CHAPTER 13
"Ten years?" Sheng Qing's eyes widened as she repeatedly checked. "Are you sure you didn't write it wrong? It's not like I sold myself to your team!"
“Normally, we sign indefinite contracts,” Meng Yunxi said casually, flipping through the documents in her hand without looking up.
Sheng Qing looked at him with pity; that was the real contract of servitude.
"Can I refuse? Or change it to two years? Or three years?" Sheng Qing tried to reduce his sentence by being unreasonable. "You have plenty of extraordinary people in your team, why did you have to come to me?"
"Finish reading this first before we talk about anything else." Meng Yunxi remained unmoved, continuing to carefully examine the documents in her hands.
"Why don't you talk to your boss about this again? I'm just someone who's not good at academics and can't even use earth elements properly... Huh?" Sheng Qing's gaze fell on the clause about benefits and salary under the rights of the second party in the contract. She blinked to make sure she wasn't seeing things.
"Ten years is ten years. It is my honor to be able to contribute to the Queen and the people of Mengcheng." Sheng Qing said with a righteous and awe-inspiring expression.
"Captain, can this pen be used?" Sheng Qing stood up and, without waiting for the other party's reply, casually took a pen from the pencil case.
"Can I just sign my name here?" Sheng Qing turned to the last page of the contract and gave Meng Yunxi what she thought was a very sweet smile.
"Don't we need to change it to two years anymore?" Meng Yunxi finally put down the documents in her hand and looked up.
"No, no need," Sheng Qing said with an awkward laugh, clutching the contract tighter to his chest, as if Meng Yunxi would change her mind if she looked at it even once more. "It says here that food and lodging are provided, and you get paid even if you don't go on missions, and you get extra commission if you do go on missions. It's not just a lie, is it, Captain?"
"It's written in black and white, and I'm not that free." Meng Yunxi seemed to be amused by Sheng Qing's words, a faint smile flashing across her lips.
"That's fine then!" Sheng Qing picked up his pen to write his name on the page, but suddenly remembered that his current official identity was Ning Ruyin.
Meng Yunxi had already expressed dissatisfaction with his apparent tendency to deceive him regarding his identity information.
Heaven knows, Sheng Qing has no such cunning!
That was close! We almost gave ourselves away and missed a golden opportunity.
Then Sheng Qing flipped back and glanced at the contents of the terms of the second party's obligations. Without violating the laws of Mengcheng, the second party shall unconditionally obey the arrangements of the first party, including but not limited to participating in the investigation of abnormal events, resolving them, and trapping and eliminating abnormal creatures.
The parentheses at the end added a sentence: "If necessary, we should actively cooperate with relevant departments to participate in relevant experiments."
"Captain, does this mean they might conduct an experimental investigation into my ability to emit a strange fragrance?" Sheng Qing asked, pointing to the agreement with a puzzled expression.
Meng Yunxi glanced at it and nodded.
The request seemed reasonable, so Sheng Qing no longer hesitated. A fleeting doubt crossed her mind but went unnoticed.
"Captain, I've signed it." The contract was in duplicate. Sheng Qing signed it neatly and handed it back to Meng Yunxi.
"Sign another one with Sheng Qing's name." Meng Yunxi's gaze lingered on the three characters Ning Ruyin written in a flamboyant style for a long time, then she suddenly took out two new contracts from a folder and handed them over.
"Huh?" Sheng Qing looked at the other party in confusion, "Why?" But she still obediently took it, glanced at the salary and benefits details, confirmed that there were no discrepancies, and then signed her name, Sheng Qing, with a flourish.
Just as he was about to hand the contract back to Meng Yunxi, he suddenly noticed that the information in the client section was different.
"Did you change the message?" Sheng Qing didn't have time to retract it, but Meng Yunxi snatched it back with lightning speed.
"What's the difference? You won't be shortchanged in terms of food, lodging, or expenses." Meng Yunxi glanced at the two characters "Sheng Qing" at the end of the signature, which seemed to ripple with light patterns, closed the book with satisfaction, and said with a smile.
"This is the key to your new home. The next ten years are yours." Meng Yunxi readily placed all the documents on the table, but not the contract that belonged to Sheng Qing.
"If you can live long enough, I wouldn't mind helping you extend your life."
What does it mean to live long enough? Are the commissions you usually take on always fraught with danger?
