Chapter 46: Negotiations and C-Rank Contracts (Please keep reading)

Chongming Martial Arts Dojo, one of the three top-tier branch dojos in Tianhai City.

The entire building features a streamlined design, resembling a blue warship poised for departure.

The central office floor boasts an elegant environment with an all-blue interior style, making one feel as if they have stepped into the ocean.

The spacious first floor is divided into dozens of office areas.

In the central zone, over a dozen employees dressed in blue-and-white uniforms are constantly busy.

Dozens of projection screens float in the air, with massive streams of data flowing through them.

"Cheng Minghui from Tianhai No. 3 High School has been verified as a C-grade genius. We can send someone to negotiate a contract with him tomorrow!"

"Zou Jun from Tianhai No. 8 High School, D-grade contract."

Ding Liang, the Deputy Manager of the Contract Department, was reviewing the materials submitted by his subordinates and finalizing the results.

"Lin Qi, C-grade contract, but with B-grade potential?"

"Huh?"

Ding Liang frowned as he looked at the projected data.

"Xiao Jiang!"

He called out, and a young man sitting nearby jogged over.

"Did you review this file?" Manager Ding asked with a frown.

"Yes, Manager."

"I have carefully analyzed Lin Qi's data. His growth is rapid and his talent is excellent."

"Don't be fooled by the fact that he only ranked 288th in the Tianhai monthly exam; his ranking on the Red List is 50th. He has immense potential. I think it's worth taking a gamble and offering a B-grade contract," Xiao Jiang explained earnestly after a thorough analysis.

Manager Ding did not respond immediately but instead studied the data intently.

Every martial arts dojo collected extremely detailed information on every student.

After reading through it, his decade of experience told him that this student, Lin Qi, was a genius.

"Good!"

"It's worth the gamble. He has B-grade potential. I'll go find Manager Gu now," Ding Liang said.

At Chongming Martial Arts Dojo, he did not have the authority to directly approve B-grade contracts or higher.

The Manager's office was a luxurious space where the background was simulated to look like a sun-drenched beach.

On the beach, a woman with exquisite makeup leaned back in an ergonomic chair, looking perfectly relaxed. Upon seeing Ding Liang, she spoke unhurriedly

"Deputy Manager Ding, is something the matter?"

"Manager Gu, there is a file that needs your review. I have already sent it via email."

"This is a genius worthy of a B-grade contract. His name is Lin Qi..."

As Ding Liang spoke enthusiastically, Manager Gu projected the file, took a leisurely sip of coffee, and began to read.

When Ding Liang finished his introduction, he looked at Manager Gu with anticipation.

Manager Gu spoke calmly

"I've read the data, but I don't think this Lin Qi is worth a B-grade contract."

Hearing this, Ding Liang's heart sank instantly.

"What is the reason?"

"My uncle always said that combat records from the Red Realm arenas can be used for reference, but they shouldn't be trusted blindly."

"The focus should remain on school assessments; those are the most authentic and reliable data points. While Lin Qi's talent is decent, a C-grade contract is sufficient."

"A B-grade contract? He isn't qualified yet," Manager Gu explained nonchalantly.

"Alright, is there anything else?"

Ding Liang wanted to argue, but seeing Manager Gu's expression, he sighed and said, "That's all."

He turned and left. Once outside the office, he thought to himself

"If I were the manager, I would definitely give Lin Qi a B-grade contract. Unfortunately, I am not."

"My original position was also taken over by this 'parachuted' Manager Gu."

"Sigh..." Ding Liang sighed and returned to work.

Inside the office, Manager Gu shook her head and muttered to herself, "Old Ding is getting senile. Lin Qi seems to be making great progress only because his starting point was low, so his room for improvement is large."

"It gives everyone the illusion. In reality, a C-grade contract is plenty for him."

"If I give him a B-grade contract and it turns out to be a mistake, the responsibility falls on me. I have no intention of taking that risk."

"It's better not to overreach. The manager has it so easy; why bother struggling?"

...

Chiqiong Martial Arts Dojo, Office Floor.

