C17 This Is Our Backer!

"Thanks for holding me back. Soong Jingang was definitely off just now. He's known as the academy's smiling tiger, never one to offend outright. His words were clearly meant to incite me into rash action. They must have come prepared."

Guibao plunged his head into the icy well water to cool off, taking a long moment before emerging to catch his breath and express his gratitude to Bao Guo.

"Thanks for nothing. What are we to each other, and who are those guys outside? Enough said. Let's just cook up some noodles in meat broth. Once we're done eating, we need to meet with Luo Yuqiong without delay. Hesitation could lead to trouble."

"Wow, look at you dropping some classical lines. Not bad."

The two shared a laugh as they got breakfast ready inside. Outside, Soong Jingang and his men were shivering in the chill of early autumn, their stomachs growling in unison as they caught a whiff of an indescribably delicious scent.

"Old Soong, why don't we grab a bite to eat first? The task from our superiors isn't urgent. Plus, we've already located Guibao. What's to fear, him running off? The three of us can take shifts watching him."

"Yeah, we've been hungry since we left last night."

They didn't need to convince Soong Jingang; he was famished too. In truth, this whole affair wasn't even the college leadership's idea. They were in the dark about it. Soong had used the imperial edict as a pretext, enlisting two helpers to corner Guibao and force his hand.

He had expected an easy catch, but Guibao's recent fiery gaze was that of a predator, not the "genius" student he used to manipulate. Damn it, he couldn't let this prize slip through his fingers.

After a flurry of thoughts, Soong Jingang bit his lip in determination. "You two head to the supermarket at the village entrance and get three big bowls of noodles. Have them soak the noodles, and pick up some pickled veggies and marinated eggs. I'll stay here to keep an eye on our little friend, make sure he doesn't try to slip away."

The two teachers trudged toward the entrance of the village, a sense of resignation in their steps. One paused, glanced back at Soong Jingang, and inquired, "Professor Soong, about the reward you mentioned once the job is done..."

Before their arrival, Soong Jingang had assured them that upon successful completion of the task, the school would reward each with 50,000 yuan. But as things stood, the situation seemed far from straightforward, leaving them with a nagging suspicion that their plans might fall through.

"Don't worry," Soong reassured them. "I'll make the request to the administration. You'll get every cent that's owed to you. Now go on, I'll wait for you in the car."

Inside, Bao Guo and his brother had whipped up four dishes and a soup, a spread that hardly resembled a typical breakfast.

"Listen, Guibao, I can tell you're scheming something. You brushed off my idea to visit Luo Yuqiong after we eat, insisting she come here instead, and even to bring that certain someone with her. Spill it, what's brewing in that mind of yours?" Guibao quizzed Bao Guo while slicing meat.

"Our future achievements will be immense, trust me," Bao Guo confided with a grin. "The toothpaste factory is small fry compared to what's ahead. We don't have to turn this cigar thing into a big enterprise; it can simply be our way of networking. I've met an Alchemist over there, a fascinating fellow. I'm planning to swindle something of value from him. Just watch."

Checking the time, Bao Guo chuckled, "And about having Luo Yuqiong bring our business partner here, it's not about showing off. It's a necessity. Without us, they're nothing. Get it?"

Guibao hadn't even responded when the thunderous rumble of a car engine erupted outside. "Wow, that's got to be a high-capacity engine. A sports car, perhaps?" he mused.

Exchanging knowing glances, Bao Guo and Guibao silently acknowledged: It's arrived!

...

"Ah Qiong, is this the place? Old Liu's Provisions Shop? It's got a certain charm," remarked one.

"Sister Guo, this is it," confirmed Luo Yuqiong, her tone bright. "He even told us to skip our meal because he's prepared meat noodles for us." Dressed as she was the day before, Luo Yuqiong's aura had undergone a transformation. Whether it was the near certainty of their impending collaboration or a good night's rest that caused the change, it was hard to say.

At that moment, another languid voice drifted over, "Ah Qiong, do you smell that? It's heavenly. Even a non-meat eater like myself is tempted to try it. Once we're done here, let's take a stroll through the village. I need to find out where this delicious aroma is coming from—it's irresistible."

"Absolutely, I caught a whiff too. It's so enticing, I'm practically salivating."

As the three stunning women chatted about the tantalizing scent, the door to the grocery store swung open. Bao Guo greeted them with a warm smile and an inviting gesture, "Welcome, beautiful ladies! Your presence truly brightens up the place."

"You sure have a way with words, little brother. What was your name again? Oh, that's right, Bao Guo. My apologies." The woman in the dark red trench coat, her chestnut-red wavy hair cascading down to her waist, exuded an effortless elegance. But it was her eyes that were truly mesmerizing—half-awake yet commanding a regal authority that was almost too intense to meet directly. She was clearly no ordinary woman; she had the air of nobility or perhaps was the scion of a wealthy family, certainly someone of high stature.

