From Gotham to Night City, my infamy is known to all.

V shook his head and pointed to the bottom of the hem: "Men may not pay much attention to this, but I remember clearly that this was originally a formal suit with a straight hem. Now a small strip has been cut off, and the hem has become a small, curved swallowtail."

"what!?"

Leo was dumbfounded. He had checked it before taking it out and didn't find the Batman toy, so he thought it was normal...

If you look closely, the hem does have a curve, but it doesn't affect the bulletproof effect; in fact, it makes it look a little more aesthetically pleasing.

Upon closer inspection, it seems there's nothing special about it.

“No, your buttons have been replaced too.” V flicked her finger, and the button shimmered with a captivating light as it swayed. “Huh? It’s not plastic, it looks like gemstones. Anyway, the collar, cuffs, and body of the garment—all the buttons have been replaced. Since the buttons are all the same style, color, and size, you didn’t notice.”

"Here……"

Leo examined it over and over, and suddenly pulled a handwritten note out of his pocket.

You know what, these characters are actually quite strong and powerful, rather beautiful.

[I had Afu cut a section off your clothes for a harmlessness test, and also took some buttons for material analysis. As compensation, the new buttons are made of natural black diamonds, each worth $30,000.]

Leo was initially very angry and wanted to curse Batman in his mind.

But when he saw the price of these buttons... Damn it, how come this shabby suit only has these few buttons? How much money did he lose!

V watched his face change from joy to sorrow, and no matter how strong her intuition was, she couldn't figure out what was wrong with him.

After counting the buttons over and over, Leo carefully put on the suit, whose value had skyrocketed to 300,000.

I was thinking of getting a better one when I had more money, but now I don't need to, this dress is too expensive...

First Glimpse of Talent: Chapter 100 The Big Deal (Part Six)

When Jack returned by car for the third time, it was already 4:15 PM.

Leo had already set up sentries for V, leaving behind two full boxes of ammunition, all the grenades, and a large amount of medical supplies. His biggest regret now was giving the emergency medical kit to Batman; otherwise, he could have provided her with even more security.

V was somewhat touched, but also somewhat speechless: "We really don't need that many. I know you're capable of building defenses very quickly, but we really don't need them. You're just scaring the priest again."

Jack parked the car, walked over to take a look, and agreed with V's opinion—with so much ammunition, a sudden sneak attack could take down dozens of people.

"It's better to be prepared. If you stay here alone and the enemy attacks and you can't win, you must run away to save yourself." Leo was still worried.

V sighed and looked up at the sky: "Don't worry, our operation was discreet enough that no one noticed anything unusual. Two professional hackers were watching us the whole time, so nothing will happen."

"Besides..." a sudden smirk appeared on her lips, "I've just gotten a new prosthetic body and I'm looking for someone to test my skills against. If anyone dares to try and steal our goods, I'll kill them!"

Pure White also sent a group message:

"Don't worry, the area within a kilometer radius of the delivery location is under my close surveillance. I've prepared plug-ins to make the vehicle lose control or even explode. Even if company agents come, I'm confident I can hold them off. You can go with peace of mind!"

Leo gave V one last look, then waved vigorously at Jack: "Let's go, it's time to meet our partners. See you later, V, let's have a good drink when we return victorious."

The two got into the front seat, and the car sped away.

V clicked the safety off his beloved gun and searched for a favorable position in the warehouse, with Leo's two spare pistols tucked into his waistband.

*

The scenery along the roadside rushed past.

Leo lowered the car window, rested his right hand on the windowsill, and enjoyed the oncoming wind.

Jack, standing nearby, was in a similar state, his face flushed with excitement.

His nervousness was even more obvious than Leo's; his idle foot trembled incessantly, and a fine layer of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"Leo, brother, talk to me. My heart is pounding so hard it hurts."

"You know what? When I first left the Valentino gang, I was devastated. My gang status, which I had fought for for over a decade, was gone just like that. The brothers who had been with me for so many years switched sides to other bosses the very next day."

And then there's my girlfriend, whom I grew up with. My mom adores her, but she says… she doesn't like men who are good for nothing, and I'm exactly that kind of good-for-nothing. I finally almost made it to a minor gang leader, but I gave it all up.”

“I really…don’t know how I got through that time. I could still feel the pain, but I also felt like I was dead. I don’t know if you can imagine what it feels like—you’re alive, you can breathe, you can talk…but you’re fucking like a dead person.”

"But now! The dead are alive! Brothers!!"

Jack grinned, slamming his hands on the steering wheel so hard that Leo could feel the vibrations.

