"Erzhu, aren't you being a bit too cold to Fang Mingsheng? After all, he came to help you," Li Mei asked, looking in the direction Fang Mingsheng had left.
"Mr. Fang must be very busy. I'm just trying not to waste his time," Erzhu hesitated, wanting to reveal the truth but afraid of being mistaken. He opted for a casual excuse.
Li Mei opened her mouth to ask further but decided Erzhu's reasoning made sense and said nothing more.
"Erzhu, hurry up and cook. I'm hungry," Sun Jianguo said, his eyes darting around as if to relieve the awkward atmosphere, clutching his stomach.
Mentioned cooking, Erzhu nodded slightly and walked towards the kitchen. Before long, a fragrant aroma wafted out.
"Erzhu, what are you cooking? The smell alone makes my mouth water!"
"Yes, and there's a faint scent of traditional Chinese medicine."
"Erzhu, can I have a taste first? It smells so good!"
The four women peered into the kitchen with pleading eyes. Erzhu smiled slightly and beckoned them over.
"Oh my god, this duck is incredibly delicious! I've eaten so many kinds of duck, but this is the best!"
"Yes, it's even better than the Five-Flavor Chicken. Erzhu, you'll definitely have another hit this time!"
"It's so fragrant, Erzhu, I want to cooperate with you again!"
In a flash, the kitchen was filled with the four women's enthusiastic praises. Such compliments even drew Sun Jianguo and Lin Yi over.
As they sniffed the enticing aroma, Sun Jianguo and Lin Yi's mouths began to water, Sun Jianguo feeling even hungrier!
"Brother Sun, Brother Lin, you should also..."
Before the word "taste" could leave his lips, Sun Jianguo and Lin Yi had already rushed into the kitchen and were devouring the food.
The medicinal meal was finished before it was even served, not a drop of soup left!
Seeing them licking their lips, Erzhu nodded in satisfaction.
The duck tasted similar to the Five-Flavor Chicken. He had initially thought they might be tired of it, but to his surprise, it was completely finished.
"Erzhu, you haven't answered my question yet," Wang Xiaomei said, wiping her mouth as she grabbed Erzhu's arm, urging him almost coquettishly.
"This duck is prepared with eight kinds of medicinal herbs. Let's call it Eight-Herb Duck for now. You can cooperate with me anytime you wish."
"I want to cooperate!"
"Me too!"
"And me!"
Before Erzhu could finish speaking, three of the women raised their hands eagerly, as if a mountain of gold awaited them.
Erzhu gestured for them to quiet down. The three women then pulled him to the sofa to discuss the cooperation.
"Alas, we'd love to cooperate too, but Chinese law prohibits government officials from engaging in business," Sun Jianguo sighed, looking at Erzhu and the others with envious helplessness.
Such a delicious medicinal meal would surely be popular, but unfortunately, it had nothing to do with them.
"Director Sun, isn't your cousin the owner of a hotel? You could try to arrange something with him," Lin Yi said, nodding slightly, as if a thought had just struck him.
"That's right! My cousin, Sun Gengnian, owns the Sun's Hotel. How could I forget that?" Sun Jianguo exclaimed, remembering his cousin whom he hadn't contacted in a long time. He then walked towards Erzhu.
Lin Yi smiled and shook his head, watching the animated discussion.
These people were all from prominent families; only he was an ordinary citizen.
Within minutes, the cooperation matters were settled. Everyone except Sun Jianguo signed contracts with Erzhu.
"Erzhu, I'll have to trouble you to personally visit my cousin's place. I have to go on a business trip tomorrow," Sun Jianguo said, patting Erzhu's shoulder with a hint of embarrassment, seeing the three women's excitement.
He wasn't very close to his cousin and yet he was asking Erzhu to take the initiative to approach him.
"It's fine, Brother Sun. Just focus on your business. I'll go see your cousin," Erzhu waved his hand nonchalantly, reassuring him.
Although he rarely sought cooperation, Sun Gengnian was Sun Jianguo's cousin. Sun Jianguo had helped him so many times; it was time for him to reciprocate.
"Alright, thank you for the trouble. It's getting late, so I'll be going," Sun Jianguo said, his eyes full of gratitude. He patted Erzhu's shoulder again and walked towards the door.
"Erzhu, I'm leaving too. There are cases waiting for me at the bureau," Lin Yi said, as if remembering something, and then quickly departed after Sun Jianguo.
Only the four women and Erzhu remained in the large living room, and the atmosphere became awkward once more.
"Erzhu, I won't pester you anymore. We'll just be friends from now on!"
"Yes, this is the decision of the three of us. We'll just be friends from now on!" Wang Xiaomei said emphatically, and Lin Qingqing and Liu Yan nodded heavily, reiterating the statement.
Just being friends was something they were unwilling to accept, but it was their only option if they wanted to stay by Erzhu's side.
The three women looked at Erzhu with deep affection. Though they had a thousand words to say, they had to keep them bottled up.
"Okay, feel free to stay in the guest rooms. I'm going back to my room with Xiaomei," Erzhu nodded slightly, gesturing for Li Mei to follow him.
Li Mei, who thought Erzhu wanted to spend the night with her, ran over happily, only to realize Erzhu had said that deliberately to make the other three women give up.
Standing at the bedroom door, watching Erzhu's retreating back, a flicker of melancholy crossed Li Mei's eyes.
"Your great revenge is accomplished, why can't we still be together?" Li Mei asked, feeling deeply wronged, just as Erzhu was about to enter the bedroom.
"There are even greater threats than Chen Yongli waiting for me. I can't let anything happen to you!" Erzhu said slowly, gazing into the distance, thinking of the three forces converging towards him.
"I'm not afraid! Anyway, I just want to be with you!" Though Li Mei didn't fully understand, she clearly heard the latter part of his sentence. She suddenly rushed forward and hugged Erzhu tightly.
She had waited for too long and didn't want to wait any longer! Even if it meant facing a sea of blades, she wanted to be with Erzhu, even for just one night, she felt it would be worth it!
"Xiaomei, don't be like this. We have plenty of time, no need to rush," Erzhu said, feeling the tears on his shoulder. He slowly turned and wiped away Li Mei's tears, his eyes filled with heartache.
"But I don't want to wait anymore. I want to be with you every day!" Li Mei shook her head slightly, looking at Erzhu almost pleadingly, tears streaming down her face.
As a woman, she had never been so proactive, but if it was for Erzhu, she was willing to abandon her dignity.