Doomsday Dealer

Chapter 7: Social Skills and the Elite Phone User

As soon as the phone appeared, Diane's attention was immediately captured, and she asked with a look of surprise on her face.

"What is this?"

"A phone."

"This is a phone?!"

Marcus smiled casually: "Sorry, I forgot—this model isn't available in the domestic market yet. It's quite different from what's currently available."

With that, he handed the iPhone 6 directly to Diane.

Diane held the phone, momentarily stunned. Marcus gently took her fingers and guided them across the screen.

He rattled off a series of incomprehensible terms: "Ten-core dual processor," "Thinner than a coin," "Gets smoother with use," "Light years ahead!"

"Amazing! Are all foreign phones like this now? What language is this?" Diane was excited, though the phone displayed foreign text that she couldn't understand at all.

She was completely oblivious to how far off-topic the conversation had drifted, and didn't notice that Marcus was holding her right hand entirely.

It wasn't until Marcus took the phone back that Diane suddenly realized what was happening and withdrew her hand with a slight blush.

"Wakandan script."

"Wakanda? There's actually a country like that... Which company is so advanced?" Diane murmured to herself.

"Wakanda is a small country, but the company that makes phones is quite famous. Can you guess?" Marcus smiled.

"Apple?"

"Smart!"

"This phone can even take photos. How about I take one of you?" Marcus smoothly changed the subject.

"Really?" Diane was greatly surprised.

Marcus stepped back two paces and without another word, raised the iPhone and took a photo.

Then he stood still and opened a photo editing app, editing on the spot.

Ten seconds later, he handed a perfectly edited photo to Diane.

Looking at herself in the phone—two shades lighter with all the beauty filters applied—Diane's heart skipped a beat, and she exclaimed in surprise.

"Is... is this me?"

Marcus looked somewhat reserved and gave a dry laugh: "Sorry... after all, it's just a phone camera, can't compare to professional equipment... turning a perfect ten into an eight is normal."

"Huh?" Two deep blushes flew to Diane's cheeks, and her previously cool demeanor had completely disappeared. "No, no, this is already very good."

"So... where can I buy this phone?"

"It's not in market circulation yet. I only got it through a friend's internal connections. I heard that even when it's released, it'll only be available to a select few."

"Oh..." Diane looked slightly disappointed, then asked, "How much does this phone cost?"

"Not expensive, just twenty thousand." Marcus said casually, making it up.

"Twenty thousand!" Diane exclaimed, but quickly realized her reaction was embarrassing and added with a red face, "For such a good phone, twenty thousand... is indeed not expensive."

"Yeah, I find it quite handy. It's also suitable for giving to relatives and friends. I originally wanted to ask my friend to get a few more units, but unfortunately I couldn't get the internal quota before returning to the country."

Just twenty thousand... not expensive... get a few more... give to relatives and friends?! Just how wealthy is he? And so young... does he have some kind of background?

Diane's mind was in turmoil until Marcus's voice became clear in her ears again.

"Miss Diane, we seem to have gotten off topic."

"Ah? Oh... right, right." Diane nodded hurriedly.

"Let's talk about Sophia's situation." Marcus turned to look toward Sophia Chen's position behind him and sighed with concern. "This child was quite lively originally. I didn't expect her to be sent here due to life pressures. Honestly, it breaks my heart to see this, and I've observed her condition—I feel that staying here isn't particularly beneficial for her recovery."

"On the contrary, being in a familiar environment would be more beneficial for her. Miss Diane... do you really think she must stay here for treatment?"

"Actually... not necessarily." Diane answered hesitantly.

Marcus nodded: "I think so too, which is why I'm hoping you can help me out. When she gets home, I can arrange for someone to care for her, and even if she's not here, all the necessary medications and guidance can be arranged. Besides, you'll still be there, won't you? Miss Diane, could you give me your phone number?"

Give him my number?

Diane's left hand was in her pocket, gripping her basic phone. After hesitating for a long time, she was too embarrassed to take it out and simply recited a string of numbers.

"Alright, write this down: 8008208820."

Marcus pretended to input the numbers on his phone, then immediately acted surprised.

"Oh no, sorry! I just returned to the country, and this phone doesn't work domestically yet. How about you give me your number instead? Once I get my service set up, I'll call you, okay?"

Without waiting for her response, he took out a notebook, tore out a page, and handed the paper and pen to Diane.

After getting her phone number, Marcus carefully folded it and put it in his pocket.

"Miss Diane, I'm counting on you for this matter."

"Hey? Did I say I agreed?" Diane crossed her arms and looked at Marcus with an amused expression.

Marcus smiled faintly: "You're right, I was presumptuous. But regardless, I still hope to stay in touch with you to discuss Sophia's situation. I can see that Miss Diane is beautiful and kind-hearted, very responsible toward patients. When I have time, I must treat you to dinner."

"Oh, and if my uncle's family comes tomorrow, I hope you won't tell them I was here. They don't know I'm back in the country yet—I want to surprise them."

"You don't have to help with other things, but you absolutely must help me with this!"

"Don't worry, I'll definitely help with this!" Diane nodded.

