The expression on William Hawker's face was so exaggerated that if someone else saw it, they'd think it was overly theatrical, too deliberately flattering.
But if you were the one being flattered, you wouldn't think so.
William Hawker spoke with a tone as if he was once again struck by a strong emotion:
"This... is truly an unrepeatable miracle. I can't imagine there is really someone in this world who can achieve what theoretically could only exist, something attainable one in a billion... no, in a trillion."
"Do you know, your deeds are divine! You are like a god!"
Wen Xishu's expression gradually became impatient. Although it felt good to hear, an experience similar to followers of the Xishu Divine Teaching meeting their faith, he had to let the William clan's boy know that he didn't care about these things that much.
William Hawker, who had been observing, saw Wen Xishu's expression turn from discontent to anger, and seamlessly transitioned to business:
"I never dreamed I'd have the chance to do business with a great legend like you."
It really was all about business.
Wen Xishu was not interested in the affairs within the Bunker:
"I refuse."
William Hawker pretended not to hear and continued:
"I've taken a liking to your maritime territory, as well as all the facilities you brought back... whether it's the Shipwreck House, the hospital, or your safe house, and so on..."
"Especially that sea, there's so much business potential there. Dean Wen, I implore you to give me an opportunity to collaborate with my idol. I'm willing to split the profits seventy-thirty."
Wen Xishu, indulging in a personal habit, asked:
"Why do I only get seventy percent?"
He thought William Hawker would say: Seventy percent belongs to them.
But William Hawker said:
"Then how about you take seventy-five percent?"
At this point, Wen Xishu was a bit bewildered, realizing he really was getting the bigger share?
"You're so generous?"
Hawker realized he hadn't hit Wen Xishu's pain point and continued to pursue:
"One more thing, Dean Wen, I can help you solve the enrollment rate issue."
Wen Xishu couldn't help but admire him—truly someone from the William Family—he said calmly:
"How are you going to solve it?"
William Hawker replied:
"I have only one skill—spending money."
"I will spend heavily, use a lot of manpower, to make Deceit Tower Academy luxurious. Of course, I will also provide psychologists to ensure every student at the Deceit Tower Academy is well cared for before and after class."
"Simultaneously, the academy's cafeteria will be provided by the William Family. I can ensure, aside from their experience in the Deceit Tower which will be thrilling, every minute after class will be an extreme pleasure."
"Dean Wen, you must know, what the William Family does is to convert resources and accumulate them. No matter how many honor points you have, you also need a place to use them, don't you?"
"In the past, resources were abundant but controlled by the upper echelons. The older generation—really something else—they enjoyed manipulating the lower classes with resources."
"But now, a great individual like you has arisen. The lower classes no longer care about resources. Once resources are abundant, people no longer live for basic needs but for emotional value."
"Your facilities add so much to life."
"If you let me join, I can ensure the students of Deceit Tower Academy will be highly motivated to climb the Deceit Tower."
This really moved Wen Xishu.
Wen Xishu said:
"You give so much, and take so little?"
William Hawker, not greedy at all:
"My greatest idol, Dean Wen, what do you mean I give so much? I'm just doing something trivial, it's you who is bestowing kindness upon me~"
"I've already taken a lot, after all, that sea is a massive business opportunity. Besides, there are so many marvelous facilities to commercialize."
"Even if there's no profit... being able to get to know my idol better makes it all worthwhile."
Impressive.
The Bunker indeed has talents from all walks of life.
William Hawker's speech greatly impressed Wen Xishu.
"Draft a contract and let me see it."
Whether it was William Hawker's theory of emotional value after resource abundance or improving the academy's enrollment rate, Wen Xishu was genuinely interested.
Hawker's stance was very humble, completely unlike the Miyamoto Family.
Wen Xishu found it quite agreeable.
Thrilled, Hawker said:
"Rest assured, my grandfather and the others made the wrong choice, but I won't."
Wen Xishu was puzzled:
"What do you mean by that?"
