It didn't take Liu Zheng much time to reach his destination.
West River Center.
It was a small building of about 11 stories, quite short for an office building.
But the rent for this kind of office building was actually higher, just like how townhouses were more expensive than tower buildings.
The number of people coming and going from the office building was neither too many nor too few.
Most of them wore well-tailored suits or elegant dress sets.
Their exposed limbs and skin appeared to be that of normal humans.
But they all wore paper bags over their heads, with faces drawn on the front of each bag.
Each face used different pigments, brushes, and techniques - some were simple sketches, while others were classical oil paintings.
Unsurprisingly, those with more exquisitely drawn faces wore better clothes, some even sporting gold watches or jewelry.When Liu Zheng approached the main entrance, they all turned their attention toward him.
Indeed, these drawn faces could move, even more flexibly than real facial features.
"What are you looking at?"
He glared back without backing down.
When dealing with people from this bizarre world, you had to be like Africa's second brother, the hyena.
Bite when you have strength, run when you don't.
Don't be too reckless, but don't be too timid either.
Just like now, when Liu Zheng stared at them with fierce eyes and even coiled his tentacles ready for action, these white-collar workers immediately averted their gaze.
"Tch, petty bourgeois trash."
He spat on the ground.
However, Liu Zheng also noticed something quite interesting.
These people didn't seem to be looking at him, but rather at his delivery box.
What, didn't anyone have breakfast?
Liu Zheng was somewhat puzzled, but didn't dwell on it.
Just as he was about to enter the office building's main door, a woman with a red armband stopped him.
Judging by her attire, she should be a cleaner.
Her drawn face was in sketch style, looking quite delicate, probably not over thirty years old.
"Spitting anywhere, fine of one hundred."
She extended her hand, speaking expressionlessly.
"I didn't spit inside the building."
Liu Zheng naturally wouldn't just hand over the money.
His money didn't come from the wind blowing it to him.
"Outside isn't allowed either. Everything up to the roadside falls within the 'three responsibilities at the doorstep' area."
"Where did this rule come from?"
"Property management's regulation."
"You're using property management's rules to control me, a delivery guy?"
Liu Zheng was speechless.
"Then lend me a mop, and I'll clean it up, alright?"
"No."
Facing his suggestion, the cleaner flatly refused.
"Fine, fine."
Liu Zheng helplessly took out a one-hundred bill and gave it to her.
Although he felt this money wasn't absolutely necessary, since he had money on hand, there was no need to take risks.
"Also, you're responsible for cleaning the entire 'three responsibilities at the doorstep' area."
"Are you serious?"
Liu Zheng looked around; this area was at least a thousand square meters.
If he cleaned it all, it would probably be dark before he finished.
"Correct, this is also property management regulation."
The cleaner nodded.
Liu Zheng now knew for sure she was just looking for trouble.
"Then I'll pay another hundred for you to clean it for me."
He attempted a peaceful resolution again.
"No."
The cleaner shook her head.
Just as Liu Zheng was surprised by her integrity, she spoke again.
"At least two thousand."
"Heh."
Liu Zheng sneered coldly.
Two thousand was enough to buy the cleaner herself.
Bullhorse's voice sounded hurried, as if he was doing sit-ups again.
"The office building's cleaner stopped me, saying spitting anywhere costs two thousand one."
Liu Zheng said concisely.
"Then just pay it."
Bullhorse said carelessly.
"I can pay, but will it solve the problem after paying?"
He asked.
"No."
Bullhorse's answer was equally brief.
"Look inside the main door."
Liu Zheng looked as instructed - a person in security guard uniform was silently watching him.
"Is there a security guard looking at you?"
Bullhorse asked.
"Correct."
"Office building property management is all like this, trying every way to squeeze money from us delivery guys. Even if you didn't spit, they'd fine you for entering with your left foot first against regulations."
Bullhorse said.
"That's too targeted, isn't it?"
Liu Zheng was speechless.
Compared to office building property management, residential security guards could be considered honest and clean.
"Actually, it wasn't like this before. There's a rumor that all office buildings in the city have the same owner behind the scenes, and that person has issues with the current Bloody Restaurant."
Bullhorse said.
Has issues with the current Bloody Restaurant...
Liu Zheng felt there was implied meaning and quickly figured out the answer.
What was different between the current Bloody Restaurant and the previous one? Based on what he knew, only one thing.
The restaurant owner had changed to Si Xue.
When gods fight, little ghosts suffer - that's exactly what this was.
He shook his head helplessly.
"Figure it out yourself. If you want to pay to avoid disaster, it won't be less than ten thousand."
"Then how did other delivery guys make deliveries before?"
Liu Zheng asked.
"Why do you keep asking such stupid questions? If they had succeeded, would you still be able to enter?"
Bullhorse retorted.
His point was so valid that Liu Zheng was left speechless.
"Then the restaurant's turnover rate is way too high."
"That's just how it is. Otherwise, why do you think I want to run away? But even so, many people want to get in but can't."
"Just the staff meal you complain about eating every day - if taken outside, it would be enough to start fights."
"Look at that tree - stronger than me, but what does it eat and drink every day? If it weren't hoping you could dig up food from the restaurant for it, would it indulge you so much and let you take advantage of it?"
Bullhorse sneered coldly.
Liu Zheng thought about it - true.
When they first met, the plane tree even craved his urine.
Thinking this, he suddenly got an inspiration.
"Thanks, boss."
Liu Zheng politely ended the call.
"Money, I definitely won't pay."
He said to the cleaner.
"Then according to regulations, I'll beat you to death."
The cleaner's drawn face immediately turned into an angry expression, with three flame patterns even appearing on her forehead.
Her cleaner uniform instantly expanded, her entire upper body becoming larger than that of a bodybuilding champion.
Especially her trapezius muscles - you couldn't achieve that level without consuming two truckloads of protein powder.
"Holy shit!"
Liu Zheng was shocked.
With strength like this, why work as a cleaner? Wouldn't competing in the Olympia be better?
"But I can buy you coffee, Unlucky Coffee."
"Oh no, two cups."
He glanced at the security guard inside the door and said.
Hearing Liu Zheng's words, the cleaner hesitated.
She subtly looked toward the security guard, who nodded almost imperceptibly.
"One orange C iced Americano, half sugar. One coconut hot latte, standard sugar."
The anger on the cleaner's face disappeared, replaced by an eerie smile.
"No problem."
Liu Zheng nodded.
"Unlucky Coffee is over there."
The cleaner pointed the direction, her exaggerated pectoral muscles deflating.
"OK."
He walked toward the side of the office building, where a conspicuous sign came into view.
It was an inverted deer head, its broken neck continuously bleeding, forming a pool of blood on the ground.
Yet the deer's eyes remained clear, with a hint of pain mixed into that clarity.
It looked at Liu Zheng, shedding a single tear that burned with black flames.