Chapter 11

Woken up early by Xiaopang's licking, Lei Huanxi took a deep breath and firmly held the letter containing secrets given to him by his mother.

After preparing some food for Xiaopang, he walked into the yard and immediately his eyes were drawn to the ground. Ginseng had grown, though only one plant. It had long roots with small bumps the size of grains of rice, and its color was yellowish-brown.

Lei Huanxi's knowledge of ginseng was limited to what he had looked up on his phone yesterday, and he wasn't sure if this ginseng was good or not. However, since it had been treated with Xiaopang's dragon saliva, he assumed it wouldn't be wrong.

He carefully dug up the ginseng, wrapped it in a cloth, and hid it. He then called Brother Hong, telling him that he had found a ginseng plant at home and asking how to contact the boss named Zhu Guoxu.

Brother Hong was busy and, upon hearing that Lei Huanxi had ginseng, mocked him over the phone, saying that it might be a fake from a small stall, trying to trick Boss Zhu.

"Let me take a chance, Brother Hong. Maybe I'll trick him?" Lei Huanxi said with a laugh.

"Alright, alright. Just don't get your legs broken by Boss Zhu... Wait, I'll give you my friend's number. He drives for Boss Zhu... Wait a moment... It might not be answered immediately. He always turns off his phone when driving for Boss Zhu. Be patient and try a few times..."

After a while, Brother Hong sent the number to Lei Huanxi. He tried calling several times, but the phone was always off, indicating that the driver was still working for Zhu Guoxu.

Since there was no rush, he heated up the leftover braised pork from yesterday, placed it on the table for Xiaopang to eat when he was hungry, and told him that he would be out and return late.

Xiaopang was lazy, closed his eyes, and just slept...

Lei Huanxi went to Zhunan Town and boarded a bus to Yundong City. He carefully watched over his ginseng during the journey.

After about an hour, the bus arrived. He got off and tried calling Brother Hong's friend again, but there was a commotion on the other end, and Lei Huanxi, distracted, dropped his phone.

It was a 300-yuan counterfeit phone, but it looked exactly like an iPhone. Lei Huanxi wasn't upset when it fell.

He dialed the number again, and this time the call went through.

However, the voice was very loud, as if the speaker was on speakerphone.

"Hello, who is this?" a man's voice came from the other end.

It must have been accidentally put on speakerphone when answering: "Hello, is this Old Liu? I'm a friend of Brother Hong. I have a ginseng plant..."

"Another one trying to sell ginseng. Old Liu doesn't know where he gets these ginseng plants to trick Boss Zhu." Old Liu sounded impatient. "Well, since you're introduced by Brother Hong, you can try your luck. You might as well buy a lottery ticket... Boss Zhu and I are out of town and will be back in the afternoon. Wait for my call."

"Alright, I'll wait for your call." Lei Huanxi hung up, checked his phone, and tried calling again, but found that the speakerphone was always on.

This was a problem. Every time he answered a call, people nearby could hear clearly.

Counterfeit phones were indeed counterfeit.

Since it was still early and he had nothing to do, he noticed a nearby internet cafe. He went in, opened a computer, and logged into the game he often played.

He logged in, entered his password, and the character "Caiyuanzi Zhang Qing" appeared.

He hadn't played for a few days, and his level had dropped. He checked his bank and found that Chizha Zhanda had taken 30 million instead of the agreed 20 million.

Well, he would have fewer chances to play in the future, and they were all brothers. He could use the money.

He checked the game's stock market and was pleased to see that the stocks he had bought had risen significantly. He sold them all without hesitation, and his account increased by over 100 million, making his total assets over 700 million.

Oh, if only this were real money.

"Brother, you're online."

Chizha Zhanda sent a message: "We lost the team battle yesterday. I couldn't handle two accounts at once."

Lei Huanxi typed on the keyboard: "No choice, my grandfather passed away, and I went back to my hometown. I might not be able to go online for a while."

"Oh, I'm sorry for your loss. I'll help level up your account whenever I have time... By the way, the flight system is out, and some people already have planes..."

"Planes?"

"It's a nickname. It's actually a phoenix, but the game's art is terrible, making it look like a plane. It costs at least 200 million, and few people are selling them. I'm trying to get one."

"Only 200 million? I sold my stocks and made over 100 million."

