Chapter 91

Chapter 85: Dandelion

Do you need a reason to like someone?

In "A Chinese Odyssey," Stephen Chow gave a perfect answer. Wen Liang didn't say anything; he walked straight to Ning Xiaoning's side and leaned against the wall like she did. The bustling traffic and the clamor of the city faded away like a receding tide, disappearing into the unknown.

At this moment, there was only the moon above and the people beneath it.

The moonlight, like water, filtered through the dense branches, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The two young people stood side by side, bathed in the soft light. Their hair, shoulders, and waists, along with the ground beneath their feet, turned a crystalline white. Ning Xiaoning lifted her head slightly, her usually cold and proud face now within reach. Her bright eyes reflected the night sky, carrying a touch of youthful innocence, confusion, and longing.

Wen Liang turned his head and looked at her profile, speechless for a long time.

Li Shengli's footsteps broke the rare silence. Ning Xiaoning straightened up, turned her back to Wen Liang, and put her hands in her pockets. Her long legs, like those of a dancing crane, were captivating. She said softly, "Do you remember the development plan for the soy milk shop you mentioned a few days ago? Can you make a detailed business plan for me?"

Wen Liang asked in confusion, "Why do you need it? Are you really interested in business?"

"Yes, I want to learn. Can you finish it in a few days?"

Wen Liang didn't think much about it and said, "I can't finish it in a few days. I'm a bit busy lately and need to prepare for exams..."

Ning Xiaoning turned around and stared into Wen Liang's eyes, "Wen Liang, do you really need grades to prove yourself?"

Wen Liang smiled, "Living is not just for oneself! If good grades can make many people happy, why not?"

Ning Xiaoning, still a young girl, frowned, "Isn't that exhausting?"

Wen Liang sighed, "Who in this world isn't exhausted? From high officials to common people, everyone is the same! If it can make the people I care about and the people who care about me happy, a little exhaustion is nothing."

Ning Xiaoning shook her head, "I don't understand!"

Wen Liang laughed, "I'm just making it up, of course you don't understand! Alright, I'll organize it for you after this month."

The three of them left in different buses. When Wen Liang got home, he met Ding Mei who was about to go out. Seeing her son return, she immediately called out, "Why are you back so early today? I'm in a hurry, I have a card game with Aunt Liu Fen, I'll be back at noon. There's leftover food in the kitchen, heat it up and eat it." As she spoke, she changed her shoes and, before she finished, grabbed her wallet and headed out.

Wen Liang grabbed her arm and said with a smile, "Mom, look at how thin your son has become. Eating leftovers every day, is that not abuse? Are you my stepmother? I'm warning you, with this level of nutrition, passing the exam will be a miracle."

Threatened by her son, Ding Mei found it reasonable and took out ten yuan from her bag, handing it to him, "Go buy something good to eat... but after this meal, your grades better improve, got it?"

Wen Liang held the old ten-yuan note, which looked like counterfeit, and smiled bitterly at Ding Mei's hurried back, "This is worse than eating leftovers. Do you think scores are like game points, where one yuan equals a hundred?"

Wen Liang ran into the house and called Zuo Yuxi, giving her an address to pass on to An Baoqing. Then he followed Ding Mei out. He saw her turn into Unit 3 from a distance and smiled. Liu Fen's husband was the head of the Municipal Party Committee's Secretariat and also Xu Fuyan's current secretary, Zhang Fang. He was present when Wei Gang and Xu Fuyan had a conflict at the soy milk shop opening. He wore glasses and seemed to have little guile. This time, Xu Fuyan only took Wen Huiming to Guanshan and not his personal secretary, Zhang Fang, which was the third time in nearly two months. For Xu Fuyan, it was just a matter of keeping the plan secret, but for Zhang Fang, it was a severe test.

In the political arena, rumors can be deadly!

In less than two days, Zhang Fang already felt the colleagues' eyes filled with evasion and speculation. The young subordinates who were usually respectful now complained and resisted at work, and even once refused a task he assigned. Zhang Fang didn't get angry; he didn't know what Xu Fuyan was thinking. Perhaps the moment he returned from Guanshan would be the moment he was exiled. In this most ruthless and cruel place, Zhang Fang didn't need to, and dared not, offend too many people. His silence only confirmed people's suspicions. The life of a secretary who was out of favor in the Municipal Party Committee's office was unimaginably difficult.

Three more days passed, and Zhang Fang couldn't hold back any longer. He took a roundabout way and started a "lady public relations" approach. After so many years in the political arena, though his nature hadn't changed much, he wasn't short of means. Thinking of this method showed that he had put some thought into it.

