We offered you a summer job, but you went and became a mercenary?

Zhao Jianguo did not reply.

He suddenly brought his feet together, the heels of his leather shoes making a very crisp sound as they clicked.

With his back ramrod straight, Zhao Jianguo raised his right hand and gave Lin Ye a perfectly standard military salute.

"Greetings, Major General!"

Zhao Jianguo roared at the top of his lungs, his voice shaking the glass windows of the shop.

The two rows of guards behind him saluted in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized, the sound of their boots stomping on the ground echoing in one continuous motion.

The entire room fell silent.

The shop owner, hiding under the counter, peeked out half his head, his eyes practically bulging out of their sockets.

The students watching from outside the gate were speechless, completely losing their ability to think.

Arrest them?

Execution?

This is a high-ranking official from the Jiangcheng National Security Bureau personally coming over to salute and address him as Major General!

Zhao Jianguo put down his right hand and directly lifted the red cloth on the tray.

A brand-new, exquisitely crafted uniform for a general appeared before everyone's eyes.

Next to it was a top-level official document with a red stamp.

"By order of Commander Li!"

Zhao Jianguo spoke loudly, ensuring that every word could be clearly heard.

"In recognition of Comrade Lin Ye's outstanding contributions to safeguarding national security and defending national dignity!"

"Effective immediately, Comrade Lin Ye is hereby awarded the rank of Major General Advisor and will enjoy a state-level special allowance!"

boom!

This news caused an uproar among the crowd.

A freshman is a major general?!

This is absolutely unprecedented in the history of the Dragon Kingdom since its founding.

Wang Pangzi stood outside the cordon, trembling with excitement, so much so that he didn't even notice the sausage in his hand fall to the ground.

Xia Wanqiu sat opposite, staring at the gleaming general's uniform, her breath catching in her throat.

She knew the country would reward Lin Ye handsomely, but she never expected that it would directly grant him such a terrifying position of real power.

Faced with this honor that could drive countless people crazy.

Lin Ye, however, showed no sign of excitement.

He threw the tissue he had used to wipe his mouth into the trash can, his gaze sweeping over the military uniform.

Instead of relaxing, his brows furrowed even deeper.

His face was etched with resistance and wariness.

"Old Zhao," Lin Ye said, pointing to the items on the tray, his tone extremely serious, "let's skip the formalities and talk about something practical."

Zhao Jianguo stood there, stunned.

The students watching outside were completely dumbfounded.

That's a major general!

How come this honor, which many people would only dream of, is considered "empty" in this guy's mouth?

"Tell me what you need!" Zhao Jianguo quickly stood up straight.

"Does being a major general come with room and board?" Lin Ye started calculating on his fingers. "Does it include social insurance and housing fund? Is there double pay on holidays?"

Lin Ye raised his head and stared intently at Zhao Jianguo.

"Most importantly, what percentage is contributed to the housing provident fund?"

Upon hearing this, several of the two rows of special security guards standing ramrod straight behind him began to shake their shoulders violently, desperately trying to suppress their laughter.

His face turned red.

That's a major general!

When a major general joins a company, the first question asked is what percentage of housing provident fund is required?

The chubby shop owner, hiding under the cashier's counter, slammed his chin directly into the floor tiles, wincing in pain and not daring to rub it.

Zhao Jianguo wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Major General Lin, it's all covered! Everything's included!" Zhao Jianguo nodded repeatedly, afraid that this darling would change his mind. "Not only will it include food and lodging, but it will be the highest level of special treatment provided by the state! Your social insurance and housing fund will be paid at the maximum level!"

Lin Ye stroked his chin and continued to press for answers.

"My teeth aren't very good. If I need dental implants in the future, will this special medical care reimburse me for the full cost?"

"Report! We'll use only the best imported materials!" Zhao Jianguo replied without hesitation.

"Do you give out rice, flour, and oil during holidays?" Lin Ye asked, bringing up the holiday benefits that working people care about most.

"Here you go! Specially supplied Wuchang rice and organic sunflower oil, delivered directly to your dorm by truck!"

The students outside the police cordon were utterly astonished when they heard this conversation.

"Damn, the treatment of a major general is really different! They give out rice, flour, and oil by the truckload!" Fatty Wang exclaimed anxiously, slapping his thigh. "Brother Ye is so down-to-earth!"

Lin Ye was not swayed by these sweet words; he raised the most crucial question.

Lin Ye looked resistant, clinging to a purely working-class mindset.

"I have poor sleep quality and can't get up early. If I have to get up early every day for meetings and clocking in, I won't do this job."

Zhao Jianguo patted his chest and assured him, almost breaking his lung tube in the process.

"Absolute freedom!"

"You can sleep until you naturally wake up, or play games until dawn—nobody cares!"

"Salaries will be paid as usual, and privileges will still be enjoyed!"

"No need to clock in, no need to write reports, and no need to attend any morning meetings!"

"Besides paying you your salary on time every month, I will absolutely not disturb your university life!"

Upon hearing the words "paid leave" and "no need to clock in," Lin Ye's tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed.

These conditions perfectly align with the career plan of a top-tier summer worker.

"You should have said so earlier." Lin Ye picked up the pen on the table and quickly signed his name on the official document.

He tossed the documents to Zhao Jianguo, then picked up the brand-new general's uniform.

Lin Ye looked around.

"Boss, give me a plastic bag," Lin Ye called out to the cashier.

The fat boss scrambled out, grabbed a red plastic bag he usually used for takeout, and handed it over with trembling hands.

Lin Ye crumpled up the general's uniform, which countless soldiers treasured, and stuffed it directly into the greasy red plastic bag.

He casually put the half-eaten braised chicken into the box as well, and tied them all in a tight knot.

Xia Wanqiu sat opposite, watching this scene, and almost couldn't hold back her emotions.

When this man crushed a wind blade with one hand on the stage and wielded a Gatling gun to turn a peak S-class fighter into mincemeat, he was simply a demon descended to earth.

The way he now haggles with the director of the National Security Bureau and stuffs his major general's uniform into a plastic bag is excessively down-to-earth.

Xia Wanqiu couldn't help but laugh, her originally aloof demeanor instantly melting away.

Zhao Jianguo's heart clenched twice as he looked at the plastic bag filled with oil stains and military uniforms.

But he dared not say a word.

Chief Li instructed that as long as Lin Ye was willing to sign, he would even be willing to use his uniform as a rag.

"Major General Lin." Zhao Jianguo rubbed his hands together, a fawning smile plastered on his face. "Now that you're considered part of the system and receiving a government salary, and you happen to have a business trip assignment..."

He hadn't finished speaking.

Lin Ye immediately became alert.

He clutched his pocket, leaned back, and created some distance.

"Business trip?" Lin Ye looked annoyed. "Old Zhao, we just agreed that we wouldn't have to clock in. This isn't considered extra overtime in the contract."

"If you want me to go on a business trip, you'll have to pay more!"