea appeared in his mind.
"Please watch this small demonstration then—"
[ Deducting 100 CP from the Host… ]
An item appeared in his hand, a small object made out of stone, and it was in the shape of a… heart? Li Yang raised his head and already saw the woman taking steps towards him.
She was moving in spite of the look of chagrin.
"What the—" Her face was flushed as she looked at him. "Destroy that! I know better than anyone that objects made to attract are a pathetic thing!"
"Then are you mocking your own voice that attracts countless people to become your audience? This is less showy, but the effects are close."
His words earned a glare from the Mermaid. "I have done nothing wrong, do not accuse me when you cannot fathom what has been present since my birth."
Sometimes he would still say things that could offend people, he couldn't help himself. But now he inclined his head. "Indeed, I do not, thus it is natural that I see your ability as a dangerous thing when no other person could do a similar thing." A small infusion of flattery could get him somewhere since he was dealing with this particular kind of person.
"Then stop that natural stone thing at once—it's making my heart beat for no reason at all."
The CEO would do just that and crumble the stone into ashes—somehow, either the charm was fragile or his strength had already improved.
Putting that aside, he gave the woman a look, "I have the ability to procure certain objects that are of a rare find. Some of them can be entirely useless at first appearance but will have no doubt some use, others are good weapons not found in our current time and age and I have also procured items that could allow me to live and breathe underwater for around a week or so."
He was speaking about the items he found in the Mystery Boxes he opened up.
Li Yang wished he had brought them, but there was no doubt that it was enough to make the woman think twice about his offer.
"I don't care about paltry objects. You already said that my voice can do a better job than that charm which is terribly roundabout about attracting people to you—it's too obvious unless you are blind. I have no need for weapons either or objects that can allow you to breathe underwater, and neither do I desire to bring anyone there. Who cares if you can breathe if you have no capacity to deal with the threats of the deep?"
The CEO cleared his throat, once again taking another route. "And it is also possible that if you were to step into a cultivation path, I will be able to upgrade the cultivation method that you procure. At this point of time, due to your nature, you have a strong bloodline and pure water roots that can make humans green with envy—put to good use, you'll be a great cultivator."
"And what if I have no interest in becoming one?" She cocked a brow at him.
What was it that this Mermaid desired? Financial wealth did not make her falter. Objects or gifts were taken with nothing less but a small look. Even power held no sway to her. Perhaps he was tackling this the wrong way already? The CEO cleared his throat, "Then I offer you companionship in the future."
"... do you think that I am a lonely person?"
Those words somehow managed to make her take a pause.
He thought it was the chance of having a strong ally that made her falter, but it was just the thought of having a companion then?
The CEO shook his head. "I would like to think not—but people in your industry are riddled with always busy people who cannot have much time for themselves and even garner real loved ones—I am aware that your fans love you, but do they truly know you? This kind of situation will become even more severe once the time for your disappearance occurs."
"And you think that you alone can satisfy my need for companionship?" She rested her hand underneath her chin. "Someone who's so straightforward and wishes to not waste one another's time by jumping into an agreement already? Get a little more personality before you offer me companionship, Li Yang. I'd rather hang out with Sun Aoyun and kraken egg's knows that he's a complete monkey."
The CEO wrinkled his nose. "Then you want me to dye my hair and then go around singing songs and prancing around the stage?"
"Well, no—don't take infusion of personality as copying someone else. All I see that you're doing is giving little smirks and smiles."
The CEO blinked slightly and opened his mouth—but the woman continued on undeterred.
She waved a hand at him and sighed. "It might work with some women and others might adore that oh-so-dependable nature that you have especially paired with the fact that you're a CEO of one of the top businesses across the world… but that's not really exciting for me. Fifty years after this, will I see you still wearing that business suit and running a corporation?"
"No, of course not."