Raindrops the size of beans plummeted into the pond, creating a flurry of bubbles that danced on the surface. Meanwhile, the koi vanished into the depths, leaving no trace behind.
Seated on the tatami mat in the waterside pavilion’s lounge, Su Ling propped his chin on his hand, studying the little Dragon Li cat1 狸花貓 (lí huā māo): It is one of the oldest breeds of domestic cats in China and is also known as the Chinese Li Hua cat. You can read more about it here: https://cats.com/cat-breeds/dragon-li curled up in its cat bed. Beside it, King lay with curious eyes, occasionally reaching out a paw to poke at the sleeping cat.
The Dragon Li kitten had mysteriously appeared in the courtyard two days ago, sneaking silently into the dining room to pilfer King’s dog food. After feasting, it sprawled brazenly on the dog bed, falling fast asleep. Meanwhile, King and Su Ling were outside, playing frisbee in the courtyard. Parched, they headed back into the dining room, only to be stunned by the sight of an empty food bowl. Catching a whiff of a cat’s scent, King tracked it to his bed. There, he found the intruder and erupted into a furious barking frenzy.
Drawn by the noise, Su Ling walked over to investigate, only to discover the now wide-awake Dragon Li kitten with its back arched and fur standing on end. It faced off against King in a tense standoff, showing no sign of backing down.
What a fascinating little fella!
Su Ling dangled a small dried fish in front of it, using the tempting treat to lure the kitten closer.
Aunt Zhang’s homemade dried fish was a true delicacy. Caught fresh from the nearby creek, each fish was meticulously cleaned, seasoned with salt and spices, and left to dry in the cool shade for several days. The result? A versatile delight perfect for steaming, stir-frying, or topping noodles, with every bite offering a burst of rich, unique flavor.
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With plenty of cat food to munch on, fresh sheep’s milk to drink, and a teaser wand to swat at, the Dragon Li kitten joyfully settled into its new home.
On this rainy day, Su Ling lounged in a white tai chi uniform at the waterside pavilion. With his two pets by his side, he sipped tea and watched the soothing rain fall.
The tai chi uniform that Second Grandfather made fit like a dream — neither too tight nor too loose, ensuring both ease and comfort. Over it, he wore a long, stand-collared shawl that flowed with every movement, giving him an ethereal grace and timeless charm.
A few days after meeting Sir Bai, Su Ling had sorted some things out. The frown that once marked his brow disappeared, replaced by a lightness in his heart and a bright, invigorated demeanor.
After watching the cat for a while, Su Ling reached for the teapot on the low table and poured himself a cup of tea. Just then, his phone emitted two soft beeps, signaling a new WeChat message. Setting the teapot aside, he tapped the screen and instantly heard Lin Zhou’s voice.
“Xiao Ling, the equipment you requested is ready. Just send me an address, and we’ll get it delivered right to your door anytime.”
The equipment Lin Zhou mentioned was the electronic system Su Ling had custom-ordered last month to manage the tea plantation. After the payroll incident involving Li Yue’e’s embezzlement, Su Ling devised a plan to modernize operations using high-tech technology. A month of careful preparation led to this point; now, all that was left was the electronic system.
Immediately right after, Su Ling typed out a detailed address in his reply.
Beep! Lin Zhou sent an OK emoji, then immediately followed up with a voice message.
“I’ll have someone arrange the delivery and installation for you tomorrow. By the way, since you mentioned you no longer need me to cover your tracks, I’ll be heading back to the country tomorrow. You wouldn’t believe it; I’ve been avoiding CEO Lin like the plague and have been stuck abroad for over a month. I’m so sick of Western food that I could almost puke! Hahaha—”
‘Aren’t we on our second honeymoon here?’
Amidst the laughter, Fu Heng’s voice was scarcely more than a whisper.
Su Ling’s lips curled into a smile as he sent Lin Zhou a red packet on WeChat.
After accepting it, Lin Zhou returned the gesture with an even larger one.
As Su Ling hesitated about sending another red packet, the Dragon Li kitten stirred, letting out a soft mew. With a warm smile, he quickly set his phone aside and scooped the tiny feline into his arms.
The Dragon Li kitten stretched its tiny jaws in a wide yawn, evoking a playful innocence that made it utterly irresistible.