"Manager Sun, everything is progressing smoothly. One genius has successfully signed an A-grade contract, nine geniuses from various schools have decided to sign B-grade contracts, and the remaining few are still considering."

Manager Sun nodded as he listened to his subordinate's excited report.

"Very good, keep up the momentum!"

"The next focus will be geniuses for C and D-grade contracts."

"Every piece of data must be carefully verified, especially those geniuses who have advanced to the Star Rank. We must strive not to let a single genius slip through our fingers."

"Manager, I have three geniuses here that I'm unsure about. I need you to make the call."

The subordinate projected three files, representing three different geniuses.

Manager Sun's eyes scanned the files rapidly, and he made an immediate decision

"Give these two C-grade contracts. As for the last one, Lin Qi, I need to consult the Vice Dojo Master; I'm not quite sure either."

"The Vice Dojo Master will be back in a few days. I need to ask for his opinion."

"Understood!" the subordinate nodded.

...

At Black Obsidian Martial Arts Dojo, the manager in charge of the Contract Department was a middle-aged man with a beer belly.

Facing the files sent by his subordinate, he took one look and quickly made his judgment.

"Lin Qi... just a C-grade contract. These kinds of geniuses are such a headache; a few show up every year."

"The characteristic of these geniuses is that they suddenly show massive improvement during some period of their senior year."

"It creates the illusion that they are geniuses, which is enough to make most people fall into mediocrity."

"Nine out of ten are fakes; only one is real. Unfortunately, I don't dare gamble anymore."

"Our Black Obsidian Dojo has been burned too many times. We had three the year before last, and a full four last year, which always resulted in my bonuses being docked."

"Hmph, these geniuses are just scammers, specifically designed to trick people into contracts."

"Let him go plague Chiqiong and Chongming this time. We at Black Obsidian won't get involved," the manager muttered to himself.

...

That day, at Tianhai No. 2 High School.

*Beep!*

As Lin Qi, Jiang Tao, and Chen Zichuan walked out of the office, their phones rang almost simultaneously.

【An income of 800,000 Xia Nation Yuan has been deposited into your bank card ending in xxx!】

Looking at the 800,000 Yuan in his account, Lin Qi smiled.

Although he didn't get the Special Genius Loan, he was already very satisfied.

He now had over 1,000,000 Yuan on him.

"Haha, another two million! I'm in no rush to sign a contract with a martial arts dojo," Jiang Tao also smiled.

Chen Zichuan was equally happy beside them.

...

During lunch, Lin Qi operated his phone while eating, transferring 300,000 Yuan via WeChat to his mother, Fang Huiyi.

He wanted her to use it to pay off the loans.

Fang Huiyi sent a message telling Lin Qi that she had discussed it with his father and his uncle, Fang Zhe.

She would use the money Lin Qi transferred to pay off the loans first. His father, Lin Zhen, would earn enough to pay his own loans.

They would clear the family's debts first, and then, without affecting Lin Qi's own cultivation, they would slowly pay back his uncle's family.

"Phew..."

Lin Qi took a sip of soup, feeling a sense of relief. The family's life was finally getting back on track.

From now on, things would only get better.

*Buzz, buzz!!*

His phone vibrated. Someone had added him on WeChat. The contact name was: 【Chongming Martial Arts Dojo】· Dongfang Qi.

Could someone from Chongming be looking to talk about the contract?

Lin Qi clicked accept and began chatting with Dongfang Qi.

It was exactly as he suspected; the other party was indeed representing Chongming Martial Arts Dojo to discuss contract matters.

Ten minutes later.

At a small private room in a cafe outside Tianhai No. 2 High School.

A beautiful woman wearing a black female blazer with a curvaceous figure greeted him with a smile

"Hello, student Lin Qi."

She took a document out of her bag to prove her identity.

Lin Qi opened his phone, searched for Dongfang Qi's information on the official website, and after confirming she wasn't a scammer, he nodded and began the conversation.

"Lin Qi, after our investigation, Chongming Martial Arts Dojo thinks very highly of you. We want to sign a contract with you and invest in you," Dongfang Qi said, getting straight to the point.

...

(End of Chapter)