Chapter 243: Wealthy Zhang Yu

Chapter 243: Zhang Yu, the Man of Money

Before he knew it, the time had already arrived in March.

In the quiet room, Zhang Yu’s gaze slowly opened, and in his eyes seemed to flash two streaks of sharp light.

He looked at the Feather Book beside him, where the displayed data read: Dao Heart Level 10, Mana 100, Physical Strength Level 10.

After these days of cultivation, Zhang Yu’s Dao Heart level had finally reached the 10th level, the limit of Qi Refining.

With Dao Heart reaching level 10, he now felt his muscles and mana all obeying his will as if they were part of him, smooth and unimpeded, no longer that sense of insufficient power.

But on the other hand… in Zhang Yu’s sea of consciousness, the crippled ox he visualized moved slowly, its demeanor languid, as if even the broken horn on its head had lost its former edge, becoming blunt and thick.

Zhang Yu also checked his current bank balance, which had reached 19 million, a big step closer to the Heavenly Spirit Root.

Ever since the numbers on his bank card kept rising, his daily cultivation grew easier, and he attended more social engagements and activities with Boss Wang, Zhang Yu could feel that his Crippled Ox Sacrifice Heart Technique was becoming less effective at channeling potential, strengthening the body, and invigorating flesh and blood.

“Is it because my life has been too comfortable lately, not enough pressure? After all, this technique works better the greater the pressure.”

Zhang Yu wasn’t sure, but he thought to himself: “My future life will only get better.”

“My grades are getting better, my money is increasing—should I consider switching to a more suitable heart technique?”

“This Crippled Ox Sacrifice Heart Technique is, after all, a technique for the lower class.”

He thought of Le Mulan, Song Hailong, and also Yu Xinghan, Ye Lingxiao, and even Boss Wang.

Zhang Yu mused that perhaps he should ask these wealthy people to recommend a heart technique for him.

“Without realizing it, I’m about to become a rich man.”

“So should I adapt to the cultivation methods of the rich and find some techniques for the wealthy to practice?”

And whether it was his imagination or not, when this thought surged in Zhang Yu’s mind, the crippled ox in his visualization seemed to grow even lazier, losing all fighting spirit and vitality.

Just then, Zhang Yu’s phone vibrated—it was a call from Mo Tianyi.

Mo Tianyi, a member of the Poor Alliance.

Ever since last year when Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen announced their allegiance to Zhang Pianpian, Mo Tianyi had cut ties with them.

And after the death of the Poor Alliance’s leader, the cultist Song Xu, the alliance had become even more insignificant; Zhang Yu hadn’t heard from them in a long time.

Seeing Mo Tianyi’s call now, Zhang Yu was a bit puzzled but still answered.

Mo Tianyi’s hesitant voice came through: “Zhang… Zhang Yu, hello.”

Now, Zhang Yu had not only skyrocketed in wealth but had also reached the peak of Qi Refining in strength. Under the publicity of Oasis Group and the halo of the Foundation Establishment Certificate, he had become a well-known figure in Kunxu Layer One, a rich man.

And in Mo Tianyi’s eyes, Zhang Yu had become a figure far above their high school class, someone from a different world.

Zhang Yu replied casually, “What’s the matter?”

Mo Tianyi said softly, “I wanted to borrow some money from you.”

“Ever since the boss had his accident, things have been bad on our end.”

“Recently, the company cut salaries, and one of our alliance members hit someone while delivering food…”

Zhang Yu recalled the twenty thousand yuan the other had once invested in him and Bai Zhenzhen.

Though that amount wasn’t much, it had been a timely help for Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen back then.

Thinking this, Zhang Yu said, “I understand. I’ll transfer you 100,000 yuan in a bit. If you need anything else, feel free to contact me.”

“Th… thank you.”

“We’ll definitely pay you back someday!”

Mo Tianyi hadn’t expected Zhang Yu to be so straightforward. In his eyes, no matter how wealthy, rich people wouldn’t easily part with money without some benefit.

Feeling the goodwill in Zhang Yu’s words, Mo Tianyi couldn’t help but add, “Zhang Yu, you’re now a role model for all us poor students. In all of Kunxu Layer One’s poor, there’s never been a high schooler with achievements like yours.”

“You don’t know how thrilled everyone was when they heard about your results, knowing you could get into the Top Ten. You slapped those rich kids in the face for us.”

“Now every student in high school is holding their breath, inspired by you. Everyone’s working harder and pushing themselves more than before…”

Listening to Mo Tianyi’s words, Zhang Yu didn’t know how to respond for a moment.

After a long pause, he hung up amid Mo Tianyi’s repeated thanks. Then Zhang Yu suddenly pulled out his phone to look up news about salary cuts.

It turned out that ever since the major clans and companies began consolidating, the first thing they did was implement collective salary cuts.

Zhang Yu read some analyses online, saying that the number of high school graduates and college students returning to Layer One was increasing every year, and the job market had been worsening year by year.

With companies simultaneously lowering wages and benefits, employees had no choice but to silently accept to keep their jobs.

Fuji reminded him, “What’s so interesting about this kind of news? It has nothing to do with us.”

“Even if it weren’t you and Bai Zhenzhen, Oasis Group using Ye Lingxiao for publicity would have the same result. This is the tide of the times.”

Zhang Yu curled his lip and said, “Do I need you to remind me? I’m just curious, browsing the news.”

