Terrence was so excited that he completely ignored the girls trying to strike up conversations.
He happily pulled out a piece of paper and checked it.
Every time he went shopping, he meticulously recorded where he bought things, what they were, and how much they cost.
The most thoughtful part was the final summary.
"Hm... thirty-five, sixty-three, eight dollars, eight point three dollars..."
"And the total is six hundred ninety-nine dollars and nine cents!"
Terrence hurriedly pulled out the stack of cash Ryden had given him.
Seven bills.
Seven hundred dollars.
Shopping had cost six hundred ninety-nine dollars and nine cents.
Which meant his hard-earned service fee amounted to-
One cent.
The realization hit.
"RYDEN! YOU ABSOLUTE BASTARD!!!"
The furious roar made Ryden, who had just exited the teaching building, instinctively shrink his neck.
Hehe.
Friends were meant to be pranked.
It was healthier that way.
Stepping into the teachers' office, he found-unfortunately-that other teachers were still present.
Students came and went constantly.
Some were there to be punished.
Some to collect homework.
Some to curry favor.
When Dia saw her young boyfriend approach, a faint blush crept onto her face.
Her heart, however, was full.
For a woman, seeing the man she loved was already a joy.
Especially when that man had once stood in front of a gun to protect her.
A man like that?
Even if he was younger, it didn't matter.
Besides, they had already shared their most intimate moments.
"Teacher, there's something I'd like to ask you. Could we speak outside?"
Ryden spoke with a serious expression, sounding more like he was inviting her on a date than asking a question.
No one would have guessed that this dignified-looking student had already taken down his own teacher.
"Alright."
Dia naturally didn't want to expose their relationship at school.
They stepped into the hallway.
It was quiet.
The faculty office was one place students avoided whenever possible.
Only a few passed by.
A happy smile bloomed on Dia's face.
"Ryden, what is it? Is something wrong?"
"Dia, do you have classes this afternoon? I want you to come with me to do something."
Ryden grinned wickedly.
The implication was... obvious.
Dia poked his forehead lightly, half-annoyed, half-amused.
"You rascal, what are you thinking? Be serious."
"Hmph. Keep this up and I'll ignore you."
Her expression softened, girlish and gentle, like melting ice.
Fortunately, no one was around.
Otherwise, someone would definitely have walked straight into a pillar.
Ryden grabbed her small hand playfully.
"Hey, where did your mind go? I'm planning to buy a car. I want you to come help me choose."
"What? Are you unwilling?"
Seeing his smile, Dia realized she'd misunderstood.
She had thought he was just craving more... intimacy.
"I hate you."
"Hmph. You did it on purpose."
She turned away shyly, pretending not to care.
Since becoming his girlfriend, her icy façade had been steadily melting.
Every time she remembered him standing up for her, her heart filled with warmth.
"Don't be mad."
Ryden leaned closer.
"Let's buy the car first. Then I'll go shopping with you, alright?"
He knew better than anyone that women needed coaxing at moments like this.
His future happiness depended on it.
Why didn't he have one of those protagonist cheats where he just flexed and beauties threw themselves at him?
"Alright."
Dia smiled.
"Wait for me. I'll go get ready."
Her boyfriend wanting her help to pick out a car meant something.
Buying a car in this era wasn't cheap.
Ten to twenty thousand dollars.
Enough to buy a small house.
Without cheats or a system, money didn't just appear.
As for where the money came from?
Manifested from thin air?
Heh.
Impossible.
But while he couldn't manifest it-
He could confiscate it.
No.
"Relief funds."
Yes.
Relief.
Yesterday, after a deep "exchange" and "sparring session" with a major shareholder of a large food company named Cass...
They had conducted thorough negotiations regarding Ryden's financial difficulties and lack of girlfriends.
Cough.
In short, he took a little money from that fat sheep.
Who told the old bastard to hit on his woman?
To avoid backlash, Ryden planned to slowly dismantle Cass's company shares.
Once the other shareholders squeezed him dry and Ryden had maximized his profit-
He'd let them tear each other apart.
He'd take the final harvest.
Classic bastard behavior.
With this money in hand, Ryden walked with a much straighter back.
If he didn't care about appearances, he might've even moonwalked down the street.
Before long, Dia came out.
The two left the school together, fingers intertwined, palms warm.
Their hearts felt closer with every step.
They took a taxi to the Bronx.
At the moment, it housed the largest auto dealerships in New York.
Mercedes.
GM.
Cadillac.
Limited by the era's technology, performance and design were crude.
Engines failed.
Parts wore quickly.
But in 1938, these were already luxury transportation tools.
Unreachable for the average family.
Far from mass-market goods.
Owning a car was a status symbol.
Put bluntly-it was for showing off.
Put elegantly-it represented capital and standing.
Ryden led Dia into the showroom.
Cars filled the lobby.
Most looked similar.
Boxy.
Brick-like.
No streamlined designs.
High resistance.
Naturally slow.
"Distinguished sir, are you here to purchase a car?"
A sweet saleswoman approached, wearing a daring miniskirt.
American fashion was... open.
Very open.
Of course, it was also marketing.
Hearing this, Dia smiled even brighter, gripping Ryden's hand tighter.
"Alright."
Ryden nodded calmly.
"Lead the way."
Truth be told, Ryden had done plenty of bastardly things before.
In his past life, he'd walk into phone stores and ask about a specific model.
The salesperson would immediately recognize him as a serious buyer.
Commissions were good.
They'd start pitching enthusiastically.
Then Ryden would say-
"Not bad. But I don't want a male salesperson. Get me a female one."
Just like that.
The male salesperson would lose the commission.
Helpless.
Furious.
But unable to say anything.
After all, the customer was king.
If he dared touch Ryden, the boss would fire him before his fist landed.
Truly.
An absolute bastard.
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