56

Chapter 56: The Lone Star and the Sun

Aslan's magic workshop was indeed very efficient. When Wade left, he already had the first edition of "The Book of Friends" in his hand.

This edition was a collection designed to connect at least two people and at most fifteen. The cover was much more beautiful than Wade's handwriting, bordered with gold and reflecting slightly swaying lisianthus. The internal pages used different colors and flowers to show the differences: sunflowers for two people, tulips for three people, daylilies for four people, violets for five people, and so on, all flowers symbolizing friendship.

In Wade's opinion, this "Book of Friends" was already exquisite, but Marchionne was not entirely satisfied.

"This is the version for women; it should be dusted with a little powder," Marchionne said.

"Are there other versions?" Wade asked.

"Of course," Marchionne replied. "There are versions for men, printed with images of green pine trees, crowns, scepters, bows, and arrows. There are also animal versions featuring unicorns, phoenixes, dragons, and pegasi. The children's version includes soft velvet and fairies; the novelty version features dementors and three-headed dogs; the Quidditch version showcases famous Quidditch stars and broomsticks. We also have versions for buildings, Veela, Order of Merlin, Academy..."

He listed dozens of types, as if he could come up with countless money-making ideas effortlessly. Finally, he said, "There are all kinds of patterns to choose from. Many people will buy a few more books for collection even if they don't need them. But we currently have the most flower templates, so I'll make this one first. If you don't like it, you can give it to your female classmates. When other versions are printed, I'll give you a few sets."

Wade shook his head. "What do I need so much for?"

"You can keep them yourself!" Marchionne said with a smile. "It's also good to give them to classmates to get closer!"

"I don't like to please other people."

In other words, his life had not reached the point where he needed to please others to continue. This had been true in both his past and present lives.

"It's not about pleasing others. If someone does you a small favor, you can repay it with a friend's account. It doesn't need to be too much, just a set for two or three people." Marchionne advised like an older brother. "This thing costs almost nothing to you, but it is a relatively precious gift to others. They will be very happy to receive it. Also, Wade—"

He touched Wade's soft hair and said, "We are not lone stars in the night sky. There are always times when we need help from others. How can you get it if you don't give first?"

"Although what Marchionne said makes sense, if it makes you feel embarrassed, then there is no need to imitate him," Professor Murray suddenly said. "Blindly imitating others will only make you lose your own judgment. All you need to do is be true to yourself. A lone star is naturally lonely, but if it is the sun, there will naturally be stars around it."

"Well, maybe you're right, Professor," Marchionne shrugged. "But I always think that there's nothing wrong with having a good relationship with most people."

"You've been thinking about how to make money since the first grade, but Wade is not a businessman. He is an alchemist—enjoying solitude, pursuing the unknown, and being in the company of knowledge. This is the character of an alchemist! Don't use your unscrupulous business practices to contaminate my student," Professor Murray said unhappily.

"Hey, you're slandering me, professor!" Marchionne protested and immediately gave an example. "If I really did whatever it takes to make money, I would have asked the technical department to adjust the use period of the Friends' Book to one year, so users would have to buy new ones annually. That would really make the gold galleons flow continuously. But I didn't do that, which proves that even though I'm doing business, I still have noble moral character!"

"But you must have thought about it, right? Otherwise, you wouldn't blurt out such a vicious method."

"Thinking about it isn't illegal."

…

Their next stop was naturally Gringotts.

It was already evening, and there were very few wizards shopping in Diagon Alley. Instead, some sneaky figures in black robes began to appear, almost all of them heading into a dark and gloomy alley.

"Don't look over there! That's Knockturn Alley, the favorite haunt of dark wizards."

Marchionne blocked Wade's view and at the same time wrapped his arms in wide sleeves, almost covering Wade completely, while Professor Murray walked on the other side.

They arrived at Gringotts smoothly, and an elf standing near the door bowed to them.

"Good evening, gentlemen."

"Good evening," Marchionne extended his hand. "Mr. Wade Gray needs to rent a new vault."

"Wade Gray?" The goblin looked up at Wade, who was almost half a head taller than him. He did not question his age but nodded and said, "Okay, I understand. Which type of vault should I rent?"

"Please introduce the types and prices to Mr. Gray first."

"Please come over here—"

Wade followed the goblin and Marchionne to go through the vault rental procedures, while Professor Murray approached another goblin who was sitting on a high stool writing.

"Long time no see, Griphook."

"Hello, Professor Murray. Is there anything I can do for you?" the goblin named Griphook said respectfully.

"I want to retrieve something from my vault." Professor Murray showed the key.

"Okay, wait a moment—I'll get the cart."

The goblins had imprisoned a fire dragon in the underground vaults to deal with those with bad intentions. The cart allowed the goblins and customers to travel safely through the vaults.

The first time Wade got on the legendary trolley, Michael had once described it to him—it felt like it was going to knock your brains out.

The trolley looked narrow, small, and very simple, but it wasn't crowded even with two adults, a child, and two goblins. The goblin flicked the armrest connected to the front of the car, and the cart clicked away.

"Close your eyes and don't open your mouth!" Marchionne seized the moment and shouted to Wade.

Wade didn't ask any stupid questions and immediately complied.

The trolley slid down the steep slope, getting faster and faster. Gradually, he could hear the icy wind whistling past. The road in the middle must have been particularly winding because their bodies swayed left and right involuntarily, as if trying to throw them off. Fortunately, he kept his eyes closed, which greatly reduced the dizziness. Marchionne's arm was firmly in front of his chest, adding a safety lever.

After an unknown amount of time, the cart finally stopped. Several faces were already pale, and they held on to the railing for a while before Wade and Marchionne could climb out of the car.

As for Professor Murray, he still needed to go further down to retrieve something from his vault.

"Okay, let's set off," Griphook said, turning the lever on the trolley again.

Another goblin named Culler stood on the roadside, with a "317" sign hanging on the vault door next to him. He held the bronze key with his slender fingers, inserted it into the keyhole, and turned it a few times. The chains suddenly came alive and crawled around, and the vault door opened.

Wade stood at the door and looked inside. The empty vault was like a huge cave, with not even a weed in it.

"This will be your vault from now on, Mr. Wade Gray," Culler handed him the key and said. "Please be sure to keep your key safe."

Wade took the key, which had a slender silver chain on it, just long enough for him to wear around his neck.

"A bit empty, isn't it?" Marchionne said with a smile, then signed a document and handed it to Culler. "Transfer fifty thousand Galleons from my vault to vault No. 317."

Culler took it expressionlessly and said, "Okay, please wait a moment."

Within just a few breaths, a tinkling sound suddenly echoed in the vault. Wade was looking for the source of the sound when he saw tens of thousands of Galleons falling from the sky, like a heavy rain. They hit the ground with a clanging sound, forming a golden hill, shining with dazzling light under the torch.

Marchionne smiled and said, "One day, this place will be filled with gold galleons, right?"