This "Dragon's Descent" really could make one call and summon Mandy Tao back from Thailand. She had been under his patronage for nearly ten years, and all of her success today was thanks to him as her "sponsor." Although Mandy had now made a name for herself, to her sponsor, she was still just a kept woman. If he could elevate her to stardom, he certainly had the power to make her lose it all just as quickly.
Such was the reality.
However, for him to call her back just for a game wasn't simply about power—it was a question of whether it was worth it. This was merely an opener.
"So, you know Mandy Tao?" Ethan Wu replied.
"I don't just know her," Dragon's Descent responded, stopping short of revealing Mandy was his "kept" celebrity. He wasn't stupid enough to openly admit she owed her fame to him.
"I really have to go now," Ethan replied.
"What do you mean, 'you have to go?'" Dragon's Descent seemed irritated. "You don't believe me? Think I'm bluffing?"
"Look, man, it's not that I don't believe you. You say we met playing this private server game; I happen to have something urgent to handle. What are the odds? You just happen to have a star on hand. You own a talent agency?"
"I don't own one, but I've got the connections. Stop with the 'coincidence' talk. Not many people play this game anymore; meeting like this means we're fated. Ever heard of fate, man?"
For Ethan, it wasn't exactly a coincidence. Although Isabella Li had suggested Mandy Tao, he was the one who initially brought her up, already having her in mind as someone he could quickly get hold of. Her sponsor had been based in Sea City for the last few years, after all.
But from Dragon's Descent's perspective, it might not yet seem like a coincidence. However, if Ethan kept the conversation going, Dragon's Descent would likely suspect something. So, Ethan let him feel that the encounter was purely fate-driven.
"We were destined to meet," as Dragon's Descent had put it.
Ethan would let him see just how deeply "fate" connected them.
"Alright then! Let's put this game on pause. Where are you right now? Are you in Sea City? Let's meet up, or I'll come to you!"
"I'll arrange for the server admin to temporarily shut down Area 3."
"I'll handle finding you the spokesperson! Once we're done, I'll have them bring it back online so we can finish this. We've both thrown millions into this—there has to be a conclusion! If I don't take care of this for you today, I'll take your last name!"
Dragon's Descent was impulsive, and extremely self-indulgent. In short: he had money to burn.
Ethan understood his temperament. His plan was always to wait for Dragon's Descent to suggest meeting in person. If he didn't, Ethan had his own ways of pushing him to initiate it.
"Fine, I'd appreciate it. My woman's in a hurry, so if you can really help, that'd be best," Ethan replied.
"136555…" Dragon's Descent sent over a phone number. "This is my number. Come to Evergreen Teahouse in the CBD; I'll be waiting for you!"
"Alright, here's my number…"
With that, the conversation was wrapped up.
Ethan glanced around the internet cafe. The group of over eighty people was still waiting for him, not daring to leave just yet, unsure if he had further instructions.
Most didn't even know who Ethan was; they only knew he had the last name "Wu." But since even their boss's boss, Wayne Wang, treated Ethan with utmost respect, they dared not offend him either.
"Alright, you're all dismissed. Good work today. I'll let Wayne know," Ethan announced.
With that, he sent everyone home; they wouldn't be playing this game again. He was confident that after meeting him, Dragon's Descent would drop any thoughts of "winning" this game.
The crowd of mostly young men, along with a few older ones, stood up in unison.
"Thank you, Mr. Wu!"
"We'll take our leave."
"Goodbye, Mr. Wu."
Ethan watched them power down their computers and head out, then glanced back at his screen. Dragon's Descent's guild members were already logging off en masse.
Suddenly, his game screen flickered.
Ethan hadn't logged out yet, but he was abruptly disconnected.
Apparently, Dragon's Descent had already coordinated with the server admin to take Area 3 offline. His million-dollar spending on the server alone made the admin treat him like royalty.
Shutting down his computer, Ethan walked out.
Half an hour later
On Spring Street in the CBD, a blue Lamborghini roared down the road, gradually slowing as it pulled to the curb.
Ethan stepped out, glanced up at the traditional teahouse sign, and confirmed he had arrived at Evergreen Teahouse. Establishments like this were prime social venues, designed for serious, high-end conversations.
Southern cities had many more teahouses than the north, though Sea City, being in the north, was an exception.
Inside, Evergreen Teahouse was renowned as one of the finest—its cheapest tea pot was priced at 888 yuan, and the priciest ran into the tens of thousands. Locals in Sea City rarely frequented places like this, but businesspeople entertaining southern clients often brought them here, aware of the southern culture's appreciation for tea.
Ethan entered.
As soon as he stepped into the lobby, a young hostess, polished and poised, greeted him with a professional smile.
"Do you have a reservation, sir?" she inquired in a soft, pleasant tone.
"Yes, my friend's already here, in the 'Dream of West Lake' suite," Ethan replied.
"Dream of West Lake" was the name of a private room.
"Are you Mr. Wu?"
"Yes."
"Please, follow me."
The hostess led him up to the second floor.
The place was immaculately decorated in traditional style, with a strong emphasis on privacy.
When they reached the door of "Dream of West Lake," two burly bodyguards stationed outside turned their sharp gaze toward him.
The hostess, having brought him this far, opened the door and gestured for Ethan to enter, confident that the bodyguards wouldn't intervene.
"Thank you," Ethan nodded, stepping inside.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。