Which way to go is the road?

Since the other party didn't like formalities, Xiang Fei went along with it and took a seat as arranged. The burly man who had brought them in earlier stood next to He Ping with his arms crossed. Wang Haoming sneered and stood next to Xiang Fei in the same posture, attracting He Ping's attention a few more times.

This makes it quite fair, but Xiang Fei feels a little guilty, thinking that these formalities are not important and can be disregarded. Wang Haoming could have been sitting on the stool next to him.

This is not the time to dwell on such things. Xiang Fei subtly ignored the detail and focused all his attention on He Ping in front of him.

"Sister Ping, you must have come prepared to become the store manager, right? You even knew my name perfectly well. Are you keeping track of everything happening at 'Shuiyunjian'?"

He Ping smiled gently: "Likewise, I don't believe you didn't send people to observe us. These superficial things can't be hidden from anyone! I wonder if you obtained the information you wanted this time? And what tricks will you come up with to deal with us?"

"Actually, nothing else matters this time. I mainly wanted to get to know Sister Ping and see how she's different from the rumors, so we can tailor our approach accordingly!" Instead of directly answering the question, Xiang Fei resorted to a clever tactic of subtly changing the subject and starting afresh.

"Do I still have any legends? I didn't even know. Now that we've met, what do you think of me? And how should I approach this situation? I can't be too drastic, or I'll easily get angry, and a woman with a bad temper is not to be trifled with!"

The words were spoken neither too lightly nor too harshly, yet they left room for reflection and imagination, and gave one a chill that seemed to come from the front.

Xiang Fei stood up, laughed heartily, and walked to the window to look outside. "Sister Ping, it's still early spring, and today is another cold snap! It's really cold! It hasn't rained, and the air is very dry. Be careful not to catch a cold or fever, and take care to keep your body cool! There's a box of cold medicine in the shop; I can bring it to you if you need it!"

"How old are you, young man? Where are you from?" He Ping put away his smile and started chatting casually.

"I'll be 24 after the New Year. My hometown is in Hebei, not too far from Yandu. I'm from a rural area, and my family was extremely poor, so I came out to work to make a living!"

"When you go out, didn't your family tell you to be careful and that safety is a blessing? When I was your age, my mother told me this more than once!"

"Really? Back home, I call her 'Mom,' and it feels so warm and familiar. My dad doesn't make the decisions at home, but my mom does—a typical 'tiger mom'! When I go out, people usually tell me to be safe and careful, but my mom is different. She tells me the title of a song: 'You'll only win if you fight,' and then she tells me to make more friends, to be nice to those who are nice to you, and to beat up those bastards who bully you! Ugh! Sorry, I swore!"

"It's alright. I like his straightforward personality. I can't stand men who dawdle. Xiang Fei, you're quite intelligent. 'Shuiyunjian' is well-managed, and the new renovation is very unique. Next time we redecorate our shop, we'll have to ask for your advice!"

When threats failed, he switched to appeasement. Xiang Fei considered himself quite eloquent, no less so than someone who could flatter him.

"Sister Ping, you flatter me. When it comes to management, I'm a complete novice. What do young people know? They just say whatever comes to mind without any real skill! Unlike you, who has been a senior executive in a big city, you know so much, you have strategies, and you've truly brought a new look and a fresh perspective to 'Eden,' making the business boom! I should be the one learning from you!"

"You're too modest. You're a promising young talent with unlimited potential. Our group is currently actively recruiting management talent like you. Qian Luomei only runs an internet cafe, while our group has many industries, including real estate, finance, nightclubs, and countless others. Beautiful girls are everywhere, whatever you like! How about it? Think it over. Our group is always open to welcoming you to join us!"

Xiang Fei secretly gasped. This was too ruthless. It was both a defection and a counter-espionage, killing two birds with one stone. Luckily, he had brought Wang Haoming with him. If they had recorded the scene of them chatting and laughing together and sent it over, and then hugged each other at the gate as a farewell, it would have been hard to say what would have happened.

"Sister Ping, I'm truly flattered that you've taken a liking to me. But I'm just a novice monk; if I went to a big temple, I wouldn't be able to chant the scriptures properly, and I'd easily get lost! I'm just a useless talent, not fit for any great task, please forgive me! But since you've said so, if there's anything I can do to help, just say the word, and I'll do my best!"

"Everyone has their own ambitions! Since you're not willing, we won't force you. That's settled then! I have some things to do later, so I won't keep you any longer. But if you'd like to continue browsing in the shop, you can arrange for someone to accompany you! Beautiful ladies!"

Xiang Fei cleared his throat: "I'm all better now. Ping-jie, please come visit our 'Shuiyunjian' another day and offer your guidance. On behalf of Luo Mei-jie and all the staff, I sincerely invite you!"

"Okay, I'll definitely go when I have time. By the way, Xiang Fei, what's the name of this young man who came with you? You haven't introduced him yet!"

"My mistake, this is my buddy, and also the internet cafe manager of 'Shuiyunjian'—Wang Haoming. Come on, Haoming, say hello to Sister Heping!"

Wang Haoming politely went over to shake hands, but He Ping teased him, saying, "Young man, your hands are so white. You can tell you haven't suffered much. You must have been pampered at home growing up, right?" As he spoke, He Ping turned his hand over and over and stroked it, giving Wang Haoming goosebumps. He quickly pulled his hand away and stayed far away.

Xiang Fei dared not shake hands again, but instead cupped his hands in a gesture of farewell.

He Ping didn't seem to care: "Young man, you're indeed quite naive. You're already feeling shy and embarrassed. Alright, I'll see you out."

Xiang Fei firmly declined to see them off, not giving them a chance to use a counter-espionage scheme. After a few exchanges, He Ping smiled, waved his hand, and indicated that she didn't need to see them off anymore; they could leave!

Xiang Fei quickly led Wang Haoming out of "Eden" and stopped after walking a long way, taking deep breaths to relieve their tense nerves.

Wang Haoming grinned mischievously, "Brother Fei, you're scared too! I was really impressed with you just now, but it turns out you were just faking it!"

"You brat, go and pretend to be scared, I'm only half scared!" Xiang Fei kicked Wang Haoming and said, clutching his chest.

"What else could the other half be if they're afraid?"

"I'm nervous. After all, I haven't experienced much. She's over forty, what hasn't she been through? What kind of people hasn't she seen? We're just greenhorns, it's no wonder we're nervous. Besides, this old woman just flirted with both of us. This is the first time I've ever been flirted with by a woman!"