"Issue... issue an invoice?"
The head of the merchant association blinked in confusion, carefully studying the serious expression on Fu Zhu's face. It didn't look like he was joking at all; he was being serious!
But what did issuing an invoice have to do with the bet, or with helping the merchants of Golden Automaton Lane repay their debt?
It wasn't just her; March 7th, Bailu, and Scott were also somewhat puzzled.
Seeing the person-in-charge stare blankly for a long time without answering, Fu Zhu urged impatiently, "Can you do it or not? Just give me a straight answer. What's the use of wasting time thinking about other things right now?"
"Yes, yes we can, sir!"
Startled by Fu Zhu's question, the person-in-charge hurriedly nodded in reply.
After receiving a definitive answer, Fu Zhu turned to Scott with satisfaction and said, "Alright, it's a deal then, Sco-what's-his-name?"
"Scott! You brat, you better remember my name! When it comes to shamelessness, I am your senior!"
The fact that Fu Zhu couldn't remember his name infuriated Scott. He decided that since Fu Zhu had demanded no holds barred, he would show him a thing or two—all the dirty tricks he had mastered over the years!
"Right, got it."
Although Fu Zhu agreed readily, his completely nonchalant expression made it clear to everyone around that he was just humoring Scott.
Scott was so angry his teeth itched, but there was nothing he could do about Fu Zhu. He could only snort resentfully, turn around with his corporate employees, and leave the ferry dock.
Once Scott, the other protagonist of this commotion, had left, the surrounding crowd of melon-eaters, seeing there was no more drama to watch, began to disperse.
Soon, only Fu Zhu's group and the people from the Golden Automaton Lane merchant association were left at the scene.
"He's finally gone, that detestable guy!"
Sushang finally let out a sigh of relief, but she quickly cupped her face in her hands, full of regret.
"I couldn't hold back and ended up helping, and now I'm caught up in this kind of bet. If I lose and have to bark like a dog, will I bring shame to the Cloud Knights? Woo woo woo..."
Standing to the side, Fu Zhu saw that Sushang was only now starting to feel regret. He crossed his arms and complained with a sense of speechlessness, "If you knew it would turn out like this, you shouldn't have jumped in without a second thought!"
"But..."
Sushang lowered her head guiltily, twiddling her fingers in front of her face. "That guy was just so despicable, I couldn't help myself..."
Fu Zhu, March 7th, and Xing couldn't help but facepalm at her words. Fu Zhu was also reminded of Dan Heng's evaluation of this Cloud Knight girl whom he hadn't known for long.
Simple-minded, not very cultured, but warm-hearted.
Xing now understood. With Sushang's personality, she probably charged in to announce she'd help the association pay its debt without any plan whatsoever. It seemed it was all up to her old bro to come up with a good idea.
"So, old bro, what's your plan to help the merchant association pay off its debt?"
The others also turned their gazes to Fu Zhu. After all, like Sushang, he had suddenly inserted himself into this incident and even joined the bet.
Although the consequences of losing the bet had nothing to do with him, Fu Zhu seemed much more reliable than Sushang. They figured he probably wouldn't have gotten involved without having some kind of plan.
When Fu Zhu heard Xing ask about serious business, he immediately raised his right hand and declared with brimming confidence, "I have five excellent strategies that can cut that Scott down from his horse."
"What?" Xing looked at Fu Zhu's raised hand in surprise. "You have two more than usual?"
Xing pinched her chin, her brows furrowed as she stared intently at Fu Zhu. She felt that with her old bro suddenly producing two more strategies than usual, there was definitely something fishy going on!
If it were her, what would she do...
"Old bro, don't tell me you're going to say something like, 'Person-in-charge, give me your phone. Here's a loan I just helped you get from the corporation. Go pay off the debt!' right?"
Fu Zhu didn't answer. He just silently retracted his thumb, leaving four fingers held firmly upright.
The corners of March 7th's and Xing's eyes instantly drooped.
He was right!
After a moment of silence, Xing couldn't help but give Fu Zhu a thumbs-up. "As expected of my old bro. We really thought alike. No wonder you told Scott there were no holds barred."
Fu Zhu snorted and returned the gesture with his own thumbs-up. "As expected of my dear sister, you think just like me."
"This is not the time for you two siblings to show off your rapport!" March 7th shot them an exasperated look, then pointed at Sushang with her hands on her hips. "Do you have any reliable ideas? Otherwise, Miss Sushang is really going to have to bark like a dog!"
Sushang froze for a moment, then waved her hands repeatedly. "Actually, let's just forget it, shall we? As much as I appreciate your help, I suddenly don't really want this gentleman to help me anymore..."
Fu Zhu actually wanted the person-in-charge to borrow money from the corporation to pay off the debt. His next plan couldn't possibly be to have her take out a loan, could it?!
She might as well just go bark like a dog!
Fu Zhu turned his head to look at Sushang, noticed the change in her expression, and couldn't help but say, "Are you thinking my next plan is to have you take out a loan? Come on, it would be too lame to use the same trick twice."
His words made Sushang relax slightly, and she managed to force a smile.
"Right, that's true... So, sir, what better method do you have?"
"Hmm... how about selling the merchant association?"
Everyone froze. After a moment of stunned silence, Sushang couldn't help but retort frantically, "The whole point of our bet with Scott was to save the merchant association! If we sell the association to pay off the debt, then it's all meaningless!"
"Can't be helped."
Fu Zhu crossed his arms and looked at the person-in-charge with a helpless expression. "I have no idea what your merchant association actually does from start to finish. I can't prescribe the right remedy for the illness, so I can only resort to this. If you want me to come up with a good plan... then you'd better hurry up and tell me what exactly your association does!"
The person-in-charge gave an awkward laugh, swallowed nervously, and quickly explained.
"Our association's business is mainly logistics and food and beverage, but the most important part is logistics. However, for various reasons... we're unable to make ends meet."
"Logistics, huh..."
A few good ideas immediately sparked in Fu Zhu's mind.
Seeing this expression on Fu Zhu, Xing immediately knew that her old bro had a plan.
"Old bro, what's your idea?"
"Of course. I have upper, middle, and lower strategies. Which one do you want to hear first?"