Chapter Ninety-Four: Farewell to Boss Hong (Part One)

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Li Ying didn’t get up until ten o’clock. When she brushed her teeth and rinsed her mouth, it was obvious that walking was somewhat uncomfortable. Seeing the way she walked, Le’er couldn’t help but laugh.

“You little rascal, if you dare laugh again, do you want a smack on the head?”

As she spoke, Li Ying’s right hand curled into a fist. Back in Foshan, she liked to tap him on the head, calling it “letting him eat chestnuts.” But today, as she said this, she radiated charm and her cheeks flushed faintly. Le’er felt a flutter in his heart.

“Sis, I’ve made some porridge. Want a bowl?”

“Hm… you can cook porridge?”

“I’ve always cooked my own meals. Making porridge is easy.”

Le’er brought out the porridge and served a bowl to Li Ying. She took a small spoonful of the steaming porridge.

“Mmm, not bad. Teach me tomorrow.”

“No need for you to lift a finger.” Le’er watched Li Ying eat, feeling pleased inside. “Later, I’ll kill a chicken and stew some soup for you. There are three old hens, too.”

“We just ate chicken at uncle’s house yesterday. No need today.” Li Ying shook her head. “Just some stir-fried greens is fine.”

“That won’t do!” Le’er said anxiously. “If you don’t want chicken soup, I’ll buy some pork ribs and stew winter melon. How about that?”

“Okay, that sounds better.” Li Ying nodded. “Winter melon is good for slimming and beautifying—a fine dish.”

After the porridge, Li Ying discussed with Le’er about calling Boss Hong to see if he could be persuaded to invest. Boss Hong had strong expertise in snake farming, and with his involvement, their venture would be more assured.

Le’er frowned. Seeing his furrowed brow, Li Ying understood his thoughts. She had once been Boss Hong’s woman, and Le’er had always harbored resentment over it.

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“Le’er, can we have a serious talk?”

Li Ying needed to untangle the knot in Le’er’s heart. He obediently followed her into the living room. They sat on the sofa; she rested her head on Le’er’s lap, nestling closely against him.

“Le’er, do you really like me?”

“Yes.”

“When you left Foshan, I left the same day and never saw Boss Hong again,” Li Ying said softly. “But I did call him, told him everything about us, and broke up with him for good.”

Li Ying looked up at Le’er, who returned her gaze, his cheeks turning red. He held her tighter, and she nestled closer still.

“Boss Hong is a man of responsibility; he agreed without hesitation,” Li Ying sighed. “I tried to forget you—I went to Japan and Korea, traveled extensively within the country—but I just can’t forget you. I don’t know what kind of spell you put on me.”

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

“If you’re going to be an entrepreneur, you have to have the qualities of a businessman. You can be narrow-minded in your heart, but outwardly you must be gracious,” Li Ying smiled again. “As long as it benefits the business, you have to greet even enemies with a smile. Boss Hong favors you greatly. Having him on board will be very good for our venture.”

“Hm… I’m just a bit embarrassed to see Boss Hong.”

“Don’t worry, Boss Hong has countless women around him,” Li Ying said with a bitter smile. “He’s a successful boss; he doesn’t hold me in his heart.”

They talked for a long time. Although Le’er’s heart was not entirely at ease, he agreed to cooperate with Boss Hong. Li Ying successfully connected with Boss Hong by phone, and he was glad to collaborate with Le’er.

They had to wait for Boss Hong to arrive and finalize the cooperation before registering the company. These days, with little else to do, Li Ying accompanied Le’er on two trips around Snake Coil Mountain. She was very pleased with the place—breathing the pure mountain air and eating genuine countryside food lifted her spirits. During this time, Feng Shuya also visited. Hearing that Boss Hong was coming, she was delighted, as it meant her poverty alleviation project would be more secure.

Three days later, Boss Hong arrived.

“Haha… Li Ying, Le’er, finally seeing you both again!” As soon as Boss Hong got off the car, he saw Le’er and Li Ying waiting to greet him. “Seeing you two like a perfect couple, it really makes me happy.”

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Whether he was sincere or not, hearing such words made Le’er feel better. Li Ying smiled too, but with a measured grace.

“Welcome, Boss Hong,” Li Ying said briefly, like a true host, addressing him directly as Boss Hong—a nuance he understood well. “Let’s go sit at Le’er’s house for a while.”

Socializing was her forte. This form of address was mainly to ease Le’er’s feelings. Calling him Boss Hong drew a clear line between her and him, showing their relationship was purely business with no lingering entanglements.

Boss Hong brought three men with him. Entering Le’er’s home, Boss Hong laughed heartily upon seeing it.

“Le’er’s home is nice—has more character than city apartments.”

Le’er smiled shyly. Li Ying personally brewed tea—not the coarse tea Le’er usually drank, but a fine white porcelain set she had brought herself, recently purchased in town. Le’er used to drink tea from large cups, but under Li Ying’s insistence, he had learned to enjoy tea from these elegant cups. While drinking, Li Ying detailed the project to Boss Hong.

“A poverty alleviation project?” Boss Hong’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Great! With government support, success is even more assured.”

The three sipped tea while discussing details about the planned company. Le’er would be the principal, investing 1.5 million yuan; Li Ying would invest 1 million. Boss Hong wanted to invest more, but Li Ying only accepted a million from him. The exact share distribution was yet to be discussed.

Boss Hong wanted to inspect the snake breeding site first. Led by Le’er, the group headed straight to Snake Coil Mountain.

“Snake Coil Mountain—a good name,” Boss Hong smiled. “With this mountain’s name, we’re already halfway to success. Breeding snakes on Snake Coil Mountain—how auspicious!”

The three men Boss Hong brought were technicians. Upon seeing the site, they all agreed it was well chosen. One even brought a compass, carefully examining the landscape.

“A good place, a good layout.” This technician specialized in feng shui. “Boss Hong, look—two streams approach like snakes. Though small, they protect this mountain, encircling it with affection, gathering wealth energy. To the east and west, small hills ripple like waves, forming two small dragons, with Snake Coil Mountain as the dragon pearl they play with. The north is relatively flat, with three small ponds arranged consecutively, forming a ‘three wealth stars’ pattern. When the main gate is placed on the north side, wealth will surely pour in.”

“Good, good, good!” Boss Hong, a firm believer in such things, exclaimed three times. “Then this spot is settled. We’ll discuss further once back, sign the contract, and then register the company.”

The group returned to Xiasha Village, where Auntie had prepared food. Feng Shuya, hearing of Boss Hong’s arrival, also came over. Le’er fetched a jar of aged wine from uncle’s house. Together, they raised their glasses in celebration.