C16 Miss Yaru

Before Zhang Xiaolong and the other passengers could voice their complaints, the driver was already leaning out of the window, ready to launch into a tirade, "You're looking for..."

He choked on his words as a strikingly attractive woman with an explosive figure emerged from in front of the car, her police uniform adding an undeniable allure.

The driver found himself at a loss for words, not just because of her beauty but also due to the authority her uniform commanded. After a tense pause, he managed to stammer out, "... Who are you looking for?"

Yeh Mei paid no mind to the driver's bewildered stare, approaching the rear door of the car and coldly commanding, "Get out."

Yang Jingjing, with a resigned pout, followed Zhang Xiaolong out of the car, both of them disheartened.

"Who gave you permission to leave?" Yeh Mei inquired.

"Wasn't it over for me?" Zhang Xiaolong responded, clearly perplexed by her question.

Yeh Mei didn't bother with him, her gaze fixed on Yang Jingjing.

Hmm? Was there an issue with Yang Jingjing? Zhang Xiaolong wondered.

But he quickly dismissed the thought. If Yang Jingjing were in any real trouble, the police station wouldn't have let them walk out so freely. It appeared that Yang Jingjing had some significant clout, certainly more than that of a mere journalist.

Yang Jingjing was trying to come up with an explanation when she was unexpectedly handed a small box.

"This is something your father wanted you to have. Keep it with you," Yeh Mei said, looking at the puzzled Yang Jingjing before turning on her heel and vanishing into a nearby police car.

"You know her?" Zhang Xiaolong asked, watching Yeh Mei's swift departure with a hint of astonishment.

"I don't know her at all. If I did, I wouldn't have gone to the police station with her," Yang Jingjing said with a sigh of relief. "But now I'm free to finish my interview. Let's start now. And Clear River Village—such a picturesque name! I've been wanting to see it. Will you take me there? Driver, to Clear River Village, please."

"Ah?" Zhang Xiaolong was taken aback. She was so impulsive, making decisions for him before he had even agreed. "No, no, that won't do. It took me ages to get into the city, and if you send me back now, it would all be for nothing. I didn't come all this way just for a police station tour."

Yang Jingjing playfully stuck out her tongue and said, "Alright, I forgot to ask you. What brings the Number One Scholar to Qingyang City?"

"I came to buy some glass," Zhang Xiaolong replied, nearly causing Yang Jingjing to stumble in surprise.

"Glass?" Yang Jingjing racked her brain but couldn't make any connection between glass and the College Entrance Examination Top Scorer.

"Exactly," Zhang Xiaolong said, unconcerned whether she understood or not, and addressed the driver, "Take us to a place that sells greenhouse glass."

"You got it. An ordinary person wouldn't know where to find that," the driver said as he started the car, not at all bothered by the wait. He had just snapped out of his daze from the encounter with the beautiful policewoman.

...

Ten minutes later, the taxi pulled up in front of Distant Vast Agricultural Company. Yang Jingjing offered to pay the fare first, but ultimately couldn't outdo Zhang Xiaolong.

"We may be poor farmers, but we keep clear accounts. I'm the one handling things, so I can't let you pay," Zhang Xiaolong insisted, leaving Yang Jingjing without a rebuttal.

"Okay, my dear peasant, it's already six in the evening, and it looks like the company has closed for the day. Let's stay overnight and return tomorrow," Yang Jingjing suggested, glancing at the sky. "Besides, you were delayed because of me, so I should cover the hotel expenses. No arguing with me on this."

Watching Yang Jingjing, as charming and adorable as Lee Xiaolong, firmly wagging her finger in refusal, Zhang Xiaolong couldn't help but smile warmly. "We should still check it out. What if there's someone there?"

"Now..." Yang Jingjing's face showed a hint of fatigue. "Even if someone is here, there are no buses back to Clear River Village tonight. Wouldn't it be better to rest now and I can join you tomorrow to take a look?"

"I just want to get things settled as soon as possible, to at least know they have what I'm looking to buy," Zhang Xiaolong said, then paused, realizing something. "If you're tired, why don't you go ahead and rest? I'll go take a look and catch up with you later."

Hearing his words, Yang Jingjing suddenly felt even more exhausted. She glanced around and spotted a sizable hotel not far off. "Alright then, I'll book a room at that hotel. You can come and find me there later."

The two went their separate ways, with Zhang Xiaolong briskly entering the company.

It was clearly the end of the workday, and upon entering, he noticed the place was nearly deserted. Yet, Zhang Xiaolong was not ready to give up. The unlocked door suggested that someone was still around.

Listening intently, his exceptionally sensitive ears picked up the sound of running water. He followed the sound.

"Please..."

Before he could finish, the bathroom door swung open, and a slender, striking figure emerged, clad in a black business suit. Her youthful face was dotted with water droplets, and a few strands of her damp hair clung to her cheeks, which, far from looking disheveled, added to her allure.

The girl had an oval face reminiscent of a celebrity, with big, sparkling eyes and long eyelashes. The raised part of her neck was visible above her white collar, and her clothes were damp in places.

She hadn't anticipated someone being outside and let out a surprised gasp, a flicker of panic crossing her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to ask if you sell greenhouse glass here?" Zhang Xiaolong quickly clarified his intentions, noticing he had startled her.

"You are..." The girl steadied herself, taking a moment to assess Zhang Xiaolong.

She had encountered many men before, but none had ever made her feel quite as at ease as this tall, young man. His eyes seemed to contain an ocean—calm and mysterious, with a clarity seldom seen in others.

"My name is Zhang Xiaolong, from Clear River Village in Qingyuan County. I've come specifically to inquire whether your company can customize greenhouse glass," Zhang Xiaolong said, his voice composed and even-tempered, courteous yet confident.

He had no experience in business dealings, nor had he observed how businessmen typically conducted themselves. However, with the Shennong Cauldron's influence, he exuded a naturally extraordinary aura.

In novels, protagonists are often described as having an imposing presence, yet Zhang Xiaolong's demeanor was anything but. His temperament was extraordinarily serene, reminiscent of a gentle, warm breeze in spring, evoking a sense of natural warmth and friendliness.

Gazing into those clear, pure eyes and listening to the resonant, magnetic voice, the girl could feel her heartbeat accelerating.

"Miss Yaru," she was asked, "Director Chen wanted to know if you're prepared. We're at risk of being late for the party."