A Divine Farmer

Chapter 224 - To Seduce the Beautiful Boss

“Beauty Preserving Grass may be rare, but it's not as challenging to cultivate as the Four-phenomena Divine Orchid,” Zhang Xiaolong clarified. “To put it another way, even if you were to give someone the Four-phenomena Divine Orchid, once they've used up all the petals, there's no way to get more. However, Beauty Preserving Grass, while not the fastest to reproduce, can be cultivated extensively. If word about it got out, it might not be entirely positive for us.”

“Is the Beauty Preserving Grass alone sufficient for treating injuries?” Yang Jingjing inquired.

She recalled that Zhang Xiaolong had indeed used the Beauty Preserving Grass on her, even chewing it himself before application. Yet, when he treated Xiaohong, it seemed he had added something else.

?”The Beauty Preserving Grass is the primary ingredient. On its own, it can still heal wounds, just not as rapidly,” Zhang Xiaolong affirmed with a nod. “While other herbs might heal in one night, the Beauty Preserving Grass alone could take two or three days. But the key advantage is that it leaves no scars. It can even gradually remove old scars, and its ability to stop bleeding is exceptional.”

At the time, he had used only the Beauty Preserving Grass on Yang Jingjing because the wound had been mostly healed by his divine power; the herb was simply to prevent scarring.

“What if we did this? We produce the medicine but don't disclose the ingredients. That way, unless someone is on the inside, no one will know what it's made of. Even with testing, they'd only find a bunch of data, which wouldn't reveal much,” Yang Jingjing proposed, seeking a solution.

“I'm afraid that's not feasible,” Zhang Xiaolong replied with a wry smile. “How can we sell a medicine without listing its components?”

“You have a point,” Yang Jingjing conceded, recognizing the impracticality of her idea. “But even if we name the Beauty Preserving Grass, how many people could actually find it?”

Her comment sparked a realization in Zhang Xiaolong, reminding him of the elusive Four-phenomena Divine Orchid, a plant not even found in historical records.

While various academic disciplines are well-established, the world is so vast and filled with a myriad of strange and bizarre plants. Botanists are often unaware of the sheer number of plants they have yet to encounter, which cannot be simply described in a few words. There are, in fact, a multitude of them!

“That's absolutely right!” exclaimed Zhang Xiaolong, slapping his forehead. “Let's go back and look up the Beauty Preserving Grass. I bet there won't be any comprehensive records about it. At most, history books might have a mere mention of its name. With that in mind, we really have nothing to worry about. We'll just have to see how things unfold.”

“Looks like I've been of help, haven't I?” Yang Jingjing said with a smile.

“You've been a huge help, truly my lucky charm. Come on, what do you feel like buying today? I'll take care of the bill!” Zhang Xiaolong declared generously.

“It's wonderful to indulge in the generosity of the wealthy!” Yang Jingjing responded playfully.

Following their earlier plan, they headed to the sportswear specialty store, intending to invite Yaru to join them for dinner afterward.

But upon arriving at the store's entrance, they found the once new-looking storefront eerily quiet. The place was nearly devoid of customers and sales staff alike.

Inside, people were packing up, signaling that the store was on the brink of closure.

“Manager Zhou,” Zhang Xiaolong called out upon seeing the weary-looking Zhou Li, the beautiful female manager he had met before, busy packing up. “What's happening here? Why are you closing up shop?”

Zhou Li turned to see who had approached and her eyes brightened. She certainly remembered the handsome man who had modeled for her. With a wry smile, she replied, “There's no way around it. We just can't keep going. I'm terribly sorry. In this condition, I can't offer you any service.”

“That's alright, but what exactly happened? I recall your business was thriving when you first opened. How did things take such a sudden downturn?” Zhang Xiaolong asked. He had previously thought the store was well-managed, with a keen eye for fashion and a warm yet principled approach to customer service. It seemed like it should have been a successful venture.

“It's nothing significant,” Zhou Li replied, reluctant to elaborate. Despite having met before, their acquaintance was not close. “Business is tough these days; we're not making money, so we've had to shut down.”

?Zhang Xiaolong sensed Zhou Li's resignation but knew that tough business conditions were a reality he couldn't ignore. “Do you have any plans, Manager Zhou?” A thought suddenly struck him: he had been looking to hire someone, and Zhou Li seemed like the perfect candidate.

In terms of management, Yang Jingjing lacked extensive experience, so they had been on the lookout for a suitable vice president. Such a candidate needed to be more than just experienced; they had to be trustworthy. Otherwise, it would be like setting a ticking time bomb within the company.

Moreover, it wasn't easy to find someone willing to join a startup like their Makeup Company. Skilled individuals were hesitant to gamble their careers on a new venture.

Starting a company from scratch is an arduous task. If successful, it adds to one's experience, but failure can be a significant setback, wasting time and casting doubt on one's judgment.

?Many job seekers naturally steered clear of such risky ventures, preferring to avoid the risks entrepreneurs face. Zhang Xiaolong understood this perspective. They didn't want to entrust their company to a complete novice, as inexperience could lead to unforeseen errors that might threaten the company's existence.

This predicament had caused a prolonged delay in finding the right person.

“I don't have any concrete plans at the moment,” Zhou Li admitted. “Maybe I'll take a break, or perhaps I'll move away from Qingyang City. It's difficult to say.” In truth, Zhou Li had already prepared to leave Qingyang, though it was not her initial desire. But given the circumstances, she felt it was the only plan she could pursue.

?”Leaving?” Zhang Xiaolong hadn't expected that she was actually considering leaving. “Is there a better opportunity for you out of town?”

Zhou Li found herself in a bind, unsure of how to respond.

Noticing her hesitation, Zhang Xiaolong quickly clarified, “Please don't get me wrong. I have no ulterior motive. I just think you have a real knack for business. As it happens, I'm starting a new company and we're in need of management personnel. If you don't have any pressing commitments elsewhere, why not give my company a shot? We can negotiate a good salary. What do you say?”

“Me?” Zhou Li was taken aback, not expecting this turn of events. “Why would you choose me?”

“To tell you the truth, we're in need of someone with your management skills. The company is just getting off the ground and doesn't have a strong presence yet, which is why experienced individuals are hesitant to join us. But I assure you, the potential for growth is excellent. Ultimately, the decision is yours,” Zhang Xiaolong explained.

“What kind of company is it?” Zhou Li inquired.

“A makeup company,” Zhang Xiaolong replied with a smile, “featuring new concept skincare products!”