Ye Tian let out a cold laugh. "Do you know how many people have tried to get their hands on Baozhi before you?"
Jin Tiangu replied, "I know some, and some were important figures. But I'm different from them. What they couldn't accomplish, I, Jin Tiangu, surely can."
Ye Tian said, "Is that so? You're quite confident."
Jin Tiangu stated calmly, "Confidence is built on strength."
Ye Tian replied, "I refuse your request."
Jin Tiangu frowned. "Boss Ye, are you sure you won't reconsider?"
Ye Tian said, "There's nothing to reconsider."
Jin Tiangu suddenly moved closer and spoke to Ye Tian at close range, "I know who you are, a master in the cultivation world. Coincidentally, I also know a master. In a few days, he will pay you a visit."
Ye Tian chuckled. He stood up and patted Jin Tiangu's shoulder. "I'm looking forward to it. I hope the so-called master you find isn't too much of a straw man."
Jin Tiangu's smile faded, and he said indifferently, "At that time, the conditions I offer you will be far less favorable than now. Are you sure you won't accept?"
Ye Tian retorted, "At that time, you'll be begging me on your knees for forgiveness."
Jin Tiangu's expression darkened. "You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!" With that, he turned and walked away.
After Jin Tiangu left, Lin Ziyi asked, "Tian Ge, this person is threatening us. If he really brings a master, will you be in danger?"
Ye Tian replied, "To threaten me, he'd have to be able to summon an Earth Immortal. Even if it were an Earth Immortal, I could scare them away."
Lin Ziyi breathed a sigh of relief. "We don't fear normal competition or business wars, only people who resort to underhanded tactics."
Ye Tian said, "I've done something to him. At that time, I'll make him experience a fate worse than death."
Soon, the charity auction gala officially began. The host was a well-known anchor from a television station, a beautiful woman with an elegant demeanor. She smiled and said, "Distinguished guests, the charity auction gala sponsored by Tiangu Group officially begins! Now, please enjoy the song, 'Song of Compassion'."
A famous female singer came out to perform. She sang very well, but Ye Tian wasn't particularly interested. He got up and headed towards the restroom.
Across the way, a female server carrying a fruit platter was walking towards him. As they passed each other, Ye Tian suddenly stopped. The server smiled and nodded, but her smile instantly froze, and she stood rooted to the spot.
Ye Tian said calmly, "Jin Zhuzhu."
This female server was one of Ye Tian's childhood playmates. When they played house as children, she was one of Ye Tian's "brides."
She attended the best local middle school and high school, and they hadn't been in much contact since then. He never expected to meet her again here after so many years.
Jin Zhuzhu was quite beautiful, with a standard oval face and large eyes. After a moment of surprise, she said, "Ye Tian, what are you doing here?"
Then she looked at Ye Tian's attire and exclaimed, "Are you here to attend the banquet?"
Ye Tian smiled and said, "I came with a friend. Why are you working as a server?"
Jin Zhuzhu glanced around and whispered, "I'm a reporter now. I'm posing as a server to get some exclusive material."
Ye Tian remarked, "So you're a spy."
Jin Zhuzhu glared at him. "Not a spy, a reporter."
Ye Tian nodded. "Alright, Miss Jin, the great reporter. Do you need my help?"
Jin Zhuzhu asked, "Can you get close to the auction items?"
Ye Tian replied, "I can."
Jin Zhuzhu handed the platter to Ye Tian and then clipped a miniature camera onto his pocket, smiling. "Help me take some close-ups of the auction items later."
Ye Tian was speechless. "We haven't seen each other for years, and the first thing you ask me to do is help you with a secret photography mission?"
Jin Zhuzhu giggled. "Ye Tian, please help me. You kissed me when we were kids, so consider this compensation."
Ye Tian was surprised. "You still remember something like that?"
Jin Zhuzhu glared at him. "Stop the nonsense. Are you helping or not?"
Ye Tian nodded. "Of course, I'll help. By the way, didn't you study economics? Why did you switch careers to become a reporter?"
Jin Zhuzhu smiled. "It was a coincidence, I guess. I met a friend in college who asked me to work as an interview reporter for a while. Since then, I've felt that being a reporter is quite good."
Ye Tian said, "Alright. Hurry up and hold your platter properly." With that, he was about to hand the fruit platter back.