Chapter 45 Encounter with a Young Lady
After An Liang signed the equity transfer agreement, Song Ren burst into laughter.
“Brother, we’re family now! Over here in Tailand, your big bro has some influence—feel free to enjoy yourself to the fullest,” Song Ren said confidently.
“Oh right, bro, I’ve arranged a welcome party for you. I even prepared a special Tailand treat,” Song Ren added with a mischievous grin.
An Liang instantly understood what “special treat” meant. “No, no, no, bro—I’m still just a kid!”
“Isn’t that perfect?”
Song Ren laughed even harder.
“Let me set it up so you become a man tonight!”
An Liang refused again.
“No thanks, bro. I plan to explore Guman on my own, take in the local culture, maybe check out the seafood market.”
Song Ren didn’t insist.
“That works too. Our night markets here in Tailand are amazing—lots of tourists from your Daxia country. Who knows? You might even stumble into a beautiful encounter!”
Then he added, “Machai, take a few of our guys and follow Brother An. Keep an eye out for pickpockets and petty thieves.”
Even though Tailand’s tourism industry was well-developed, the country was still relatively underdeveloped overall, which had led to the rise of crimes like pickpocketing and even snatch-and-grabs targeting tourists.
Machai nodded repeatedly.
“Got it, boss.”
An Liang accepted Song Ren’s goodwill. Having locals around could definitely help avoid trouble.
On the streets of Guman, An Liang strolled around just like any regular tourist. In fact, he was just a regular tourist—he had only come over to sign a document.
As night fell, An Liang arrived at Guman’s seafood night market, browsing all kinds of seafood. It was indeed cheap—only one-third to half the price compared to Shengqing. For example, Boston lobsters that cost over 100 yuan per pound in Shengqing only cost 40 to 50 yuan here. To his surprise, An Liang even spotted the legendary coconut crab!
Coconut crabs feed on coconuts and are close relatives of hermit crabs. With their powerful pincers, they can crack open hard coconut shells. If a human finger gets caught, it’s bad news.
It’s rumored that since they eat coconuts, their meat carries a coconut aroma. This has driven their price way up. In Shengqing, coconut crabs sell for up to 700 yuan per pound. Even in coastal cities, they cost around 600 yuan per pound.
But here in Guman’s seafood night market, they were only 300 yuan per pound. As An Liang was inspecting the coconut crabs, a female voice called out, “If you’re thinking of trying coconut crab, I’d suggest you think twice!”
An Liang turned towards the voice and activated his info scan and friendliness scan systems.
______
Liu Xinyi
Age: 23
Height: 163cm
Weight: 44kg
Looks: 92
Figure: 86
Special Trait: 95
Friendliness: 59
______
Liu Xinyi was stunning—truly one in ten thousand.
“Hi, I’m An Liang from Shengqing. And you, Miss?” An Liang greeted her.
“Liu Xinyi, from the Imperial Capital,” she replied. “I just tried the coconut crab. Honestly, it was a huge letdown. I just didn’t want a fellow countryman to fall for the same trap.”
“Is it really that bad?” An Liang asked.
Liu Xinyi frowned.
“It’s really bad. It had this weird plastic taste I can’t even describe. The texture was off, and the crab roe was just… ugh. Honestly, it felt like I threw 1,600 yuan into the sea!”
“So the coconut crab was a total flop?” An Liang said, trying not to laugh.
“Total disaster!” Liu Xinyi said and nodded. “There was no coconut flavor at all. If you want coconut flavor, go eat coconut candy. Coconut crab? What a scam!”
An Liang asked, “Got any recommendations, Miss?”
“Try mantis shrimp!” Liu Xinyi suggested. “Especially the ones over six taels—they’re tender, flavorful, meaty, and the roe is amazing. Plus, they only cost about two-thirds the price of coconut crab.”
An Liang extended an invitation.
“Mind if I invite you to try some mantis shrimp with me?”
Liu Xinyi didn’t refuse.
“Sure, I’ll lead the way. I know a seafood stall that makes amazing mantis shrimp.”
“Haha, good thing we’re in Tailand and you speak Daxia’s language. Otherwise, I’d think I just ran into a scammer,” An Liang joked.
Liu Xinyi rolled her eyes at him.
A short while later, An Liang followed her to a seafood stall. She pointed at a glass tank and said, “Look at these mantis shrimp—pretty nice, right?”
Mantis shrimp are basically giant versions of pippies (squilla). These were as long as a small forearm, and all looked lively and fresh.
An Liang checked the menu. These massive mantis shrimp were only 200 yuan per pound, including cooking fees. He loved pippies, so of course he wouldn’t pass this up.
“Miss, how do you recommend they be cooked?” An Liang asked Liu Xinyi.
She replied, “Salt and pepper is great. Steamed is also good. Just avoid their version of tom yum goong. Or go for something spicy and numbing.”
An Liang laughed, “Only kids make choices!”
“Boss, two servings of each flavor—except for the tom yum goong one,” An Liang ordered fluently in Thai.
Liu Xinyi looked at him in surprise—she hadn’t expected him to speak Thai!