“With Boss Wang as such a solid backer, Ah Zhen and I are definitely going to cling tight and never let go.”

Hearing Zhang Yu’s relaxed reply, Fuji thought to herself, “This guy Zhang Yu, clearly from a poor background, why does he always care about things that aren’t his business?”

Fuji warned, “As long as you keep climbing, you’ll only get richer. You need to learn to fit into the rich people’s circle and stay away from the poor folks’ circle, you know?”

“You should just block people like the Poor Alliance. Why bother with them?” “They helped me after all,” Zhang Yu said casually. “As for the rich people’s circle… I know what you mean. Rich people, because their living environment is different, inevitably have habits and perceptions that deviate from us poor folks.”

“I need to get used to the way rich people talk and live, make more rich friends, so I can climb higher in Kunxu and become stronger…”

Zhang Yu understood. Of course, he understood.

Staying away from the poor and getting close to the wealthy was a key trick to climbing up in Kunxu.

But for some reason, it just didn’t sit well with him.

…

When he went to the cafeteria for lunch, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen still sat at the same table as Qian Shen and Zhao Tianxing.

But in recent days, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen’s trays were piled high with lavish synthetic meat, while Zhao Tianxing had started eating bland, original-flavor synthetic food.

Zhang Yu initially thought it was due to some financial trouble at the other’s home, or perhaps related to the price hike of synthetic food.

Yes, synthetic food had gone up in price.

The synthetic food that had initially pushed out pre-made meals with low prices was now seeing price increases as Oasis Group’s market share kept growing.

And the green food that Zhang Yu endorsed and promoted, with the boom in Foundation Establishment exams and promotions by major companies, had also seen its price climb.

Now even ordinary students in regular high schools knew they should eat green food and sign up for the Foundation Establishment exam, gambling on a chance to rise overnight.

According to Oasis Group’s estimates, under their publicity, next year in Kunxu Layer One, hundreds of thousands of high school students might sign up for the Foundation Establishment exam, and the market value involved was tantalizing.

And now, looking at the original-flavor synthetic food on Zhao Tianxing’s plate, Zhang Yu thought that the other’s parents might have also seen their income slashed due to company salary cuts.

“Sigh, this chicken breast tastes awful.” Zhang Yu pushed a plate of chicken breast over: “Old Zhao, help me eat it. I really can’t stomach it.”

Zhao Tianxing was momentarily stunned. He looked at the synthetic chicken breast pushed toward him and swallowed slightly.

As a sensitive person, Zhao Tianxing could guess that Zhang Yu was deliberately giving him food.

This made him feel both ashamed and grateful. Finally, he softly said thank you and took the chicken breast.

…

Time, with Zhang Yu's leisurely life, arrived in April.

Now, even if Zhang Yu did nothing each day, a substantial sum of money would flow into his account every month.

And his account balance had already surpassed 24 million.

That day, he and Bai Zhenzhen came to the completed Oasis Tower, attending the group's upcoming promotional planning meeting.

"Over this period, many citizens' incomes have been steadily declining, while food prices keep rising."

"The group has noticed this situation and decided to make a change..."

Hearing the product manager's words, Zhang Yu felt a slight tremor in his heart and couldn't help glancing at President Wang beside him, thinking to himself: "Is it because of President Wang? Is Oasis Group giving back to society, so more people can eat their fill?"

Recalling the recent state of the school cafeteria, a glimmer of hope surged within Zhang Yu.

Then the product manager declared loudly: "To ensure everyone can have a full meal, we've decided to launch a food loan service!"

"Through installment payments, we lower the threshold for citizens to buy synthetic and green foods, so everyone has food to eat."

"Our first-phase promotion target is students—we'll enter campuses, striving to ensure that every student in every school has a reserve food fund when they can't afford a meal..."

As Zhang Yu listened, watching the slides filled with content about food, finance, interest, and collateral, hearing about promotional tactics like interest-free for new users and discounts for monthly subscribers,

Zhang Yu suddenly recalled his own days of hunger.

If that starving Zhang Yu had encountered this situation, he would likely have chosen to eat on installment, eventually sinking deeper into food loan debt.

Just then, President Wang patted Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen on the shoulder and said, "This financial service promotion is crucial. Our ultimate goal is that for every person eating on a layer, there will be one borrowing money."

"It concerns the group's layout on the first layer."

"Rest assured, I never mistreat my own people."

"Work hard for the next year."

"When you go to Netherworld University next year, I'll be about ready to return."

"Then I'll help you get internships at a second-layer financial firm. Once you have work experience, through my introduction, you can transfer to the finance department..."

As Wang Yin spoke, he raised a hand to straighten Zhang Yu's clothes, shaking his head in disapproval. "You and A-Zhen should get some decent clothes. I gave you plenty of money—spend it."

"And this training skin of yours—it's obviously cheap artificial skin. Get a real one soon, or you'll embarrass me at future gatherings."

"Got it? If you don't have enough money, I'll give you some."

Bai Zhenzhen quickly replied, "Understood, President Wang. We'll change clothes as soon as we get back."

Seeing Zhang Yu standing frozen, Bai Zhenzhen nudged him. Zhang Yu seemed to snap back to reality and said, "Mm... I understand."

But in Zhang Yu's mind, Wang Yin's words kept echoing.

"For every person eating on a layer, there will be one borrowing money."

Thanks to 'Only Seeking Peach Blossom Spring' for sending Fuji an Oscar trophy.

(End of chapter)