"Tao Brother, it’s been half a year."
Upon entering and seeing Tao Yu, Zhang Lei’s eyes lit up, and his originally restrained demeanor became much livelier.
He knew that Tao Yu had connections with important figures in the Floating City and that Tao Yu had already been an intermediate partner half a year ago.
But no matter what, both of them came from the Outer City, which made him feel a bit more at ease.
Tao Yu said casually, his indifferent manner somewhat enviable to Zhang Lei.
He’s from the Outer City too, yet he adapted much faster than myself.
However, he turned to look at Panda, who teased him with a curse,
"What are you looking at me for? Tao Brother already told you to sit."
Panda’s words startled Zhang Lei.
You call him Tao Brother too?
Zhang Lei now knew that Panda’s father was a senior partner, and his mother worked in the company’s internal affairs department. Their family could be considered upper-class in the Inner City!
Plus, with Panda’s own talents not weak and his strength exceptional, he had also laid claim to his own piece of the pie.
For him to address someone as ’Tao Brother’, even just to be polite, carried a completely different significance.
But thinking about Tao Yu being able to talk with the magnates of the Floating City, it seemed normal.
Then a realization dawned on Zhang Lei.
Dada Company had always managed to remain neutral, which was a representation of strength!
There were rumors that Young Master Sun had put out feelers.
Perhaps it had something to do with Tao Brother.
It seemed that Tao Brother kept a low profile on a daily basis, but he managed to accumulate enough points to become an intermediate partner in just four months, probably for this reason.
But while he speculated in his mind, Zhang Lei was still quite astute on the scene.
He played the role of a dutiful drink-pouring ’little brother’, smoothly engaging in conversation about recent events.
"...Tao Brother is just impressive, entrusted with important tasks by the big shots. After this mission, you’re bound to soar again."
Panda gulped down a ’Joy Beer’, a tasty drink with a fruity sweetness and candy-like fizz that was refreshing all the way to the stomach. Importantly, its ingredients were clean, free from any weird additives.
"...I’m just doing errands for the big shots, but these breeding businesses aren’t of their concern, so they fall into my lap."
Tao Yu didn’t go into specifics about Inner Strength and the dojo affairs, but since these matters would eventually be exposed, he briefly mentioned doing some work for the big shots, which also served to ostensibly strengthen his subordinate relationship with the rich kids.
Being more frequently in communication, it would appear more normal.
"Haha, don’t worry, of all our partners, we have a wide network. You’ve already given me the information; I’ll take my time to look for suitable candidates. No rush with something that yields returns over a long period."
After all, Panda had been in charge of Dada Company for so long. Although he was young, he possessed his own dignity.
But at that moment, Panda suddenly froze, then furrowed his brows.
Tao Yu followed his gaze outside, seeing a group of about four or five new customers laughing and heading towards the prime large booth with the best view.
Accompanied by twice their number of girls, they squeezed into the booth, drinking merrily and acting wilfully.
Zhang Lei also looked over, then let out a low exclamation,
"It’s Bru and his gang... Bad luck."
"Nothing unlucky about it; this is the real world, what could they dare do here?"
Panda snorted coldly but still hesitated before picking up his watch, considering whether to send out some messages.
The five people opposite were skilled fighters from the Inner City, with Bru’s strength not below his own, and the other four had passed the assessment for intermediate partners.
Even though in ten months, the number of people who had passed the intermediate partner assessment in the Development Zone had increased, the total was probably just over a hundred, all absolute elites.
If they ran into each other outside, although they wouldn’t come to blows, it was more than normal to be bullied and ridiculed in words.
And with their seating position in the spotlight, especially Panda’s noticeable build, it would be hard not to be seen by them when leaving.
"Wait, are these the guys who are going to steal our business?"
Tao Yu actually became interested, his eyes lighting up; what a coincidence!
This truly saved him trouble.
Panda felt the hairs on his neck stand up again, and rubbed his arms as he said in an impartial tone,
"Indeed, there’s some conflict. Bru was one of the earliest Pioneers. He focused on the Forest 02 for a while and came back when he made no progress, which is why he’s a step behind, but there’s no doubt about his strength."
"The others are also core members of their team, none of them weak."
"The core team is here?"
Seeing that Tao Yu had not dismissed his concerns, Panda hesitated before adding,
"Are you confident, Tao Brother?"
The memory of Tao Yu effortlessly slaying Assassin Taff was still vivid in his mind.
Although after more than half a year, his own strength had also improved significantly, while the others had been exploring the new world and hadn’t focused on practice, he still recognized Tao Yu’s strength.
It was very likely that Tao Yu was still above him even now.
But if it was just that, their side, with two people plus Zhang Lei who was just like an Outer City accessory, would still be at a disadvantage in public.
"Shall I call a couple more people over? Han Lin also just got back, but he’s busy with blind dates, so I didn’t call him."