“I used to think I was a corpse, my heart as cold and hard as a stone. But now, that stone is on fire, burning, jumping, and sparking! Damn—I'm alive again! I'm so happy…”

Leo patted his shoulder, feeling incredibly excited himself: "You're absolutely right. Just two weeks ago, I thought I was finished, but I never expected to bounce back from rock bottom. I understand how you feel; a man needs to have a career!"

"That's so true! A man has to have a career!" Jack opened his mouth wide to drink in the cold air, but even so, he was still sweating profusely. "Even if I can only watch a deal worth tens of millions, I'd still feel like a big shot!"

"Ten million is nothing, the best is yet to come. If we successfully sell the goods, everyone will get a share of the profits, and I guarantee it will be a hefty sum, enough for you to buy several brand-new Nazarés (ARCH)!"

Jack was speechless for a moment, only feeling his mouth go dry. "You're giving me too much. Looks like I have no choice but to work my ass off for you!"

"This is nothing; our big business is just getting started."

On the way to Jack's house, the two chatted excitedly the whole way until other vehicles appeared beside them, at which point they quieted down.

When they arrived at Jack's house, the first thing they did was find water to drink, and only then did they greet Mrs. Wells.

"I can tell you're super excited. Yeah, I was the same when I was young. The happiest thing for me every day was counting the bar's revenue."

"Come, Leo, you are a distinguished guest of the Wells family. Let me show you around our home."

Mrs. Wells showed Leo around her home, even taking him inside the prayer room, which was rarely shown to outsiders, and even tried to proselytize him...

Leo politely declined, and she didn't insist.

“You’re still young, unlike older folks like me who need some emotional comfort to ease the fear of aging. Let’s not talk about that, let’s get serious.”

She led Leo into the reception room, pointing to the wine and glasses already laid out on the table, and said, "I've decanted the wine for you; it's at its best. If Sebastian tries to find excuses to lower the price or say anything irrelevant, then I'll teach you a trick..."

Mrs. Wells picked up a bottle of wine and said solemnly, "I am not selling a commodity, but a faith."

After a few seconds, she smiled and said, "Remember this? Just this one sentence. This is real communion wine, communion wine that conforms to the doctrine. If Sebastian dares to find fault with this wine, just text me and I'll give him a piece of my mind."

Leo was amused by the old lady's humor and repeatedly assured her that he would remember it.

*

Time quietly slipped to five o'clock in the afternoon.

Father Sebastian Ibarra arrived on time and was led into the room by Mrs. Wells.

As the hostess here, Mrs. Wells assured both parties:

"Besides the four of you, I am the only person in this house. This reception room is where the Wells family gathers, and I swear on all the Wells family members, both deceased and living, that it is absolutely safe here and there will be no leaks."

You two can talk all you want. I'll stay in the living room and won't let anyone step into this house.

After she left, the four people in the room stopped looking each other over.

As the initiator of the talks, Leonardo DiCaprio should have introduced himself first: "My name is Leonardo DiCaprio, and I also have the code name L. This is Jack Wells, whom I believe you are more familiar with than I am."

The priest carefully observed Leo's excessively youthful face and the gleaming buttons on his suit, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes: "People call me Father; I rarely use my real name anymore. This man behind me is my nephew, Diego Ibarra. I've heard of you, the new middleman at the Afterlife Bar. Someone saw you in a car with someone from Contau."

"That was just an accident; we were discussing a business deal."

Leo knew the priest wouldn't believe this explanation, but he didn't care.

Think whatever you want, guess whatever you want, and try to scare yourself half to death; that way, the business deal will be easier to negotiate.

The priest lowered his eyes and looked at the wine on the table: "Did you ask Guadalupe to invite me here for something? I heard... it's a big deal."

“It’s still small now, but it will be big later.” Leo pushed the tray of wine toward him. “The product is in the glass. If you’re worried I’ll poison it, there are still unopened boxes on the floor.”

The priest stared intently at the wine glass, then suddenly his expression shifted, as if he had realized something.

His pupils contracted slightly, and he reached out to pick up a glass, placing it under the light and gently swirling it.

First Glimpse of Talent: Chapter 101 A Big Deal (Part 7)

The wine glowed with a deep red light under the lamp, like a flowing gem, shimmering with an alluring luster.

The delicate liquid slid slowly down the glass, leaving behind glistening streaks.

The priest said nothing and slowly brought the glass of wine to his nose.

Each breath felt like drawing all the surrounding air into the lungs, reluctant to exhale.