"You're good at making money."

"What's the use? It's just game money, not real."

"Are you sick? You're delirious. Come on, let's do a dungeon."

"Alright."

They spent over two hours in the dungeon, and the harvest was decent. His stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since morning. He looked up and saw the sign "Qiu's Beef Noodles."

This beef noodle shop was quite famous in Yundong City, and the prices were high, with a bowl of beef noodles costing at least 30 yuan. Lei Huanxi had only been there once in all his years in Yundong City, and it was when a classmate treated him.

No matter, he would indulge himself this time.

He entered the noodle shop, and it was crowded. He had to queue.

Finally, it was his turn. He slapped 30 yuan on the counter: "A bowl of noodles."

He was feeling quite bold, thinking, "My brother Lei Huanxi is having a 30-yuan bowl of noodles."

"33." The cashier didn't even look up.

Lei Huanxi was lucky; a table just became available. He quickly took a seat, and soon a large bowl of fragrant beef noodles was served.

The taste was indeed good.

"Hey, no seats left. I'll sit here."

Lei Huanxi looked up and saw two fashionably dressed girls, one with black hair and the other with a few strands of golden hair, sitting down in front of him. They were about his age and quite pretty.

It was already autumn, and they were still wearing mini-skirts. Lei Huanxi muttered to himself, "Aren't they afraid of getting cold?"

His phone rang. Who was so inconsiderate? Didn't they see that he was eating?

He answered the call, and a loud voice came through: "Brother, help!"

It was Chizha Zhanda.

The voice was so loud that the girls at the same table could hear. Lei Huanxi looked up and saw the girls giving him a disdainful look. He smiled awkwardly, "I dropped it, it's broken. Sorry."

He quickly lowered his voice, "Can you be a bit quieter? What's up?"

Chizha Zhanda didn't lower his voice at all: "Help, help, lend me another 100 million."

"You just took 20 million yesterday. Why do you need another 100 million?"

His voice was clear, and the girls heard it. Their disdainful looks immediately turned to interest.

"I found the plane I wanted. It costs 210 million. I'm short 100 million. Help, I love that plane."

"Take it from my bank. I still have over 700 million. You know the password."

"I forgot it. Why would I ask you otherwise?"

"Idiot, 123654. Remember?"

"Got it. I'll treat you to a meal next time I'm in Yundong."

"Get lost."

Lei Huanxi laughed and hung up.

He looked up and saw the two girls staring at him. It seemed his voice had been too loud, and they were unhappy: "Sorry, my phone is broken. I disturbed you."

"Handsome, can you pass the vinegar?" the girl with golden strands of hair said in a sweet, gentle voice.

"Sure, here you go."

"Thanks. Can you also pass the chili?"

"Oh." These women were so troublesome. He could easily reach it himself, but he passed the chili and added, "The chili here is very spicy. It can cause heat and acne."

He remembered this from the last time a classmate treated him.

"Really?" the golden-haired girl exclaimed. "I didn't know. I won't eat it. Thanks, handsome."

You don't know this? Lei Huanxi thought. It's common knowledge that spicy food can cause heat and acne.

Seeing her friend chatting with Lei Huanxi, the black-haired girl didn't want to be left out and said directly, "Handsome, can we be friends? I'm Tian Tian, and she's Tong Tong. What's your name?"

Ah? Make friends? Lei Huanxi had never had a beautiful girl approach him like this: "Sure, I'm Lei Huanxi."

"Lei Huanxi? What an interesting name. We'll call you Brother Huanxi from now on."

"Sure. In college, many classmates called me Brother Huanxi."

"Brother Huanxi, what's your phone number?"

Lei Huanxi gave them his number.

Coincidentally, in college, Lei Huanxi had a very close friend from out of town who was quite wealthy. Lei Huanxi often helped him sign in and skip classes. After graduation, the friend returned home and gave his Yundong phone number to Lei Huanxi.

The number was easy to remember, and the last three digits were all 8s.

His phone rang again. This time it was Old Liu: "It's Old Liu. Boss Zhu is back. Go directly to his house. Xiangxie Garden. Call me when you arrive."

"Alright, I'm on my way."

He hung up and said apologetically, "Sorry, I have something to do. See you next time."

"Handsome, call us when you have time."

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