Jiang Qi looked as if he had been stunned by a blow, genuinely not daring to move again.
He knew he had run into a tough opponent.
If anyone told him a woman who could say such things didn't have a powerful background, he wouldn't believe it even if he were beaten to death.
He wasn't so foolish as to think he was the best in the world.
A few young men dining with him were unwilling to let him off the hook.
"Brother Jiang, are you just going to let that girl go? Just say the word, and we'll help you get her."
"Forget it. I admit defeat. Who would have thought this little girl would be so fiery?" Jiang Qi said.
"Brother Jiang, that's not like you.
Let's not ask where she's from. I'll find someone to get her for you."
A thin, tall young man said.
"Wang Hu, don't cause trouble. Let's go back,"
Jiang Qi said, turning to leave.
The others exchanged glances, curled their lips, and followed him out.
"Wang Hu, you know a lot of people. Find a few to grab that woman, and we can have some fun?" a short, plump young man said.
"Li Xin, if anything happens, you'll have to take responsibility," Wang Hu said.
"It's fine. I'll just tell my dad. My dad calls the shots around here,"
Li Xin said with confidence.
"Alright, wait. I'll find someone right now," Wang Hu said, making a call.
"Second Brother, it's Hu Zi. There's a girl who's really something. Yes, at Yongxu Pavilion. Okay, I'll wait for you."
Wang Hu hung up the phone and gave the others an OK gesture.
It seemed like they had done this sort of thing many times.
They got into the car and waited for the so-called Second Brother.
Not long after, a shifty-looking man arrived. He stood at the entrance of Yongxu Pavilion, peering inside.
If Guo Xuyang were there, he would have recognized this man as Qi Dahai, known as "Two-Finger Zen," who had been caught by Xiao Yu with a judo throw.
Wang Hu walked over. "Second Brother, you're here. Just get this girl out for me, and you can name your price."
"What does she look like? Where is she?" Qi Dahai asked.
Wang Hu pulled out his phone and found the photos of Li Minxi and Xia Li that he had taken earlier.
"Here, it's these two women."
"Two? Didn't you say one?"
"Just one. You just need to get this one out," Wang Hu said, pointing at Li Minxi.
"Alright. Thirty thousand," Qi Dahai said after looking at the photos.
"That's a bit much, Second Brother."
"This girl is quite a looker. I have to take risks, don't I?"
"Okay then. I'll transfer it to you."
Wang Hu took out his phone and scanned Qi Dahai's.
"It's gone. Take a look."
"You guys wait in the car. I'll help her out in a moment."
Qi Dahai said and walked into Yongxu Pavilion.
Why did Qi Dahai agree so readily?
As the "Two-Finger Zen" of the underworld, he not only pickpocketed but also used drugs.
Guo Xuyang and Wu Youzhi walked ahead, completely unaware of what had happened to Li Minxi and Xia Li behind them.
The four of them were now sitting in a private room, eating heartily.
The food at Yongxu Pavilion truly lived up to its reputation. It was all vegetarian.
And the names of the dishes were very distinctive, such as "Three-Color Hibiscus," "Mushroom Chestnuts," "Sending Charcoal in Snow," "Green Pepper Phoenix Tail," "Fried Vegetarian Fruit," and "Assorted Hot Pot."
"Comfortable. This is much tastier than those rich meats. I'm stuffed."
Li Minxi patted her stomach with no regard for her image.
"If it's delicious, we'll come again," Wu Youzhi said.
"This restaurant only serves vegetarian banquets, and it's the only one in the provincial capital. That's why business is exceptionally good.
Some high-ranking officials now focus on health and come here specifically to dine."
"Indeed, the owner's business acumen is commendable.
Nowadays, in any catering business, a unique selling proposition is key.
As long as you have a specialty, you won't lack customers."
Guo Xuyang said.
"People used to say that good wine needs no bush, and it's even truer for the catering industry now.
As long as you have a unique offering, people will find you no matter how far away."
"It's already a global village.
The other day, I watched a video about a wife in Hangzhou who wanted to eat Northeast-style iron pot stew.
Her husband directly bought a plane ticket to Northeast China, and the dish was still warm when it arrived at home," Li Minxi said.
"That's a person with a lot of money.
Who would fly to Northeast China to buy iron pot stew for their spouse?
That's really having too much money and not knowing what to do with it," Guo Xuyang said.
"It's probably a publicity stunt, but it garnered a lot of clicks," Li Minxi said.
"Yes. If it's for traffic, it makes sense. I don't think anyone would do that normally."
"What do you know? That's called romance, understand?"
Li Minxi scoffed at Guo Xuyang's words.
"His wife cried her eyes out, moved by it.
If I had a husband like that, I'd be happy to do anything for him."
"I don't understand that kind of romance. It's a waste of public resources."
"What do you mean by wasting public resources?
This is supporting the development of aerospace!
We just don't see eye to eye. Your thinking is too provincial."
"I'm living a practical life. I don't have that kind of spare money for such things."
"That's why you don't understand romance," Li Minxi said, getting up to leave with her bag.
"Are you leaving already? Won't you rest a bit longer?"
"Wait for me. I don't feel well,"
Li Minxi said and walked out.
"President Guo, you have money now too.
If your wife wanted Northeast-style iron pot stew, would you buy it for her?" Xia Li asked.
"I would. I'd just look online.
See if there's anything nearby? If not, we can definitely order it online for delivery.
Either way, I wouldn't fly to Northeast China for that."
"Brother, Li Minxi is right. You really don't understand romance."
Wu Youzhi glanced at Xia Li and said.
"What women eat isn't just the food; they value this kind of care from their men."
"As a rough man, I don't have that much romance.
You can't get a little money and start showing off.
There aren't many people who can't afford to eat or drink now, but there are plenty of children who can't go to school.
With that money, it would be better to support child welfare.
The 'Autumn Charm' charity donation event we participated in last time was very good."
Guo Xuyang thought back to the Autumn Charm charity gala he attended in Kyoto.
And also the exceptionally beautiful Lin Ziyang, chairman of the Central Plains Children's Relief Foundation.
"Brother, when we get back, should we also establish a children's relief foundation in the provincial capital?"
Guo Xuyang's suggestion also reminded Wu Youzhi of the charity gala.
"Yes. Your idea is good.
We have money now, so we need to find a place to spend it.
Otherwise, who knows when we'll become as extravagant as the man Xiaoxi mentioned.
Pay attention to this matter, and find out what procedures are needed.
When we get back, I'll have Xiaoxi ask Lin Ziyang." Guo Xuyang said.
"Sure. Let's do it. I'll inquire about it first thing tomorrow morning."
Wu Youzhi said.
"Hey, why isn't Li Minxi back yet?
Xia Li, why don't you go and see?"
Xia Li was also puzzled. It had been quite a while. Could something have happened?
When she heard Wu Youzhi call out, she walked out.