"Then we have to scout the place first," one person said thoughtfully, "lest we hit a brick wall..."

For the next two days, Qu Jianlei stayed in, focusing on reading and cultivation.

On the third morning, Du Lide brought over a few books, reminding him to return them after reading.

Then he curiously asked, "Why aren't you submitting articles anymore?"

Qu Jianlei didn't want to discuss Tanaka Yoshi. That father and son duo have been long-rooted in the Maintenance Master industry; who knows what network they have?

Frankly, it's those forces in Taikoo City; they profit from monopolizing and won't take responsibility if not forced.

So he casually replied, "It was just a whim, the money earned isn't even enough for my cultivation."

Du Lide was rendered speechless, thinking, is this person really an Ultimate Warrior?

He decided to change the topic and pulled out a magazine, "Have you read this article?"

Qu Jianlei looked: Coincidentally, it was "Mechanical Exploration," and the article was "Thoughts and Suggestions on Waste Recycling"!

He nodded nonchalantly, "I've read it, what's up?"

"Is it well-written?" Du Lide asked excitedly, "Don't you feel the author's thoughts... are very similar to yours?"

It's basically my article, right? That guy probably just changed a few words, Qu Jianlei felt a bit helpless.

He casually flipped through and answered expressionlessly, "It's an interesting idea that a Maintenance Master in the Celestial District is interested in waste?"

"There's nothing wrong with recycling waste," Du Lide straightforwardly noted, "Unfortunately, the author... got arrested."

Qu Jianlei looked at him suspiciously: Was this intentional or just coincidental?

Don't you know that the courtyard you're in now originally belonged to Tanaka Yoshi?

Anyway, without much expression, he said, "If he committed a crime, he should be arrested... Was he wrongly accused?"

"But... the author is truly talented," Du Lide became increasingly excited.

"His crime is 'malicious fraud against the Ultimate Warrior,' and the only way to help exonerate him is through your Inspection Bureau."

Help him clear his name? Qu Jianlei couldn't hold back a frown, "What do you mean by telling me this?"

"Isn't it to ask for your help?" Du Lide righteously retorted.

"You're with the Inspection Bureau, you can put some pressure... his family is wealthy and can pay the cost."

Qu Jianlei wanted to beat him up but managed to control himself forcibly.

He took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "Aren't you close with Ma Long?"

If you observed closely, you'd notice his body subtly trembling, and his voice slightly shaking.

But Du Lide didn't notice and responded as a matter of course.

"You understand mechanical repairs, you know talents are valuable, whereas he knows nothing... How could I have the nerve to make such an excessive request?"

You even know it's excessive? Qu Jianlei couldn't help but roll his eyes slightly.

Understanding the reason, he wasn't as angry anymore. This condition flares up quickly but also subsides swiftly.

However, whether what the other party said is true or not, he couldn't say for sure.

So he simply stated calmly, "I'm just a nominal member of the Inspection Bureau, it's inconvenient."

Du Lide's mouth twitched, seemingly considering how to phrase his words.

"Enough," Qu Jianlei waved a hand, decisively stating, "I not only like mechanical theory but am also an Ultimate Warrior."

If you want me to consider it from a professional standpoint, then you should know which camp I belong to first.

"I see," Du Lide sighed in disappointment and immediately added, "Sorry, I didn't know you were the Ultimate Warrior."

He had guessed before that the other might be an Ultimate Warrior, holding onto a bit of a gamble internally.

With the opponent's formal denial, he immediately apologized—he couldn't afford to endure the wrath of such a figure.

After this interlude, Qu Jianlei really had no mood to discuss more with him.

Du Lide, as a technician, somewhat sensed the low spirits of the other party, didn't dare to pester further, and left after a short stay.

Not long after he left, someone else knocked, inquiring if the shop front was for rent.

They were a man and a woman, looking like a couple, offering a price of five hundred silver coins per month.

Qu Jianlei directly refused; the rent here is not cheap, ranking as a good spot even in Central City.

The previous tenant rented for seven hundred silver coins a month, now directly lowering by two hundred.

Qu Jianlei didn't even bother to quote a price and simply asked them to leave.

He wasn't good at haggling, and to such insincere people, he was lazy to say anything more.

Whether the word got out or not, in the following days, several groups came to rent, all offering low prices.

Is someone trying to mess with him? Qu Jianlei couldn't help but speculate, but thinking about it, he deemed it unlikely.

Those three guards and the previous tenant already knew he was acquainted with the Inspection Bureau, would they still dare to cause trouble?

Still, he was a bit vexed, so he simply posted a paper outside: "Rent is nine hundred silver coins per month, no negotiation!"

Actually, this price might not be too high, given that the previous landlord, Tian Shouyi, wasn't a local either, only having residence rights.

Once the paper went up, there were indeed fewer disturbances, but not none.

Upon knocking open the door, someone directly questioned, "How can the rent here be so high?"

Qu Jianlei's response was—immediately shutting the door.

Within four days, such incidents occurred twice, making Qu Jianlei vaguely suspect: is he being targeted?

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