Wen Liang understood a few of Xu Fuyan's intentions. He knew that Xu Fuyan was basically satisfied with Zhang Fang but hadn't truly recognized him. Therefore, he didn't take him to Guanshan several times, partly as a test. If Zhang Fang could withstand the rumors and stand firm, not swayed by external pressure and temptation, he would eventually earn Xu Fuyan's favor and a chance to rise rapidly.

But if he wavered, well! Wen Liang was sure that Xu Fuyan had someone watching Zhang Fang. If he showed any signs of trouble, he would be taken down immediately upon return.

So Wen Liang wasn't afraid that Zhang Fang would pry any information from Ding Mei. Not only did Ding Mei know nothing about these matters, but even if she did, thinking she was easy to fool would be a big mistake.

After walking a long way, he finally reached the only large food stall in the area. He ordered twenty small skewers of lamb, a bowl of rice noodles, cold mixed three-thread, and boiled peanuts. The ten yuan he just received quickly went into someone else's pocket, leaving Uncle Wen almost in tears. There was no one else who, after being reborn, had such poor living conditions and was so short of money.

After eating a few bites, someone sat down opposite him. Wen Liang looked out at the street but saw no car, no wonder he didn't hear any sound. He smiled and teased, "Well, a big boss like you walking around, very down-to-earth!"

An Baoqing's face was grim, but he didn't hesitate to pick up a skewer and eat a piece, the meat dripping with chili oil and fragrant. He slapped the table and shouted, "Boss, ten bottles of beer!"

Wen Liang handed him a wooden chopstick and said seriously, "Drinking is fine, but I have to remind you of one thing!"

An Baoqing said in a low voice, "What is it?"

"I'm cleaner than my face, so if we drink, you have to pay."

An Baoqing was taken aback. The two of them looked at each other and burst out laughing, subtly bridging the gap between them. An Baoqing took out a business card and handed it to him, "Sister Zuo told me. This dandelion karaoke bar is run by a friend of mine, a trustworthy person, and one of the highest-end places in Qingzhou. Most importantly, it's close to the Luxe Hotel. As long as they come out, if you arrange it, Bai Huan will definitely go to the Luxe Hotel." The Luxe Hotel was An Baoqing's property in the West City.

Wen Liang took the card and looked at it. The card was very well-made, cool to the touch, and had a high-quality feel. The background was a black night sky dotted with stars, and purple dandelions floated in the sky. At the bottom of the dandelions, half a cat's face was visible, with a seven-colored cat eye that seemed to emit an eerie glow, making one shudder.

"Why is there no name?" Wen Liang looked at the card front and back but found no name.

An Baoqing said, "The card is the name, she's called Cat Lady!"

Wen Liang chuckled, "In your big world, there's a Lady Du, and now there's a Cat Lady. Are you sure you're not joking?"

The boss brought a case of beer, and An Baoqing waited for him to leave before speaking in a low voice, "Young Master Wen, this is no joke. Lady Du was trained by the dandelions. I went to great lengths to get this ace from Cat Lady. The women who come from her are top-notch in every aspect. Of course, you understand, I mean mainly in the entertainment field..."

Wen Liang's face remained calm, and he smiled, "What kind of entertainment? Forcing good people into prostitution?"

An Baoqing felt the coldness behind Wen Liang's smile, paused for a moment, and then explained, "Young Master Wen, you misunderstand. The women there all have their own stories, but none of them were forced into this line. Moreover, they excel in certain areas. Like Lady Du, if she's unwilling, I can't make her do anything excessive."

That was a lie. In his big world, they would give face in small matters, but if a guest like Xu Fuyan came, would they let Lady Du have her way?

Wen Liang sighed. He wasn't a savior and didn't have the power to change much. He put the card in his pocket and drank a glass of beer in one go.

An Baoqing, trying to change the subject, smiled, "Thanks to Young Master Wen's advice, I secured the trademark for Biluochun in Jiangsu Province. After some investigation, I found it has great potential. I haven't had time to thank you, so let me offer you a drink."

Wen Liang raised his glass and clinked it with his, "Yes, for specific matters, you should consult some professionals. But it's best to register a company there first, lease all the tea mountains in Wujiang County, invite some experts and writers to write articles for promotion, and do some advertising on TV and newspapers. The packaging should be exquisite, the products diverse, and target the mid-to-high-end market. In two years, the income will be substantial."

An Baoqing slapped the table again and called, "Boss, ten more bottles of beer!"

Wen Liang smiled bitterly, "Alright, we have more important things to discuss, let's stop drinking. Do you know Zhao Jianjun?"

An Baoqing frowned, "What about him?"

"Can you send a message to him to stop harassing a friend of mine?"

An Baoqing's eyes flashed with a cold look, "Zhao Jianjun is a dangerous man. Either don't provoke him, or take him out completely to eliminate any future trouble!"