It all started when Wang Xiuyu asked Jiang Shen to deliver a basket of crispy dates to Grandpa Zhang, who had watched him grow up. A few years back, Grandpa Zhang stopped farming and leased his land to a hardworking young couple. He lived nearby, keeping an eye on things for them and earning some money for cigarettes and alcohol.
The market for these crispy dates was such that buyers would press down the price, but once sold, the price would at least double. The young couple was physically fit and could drive to the city to sell them, but there were always times they couldn’t manage. When Jiang Shen arrived, he saw a brand-new pickup truck.
The young woman smiled and shouted, “Alright, it’s the price you said!”
“Okay.”
Then someone jumped out of the passenger seat, tall and long-legged. As autumn had just begun, everyone was adding layers, but he was boldly wearing a black tank top, clearly a regular at the gym. His lean muscles were visible, and his exposed arms were long and strong.
Zhao Louyue originally had a faint smile, but when he looked up and saw Jiang Shen, he was stunned.
Compared to the turmoil in Jiang Shen’s heart, “Whoa~~~,” Zhao Louyue’s reaction was more obvious. He first pressed his temples, then looked around to make sure it wasn’t an illusion, and then walked towards Jiang Shen.
Jiang Shen: “…”
Jiang Shen didn’t hide and calmly greeted him, “What a coincidence, Mr. Zhao, what brings you here?”
“I was about to ask you the same thing, Young Master Jiang.” Zhao Louyue took out a pack of cigarettes from his pants pocket.
Jiang Shen: “I quit.”
Zhao Louyue didn’t insist and smoothly put them back.
“My adoptive parents live in Yuwei Village,” Jiang Shen explained. His background wasn’t a secret, and Zhao Louyue understood.
“I see,” Zhao Louyue said. “I’m here for procurement.”
Jiang Shen raised an eyebrow.
“Is there a problem with Ting’an Technology?” Jiang Shen probed.
Zhao Louyue chuckled, “Give me some credit. You clearly don’t know me well. Besides Ting’an Technology, I also dabble in some agricultural products.”
“Does this profit compare to Ting’an’s billion-dollar projects?”
“It’s different.”
Zhao Louyue’s voice was deep, and no matter what he said, it carried a thunderous confidence and assertiveness.
Jiang Shen nodded.
Grandpa Zhang, puffing on his pipe, walked over with a smile, “The young couple gave me a basket this morning, and now you bring another.”
“My mom picked them, they’re very crispy,” Jiang Shen said.
Zhao Louyue couldn’t help but glance at him. Jiang Shen’s tone was different from usual, lacking the usual clear-cut distance, more natural, and more pleasant to hear.
Jiang Shen chatted with Grandpa Zhang for a bit, and the topic suddenly shifted to Zhao Louyue.
Grandpa Zhang lightly tapped Zhao Louyue with his pipe and praised, “Boss Zhao, a man of conscience. Yesterday, a profiteer pressed the price down to 2.8 yuan per pound, while in the city, it’s 15 yuan per pound. That’s just bullying. The young couple didn’t sell, and the profiteer said these crispy dates deserved to rot in the field. But today, Boss Zhao came.”
Jiang Shen played along, “How much is Boss Zhao offering?”
“5.3 yuan, and 6 yuan for the really good ones,” Grandpa Zhang said. “The aunties ahead got the news and are busy now. Boss Zhao is generous and said he’d take them all.”
Zhao Louyue thought he had built a thick skin, but at this moment, in front of Jiang Shen, his face felt slightly warm. Grandpa Zhang’s praise made him a bit embarrassed, especially after Jiang Shen’s “Boss Zhao is generous,” he couldn’t hold it anymore.
Zhao Louyue took a deep breath and then resignedly called Jiang Shen, “Don’t stand under the sun, come have some tea.”
Under the tree, there was a makeshift shade. It was still hot in the early autumn afternoon.
After a sip of tea, Jiang Shen tasted it and guessed it was Xinyang Maojian, a precious tea. This made Zhao Louyue not a rustic man but a new noble from Lin Du, a reality that came rushing in.
Actually, he wasn’t rustic. Compared to the locals with tanned skin, he looked quite fair. He just had a fiery temperament, and his striking features didn’t seem out of place in this rural setting.
Grandpa Zhang went to find a ledger for the young couple, leaving Jiang Shen and Zhao Louyue sitting face to face.
After Cong Gaoxuan’s birthday party, Jiang Shen hadn’t thought he’d cross paths with Zhao Louyue again. Perhaps in the future, he might collaborate with “Ting’an Technology,” but he could avoid direct involvement.
Zhao Louyue added hot water to the teapot and asked, “How long are you staying here?”
“Leaving tomorrow night,” Jiang Shen said. “Busy on Monday.”
Zhao Louyue understood.
They didn’t talk about business, just chatted about the situation in Yuwei Village.
Clatter—
A basket came loose, and crispy dates rolled all over the ground.
“No worries,” Zhao Louyue noticed a worker struggling and went to help, “I’ll handle it.”
He was really strong, easily lifting the basket with both hands. His arm muscles were well-proportioned and strong, as if he could handle another basket on top. Zhao Louyue didn’t even break a sweat, moving on to the second round, speeding up the process significantly.
It was the hottest time of the day, and everyone was sweating, including Zhao Louyue.
The tank top clung to his waistline, and Jiang Shen glanced slightly. Zhao Louyue raised his arm to wipe the sweat off his face, his thick eyebrows and lashes wet, making him look even darker, exuding a striking masculine aura.
Even Grandpa Zhang couldn’t help but sigh, “Reminds me of my youthful days.”
His words made everyone burst into laughter.
Jiang Shen wanted to help, but Grandpa Zhang stopped him, “You better not, your mom said you just got out of the hospital recently.”
Jiang Shen chuckled helplessly, “I’m all better now.”
“I don’t trust your ‘better,'” Grandpa Zhang waved his hand.
The old man spread his legs to block the way, and while Jiang Shen hesitated, he suddenly heard Zhao Louyue say, “Alright, just sit down, only a few baskets left.”
Jiang Shen immediately felt at ease, “Okay!”
Zhao Louyue: “…”
After ten minutes of work, Zhao Louyue returned to drink tea, and Grandpa Zhang asked, “You two know each other?”
“Yeah,” Zhao Louyue admitted, “We got to know each other through a bit of a scuffle.”
Jiang Shen’s mouth twitched.
Grandpa Zhang widened his eyes and exclaimed, “You fought him? Do you even realize your size?”
Jiang Shen felt the need to clarify, “Grandpa Zhang, I’m pretty good at fighting too.”
Well, that was true. Grandpa Zhang fell silent.
“When the big truck goes to collect dates up ahead, are you going too?” Jiang Shen asked.
“No,” Zhao Louyue said. “If I hadn’t run into you, I would’ve just done a quick check and headed back to the city.”
Jiang Shen smoothly added, “Busy cooking for your brother?”
Zhao Louyue paused for a moment, then looked serious, “Jiang Shen, I think you have a bit of a misunderstanding about us brothers.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“Zhao Xiangting is my brother. It’s normal for me to back him up, but he’s also an adult and doesn’t need me to feed him all the time.”
Jiang Shen remained calm, “Is that so.”
Just as he finished speaking, Zhao Louyue’s phone on the wooden table rang, displaying the name “Zhao Xiangting.” The man made a pause gesture and took the call aside.
Whatever Zhao Xiangting said, Jiang Shen saw Zhao Louyue’s relaxed stance change to one hand on his hip, exuding helplessness. Finally, Zhao Louyue cursed, “Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
Jiang Shen laughed silently.