Guo Yanzhi was already of an advanced age and had long since withdrawn from the world to enjoy his twilight years with his family.
The value he created no longer came from active work, but from the lingering influence of his reputation—favor he had shown to powerful families in the past, and the place he held in the hearts of his descendants.
So, the value of a single year of life for Guo Yanzhi was intangible. It could not be precisely quantified.
In the end, Lu Li offered an exceptionally favorable price for this transaction.
The cost of one year of life from Guo Yanzhi, second generation of the Guo Family: one hundred million paper currency.
The Guo Family would have to transfer the full amount into a bank account provided by Lu Li within three days.
That meant Lu Li's income for today alone was one hundred million.
A sum most people couldn't earn in a lifetime.
...
Under the night sky, Lu Li walked among the towering skyscrapers of Zhonghai. He suddenly stopped, lifted his head, and gazed at the brilliant lights illuminating the buildings.
These dazzling sights were the crystallization of this era of transformation!
For the first time, he found these lights beautiful. For the first time, he found these buildings magnificent and awe-inspiring.
In the past, when Lu Li looked up at the hundred-meter-tall buildings around him, he saw only a palm-sized piece of sky. He felt oppressed, as if he were a tiny ant surrounded by towering giants.
Now, Lu Li extended his hand and opened his palm…
He looked at the bright full moon in the sky and made a grasping motion, slowly closing his fingers—as if capturing the moon in the palm of his hand.
His chest surged with emotion.
A grin spread across Lu Li's face.
Then, unrestrained and bold laughter burst from his mouth!
He laughed wildly! Unapologetically! With pure joy!
Lu Li had been repressed for far too long...
His laughter brought tears to his eyes.
Passersby in the bustling city stopped at the sound of his laughter.
In this enormous city, most people lived cautiously, bent under the crushing pressure of survival. The last spark of boldness in their souls had long been extinguished…
They looked at Lu Li—some with mocking smiles, but envy in their hearts. Others, numb-faced, watched him with a flicker of yearning hidden deep in their eyes.
No one knew how long he laughed, but at last Lu Li felt relieved. He stood up straight with a radiant smile on his face.
He walked to the curb, hailed a taxi, and loudly told the driver his destination.
Lu Li had made a vow to himself: never again would he live humbly, cautiously. From now on, he would live boldly and freely!
...
The taxi glided smoothly along the road.
Inside the car, the middle-aged driver made casual conversation with Lu Li.
"My son is in his last year of high school. His grades are really good. The teacher said if he keeps this up and pushes a bit harder, he's got a real shot at a top university."
The driver smiled as he spoke.
"I've heard from a lot of parents that they're planning to sign their kids up for some kind of winter cram course this year."
The smile faded from his face.
"I looked it up—it's insanely expensive. Just ten days, and it's five thousand a day. That's fifty thousand for ten days!"
In the dim taxi light, Lu Li could see the driver's hands tightening slightly on the steering wheel as he spoke.
"My life's basically over. I have to lay a good foundation for my son!"
"Even if I have to sell my blood—I won't let my son fall behind!"
The driver's voice was heavy and firm.
Then silence fell in the car.
"My father's not doing well lately either… but we don't dare take him to the hospital. We're afraid it's something serious, and we can't afford it."
His voice choked a little, eyes reddening.
In this city, he bore the burden of both parent and child. The pressure was crushing. At home, he couldn't speak of it, so he poured his heart out to passengers while driving.
Otherwise, he feared he'd break down one day.
Lu Li could tell the driver wasn't lying. He glanced at the man's lifespan:
Name: Xie Dahai
Age: 40
Remaining Lifespan: 13 years, 58 days, 17 hours, 20 minutes, 08 seconds
Only until 53?
Considering the weight on his shoulders, it wasn't surprising. He was likely burning through his life one day at a time…
...
"We're here, sir. That'll be 213 yuan."
The taxi pulled into the residential area where Lu Li lived. The driver, now composed, glanced at the meter and reported the fare.
Lu Li nodded.
He took out his wallet—inside was a thick stack of bills, roughly five thousand yuan.
Without counting, he handed the whole stack over.
"Keep the rest as a tip."
Lu Li passed him the cash, speaking calmly.
"Oh, and one more thing…"
"This is my number. If you're ever truly desperate, you can contact me. I believe I'll be able to help—but remember, from that point on, it won't be free. The cost may be very high."
Lu Li paused just as he was about to leave. He pulled out a pen, scribbled a number on a piece of paper, and handed it over.
Without waiting for a reply, he stepped out of the car.
Soon, his figure disappeared from view.
The driver, holding the thick stack of bills, instinctively wanted to return them. He opened the door, ready to chase after Lu Li—but hesitated.
Then, he raised his hand and gave himself a firm slap.
Turning toward the direction Lu Li had gone, he bowed deeply.
He looked again at the number Lu Li had left, carefully folded it, and tucked it into his wallet.
To Lu Li—now empowered—money was no different from scrap paper.
At this moment, Lu Li had taken his first step toward possessing the divine right to show mercy to mankind.
Xie Dahai's taxi drove away from the complex. Not long after, his phone rang.
He answered—and whatever he heard on the other end—
He slammed on the brakes.
A sharp screech echoed across the road!
Moments later, he floored the accelerator. The engine roared, and the cab surged forward again.
...
Lu Li walked to the door of his rented apartment and unlocked it with his key.
Standing in the doorway, he quickly shed his divine aura and returned to his human self.
His gaze fell on the living room.
Yang Zhen'er seemed to have fallen asleep from exhaustion. She was still wearing her teal qipao, lying on the couch. The uniform was slightly rumpled, and her silk-wrapped legs were casually propped on the armrest.
Lu Li, with his glasses on, had perfect vision. His gaze traveled slowly from the soles of her feet upward, tracing the ripples hidden beneath the hem of her skirt...
He stood silently at the door, expression calm.
He adjusted his glasses—
And just kept looking, intently and unblinking.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。