Lu Li walked through the bustling streets packed with people.
The corners of his mouth curled upward, and a brsmile appeared on his face that he couldn't hide.
This first transaction had gone even more smoothly than he had expected.
Now, he had successfully purchased one year of time.
Lu Li stepped into a cafe with a stylish, bourgeois interior design...
"Hello, I'll have an iced cappuccino, and a slice of lime cheesecake, please."
Lu Li wore a white shirt, black slacks, and gold-rimmed glasses. A folder was tucked under his arm. He had a tall, lean figure and a confident expression tinged with a gentle smile. He looked at the young girl behind the counter and spoke warmly.
After paying, Lu Li found a window seat and sat down.
He opened the folder and looked at the contract just signed.
Time Acquisition Contract
Contract No.: 1,000,001
Party A (Time Seller): Zheng Bowen
Party B (Purchaser): Lu Li
Project: Sale of one year of time.
Both parties have agreed to the following terms…
The numbering started at 1,000,001—intentionally—to avoid making others suspect that Lu Li was new to the business, and to create a sense of mystery.
He finished reading the one-page contract quickly.
Lu Li closed the folder again.
He began thinking about his next move.
"Step one is acquiring time."
"Then naturally, step two is selling time…"
"But to whom? What kind of identity would make it easier to break into the market?"
Lu Li subconsciously rubbed his thumb against his index finger.
Time was the most precious commodity in the world, so to Lu Li, this was now a seller's market.
He needed to choose carefully, to lay the groundwork for what was coming next.
...
"Sir, here's your cappuccino and lime cheesecake."
A waitress dressed in a maid outfit placed the coffee and cake in front of Lu Li, her gentle voice brushing his ears.
Lu Li gave her a small nod, and his gaze followed her as she walked away. Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes slid slowly from the white-stockinged ankles of the maid uniform, inching upward.
Only after a moment did he finally look away.
Lu Li tore open the premium white sugar packet and poured about two-thirds of it into the cappuccino.
He picked up the spoon and stirred it gently…
Then, Lu Li took out his phone, opened the Qiandu search app, and typed a query:
"Top families and wealthy elites in Zhonghai?"
He tapped Search!
Countless results appeared before his eyes.
"Zhonghai's Seven Wealthiest Districts: Where the True Rich Live!"
"How Many Multi-Millionaires and Billionaires Are in Zhonghai? Who Are They?"
"The Four Great Republican-Era Wealth Clans!"
"Zhonghai Rich List!"
...
Lu Li skimmed result after result, occasionally clicking in to read more.
The names he saw—those once-legendary figures—had always been completely out of reach to someone like the old Lu Li.
They sat like gods on the throne above this city, the ultimate trendsetters, the wealthiest elites in the nation.
In the past, seeing these names would fill Lu Li with longing and envy—but mostly with frustration.
Because he knew that no matter how hard he worked, he could never become one of them...
But now, everything had changed.
Lu Li's smile bloomed like a flower.
He continued scanning through headline after headline.
Then suddenly, a particular name stopped his scroll.
Lu Li's expression turned serious as he stared at the screen—
The Guo Family of the Republic Era!
To anyone from Zhonghai, or even the Republic at large, this name rang like thunder.
The Guo Family was a truly native powerhouse—a local dynasty with a legacy spanning over a century.
The related article described them as follows:
"The Guo Family is an ancient clan deeply rooted in Zhonghai, growing and thriving alongside the city itself.
From the first generation onward, they seemed to sense the rhythm of the times. With a transcendent vision, they watched the city's rapid development and took part in shaping the lives of generations of Zhonghai's citizens.
Today, the Guo Family no longer deliberately seeks influence. Instead, they have gradually faded from the public spotlight. It appears they've exited the historical stage—yet in truth, they are more unfathomable than ever."
"Impressive,"
Lu Li murmured as he scrolled through the information, his face showing genuine astonishment.
"Hmm?"
His gaze suddenly paused.
He spotted a lesser-known news article and quickly tapped to read more.
"Old Master Guo of the Guo Family in Critical Condition?"
Lu Li tried searching for additional details, but no more information was available.
...
He closed the page and fell into deep thought. His right hand gently stirred the coffee with a silver spoon. His black-and-white eyes gleamed with a mix of excitement and solemnity.
"Should I make this Old Master… the first member of The Immortality Club?"
Lu Li muttered to himself.
A stronger smile slowly spread across his face. He lifted his head and gazed through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the bustling city outside.
Then, he picked up his cup and took a slow sip of coffee.
When the cup was empty, he stood up and walked out in long, confident strides.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]