My Goddess is Good at Pretending

Chapter 337: Irresistible Offer

"..." The dealer broke out in cold sweat when he inspected this seemingly ordinary herb picker girl’s goods.

He didn’t bat an eye at the D-grade and below, but this girl was super lucky to get a bunch of C-grade spirit grasses and an A-grade golden udambara flower!

"Sigh, this could be sold for a lot of money if you preserve it to the roots. As for the spirit grasses, it’s already a bit wilted and not shiny. Since you are my regular member, I will increase the price by 10%. This is my best offer." The dealer patted his fat belly and showed the number on his calculator to the herb picker girl.

"!!!" Linda was surprised because the amount was much more than she expected. It reached nine digits. She and her auntie could survive for several months without her needing to work!

"Hey, are you blind, sir? The golden flower was even plucked from the roots. It grows in extreme places, and we risked our lives to get it. It can still be replanted and cultivated. As for the spirit grasses, are you stupid? It needs to be splashed with water, and it will be fresh again." Elysia leaned her hands on the table.

She put the golden flower into a small pot, then sprayed some water on the spirit grasses.

The golden flower was alive and sparkling. The spirit grasses also shine again like fresh, precious herbs.

"Hey, don’t touch my stuff! You’re ignorant!" The dealer snapped out angrily.

"I’m a traveling merchant. Our provenance is similar, so don’t try to trick me. If you can’t trade with honesty, it’s better to go to another merchant. An A-grade herb can cost more than your total offer." Elysia tapped the table, exerting tremendous mental pressure because she was dissatisfied with the dealer’s attitude.

"One of my kind, one of my kind... Alright, I’ll double it. That’s my highest offer. Please don’t butcher us with a low bail, sir." The dealer paled and wiped his sweat with his trembling hand.

He was frightened by this long-haired young man. Upon closer look, this young man wore the unusual ancient-looking fancy black robe typical of East Asia. Judging by his experience, this young man wasn’t just nobody, but a hidden expert who he couldn’t afford to offend!

"Pretty good. Nice transaction with you, sir. Give us some cash and send the rest to Lady Linda’s account." Elysia nodded in satisfaction.

"..." Linda handed over her bank card and received a suitcase of cash worth one billion IDR.

"Err, I have made a transfer, but there might be a slight delivery delay." The dealer placed the transfer receipt onto the table with shaking hands.

"Well done. Wish you all the best, dealer friend. Be honest next time, and you shall be prosperous." Elysia grabbed Linda’s arm and waved her hand in farewell.

"Phew, that monster is gone... His presence can scare me to death. Who he really is? But, well... It’s not a big loss. I can gain twice the profit if I handle it well to the capital city." The dealer wiped his sweat and let out a sigh of relief.

---

"Sir, may I ask something?" Linda looked at the dashing man next to her.

"Sure." Elysia grasped her hand behind her back, acting like an aloof sage.

"You are a merchant, but why do we sell those precious herbs to that dealer? It will bring you more profit if I sell them to you." Linda still couldn’t find the answer to this problem.

"That’s because I’m an international merchant. I don’t have IDR on hand. You need to buy some things, right?" Elysia couldn’t help but smile.

She bought some things in town with USD and JPY but still needed to exchange the money first. Some shops might accept foreign money but usually cheat the buyer by raising the item’s prices.

As for non-cash payments, she still didn’t understand why she couldn’t access the internet. It was the most sophisticated smartphone that Erina gave her five years ago!

"I see..." Linda finally understood the reason.

"Hey, Linda. I can see your hidden talent. How about you go with me to the higher society? This place is too small for you." Elysia brought up her offer, talking as if she didn’t want to waste Linda’s talent but didn’t want to force it.

"I... I can’t leave auntie alone. It’s just the two of us now." Linda looked down. She felt burdened and not worthy of Mister El’s assessment. Even though it was a great opportunity, she feared disappointing Mister El’s expectations.

