Before meeting Li Xiangcao, Qin Chuan was unaware of these matters.
However, after meeting Li Xiangcao, everything his second brother, Qin Er Ge, had said surfaced in his mind.
For instance, the matter of Li Xiangcao becoming someone's concubine. Qin Chuan had previously doubted its veracity because in his impression, Li Xiangcao was just a young girl, lacking anything, so who would be interested in her?
But things were different now. Looking at Li Xiangcao before him, who had blossomed into a graceful and elegant woman, possessing a purity tinged with the allure of a mature woman, Qin Chuan believed his second brother's words.
With Li Xiangcao's current beauty and figure, she truly had the capital to become someone's concubine.
"Wow, Xiangcao, you're classmates with Boss Qin!"
As Qin Chuan and Li Xiangcao were chatting, the girl standing beside her covered her mouth in surprise.
"More than just classmates, we're from the same village and grew up together!"
Li Xiangcao smiled charmingly, then her beautiful large eyes swept over Qin Chuan. "It's not an exaggeration to call us childhood sweethearts!"
"Qin Chuan, isn't that right?"
"It's alright, we grew up playing together!"
Qin Chuan felt a bit awkward. "It's just that after junior high, we haven't been in contact or seen each other since!"
"Xiangcao, you haven't returned to the village during Chinese New Year in recent years. Have you been in the county town all this time?"
Li Xiangcao replied with a hum, "Yes, I've been in the county town."
"I have a house here, and many friends are also in the county town, so it doesn't matter whether I go back to the village or not."
Qin Chuan raised an eyebrow. "You've even bought a house in the county town, impressive!"
"I heard from the villagers that your parents have also come to the county town. Are they living with you?"
Li Xiangcao's eyes flickered slightly as she shook her head. "No, my parents aren't living with me."
As she spoke, Li Xiangcao's gaze suddenly fell on the "Tiger Head Benz" behind Qin Chuan. Seeing the conspicuous Mercedes-Benz logo, she pointed at the car. "Qin Chuan, this should be a Mercedes-Benz, right?"
"Yes, it's a Mercedes-Benz!"
Qin Chuan nodded.
"I heard that Mercedes-Benz cars are very expensive, absolutely luxury cars. How much did this car cost you?"
Li Xiangcao asked again.
"This..."
Qin Chuan hesitated. "This car was a gift from a friend, so I'm not very clear about the exact price."
"It must have cost at least fifty thousand yuan, right?"
Li Xiangcao stated.
"Fifty thousand... Hmm, approximately!"
Qin Chuan smiled and nodded.
"My goodness, fifty thousand yuan for a car, that's too extravagant!"
Beside them, the girl who was perfect for playing the role of a foil gasped with wide eyes, her face filled with disbelief.
Li Xiangcao gazed at Qin Chuan's handsome face and his upright posture, then smiled. "Qin Chuan, you've really become capable now!"
"Someone even gifted you such an expensive luxury car, and you own properties, supermarkets, an electronics factory, flagship stores, and more. Although we haven't seen each other for years, I've heard your name mentioned so many times I'm tired of hearing it!"
"If, one day, I, your old classmate, can't make it, I'll come looking for you!"
"At that time, you'll have to give me a meal!"
Qin Chuan chuckled. "Xiangcao, you're being too humble. With your capabilities, why would you need anyone's help? You'll definitely carve out your own path in the future..."
As he was speaking, a mobile phone suddenly rang. Qin Chuan reached into his pocket, only to find Li Xiangcao taking out a phone from her bag.
The model and brand seemed to be the same as his. Li Xiangcao apologized to Qin Chuan and walked aside to answer the call.
This left Qin Chuan and the other girl.
"Miss, are you Xiangcao's friend?"
Qin Chuan asked with a gentle smile.
"Yes, yes, Xiangcao and I are friends. My name is Zhao Xiaoya."
