"F*ck!"

John thought for a moment, agreed with the statement, and frowned deeply, feeling a sense of belated frustration.

When Oulos was strategizing, she had no idea Angelica was the original area distributor, and even if she knew, she wouldn't care.

"How can I make it up to you... uh, if Bone Shards messes with your business, or harms... I can..."

He was just thinking about how to correct the mistake when he saw the girl across from him bury her head in her arms, shaking with laughter.

"Pfft, hahaha~ you're too cute, John."

Angelica pursed her lips, leaving the mercenary across from her completely baffled, until she had gleaned enough emotional value to continue speaking.

"...First of all, I'm not kidding, directing Bone Shards towards the fresh food business would really affect my agency rights... Hmm, I don't care about that stuff."

Radiant Dust Farm hasn't been officially selling and developing in Eden City for long. Although located on the edge of the West District, the Red-bearded Farmer has little connection with the Black Gold Gang.

Mr. Vito hadn't even reached an agreement with them before internal changes and gang wars ensued.

Angelica knew the "Farmer" relatively early on.

She gained the qualification of an area distribution agent for the Bolago Club by helping them with some small favors.

But Angelica didn't care.

Tipsy Bikini's main business is a bar, and its current business has already reached her expected scale. There's no need to expand into new ventures. Fresh foods are just a hobby, never making it to the menu, enjoyed by only a few old friends.

"If Bone Shards wants it, just let them have it. I have a small stock, and there are always channels and ways."

Hearing the issue resolved, John breathed a small sigh of relief.

Angelica shook her head helplessly and offered some suggestions on shop management issues.

The protein factories have dominated Eden City's food market for many years. Citizens have been consuming industrial products for a long time, affecting their digestive systems. Normal people experience physiological discomfort when first eating improved fresh foods.

This requires a buffering process.

John can directly distribute fresh food ingredients, serving as a supply point, reselling fresh meat and vegetable ingredients to clients.

"If you want to make it into hot food, it's best to set levels, mixing fresh and industrial products, just like steak with different doneness levels. Let customers choose what level they can handle based on the mix ratio."

"Damn, I never thought about that."

"There's still time to use your brain, John. Doing business is different from being a mercenary. Luckily, Maya and Gerry have experience. Listen to their opinions more, don't just boss around like a Shark Coin..."

Angelica went on to explain more common sense, and tactics for protecting her store on the bullet-ridden streets.

John felt a headache coming on just from hearing cost management.

"Damn, how do I remember all this? Uh, okay, I'm starting to doubt opening a store was a stupid decision."

He felt a little deflated, realizing it wasn't as simple as being a mercenary.

Angelica rested her chin on her hand, sipped on a custom drink from the bartender, and flashed a knowing smile.

Just then, Gino appeared at the bar entrance.

She walked past the booths and tables, kicking a fool's leg that stretched out, lost in VR games, until she reached where the two were sitting.

"Move over, John."

"You look like a pufferfish. Are those swollen cheeks and dark circles from sparring or what?"

"This isn't funny, John, especially since what you're chewing was the noodles meant for me."

"Huh?"

"What else, bro, who knows when you might show up? You can't plop down and expect a hot meal every time, right?"

John wasn't guilty at all, provocatively asking if it tasted good, since he always paid up anyway.

But it was clear that Gino was indeed in a bad mood.

She flipped him off, then sat next to Angelica.

John laughed helplessly.

"Haha, we were having a good chat. Why don't you join us and tell us which jerk pissed you off? If they're nearby, I can go back you up, oh, and for free."

"You just want to have fun at my expense."

Gino squinted, grabbed Angelica's drink, gulped it down, and raised her flipped-off finger even higher, complete with a spin—it's a gesture from the gym to respond to jerks.

Today she was wearing a gray tank top, her hands wrapped in boxing bands, with cargo pants and high-top sneakers on the bottom, likely stopping by for dinner after working odd jobs in Macao's shop.

Angelica had known Gino for a long time and didn't mind her friend's mood swings, just quietly operating the terminal to have the bartender bring over more drinks and food.

She held up her palm in Gino's direction and deliberately said a word at a not-so-quiet volume.

[Heartache.]

"Damn, why don't you guys talk about this in bed instead."

Gino pulled up her silver dyed hair into a bun.

John noticed the portable headband around her neck—it could play some formats of the Super Sensing Chip and most immersive VR games on the market.

This item sells extremely well and has a high usage rate.

On Sakura Cross Street, you often see folks with headbands and glasses, rewarding themselves in a corner of an apartment or a dark alley.

And in the industrial and slum areas, citizens of Eden City lost in virtual desires are everywhere.

Gino positioned the headband over her ear, seemingly playing music to block out the surrounding conversation, enjoying her newly served food alone, tacitly allowing the two to discuss her clumsy stories.

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