Chapter 107: I Can Offer a Thousand Dollars

In truth, if Ni Hu could truly infiltrate the Crescent Moon Sect, it would actually be beneficial for him. Yet, Chen Meng’s instinctive resistance to the idea was strong. To him, Ni Hu was most likely walking straight to his death—did he really think the people of the Crescent Moon Sect were fools?

“I think you should reconsider,” Chen Meng said earnestly. “Those brainwashing words I said before were just to keep you from losing hope in life. Even I don’t believe them myself.” He felt it best to be frank. “This talk of refusing to accept fate, of fighting to the very end—it’s all self-deception. Sometimes, your fate is just what it is. No matter how much you struggle, it’s useless. You have no choice but to accept it. Society is far more realistic and cruel than I imagined. If you truly buy into my so-called spiritual chicken soup, you might end up dying a miserable death.”

Ni Hu looked at Chen Meng and smiled. “You don’t believe it, but I do. I’m determined not to accept my fate.”

Chen Meng gazed at Ni Hu’s resolute expression and felt as if the young man had hypnotized himself.

He didn’t know how to persuade Ni Hu further. “Think it over for a bit more—one day, no, three days... or better yet, a week. If after a week you still decide on this path, I’ll do everything I can to help you infiltrate the Crescent Moon Sect. But if you die because of it, don’t blame me.”

Ni Hu nodded. Though he felt there was no need to take a whole week to consider, Chen Meng’s serious tone made it difficult for him to refuse outright.

Well, he’d give Chen Meng a bit of face.

That evening, during tutoring, Chen Meng was somewhat distracted. Fortunately, Yan Ruoxi brought him good news.

“Our school’s sports department is already planning to purchase the Extreme Nineteen Techniques.”

“What?”

Chen Meng was overjoyed. “Senior, how much do you think I can sell this Extreme Nineteen Techniques for?”

Yan Ruoxi pondered for a moment. “I’m not sure, but probably around one hundred to two hundred thousand.”

Chen Meng thought that was nearly enough.

The next day, he received a call from an unfamiliar number.

“Hello, is this Chen Meng?”

“Yes, speaking,” Chen Meng replied, still wondering who it was.

“I’m Wang Qian, vice minister of the sports department at Jiangzhou University. Our university is interested in purchasing the Extreme Nineteen Techniques you developed. I want to confirm—do you still hold full ownership of the entire set?”

Chen Meng swallowed nervously, excitement rising. “Yes, yes. How much are you willing to pay?”

There was a pause on the other end. “That would require detailed discussion. We will schedule a meeting soon. Please bring along the patent certificate for the Extreme Nineteen Techniques; we need to verify it.”

Chen Meng wanted to say more, but the call had ended. What was that about?

Patent certificate?

Chen Meng was momentarily baffled—he didn’t actually have one.

He pulled out his phone and researched. The intellectual property system in this world had changed, but it still encompassed copyright, patents, trademarks, discovery rights, invention rights, and other technological achievements. Even secret arts, forging techniques, and methods of digesting medicines fell under this category and were legally protected.

Chen Meng realized he had been careless not to register a patent right away. If someone else beat him to it, he’d suffer a heavy loss.

He immediately told Yan Ruoxi about this, who was speechless. “Luckily, it’s our university interested in buying your techniques. If it were some other company, they might snatch the patent right from under you. I think that call from Vice Minister Wang was actually a subtle reminder for you to register the intellectual property rights.”

Chen Meng considered this might be true. However, after researching the process online, he found it was no simple matter.

The key issue was manpower—without help, it might take a whole month. But waiting a month could mean the college entrance exams would be over.

Chen Meng thought about asking Han Hao but, on reflection, Han Hao’s side didn’t have anyone skilled in patent applications. Tang Wenjing’s mother, who ran Qianling Pharmaceuticals, frequently filed patents and had the right experts.

Yes, he’d ask Tang Wenjing—it would also save money.

At noon, Chen Meng told Tang Wenjing about the matter. She agreed immediately. That afternoon, a specialist from Qianling Pharmaceuticals came over and spent three hours organizing all the materials before filing the patent application for Chen Meng.

“Professionals really are different,” Chen Meng murmured.

According to the specialist, the certificate would arrive in at most three days, thanks to their connections at the patent office.

Chen Meng felt he owed Tang Wenjing a thank-you and called her after school to invite her out for dinner.

At a rustic restaurant near campus, Tang Wenjing looked at Chen Meng oddly.

“You’re pretty impressive, Chen Meng. You actually invented something that can be sold.”

“Just so-so,” Chen Meng replied modestly.

“But do you know how to negotiate with buyers? And how to legally avoid taxes? With a patent like yours, even if you sell it, you’re probably paying around 20% tax.”

“Negotiation? Tax avoidance?” Chen Meng was clueless.

Seeing his pitiful expression, Tang Wenjing smiled faintly. “You can hire me. Whether it’s business negotiations or tax planning, I have plenty of experience. You know I studied this.”

Chen Meng regarded Tang Wenjing warily, suspecting she had an agenda. But since he was a novice, it seemed he had no choice but to trust her.

“How much do you charge?”

Chen Meng asked cautiously.

“What do you think?”

Tang Wenjing smiled slyly.

Chen Meng bit his lip. “I can offer a thousand yuan. How’s that?”

Tang Wenjing was sipping her soup and nearly spat it out. “Your stuff could sell for hundreds of thousands. If I handle it, you might even get over a million. You offer me just a thousand? I’ve never met anyone so stingy.”

“Sigh, you don’t understand my situation. I’m so short on money I have to split every penny in half,” Chen Meng said helplessly, shrugging. “How about we forget money and talk about friendship? Given our relationship, you wouldn’t have the heart to take my money, right?”

“Heh, my mother says you can’t mix friendship with money. If I work, I get paid,” Tang Wenjing replied firmly.

“Alright, you’re ruthless,” Chen Meng muttered. “Just tell me how much you want.”

“Three percent. That’s already a friendly price,” Tang Wenjing said coolly.

“Deal.” Chen Meng thought it over and, unusually, didn’t haggle. “Make sure you get me a high price—otherwise, I won’t pay you.”

“Haha, just watch me. I’m a pro,” Tang Wenjing said confidently.

***

Three days later, Chen Meng met Wang Qian, a middle-aged, muscular man—no wonder he was in the sports department.

He had already heard from Yan Ruoxi that Wang Qian was a third-tier Divine Body—a force not to be trifled with.

Still, Chen Meng wasn’t overly intimidated; after all, he was also registered with the Enforcement Bureau.

“Chen Meng, truly a young talent. The Enforcement Bureau approached us several times to discuss your special admission quota, but you rejected them all. Are you looking down on Jiangzhou University?” Wang Qian said lightly.

Chen Meng studied Wang Qian and sensed the man wanted to assert dominance. How could he submit? “Not looking down on you. But Jiangzhou University just can’t compare to Jiangdu University.”

Wang Qian was momentarily speechless. This kid’s mouth was sharper than a blade.