Xu Zikuai, once Lin Jichen's most trusted friend.
Lin Jichen had always been deceived by Xu Zikuai's facade, thinking he was righteous and kind-hearted, a reliable brother.
Xu Zikuai had met Guo Jie first. Because he helped her with something, Lin Jichen felt grateful to him.
Moreover, Lin Jichen was young and naive back then, inexperienced in the ways of the world, completely unaware that Xu Zikuai had long set his sights on Guo Jie.
Knowing he had no advantage compared to Lin Jichen, Xu Zikuai started getting closer to him, calling him brother, all to get closer to Guo Jie and to cling to Lin Jichen's coattails for a better life.
Guo Jie wasn't any better. The two of them, over time, started sneaking around behind Lin Jichen's back.
In matters of the heart, betrayal isn't uncommon.
But they coveted the gang Lin Jichen had built, accustomed to the power and influence, and reluctant to lose the protection of Lin Jichen, the top spell cultivator in Tale of Immortal.
This bitch couple began acting around Lin Jichen. When he was around, they kept their distance, pretending to be just friends.
Xu Zikuai would call Guo Jie "sister-in-law" and constantly praised Lin Jichen and Guo Jie as a match made in heaven.
To the naive Lin Jichen, this easily won his trust and affection.
But he didn't know that behind his back, the two were already entangled.
Later, Lin Jichen temporarily gave up the gang to focus on breaking through to the Enlightenment Realm, entrusting his painstakingly built gang to Guo Jie and Xu Zikuai.
Who knew, in just a year, the two would take over completely, seizing control of the entire gang.
Those loyal to Lin Jichen were either expelled or secretly assassinated.
Lin Jichen was still in seclusion, striving for his breakthrough. Even after he reached the Enlightenment Realm, Xu Zikuai and Guo Jie continued to deceive him, stealing his storage ring, his last possession.
Lin Jichen never expected to encounter Xu Zikuai so soon after his rebirth.
In his previous life, he met Xu Zikuai in the third year of Tale of Immortal.
Xu Zikuai had no special skills, just an ordinary equipment master player, looking like a refined pretty boy.
He was extremely good at reading people, smooth-talking, making girls happy, and his facade was flawless.
Lin Jichen was repeatedly deceived by his acting and words, losing everything in the end.
Now, reborn, encountering Xu Zikuai again, Lin Jichen's desire to kill him was no less than his hatred for Guo Jie, perhaps even stronger.
If he could, he wanted to find Xu Zikuai right now and kill him.
But Lin Jichen was no longer the impulsive hothead who acted without considering the consequences.
After calming down a bit, he temporarily suppressed his killing intent.
Getting himself thrown in jail and leaving Tale of Immortal for revenge was clearly not worth it.
Lin Jichen wanted to move on, but suddenly a plan formed in his mind.
Jiangling, Shunfei Auto Repair Shop.
"Xu Zikuai, have you finished your work? I told you to change the oil, where the hell did you go? Fuck, playing games again? Do you not want this job?"
A boss yelled at a man lying in a customer's car, lazily playing Tale of Immortal.
The man was Xu Zikuai, who had dropped out of school early due to lack of interest in studies. Though only in his twenties, he was already a seasoned loafer.
Hearing the boss's curses, Xu Zikuai quickly got out of the car, smiling apologetically. "Boss, I wasn't playing games, I was checking the car for the customer."
"Checking your ass! Don't I know you? You earn just over three thousand a month and bought a game for six thousand, are you out of your mind? I'm warning you, if you play games during work hours again, I'll dock all your pay! Fucking idiot."
Facing the boss's crude words, Xu Zikuai dared not speak up.
Only after the boss left did he mutter under his breath, "Fuck you, fat bastard. When I have money, the first thing I'll do is slap you and fire you! Curse you to die early!"
Just then, his phone rang.
Xu Zikuai answered impatiently, "Who is it?"
"Is this 'Promise You a Lifetime'?" A stranger's voice came from the other end.
"Yes, who are you?" Xu Zikuai was puzzled.
The voice spoke again, "We saw your application for an equipment master on the forum. Our guild wants to hire you."
"Really? That's great! Brother... I mean, boss, what's the pay like?"
"We only hire full-time equipment masters. If you want the job, you have to follow our arrangements."
Xu Zikuai hesitated, "I can't do that, I have a job."
"What job?" the voice asked.
"Auto repair, fixing cars."
"How much do you make?"
"Three thousand, sometimes thirty-five hundred."
"We offer fifteen thousand a month."
"Damn! Are you kidding me?" Xu Zikuai was shocked, his first reaction was disbelief.
"What do we have to gain by lying to you? Believe it or not, it's up to you." The voice sounded disdainful.
Xu Zikuai started to believe it. After all, he was such a nobody, no one would waste time tricking him. He didn't even have money for next week's meals.
"I'm still a bit skeptical. No offense, boss, it just seems too good to be true."
The voice softened a bit, "Our studio is widely recruiting and training full-time equipment masters. We saw your resume and think you have the talent for it. How about this, give me your account number, and we'll advance you half a month's salary, seventy-five hundred. If you decide to quit your job, call me. We won't disappoint you. Besides the fifteen thousand monthly salary, we provide food and lodging, and you'll live in a high-end community with other equipment masters."
"What? An advance on salary?" Xu Zikuai was stunned. Was there really such a good deal?
"Of course. If you don't believe it, give me your account number, and you'll see the money in minutes."
Xu Zikuai immediately gave his bank account number.
In less than half a minute, he received a transfer notification, his account showing an additional seventy-five hundred.
Xu Zikuai was now fully convinced. He didn't even have seven hundred fifty, how could anyone use seventy-five hundred to trick him?
Breathing heavily, trying to contain his excitement, he asked, "Boss, you really want to hire me?"
"Of course. Why would we waste time with you otherwise? Do we have that much free time?"
"Yes, yes, you're right, boss. I'm too stupid. Thank you for seeing my potential." Xu Zikuai immediately humbled himself, his tone extremely submissive.
"Alright, so do you agree or not? If not, return the money. Don't think about keeping it, we can call the police anytime, and we have a hundred ways to make you miserable in the game."
"I agree! Of course, I agree! I've long wanted to quit this car repair job."
Xu Zikuai agreed without hesitation.
Little did he know, he had already fallen into a trap set for him.