CHAPTER 23: CHAPTER 0023 CAUGHT_1

Just as Zhang Bin was about to kiss Xiao Fang, an angry voice rang out, "Xiao Fang! What are you doing?"

Somehow, Mother Cheng had appeared outside the sorghum field. She was staring daggers at Zhang Bin and Xiao Fang.

BOOM. Zhang Bin’s mind went completely blank.

"Ah..."

Xiao Fang let out a terrified scream, immediately struggled out of Zhang Bin’s embrace, and fled in a panic.

Zhang Bin also scrambled to escape, but Mother Cheng said coldly, "Xiao Bin, you stand right there."

Zhang Bin had no choice but to stop, completely at a loss for what to do.

"Xiao Bin, you hired people to put on an act today, didn’t you? You had two women work with you, claiming you dug up ginseng and sold it for four million, that you and that woman started a company, that you became a head coach with a high salary. All of it is a lie, just to deceive my Xiao Fang, right?" Mother Cheng accused angrily.

Zhang Bin was astonished. "Auntie, you’re mistaken. It’s all true. I didn’t deceive Xiao Fang. I genuinely like her..."

"You’re showing your true colors. You put on an act this morning, and by evening you’re meeting with Xiao Fang. That’s too much of a coincidence," Mother Cheng said coldly. "I’m warning you, don’t you dare harm my Xiao Fang, or I’ll come after you with everything I have."

"How am I harming Xiao Fang?"

I really want to show her the text message on my phone, Zhang Bin thought. An account transfer of four million can’t be fake. But she could just claim it was forged.

So, he was speechless. After receiving a thorough tongue-lashing from Mother Cheng, he headed back, disheartened. However, he vowed to demonstrate his true strength and ensure that Mother Cheng would no longer interfere.

Mother Cheng stormed home and went straight into Xiao Fang’s room. Xiao Fang was sitting on the bed, sulking.

"Xiao Fang, don’t you get it? Xiao Bin was just putting on a show to fool you today. That guy is so despicable, coming up with a plan like that. His goal was to present us with a fait accompli, so our family would be forced to agree. Luckily, I was paying attention, or he would have succeeded. I’m warning you, stay away from him from now on, and you are forbidden from ever going to his house again..." Mother Cheng scolded.

"Mom, you’re such a money-grubber! Does Xiao Bin really need to put on an act? Isn’t he skilled enough? Can’t he find a job as a head coach at a martial arts school?" Xiao Fang retorted. "Even if he has nothing, he’s a good match for me."

"You... you... you’re going to be the death of me!" Mother Cheng was exasperated. "With your potential, you can marry a rich man, not some pauper! I’m your mother, and I will absolutely not watch you fall into a pit of fire..."

Zhang Bin, of course, was unaware of the conversation between Mother Cheng and Xiao Fang. He was in his room, diligently studying the materials Gao Si had given him.

Late at night, when all was quiet, he began his cultivation. He sat cross-legged on the bed, meditating intently. As he had been constantly engaged in Qi gathering recently, his body had refined a great deal of Spiritual Energy, resulting in marvelous changes. While he meditated, strands of True Qi entered his Dantian, and the bubble within it grew larger and larger. Clearly, his Dantian was in a state of slow expansion.

「The next day」

Mother Zhang repaid one hundred thousand yuan to his aunt and settled some other debts as well. Instantly, the whole family felt a great sense of relief. After all, to be debt-free is to be worry-free.

That day, Zhang Bin once again extracted about two small cups’ worth of Bright Eye Liquid from the Mingjing Fruit, pouring it into a mineral water bottle. Dressed in his best clothes, he prepared to go into the city.

But then his phone rang. It was Liu Ruolan.

Zhang Bin answered, and Liu Ruolan’s bewitchingly beautiful face appeared on the screen. Her pleasant voice came through, "Xiao Bin, I’m coming to pick you up. We have a lot to do today."

"Sister Lan, please don’t trouble yourself. I can take the bus." Zhang Bin was flattered.

But Liu Ruolan had already hung up, leaving him with her parting words, "I’ll be there soon."

True to her word, Liu Ruolan arrived in her Ferrari just fifteen minutes later. SWOOSH. She pulled up right in front of the door.

Exuding a rich, alluring fragrance, Liu Ruolan stepped out of the car. She greeted Father Zhang and Mother Zhang, who were waiting at the door, and then sped off with Zhang Bin.

That little rascal, putting on a show again? Does he think I’ll fall for it? Mother Cheng, who had naturally seen the whole exchange, had a disdainful sneer on her face.

However, the villagers didn’t see it that way. They were all overcome with envy, buzzing with discussion. They all said that the beautiful woman must have fallen for Zhang Bin and that he was on his way to riches.

"Sister Lan, I’m just a simple farmer. For you to trouble yourself to come pick me up... I really don’t deserve such an honor," Zhang Bin said, turning his head to look at the stunningly gorgeous woman beside him.

"It’s good that you know," Liu Ruolan said. "Listen, you need to get your driver’s license as soon as possible and then buy a car. That way, you can get to the company quickly when something comes up. I’ve already signed you up. The theory test is in a few days, followed by the others. You should aim to get your license within two weeks."

Zhang Bin was dumbfounded. This woman really loved her surprise attacks.

But he wasn’t worried, he thought. I have a photographic memory now and fear no exam.

So, he nodded and agreed.

Soon, Liu Ruolan drove to the Quadrangle Pharmacy. The place was completely transformed. A large stage had been erected in the square out front, with rows of chairs set up. A huge banner hung over the entrance: "Unveiling Bright Eye Liquid, A Miracle for Eye Ailments! Cures Myopia, Hyperopia, and Presbyopia in Half an Hour! Live Demonstration, Money-Back Guarantee!"

A beautiful woman in her twenties was on stage promoting the Bright Eye Liquid, speaking with dazzling eloquence. A large crowd, including more than a dozen reporters, had gathered below. Off to one side, the area was packed with luxury cars. Numerous well-dressed young heirs also stood excitedly in the crowd, looking like they were ready to rush the stage for a live trial at any moment. Of course, most of them wore glasses.

"Bright Eye Liquid was concocted by a reclusive Daoist master deep in the mountains," the woman announced, presenting various documents and data. "It uses only Chinese medicinal ingredients, contains no harmful components, and after lab analysis and clinical trials, the effects are simply astounding...

"Unfortunately, the production of Bright Eye Liquid is extremely limited. Therefore, it is sold exclusively at the Quadrangle Pharmacy in Qingshan County. Treatment is performed on-site and provides a cure in just half an hour. After that, you can all throw your glasses away for good..." the woman declared triumphantly.

Zhang Bin was stunned. "Sister Lan, isn’t this event a little too grand?"

"This? This is nothing. I was originally planning to advertise on Central Television. Since we can’t increase production, we can only sell it like this," Liu Ruolan said with a charming laugh. "This works out well, though. It can greatly enhance the reputation and sales of the Quadrangle Pharmacy."

"Then you have to cut me in on some of the profits," Zhang Bin said, his eyes lighting up.

"I’m only taking a 20% stake, what more could you want?" Liu Ruolan rolled her eyes at him. "Besides, aren’t we starting a company? We won’t be selling it like this for much longer. Now then, let’s start the treatments... and fire the first shot."