A Divine Farmer

Chapter 238 - You Won't be Able to Escape

Although the path was equally challenging, it posed no issue for Zhang Xiaolong and the elite soldiers.

The journey was unobstructed and went smoothly. Upon reaching the outside, the two groups went their separate ways. Liu Zhongjun, sensing that Qu Moyao had something to discuss, said goodbye to Zhang Xiaolong and proceeded ahead with his group.

Qu Moyao decided to address the issue head-on, “Am I a woman you dislike? Or do you not see me as a woman at all?”

“Why would you think that?” Zhang Xiaolong responded, puzzled.

“Do you have a girlfriend?” Qu Moyao ventured, considering the possibility.

She had never been interested in anyone before, but now, the man who had captured her attention surely must have caught the eye of others as well.

She began to worry. If he indeed had someone he cherished, then not only were her previous actions foolish, but it also meant there was no hope for anything between them.

Under her scrutiny, Zhang Xiaolong nodded earnestly, “Yes, but to be exact, not a girlfriend. I'm married. I appreciate your feelings, and I believe you'll find someone even better in the future.”

He was aware of her intentions, and now that everything was out in the open, it would be unfair to feign ignorance.

Qu Moyao received the unwanted answer, feeling a bitterness that seemed to fill her heart and rise to her nose.

Yet, she was resilient. Despite feeling hurt, she managed to say, “I wish you both happiness!” before turning and walking away.

……

Immediately after returning from Qilin Mountain to Qingyang, Su Mei hurried to meet up, her urgency palpable.

“How did it go? Did you find the medicinal herbs you were talking about?” she inquired of Zhang Xiaolong, her concern for the herbs evident.

“Hehe, I have both good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?” Zhang Xiaolong teased.

“Tell me both,” Su Mei replied, not in the mood for games.

“We've located the herbs, but production can't start just yet. I've handed them over to the military, and we need to wait for their representatives to come and discuss the details,” Zhang Xiaolong summarized.

Su Mei was taken aback. “The military? How did they get involved in this?”

Coming from a business family, she had some understanding of such matters. Yet, for Su Mei, directly collaborating with military personnel was uncharted territory.

The issue was complex, and Zhang Xiaolong had to distill it to the essentials for her.

“Is Dr. Qu a woman? Is she very beautiful?” Su Mei's focus had shifted unexpectedly after hearing the explanation.

“Her looks are irrelevant to me,” Zhang Xiaolong replied coolly. “What's important is the opportunity this presents. With military backing, our Injury Medicine could not only become a bestseller, but we could also conceal the Blood Converging Vine's name, making it impossible for others to replicate our product.”

Su Mei pondered deeply. “But if you've given them our best medicine, I'm worried our profits will suffer significantly.”

“Not necessarily,” Zhang Xiaolong countered. “Aside from them being the most in need of this medicine—worth giving for free on that basis alone—Gao Loong's strategy seems sound. If you've never encountered Injury Medicine made with Beauty Preserving Grass, you'd likely believe it's Divine Medicine. But once you've seen the combination of Beauty Preserving Grass and Blood Converging Vine, the previous versions pale in comparison,” he explained, shaking his head. “Consumers are insatiable, always seeking better products at lower prices.”

“You've grown up quite a bit,” Su Mei said, caught off guard, then smiled. “You're not the naive Xiaolong you used to be.”

“That's the result of everyone's influence. Becoming wiser is only natural,” Zhang Xiaolong humbly stated.

Su Mei laughed at his earnest demeanor. “But everyone else claims to give more for the same price. Your approach seems to be offering less for the same price. Isn't that a bit mercenary?”

Zhang Xiaolong wasn't swayed. “Our original goal was to create Injury Medicine. But what if we shift our thinking? We could market it as Scar Removal Essence. Imagine, if a stunning woman like you had an indelible scar, and you learned of a product that could erase it within a month, giving you flawless skin, how much would you be willing to pay? As long as it works, would you feel cheated? You'd probably still regard it as Divine Medicine, especially since it also stops bleeding and heals wounds. That's a huge benefit.”

Su Mei couldn't help but admire him. By shifting the selling point of the Injury Medicine to scar removal, the focus was entirely different, and no longer would people obsess over how long it would take to heal a wound.

If the scar removal effects were genuine and effective, it would still be revered as Divine Medicine. Moreover, if it was advertised that the medicine could also stop bleeding and heal injuries upon application, it would become an essential item in every household.

Having a scar, particularly for a girl who prides herself on her appearance, is an issue that's hard to tolerate, yet sometimes must be endured.

A girl with a scar on her foot might shy away from sandals in the summer, but with this medicine, that problem disappears. Who wouldn't be eager to buy it?

“I've come to realize that you're truly a business prodigy!” Su Mei exclaimed with genuine admiration.

“Hehe, you could've come up with these ideas as well, but I suppose I've been limiting your thinking with my constant talk about Injury Medicine,” Zhang Xiaolong admitted with candor. “I was inspired by someone else, so from now on, don't hesitate to act on your ideas. Don't hold back for fear of upsetting me.”

“Got it,” Su Mei replied, her gaze turning flirtatious. “Xiaolong, I have a scar here. Would you mind applying some medicine for me?”

Despite knowing she was just teasing, Zhang Xiaolong felt his heart skip a beat at the sight of the typically domineering Miss Su suddenly behaving so demurely, caressing her chest. “I… I have some things to take care of, you go ahead!”

“I've just realized something,” Su Mei said with a pout, a hint of dissatisfaction in her voice. “Considering the Su family owns shares in Soaring Dragon, why am I here managing this pharmaceutical company for you? Isn't this just like working for you outright?”

“Uh…”

Zhang Xiaolong hadn't considered this before, but she had volunteered to come: “If you're not happy here, you can always go back to Soaring Dragon. I can find another manager for this place.”

“No, I've boarded your ship, and I don't plan on disembarking,” Su Mei said, her voice tinged with a playful whine. “But you have to remember to come and see me often.”

“I'll be heading out first,” Zhang Xiaolong said in a rush as he took off.

Su Mei watched him flee with a playful chuckle. “So, it turns out this is the most effective approach. Xiaolong, I wonder how long you'll manage to stay out of my reach.”