Genius Agent

Chapter 37 Self-righteousness

"Take me to see your editor-in-chief. If the price is right, we can finalize the deal today."

Chen Yansheng achieved his goal. He had checked the missing person notices in major newspapers beforehand, and found that most of them were for one or three days, while those for longer periods were relatively rare.

To be on the safe side, he chose seven days.

Missing person notices are considered a type of income for newspapers. The price varies depending on the number of days the notice is published; the longer the period, the cheaper the price per day.

For ordinary missing person notices, the editor can usually make the decision, but if it takes a long time, it may be necessary to consult the editor-in-chief.

"Okay, please come with me."

Xiao Wang had no doubts. Their newspaper's prices weren't fixed and were negotiable. Rather than relaying messages between the two sides himself, he figured it was better to bring the client along to meet the editor-in-chief.

Chen Yansheng smiled and easily spotted Su Yuncheng, and his reason was perfectly valid.

He was very satisfied with his performance.

"Editor-in-chief, this guest wants to place a missing person ad for seven consecutive days."

Xiao Wang knocked on Su Yuncheng's office door and came in, saying directly that this was also the first time Chen Yansheng had seen Su Yuncheng up close.

He's really young and handsome.

Noticing Chen Yansheng's gaze, Su Yuncheng immediately recognized him as one of the two who had been secretly watching them earlier.

"Xiao Wang, bring a chair over and make a cup of tea."

Su Yuncheng said softly, and after the chairs were set out, Chen Yansheng naturally sat down in front of Su Yuncheng.

"May I ask your surname?" Su Yuncheng asked with a smile.

"My surname is Chen, Chen Tangjie."

Chen Yansheng used an alias, but his real surname. Su Yuncheng could tell that what he said earlier was true, but he lied later.

The surname Chen is real, but the given name is fake.

Who was secretly observing him and using a fake name when they came to see him?

In addition, Su Yuncheng also sensed a complex emotion in Chen Yansheng's self-introduction, a kind of expectation.

Su Yuncheng was right. Chen Yansheng chose this pseudonym because he hoped that China would become strong and that every Chinese person would be an outstanding talent.

Tangren is a name often given to Chinese people by foreigners. Tang Jie means outstanding Tang people.

Chen Yansheng was young, an outstanding graduate of the military academy, and had lofty ideals and ambitions.

"Mr. Chen, our daily rate for a missing person ad is two silver dollars for up to thirty characters, five silver dollars for three days, and ten silver dollars for seven days. Does that sound reasonable?"

The price for a small newspaper was indeed not high. In contrast, a single article in a major newspaper like the Shen Bao would cost at least five silver dollars.

However, their sales were indeed much lower than those of major newspapers, and their influence was nowhere near that of major newspapers.

"Could we talk privately?"

Chen Yansheng looked at Xiao Wang, who was taken aback for a moment before immediately saying to Su Yuncheng, "Editor-in-Chief, I'll go out now."

Xiao Wang was a little confused as to why he had to have a private chat with the editor-in-chief to publish a missing person notice.

"What is your surname?"

After Xiao Wang left, Chen Yansheng immediately asked, and Su Yuncheng looked at him and said indifferently, "No need for formalities, my surname is Su, Su Yuncheng."

"Su Yuncheng, what a good name."

Chen Yansheng's words were insincere; he already knew Su Yuncheng's name and was only asking this question on purpose.

He thought he had concealed it very well, but unfortunately, Su Yuncheng sensed all his emotions. Su Yuncheng also understood that he already knew his name and might even know some of his situation.

"Can you make it cheaper?" Chen Yansheng asked directly, while Su Yuncheng shook his head: "This is the lowest price."

"Here's what I'll do. I'll give you nine silver dollars. I'll just tell everyone that it's seven dollars for the missing person ad. One dollar a day is acceptable."

Chen Yansheng said softly, "It may seem like only one dollar is missing, but Su Yuncheng can lose two dollars."

Two yuan isn't a lot, but it's not a small amount either; after all, it's extra income.

Outside, two silver dollars can buy quite a lot of things.

Su Yuncheng immediately realized that the person in front of him was not after the missing person notice at all.

"Mr. Chen, please don't joke around. If you want it published, it's ten yuan for seven days, not a penny less. If you don't want it, you can ask other newspapers."

Su Yuncheng chuckled and shook his head. This young man came here to test him?

Su Yuncheng sensed all of Chen Yansheng's emotions; his purpose was impossible to hide from Su Yuncheng.

While they were talking, Chen Yansheng carefully observed Su Yuncheng, trying to see if he was interested.

If someone agrees immediately, it goes without saying that they are greedy for money.

Even if they only hesitate, it means they value money a lot.

"I'm sorry, I was presumptuous. It'll be ten yuan then."

Chen Yansheng laughed and readily took out ten silver dollars and a piece of paper with the contents of a missing person notice on it.

"Thank you, Mr. Chen, for supporting our small newspaper's business."

Su Yuncheng didn't stand on ceremony. He called over Xiao Wang, accepted the money and the note, and gave Chen Yansheng a receipt.

Starting tomorrow, this missing person notice will be published in the newspaper.

"Editor-in-Chief Su, farewell."

After completing the formalities, Chen Yansheng left with the receipt, and Su Yuncheng asked Xiao Wang to see him out.

No matter what, they are their customers, so we should show them the proper courtesy.

Back in his office, Su Yuncheng immediately went to the window and watched Chen Yansheng leave.

Who exactly is this guy surnamed Chen? He's been secretly observing me, and now he's come to test me again.

The missing person notice is fake and serves no purpose.

His goal is himself.

He definitely has an identity; judging from his name and demeanor, he is Chinese.

He had money; he only spent ten silver dollars to test the waters.

Having researched themselves beforehand, such a person's identity isn't that hard to guess; they're most likely from the intelligence department.

Others wouldn't beat around the bush like that, nor would they need to.

Su Yuncheng first ruled out the Red Party.

Even without seeing the future, Su Yuncheng knew how difficult the Red Party's situation was right now, and would never waste ten silver dollars to test him.

The other party is most likely Chinese. Is it a Kuomintang secret service agency or a party investigation agency?

These are the two most famous intelligence agencies of the Kuomintang.

It's highly likely the Special Service Department. With Hu Bang'an in trouble, they won't give up on Lu Mingxuan, and they may have already made contact with him.

You can learn about your situation through Lu Mingxuan.

Are the secret agents here to test me?

Su Yuncheng's lips gradually curled up. That's somewhat interesting. They're quite perceptive. No wonder they grew so quickly in the future and became the KMT's top intelligence department.

Chen Yansheng returned to his residence, keeping a watchful eye on his back the whole way.

No one is following them.

He was very satisfied with his performance today; it was very natural and he didn't reveal any flaws.

He would give Su Yuncheng a score of 90; at least he wasn't that greedy.

When the teacher returned, he reported these things to the teacher and saw how the teacher handled it.

If Su Yuncheng has a clean background, the teacher is very likely to develop him, but he doesn't know which development method to use.

Should Su Yuncheng be directly recruited into the Special Service Department, or should they be bribed, like Lu Mingxuan, to provide them with intelligence?

But one thing he was absolutely certain of was that his teacher did have different ideas about Su Yuncheng and wanted to bring him into his camp.