Chapter 2: The Genius and the Cheater (Please Bookmark)_2
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"After this, you will go to the third level's Floating Restaurant for dinner with your wife. However, you have not made up your mind about this yet because you are hesitating about whether to visit your old instructor, who has retired and been demoted to the second level. But it's getting late; you are probably planning to visit him tomorrow."
"After these two matters are finished, then will you consider going to the bottom level to summon two temporary workers, especially since you received a target from the higher-ups today."
Tang Xian's gaze remained calm as he lifted his head to look at Jiang Ming, making it seem like a glance without purpose.
But Jiang Ming felt a chill down his spine, as if he had been completely seen through by this person.
"Why would he know my upcoming arrangements?"
Jiang Ming wondered internally.
Of course, Tang Xian could not explain the data he saw in his eyes.
Gender: Male.
Good-Evil Value: 52.
Greed and Lust Index: 20.
Fondness Rating: -14 (slight aversion).
Financial Assessment: 12 (barely making ends meet).
Liked Things: Mining area good news.
Disliked Things: Cheaters.
Fears: Elite-level boss three-headed hellhound.
Current Honesty Rating: 41 (sticking to facts).
Charm Value: 44 (quite ordinary).
Current Luck Value: 24 (needs to be cautious).
Current Needs Analysis: [Complete the current work (35%)][Visit the old instructor who was demoted to the second level after retirement (25%)][Dine with wife at the Floating Restaurant on the third level (25%)][Summon and promote one temporary worker (10%)][Other (5%)]
In Tang Xian's view, Jiang Ming was a decent man.
All the data also indicated that this man was not greedy for money and had principles in his conduct, a good-evil value over fifty suggesting a person with a fairly strong sense of justice.
Indeed, when it comes to critical junctures in life, many things can become melodramatic.
Jiang Ming was silent for a long time before talking again, and his tone finally changed, he said:
"Did you investigate me?"
How would he know his own schedule?
Even guess if he was hesitating whether to dine with his wife first or to visit his old instructor first?
In Jiang Ming's eyes, Tang Xian hadn't so much as lifted an eyelid during his entire speech.
The calmness in Tang Xian's eyes showed no emotion, as if everything Jiang Ming had said today was about a stranger unrelated to Tang Xian.
Tang Xian did not answer the question and was not worried about revealing his secret.
The selection test of the Chosen Ones from those days had taught him how stubborn the human definition of a talented individual could be.
"You doubt my abilities, and I can understand that, but I have a few things I hope you will listen to," he said.
"Go ahead."
Those "guesses" from Tang Xian were still unsettling him.
"You should be careful with the power at your disposal, as your life is unlike mine, without any blemishes. This is something to be proud of in today's Pyramid, no matter the level."
"Your abilities are pretty impressive, although I don't have a deep impression of you, I know you have principles when you work."
"Jiang Ming, please think carefully, if I hadn't cheated and yet you were to stamp an innocent man's record with a seal of 'never to be promoted,' could you remain as clean as before in this lifetime?"
Tang Xian's tone was indifferent, as if he was talking about the weather being nice today.
From beginning to end, Tang Xian gave Jiang Ming the feeling of being composed.
This man was so composed that his words instinctively made Jiang Ming reflect.
"Please arrange a test for me."
"What?"
"If you think I am a cheater, then please arrange a test for me. A test with only me as the examinee. The examination room, the content of the exam can involve any subject, entirely up to you to decide."
"Are you serious?"
"I am serious, unless I get promoted right now."
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Jiang Ming froze again.
He couldn't possibly arrange a test for a temp worker. He still doubted Tang Xian, yet Tang Xian's words also made sense. With a lifetime free of blemishes, the more cautious he had to be in his words and actions. He had indeed been somewhat impulsive just now.
After a moment of silence, Jiang Ming slowly spoke:
"Your resume indeed has no issues, and according to the rules, you can be promoted. But I will investigate all the surveillance footage of your previous exams, and if I find evidence, you will be dealt with immediately. However, for now, I will let you pass the test. Congratulations on becoming a formal employee. Your residence will be upgraded to the second level..."
"No need."
"What?" This time it was Bai Ling who spoke.
"I mean, I'll just stay in that room on the first level."
"Why?"
"I've lived there a long time, bad habits are hard to change."
"..."
"Just give me the official employee number and open up all the access and task permissions that come with it. As for the second level, it doesn't really mean anything to me."
The words of Tang Xian puzzled both of them.
However, Tang Xian's request was indeed feasible. It was not an excessive demand.
"Right now, there are clean accommodations on the second level. Think it over. If you regret it later, there might not be any spots available."
Once Jiang Ming no longer regarded Tang Xian as a cheater, he stopped making things difficult for Tang Xian and even reminded him not to give up the rights he had.
Tang Xian said calmly:
"The pinnacle of the second level is just a more refined ceiling. It bears no difference from the first level. By the way, I didn't choose to be promoted three years ago, and it's not for the reason you think. You might not believe my explanation, but if you ever get the chance, you might want to try eating hot pot. Of course, first you need to have a boiler like mine."
...
...
After Tang Xian left, Bai Ling and Jiang Ming were organizing various documents and procedures related to Tang Xian.
Just as Jiang Ming was about to leave, he suddenly spoke:
"Miss Bai, has Tang Xian not caused any trouble in the lower levels over these years?"
"What?"
Jiang Ming didn't elaborate further.
He remembered that during the Selection Test years ago, Tang Xian had filled in some ludicrous data.
The data appeared absurd and humorous, and no one before him had ever filled in such data. It seemed as if he was mocking the integrity of the Selection Test.
People concluded that Tang Xian was a fraud who had no talent but pretended to have some.
Jiang Ming thought the same.
Even now, his opinion hadn't changed, but recalling the recent events, he started to believe that Tang Xian truly had some kind of ability.
"Miss Bai, you know Tang Xian, don't you?"
"Yes, I specifically applied to be the promotion officer for Sector 669 after hearing that Tang Xian was going to be promoted. The Bai family values gratitude the most. Tang Xian has done me a favor."
"Could you disclose how Tang Xian helped you?"
"It's rare for an elite like you to be curious about such matters. Actually, it's not complicated. You know, there are many underground forces at the bottom level. When I went for an inspection, I was targeted by one of those forces. Coincidentally, the guards were lured away at that time..."
"At that moment, I truly thought I might die on the first level, as things are really chaotic there. But then, Tang Xian appeared..."
Bai Ling suddenly wore a puzzled expression.
"Come to think of it, at that time, Tang Xian was just like he was today. He said a bunch of things, as if he hit on some concerns those people had, and the ones surrounding me quickly dispersed."
Jiang Ming fell silent.
This silence made Bai Ling somewhat concerned.
"Is something the matter?"
"Only someone who can completely see through others can avoid the vortex of disputes. The bottom level is chaotic, with unrest every day, and people dying every day. For someone like Tang Xian to silently avoid any trouble and steadily survive six years to earn the qualifications for promotion is very rare. Most people's records have some blemish, but Tang Xian's doesn't."
"This..."
After Jiang Ming said that, Bai Ling too felt something was off.
Jiang Ming's words made sense, the bottom level was a place where even if you didn't want to court trouble, it would find you.
After pondering for a while, Jiang Ming found it somewhat incredible.