The other woman was a sight to behold as well—with her sharp short hair, a light khaki coat, thigh-high boots, and legs for days. Her chest appeared to be amply endowed, as if she had stuffed two large buns under her coat. She shoved Bao Guo aside and darted into the store, shrieking with delight, "I've found it! The scent is coming from in here!"

Luo Yuqiong approached Bao Guo with a wry smile and whispered in his ear, "I brought them here for you. They're our VIPs, so make sure you don't drop the ball."

Bao Guo's heart seemed to flutter as the soft, fragrant breeze brushed past his ear. Damn, they were all enchantresses.

The grocery store's door opened and closed once more, and not too far away, inside a Buick, Soong Jingang's spirits deflated. "What the hell, Lamborghinis, Ferraris—who are these people? I'm out of my depth here. Time to call up CEO Chen."

...

"This is divine, absolutely scrumptious. Good heavens, it's been over six months since I've had meat. Bao Guo, my dear, you've led me astray. You must make more of this for me in the future—it's irresistible. I'll pay you ten thousand yuan each time, will that cover it?" The woman in red shed her coat, tossing it onto a nearby stone table, rolled up her sleeves, grabbed a bowl of noodles, and began to devour it with gusto.

Luo Yuqiong and another woman were no exceptions, finding themselves at a loss for words, exclaiming how hot the broth was while slurping down the noodles—oh wait, it was actually stewed meat broth they were savoring.

"Take it easy, there's plenty to go around," Bao Guo said, his embarrassment palpable. But recalling his and Guibao's first experience with the meat, he couldn't help but blush.

The previous evening, Guibao had come home in a sour mood. Following family tradition, he prepared 'get-on-the-carriage dumplings' and 'get-off-the-carriage noodles,' using wild boar meat and bones to create a creamy white soup for the noodles. They nearly devoured the pot, and the memory made him cough.

"I can't do it, I'm stuffed, but I still want more. You didn't add poppy shells to this, did you?" the short-haired beauty joked, patting her belly with a sharp wit.

Bao Guo brought the large soup pot to the table with a grin. "Just star anise, green onions, ginger, garlic—that's it. Don't believe me? Check for yourself."

The beauty prodded around with her chopsticks before giving Bao Guo a thumbs-up. "Impressive, little bro. Let me introduce myself—I'm Guo Xin, and my family owns Da Lu Bank." She then provocatively jiggled her ample chest, making Guibao, who had just looked up, quickly avert his eyes and continue eating to avoid a nosebleed.

Bao Guo hadn't expected these seemingly fragile beauties to so eagerly dive into a meal at his modest farmhouse, leaving him pleasantly surprised.

"Little Bao, you seem taken aback. Did you think we wouldn't have the decency to eat and enjoy ourselves here at your humble abode?" the red-haired beauty teased, setting down her empty bowl with a smile.

Without affectation, Bao Guo lit a green cigar and chuckled. "Honestly, I didn't expect it. I figured ladies who drive fancy cars would barely step foot in my little shop, much less dine from my humble bowls. It's a surprise, indeed. But you've made out well today—the food you've enjoyed is far more valuable than any teeth cleaning water."

"Wait up, what's that you're smoking? Let me try it." In a flash, Bao Guo felt the weight leave his hand as the green cigar somehow ended up in the red-haired beauty's grasp. She didn't seem to mind that Bao Guo had already put his lips on it and took a hefty drag.

"Wow—ssst, this scent, this isn't just smoke, it's definitely not just smoke. Hey, this isn't some newfangled drug, is it?"

Bao Guo gave her an exasperated look. "Drug, my foot. It's called a green cigar. I only started making these after wrapping up the toothpaste project. There's not much to go around; I barely have enough for myself. But if you like it, it's yours."

With a flick of his wrist, he conjured up two more cigars, tossed one to Guibao, and sparked up another with his Zippo. Luo Yuqiong, however, was not pleased.

"I want one too—I'm a smoker as well. And your cigarette, it carries a fresh scent from afar, like a blend of newly picked mugwort and herbs burning. It's not unpleasant; in fact, it's quite invigorating. You can't fault Meiya for thinking it might be some novel drug."

Bao Guo tossed a cigar to Luo Yuqiong and then turned back to the red-haired beauty. "If I were you, I wouldn't smoke anymore. Take the rest to get tested; for all you know, it might actually be a drug. Heh."

"Psh, you think I'm easily frightened? Time for introductions—I'm Loo Meiya, from the capital. My family's got it all—soldiers, officials, and traders. I deal in liquor and cosmetics, but I've never come across a peculiar cigarette like yours. So, what do you say? Interested in a partnership?"

His heart skipped a beat at her seductive glance.

Clearing his throat, Bao Guo was just about to stand up and fetch the agreement when the door to the tiny grocery store was violently knocked.