After a long silence, the priest let out a sigh that sounded both joyful and melancholy: "Communion wine... I haven't seen such pure wine in a long time."

After he finished speaking, he raised his hand to put the wine in his mouth.

Leo thought he was incredibly brave, but his nephew, who was in his twenties, standing behind him was getting a little anxious.

He dared not reach out to stop the priest, nor dared to speak casually; he could only pretend that his throat was sore and coughed lightly twice.

The priest paused, and without turning his head, said, "Don't be nervous, Diego. Guadalupe and I have been friends for many years. I trust her. Besides..."

He glanced at Leo again, his gaze inadvertently falling on the buttons of his suit jacket.

"To deal with me, you shouldn't have sent someone like Mr. Leonardo, you shouldn't have used the Wells family's reception room, and you certainly shouldn't have used this purest communion wine."

He continued drinking, taking a small sip and holding it in his mouth, a look of ecstasy on his face.

"Very pure."

A dozen seconds later, the priest opened his eyes:

"This is the kind of wine that the church used at communion when I was young. Back then, since it was distributed free to all the congregants attending communion, we used a more... affordable brand."

But after all these years, enjoying a glass of natural wine, which used to be readily available in supermarkets, has become a luxury.

"You want to sell this wine to me?"

He laughed before Leo could respond.

“Then you have chosen the right product, child. For God’s people, this is not just a product, it is—our faith.”

Leo smiled, but was actually bewildered inside.

According to V's teachings, the most important thing in doing business is to "find fault first." You can't show that you really like the product, otherwise the merchant will raise the price.

But now... the priest comes up and praises the wine right away, he's not following the usual routine.

Leo organized his thoughts and said loudly, "It is precisely because of the large number of devout believers in the Haywood region that I chose wine as my first product. Please continue to taste. These six wines are positioned and priced differently, but the only thing I can guarantee is that their quality is consistent."

The priest nodded silently, picked up the next glass of wine, and as if following some kind of ritual, first looked at it, then smelled it, and finally tasted it.

His wine-tasting process wasn't as meticulous as Afu's, who would cleanse his palate after each wine before tasting the next. But it was clear that the priest was also an expert in this area.

After tasting everything, he looked at Leo with a thoughtful expression.

"How is it?" Leo asked confidently.

“Very good, you can taste it. It’s made entirely from real grape juice, and it’s very new. It’s this year… no, it’s probably only been produced for one quarter.”

The priest elegantly wiped his mouth and, with a nimbleness that belied his appearance, quickly grouped the six bottles.

"This dry red wine is from one manufacturer; these two, dry white wine and sparkling wine, are from another manufacturer; the remaining three types of wine are from yet another manufacturer; am I correct?"

Leo nodded, no wonder he was a pastor, he knew so much about this.

"A communion wine, a dry white wine made from 100% grape juice, and four other wines with lower grape juice content, but still considered mid-to-high-end. You've chosen a good product that congregants, company employees, and all sorts of high-society people will like."

I'm interested in this deal. Let's discuss the details.

Things progressed smoothly to the negotiation stage. Leo tried his best to suppress his excitement and said calmly:

"I divided the products into three grades based on grape juice content. There are 490 cases of high-end wine, 1240 cases of mid-range wine, and 1920 cases of low-end wine, for a total of 3650 cases and 43800 bottles."

The goods have now been transported to Night City. Once the price is agreed upon, I can take you to inspect them shortly.

Hearing these words, the priest remained calm, but Diego behind him was breathing heavily.

The priest turned and glanced at his nephew, causing the young man to lower his head in shame.

Then he turned back to Leo and said, "It seems like this is indeed a big deal. You provide the goods, and I'll provide the distribution channels. Theoretically, it's feasible. So let's talk about the price. How much are you planning to give me?"

Leo knew the crucial moment had arrived: "20%."

“That’s too low,” the priest retorted softly. “The rule for middlemen is to take at least 30%. I have to smooth things over with all sorts of people, deal with all the competitors, and feed everyone on this chain of interests. If it’s less than that, I might be working for free.”

“But this shipment isn’t entirely mine, Father.”

Leo started spouting nonsense.

“I have to hand over at least half of the profits before this shipment can smoothly bypass the border checkpoints and company inspections and be transported into Night City. I’ve already done the hardest part of the smuggling process. You just need to sell the goods and don’t need to take on too much risk. You’re asking for too much.”

“It’s not that easy, kid. This isn’t a few hundred or a few thousand bottles of high-end liquor, it’s tens of thousands. For a big city, that’s not a lot, but to keep it from getting out of the loop is extremely difficult, almost impossible.”