After leaving the elevator, Chen Wen's expression was a bit odd.

Seriously, do people really believe in flying bears?

If it weren't for the fact that Chen Wen himself was the bear, he would definitely mock the person spreading such rumors for a lifetime.

It's absolutely absurd!

But such an absurd idea, and people still believe it?

Looks like I'll have to explain to Belmont where I got the map from during our discussion.

...

Another day passed.

Chen Wen finished recording the whole day's work in the morning.

Taking advantage of the rare free afternoon, Chen Wen decided to meet Belmont.

For safety, he arranged to meet on the other side of the city, at a rooftop restaurant with a wide-open view.

From the height, the city and its outskirts were completely visible.

"Sir, what would you like? Also, we offer pet food here, though I'm not sure what your pet eats."

The waiter, eyeing the snowy owl perched on Chen Wen's shoulder, was filled with curiosity from the very start.

These days, walking a dog or a cat is common, and even raccoons and parrots aren't very rare.

But she'd never seen anyone take a snowy owl out for a walk.

Snowy Owls are quite famous birds in Canada.

Not only are they celebrated in Harry Potter, but in Canada, they are Quebec's provincial bird and have appeared on the fifty-dollar bill.

With the snowy owl on his shoulder, Chen Wen drew plenty of stares as he arrived.

Receiving the menu from the waiter, Chen Wen was baffled.

Is this English?

Why does it have things similar to Chinese tones?

Chen Wen was silent for a moment, then politely asked, "Can a window be opened? Also, I'm waiting for a friend."

The waiter looked at Chen Wen, somewhat puzzled.

Open a window with this weather?

But since the restaurant wasn't busy and faced the unusual request of this peculiar guest,

the waiter still opened the window.

Chen Wen patted the snowy owl, and it flew out immediately.

"Oh! Your pet!"

The waiter watched in surprise as the snowy owl flew out, seemingly holding something in its claws.

Chen Wen waved a hand, "No need to worry, it's going to hurry my friend. By the way, I'll have this, and this."

Estimating that Belmont would take a bit longer to arrive, Chen Wen decided to order some things while he waited.

But unexpectedly, after looking at what Chen Wen pointed at, the waiter awkwardly said, "Sir, our band isn't on duty yet, so we can't play the song you ordered right now."

Seriously, this is a song?

Who offers a song list instead of a menu in a good restaurant?

Chen Wen felt like cursing.

However, the waiter realized that Chen Wen didn't recognize the letters and quickly swapped the menu, "This is the English menu. Our restaurant is an authentic French restaurant, and we usually provide guests the French menu by default."

French, I see.

Having switched menus, Chen Wen finally understood.

He planned to order some food to fill his stomach a bit.

He had skipped lunch to make time for this free afternoon.

...

Belmont's room was on the top floor of the hotel.

Belmont had just ended his afternoon nap, planning to go downstairs to wait for news again.

But this time, things didn't go as smoothly as usual.

As Belmont dressed, a unique sound caught his attention.

Belmont instinctively glanced toward where the sound was coming from.

In front of the window, a magical creature was pecking at the glass.

"A Snowy Owl?"

Belmont was no stranger to snowy owls.

He furrowed his brow slightly, "Snowy Owls aren't common in the city, but among this group of competitors, someone seems to have tamed a snowy owl. Is this the same one?"

Belmont intended to drive the snowy owl away before heading out.

But then he noticed what the snowy owl was holding in its claws—a piece of paper.

Belmont froze for a moment.

He opened the window, and the snowy owl dropped the paper inside before leaving.

Belmont looked at the paper and bent down to pick it up.

It was neither a Hogwarts acceptance letter nor a wizard's correspondence.

It was just a plain sheet of paper with ordinary writing.

But the message conveyed was anything but ordinary!

[Hello, it's come to my attention that you're interested in the mining map. Let's chat at the restaurant, just you, alone. If more people come, you can forget about learning anything about the map.]

[Address: XX Avenue, XXX Number]

Belmont took a sharp intake of breath.

He didn't hesitate, immediately instructing his driver to take him to the designated location.

After Belmont got out of the car, he told the driver to leave.

He then entered the restaurant alone.

On the second floor of the restaurant.

Chen Wen was feeding the snowy owl some raw meat.

The snowy owl said, "He's here, alone, and has been by himself since he came downstairs."

Chen Wen nodded slightly, "I knew."

After waiting briefly, Chen Wen saw Belmont, wearing a black parka, come up.

Chen Wen waved at him, and Belmont seemed to have anticipated it was Chen Wen.

He walked over swiftly.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Belmont."

Chen Wen watched as Belmont sat across from him, placing the last piece of meat before the snowy owl.

Belmont observed the snowy owl peck it, then gulp it down.

A strip of raw meat was cleanly swallowed.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Chen Wen."

Belmont withdrew his gaze, focusing on the unassuming Asian sitting before him.

He got straight to the point, "Is the map in your possession?"

Chen Wen didn't answer directly but replied, "Very well, you kept your word and came alone."

Belmont knew this matter couldn't be hurried.

He gestured, signaling the waiter to change the tea on the table to wine.

Once the waiter was done, Belmont tapped the table, "I've reserved the second floor. Don't let anyone else come up."

"Yes, sir."

The waiter was quite familiar with Belmont.

After the waiter walked away,

Belmont said, "Please answer me directly, Mr. Chen Wen, I don't want to waste time."

Chen Wen nodded, "Then let's not beat around the bush, the map is indeed with me."

Belmont took a deep breath, "Name your terms."

"Aren't you curious about how I got the map?"

Chen Wen was surprised, not expecting Belmont to go off script.

Commonly, wouldn't people usually negotiate a bit before discussing terms?

Belmont shook his head, "I don't have much patience left. To me, this map has already cost me a great deal of time, money, and effort. I've made too many losses on it without any returns. I'm inclined to cut my losses and abandon this map, so right now, I don't want to waste any more time. I just want to obtain it as quickly as possible."

"Moreover, it's irrelevant how you got the map, or who has it. I don't care who the map's holder is; I only care about the map itself."

"Who the map's holder is, only determines whom I collaborate with."

Chen Wen slightly nodded, "You've made yourself quite clear."

"Then I won't say much more, let's cooperate. I'll provide the map, and you handle the mining. Regarding specific details, I have a professional team, and if you're agreeable, I'll have them negotiate with your people."

Belmont was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "The professional team, is it... Mr. Lv's people?"

"Yes, I believe Mr. Lv has already informed you."

Chen Wen smiled, "Do you have anything else you'd like to discuss?"

Belmont shook his head, "No, right now, I just want to see the map to verify its authenticity. As long as the map is genuine, we'll start negotiations immediately!"

Seeing this, Chen Wen didn't say more.

He stood up and waved his hand outside the window.

Soon, the Golden Eagle brought in the map tied to its leg into the restaurant.

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