For once, Rachel didn't immediately dismiss the suggestion.
She remained thoughtful, tapping her fingers lightly against her notebook. After a moment of contemplation, she finally nodded. "I have to admit... the education market is worth considering."
Adam's eyes sparkled with renewed excitement.
Yes! This is it!
Go on, take the bait. Step right into the trap!
Indeed, from the outside, the education industry looked like a goldmine. It was booming, growing at a breakneck pace, and flooded with capital. Everyone seemed to be investing in it—from parents paying for elite tutoring programs to entrepreneurs launching new academies.
But Adam knew something they didn't.
In the previous timeline, a sweeping national reform—an aggressive "burden-reduction" policy—crushed the industry. Within months, after-school tutoring services were banned or severely restricted. The trillion-dollar education sector plummeted into chaos, and thousands of companies went bankrupt overnight.
If Rayden Wolfe invested now, his entire fund would evaporate.
Perfect.
Rayden nodded thoughtfully. "The education industry is indeed promising. But we have to be cautious. There are huge barriers to entry."
He turned to Rachel. "This isn't a business you can walk into with a bag of cash and walk out with profits. For one, we'd need highly qualified teachers—and currently, we have none. That's a massive shortcoming."
Rachel agreed with a slight nod.
"Even if we manage to partner with someone who does have the infrastructure," Rayden continued, "we'd be junior partners in the arrangement. They'd take the lion's share of the profits while we barely sip the leftovers. That's not the kind of deal I'm looking for."
He sighed, then added, "Also, building a brand in the education sector takes more than just cash. You're not selling a product—you're selling trust. Reputation. And reputation costs a fortune to build."
He gave a small shake of the head. "We'd burn through that 100 million just establishing brand awareness. It's a long-term game, and I'm looking for something more agile right now."
Adam felt a pang of frustration.
So close... yet again, he dodged it.
Still, Rayden hadn't entirely ruled it out. There was hope. As long as he didn't reject it outright, it meant the trap might still work later.
Rayden turned back to Adam with a polite smile. "That was a very thoughtful suggestion, Adam. Got anything else up your sleeve?"
Adam grinned and nodded. "Absolutely! I've been thinking about the live-streaming business."
"Live-streaming?" Rayden echoed with mild curiosity.
Adam's enthusiasm grew. "Yes! It's blowing up across the country. Everyone—from A-list celebrities to quirky influencers—is jumping into live commerce. Just last month, two of the top anchors pushed over 10 billion yuan worth of goods during the Double Eleven sales! It's insane!"
He leaned forward, hands animated. "I suggest we partner with one or two popular anchors—maybe celebrities or top-tier influencers. We invest in their brand, help them expand their operations, and in return, take a cut of their sales. It's fast-paced, low-investment, and high-reward. With just 100 million, we can do a lot!"
Rachel's eyes lit up. She couldn't deny it—this industry had been on her radar too.
She herself had spent far too many nights browsing live shopping streams. Some top influencers were pulling in revenues higher than blue-chip companies. Even veteran celebrities had started ditching TV appearances to become livestream hosts. The industry was hot.
More importantly, it was liquid. Small investment, quick return. If done right, the capital could double or triple in months.
Rachel nodded slightly. "I think this idea has real potential."
Adam clenched his fist in triumph.
Yes! Another trap laid perfectly.
Sure, live-streaming was booming now, but in the near future, the government would crack down hard on the industry. Investigations into tax fraud and undeclared revenue would ruin many of the top anchors. Some would be fined into bankruptcy. Others would vanish from the spotlight forever.
If Rayden jumped in now, he'd be catching a falling knife.
Adam nearly laughed at how brilliant he was.
Truly, a genius move!
Rayden nodded along, his fingers steepled. "It's definitely a tempting field. But it's also unpredictable. The success of the business depends heavily on personalities—on the individual anchors. Just like in entertainment, if one collapses, the whole investment collapses with them."
He tapped the desk. "Celebrity collapses happen almost monthly. Scandals, lawsuits, moral controversies. If we pick the wrong horse, we're doomed."
Rachel agreed. "We'd have to be incredibly selective. Reputation and reliability are everything. One misstep, and we could be the next headline scandal."
Rayden looked back at Adam. "Still, the idea is promising. We'll begin researching suitable influencers immediately. If we find someone trustworthy, we'll consider it."
Adam beamed, covering his satisfaction with a modest chuckle.
Rayden then asked, "Any other industries you'd recommend?"
That was all the encouragement Adam needed. Over the next twenty minutes, he rattled off half a dozen seemingly thriving industries:
Health supplements (about to be regulated for exaggerated claims)
Mobile gaming (already saturated, facing lawsuits over addictive mechanics)
Cryptocurrency platforms (facing impending national bans)
Smart home hardware (oversupply and patent issues)
Electric scooters (brink of legal restrictions due to traffic incidents)
To any ordinary investor, these would seem like golden opportunities. But Adam knew better. These sectors were time bombs.
And Rayden?
He just kept smiling.
Encouraging.
Writing notes.
Too easy. Adam was practically giddy inside.
I've steered the Demon King straight into an economic graveyard!
Eventually, Adam concluded his pitch with a bashful scratch at the back of his head. "That's about all I know. Sorry if I said anything wrong—I'm just a bodyguard after all."
He even tossed in a humble laugh for good measure.
Rayden gave him a long, appraising look. "Don't sell yourself short, Adam. I never expected a bodyguard to have such a firm grasp of market trends. Your insights were quite... thorough."
Rachel added, "Honestly, I'm impressed. You presented each point clearly, with real conviction. I didn't expect that from someone in your profession."
Adam straightened his back with pride. Praise from Rachel felt especially satisfying.
Maybe she's starting to see me differently.
He allowed his mind to wander for a brief moment, imagining a future where he was no longer just "the bodyguard." Maybe... something more?
But before he could fully enjoy the fantasy, Rachel's expression suddenly changed. A sharp wrinkle appeared on her brow as if a bad taste had filled her mouth. Then she glanced at Adam and muttered under her breath—but loud enough for the room to hear:
"It's a pity he's a stripper. Ugh, disgusting."
Adam choked on his own breath. "Pfft—!"
His face turned red in an instant.
Rayden didn't even try to hold back his laughter. He turned away, pretending to cough, but his shoulders shook with amusement.
Adam stared at Rachel, flabbergasted. "Wait—what? Where did that come from?"
Rachel folded her arms with a glare. "Don't think I forgot. When we were investigating your background for the bodyguard position, we found... footage. Let's just say, your time as a nightclub performer left an impression."
Rayden coughed again, clearly trying to stifle another laugh. "A dancer, huh? That explains the flexibility."
Adam's face was on fire now. "I—it was just part-time! I needed the money!"
Rachel raised an eyebrow. "Sure, but the glitter thong was a choice."
Adam groaned, covering his face with both hands.
Just kill me now.
Rayden finally clapped a hand on Adam's shoulder, still chuckling. "Relax. Everyone's got a past. What matters is what you do with your future."
Adam sighed, defeated. "I was just trying to help..."
Rachel turned back to her notes, smirking. "And you did. Just... don't ever let me see you dancing again."
Adam slumped into the sofa.
So much for impressing Rachel.
So much for dignity.
It's a pity he's a stripper.
Those words would haunt him for weeks.