I Was Sent Into A Shitty Urban Novel-Chapter 28 - . Move forward

Lucious adjusted his shirt collar in the restaurant’s restroom mirror, scowling at his reflection. "A meal," he muttered. "That’s what a favor with the wealthy is worth now?" freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

The restaurant was a sleek, high-end establishment tucked discreetly into the heart of Riverstone’s financial district—an enclave of wealth where deals were inked over $90 steaks and loyalty was measured in power, not kindness. Walnut-paneled walls framed the space like a private club. Chandeliers shaped like glass vines dangled from the ceiling, catching the light in cascading prisms. Waiters drifted noiselessly between tables in black vests and starched cuffs, as if choreographed by some invisible maestro.

Lucious stood just inside the entrance, his delivery uniform making him feel like graffiti scrawled across a Renaissance painting. The scent of seared lamb, buttered lobster, and aged wine curled in the air, doing nothing to soothe his nerves. He didn’t belong here. But he’d come anyway.

Not for the meal.

Not for the company.

Because this was a game now.

The system hadn’t spoken—not yet. No floating numbers, no crisp blue panels detailing quests or bonuses. But Lucious knew better than to ignore open doors. And Harrison Weng? He was one hell of a door.

That morning, the man had called. Thanked him again for the flat tire help. Offered lunch. Lucious had grunted, feigned appreciation. Played the role.

He didn’t want thanks.

He wanted opportunity.

Now, he sat across from Harrison, the table between them a polished slab of black marble. Weng had already ordered a filet mignon, rare. Lucious had gone with fries and water. The waiter’s arched brow hadn’t escaped him, nor had the subtle sneer at such a plebeian choice. But Lucious didn’t care. Harrison didn’t seem to notice—or maybe he simply didn’t care either.

"To be honest," Harrison said, cutting into his steak with practiced ease, "I didn’t think anyone would stop to help these days. Thought decency died out sometime last decade."

Lucious offered a mild smile. "Right place, right time."

Harrison chuckled. "Still, I owe you. If I’d waited for my assistant, I’d still be on the side of the road."

Lucious resisted the urge to roll his eyes. A meal, apparently, was what a favor was worth to this man. Good to know. Favor quantified. Currency of the elite.

Then something shifted.

A man approached their table—a tall, composed figure in a charcoal-gray suit, carrying a slim leather briefcase. He moved with deliberate poise, and when he spoke, his voice was soft and professional.

"Mr. Weng, forgive the interruption. I was told you’d be dining here today. We met at the investment expo last month, I believe?"

Harrison looked up, frowning faintly. "You’re from... Eastern Appraisal?"

"Yes, sir. I brought a few items from a private seller. I believe you’ll find them quite compelling."

The man unlatched the briefcase and turned it toward the table, lifting the lid with practiced showmanship. Inside, nestled in foam, were three porcelain vases painted in intricate blue-and-white dragon motifs—each about the size of a football. Next to them lay a smaller jade carving of a lotus flower, delicate and shimmering in the restaurant’s light.

"These are from the late Qing dynasty," the man said smoothly. "Part of a private collection. The seller is hoping to offload them discreetly."

Lucious tilted his head.

A flicker pulsed behind his eyes. Subtle. Ghostly.

Then the system came alive.

[ANALYZING MATERIAL COMPOSITION...]

[PORCELAIN GRADE: MODERN. REPLICA PATTERN.]

[JADE CARVING: SYNTHETIC COMPOSITE. MARKET VALUE ≈ 1.2% OF CLAIMED PRICE.]

[SUGGESTED ACTION: ALERT TARGET. GAIN INFLUENCE.]

His mind raced, his face calm. An opportunity gift-wrapped.

Lucious leaned forward, eyes fixed on the middle vase. "I wouldn’t buy those."

The seller’s smile faltered. "Excuse me?"

Harrison turned, bemused. "You know antiques?"

"Enough," Lucious replied, tapping the porcelain lightly. "The dragon has five claws. Authentic Qing-era pieces usually show four—symbolism, status. Five was reserved for imperial wares. Plus, that glaze? Too smooth. Too even. These were fired recently. Shandong, maybe, ten years ago."

The seller stiffened.

Lucious’s gaze dropped to the jade. "That lotus isn’t real jade. It’s a resin composite. You can tell by the way it catches the light—too glossy. Too perfect."

A long pause.

Then Harrison threw back his head and laughed. "Damn. I was about to wire the deposit."

The seller’s jaw clenched. He snapped the briefcase shut, mumbled an apology, and turned briskly away.

Harrison’s eyes lingered on Lucious, curiosity flaring. "You’re full of surprises, you know that?"

Lucious gave a small shrug. "Just read a lot."

"No, you saved me again." Harrison set down his knife. "Clearly, one lunch isn’t going to cut it."

Lucious didn’t answer, but a spark of satisfaction lit in his chest.

[FAVOR DOUBLED.]

[STANDING UPGRADED.]

They chatted a while longer, Harrison probing about Lucious’s past, his work, his interests. Lucious deflected easily. He wasn’t here to spill sob stories. He was here to climb.

When the meal ended, Harrison paid without hesitation.

"Let’s stay in touch," he said, offering a firm handshake outside the restaurant.

"I’m sure we will," Lucious replied smoothly.

Once the car pulled away, Lucious slipped into a narrow alley beside the building. The din of the street faded behind him. He pulled out his phone, thumb hovering just a moment before dialing.

"911, what’s your emergency?"

Lucious pitched his voice into a breathless whisper. "There’s a group of guys following me. Think they’re trying to jump me. Please send someone."

"Can you confirm your loc—"

He hung up.

No need to give them more. That was bait enough.

He counted ten slow steps deeper into the alley.

Then a snarl behind him: "Hey, asshole!"

Lucious turned.

Three figures emerged from the shadows, moving fast. The fake antiques seller stood at the front, face flushed with fury. Two men flanked him—one holding a rusted tire iron, the other a length of chain.

Lucious’s breath caught.

[THREAT LEVEL: MODERATE.]

[ESCAPE ROUTES: 2.]

[POLICE ETA: 3 MINUTES.]

[RECOMMENDED ACTION: STALL. DEFLECT. SURVIVE.]

"You screwed me out of fifty grand," the seller spat. "That deal was locked in."

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