C27 The Sound of Water in the Bathroom!

Chen Yaru was determined not to make Zhang Xiaolong feel uncomfortable. Despite her efforts to subtly signal her father by tugging at her clothes from behind, it seemed to have no effect this time.

"What does Director Chen mean?" Zhang Xiaolong was somewhat uncertain.

Chen Zhaomin chuckled and explained, "You're setting up a greenhouse to grow vegetables, right? The city is sorely lacking in tasty veggies. So, when your crops are ready, I'd like you to supply me with some organic vegetables. I'm not asking for much—just deliver a batch of fresh produce to me every week. Either Ru will come to pick it up, or you can drop it off directly at the company and find her there."

"No problem at all. My vegetables will surely meet Director Chen's expectations," Zhang Xiaolong responded eagerly.

With his corn as a benchmark, the quality of his vegetables was clear. Offering his produce in return for the assistance he had received was indeed an excellent gesture.

"Let's drop the formalities of 'Director Chen' and 'Miss Chen'; it feels too impersonal," Chen Zhaomin said with a warm smile, gesturing towards his daughter. "You two are about the same age—just call her Yaru. Otherwise, we'll have a hard time doing business together."

Zhang Xiaolong gave a wry smile. Director Chen's words were laced with veiled threats, but he couldn't really be upset with such well-intentioned coercion. "Understood, Mr. Chen."

"What about me?" Chen Yaru chimed in, having caught on to the plan. "And remember, you need to come by every week until your debt is fully repaid!"

This was hardly about delivering vegetables; it was clearly an opportunity for Zhang Xiaolong to see her.

Realizing this, Chen Yaru couldn't help but admire her father's ingenuity. He had effortlessly solved a problem that had been troubling her.

At this moment, she was itching to dash back to her office and draft an exorbitantly priced invoice, ensuring Zhang Xiaolong would be delivering vegetables to her for a lifetime.

"I've got it, Chen... Yaru." Zhang Xiaolong couldn't shake the feeling that he was trapped on a ship of trickery, yet if he didn't board this particular vessel, he doubted he'd find another willing to take his five thousand yuan.

"Hehe, Xiaolong, do you still remember the phone number I gave you?" Lee Donghua interjected, sensing that their business was nearly concluded.

"I've got it right here," Zhang Xiaolong said as he carefully pulled out a business card from his inner pocket, indicating he had kept it safe.

"Ah," Lee Donghua responded with a pleased nod upon seeing this. "If you were doing something else, I might not be of much help, but if you're growing vegetables, feel free to bring them all to me. I'll buy whatever quantity you have, and you can set the price."

"Mr. Lee, surely you're not serious? If he sells his vegetables to you for a hundred yuan per catty, would you really buy them all at that price?" Chen Yaru challenged immediately.

"Look at you, already paving the way for him," Lee Donghua joked with Yaru, then added in a more serious tone, "However, I trust Xiaolong. If he sets a price of a hundred yuan, then it must be worth that much. I'll certainly take the entire lot."

"Thank you, Mr. Lee. If the need arises, I'll be sure to get in touch," Zhang Xiaolong acknowledged, aware that business dealings often involved these connections, so he agreed without much thought.

Whether he would actually seek out Mr. Lee later was a different matter. For the time being, he had no such plans.

His hesitation wasn't due to any doubts about Mr. Lee's sincerity. Observing Xu Shaoning's demeanor alone was enough to understand that his business dealings were substantial. It wasn't just about supplying vegetables for his acre of land – even if it were ten or a hundred acres, it would merely be a verbal agreement.

But Zhang Xiaolong didn't want to start off by owing favors. He was confident in the quality of his produce. Why should he sell it based on personal favors? Besides, his acquaintance with Lee Donghua was brief and not the basis for a significant obligation.

Business is business, and favors are favors. While he appreciated any intended support, Zhang Xiaolong knew that basing his business on personal favors was risky.

Should the rapport with Lee Donghua change, all of Zhang Xiaolong's hard work could collapse in an instant, a prospect he desperately wanted to avoid.

The party wrapped up quickly, which came as no surprise to many of the attendees.

The Wang family, the supposed stars of the party, failed to impress, and neither did Xu Shaoning, despite the considerable effort they put into drawing him out. Instead, it was Zhang Xiaolong, the unassuming farmer, who unexpectedly came out on top. With such a disappointing outcome, there was little enthusiasm left for playing host to the guests.

Chen Yaru, who initially had no interest in attending the party, found herself relieved by the absence of Xu Shaoning and Wang Changyu, the two thorns in her side. Now, she found herself wishing she could linger a little longer.

When it was time to leave, Zhang Xiaolong intended to take a taxi back, but after persistent urging from Chen Zhaomin, Chen Yaru ended up driving him to the hotel herself.

"You go on ahead; I'll come to the office early tomorrow to see you," Zhang Xiaolong said, leaning down to wave at Chen Yaru through the car window after stepping out.

"Okay, I'll be waiting for you at the office," Chen Yaru replied with a smile, her gaze briefly falling on the hotel. "Is this place comfortable? Maybe I should take you to my place instead..." She hesitated, feeling it was too forward for their first meeting, and her cheeks flushed with a hint of embarrassment. "Or perhaps you could stay at the company. We have staff lounges that are much cleaner than a hotel."

The so-called lounge was actually her private resting space, where only she had used the bedding.

Chen Yaru wouldn't normally offer this to anyone else, but with Zhang Xiaolong, she felt her heart racing, eager for him to become a part of her life.

She had felt a flutter of attraction when Xu Shaoning pursued her, as he was a handsome and accomplished young man – qualities that usually appeal to girls. Yet, she had never felt her heart beat as it did now.

She chalked it all up to destiny; without it, she couldn't fathom falling for a man at first sight.

"There's no need; it's just for one night, and I've already booked a room," Zhang Xiaolong quickly declined.

He was somewhat overwhelmed by the young lady's warmth and eagerness.

It wasn't that he disliked her – on the contrary, Chen Yaru was quite beautiful, and being favored by such a girl was indeed a delightful experience for any man.

Perhaps she was a bit too forward, eager to bridge the gap between them in the shortest time possible. Zhang Xiaolong, however, was the sort of guy who hadn't really interacted with girls, much less ventured out of his home. Her assertiveness was a bit more than he could handle.

Watching the tail lights of the car fade away, Zhang Xiaolong breathed a sigh of relief and made his way into the hotel.

He inquired at the front desk about Yang Jingjing's room. After confirming his identity, the receptionist promptly handed him a room card, saying, "Miss Yang has arranged this room for you. It's Room 306 on the third floor, and Miss Yang's room is just next door in Room 308."

"Alright, thank you," Zhang Xiaolong replied, taking the room card without further questions and heading upstairs.

Upon opening the door, he collapsed onto the bed, only to be startled by the sound of running water coming from the bathroom.