Bai Shutong’s call came through.
Zhang Xiaoshan didn’t hesitate to answer it.
"Zhang Xiaoshan, it’s terrible, we’ve been exposed."
As soon as the call connected, Bai Shutong’s voice, tinged with excitement, came from the other end.
Zhang Xiaoshan responded weakly.
"I’ve already seen the video circulating online."
"Ah, what should we do now? You think of something, we absolutely can’t let Jiang Man see it. Otherwise, I will never have the face to see her again. No, just thinking about it makes my face burn," Bai Shutong said frantically on the other end.
Zhang Xiaoshan was speechless.
"Do you think we can keep this a secret? She already knew early on, and she even knew what happened at the hotel entrance."
"Her sister, Jiang Qi, was hiding somewhere, doing a live broadcast. She saw and heard more details than what’s circulating in the videos online."
Bai Shutong was completely stunned, her face flushed red, her hand holding the phone trembling.
"Then, then explain it to her, say, it was a misunderstanding."
"She, she’s been good to me, I, I really feel too guilty."
Bai Shutong’s cheeks were so red they seemed to bleed, wishing she could find a crack to crawl into.
"All you’re saying is nonsense. At the hotel entrance, sending you a luxury car, openly claiming to be boyfriend and girlfriend, the video is crystal clear. Besides, you and I slept together, that’s a fact. How do you expect me to explain?"
"You might as well say, let me think of a way to deceive Jiang Man," he added sarcastically.
"I’d actually be willing to do that, but do you think your Jiang Man is that easy to deceive? Besides, it’s so obvious, even a fool would be hard to trick, right?"
Bai Shutong was completely disoriented on the other end.
"Then, what did she say to you?"
"What else would she say? She said looking at me made her sick and she wanted to cut off all ties."
Zhang Xiaoshan sounded somewhat helpless.
Bai Shutong fell silent.
When she first got involved with Zhang Xiaoshan, she had clearly told him that she just wanted to try out the feelings, mutually seek pleasure, and didn’t need him to take responsibility.
However, as affection grew over time, she had begun to develop feelings for Zhang Xiaoshan through their several interactions.
Initially, she thought Zhang Xiaoshan was just a nouveau riche from the countryside. But now, she increasingly found Zhang Xiaoshan not simple — cultured, capable, upright, brave, handsome, with a bright future ahead.
Speaking honestly, with such a man, would any woman not like him?
So, when she first saw the video circulating online, Bai Shutong was initially nervous and shy, but it eventually turned to excitement and pride.
It forced Zhang Xiaoshan to acknowledge their relationship publicly.
In the eyes of others, she was now Zhang Xiaoshan’s only legitimate girlfriend. The source of thɪs content is 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡~𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢~𝙣𝙚𝙩
She feared Jiang Man finding out but at the same time hoped she would.
People are all selfish.
Face is not as important as inner worth.
Even if Jiang Man might not treat her and Zhang Xiaoshan kindly in the future, at least their relationship had been brought to the forefront.
"Okay, let’s leave it at that for now. I still have other things to do, we’ll talk another day."
Zhang Xiaoshan, feeling annoyed, hung up the phone.
Bai Shutong snorted softly, walking back to the office with the posture of a victor.
The troubled Zhang Xiaoshan drove off.
The car had barely gone a kilometer when, in front of the county’s only mall, he saw a long line.
Suddenly, a beautiful figure appeared at the store entrance, immediately capturing Zhang Xiaoshan’s attention.
She was dressed in a white base layer with a pink peach blossom embroidered cheongsam, leg coverings on her beautiful legs, her hair pinned up, bustling about the entrance, welcoming and seeing off guests.
Many male customers were evidently there just to take an extra look at Luo Meili.
Zhang Xiaoshan immediately understood.
This store must also be a venture under White Dragon Agricultural Company.
Zhang Xiaoshan parked his car on the roadside and walked into the store.
"Hey, young man, what’s the matter with you, cutting in line?"
"That’s right, I’ve been in line for two hours, and it was finally my turn—you go to the back."
Some customers scolded Zhang Xiaoshan discontentedly.
Luo Meili, greeting the customers, heard the discussion, spotted Zhang Xiaoshan, and immediately showed a surprise and excitement.
She hurried towards Zhang Xiaoshan, grabbed his arm, and explained to everyone.
"Misunderstanding, everyone, you’ve misunderstood; he’s not trying to cut in line, he’s the owner of this fruit and vegetable store."
The customers immediately looked at him with surprise and admiration.
"Really impressive for someone so young. Young man, it seems like you aren’t married yet. I have a granddaughter in college, very pretty, maybe I could introduce you," an old lady said cheerfully.
An excited old lady added.
"Let’s not stir things up with a student, young man, I have a cousin who works in a government office, about your age, why don’t you meet her?"
Zhang Xiaoshan was somewhat embarrassed.
Luo Meili immediately became unhappy.
"Haha, our boss is here to inspect the operations, we’re busy, please go ahead with your shopping, excuse us, excuse us..."
She pulled Zhang Xiaoshan by the arm into the store.
Zhang Xiaoshan looked around.
The store was about two hundred square meters, quite large, and the shelves were stocked with the mutated fruits and vegetables he grew in his yard.
Most of the shelves were already empty at this point.
The sales were very good.
"Emerald cabbage, fifteen per pound."
"Premium loofah, thirty-five per pound."
"Golden potatoes, twenty-one per pound"
"Fairy Red Fruit, fifty-one per pound."
Zhang Xiaoshan was stunned.
"Are, are these prices not too expensive?"
"This, this is way above the market price..."
Zhang Xiaoshan was a bit uneasy.
"Can these even sell?"