Chapter 027: Charlene
Zhao Feng shook his head. “No need! I want to earn this million on my own, step by step.”
Chen Ying was a little surprised, amazed by Zhao Feng’s determination.
Zhao Feng glanced at his parents. “Dad, Mom! Let’s eat first. Afterward, I have to go out for a while.”
Zhao Jun nodded.
Although Zhao Jun had called Zhao Feng reckless earlier, he was still deeply worried about him.
Everyone returned home. Chen Lan and Chen Ying went to prepare dinner, while Zhao Jun, Zhao Feng, and Li Changqing sat in the living room and waited.
After the meal, Li Changqing was getting ready to leave.
Zhao Feng smiled. “Director Li, could you give me a ride to the county town?”
Li Changqing nodded.
He called for the driver, and together they left in a Jaguar, carrying Li Changqing and Zhao Feng.
Arriving at the county town, Zhao Feng parted ways with Li Changqing.
He went straight to a traditional medicine shop rather than anywhere else.
As Zhao Feng stepped into the shop, a young girl was dozing off behind the counter.
He walked over and rapped gently on the glass countertop. The girl jolted awake.
She hurriedly wiped her mouth, though there was nothing there, and looked at Zhao Feng with sleepy eyes. “What do you need?”
Zhao Feng smiled, pulled a slip of paper from his jeans pocket—prepared in advance—and handed it to her.
“I want everything listed here.”
She took it and glanced over. “Two taels of Gold and Silver Herb, three taels of Osmanthus Mushroom, one tael of Grindskin.”
She blinked. “Alright, just a moment.”
Zhao Feng nodded.
The girl took out a scale and started measuring out the herbs.
Just then, another clerk approached.
This female clerk strode in arrogantly. “Xiao Li, is there any Grindskin left?”
Xiao Li—the sleepy girl—blinked. “No, it’s already been sold!”
The clerk instantly bristled. “To whom? Do you not know Master Qiu reserved it?”
Zhao Feng, meanwhile, had already received his package of herbs.
He had no wish to get involved, so he took the package and prepared to leave.
“Stop right there!” the clerk barked.
Zhao Feng frowned and turned. “What is it?”
She sneered. “Hand over the Grindskin. We’re not selling it.”
“Ha!” Zhao Feng chuckled. “Sorry, but I’ve already bought it.”
“You—!” The clerk was momentarily speechless.
Zhao Feng couldn’t be bothered with further argument and turned to go.
Unexpectedly, the clerk blocked his way.
Zhao Feng frowned. “Move aside.”
“Hmph! I won’t. What will you do about it?” she said, her tone dripping with arrogance.
Zhao Feng rolled his eyes inwardly. He had more important matters to attend to and didn’t want to waste time.
“Move. I’m telling you one last time.”
“No! What will you do?” the clerk replied, now showing her shrewish side.
This made Zhao Feng laugh in disbelief.
He shook his head. “Fine, since you won’t move…”
“So what?”
“Hmmph!” Zhao Feng reached out and pinched the clerk’s rear.
She froze for a moment, then, realizing what had happened, shrieked.
“Ah!!”
“You pervert!”
Zhao Feng laughed triumphantly.
Clutching his herbs, he dashed out of the shop, disappearing in a flash.
It was just a minor episode. Leaving the medicine shop, Zhao Feng found a cheap hotel and slipped inside.
He entered the cramped room and sat down on the bed.
First, he took out the Gold and Silver Herb and crushed it. Then he did the same with the Osmanthus Mushroom.
He found a plastic bottle and put everything inside.
Zhao Feng smiled. “Now for the finishing touch: Grindskin.”
He took out an alcohol burner and roasted a small piece of Grindskin until it was slightly charred and filled the room with a pungent medicinal aroma.
“Done!”
He crushed the Grindskin and added it to the plastic bottle.
Finally, Zhao Feng went to the bathroom and filled the bottle with a little water. Instantly, the mixture bubbled as if reacting chemically.
Within moments, the contents became thick and sticky.
“Heh heh heh!”
Zhao Feng gazed with satisfaction at his handiwork.
He left the room and checked out—remarkably, he got thirty yuan refunded.
Holding the plastic bottle, Zhao Feng headed for a KTV in the county town.
He arrived at a place called Red Romance KTV and entered directly.
He asked for the largest private room and ordered the most expensive drinks.
Alone, Zhao Feng began to drink.
His actions baffled the KTV manager and staff; everyone assumed he was some rich heir.
He drank alone until deep into the night.
Late at night, the KTV manager—a woman—came to his room, wearing a professional smile.
“Young master, it’s time to settle your bill, isn’t it?”
Zhao Feng, tipsy and bleary-eyed, opened his eyes and mumbled, “I have no money.”
Her smile froze.
She forced a stiff grin. “Young master, you must be joking!”
“Heh heh heh,” Zhao Feng chuckled. “I really have no money.”
Her expression turned cold. “So you came here to dine and dash.”
Zhao Feng shook his head. “Not at all.”
Sensing hope, she put on a smile again. “Then what is it?”
“Heh heh heh,” Zhao Feng laughed. “I came here to have Xia Lin drink with me.”
Boom!
The manager’s anger erupted. “What did you say?”
At this moment, Zhao Feng’s eyes were unusually bright.
He stared at her and pronounced each word distinctly. “I said, I want Xia Lin to drink with me!”
“You’re courting death!” she exploded.
The manager pulled out her walkie-talkie. “Room 512 is causing trouble—all living staff, get over here!”
Within three minutes, a large crowd packed into the private room.
Now, Zhao Feng was surrounded, the room impenetrable.
Yet Zhao Feng sat calmly on the sofa, lazily curled up, as if nothing could disturb him.
The manager glared at him, her gaze murderous. “Do you dare repeat what you just said?”
Zhao Feng looked at her deeply and slowly replied, “I said, I want Xia Lin to drink with me.”
“Get him!”
The manager waved her hand. “Beat him half to death and toss him into Dragon Lake!”
She didn’t care whether he was a rich kid or a student.
Touching Xia Lin was touching her own forbidden scale.
“Hmph hmph hmph!”
The KTV staff and employees cracked their knuckles and moved in on Zhao Feng.
Yet Zhao Feng stretched lazily and sank back into the sofa…