Klein bowed, showing his utmost respect for Chen Nuo.
"Pluto, do you have any business here today?"
Chen Nuo smiled playfully and asked in return, "What? Are you so interested in my whereabouts?"
Though it seemed like a casual remark, it made Klein feel as though he were facing a formidable enemy.
Almost no one internationally was unaware that a smile from Pluto meant life and death hung in the balance.
"Pluto, I meant no disrespect. If you are free right now, I would love to play the host and treat you to a meal, to repay the debt of saving my life."
Chen Nuo smiled. "Never mind. I have to go see an elder in a moment."
Klein's eyes lit up. "Pluto, please come with me for a second. I happen to have two bottles of specially supplied seventy-year-old Moutai on hand. You should take them back to taste."
Before coming down the mountain, Chen Nuo indeed hadn't considered things thoroughly and hadn't brought any gifts down with him. Since this trip down was meant to see Jiang Yurou's father, showing up empty-handed wouldn't look right.
"Very well, let's go take a look then," Chen Nuo said, raising his chin slightly.
Overjoyed, Klein hurriedly led Chen Nuo into his office.
There was still another person sitting inside the office, who sprang to his feet the moment he saw Klein enter.
When this man in his fifties caught sight of Chen Nuo, his body trembled uncontrollably, and tears began to stream down his face.
"Pluto! It really is you, Pluto! Where have you been these past two years? I've searched everywhere for you!"
Seeing the person before him, Chen Nuo finally remembered who he was: Wang Wanjin, the richest man in Long Province and a legendary figure who had started from scratch at eighteen to build the Wang Group, spanning cross-border logistics. Known as the Cash King of Long Province, he pulled in a million every single second.
Back then, because he was cornered by foreign conglomerates and had gone alone to negotiate in island territory, he had been ambushed and happened to be rescued by Pluto Palace.
"The richest man in Long Province and the international Death God—you two hanging out together are going to make people suspicious," Chen Nuo teased. Like guilty children, both men lowered their heads.
Klein said earnestly, "Old Wang, didn't you bring two bottles of special Moutai? Hurry up and get them out for Lord Pluto."
Wang Wanjin slapped his forehead hard. "Right, right, right! Thank goodness you reminded me. Lord Pluto, I can never repay the debt of saving my life. Please take these two bottles of wine. If you ever need me, Wang Wanjin, anywhere in Long Province, I won't hesitate even if you tell me to die!"
Right after that, Klein pulled a key out from inside his jacket. "Lord Pluto, this is the key to a villa in the Century Palace district. Since you've just arrived here, you need a place to stay."
Century Palace, nestled in the quietest part of Qingcheng, was the most luxurious residential area in Long Province. Each property cost no less than three billion, and money alone wasn't enough to secure a home there—connections were also required. Countless rich people in Qingcheng wanted to get in for a look, but they were stopped dead at the gates and could never enter without the specific key.
Chen Nuo felt a trace of warmth at the gestures of the two men.
Chen Nuo took the keys and tucked them into his pocket, then looked at the rather plainly packaged Moutai and said, "Thank you. Consider it a favor I owe the two of you."
The two men were flustered with gratitude, lowering their heads even further. A favor from Pluto was truly priceless; rumor had it that Pluto acted entirely on whim. When he was in a good mood, a single coin could wipe out an entire drug cartel's family, and when he was in a bad mood, he would broadcast the execution of an enemy nation's top general live.
That very favor could save their lives at a critical moment!
"Lord Pluto, if you have the time, would you honor us by having a simple meal?" Klein ventured to ask.
"Chen Nuo! Did you fall into the toilet or something? Get out here right now, we're leaving! If you don't want to get left behind and starve to death, hurry up!"
A voice came from outside, startling the two top-tier figures in the room so badly they almost dropped to their knees.
Daring to use Pluto's real name directly—how was this any different from courting death?
Back then, the top boss of the Assassin Alliance had merely uttered a curse and had his tongue ripped out by Pluto. With the person outside being this arrogant, wasn't that just asking to die?
Klein narrowed his eyes. "Lord Pluto, shall I go out and take care of her right now?"
Chen Nuo sighed. "Forget it, there's no need. I'm leaving now, I'll look you up another time."
The two men respectfully escorted Chen Nuo all the way outside before turning back into the building.
Outside, Jiang Yurou felt a bit dazed seeing the slightly older man who had just emerged.
"Xiaoyu, did you just see that? The person next to Chen Nuo looked like the richest man in our Long Province," Jiang Yurou said.
Huo Xiaoyu hadn't paid attention to those two men just now, and she casually replied, "How could that be, Xiaorou? Just think about it, how could a bumpkin like him who stays up in the mountains year-round possibly know the richest man in Long Province? He wouldn't even be qualified to shine the richest man's shoes."
Jiang Yurou nodded. "That's true. People in our social strata don't even have the chance to say a single word to the richest man in Long Province, let alone him. I must have seen things."
Chen Nuo walked over carrying the two bottles of special Moutai. Seeing the packaging, Huo Xiaoyu frowned and said, "Chen Nuo, you even brought back someone else's trash from the restroom? Aren't you disgusting?"
Jiang Yurou pulled Huo Xiaoyu back and said, "Forget it, Xiaoyu, stop talking. My dad must be getting impatient by now, let's head back."
She could tell that what Chen Nuo was carrying in his hand should be alcohol, but could alcohol worth just a few hundred bucks actually be drinkable?
Wouldn't giving something like that to her old man make him lose a lot of face?
Even though she foresaw the embarrassment, Jiang Yurou decisively shook the thought away.
What did Chen Nuo losing face have to do with her? They weren't even friends; if anyone was going to be embarrassed by this sort of thing, it would be Chen Nuo himself!
The three of them drove and soon arrived at the Ziyu Huayuan villa area where Jiang Zhenguo was staying.
By this time, Jiang Zhenguo was already waiting at the entrance to greet them.
After the three of them got out of the car, Jiang Zhenguo's face beamed with joy when he saw Chen Nuo, while the woman beside him wore an expression of extreme displeasure.
Jiang Zhenguo exclaimed, "Ah, Xiao Chen, I've longed and yearned for you, and you've finally arrived! Come on inside."
Chen Nuo handed over the Moutai and said, "Uncle Jiang, this is seventy-year-old special Moutai. Just a small gift, I hope you like it.Li Xiumei suddenly chimed in, "Seventy years? These two bottles of wine could be seventy years old? And special supply, too? Kid, even when you're putting on an act, you ought to come up with a believable story. Have you ever even seen special supply alcohol?"
Jiang Zhenguo scolded sternly, "Xiumei! I'm already thrilled that Chen Nuo could come today. What seventy-year special supply—even if Chen Nuo came empty-handed today, I'd still be happy! Did my good son-in-law get carsick on the way here?"
Jiang Yurou, who was in the middle of drinking water, instantly spat out a mouthful of tea upon hearing the word "son-in-law."
"Son-in-law?! Dad, what do you mean? Are you saying Chen Nuo is my husband?"
Jiang Zhenguo replied, "That's right, this is the marriage arranged by your eldest sister, and your marriage certificate has already been processed."
Chen Nuo had no idea about this. He truly hadn't expected his Eighth Master to go to such lengths to lock him down.
Jiang Yurou slammed the cup in her hand onto the floor with a crash. "No way! How could I possibly marry a little beggar? Why didn't you guys consult me about this? He's dirt poor, what right does he have to marry me?"