Chapter 32 - The Beauty
Xiaoloong opted for the first choice, not out of fear that Yuanbo would exploit him.
Regardless of whether it led to a loss or an advantage, his intention was to remain transparent. Even if he sensed that the other party was genuinely good and worth befriending, this principle was something he adhered to.
If the Yuanbo company recognized the value of his vegetables while they were out in the world and wished to take charge, he would consider it at that time. He believed that negotiations would be smoother then.
Under the pretext of field inspection, Chen Yaru personally drove and took Zhang Xiaoloong and Yang Jingjing to Qinghe Village.
Along the journey, the two girls gradually grew acquainted with each other.
Chen Yaru had been involved in her father's company for a long time. She enthusiastically shared insights about the corporate world and shared intriguing anecdotes.
While Yang Jingjing lacked experience in these realms, her extensive travels allowed her to engage in conversation about almost anything.
Consequently, the two, from cosmetics to food, from interesting tales to gossip, conversed merrily. The initial faint sense of hostility had long dissipated. Uninformed observers might assume they were old friends who hadn't seen each other in years.
This time, Zhang Xiaoloong was unburdened. He didn't need to interrupt and quietly absorbed their ceaseless chatter.
He couldn't help but notice the disparity as he listened. Though his family wasn't so impoverished that they lacked a television, compared to the outside world, their environment was considerably more secluded.
In recent years, Zhang Xiaoloong hadn't ventured far from home. His knowledge of the outside world was primarily shaped by novels, television, and this journey.
The selection of television channels available at home was limited, and due to his studies, he hadn't watched many dramas. It was discomforting to begin watching a series and not complete it. Consequently, the programs he'd watched most were the Agricultural Channel and the News Broadcast. This monotony underscored the limitation of his knowledge.
Yet, the two girls were like kaleidoscopes of experiences. Listening to their tales left Zhang Xiaoloong feeling a bit dizzy.
The world was so big, he had to go and take a look!
Zhang Xiaoloong had experienced this feeling before, but now it was even more profound. Whenever he earned a substantial sum of money, he'd take his parents to various places, just like the poet Li Bai, to appreciate the beautiful landscapes.
Once they left the main road and ventured onto the dirt path, the two girls found the ride uncomfortable. The rough, uneven terrain made for a bumpy journey.
It was no small feat to navigate the most challenging segment of the road. Chen Yaru pressed the accelerator and arrived at Zhang Xiaoloong's home.
In Qinghe Village, small cars were still a rare sight, and luxury cars like Chen Yaru's were even more extraordinary. Along the way, onlookers speculated about which family the car was heading to. Some children even ran over from behind, gathering to watch the spectacle.
When they saw the car had actually stopped at Zhang Xiaoloong's house, they assembled nearby, pointing and murmuring. It was as though they were guessing the car's value and the identity of its driver.
Zhang Xiaoloong stepped out of the car and guided the two girls towards the house.
“Xiaoloong, your house looks quite old, doesn't it?” Chen Yaru observed the aged brick exterior of the house with a curious and affectionate gaze.
“It's not very old,” Zhang Xiaoloong replied with a smile, gesturing toward the exposed brick wall. “It's just a bit older than me. My father settled in this village, and together with my mother, they made these bricks in the kiln.”
“They built the house themselves?” Yang Jingjing was also somewhat surprised. “All of it?”
“Yes, every bit,” Zhang Xiaoloong proudly affirmed. “Don't think it's not as fancy as city houses, lacking reinforced concrete. But it's still standing strong today.”
He patted the wall, causing a few bricks to dislodge. Zhang Xiaoloong added with a touch of embarrassment, “They used to be really sturdy, but they've been weathered by the rain over time.”
The two girls looked at each other and smiled, but they did not tease him.
In the bustling city, people toiled diligently to earn money for a house, but in the countryside, especially among the older generation of farmers, many of them had personally molded their homes from clay kilns. These houses were painstakingly assembled, piece by piece, evolving into the cherished abodes for their descendants.
Yet, it was precisely within these humble dwellings that they managed to nurture a college-bound scholar like Zhang Xiaoloong. The hardships endured were beyond the grasp of others.
Perhaps due to the sounds outside, Liu Mei stepped out of the house and caught sight of her son, who had been away for two days. Just as she was about to speak, her gaze shifted and she saw two lovely young ladies.
“Xiaoloong, who are these…” Liu Mei's eyes suddenly welled with emotion. Where had her son found two such beautiful girls?
Lu Xiaoya was already quite attractive, but compared to these two, there was still a certain allure missing. Despite the different styles of these two individuals, they both possessed a television or even painting-like beauty that surpassed the norm.
“Hello, Auntie. I'm a reporter from Yanjing. I've come specifically to interview Zhang Xiaoloong,” Yang Jingjing approached and shook Liu Mei's hand. “You must be Xiaoloong's mother, right? Despite your family's modest means, you've raised Xiaoloong so well. It's truly commendable!”
Liu Mei felt slightly embarrassed by these words. “Your daughter is too kind. I'm not as good as you say. Xiaoloong has always been a sensible child. He pursued his education diligently. Both his father and I lacked education, so we couldn't offer him much guidance. We've never pressured him. It's all because he's motivated to learn.”
“Hello, Auntie. I'm from Yuanbo's Agriculture Company in Qingyang City. Xiaoloong and I are working on a project together. I've come to see the land where our family plans to grow vegetables. I'd also like to check on your health,” Chen Yaru glanced at Zhang Xiaoloong and continued, “By the way, Xiaoloong, I've got two boxes of nutritional supplements in my car, specifically for your parents. You can go grab them.”
“You've already come this far, what else do you want to buy? Just look at your daughter…” Liu Mei was caught in a good-natured dilemma between the two charming visitors.
Zhang Xiaoloong paused for a moment, then returned to the car to retrieve the items from the backseat.
Although he had seen these supplements before, Chen Yaru hadn't mentioned their purpose, and he hadn't inquired. He never expected they were intended for his family.
“Come inside quickly. Xiaoloong, come with me,” Liu Mei ushered the two lovely young ladies into the house, while calling her son to join them.
“Mom, what is it?” Zhang Xiaoloong asked.
Liu Mei gently tugged her son and peered inside before inquiring in hushed tones, “What's the deal with these two young ladies?”
“Haven't they explained it to you? One's here for an interview, and the other is setting up a greenhouse for us,” Zhang Xiaoloong responded somewhat evasively.
Liu Mei shot her son a sidelong glance. “Do you really think I'm clueless, my dear? It appears these two girls aren't your average folk. They're showering me with compliments and buying things. They're here to interview me and peddle their wares. Did you perhaps spin them a yarn about something?”
“Mother, what are you implying? Do you think your son is capable of such deception?” Zhang Xiaoloong countered with a wry smile.
“True,” Liu Mei relented, still having faith in her son. Her expression turned solemn once more. “But, my child, I must tell you this. I still believe that Xiaoya's daughter is the most suitable match for you. Although city life may seem attractive, for a peaceful existence, Xiaoya still…”
“Mom, I don't have much to do with Xiaoya. You needn't concern yourself with it,” Xiaoloong hastily changed the subject. “Where's my father?”
As he spoke, Zhang Daniu entered the room angrily.
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