Hearing the idol in front of her call her 'Miss,' Zhao Xiaoya was ecstatic, her heart pounding uncontrollably.
"Xiaoya, that's a good name!"
"What do you two do for a living?"
Qin Chuan asked.
Zhao Xiaoya, who was originally very excited, surprisingly showed a hint of hesitation when Qin Chuan asked about her job. She vaguely replied, "I work at a hotel. Xiangcao, she..."
"Xiaoya, we need to go back!"
Just as Zhao Xiaoya was about to reveal Li Xiangcao's workplace, Li Xiangcao, having finished her call, walked back.
"Qin Chuan, I'm sorry, I have to go back now!"
Li Xiangcao said to Qin Chuan as she approached.
"It's alright, it's getting late, and I should be heading home too!"
Qin Chuan smiled.
"Then let's exchange contact information. We can get together again if there's a chance."
"Okay, you tell me your phone number, and I'll call you..."
A few minutes later, Qin Chuan sat in his car, watching Li Xiangcao drive away in a red Wrangler. He stroked his chin, feeling that this Li Xiangcao was full of mystery, making her unfathomable.
A girl from a remote, humble mountain village with only a junior high school education, yet in just a few years in the county town, she owned her own house and a valuable car.
If this were achieved through her own hard work, it would undoubtedly be a very positive and inspiring story.
But if it were obtained in another way, it would be entirely different...
Thinking of Li Xiangcao, Qin Chuan couldn't help but think of Li Yuan San's situation. He wondered how the investigation by Zheng Cheng Dao was going.
It had only been two days, so there was no need to rush.
In the evening, Qin Chuan drove home after eating at the property development site. As soon as he parked the car, someone from the neighboring house darted out and called, "Xiao Chuan!"
Qin Chuan was startled and said irritably, "Sister Yun, what are you doing? Scaring people to death! Good thing I don't have a heart condition!"
Ye Meiyun smiled sheepishly. "I was just worried about you. Have you eaten?"
"I've eaten, at the property site."
"Then shall we chat?"
Ye Meiyun said.
Qin Chuan nodded. "Should we go to my place or yours?"
"What's the difference!"
Ye Meiyun teased.
Qin Chuan grinned and followed Ye Meiyun into her home.
Come to think of it, the last time he had been to Ye Meiyun's place was when she moved in. He was busy with work on weekdays, and after coming home, he would just sleep, so he hadn't visited since.
"What kind of tea would you like? I have Pu-erh, Tieguanyin, Maojian, and several other kinds."
After Qin Chuan sat down on the sofa, Ye Meiyun asked enthusiastically.
"Anything is fine, I'm not picky about these things. Anyway, many teas taste the same to me."
Qin Chuan leaned back lazily on the sofa.
"Crude!"
Ye Meiyun commented, then went to prepare the tea.
Soon, the tea was ready, and a faint aroma of tea permeated the entire living room.
Qin Chuan and Ye Meiyun sat facing each other, sipping their tea.
"This Pu-erh is a type of dark tea, with a mellow taste and a long-lasting aroma. It's the most classic among the six major types of tea..."
Ye Meiyun helped him understand tea knowledge, and at the same time, like a big sister next door, she advised:
"You're going to be a big boss in the future. You need to understand some knowledge about tea, wine, chess, and so on. It will be beneficial for you."
"Many business dealings in the market often start with these things..."
Qin Chuan sat on the sofa, smoking and quietly listening to her teachings.
However, he soon drifted off, his thoughts involuntarily returning to Li Yuan San and Li Xiangcao...
"Hey, I'm talking to you. Why haven't you responded for so long?"
Suddenly, something was thrown at him, jolting Qin Chuan back to attention.
"Sister, what were you saying?"
Qin Chuan came back to his senses.
"Xiao Chuan, are you still angry with me?"
"Resentful that I didn't support you at the meeting this afternoon?"
Ye Meiyun said from the opposite sofa.