II: The woman finally realized something was amiss. As she straightened up, she found herself right behind Liu Hui.

"Boss, I'm so sorry, I didn't realize you had come in," the woman quickly apologized.

"Oh, it's nothing, just carry on," Liu Hui leaned forward awkwardly, bending over as he walked back toward his own desk.

"Boss, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Why are you bending over like that?" The woman asked, noticing Liu Hui's peculiar gait.

"Oh, nothing, just seemed to have twisted my back a little, but it's fine, it will pass shortly," Liu Hui walked toward his executive chair like that, slowly lowering himself into it. He secretly congratulated himself; thankfully, his female secretary hadn't witnessed his unsightly posture, or he would have lost all authority in front of her from then on.

It was only now that Liu Hui had a chance to observe his female secretary properly. This secretary appeared vibrant and full of youth. She was very young, likely no older than twenty-three. She was quite tall, possessed a superb figure, and her chest was exceptionally full, almost threatening to burst the buttons of her white blouse. Her features were delicate and refined; she wore only light makeup and no jewelry, presenting an overall air of elegant naturalness.

"You," Liu Hui pointed at his secretary.

"Yes?" The secretary responded with an expectant look.

"What is your name?"

The secretary seemed rather disappointed. "My name is Hu Xian'er."

"Hu Xian'er, haha, I used to know a girl named Hu Xian'er too," Liu Hui chuckled.

"Then are you perhaps making fun of the girl named Hu Xian'er, saying she looked more like a fox spirit?" Hu Xian'er asked with a slight smile.

"How did you know?" Liu Hui was startled.

"Because I am that Hu Xian'er!" she replied. "Ah, you are her! Wait, that can't be right. She suffered a severe injury, and her face was covered in wounds. But your face doesn't even show a single scar," Liu Hui exclaimed in surprise.

"I’m not entirely sure how it happened myself. After being injured in the mountains of Bashan, I returned to Hong Kong. I was hospitalized for a long time, only recovering fully just before the Spring Festival. I don't know why, but not a single scar remained on my body," Hu Xian'er explained.

"It’s good there are no scars; it would be a shame to lose such a beautiful face. But still, something doesn't add up. I remember your father was very wealthy; he flew privately to Bashan. Your family must be rich, so why are you working?" Liu Hui was even more perplexed.

"My father is rich, but that has nothing to do with me. Besides, I didn't want to work at his company. I hoped to build something of my own. I saw your company was hiring, and the conditions were very suitable for me, so I applied. I just never expected the boss of this company to be you," Hu Xian'er laughed.

"If that's the case, then I'll be relying on you heavily from now on," Liu Hui said.

"Boss, I am your secretary now; please take good care of me," Hu Xian'er bowed to Liu Hui, then added, "My office is right next to yours; you can call me immediately if you need anything."

"I certainly will. By the way, go and summon Mr. Yin Shunliu of Xingkong Logistics to my office." Liu Hui instructed.

"Yes, Boss, I'll go right away." Hu Xian'er exited Liu Hui's office.

Liu Hui let out a breath, and the physical reaction in his body finally subsided. This Hu Xian'er—how was it possible she possessed both a devilish figure and an angelic face? Although she wasn't quite as beautiful as Liang Jingyue, her physique far surpassed Liang Jingyue's, her potential far exceeding hers, causing his own heart to race wildly even now.

Liu Hui remembered he had once helped bathe Hu Xian'er, though that was when she was gravely injured and couldn't move, her face covered in lacerations. Even just glancing at her body back then had provoked a strong reaction in him, and the memory sent a sudden thrill through him.

Yin Shunliu arrived at Liu Hui's office shortly after.

"Boss, you summoned me," Yin Shunliu stated.

"Mr. Yin, please take a seat."

Once Yin Shunliu was seated, Liu Hui asked, "Mr. Yin, how is that logistics company you mentioned coming along?"

"Boss, I was just about to report to you! I have contacted that company called Gangdao Logistics and conducted on-site inspections of their operations. They are struggling because their debt load is too high. I spoke with their owner, and they are willing to sell the company, but their asking price is fifty million Hong Kong dollars, and they require us to assume all existing liabilities." Yin Shunliu replied.