Sheng Qing recalled the first dungeon she encountered when she first transmigrated. Although it was very strange, she managed to overcome it without any major incidents.
Is it just a coincidence?
"Don't worry, we certainly won't assign you any tasks beyond your capabilities." Meng Yunxi seemed to sense Sheng Qing's hesitation and explained in a timely manner.
Now that things have come to this, we can only deal with whatever comes our way.
If you ever encounter a life-threatening situation, you absolutely must cling to the coattails of the powerful figure in front of you.
Thinking of this, Sheng Qing carefully examined Meng Yunxi, as if he was really considering which powerful figure to cling to.
Meng Yunxi met Sheng Qing's gaze briefly, then sat back down in her chair.
"Won't you give me a copy of the contract?" Sheng Qing couldn't help but ask. The contract signed by Ning Ruyin listed the official name of the Zero Team of the Different Tunes, but she hadn't had time to carefully read the copy signed by Sheng Qing.
"Don't worry, you'll get it once the internal procedures are complete," Meng Yunxi said, putting the contract away carefully.
He then pointed to the door, signaling them to leave. "Your afternoon classes at the freshman orientation camp are starting soon, so I won't see you out."
Sheng Qing was at a loss for words, but didn't know how to vent his frustration. If all else failed, it wouldn't be too late to break the contract.
"Has anyone tried to terminate their contract and succeeded?" Sheng Qing asked again as he was about to walk out the door.
"Terminate the contract?" Meng Yunxi chuckled as if she had heard something ridiculous. "The contract itself carries special wood element power, and the pen you used to sign it also has water element power added to it. The moment you sign the contract, the contractual relationship is already established."
“If you want to live a few more years, you shouldn’t have those unrealistic ideas.” Meng Yunxi leaned back comfortably in her chair, raising an eyebrow and smiling at Sheng Qing.
Sheng Qing admitted that Meng Yunxi actually looked somewhat like a refined gentleman, and it would have been even better if he hadn't said that obviously threatening thing.
"How...how could that be?" Sheng Qing said guiltily, "I was just asking casually, I absolutely didn't have any inappropriate thoughts."
If someone can implant elemental power into a contract, wouldn't it be easy to find a force to remove it? She wasn't foolish enough to confront it head-on.
"Captain, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."
"No need to see me out." Meng Yunxi picked up the contract signed by Sheng Qing again and carefully read through it.
"By the way, you don't need to call me captain anymore. Just call me by my name." Meng Yunxi picked up a pen from the pen holder.
"Why? I've heard the Qin siblings call me that." Sheng Qing paused with her left foot as she stepped out of the room.
“They are them, and you are you.” Meng Yunxi didn’t intend to explain further. “Close the door.”
"Oh." Sheng Qing closed the door sullenly.
They are indeed different. They were recruited as official team members through the proper procedures based on their own strong abilities, and they are teammates who can be relied upon and trusted.
He was only temporarily recruited because of his strange ability to attract monsters, and he had no place in this game of hunter and monster chase.
Meng Yunxi had no idea that his casual remark would lead Sheng Qing to such a divergent line of thought; he had simply gotten used to hearing Sheng Qing call his name.
Habits are truly a terrible thing.
However, Sheng Qing was also very open-minded. He believed that if the sky fell, there would be tall people to hold it up, and as long as he didn't do anything reckless, he wouldn't die.
Instead of worrying about things that haven't happened yet, it's better to work hard to master elemental skills.
Trying to survive a few more missions and earn substantial rewards makes for a decent life worth looking forward to. It does sound a bit like a pseudo-secure job.
I don't know if my method of controlling the fragrance is still effective. I need to find an opportunity to practice, otherwise I won't be able to avoid encountering a powerful monster one day.
However, to practice, one would have to leave Mengcheng. Surely the outskirts of Mengcheng shouldn't be too dangerous. Sheng Qing pondered, deciding he needed to find an opportunity to inquire.
The city of Meng is equipped with a special Five Elements formation, making it impossible for ordinary monsters to conceal themselves there. Even monsters with that ability will be wary of the city's official Hunter Association.
The city of Mengcheng, where Sheng Qing lived, was a city with a population of nearly one million, and its overall technological level was probably similar to that of China at the end of the 20th century.
Except for a few specific areas where they may have a leading edge, most of their technologies are still in their infancy.
The former is mainly reflected in medicine and theology, after all, this is a magical world where almost everyone can summon the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, and earth).
