Chen Shu arrived home to find his father had specially invited Zhang Dali's family and Fang Si's parents over to celebrate the successful completion of his final exams. The three families had always been tight-knit, though it was a shame that Fang Si was far away at China Academy now and couldn't make it back to Nanjiang City.
"In the blink of an eye, I can't believe Little Chen and Dali are about to enter their third year."
Fang Si's father, Fang Guowei, had sun-darkened skin. Today he was grinning ear to ear, happy for the two boys.
Zhang Feng laughed and shook his head. "Yeah, too bad these two kids don't have Little Fang's talent." Having an S-rank contract spirit simply made too much difference for a Beast Tamer.
"I wouldn't say that." Fang Guowei's expression turned serious as he countered Zhang Feng's view. "Little Chen and Dali are both special in their own ways. Even if they can't become powerful Beast Tamers, they'll still make something of themselves in other fields."
Chen Ping smiled and added, "The younger generation will naturally find their own paths. We shouldn't meddle too much."
Despite Fang Si having already made a name for herself, there was no awkwardness or distance between the three families.
"Such a pity that Fang Si can't come back for summer break. Otherwise you three siblings¹ could have reunited."
"Sister Fang Si can't come back for summer?"
Chen Shu frowned, disappointment coloring his eyes.
"Her beast taming squad took on an urgent Alternate Dimension mission. I'm afraid she won't make it back."
Fang Guowei explained, assuming Chen Shu was missing Fang Si.
Chen Shu let out a long sigh. If Fang Si couldn't return, wasn't his carefully prepared revenge list completely wasted?
"Dali, you're not even disappointed?" Chen Shu elbowed Zhang Dali.
"Don't bug me, I'm in promos." Zhang Dali's eyes gleamed with excitement, fingers flying across his phone screen.
Chen Shu casually glanced over. His body jolted like he'd been electrocuted, and he almost peed himself right there.
"You're already 0-10-0! Why aren't you joining the team fights? What the hell are you doing?"
The game had only been going for a few minutes and he'd already died ten times. This guy was either dead or on his way to feed another death.
"I've got social anxiety, can't handle team fights," Zhang Dali explained matter-of-factly.
Chen Shu: "???"
The three families chatted warmly reminicing about old times. After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they headed back to their respective homes.
...
"Uncle Zhou, do you have any Iron Core Fruits in stock?"
First thing the next morning, Chen Shu went to Zhou Xiaoming's family shop.
Having just unlocked the defense potion recipe, he was eager to start crafting.
"We've got two in inventory, let me grab them for you." Zhou Xiaoming's father emerged holding two pitch-black fruits. "Also, we're temporarily out of Gigantification Fruits."
Zhou Xiaoming's shop mainly sold Blue Star materials, only occasionally getting Alternate Dimension materials from independent Beast Tamers. Most beast taming groups had their own sale channels, whether partnering with major families or large corporations, while many Beast Tamers chose to sell to the government—though the prices weren't as competitive as private enterprise, there were other welfare benefits to compensate.
"Thanks, Uncle Zhou."
Chen Shu nodded and stowed the two Iron Core Fruits. "If you get any Power Flowers, Iron Core Fruits, or Gigantification Fruits, please set them aside for me. I'll pay top dollar."
After acquiring the two Iron Core Fruits, Chen Shu rushed straight to 666 Potion Company.
"Master Chen, you're here?" Assistant Xiao Mao greeted him while sighing internally.
Imagine—him, a Beast Taming University graduate, reduced to being an assistant for a high schooler. Where was the justice in that? I could understand him a bit… nah.
Xiao Mao had already started mentally composing a book titled "My Days as a Nobody in the Corporate World."
"Mm." Chen Shu nodded.
Now that summer vacation had started, he'd already mapped out his schedule down to the hour.
Mornings crafting potions at the company, afternoons selling excess potions at the black market, evenings wandering around fishing for system options.
Ten days flew by.
Chen Shu had earned nearly 200,000 yuan from potions—an income rate that would leave countless people slack-jawed.
Though he earned plenty, Chen Shu's expenses were equally astronomical—unable to source raw materials, he could only buy finished potions from regular shops. Of course, he didn't purchase defense potions or body-type potions since he could craft those himself; he just needed time to gather materials.
Chen Shu blew through all 200,000 yuan on Basic Cell Potions to boost his golden slime's vitality and recovery speed, and while his contract spirit had grown significantly stronger, his wallet was completely drained.
Chen Shu had assumed his entire summer would revolve around the potion trade.
But early the next morning, Xu Xiaoyu's uncle Zhou Cheng walked in carrying three Power Flowers, bearing unfortunate news.
"Little Chen, these are the company's last three Power Flowers."
Zhou Cheng spoke with a soft sigh.
Chen Shu immediately responded, "Don't tell me we're going bankrupt already?"
Zhou Cheng's mouth twitched. "You really have a way with words, don't you?"
He was a company employee after all—couldn't he hope for something positive for the company?
Zhou Cheng sighed and explained, "The company's Power Flower supply contract expired. It'll take time to secure new sources."
"You didn't renew?" Chen Shu asked skeptically.
Logically, a company this size shouldn't have such issues.
If they had to halt Power Potion production, it would definitely hurt the company's bottom line.
"Some other faction signed an exclusive with that materials company. They beat us to it." A flash of anger crossed Zhou Cheng's eyes—for a potion company, having your material supply cut off was akin to having the rug pulled out from under you.
"Fine then. Does the company need help with defense potions or body-type potions?"
Chen Shu didn't understand business warfare—he just wanted to know if he could still earn potions. If 666 Potion Company couldn't provide Power Flowers, his money-making scheme would collapse, and he was just a student with no connections or pharmacist license, making consistent purchases of Alternate Dimension materials nearly impossible.
Zhou Cheng said awkwardly, "Those are our flagship products. The positions are probably... full."
As core products, the pharmacists handling them naturally commanded high salaries and benefits. They couldn't just insert a summer intern—paying wages while irritating the other pharmacists. Especially not when Chen Shu was just a high schooler.
"I'll locate other material suppliers as quickly as possible," Zhou Cheng consoled, patting his shoulder. "Your wages will continue without interruption."
Chen Shu shook his head. He needed potions, not some measly salary.
Get rich quick or stay poor forever². A regular paycheck could no longer satisfy Chen Shu's ambitions.
Zhou Cheng added candidly, "Recently the company's beast taming squad will personally venture into an Alternate Dimension. We should see some returns."
The instant he finished speaking, options materialized before Chen Shu's eyes.
[Option 1: Apply to join the company's beast taming squad for the Alternate Dimension expedition.]
Completion reward: Contract Spirit Exclusive Skill Book
[Option 2: Say "Then hurry up! Get moving!"]
Completion reward: Medium Amount of Beast Taming Power