"What?! Are you going to mock me for doing this mediocre job?"
At this moment, Ye Shen realized that Zhang Quan must have been through hardship in his life. Though the path of Martial Artist promised a bright future for anyone who was willing to achieve it, the reality of life always hit the hardest.
Even if Zhang Quan had ID CHIP and a B Ranked System, he still needed to do several side hustle to support his family. Being a fighter was very expensive to begin with.
It was the same in every universe. In fact, the young Ye Shen knows hardship and struggles more than anyone else on this Planet. Zhang Quan really reminded him of the time when Ye Shen was just an ordinary Sect Servant.
He spent decades in secluded meditation just to become an Outer Disciple, and another one hundred year to enter the Inner Hall.p
However, Ye Shen wouldn't even care about Zhang Quan's personal lives. It wasn't his problem to begin with.
"Nah, I don't even care about what you do in your life. It is what is."
Since he was closely monitored by the security system, Zhang Quan couldn't take back to Ye Shen or his social rating would be deducted if he offended the customer.
"Everything would be one thousand and two hundred dollars, sir."
Zhang Quan felt a little bit jealous when Ye Shen put the money on the table.
"It must be nice to have a rich girlfriend, huh? No need to worry about place to live or what to eat in the morning."
Ye Shen responded with a light chuckle. "Good bait, but I won't bite it. Besides, you don't know me, Zhang Quan. If you dare to cross the line, I will teach you the hellish life that I've been through before."
Zhang Quan fell silent as he felt the same killing intent just from looking at Ye Shen's eyes. He always thought that by qualifying as a fighter would give him the right to bad mouth anyone. However, he then realized it was so wrong. There's always a bigger fish, and there's also a monster who lurks amongst humans, and Ye Shen was one of them.
After that shopping spree, Ye Shen opted to try the outfit that he just bought in the changing room. He wore a black tight t-shirt, long jeans, and the white shoes.
Even though the outfit was so simple, it emphasized Ye Shen's muscular body perfectly. His broad chest puffed up, his arms looked very jacked as the sleeve wrapped around his biceps tightly.
His long, jet-black hair tied into a bun behind, while letting the lower hair cascaded down his shoulders and back. He looked very sharp and masculine in this outfit.
By the time he left the changing room, the female clerks who were tidying up the clothes were agape, they were completely enchanted by Ye Shen's handsome face.
He was askew, questioning himself why they would spacing out like that. Nevertheless, Ye Shen couldn't care less about what others think about him and strode out of the store.
Afterward, Ye Shen opted to stroll around the area, looking for some food to take home. However, his smartwatch suddenly rang.
[You have a new message]
"Hmm? From Meilan?"
He paused for a moment, reading the message.
[Ye Shen, what time will you come home? I will make some dinner for you as well. -Meilan]
Ye Shen wanted to tell her that she wouldn't need to worry about it at first. However, he understands that appreciating someone's effort goes a long way.
[Just left the Department Store. I will be home in fifteen minutes. I will buy some drinks.]
[Got it. I will make another portion then.]
Ye Shen opted to swing by the drinks aisle, he picked up some juices and a bottle of white wine.
"I hope she'll like my gift."
Before long, Ye Shen returned to the apartment. The moment he opened the door, a delicious smell welcomed him. For the first time ever in his life, Ye Shen could finally say the words he never thought possible for him.
"I'm home…" Ye Shen took off his shoes, putting them neatly. "Woah, it smells really delicious in here. What are you cooking?"
Meilan trotted from the kitchen, greeting him charmingly while holding a spatula in her right hand.
"Welcome back! Tonight is Hainanese Chicken! You'd love it! I assure you!"
"Mmh! I can't wait to try it!"
"Go wash yourself first. The food will be ready in a jiffy."
"Will do."
Five minutes later, Ye Shen was already sitting comfortably on the sofa while watching the TV. The channel was already tuned into UMT TV—the official broadcasting service for the Universal Martial Tournament.
But alas, he missed the whole fight. As of now, the Tower of Babylon had just crowned the new Floor Master of the 1000th Floor. The name was Tang Yin, his fighter rating was 1000 MMR and crowned as the youngest fighter who became a Floor Master in history.
Ye Shen couldn't help but to check the gross total of Tang Yin's earnings in this fight alone. His eyes rounded wide as he read the number.
"One hundred million dollars?!!"
Meilan yelped in surprise, her ears were very sensitive, especially inside a room.
"Wh-what happened?"
"Ah, sorry for surprising you. I cannot believe Tang Yin's total earnings would be this high in one night."
Meilan smiled gently. She strode from the kitchen while bringing the plate on both hands. She attentively put the plate onto his hand.
"It's given. UMT is the apex organization when it comes to Martial Arts. This prize money is nothing compared to Floor 500th and above. They don't use conventional currency anymore due to the astronomical number. They would use ISC instead."
"ISC?"
"It's the abbreviation of Interstellar Credit. Because, their opponents are not just humans, but Extraterrestrial People as well who came to Earth. Hence the use of ISC. Those powerful fighters love it here since the living cost is cheaper compared to their home planet."
"Speaking of which, how much is one ISC in dollars?"