Chapter 22 Astonished Beyond Words

“Aren’t you afraid of dying?” Suzuki Genjiro threatened.

Gu Xiangnan grinned roguishly. “Afraid? I’ve never been afraid of you Japanese dogs! However many you send, I’ll take them all on.”

Suzuki Genjiro was so enraged he nearly fainted, just about to lunge at Gu Xiangnan, but two security guards seized him and hauled him out.

Gu Xiangnan patted the guards on the shoulder, commending them, “Well done! Remind President Su to give you both a raise.”

The guards bowed in thanks. Even if they didn’t get a raise, everyone was eager to take a swing at the Japanese dogs.

Whistling, Gu Xiangnan made his way to the CEO’s office.

Su Hanyan, seeing him in such high spirits, asked curiously, “Xiaonan, did something good happen today?”

Gu Xiangnan recounted what had happened downstairs.

“Xiaonan, you did well. But the Japanese Herbal Association does have some influence,” she said, standing and coming to stand before him, worry in her eyes. “Last night, I spread the word among the city’s pharmaceutical companies that the Japanese were buying up herbs in huge quantities. I suspect this Suzuki has hit a wall trying to buy from other companies as well.”

“The Japanese won’t let this go easily. We need to be wary of their retaliation.”

Gu Xiangnan gently pulled Su Hanyan into his arms, comforting her. “Don’t worry, I’m here. If they dare come again, I’ll make them call me grandpa.”

Su Hanyan felt reassured, gazing at him with deep affection. Gu Xiangnan returned her look.

They drew closer and closer; just as their lips were about to meet, Su Hanyan’s phone rang.

She took the call, and after just a few words, the office landline also started ringing.

Wu Meiyu knocked and entered, handing over her cell phone. “President Su, the CEO of Kangrenxin Pharmaceuticals is looking for you.”

After a flurry of calls, Su Hanyan finished handling all the matters and returned to Gu Xiangnan’s side, smiling. “Xiaonan, my warning worked. Suzuki really did try to buy from the others, and every company refused to sell to him.”

She took Gu Xiangnan’s hand, her smile radiant. “Wonderful! Being able to contribute to traditional Chinese medicine makes me so happy.”

Gu Xiangnan bent to whisper in her ear, “Now that you’ve done something for the country, isn’t it time you did something for me too?”

Su Hanyan blushed scarlet.

The herbal plantation was on Lingquan Mountain, about a two-hour drive from Ningjiang City. They set off after lunch.

Singing as they went, the atmosphere was delightful, the air filled with the sense of a honeymoon trip.

At the foot of the mountain lay a small village, which, thanks to the hot springs above, had gradually developed into a resort.

Su Hanyan had her own little plan. She wanted to buy a swimsuit at the resort—preferably one of the more daring styles.

Tonight would be their first time together; she wanted some sense of ceremony.

She sent Gu Xiangnan to wander about while she slipped into a swimwear shop.

“Do you have the kind that boyfriends like to see?” Su Hanyan asked the shopkeeper, trying to sound composed.

The shopkeeper pulled down a hanger, from which hung three scraps of black fabric—less than the size of a face mask.

“If you want something boyfriends love, you have to buy a bikini. It’s ranked number one.”

Who even ranks these things? Su Hanyan’s cheeks flushed as she pinched the “mask.” “Isn’t this a bit too little fabric? And, I like pink.”

The shopkeeper leaned in, hand by her mouth as if to share a secret. “Black makes your skin look snow-white—so pretty!”

“How much is this one?” Su Hanyan asked.

“Only 599 yuan.”

“Only? 599? That’s so expensive!” Su Hanyan was startled.

“Trust me, your boyfriend will love it!”

Without hesitation, Su Hanyan pulled out her phone. “Can I use Alipay?”

The shopkeeper grinned from ear to ear and enthusiastically saw Su Hanyan out the door.

The rest of the road was a winding climb up the mountain, just ten minutes to the hot springs.

As the car wound along the mountainside, they rounded a bend and saw a car parked by the roadside—and a person lying in the road.

Su Hanyan’s heart leaped, and she slammed on the brakes, narrowly missing the figure.

Gu Xiangnan’s instincts instantly screamed that something was wrong.

“Senior Sister, I’ll go take a look.”

“Do you want me to go with you?”

“No—” Before he could finish, the person lying in the road suddenly jumped up.

“Not good! It’s a trap!” Gu Xiangnan shouted.

Su Hanyan immediately started the car, trying to reverse.

But a Hummer roared up from behind.

Su Hanyan laid on the horn, signaling for the car behind to let them past.

Instead, it stopped and blocked the road.

“Senior Sister, they’re working together,” Gu Xiangnan realized at once.

The mountain road was narrow—trapped front and back, there was no way out.

Su Hanyan’s voice trembled. “Xiaonan, what do we do?”

“Don’t be afraid. I’ll deal with them.”

Gu Xiangnan pushed open the door, but Su Hanyan grabbed his arm. “Don’t go, it’s dangerous!”

He patted her head gently. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Whatever you do, don’t get out of the car.” His tone brimmed with affection.

“Alright.” Trusting him, she nodded firmly.

Gu Xiangnan got out and looked ahead—the man who’d been lying in the road had vanished.

He turned toward the Hummer, and out of the corner of his eye, caught a glint of light.

With a “whoosh,” an arrow shot toward his face.

Gu Xiangnan didn’t flinch; with two fingers, he caught the arrow in midair.

He snapped it in two with a flick.

The arrow had come from the Hummer. Someone was leaning halfway out the window, bow drawn, aiming at him.

Gu Xiangnan began walking toward the Hummer. The archer, perhaps panicking, sent several more arrows in quick succession—all of them caught.

The driver, watching Gu Xiangnan stride through a storm of arrows, panicked, started the engine, and floored the accelerator, sending the Hummer hurtling straight at him.

Su Hanyan cried out, “Xiaonan, don’t go!”

The massive Hummer, like a furious beast, charged at Gu Xiangnan in a cloud of dust.

Su Hanyan flung her door open, desperate to help.

But then, the unbelievable happened.

The Hummer miraculously came to a halt!

More accurately, its wheels spun furiously, but the vehicle itself didn’t budge an inch.

The tremendous force kicked up a cloud of dust, shrouding Gu Xiangnan.

When the air cleared, Su Hanyan stared in shock—Gu Xiangnan was standing there, one finger pressed to the Hummer’s hood.

The huge vehicle seemed to be held in place by invisible bonds, unable to move forward at all.

The driver, terrified out of his wits by the impossible scene before him, kept the pedal to the floor, desperate to escape this nightmare.

But despite the smell of burning rubber from the straining tires, it was useless.

Gu Xiangnan stood unmoved.

His hand, made enormous by the power of the Great Yuan Palm, was as steady as a mountain.

The sight left Su Hanyan utterly speechless.