Adjusting his tie to Parker's demand, Parker said: "Certainly, Jane.

Send three coffees up to my office, black and no sugar for mine, thanks." Parker’s office was furnished quite simply; a shelf behind his desk displayed various confiscated Na'vi artifacts.

On an adjacent table rested a piece of superconducting ore suspended over a permanent magnet, and a faded photograph of his university rugby team hung on the nearby wall.

After the secretary delivered the coffee and closed the door, Fang Senyan spoke with earnest gravity: "I am here to persuade you, Mr.

Parker.

I am currently employed by a gentleman of considerable financial standing—forgive me, but I cannot disclose his name.

My mission is to secure a female Na'vi infant on the planet Pandora.

Therefore, for the sake of my own life, I require all of RD Company's current detailed intelligence on Pandora, including the habits of its flora and fauna, regional topographic maps, and so forth." Parker raised an eyebrow at Fang Senyan, his tone laced with mockery and dismissiveness: "Lieutenant, your objective is perfectly clear to me—however, I believe you haven't touched upon the crucial point: how exactly do you intend to convince me?" Fang Senyan offered a slight smile in response: "That is precisely why I brought Mr.

David Beckham along; he possesses exceptionally distinguished talents in such matters." Parker shrugged his shoulders: "Very well, I'm eager to see it—but many people call me Stubborn Parker, and that's no joke; it’s what they grit their teeth and scream from the bottom of their hearts." Jin Kuang stepped forward, pulled out his cherry wood pipe, which already showed hairline cracks, stuffed it with a cigarette butt he'd picked up from somewhere, lit it, and took a satisfying puff.

"I hear that on the Earth futures market, refined Pandora crystal at 90% purity is now fetching forty million dollars per kilogram?" Leaning back in his executive chair, Parker tapped his desk, causing a curved holographic screen to spring to life: "Precisely forty-one million three hundred and forty thousand dollars, Mr.

Beckham.

That's the latest figure from the London futures exchange." Jin Kuang, as if by magic, produced a small leather briefcase from behind his back and tossed it toward Parker: "Time is money, my friend.

I have no desire to waste my precious hours here with you." Parker looked at it with some suspicion: "What is this?" Fang Senyan raised an eyebrow: "Before you open that case, I have a suggestion: perhaps you should draw the curtains in your office first.

I guarantee, Mr.

Parker, you will regret it otherwise." Parker shrugged: "This office was designed without curtains, but under my insistent demand, they did provide some concessions for my privacy, such as..." A strange smile touched the corners of Parker's mouth.

He pressed a remote control, and the previously transparent windows instantly blurred, making anything inside completely invisible from the outside: "That is a rather nice piece of thoughtful design." He then opened the case.

The light emanating from within momentarily stunned him into stillness.

After a few seconds, he managed to stammer out, his voice strained: "What...

what is this?" Jin Kuang had finished the coffee in front of him and casually picked up Parker’s untouched cup, taking a large, beaming gulp.

"That, Mr.

Parker, is two kilograms of Pandora crystal at 95% purity.

Based on the market price you just quoted, that conservative value is eighty-two million six hundred and eighty thousand dollars." Raw Pandora ore, straight from the ground, often had very low purity.

For humans, refining it into crystal form above 90% required extremely complex procedures and exorbitant costs.

Thus, if someone walked into Parker's office with a box of freshly dug ore, they would most likely be dismissed as insane—just as one wouldn't typically use a sack of gold nuggets for a casual transaction.

Furthermore, under high-tech surveillance, outright theft of finished products manufactured in the facility was incredibly difficult.

Although the journey from Earth to Pandora took a full five years, advanced communications allowed for instant monitoring of everything.

Parker suddenly snapped the case shut, his expression turning serious: "The company has already expended over a hundred billion dollars in manpower and resources to gather intelligence on the various resources of Pandora, not to mention the precious and expensive lives of so many excellent employees..." Jin Kuang let out an exaggerated gasp: "Oh!

My friend, I recall your industrial injury compensation is five hundred and seventeen thousand dollars, subject to an additional 40% income tax withholding.

So, the families of the deceased unfortunates only net thirty-six thousand dollars.