"How much debt do they have? And what are their total assets?" Liu Hui inquired.

"Their assets include several large warehouses, over thirty delivery trucks, and two small cargo ships, which, based on current market prices, are valued at roughly over seventy million Hong Kong dollars. However, their liabilities reach over sixty million."

"Do you think they are worth acquiring?"

"Gangdao Logistics is an established logistics firm, possessing a good local reputation in Hong Kong and many long-term clients. But their operational philosophy has become outdated over the last few years, and they've had several major accidents in management, causing them to decline. Nevertheless, several of their fixed assets hold significant value, including the large suburban warehouse with independent ownership that you specifically requested. So, if we can acquire it around eighty million, it's quite a good deal," Yin Shunliu assessed.

"They demand fifty million in cash, and we must assume sixty million in debt. This means acquiring the company will cost us one hundred and ten million—that far exceeds the value we're gaining!" Liu Hui sighed.

"Boss, their client base and their experienced workforce also hold substantial value. Combined, those two factors are worth at least fifteen million," Yin Shunliu reminded him.

"If we calculate it that way, the gap isn't that huge. Go back and negotiate with their representative; see if you can get the price down. Remember, we need to establish this logistics company in the shortest time possible. This company is crucial for my future plans. Under that premise, spending a little more money isn't a major concern," Liu Hui instructed.

"Boss, I understand. I will contact their representative immediately." Yin Shunliu nodded.

After Yin Shunliu left, Liu Hui muttered to himself, "I must have my own logistics company. I need the massive throughput of a logistics firm to mask the traces of my transactions with the magic plane. Simultaneously, this logistics company is key to my future 'Free Land Project.'"

While Liu Hui was pondering the logistics company, Hu Xian'er walked in and poured him a cup of tea.

"Mmm, this tea... the aroma is remarkably distinctive, a refreshing fragrance. Although the scent is faint, it is delightful. The taste is excellent too. What kind of tea is this?" Liu Hui held a sip in his mouth, and immediately, his lips and tongue were perfumed, a warmth rushing straight to his chest and abdomen, leaving him feeling utterly comfortable.

"Boss, this is tea I personally roasted; it’s not available in stores. It was prepared especially for you," Hu Xian'er said with a smile. "Heh, it seems my luck is good; not only did I hire a beautiful secretary, but I also get to drink this magical tea. Drinking it makes my entire body feel relaxed," Liu Hui chuckled.

"Boss, this tea is mainly to thank you for saving my life last time. Actually, after I fully recovered, I went to the small town of Pingding Mountain in Bashan to look for you. But I heard you had moved, and I was quite disappointed. I never expected to meet you again here in Hong Kong. But why didn't you contact me? I remember my father left you a business card," Hu Xian'er said.

"Let's not mention the life-saving debt again. I think anyone would have saved you in that situation! As for that business card, I accidentally misplaced it, so I couldn't contact you," Liu Hui replied with a wry smile, then added, "I'll be drinking this tea from now on; that should be fine, right?"

"No problem at all. But Boss, should we start handling official business now? There's quite a backlog of documents here," Hu Xian'er noted with a smile.

"Then bring the documents over quickly!"

Hu Xian'er immediately brought the files and placed them on Liu Hui's desk. Liu Hui noticed she had already organized the documents according to urgency and priority, and then further sorted them by category, making them instantly clear and much faster to process. Liu Hui felt that handling company affairs had become significantly easier.

With Hu Xian'er, Liu Hui's work efficiency increased dramatically, and he finished everything quickly.

That evening, Liu Hui’s inter-planar communicator began vibrating. He hurried to the basement and opened the device, finding that Xerg was calling him.

"Respected Lord Liu Zhao, why did you take so long to answer?" Xerg asked cheerfully.

"Respected Lord Xerg, I was indisposed outside, which caused the delay. You sound very pleased; do you have good news to share?" Liu Hui explained.

"Look!" Xerg extended his palm, upon which rested a syringe.

"What is this?"

