"Good evening, Mr. Vaner," Xu Que greeted with a smile, shaking Vaner's hand firmly.
Vaner's smile deepened upon noticing Xu Que's understanding of their etiquette.
"Xu, follow me in a while. I have something for you," Vaner said with a grin.
Before Xu Que could politely decline, Bell interjected quickly, "You're not planning to give him *that*, are you?"
"Well, those people are dead now, and those things are of no use anymore. Why not gift them to our new friend as a token of welcome?" Vaner explained with a nonchalant smile.
Xu Que was perplexed, having no idea what they were discussing. Their conversation had a peculiar undertone that made him feel somewhat uneasy.
Sensing his confusion, Bell leaned in and whispered an explanation about the so-called "welcome gift."
As Bell unraveled the details, Xu Que finally understood. However, what truly shocked him was learning that the private chambers they passed earlier had been equipped with hidden cameras. These recordings weren't accidental but deliberate—created by the elites to capture their own indulgences for their twisted amusement later.
Inwardly, Xu Que mocked, *Ah, no wonder he's got such a deranged personality. With this kind of depravity, the transformation to a psychopath doesn't seem that far-fetched.*
Before Vaner could leave, Xu Que stopped him abruptly.
"Um… I'm not particularly fond of someone else's 'artworks.' You get what I mean?" Xu Que remarked bluntly, uninterested in such things. After all, nothing beat the pleasure of his own entertainment.
Vaner laughed heartily, saying, "Oh, Xu, you've misunderstood me. I'm not giving you recordings—I've arranged something entirely different, a unique welcome ceremony just for you."
Xu Que, still somewhat bewildered, glanced at Bell, who returned an encouraging smile, as if to say, *This is why I brought you here.*
Bell led Xu Que to a nearby wine cabinet, poured them both drinks, and began explaining the "rules of the game."
What Bell revealed wasn't just about trivial games but the unspoken codes governing this upper echelon of society. To Xu Que, who had lived a pitifully insignificant life in his previous existence, these revelations were both novel and eye-opening.
Through Bell's explanations, Xu Que also discovered something significant: the American Lyres Research Corporation was an enterprise secretly funded by these elites. This revelation thrilled Xu Que, as he had been racking his brain on how to tackle Lyres, only for Bell to hand him the key information on a silver platter.
However, Bell refrained from disclosing the identities of those truly in charge.
*No rush. There's plenty of time to pry that information out later,* Xu Que decided inwardly.
Just as he made this resolve, Vaner returned, holding a small key that he swung casually in his hand.
"My dear Xu, your gift is ready," Vaner declared with a grin.
"A gift?" Xu Que asked, puzzled by Vaner's cryptic behavior.
"Go on," Bell said, patting Xu Que's shoulder. "That key belongs to you."
Still unsure of their intent, Xu Que accepted the key hesitantly.
Vaner added, "The first room on the fifth floor—it's been prepared especially for you."
"Hmm?" Xu Que raised an eyebrow. "Prepared for me? You mean as my residence?"
Vaner and Bell burst into laughter.
"If you'd like to live there, you're certainly welcome. But as a guest of the Chisfield family, it's more of a private playground for your enjoyment," Vaner said with a mischievous smile.
Hearing the term "playground," Xu Que instantly grasped their meaning.
"Well then, today it's all yours. We won't intrude on your fun," Bell said, giving Xu Que another hearty pat on the shoulder before whispering a few words and leaving with Vaner.
…
Xu Que sighed, shaking his head at the excesses of these people.
Turning the key over in his hand, curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to see exactly what Vaner's so-called "gift" entailed.
He made his way to the first room on the fifth floor and noticed that the floor only had four rooms in total.
With a turn of the heavy key, the lock clicked, and Xu Que pushed the door open. The weight of the door was substantial, almost like a vault, but it posed no challenge for him.
As the door swung open, Xu Que froze momentarily, wondering if he had entered the wrong room.
The space was enormous, rivaling the size of a presidential suite, yet what caught his attention wasn't the grandeur of the decor but its occupants.
Ten women, all clad in elegant qipaos, stood poised inside.
Xu Que had long held the belief that three types of attire best showcased a woman's figure: evening gowns, qipaos, and yoga wear. Evening gowns exuded elegance and allure, qipaos combined grace with oriental sophistication, and yoga wear brought out raw, primal sensuality with its form-fitting design.
But regardless of the attire, one thing was certain—it all depended on the wearer's physique. A flawless figure was the key to pulling off these outfits, and the ten women before him left no room for critique.
Each was impeccably proportioned, with curves in all the right places, their delicate beauty amplified by the tantalizing slits of their qipaos. Even the three Western women among them carried the qipao's charm with striking allure.
The simultaneous bows from all ten women revealed glimpses of their snowy white thighs, sending a ripple through Xu Que's otherwise unflappable composure.
*Well, well, what a gift,* Xu Que thought, suppressing a grin. *You truly know how to play the game.*
"Welcome home, Master," the women said in unison, their sweet voices striking a chord deep within him.
Xu Que's lips twitched slightly as he marveled, *This… who in the world could resist such a scene?*
These women weren't just any beauties—they were elites trained to cater to the powerful. In the pre-apocalyptic world, they had served influential figures in business and politics. Now, in the post-apocalyptic chaos, they had shifted their allegiance to the mighty among the supernaturals.
Their lives, once ensnared by material indulgence—luxury cars, private jets, opulent gatherings—had rendered them easily pliable under the promises of wealth and status. Even in this chaotic new era, Vaner maintained them at exorbitant costs, knowing their value as pawns in building influence.
Xu Que scanned the room, his eyes settling on the two women standing at the center. Their beauty and poise far surpassed the rest, akin to crowned jewels in a treasure trove.
"You," Xu Que pointed at the two women with a devilish smirk, "come and serve me."