"Exactly," Marcus stood up, patting his belly as he began to flaunt his seniority. "The old Team Leader hasn't even spoken yet."

After he switched to internal affairs, his body had visibly swelled up at an alarming rate.

"Hahaha!" Marcus happily slapped Chen Gu on the shoulder. "The moment you arrived, I knew you weren't an ordinary guy. Turns out, my judgment was spot on!"

The puppet Melincha, however, teased him with a smile, "Team Leader, that kind of hindsight isn't very impressive."

Everyone burst into laughter. Marcus retorted in annoyance, "Nonsense, I really did see his potential back then!"

"Yeah, yeah, you saw it," Melincha continued with a grin. "Let me finish your story for you—so that's why you took extra care of Chen Gu, giving him a leg up everywhere, right?" 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Marcus was somewhat embarrassed. "That's not it; I'm not trying to take credit." He looked at Chen Gu. "What I want is to thank you—I never expected that after switching to internal affairs, I could still be transferred to Capital Star. The benefits at the Director-General's Office are very good, and my wife and child are thrilled."

How could a poor, remote place like Wuzhaoyin City even compare to Capital Star?

No one objected, including Charles.

Everyone understood clearly that it was because of Chen Gu that they had ridden his coattails to success. The sole reason they were transferred to Capital Star was their seamless cooperation with Chen Gu.

Right on cue, Qing Ruyan announced, "There's more good news. The Director-General's Office will fully supply the merit points and various materials you all need for your next Energy Level promotion. Everyone needs to level up as quickly as possible."

"Really?" Everyone was overjoyed. Even Charles, who always prided himself on being from the "wealthy class," hadn't managed to gather enough resources for his next promotion. The materials from those super life forms were so expensive they could bankrupt an ordinary affluent businessman!

Qing Ruyan nodded. "This was specially approved by the Director-General for the Special Operations Squad. Alright, now I'll take you to the twenty-fourth floor, which will be your new workspace. Besides all of you, there will also be an internal affairs team, a cleanup crew, and four action teams. Their team leaders are already there waiting."

The group took the elevator down to familiarize themselves with the new environment and colleagues, which took a considerable amount of time. After everything was settled, Boluo suggested, "Team dinner! We must have a team dinner. Since we're new here, Chen Gu should be considered the host. He's paying tonight, right?"

"Of course, that's fine!" everyone cheered. Chen Gu deliberately put on a pained expression. "I'm a bit short on cash... How about this? I'll treat you all to a meal at our school cafeteria..."

Charles shot him a disdainful look, and Dora pouted, somewhat annoyed. She had been quiet, always feeling she had a special bond with Chen Gu, a sort of 'mutual riding' camaraderie in her mind. When he suddenly left for the Director-General's Office, she had felt a sense of abandonment.

Of course, this so-called 'mutual riding' was purely Big Rabbit's fantasy—there was never anything 'mutual' about it.

But Qing Ruyan's eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly. "That's fantastic! I've wanted to have a feast at the Huai Shan Branch School cafeteria for ages!"

Chen Gu knew all too well that when this girl said "have a feast," she truly meant it and definitely wouldn't hold back with him.

He immediately put on a mournful face. "Please, have mercy! My bank account is already weeping."

Everyone exchanged glances. Is he really that stingy over a cafeteria meal?

When they arrived at Huai Shan Branch School and saw the prices in the cafeteria, everyone was taken aback. Are the prices on Capital Star really this insane? Living here must be incredibly tough.

Qing Ruyan, however, showed no restraint, urging everyone, "This is a rare opportunity, so don't hold back! The food here is extremely beneficial for professionals. You're all about to be promoted, so seize this chance to solidify your foundations."

This was a matter of life and death, so everyone immediately dropped their reservations and quickly started ordering.

Only then did they understand Chen Gu's good intentions. A meal here was many times more expensive than at any upscale restaurant outside.

Chen Gu's earlier claims of being short on cash and his pained expression had all been a joke. He was genuinely thoughtful, likely having planned to treat everyone to this meal the moment he heard the Director-General's Office would assist with their promotions.

Qiao Shuangyi and Lin Xiaochen, still reeling from their punishment of writing an essay, suddenly realized it was dinnertime. They staggered into the cafeteria, and suddenly, their eyes lit up!

"Old Qiao, look, look! Brother Chen is here with a group of beauties!"

Qiao Shuangyi spotted Chen Gu first, then saw Qing Ruyan, and instinctively flinched. Lin Xiaochen also noticed Qing Ruyan and hesitated. After all, her father had a truly formidable reputation.

"But those other beauties…" one of them murmured to the other, "they're quite exceptional."

The two straightened their clothes and, with what they believed were suave and handsome smiles, approached Chen Gu. "Brother Chen, you're back! Who are these ladies? Why not introduce us?"

Chen Gu watched them approach, amused. Qiao Shuangyi, the chubby fellow, was trying to look dignified, but his small eyes kept "accidentally" wandering over the little demoness Selena—no, *glancing*.

Chen Gu was overjoyed. Ah, the little prince of footing nightclub bills has appeared!

He smiled and stood up. "Let me introduce you. These two are my classmates..."

After the introductions went around, it was Qing Ruyan's turn. She smiled at the two. "We already know each other; no need for introductions, Qiao Shuangyi, Lin Xiaochen. You've come just in time. We haven't had enough to eat yet, so go get us some more food. You know, I'm very ladylike and don't eat much, so don't get *too much*."

She deliberately emphasized the words "too much." Qiao Shuangyi and Lin Xiaochen's faces immediately fell, and they grumbled inwardly, Ladylike? You're a glutton and boy-crazy!

However, both of them couldn't understand. Why am I so handsome, yet this woman doesn't swoon over me?

Then, reluctantly, they turned and left. Soon, all sorts of expensive foods were brought over in succession, piling up and filling the entire table.

Qing Ruyan smiled sweetly. "Oh dear, how can I possibly finish all this?"

Not a crumb was left.

Chen Gu also benefited, eating and drinking his fill.

Then, he figured there was no time like the present and suggested, "How about we change venues and have some fun?"

The little demoness Selena's eyes immediately sparkled. "Great! I've been dying to experience the bustling nightlife of Capital Star!"

Chen Gu said to Qiao Shuangyi and Lin Xiaochen, "Come with us. My car doesn't have enough room, so you two can drive yours."

Qiao Shuangyi actually didn't want to go anymore; his bank account was truly on its last legs. But seeing that Selena wanted to go, he braced himself and said, "Okay."

While going to get the cars, Qiao Shuangyi quickly sent a message to his older brother: "Emergency! Need ten million!"

Just as the clock struck midnight, the "ill-intentioned" Qiao Shuangyi hadn't succeeded in getting Selena drunk but ended up drunk himself…

This little demoness was in a league of her own. She had seen through his little ploys at a glance. The chubby fellow had the gall but lacked the actual ability.

As for Lin Xiaochen… Charles was propping him up as he'd set his sights on Melincha.

But Melincha, the puppet, enjoyed great popularity within their small group. Everyone helped shield her from the drinks. Consequently, Melincha remained fine, while Lin Xiaochen, that loser, also passed out.

Charles helped him out, a look of disgust on his face.

Chen Gu was very happy. His old friends had come, and he felt his hospitality today had been quite up to par, hadn't it?