"Heh heh, we have cracked the genetic code of that powerful being from last time, organized the corresponding genetic fragments, and successfully transplanted them into our Zerg warriors. This allows our warriors' bodies to store significantly more energy, boosting their combat strength tremendously. That is why I am so happy."

"Congratulations to you, but you still haven't told me what you are holding," Liu Hui asked, confused.

"Heh heh, after studying the integration of this gene segment with the Zerg genome, we also investigated the compatibility of this segment with your human genetics. After a period of research and testing, we have finally created this Human Energy Storage Enhancer," Xerg said happily, holding up the vial.

"Ah, you mean what you are holding is a drug that can grant our human cells the ability to store energy?" Liu Hui was overjoyed and could scarcely believe his ears.

"Precisely. Although the integration of this gene segment with the human genome isn't as perfect as it is with the Zerg, it certainly allows your cells to store energy," Xerg stated before placing the medicine onto the transaction interface.

Liu Hui quickly clicked the transaction button, and the syringe appeared in his hand. He gripped it tightly, his heart pounding with excitement. He had long given up the notion of cultivation, never expecting Xerg to invent such a drug. If injecting this could allow his cells to store energy, did that mean he could finally cultivate?

"Lord Liu Hui?" Xerg called out when he saw Liu Hui staring blankly, bringing him back to reality.

"Oh, what is it?" Liu Hui snapped back.

"This medicine, try it when you get back. Now, let's discuss the trade! The medicine for correcting human myopia that you asked me to produce last time is ready. When is a good time to trade?" Xerg inquired.

"It's all produced? Then let's trade right now!"

"We produced a total of four million doses this time. According to the price we agreed on previously, you must provide me with four hundred portions of the mysterious powder." Xerg placed the finished medicine on the interface. Liu Hui quickly put down the four hundred kilograms of contraband he had prepared, clicked the transaction, and both parties received what they desired.

Liu Hui looked at a massive container in his storage space—it held the raw concentrate needed to manufacture four million doses of the myopia drug. As long as he poured this concentrate into the device Mei Peng had built for him, he could produce the required medicine instantly.

The last time Liu Hui commissioned Xerg to produce the myopia treatment, Xerg had reported that its production cost was only one-thousandth that of the AIDS drug—meaning one kilogram of contraband exchanged for ten thousand doses of medicine. Liu Hui priced this medicine at one thousand US dollars, which, based on the one million dollar price tag for treating an AIDS patient, seemed like he was taking a loss, but given the extremely low production cost, his profit margin remained the same as before.

Having secured what they needed, both men quickly said their goodbyes to attend to their own matters.

Considering the tendency of Xerg's drugs to induce unconsciousness, Liu Hui waited until nighttime. After ensuring everything was prepared, he injected the Human Energy Storage Enhancer into his body. Just as he suspected, he quickly fell unconscious.

When Liu Hui awoke again, he found that eight hours had passed; it was now six in the morning. He rose, performed a quick wash, and hurried to the basement of the office building, where he urgently called for Xiaoyaozi from the Cultivation World.

After a long wait, Xiaoyaozi finally answered the call, asking, "Young friend, what requires such haste? I am currently lecturing my disciples!"

"Senior, I wish to borrow your Spiritual Root Detection Orb for a time," Liu Hui requested.

"What do you need it for?" Xiaoyaozi asked, puzzled.

"I wish to test myself again, to see if I truly possess a spiritual root and if I am suitable for cultivation."

"Do not cling to false hope. That Spiritual Root Detection Orb has already determined you cannot have a spiritual root; its judgment is never wrong," Xiaoyaozi advised with earnest sincerity.

"Senior, I suspect there might be an issue with your orb. Please, just allow me one more test!" Liu Hui insisted.

"Very well, take it then!" Xiaoyaozi sighed, taking out the orb and placing it onto the planar transaction interface.

Liu Hui carefully retrieved the orb from the interface, his heart extremely tense. He hoped the orb would detect that he now possessed a spiritual root, yet he also feared discovering he still lacked one, leading to further disappointment.

Liu Hui took a deep breath, then extended his right hand toward the orb, his eyes fixed intently upon it. A