Chapter Twelve: Opening an Account

Perhaps it was because there was no precedent for such a thing, or perhaps Su Ziye’s Academy Joy Drink had already earned Qingyi’s approval. In any case, when it came to exchanging academy naming rights for shares, not only did Carlotus agree, but even Qingyi showed no sign of opposition.

Su Ziye’s expression was momentarily frozen, but soon he smiled, “Then it’s settled.”

The subsequent conversation became rather mundane; the most important communication was already accomplished. The three had agreed on the future supply price for Academy Joy Drink and on how the academy would participate in sales profits through naming rights. The remaining details were left for gradual negotiation.

In short, when Su Ziye walked out of the office, nothing unusual could be seen on his face.

Inside, after Su Ziye had left, Qingyi could no longer restrain herself and turned to Carlotus, “So, President, is this truly your decision?”

“Is there something amiss?” Carlotus replied calmly with a smile.

“You’re basing this on trust in that man, aren’t you?” Qingyi mused.

“I believe this will be one of the most precious legacies I leave the academy,” Carlotus smiled faintly. “I have confidence in that.”

…

…

“So, that’s how it went,” Su Ziye briefly recounted to Liu Ru his negotiations with Carlotus and Qingyi.

“So, you’ve gained the approval of the student council’s upper echelon?” Liu Ru pondered.

If results can be produced, one can earn recognition from others; it’s easy to say, but how difficult to accomplish. Without the help of the Third Prince, it would have been nearly impossible for Academy Joy Drink to quickly gain ground in the academy. One misstep would have slowed all progress, and Su Ziye would have struggled to expand sales beyond the academy.

“Yes, now we can proceed smoothly to the next phase,” Su Ziye replied, pulling out a heavy purse from his coat, its contents unknown.

“What’s this?” Liu Ru asked curiously.

“A deposit from the President. We’ve nearly exhausted our raw materials and need to procure more, and also hire a new batch of workers,” Su Ziye said, shaking the purse so it chimed pleasantly.

“Workers?” Liu Ru caught the key word.

“Yes, workers,” Su Ziye nodded with a smile.

…

…

After receiving the deposit from Carlotus, Su Ziye and Liu Ru left Nightleaf Academy. At that time, the Third Prince’s distribution ceremony in the academy square was far from over and expected to last much longer. Many eagerly queued for a second taste of the miraculous drink—and, more importantly, another chance for close contact with the Third Prince. Yet the prince’s memory was excellent; those who tried to approach her for a second time could not get within ten meters of the girl.

None of this concerned Su Ziye any longer. After leaving the academy, the two headed to the West Market, not directly to the Flash Gold Guild, but instead to the front of the Lanleaf National Bank.

It was Liu Ru’s first time at such an institution; previously, she’d had nothing to do with such places.

“What are we here for?” Liu Ru asked.

“To open an account, of course. We can’t keep making cash transactions every time—it’s exhausting,” Su Ziye replied matter-of-factly. “Flash Gold Guild has its own Flash Gold Bank, but it’s best not to put all eggs in one basket, right?”

With that, Su Ziye led Liu Ru inside, gently placing the purse on the counter. “Open an account for me.”

Liu Ru was curious about what identity Su Ziye would use, but the result disappointed her. After joining Nightleaf Academy, his student identity served as the perfect proof, so he could open the account under his own name, belonging to the academy.

The deposit from Carlotus was a generous one hundred Gold Leaf Grasses, enough to pay for a month’s supply of concentrated syrup. From now on, transactions would likely be handled through the account, not in cash.

After all, one major flaw with cash transactions—when the sums get too large, the weight becomes unbearable. For example, in the Hall of the Stars, no one ever brought a hundred thousand Gold Leaf Grasses inside; that would be tons of currency.

The staff at Lanleaf National Bank were highly professional. They didn’t ask unnecessary questions, processed all the paperwork efficiently, and Su Ziye—well prepared—had all his documents in order. After leaving the bank, the two walked another hundred meters or so and returned to that familiar place.

Flash Gold Guild.

…

The Dry Dragon was still idling at the door. Seeing the familiar pair, the plump manager wore a slightly odd expression.

It was so soon.

They’d only left yesterday; now they were back.

“Sorry, Boss Dragon,” Su Ziye greeted with a smile. “I’d like to collect another batch of goods—how much do you have ready?”

“So quickly?” Even Dry Dragon was surprised. Su Ziye had taken nearly three hundred kilograms of supplies yesterday; for so much raw material to be used up overnight, it gave him a new respect.

“I have no other choice,” Su Ziye replied calmly.

“The order you placed isn't fully prepared yet; it’ll take three days. Luckily, what you want is commonplace—I always have stock. If you want to collect now, there’s about two hundred Gold Leaf Grasses’ worth in storage. It depends how much you want,” Dry Dragon said, with a hint of pride.

Only an organization as vast as Flash Gold Guild, with branches across the continent, could accumulate such stock as a matter of routine. If they set their minds to it, Flash Gold Guild could corner over eighty percent of the continent’s supply of a single commodity.

“That’s quite impressive,” Su Ziye smiled at Dry Dragon. “I’ll take a hundred Gold Leaf Grasses’ worth for now.”

“What?” Dry Dragon was astonished.

Yesterday, the amount requested was only about a single Gold Leaf Grass—a sample size.

Now it was a hundred Gold Leaf Grasses?

That escalation was beyond dramatic.

Su Ziye placed a crystal card on the table and looked up.

“Shall we switch to account transfers from now on?”