Chapter 18: Raised on Coconut Tree Brand Coconut Juice?

Several security staff hauled the manager out as if dragging a dead dog. The manager pleaded desperately for mercy, but it was futile.

Mr. Heng strode toward Young Master Zheng, his tone icy as he asked, "Was it you who disrespected the benefactor of Lord Feng?"

Intimidated by Heng's presence, Young Master Zheng shrank back, though he tried to keep his composure. "Mr. Heng, our Zheng family is also a prominent merchant clan in Jiangning. Would you consider giving me some respect?"

Mr. Heng swung his hand and slapped him hard. "Respect you? Even if your father were here, I wouldn't give him any respect. What makes you think you deserve any?"

He followed up with another smack. Young Master Zheng had never suffered such humiliation; stars danced before his eyes as he fell to the ground.

Mr. Heng strode out, intent on catching up with Yang Dianfeng and his group.

An hour later.

Bai Huabing admired Gu Xiangnan, who had changed into new clothes, unable to resist praising him, "My brother is so handsome—broad shoulders, narrow waist, everything he wears makes him look like a male model. Sigh, sigh."

With Yang Dianfeng present, she was tormented by the fact that she couldn't cuddle up to Gu Xiangnan; her tears practically spilled from the corners of her mouth.

Gu Xiangnan, tall enough to join the infamous 188 Bad Boy Group, paired with a face that seemed sculpted by an artist, was already captivating. But the most lethal aspect was that he had the company of figures as weighty as Lord Feng and Mr. Heng throughout.

Whose prince had descended to earth?

The sales assistants' hearts fluttered; they invented all sorts of reasons to add Gu Xiangnan on WeChat.

Over a dozen WeChat messages flooded in, the notification sound incessant.

"I must be so sly, secretly liking you behind your back. (Beautified selfie.jpg)"

"Young Master Gu, did you know I have a superpower? It's that I super like you. (Black stockings, beautiful legs, spaghetti strap photos from various angles.jpg)"

"According to the Tian Ji horse racing principle, an elite like you should be paired with someone lowly like me. (Nude mirror selfie.jpg)"

Gu Xiangnan glanced around; the one who sent the nude photo was the seemingly demure, spectacled girl sitting quietly in the corner.

How could she be so... well-endowed?

Perhaps she grew up drinking coconut tree brand coconut juice?

...

People's Hospital.

Wang Jinquan was pacing in his ward when his phone rang. The voice on the other end had a thick accent.

"Are you Wang Jinquan?"

Wang Jinquan was momentarily confused before realizing the speaker was from Fusang, speaking Mandarin.

He hurriedly replied, "Yes, may I ask who you are?"

"I am Suzuki Genkurou, an expert in Kanpo medicine from Fusang." The caller introduced himself, his tone tinged with arrogance.

It took Wang Jinquan considerable effort to fully understand.

"Well..." Wang Jinquan hesitated, "Mr. Suzuki, Mr. Yang's wife has already been treated by another doctor. I'm truly sorry you made the trip for nothing."

The caller suddenly raised his voice, obviously dissatisfied. "Are you playing games with me? We Fusang people are not to be trifled with."

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Wang Jinquan softened his tone, trying to negotiate, "Mr. Suzuki, please calm down. As compensation, I will pay you double the consultation fee."

The response was curt. "Do you think I came for money? The Fusang Kanpo Association is not so easily dismissed! You are insulting our medical skills and dignity!"

Wang Jinquan rushed to explain, "Please rest assured, I absolutely mean no disrespect. Please let me know your requirements, and I will do my utmost to fulfill them."

The caller was silent for a moment before speaking. "Since I'm here in China, I also wish to purchase some herbal medicines. I've heard that Yi Sheng Company in Jiangning City has the largest herbal plantation. Can you accompany me to procure some?"

Yi Sheng Company?

Wasn't that Su Hanyan's company?

Wang Jinquan immediately remembered Gu Xiangnan, that little devil, and shuddered involuntarily.

"Mr. Suzuki, I'm terribly sorry. I have some personal grievances with the owner of Yi Sheng Company; it's not appropriate for me to go personally." Wang Jinquan tried to refuse.

The caller responded rudely, "I'm giving you an opportunity, and you dare refuse me? Then don't blame me for being ruthless! Fusang has already established roots in China. Anyone who tries to bully us will fail. Your family—be careful."

Hearing the threat to his family, Wang Jinquan grew frantic.

He quickly changed his tune. "Mr. Suzuki, please, calm down. I will go, I will go."

"Very good," the caller replied with a satisfied laugh.

Wang Jinquan asked, "Is there anything else you require?"

"Of course. Tell them that the herbs must be uprooted entirely when purchased."

Puzzled by the odd request, Wang Jinquan asked, "Why must they be uprooted? If they ask, I need to explain."

"Just tell them that buying the whole plant helps preserve the medicine better."

Wang Jinquan half-understood and agreed.

After hanging up, the caller sent him a list of herbs and a price sheet.

Wang Ke, who overheard most of the conversation, watched Wang Jinquan begin to change clothes and asked anxiously, "Dad, are you really going to help the Fusang people? They're famously ambitious, who knows what schemes they're plotting!"

Wang Jinquan sighed, "It's easy to invite gods, hard to send them away. I have no choice; I can't let them threaten my family."

Wang Ke, unconvinced, retorted, "Why fear them? Have you forgotten your daughter's status? If push comes to shove, we can confront them head-on and see who comes out on top!"

Wang Jinquan shot him a stern look, warning, "Your sister's situation is special. We mustn't drag her down. Don't tell her about this—she doesn't need to worry."

After dressing, Wang Jinquan left.

Gu Xiangnan, without spending a penny, bought twenty sets of clothes.

Of the ten sales assistants in the shop, nine used the excuse of helping him carry bags to escort him to the parking lot.

The remaining assistant, left to mind the store, wept at the counter in frustration.

Gu Xiangnan hugged each of them goodbye in turn.

The demure, spectacled girl buried her face in his chest, refusing to let go until the other assistants, jealous, forcibly pulled her away.

Bai Huabing, reapplying her makeup in the car, witnessed the scene and angrily snapped her lipstick.

Finally, Gu Xiangnan boarded the car. As it drove off, Mr. Heng waved farewell in the rearview mirror.

"Where do you want to go, little brother?" Yang Dianfeng asked.

Gu Xiangnan was about to say home when his phone rang.

It was Su Hanyan.

"Xiaonan, I have a dinner tonight, discussing a business deal. Can you come with me?"

"Senior Sister, won't your business negotiations involve commercial secrets? It might not be appropriate for me to join."

"Xiaonan, I need you tonight. I'm worried. Wang Jinquan invited me for the business discussion, and I'm afraid... I'm afraid it's another trap."

Su Hanyan, once bitten by a snake, is now forever wary of ropes.

Gu Xiangnan immediately agreed, "Alright, I'll go with you. Where are you? I'll come find you."

The car was quiet; everyone heard the conversation.

Yang Dianfeng asked with concern, "Is it dangerous? Should I come with you?"

Gu Xiangnan calmly replied, "Brother-in-law, don't worry. Their skills are mediocre—they can't do anything to me."

He got out at the entrance of Huayue Grand Hotel. Su Hanyan had told him she'd wait in the parking lot so they could go up together.

He soon found the car.

Opening the door, he saw Su Hanyan resting in the back seat, eyes closed, clearly exhausted.

He quietly got in and sat beside her.

Su Hanyan seemed deeply asleep; her body unconsciously leaned toward Gu Xiangnan, until she finally collapsed fully into his arms.