At this point, a voice came from the distance.

Diane looked back, then turned to Marcus with some conflict: "I still have things to take care of, so shall we stop chatting for now?"

Marcus nodded in acknowledgment.

But just as Diane was turning to leave, he raised his phone and called out: "Miss Diane!"

"What is it?" Diane looked back.

"Your photo is still on my phone... can I keep it? When I have time, I'll print it out and bring it to you." Marcus smiled broadly.

"Ah... yes, yes, of course!"

"Wait for my call. Good luck!"

The blush that had just faded from Diane's cheeks returned with intensity, and she turned and trotted away with girlish steps.

Watching Diane's figure disappear, Marcus's smile faded.

He pulled the phone number from his pocket, crumpled it into a ball, and casually tossed it into a nearby trash can.

He walked quickly to Sophia Chen and sat across from her with a serious expression: "Let's cut to the chase. This afternoon or tonight, whenever you have time, go chat with that nurse Diane. Tell her you want to set me up with someone, that you want to play matchmaker for us two. Don't make it too obvious, you understand!"

"When your mom comes tomorrow, get Diane to speak up for you. Say you're suitable for home recovery. If she won't help you, then cry and make a scene—even pretend to be suicidal if necessary... but don't mention me in front of your parents. Can you do that?"

"Yes!" Sophia Chen answered seriously.

"Good. Now tell me your home address. I'll go check it out today and try to get settled nearby as quickly as possible. If I rent a place, remember that the house with two pieces of white paper on the window will be mine."

Sophia Chen didn't answer directly, but instead bit her lower lip hesitantly: "Cousin... I have one more question. Can I ask you?"

"Go ahead."

"Are you only saving me?"

"What else? How many people do you think I can save?" Marcus replied without hesitation.

Sophia Chen's face went pale, and she shrank back: "No! You have to save my parents too! And my friends... if you can save me, you can't just watch others die!"

Hearing this, Marcus immediately felt a massive headache!

"Don't give me so many demands. I'm telling you, I've been irritable these past two days and fed up with women!"

"Then I might as well die... what's the point of living alone?" Sophia Chen's body trembled as she looked at Marcus stubbornly.

Marcus was speechless, his mind racing for a solution.

After a brief silence, he said: "I can't worry about others for now, but I'll definitely save your parents, okay?"

Rationally speaking, Sophia Chen's parents absolutely had to be saved!

A young girl would have no ability to survive on her own. The biggest support for ensuring her survival would undoubtedly be her parents.

They might even help him complete his mission ahead of schedule.

Hearing his agreement, Sophia Chen's expression softened slightly, and she slowly nodded twice.

"I understand... as long as you can save my parents. Cousin, I know I have no right to demand anything from you... but I'm really scared..."

Sophia Chen's eyes reddened as she reached behind her back and pulled out three notebooks, handing them over.

Marcus took the notebooks with confusion and flipped through them...

The first notebook recorded all of Sophia Chen's dreams, with every detail documented. Parts she couldn't remember clearly were also clearly marked.

The second notebook contained a large amount of general knowledge and newspaper clippings.

The third notebook had a map of Dragon Mountain City tucked inside, with important buildings marked—grain stores, hospitals, police stations... The rest recorded Sophia Chen's home address, a rough hand-drawn map, and the distribution of nearby supermarkets, pharmacies, gas supply stations, and other buildings.

"You... you recorded all this?!" Marcus looked at Sophia Chen in shock.

Sophia Chen nodded: "Cousin... I knew you would come find me, and I guessed you might be an alien. I was afraid you wouldn't understand our world, so I prepared in advance."

"I also have over ten thousand dollars buried under the big tree at the entrance of my building. There's only one tree at the entrance, easy to recognize. I drew a red dot on the trunk—the money is buried right below the red dot."

"How much? Where does a student get so much money? Are you some rich kid?" Marcus was shocked again!

Sophia Chen's face reddened, and she seemed embarrassed to speak. Finally, she lowered her head: "I... I borrowed it from male classmates at our school recently... from over a hundred people..."

"My God..." Marcus was astounded. "You learned to con money from men at such a young age?"

"I didn't con them!!" Sophia Chen shouted back indignantly, then her voice weakened: "I never said I wouldn't pay it back... if they don't die, I'll definitely repay them, even if I have to work or sell blood..."

"Good, good, good!" Marcus praised repeatedly, his gaze toward Sophia Chen now filled with admiration.

A girl of about ten years old, knowing the apocalypse was coming, warned everyone, endured countless doubts and misunderstandings, and still took action. Even after being sent to a psychiatric hospital, she never gave up.

This kind of strong resilience and initiative would put adults to shame.

The information and money she provided were incredibly useful.

A bleeding heart... this wasn't the makings of a bleeding heart at all! She was practically an angel!

Quite a high-quality client... she probably wouldn't drag him down.

Putting away the three notebooks, Marcus looked directly at Sophia Chen and said seriously: "Very well done. Leave the rest to me. I'll wait for you outside... you're too thin, remember to eat more these next few days."

"I know, it's all up to you now... cousin."