The incredulous scenes before him shook Ziqian Cao's understanding to its core. <br><br>Yet, he had weathered storms before and worried about his children at home. He didn’t want to end up like Gold Fortune, but what exactly should he do? <br><br>“Don’t be nervous,” Xavi said slowly, “My transaction partner is your father-in-law. It has nothing to do with you.” <br><br>Ziqian Cao steadied himself, looking at Gold Fortune lying motionless on the ground. He didn’t fully understand the specifics of their transaction, only that he had stumbled into something straight out of a fantastical tale. <br><br>“My dad... Gold Fortune, is he... dead?” Ziqian Cao asked nervously. <br><br>You Ye replied on Xavi’s behalf, “Not at all, Mr. Jin is just asleep.” <br><br>“Asleep...” <br><br>You Ye nodded with a gentle smile, “Yes, asleep. But this sleep will last for thirty-three years, one month, and fifteen days. When he wakes up, Mr. Jin will still have time left to enjoy.” <br><br>“How could this be...” <br><br>Ziqian Cao wanted to dismiss these words. However, the series of incredible events unfolding had left him unable to deny their truth. <br><br>After a moment of silence, Ziqian Cao abruptly looked at Xavi and asked, “I don’t know you... but why are you helping me?” <br><br>If Gold Fortune were to remain comatose for thirty-three years, the dossier thrown in front of him would remain untouched. Even though Gold Fortune may have technically retrieved the files, Ziqian Cao could easily reclaim them. <br><br>Not only had this made him come to his senses in time to avoid making a catastrophic impulsive mistake, but it had also resolved Gold Fortune’s issue. In many ways, Ziqian Cao had gained the most from this situation. <br><br>Xavi looked at Gold Fortune lying on the ground and suddenly said, “This afternoon, I visited the developer who planned to collaborate with you on the factory site project. Although their goal is to build a luxury residential area, they also intend to construct two standard villas for the long-serving employees at the factory.” <br><br>Xavi smiled and said, “Spend time with your children and live a good life. The money from selling the land and settling the factory’s affairs will be more than enough to pay off your debts to the bank.” <br><br>A surge of emotion welled up in Ziqian Cao. He stared blankly at the mysterious young man, his throat tightening. <br><br>“Thank you.” <br><br>“You’re welcome.” <br><br>Xavi stepped up to Ziqian Cao, raising the exclusive card in his hand. <br><br>At this moment, both the front and back of the card displayed faint, disappearing marks. Ziqian Cao, confused, watched as Xavi slipped the exclusive card into the pocket of his suit jacket. <br><br>In a soft voice, Xavi said, “When you are in need, you can use this to find us. By holding it, you become a member of Buyers Club 66.” <br><br>“No matter what you desire, we can provide it for you. Dreams, wealth, wisdom, love, health... or even life. All we require is sufficient trade gold. And one more thing: our trade gold is not money.” <br><br>“Then, we look forward to your visit.” <br><br>With that, Xavi began to step backward, gradually disappearing before Ziqian Cao's eyes. You Ye, too, faded away along with him. <br><br>“Wait a moment! What’s your name?” Ziqian Cao instinctively called out, trying to keep them there for just a little longer. “How did you know I planned to celebrate my child’s birthday?” <br><br>But Xavi and You Ye had already vanished into thin air. <br><br>Ziqian Cao felt a wave of helplessness, collapsing to the floor as he realized his back was soaked with sweat from the tension and fear. <br><br>At that moment, a sudden shift occurred before Ziqian Cao. Xavi appeared in front of him once again, startling him greatly. <br><br>Without a word, Xavi rotated the calendar on the desk to face Ziqian Cao, smiled faintly, and disappeared once more. This time, he was truly gone. <br><br>Ziqian Cao sat there, dazed, staring at the calendar. A date had been circled in bold red, with the words “Gift” written beside it. <br><br>He couldn’t help but cry. <br><br>... <br><br>Following You Ye's instructions, Xavi made his way to the sacrificial platform on the club’s third basement level. <br><br>He extended his hands before the sacrificial platform. A gray mist slowly formed between them, drifting into the sacrificial platform. <br><br>Nothing extraordinary happened; the mist dissipated like it had melted into the air. It simply disappeared before Xavi’s eyes. <br><br>At that moment, a voice echoed within his mind: <br><br>“Offering complete, lifespan increased by thirty days.” <br><br>Perhaps it wasn’t even a voice, but rather information flowing directly into his mind. <br><br>As for the hourglass he had brought with him, more sand had accumulated on the top. The rate at which the sand fell had noticeably slowed. <br><br>He wouldn’t succumb to illness, be shot, or even age. <br><br>The only thing that could harm him was the moment when the sand in the hourglass completely ran out. <br><br>After waiting a while to confirm no changes to the sacrificial platform, Xavi scratched his head. “Trading Gold Fortune’s thirty-three years of life for just thirty days of mine... what a ripoff.” <br><br>“Because it’s life, not the years originally designated as lifespan,” You Ye explained thoughtfully. “The quality isn’t as high. Also, the previous club owners never used all of the trade gold solely as offerings. They always kept a portion.” <br><br>“...” <br><br>... <br><br>“Things will get better.” <br><br>Xavi took a deep breath. Choosing not to blame his doll-like maid for her belated explanation, he mused aloud, “No wonder there are so many weird items around here. Could it be leftovers from the previous owners?” <br><br>You Ye nodded. <br><br>Unwilling to linger at the eerie sacrificial platform, Xavi led You Ye back to the storefront. Stretching lazily, he asked, “You Ye, can you make Lion’s Head meatballs? I think I haven’t eaten all day, and now I’m starving.” <br><br>You Ye nodded. “I’ve learned how to cook dishes from this country before. I still remember how to make them. I’ll prepare them for you right away.” <br><br>“It might take a while if you’re cooking alone. I’ll help too,” Xavi said with a smile. “And from now on, please take care of me.” <br><br>You Ye's deep blue, gem-like eyes seemed to glimmer briefly. She gave a small, delicate nod. <br><br>... <br><br>Late at night. <br><br>The bustling commercial street had grown silent. <br><br>Only homeless wanderers, drunken souls who had lost their way, or those who simply lay down wherever they were, remained—either wandering unsteadily or sleeping on the spot. <br><br>None of them noticed the dimly lit, old European-style streetlamp or the ancient wooden door adorned with an OPEN sign. <br><br>It’s said that only those in need can see its existence. <br><br>So, when the streetlamp before the door flickers, ask yourself: What is it that you need?")
