I've Become the King of Villains in the Game

Chen Lun's dinner was settled at Pompey Manor.

Viscount Pompey couldn't overcome the combined willpower of his wife and daughter and eventually decided to let Chen Lun stay.

"I hereby officially employ you as Rebecca's home tutor, responsible for her literary and nature studies,"

Viscount Pompey wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin and gestured with his hand.

The old butler handed over an employment contract and a small purse to Chen Lun.

"A weekly salary of 2 gold pounds and 80 silver ducats, is that acceptable?"

Chen Lun accepted, stood up, and bowed to the viscount.

"Of course, it is my honor, Your Lordship."

Viscount Pompey nodded and glanced at his daughter Rebecca beside him.

The blonde girl was sneakily glancing at her new tutor, sauce still unattended at the corners of her mouth.

Suddenly, the viscount felt a headache coming on, reminding himself to keep a close watch, lest this foreign lad entice away his precious daughter.

"Thank you for your hospitality, I shall take my leave now,"

Chen Lun took his cape and hat from the maid's hands, turned, and gave a respectful gesture to Lady Pompey.

"Farewell, beautiful madam."

Lady Pompey was delighted, feeling pleased to be complimented by a handsome young man.

She nodded reservedly in response.

However, Rebecca next to her couldn't help but grip her fork tighter, causing it to tremble.

"And of course, the lovely Miss Rebecca, farewell."

Chen Lun finally bowed to Rebecca, then proceeded to put on his hat and turned to leave.

Rebecca immediately beamed with joy, dropping her fork and yelling at Chen Lun:

"Goodbye, Mr. Jack! Don't forget to come early tomorrow for my lesson!"

Chen Lun, without looking back, waved his hand to show he heard.

Lady Pompey frowned and scolded Rebecca, such a disgrace, how could the daughter of a Viscount Pompey be so impolite!

Not ladylike at all!

Viscount Pompey didn't bother to intervene, feeling that his wife was probably no better.

He waved his hand, indicating Binose to accompany him to the study, truly a headache.

Chen Lun, having stepped out of the manor, whistled.

Today, well, was a triumph for the flatterer.

A few compliments, and a weekly twenty-eight it earns.

"Next up, to find the inheritance Philip hid within the manor..."

Chen Lun looked back at the massive Pompey Manor one last time and then departed.

...

At a small manor in the southeastern part of the Inner City District.

This was where Chen Lun had chosen to settle down, slightly out of the way compared to the bustling city center but still not cheap in rent.

He had also employed two maids and a coachman, and rented a carriage from a livery stable.

The miscellaneous expenditures amounted to a total cost of 9 to 10 gold pounds a month. The bulk of it was for the rent of the manor and the carriage, with the manor costing 5 gold pounds per month and the carriage 1 gold pound.

To ride a rented carriage in Amber City, one trip would cost between 70 and 80 copper kros.

Since he often needed to go out, and Floey and Connie used it as well, he rented one for convenience.

"The money I earn as a teacher at the viscount's place is just enough to make ends meet... Life is difficult."

Chen Lun sighed to himself, entering his own small manor.

Passing by a recently renovated warehouse, he coincidentally saw Connie talking at the warehouse door with a group of burly men.

A generator rumbled near the warehouse, and a light was on above the doorway.

Connie had a blueprint in hand, pointing and giving instructions, while the men occasionally nodded in agreement.

"Connie."

Chen Lun approached and greeted her.

Seeing him, Connie stopped the conversation and gave Chen Lun a smile.

"Mr. Jack, I've completed the task you entrusted me with,"

She indicated the group of men beside her.

After settling Floey and Connie in the Inner City District the day before, he had sent a letter to Gary, asking him to send someone to pick up Connie for a trip to the mudflats.

Connie personally selected ten craftsmen from the Iron Fist Gang to bring back to the Inner City District.

For this, Chen Lun paid a hefty sum in gold pounds to Gary to bribe the managers at the Security Office, arranging emergency official identities for these ten craftsmen.

Of course, since all these craftsmen had been captured by the Iron Fist Gang, Chen Lun had instructed Connie in advance to select them under the guise of hiring, choosing only those who volunteered to come.

Looking at it now, it seemed quite satisfactory, Chen Lun nodded in approval.

For the time being, these people were staying in the small manor, organized by Connie to start researching and forging. Chen Lun believed that with Connie, the "brain," directing them, the "hands and feet," their efficiency would greatly improve.

"You've done a good job, Connie."

Chen Lun complimented her.

"And Floey?"

"Miss Floey is studying inside the house; she has been researching the dishes all afternoon and is waiting for you to come back to dine together."

Connie seemed somewhat pleased; she mentioned that she had recited Mrs. Caroline's cooking manual for Miss Floey.

After giving a few instructions to the craftsmen, she followed Chen Lun towards the detached villa.

For now, the warehouse only had some simple forging tools; Chen Lun had instructed Connie to order a batch of small-scale machinery, which might take some time to arrive.

His wallet shrank once again.

But he believed that it wouldn't be long before he could earn back double.

"Uh, have you not had dinner yet?"

Chen Lun had already eaten at Pompey Manor and was still quite full.

"Not yet."

Connie shook her head and came closer, speaking in a negotiating tone:

"Mr. Jack, could you let me be the maid here? Miss Floey needs someone to take care of her..."

She suddenly paused, seemingly remembering the kidnapping incident that night and how she had held back Miss Floey, and her face flushed with embarrassment.

It's still uncertain who will be taking care of whom.

"Connie, you are not a servant now, and I hope you will treat me as a friend...

If you like, you can also act as the butler here. After all, I'm rarely here, and it indeed needs someone to manage."

Chen Lun said with a smile.

Connie was touched by these words and nodded vigorously.

"Mr. Jack, please rest assured, I will keep everything in order here."

As the two talked, they entered the detached villa.

This place certainly couldn't compare to the luxurious Pompey Manor, but it was far better than the conditions in the Outer City District.

The first-floor hall was spacious, with a complete living room and kitchen.

The second floor had rooms for the maids and craftsmen, while Chen Lun, Floey, and Connie lived on the third floor.

The attic on the fourth floor was for storage, and that's where Chen Lun would keep his "goods."

When Chen Lun first rented this place, he had arranged some things and then set out, leaving the organizing and tidying to Floey and Connie.

"You're back."

Floey was waiting at the door.

"Let's have our meal... I've already prepared dinner."

She said, smiling and leading Chen Lun and Connie to the dining room.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The table was full of food, and Chen Lun was touched by the sight, but he really couldn't eat any more.

Connie was obviously hungry, and since Floey's cooking was indeed very good, she ate with somewhat less concern for appearances.

"Eat up, why aren't you eating?"

Connie's cheeks puffed up as she looked at Chen Lun with curiosity.

"It's delicious, Mr. Jack."

"Uh... I'm not very fond of fish."

Floey also turned to "stare" at him.

Whether it was an illusion or not, Chen Lun felt that mixed with her anticipation was a sense of threat.

"Eat! I really love fish!

You have to know I grew up by the sea, fishing every day; this is the taste of home!"

Chen Lun slapped his chest, his palm hitting the Ghost-face Badge.

Come on, brother! Make me hungry!

He ate with tears in his eyes, the fish head dangling from his mouth, swaying as he chewed.

Seeing Floey's satisfied expression, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

But then he saw her get up and bring over several new dishes from the kitchen.

It was still the fish he hated the most!

"..."