Bark bark! King’s tone was less than happy as he plopped down onto his owner’s lap, claiming his territory with a defiant stance.
Setting the kitten down, Su Ling reached out to stroke King’s head. “Let’s try to get along, okay?”
Arf! It was hard to tell whether King actually understood his words, but he leaped into the cat bed, shoving at the kitten. However, it was not giving up without a fight. With a swift swipe of its paw, it sent the startled pup yelping and scrambling out of the bed.
Letting his pets romp around, Su Ling relaxed against the tatami mat as he scrolled through Weibo on his phone.
The moment he tapped the trending topics tab, two topics related to Lin Enterprises immediately caught his eye.
One topic detailed the aftermath of the forced demolitions, revealing that local authorities had detained a murder suspect. According to the suspect’s confession, he was not part of the demolition squad hired by Lin Enterprises but was instead affiliated with a local gang posing as such. They would knock on doors at night to extort money, and when their demands were refused, it led to a violent confrontation that resulted in a fatality.
The local police’s official Weibo account issued a blue announcement with white text, clearly outlining the sequence of events. In a separate post, they reinforced the state policy to intensify the crackdown on organized crime. In a show of compassion, Lin Enterprises pledged financial support to the victims’ families and arranged for professional lawyers to assist with the legal proceedings. This shift in narrative led many netizens to sympathize with Lin Enterprises, who had unjustly borne the brunt of public outrage.
Despite the unseen forces at play, Lin Enterprises had weathered this ordeal, escaping with little more than a few rattled nerves.
As for the other topic, it revolved around Lin Enterprises’ bold investments and visionary leadership.
Sylvan Willows Town was known for its picturesque Sylvan Willows River. Lin Enterprises had initially invested heavily in land near the riverbanks, planning to create a luxurious riverside residential community. However, due to upheavals from forced demolitions, they shifted their strategy. Partnering with the local government, they invested ten billion2 CNY 10,000,000,000 is approximately US $1,410,656,000.00. to develop the Sylvan Willows River Corridor. This project aimed to preserve the natural ecosystems along both riverbanks, stretching from Swallow Cloud Peak in the east to Mount Phoenix in the west, while also boosting local tourism.
Such a move garnered Lin Enterprises significant praise, reaffirming its status as a prestigious family with a century-long reputation. Their unmatched courage and vision were truly a force to be reckoned with!
The favorable news triggered a surge in Lin Enterprises’ shares, reaching its upper limit right at the market open. Elated shareholders celebrated enthusiastically, sharing their excitement across Weibo with a flurry of celebratory messages.
Su Ling brought the teacup to his lips and took a thoughtful sip.
One could not help but admire Lin Feng’s business acumen. In just four or five days of arriving in Sylvan Willows Town, he had already managed to turn things around and introduced innovative strategies that transformed losses into profits.
After spending over a month in Stone Creek Village, Su Ling had gained a solid grasp of the area. The Sylvan Willows River began its journey in Swallow Cloud Peak, meandering through the northern slopes of Mount Phoenix, passing through Sylvan Willows Town, and ultimately reaching City H, spanning approximately two hundred kilometers. Su Ling recognized that transforming this river corridor into a picturesque destination, with attractions like tourism, culinary dining, and accommodations, could potentially generate substantial profits in the years to come.
Swallow Cloud Peak, also known as Swallow Haven Peak, was famed for its unique rock formation and numerous waterfalls, the most famous of which was the Winding Falls. During the rainy season, this waterfall erupted into a spectacular display, cascading with immense power and drawing countless local visitors eager to witness its breathtaking grandeur.
The majestic Mount Phoenix stretched across the horizon, its vast peaks resembling a phoenix spreading its wings, which was how it earned its name. At the foot of this grand mountain lay Stone Creek Village, a small village where Su Ling’s second grandfather had only managed to lease two mountaintops on the left flank of Mount Phoenix, covering barely a quarter of its expansive range. The villagers typically spent their days around the tea plantations, and venturing beyond that territory would lead them into the rarely trodden wilderness.
To his astonishment, Su Ling discovered that the reason Mount Phoenix was slated for development was none other than Dewfall Tea!
As June ushered in the season for fresh tea, Qi Yue and his fellow merchants proved their shrewd nature once again. Sensing the potential, they jumped at the chance to invest after Lin Enterprises revealed plans for the Sylvan Willows River Corridor, propelling the Dewfall Tea from Mount Phoenix into the limelight.