Hawker pounded his chest and said:
"Dean Wen, to be honest, I've always been puzzled why the head of our family chose another Bunker legend instead of the old principal."
"The William Family is built on business, and business people value foresight—it's the same as investing. The head didn't choose the old principal, which I consider an extremely poor team decision."
"The Bunker may be a refuge, but humanity will eventually venture out. Only those who can climb the tower are the real masters of the Bunker."
"People like you and the old principal are the most important pillars of the William Family's future."
"I hope, in the future, whether inside or outside the Bunker, I can cooperate with you and serve you."
Quite far-sighted.
One has to say, among the Six Great Clans, hardly any are fools. Hawker's insight was profound. Regardless of the sincerity, the speech was eloquent, pleasing to the ears.
Wen Xishu had no reason to refuse.
Not long ago, he was thinking about not being the wealthiest, and then... money just came looking for him.
Strength leads to wealth and prosperity, that's the Bunker.
So choosing Albert, aligning with Wen Xishu, is the wisest, most correct choice. Hawker believed he wouldn't be wrong, and he wasn't indeed.
...
...
After dinner, the ceiling began simulating the scene of dusk.
Wen Xishu was not idling because he hadn't received a summons from the old principal and Mr. Jin yet, and he decided to handle a small matter.
That was an apology and treatment.
The student driven crazy by Deceit Tower Academy lived on the Bunker's seventh floor. Those residing on the seventh floor were indeed people of some standing.
However, Wen Xishu personally going to apologize was a surprise to the official.
The name of the distressed child is Xue Mingye.
Wen Xishu initially thought this student would be living in immense pain, feeling constant fear to the point of insanity.
But unexpectedly, the real situation was... Xue Mingye wasn't insane, but rather delusional.
"I want to climb the Deceit Tower! I want to see Jennifer! I want her to torture me, whip me!"
"Hehe, Jennifer is so cute, hehe, hehehe."
As soon as Wen Xishu stepped into the Xue residence, he heard these delirious words.
"Goddess Jennifer, let Master Jack tear off my face, stick it on his head, so I can see you every day!"
Wen Xishu considered many possibilities, even thinking about perhaps personally taking this student to climb the tower.
To help him eliminate his fear of Deceit Tower, regain his confidence...
Unexpectedly, what he heard were such delusional words.
Xue Mingye's father, Xue Fan, was an official in a subordinate institution of the Bunker Civil Affairs Bureau. When seeing Wen Xishu personally visit, although a victim's father himself, he seemed somewhat apprehensive.
After understanding the situation, Xue Fan wiped his forehead, even feeling a bit embarrassed:
"Letting Dean Wen... see a joke. My son just went mad, alas, this madness is quite embarrassing. Initially, we planned, after graduating from Desire Tower Academy, to have him marry a colleague's daughter."
"Now, in this state... how can he marry anyone, eh!"
Wen Xishu observed and found the matter easily solvable.
Xue Mingye indeed seemed mad, but there was also an element of obsessive longing for Jennifer, almost as if wanting to be Jennifer's pet.
This is far easier to treat than being scared to insanity.
"Mr. Xue, I will handle this matter. Rest assured, I will return a healthy son to you. Once I make some arrangements back at the Academy, I believe... Xue will be restored to health."
Wen Xishu found some interest in Xue Mingye, this boy... seemed to have symptoms of "pain addiction"?
This could possibly make him a good candidate for climbing the tower.
At Deceit Tower Academy, Wen Xishu honestly did not want to recruit those who follow the rules. If possible, he is eager to cultivate a group of... freaks.
After leaving the Xue residence, Wen Xishu finally had no other matters. Upon returning to Deceit Tower Academy, he finally received a call from the principal.
"Tomorrow morning, we'll go see Old Jin. He also wants to see you. Many issues are bothersome to guess around, we'll just ask him directly then."
(This chapter... is a bit filler, my apologies, main thought is rushing to climb the tower instantly might lead to fatigue. Need a pause, and I have to straighten out the design of the fish fry story. But the next chapter will switch back to the main storyline.)