Xiaoqian's anxiety spiked. She had clearly been the first one to meet Chen Erbao, but whether it was with the jade gambling or arranging for the future, Wenwen had beaten her to the punch every time. It just didn't feel fair.
However, she was too embarrassed to say anything directly, so she just sulked and picked at her food.
Fortunately, Wenwen noticed her best friend's odd behavior. After some hesitation, she asked in a low voice, "Mr. Chen, could you possibly help arrange a job for Xiaoqian too... She's graduating next year..."
Xiaoqian was a year ahead of Wenwen, so she would be facing the challenge of finding a job next year.
Although Fatty Song gave Xiaoqian some money for living expenses, it wasn't enough to put her mind at ease.
That was because Fatty Song had never promised to help her find a job.
"It's a small matter. I'll just mention it later, that's all. But..."
'Xiaoqian is Fatty Song's mistress. If I step in, what does that make this whole situation?!'
After weighing his options, Chen Erbao decided to call Manager Song's number.
"Manager Song, my apologies for calling so late."
Fatty Song was at a well-known foot massage parlor in Banna when he suddenly received Chen Erbao's call. He immediately sat up straight. "No bother at all, no bother at all! For Mr. Chen to call me is an honor I couldn't have hoped for!"
Even though he was the head of the region, Banna District was ultimately a small place. Facing Chen Erbao, who had been personally introduced by headquarters, he naturally had to be a little more respectful.
Chen Erbao thought to himself, 'This fatty knows what's what.'
"Manager Song, I've finished my business in Banna District. I'll be heading back tomorrow," he said directly.
Hearing this, Fatty Song was surprised. "Leaving so soon? Oh my, and here I was hoping to have a good drinking session with Mr. Chen..."
"There's no need for drinks, but I'm very grateful for your help. Tomorrow, I have a batch of Jade that needs to be shipped back to Jiangnan Province using Medicine King Hall's transport routes. I hope Manager Song can keep an eye on it. The quantity isn't large, just ten or twenty pieces."
"No problem, absolutely no problem! We've been running that route back to Jiangnan Province for over a decade without a single mistake. Mr. Chen, you can rest assured!"
Fatty Song said earnestly.
During his tenure, although he indulged in wining, dining, womanizing, and gambling, he never let there be a single slip-up when it came to Medicine King Hall's business!
He was good at maintaining what he had, but lacked the drive to expand.
The internal competition at Medicine King Hall was fierce. For someone like him with no outstanding talents, he would never become a core member in this lifetime unless a miracle happened.
That's why he was so eager to curry favor with Chen Erbao.
He wished Chen Erbao would ask him to do more; the more he did, the bigger the favor Chen Erbao would owe him.
"There's one more small thing. I... have a friend. She's from Banna, a sophomore in college. I'm hoping Manager Song can arrange a suitable position for her to get a year of experience at the Banna Medicine King Hall. When she graduates, I'll have her transferred to Jiangnan Province. She's friends with your secretary, Xiaoqian, so you can just ask Xiaoqian about her then."
"A friend?"
Fatty Song's eyes darted. He knew exactly what Chen Erbao was implying. With tacit understanding, he nodded. "No problem. Rest assured, Mr. Chen. I'll definitely arrange for a small matter like this."
"Also, Xiaoqian is her best friend. Even though she's your secretary, I hope you won't treat her poorly in the future, Manager Song."
"Of course, of course!"
Fatty Song agreed to everything, not bothered in the slightest.
He had plenty of other "secretaries" like Xiaoqian on the side; losing one was no big deal.
Hanging up the phone, Chen Erbao looked at the two women and smiled. "Now you can rest easy, right?"
"Thank you... Thank you, Mr. Chen!"
Xiaoqian and Wenwen's faces were flushed, and they were overcome with excitement.
Without Chen Erbao's intervention, they couldn't imagine how much effort it would have taken to get a job at Medicine King Hall!
Chen Erbao was their fated benefactor!
The two women raised their glasses and toasted Chen Erbao together.
The three of them drained their glasses. As they were chatting idly, Xia Qingxue gracefully approached the table and resumed drinking with Chen Erbao.
...
Outside the Banna City District, near the border of the Triangle Zone, an ordinary-looking minivan rumbled along a rugged mountain road, heading toward the vast, remote mountains.
Inside the van, Charles's face was pale, his eyes radiating a thick, palpable hatred.
"Chen Erbao... I swear, one day I will tear you to pieces!"
His Three Ghosts Devouring Body Curse Technique had been broken by Chen Erbao's brute force. As the spellcaster, he had naturally suffered a backlash. What terrified him even more was a profound sense of malice he felt looming over him.
Although he was also a Grandmaster, his specialty was assassination. If he lingered in Banna City and ran into Chen Erbao, he feared he would be killed on the spot!
In a head-on fight with a young, vigorous Grandmaster brimming with Qi and Blood Abundance, he would undoubtedly be the one to die!
On top of that, the Security Bureau had also arrived in Banna City. It was best for him to leave as quickly as possible!
Just as Charles crossed the national border, an attack helicopter thundered overhead, its bright searchlight scanning every inch of the road below, but it ultimately found nothing.
"Reporting in, no sign of anyone crossing illegally!" the pilot shouted into the radio.
Hua Yueqing's voice came through from the other end: "Understood. That old bastard probably got away. Forget it. We'll let him off the hook this time!"
...
Sometime after ten at night, Chen Erbao helped a flushed Xia Qingxue back to their room.
Xia Qingxue had rarely drunk alcohol in her life. Although she had her Cultivation, after half a bottle of red wine, the alcohol was hitting her, and she was feeling a little dizzy.
As the door closed, Xia Qingxue leaned back against the sofa, her simple white dress partially unfastened, revealing a sliver of fair skin at her chest.
"Qingxue, how is your Cultivation of the Pure Maiden Divine Skill coming along?"
Chen Erbao plopped down on the sofa, making it sink and causing Xia Qingxue to lean involuntarily against him.
"The Pure Maiden Divine Skill seems to be a perfect match for me. Even though I only cultivated for an afternoon, it's already raised me to my current true Realm, which should be... the Peak of Qi Refining Second Layer?"
This way of naming Realms was still a little unfamiliar to Xia Qingxue.
Chen Erbao clicked his tongue in amazement.
It was much easier to switch to an Immortal Technique when one already had a foundation of Inner Strength. Lin Rui had been cultivating for days and had only reached the Peak of Qi Refining First Layer.
Chen Erbao let out a mischievous laugh as his hands roamed and wrapped around Xia Qingxue's slender waist. "This is a Dual Cultivation Divine Skill that complements my Joyful Technique. As long as we cultivate diligently together, you'll reach my Realm very quickly."
Hearing this, Xia Qingxue's face grew even redder. She lowered her head shyly and murmured, "How... do we cultivate...?"
With a single motion, Chen Erbao flipped Xia Qingxue onto her back on the sofa and chuckled wickedly. "Let me teach you..."
"Mmph..."
Her bright red lips were smothered. Xia Qingxue's body trembled, and she wrapped her arms around Chen Erbao's neck, a mix of shyness and desire. She willingly parted her teeth, letting him explore her mouth wantonly.
Having just experienced the joys of intimacy the night before, she had tasted the forbidden fruit and was now eager for more.