More importantly, RD Company often prefers to recruit homeless vagrants who have no next of kin...

So, please, do not insult my common sense by using the word 'expensive'?" The short old man then agilely hopped over to the door and yanked it open (Parker instantly snapped the small case shut with astonishing speed), shouting: "Miss Jane!

Mr.

Parker says he wants three more coffees—lots of milk and sugar, please, and use the biggest mugs you can find, thank you!" After Jane delivered the coffee and left, Jin Kuang once again lifted the cup sitting untouched before the dazed Mr.

Parker and drained it in one go, blinking his small eyes: "If Mr.

Parker can provide us with some conveniences in other areas, this case can be made one kilogram heavier." Parker licked his dry lips.

He felt he stood at a crossroads in his life: senators, elections, and women swirled within his desires, causing his voice to become almost distorted: "For example?" Fang Senyan proposed: "I am quite interested in the Avatar Program and would like a tour of the laboratory." "A tour?

Just a tour?" Parker questioned doubtfully.

Fang Senyan smiled: "No visual records will be taken, nor will it cause you any trouble.

I simply wish to touch these magnificent creations; you can regard this request as a personal eccentricity of mine." Parker hesitated for a moment before reluctantly saying: "I need to consider that further." Jin Kuang brazenly took another sip of coffee and smacked his lips: "I admire your self-control, Mr.

Parker.

But I must remind you, not everyone can resist the temptation of 600 ounces of gold—and what we are offering is six hundred times more valuable than that!" This statement proved to be the final straw.

Parker finally made up his mind, clapping his hands: "All right, all right, you’ve convinced me.

You can have the data immediately, but I can't directly grant access to the Avatar lab; that must wait until Grace leads a team out for reconnaissance." Fang Senyan agreed readily: "No problem.

Beyond that, I believe I have also secured your friendship, haven't I?" Parker hesitated, then offered a smile and extended his hand: "Yes, Lieutenant.

This is a very expensive friendship.

But I will make sure you find it worthwhile." At that very moment, Jin Kuang began mockingly processing information, while Fang Senyan received a prompt from his Nightmare Imprint: "You have gained the friendship of an important story character: Parker Selfridge.

Your relationship with him has elevated from cool to friendly." Then, Fang Senyan casually inquired: "Dear Selfridge, although my employer repeatedly stressed that my mission is low-risk and has no competitors, I suspect that was merely well-intentioned deception or a hostile negotiation tactic.

Therefore, as a friend, I hope you can tell me if you have encountered a particular group of people?" Fang Senyan then proceeded to describe the height, build, and general characteristics of the group including Ayres and Stallo.

Parker Selfridge pondered this for a moment.

Seeing his demeanor, Fang Senyan pressed his advantage: "Dear Selfridge, if a friend of mine brought me a deal worth eighty-two million six hundred and eighty thousand dollars, I would certainly wish him a long life, because he might bring me further unexpected surprises or benefits next time." Supervisor Parker raised an eyebrow at this statement, pressed a button, and spoke to the air: "Jane, I want to see the file classified as top secret yesterday within one minute.

Yes, the password is jl112398." (By this time, Jin Kuang had already consumed all the milky coffees....) Parker quickly gave Fang Senyan his answer: "They are high-level special personnel within the company, possessing certain superhuman abilities—and you must understand, this is completely different from guys like you who inject steroids and stimulants—oh, apologies, I wasn't implying that about you.

Their missions are extremely sensitive, and I cannot disclose the specifics." Just then, someone began knocking at the outer door, presumably with a matter requiring Supervisor Parker's attention.

Fang Senyan knew he had to leave; though he hadn't achieved every objective, the trip was far from fruitless.

However, as he reached the doorway, Parker called him back, saying meaningfully: "My friend, if your work isn't too pressing, you should visit the Hell's Kitchen (Elien, the employee dining hall).

I highly recommend the Peacock Venison Steak and the Quail Stewed in Orange Sake.

In the adjacent employee lounge, you can also find magazines, books, and games to pass the time.

Balancing work and rest is the secret to success; even working late after playing until midnight is still manageable."