"I can help you pay off all your family debts and settle down a perfect retirement nursing home in North Borneo for your aunt. Her health and safety will be guaranteed during her lifetime. I will groom you well. We need you." Elysia stretched out her hand for the offer.

She knew Linda possessed no superpower, but she could fix it.

’Are you going to plant the power seed again?’ Gaia sighed.

’Linda is Ely’s 2nd chosen one. Why can the other Gods choose their heroes, but you keep complaining when Ely does it?’ Elena countered Gaia’s complaint.

’Ely wants to play hero now. So, they can only be subheroes at best.’ Ai grinned.

’I’m not complaining. I only ask. That girl is just ordinary, but Ely can easily change that girl’s future.’ Gaia refuted.

"G, groom me?" Linda was perplexed. Her cheeks flushed red a little, but she shook her head because it sounded scary.

"Hmm, it’s kind of cultivate someone. That sounds a bit wrong. That’s more like investing. I want to invest in you. I want to be a superhero, and you will work for me. The world will look beautiful when you are on higher ground. So, do you want to take my offer? I need you." Elysia tapped her chin and stretched out her hand again.

"I... If you are fine with me, then... I will be under your care, sir." Linda shook Mister El’s hand with a bright smile and flushed cheeks.

She was so happy and relieved. For some reason, she felt the man before her was like an angel from Heaven. He came out of nowhere, wished to solve all her problems, lifted her burden, and would bring her to see the beauty of the world.

The comfort was strangely similar when her brother was still by her side. Her brother was her hero, and her savior wished to be a hero. She wanted to help Mister El achieve it by meeting his expectations without hesitation.

"Welcome to the board, Linda. Please call me mister, no, it’s a young master. You will be there to witness the Earth’s greatest heroes." Elysia nodded in satisfaction.

"It’s my honor, young master." Linda played the role as she would serve as her young master’s servant.

A few moments later, they arrived at a residential area. Several old ladies and village people started gossiping when Linda came with a dashing young man in fancy clothing.

It was easy to tell that the young man was extraordinary and wealthy. However, some of them just felt jealous.

"Is that Linda? That poor, ugly duck wanted to eat the swan prince?"

"She probably learned black magic to attract the heart of such a handsome man, even with her super poor appearance."

"She’s just a herb picker. Why does that young master have eyes for her? What does she have that I don’t?"

Linda felt uncomfortable and depressed when she heard those ridicule and sarcasm. However, her hand was still held by her young master, and she couldn’t let go.

She was fully aware that her appearance was not maintained. Her face was oily with some acne, dry, damaged hair, and brown, burnt skin, and she was malnourished. Her appearance and figure couldn’t match her young master, let alone standing by his side.

"Just ignore those ignorants. They are blinded by envy and jealousy. They can see no beauty in someone’s heart. You are beautiful inside and out. My people will always stand at the top. I shall fix your confidence soon." Elysia grabbed Linda’s hand tighter.

Linda just nodded in response. She didn’t know what her young master would prepare for her, but she just closed her eyes and pretended not to hear those people’s jeers.

"Handsome, am I beautiful? Do you want-" A young lady confronted Linda and the handsome young man by showing off her curvy body.

However, Elysia didn’t wait for that rude woman to finish the sentence. She lightly pushed the girl aside with a wooden cane. "Begone."

"Kyah! Help, violence!" The young girl pretended to fall to the ground. She called out for help, and a random muscular man came forth, blocking Elysia’s path.

Unfortunately, it only took a simple wooden cane swing, and the muscular man was sent snagged into the nearby tree. No commotion occurred. Elysia dealt with it before any event was triggered.

"Let’s speed up our pace. They’re reeking of an unpleasant stench." Elysia quickened her footsteps.

"Woah..." Linda covered her mouth in surprise.

Her young master effortlessly threw that big man onto the tree, but she then wondered about how her young master could summon items out of nowhere. It was like a magic trick!

They soon arrived at a simple hut on the outskirts of the village. When Linda opened the door, what greeted her was a saucer flying towards her face.