He thought for a moment and then added, "Tomorrow morning at 7, come early and wait for me at the entrance of the South Inspection Station. Iāll have someone calculate everything for you on the spot."
Chu Yunfeng nodded quickly, feeling a great weight lift from his heart. Yet he rubbed his hands together, appearing somewhat hesitant.
"What is it? More concerns?" Cheng Ye raised an eyebrow.
"Inspector Cheng, could I... could I ask you for a favor?"
Chu Yunfengās voice was so low it was almost drowned out by the sound of rain.
His hands clenched and unclenched by his side. Following the advice Red Hair had given him before returning to the city, he should immediately display a grateful demeanor in such a situation.
The best move would be to seize the moment to kneel, striking his head on the ground while recounting the hardships of scavenging in the ruins, and mentioning how many injuries he endured for this batch of weapons and the children waiting at home for life-saving help...
Red Hair had assured him, as long as he acted convincingly, the Inspector would more than likely show compassion and reduce the under-the-table cut from 50% to about 40%.
Why not the 5% that regular scavengers are entitled to?
Of course, that minimal cut is for the honest folks digging through rubble for materials, not for people like them who risk their lives in bandit fights within the ruins.
Happiness City doesnāt officially endorse private conflicts, but covertly limits the earnings from such "cutthroat" methods even more strictly.
If youāre bold enough to treat others as prey, youād better be ready to give up half your earnings; this is an unwritten rule without exceptions.
Even bringing the items to the Ghost King for exchange, explaining the source wonāt help; the cut would be at least 60%, contingent on his expression.
The only choice is to sell piecemeal to scavengers or freelancers, but thatās too cumbersome. People lack bullets more than guns, and those who do buy them primarily choose the Ghost King; itās aboveboard and convenient for future trades or emergencies.
This batch of weapons in front of him was worth over 2,000 Happiness Coins, not counting the contribution points the grenades and sniper rifles could fetch.
If the cut were reduced by 10%, heād walk away with over two hundred, enough to cover half a monthās labor for an average worker.
However, standing in front of Cheng Ye at that moment, Chu Yunfengās knees felt like theyād been filled with lead, refusing to bend.
The sob story and pitiful act heād prepared dried up into silent hesitation.
Because he instinctively felt that Cheng Ye wasnāt the kind of Inspector described by Red Hair and wouldnāt appreciate such theatrics.
Particularly thinking back on Cheng Yeās gaze as he watched them disarm the gunsāneither greedy nor disdainful but unexpectedly appreciative.
That appreciation convinced Chu Yunfeng that honest words might be safer than false pretenses.
"Go ahead."
Seeing Chu Yunfeng still standing there awkwardly, Cheng Ye found it odd and softened his tone, "As long as itās within the rules, Iāll help if I can."
Those words felt like a tranquilizer; Chu Yunfeng took a deep breath and finally looked up, "Inspector Cheng, Iām short on cash. I know the rule is to take 50%, but I need money urgently to change my living space. The assigned shelter keeps leaking rain, with water seeping through the walls. Iāve patched it several times and kept trying to fix it, but to no avail."
He spoke haltingly, yet his eyes carried an honest determination.
Whether it worked hinged on this lineāno tricks up his sleeve.
Cheng Ye paused for a moment before smiling, assuming Chu Yunfeng would try pulling some grand scheme; he hadnāt expected this.
"Iāll calculate it at 40% for you. Plus... contribution points might not be useful for you, so Iāll have the purchasing department convert the earnings from those items into Happiness Coins at a 1:10 ratio. Howās that sound?"
He paused and added, "Also, Iām personally quite interested in the Hundred Ghosts Gangās information, so jot down the movements of outside gangs, their distribution points, and any Ghost Head rumors you know, and bring them to me as the compensation for my help."
Chu Yunfeng looked up suddenly, a flash of surprise in his eyes, not expecting it to be this easy.
He initially thought securing a 40% deal would be thanks enough; he hadnāt anticipated the maximum conversion rate into Happiness Coins, with even "compensation" arranged for him.
He momentarily paused, that surprise turning into a complex mixture, lodged in his throat, managing to force out, "Thank... thank you, Inspector Cheng."
"Alright, tomorrow morning at 7, wait at the South Inspection Station entrance for me."
Cheng Ye waved, pressing a button on the table, "Youāre lucky... returning just one day later, it wouldnāt have been this easy."
Chu Yunfeng couldnāt comprehend this sentence, but he sensed a gravity in Cheng Yeās tone.
"Yes!"
He nodded vigorously, hurriedly donning the raincoat he had slung by, moving more spryly than when he arrived.
No further formalities exchanged, nor did he look back, briskly moving through the isolation gate, his silhouette soon vanishing at the passageās end.
Military Saber shook his head in amazement, only realizing what had transpired after Chu Yunfeng had walked far off.
"Military Saber."
"Yes."
"Go check these weapons to see if there are any abnormal marks; if so, set them aside in advance."
"Yes!"
Just minor matters.
As long as theyāre within the jurisdiction, it doesnāt cost but words.
Linking with Chu Yunfeng again, Cheng Ye couldnāt help but feel a bit excited, considering that Miao Yangās highest skill was only Level 3, seeking further progress lay with Chu Yunfeng.
Plus, Chu Yunfeng wasnāt an ordinary personācould he possess unique physical talents like Jiang Chuan?
While pondering, more scavengers streamed in through the corridor.
Glancing at Defense Communication for the time, it was already eleven thirty, and the next peak of city entrants was approaching.
Cheng Ye restrained his thoughts, refocusing on the inspection, but until Wang Kang came to take over, he hadnāt seen Liu Kun at all.
Planning to come in the afternoon or evening?
But with fewer scavengers then, how would he blend in and hide?
"Brother Cheng, you should take a break; I can handle this."
Wang Kang just finished washing his hands, shaking off the droplets, clearly ready to assume the duty.
But as Cheng Ye got up, intending to pass the post to Wang Kang, he caught a glimpse of another crowd surging in at the passageās entrance.
With just a look, he narrowed his eyes, his heart inexplicably speeding up.
"Kang."
"Hmm?"
"You go rest a bit in the back. Things are different today, and Iāll stay on duty awhile longer!"
...