"I... I do have the medicine, but the problem is I don’t have much right now," Li Yang said after some thought. "If you think it’s a viable plan, I can cultivate some first. Once the supply is stable, we can move forward. Sound good?"
"Of course we can!" Su Yunmeng was delighted. "Then it’s a deal. Oh, right, could you give me a sample first? I’ll have a friend of mine research it. Once your cultivation is successful, we can go straight into mass production."
"Okay, I’ll bring one for you next time," Li Yang promised.
"Alright!" Seeing that they had settled things, Aunt Rong spoke up. "Yun Meng, you’re still recovering, so you need to get more rest. Divine Doctor Li, you should probably head back for now."
Li Yang looked at Aunt Rong helplessly. ’She’s trying to kick me out.’
"I need to go buy mushroom spawn," Li Yang answered honestly.
"My aunt knows all about that!" Su Yunmeng nodded. "Auntie, why don’t you go with Divine Doctor Li to buy what he needs?"
"Perfect!" Before Aunt Rong could even refuse, Li Yang had already agreed.
Aunt Rong inwardly chuckled and cursed him, then said gruffly, "Let’s go!"
The two of them left the room and got into Li Yang’s car.
"Aunt Rong, should we take your car instead?" Li Yang asked.
Aunt Rong looked puzzled. "Why?"
"It’ll be easier to get things done!" Li Yang said with a sly grin.
Aunt Rong caught his meaning and couldn’t help but grab his shoulder. "You little rascal, you’re really something else. What are you thinking about all day?"
"Aunt Rong, I’m not just spouting nonsense! I already took care of that thing for you, so now..." Li Yang said with a wronged expression.
Aunt Rong was left speechless. "Let’s go. We’re buying mushroom spawn."
’Fine!’
Li Yang felt a sense of resignation.
The market selling the spawn was quite large, but Aunt Rong was clearly familiar with it. She led Li Yang to a specific spot where they bought top-quality mushroom spawn for a very cheap price.
They put the spawn in the car and got ready to leave.
Just as they settled into the car, three chattering girls suddenly hurried past.
When Li Yang saw them, he froze.
"Hey, isn’t that Li Yang?" The three pretty girls saw Li Yang as well, and for a moment, everyone stopped in their tracks.
"Hey, you guys!" Li Yang hadn’t expected to run into them here. After a brief moment of surprise, he greeted them.
"He Hui, I didn’t expect to see you here," Li Yang said to the tallest of the girls.
The girl nodded, sizing Li Yang up before saying, "You didn’t go on to college after high school. We haven’t seen each other in years."
Li Yang nodded.
She had been his deskmate in high school, and he’d even had a crush on her. But after Li Yang graduated and started working, they drifted apart until they eventually lost all contact.
To think that after all these years, they would run into each other here.
"Um, how about I treat you all to a meal?" Li Yang offered.
"No, thanks, we’re going shopping," He Hui refused without a second thought, clearly not wanting to continue the conversation. "Maybe some other time."
With that, the three former classmates walked away.
"Huihui, can you believe he actually asked you to dinner? Just look at the state of him!"
"I know, right? He was a farmer back then, and he’s still a farmer now! He’ll be one for the rest of his life! We’re college graduates with good jobs now. We’re worlds apart. We’re not in the same league at all! He really has no self-awareness!"
With his sharp hearing, Li Yang caught every word the two girls said.
Li Yang’s heart sank with disappointment.
He and He Hui had been very close once, but it was obvious they were no longer on the same social level.
’In other words, she looks down on me now.’
"What are you spacing out for?" Aunt Rong, who was already in the car, called out.
"Coming!" Li Yang hurried into the car.
"What’s wrong?" Aunt Rong asked, noticing that something was clearly off with Li Yang after he got in.
"It’s nothing," Li Yang said, forcing a smile.
"How about we go to a hotel?" Aunt Rong suggested, a playful glimmer in her eyes.
She was a savvy woman and an expert at reading people.
Li Yang might have said it was nothing, but deep down, he was clearly not okay.
Far from it. Something was very wrong.
"Snap out of it. I’m ready to make good on my promise," Aunt Rong said, patting Li Yang’s shoulder. "Don’t look so glum. This is a golden opportunity, don’t waste it."
Li Yang perked up instantly, staring at Aunt Rong. "Aunt Rong, are you serious?"
Aunt Rong was dumbfounded.
’I thought you were really feeling down, so I was just trying to cheer you up.’
’A normal person wouldn’t bounce back from a low mood that fast. How did this kid get his spirits up so quickly?’
’Don’t tell me he was just faking it?’
"Er... I was just kidding!" Aunt Rong said, already regretting her words. "Don’t be in such a hurry."
"Aunt Rong, you have to be a person of your word!" Li Yang said with a serious expression.
"Your word?" Aunt Rong was so irritated she could grind her teeth. "You sly little devil... let me ask you, were you just faking being sad to trick me?"
"How could you say that, Aunt Rong!" Li Yang looked utterly wronged. "When was I faking it? If anything, it was you who couldn’t wait to make good on your promise, and now you’re saying it was a joke. You’re bullying me, and I’m just a kid."
’Kid?’
Aunt Rong felt like she was going to cough up blood. ’You call yourself a kid?’
’What kind of kid is as devious as you!’
"Let’s go, there’s a hotel right up ahead!" Li Yang, having completely forgotten his unpleasant encounter with He Hui, eagerly drove the car and pulled up in front of the hotel.
Aunt Rong was stunned, caught in a dilemma.
Finally, she gritted her teeth and got out of the car. ’You little brat, as if I’m afraid of you!’
She briskly rented a room, and the two of them went inside.
With a triumphant howl, Li Yang pounced, tackling Aunt Rong onto the bed.
But just as he was about to make his next move, he felt Aunt Rong suddenly push him away.