The latter is reflected in quality of life, such as travel, entertainment, and employment. Most ordinary people still make a living by doing manual labor, while those with slightly better skills choose to earn income by accepting commissions from individuals or organizations. The most capable choose to join official hunter organizations, such as Meng Yunxi, Ning Xianyu, and the Qin siblings.
This is why Sheng Qingming was willing to sign the contract even though he knew it had problems. Of course, Meng Yunxi's coercion and inducement deserve the most credit.
Let's leave it at that for today; let's leave any bigger problems for tomorrow.
"Meow~" Bubu was very satisfied with Sheng Qing's stroking gesture and made a purring sound of contentment.
“Bubu~” Sheng Qing responded affectionately.
A person and a cat entered a dream.
Judging from Meng Yunxi's words, he should be able to report for duty in the next couple of days.
Should we ask the Qin siblings beforehand what precautions we should take?
But there hasn't been an official announcement yet. Doesn't this seem a bit too hasty?
Having never experienced the hardships of commuting to work, Sheng Qing had only heard advice from so-called experienced people online. As a newcomer, one must be quick-witted and diligent to avoid being disliked.
The most urgent task is to find that so-called aunt Ning Xuanyu and explain the next arrangements. After all, it was with her help that I was able to get through the awkward period in the training camp, and even the small house I am living in now is thanks to her.
Then, I need to find an opportunity to go out of the city and practice that strange ability. I can't say I can control it perfectly, but I can't afford to mess it up at the last minute.
Sheng Qing was preoccupied with these messy things, and before she knew it, it was already lunchtime.
"Do people from your team often come here to eat? I only ever see the two of you." Sheng Qing spotted the Qin siblings at a glance and sat down next to Qin Feiyan with her tray.
"They've gone to get special treatment," Qin Feiyu said with envy.
"We need to save money to buy a house. We've already found one, and we're just waiting for the money to come up," Qin Feiyan explained to Sheng Qing, glaring at her older brother.
It seems that Qin Feiyan, the younger sister, is still the head of the household. But even in this magical world, does she still have to worry about housing?
"Meng Yunxi too?" Sheng Qing felt it was necessary to find out more about the future leader's interests and hobbies.
"The captain?" Qin Feiyan looked puzzled. "He's very picky about food and rarely eats with us."
"Yesterday was the first time I'd seen him eat here," Qin Feiyu added. "By the way, what did Brother Meng and you talk about yesterday?"
"It's nothing, just some lingering issues from the previous secret realm," Sheng Qing said ambiguously, then recalled Meng Yunxi's barely finished plate yesterday, which was also a bit of a predicament for him.
"Speaking of which, the team leader is a really good person. At least he's reliable and loyal at work." Qin Feiyan's face showed concern. "He always takes the lead in dangerous situations and is very generous with benefits and bonuses. Otherwise, we wouldn't have thought about buying a house."
Could it be that he really stumbled upon a great boss in his very first job? Sheng Qing felt that the food tasted even better today.
But weren't you two the ones who fled in panic yesterday?
"That's because you didn't see him reject those pretty girls. He's got a good-looking face, but he doesn't know how to be gentle with women at all." Qin Feiyu said dismissively, then started to feel sorry for him. "But it's also their fault for not being able to see me, this perfect man. Right?" She then raised an eyebrow at Sheng Qing.
"Uh..." Sheng Qing almost choked, coughing several times before recovering.
"Can't even a meal shut your mouth?" Meng Yunxi's cold voice suddenly rang out.
Now it was Qin Feiyu's turn to choke and cough uncontrollably.
"Team, Captain?" The Qin siblings were quite surprised to see Meng Yunxi in the cafeteria for two consecutive days.
Meng Yunxi nodded in response, then handed a folder to Sheng Qing: "Come see me at 9 a.m. tomorrow."
As if still not reassured, she added, "Ask me anytime if you don't understand anything."
"Thank you!" After watching Meng Yunxi's figure disappear through the door, Sheng Qing couldn't wait to open the folder.
"What reporting for duty?" Qin Feiyan pressed. "I heard yesterday that a new team member would be joining. What was his name again?" She glanced at Qin Feiyu as she spoke.
“Ning, Ning Ruyin?” Qin Feiyu recalled, “That seems to be her name.”
"Yes, that's her name. Sheng Qing, are you coming too?" Qin Feiyan's expression became even more puzzled.
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