Su Ling’s thumb absently traced the smooth rim of the cup, lost in thought. He had been mulling over ways to develop Stone Creek Village, so Lin Enterprises’ investment came as a welcome relief. Just when he thought he was in need, help arrived unexpectedly.
Snapping back to reality, Su Ling noticed that his two little pets were still tumbling about. Hence, he picked up a teaser wand and waved it in front of the Dragon Li kitten, instantly capturing its attention. With a swift leap, it sprang forward in a playful attack.
Noticing the empty cat bed, King let out a delighted bark and sprawled out on it, relishing the chance to have it all to himself.
Su Ling raised the teaser wand high, and the little kitten leaped after it, its collar bell chiming with every bound.
“Beautiful! That’s brilliant, Lion!”
He named the Dragon Li kitten Lion, and after a few days of calling it by that name, the little one began to respond with curious, perked ears.
Just as the playful antics reached their peak, the sudden ring of his phone shattered the joyous moment. Su Ling glanced at the caller ID and was momentarily taken aback by the name that appeared.
At that juncture, he could hardly believe his eyes. Who would have thought he would receive a call from Qi Yue, the tea merchant?
He tapped the Answer button, and Qi Yue’s friendly laughter came through the line before diving straight to the point.
“Hello, Mr. Su! I’ve got a big business proposal in mind, care to join me?”
“Hello, Boss Qi! What business proposal has prompted you to call me personally?”
“Haha, I’ve got some great news! Have you heard that Lin Enterprises is planning to invest and develop tourism in our Sylvan Willows Town?”
“Yes, I have.”
“Mount Phoenix is one of the key development projects, so a few of us from the Tea Trade Association decided to leverage this opportunity and vigorously promote Dewfall Tea.”
“That truly is wonderful news! Congratulations, Boss Qi!”
“Oh, not at all! Congratulations are in order for you as well,” Qi Yue laughed. “Your tea plantations are the source of Dewfall Tea, and we know how important it is to spread the word. So, we’re thinking of partnering with Mr. Su to shoot an ad. What do you think?”
“Sounds good to me.” Since it was a win-win scenario, Su Ling had no reason to decline.
“That’s fantastic! When would you be available to discuss the details, Mr. Su?” Qi Yue inquired, brimming with excitement.
“How about the day after tomorrow? I happen to be free then,” Su Ling suggested.
“Sure, let’s go with that!”
After hanging up the phone, Su Ling scooped up the Dragon Li kitten and nuzzled his face into its soft fur.
Meow! The kitten protested, squirming in frustration.
Su Ling fondly stroked its soft belly, a warm smile spreading across his face. “You really are my lucky cat!”
Arf arf! King gazed up at his owner with sorrowful eyes.
Su Ling reached down and lifted King effortlessly into his embrace. “You’re truly my fortune dog, little guy.”
Arf!
Meow!
The following day, the head of Fu Lin Group and their engineers arrived in City H on the 9:30 a.m. flight, with the electronic system in tow. By two in the afternoon, three trucks rolled into Stone Creek Village, ready to unload.
In the plastic greenhouse, Su Ling was laboring over stubborn weeds when his phone rang. He stared in disbelief at the screen when he saw Lin Zhou’s name.
Didn’t he say yesterday that he was still abroad? How could he possibly be in the country today and already in Stone Creek Village with all the electronic equipment?
After ending the call, Su Ling realized he had no time to head back and change. As such, he sprinted down the field road, racing toward the village entrance.
Impeccably dressed in an elegant suit and meticulously groomed for the occasion, Lin Zhou was taken aback to find Su Ling looking disheveled and unkempt.
He wore a wide-brimmed yellow straw hat that shielded his face from the sun, paired with a blue plaid shirt with rolled-up sleeves that revealed his pale arms. His loose-fitting jeans were tucked into sturdy black work boots that were caked with mud, and slung over his shoulder was a small hoe, giving him the appearance of a farmer who had just finished a long day in the fields.
No, it was the most dashing farmer!
The author has something to say:
Lin Zhou: I must be seeing things!
________
Even if Baby Ling becomes a farmer, he’ll still be the most dashing and beautiful one around! *Pumps fist triumphantly*
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