Gao Yang thought he had misheard. He paused for a moment and asked, "Is it really necessary to go through all this trouble just to make friends?"
"Heh, of course, it’s not just about making friends," Liu Qingying replied without beating around the bush. "I’m also hoping to make a small deal with you."
Gao Yang remained silent, lost in thought.
"Of course, I won’t force you. You’re free to refuse. But if you do, I hope you won’t spread tonight’s events—it won’t benefit either of us. We can simply pretend nothing ever happened."
"I understand," Gao Yang nodded. "But why did you choose me?"
"Because I spotted you in the crowd right away." Liu Qingying threw him a flirtatious glance. Oddly enough, though he knew it was just an act, he still found it pleasing.
But Gao Yang wasn’t so easily swayed. He knew well it was all nonsense.
Liu Qingying had four candidates in mind: Qing Ling, Officer Huang, Wang Zikai, and Fatty Jun.
Qing Ling was ruled out first—she was too strong, and as a woman, Liu Qingying would lose the advantage of her "charm," rendering her efforts less effective.
Officer Huang was the next to be dismissed. He, too, was formidable, not to mention a seasoned policeman with vast experience. On top of that, he was extremely loyal to his wife—there would be little to gain from him.
Fatty Jun was the third to be eliminated. He looked timid, indecisive, and easily swayed. While turning him might be simple, he wouldn't make for an effective "inside man."
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As for Wang Zikai, he was nothing more than a beast, and his intelligence was laughably low—certainly not within Liu Qingying’s scope of consideration.
"Yes, just as you suspected," Liu Qingying smiled.
Gao Yang was startled—could this woman read minds?!
"No, because you're still in a dream, I can vaguely sense the fluctuations of your thoughts and make educated guesses. In reality, I wouldn't be able to do this," Liu Qingying sighed. "I wish I had mind-reading powers. It would save me a lot of trouble."
Mind-reading powers?
It seemed she wasn’t after any tangible item, but rather... information?
A faint tightening appeared at the corners of Liu Qingying’s eyes. She was mildly surprised. "You’re too clever. I’m suddenly regretting choosing you."
Gao Yang chuckled. "So, it’s really about information exchange?"
"Yes."
"Information about the Zodiac?"
Gao Yang himself had little of value, so Liu Qingying was clearly targeting the organization behind him.
"Exactly."
"Let’s talk about how the trade works, then." Gao Yang crossed his legs, ready to listen.
"It’s simple. First, the method of exchange: every month, you’ll come to my shop for a meal, and I’ll give you a complimentary drink. Take one sip, and that night we can meet in the dream world, just like now, leaving no trace behind. You can rest assured—I may invade your dreams, but I can’t physically harm you. The duration of the dream depends on how long you sleep in reality. Compared to other abilities, 'Sweet Dreams' is quite gentle."
Gao Yang nodded, signaling her to continue.
"Each time we meet, I’ll ask for information about the Zodiac. If you know it, you can tell me; if not, you can choose to stay silent. I won’t force you." Liu Qingying raised a single finger and emphasized, "But there is one condition: you must not deliberately give me false information. If I detect any lies, the deal is off, and I can't guarantee I won’t retaliate."
"I understand."
"As for compensation, I can offer you some information you desire. The principle is the same—I may choose to share or withhold it. You cannot force me. One piece of information in exchange for another." Liu Qingying’s lips curved into a sly, yet worldly smile. "If you provide me with intel and I don’t have anything of value for you, I’ll give you five Jinwu coins as a token of appreciation."