A Divine Farmer

Chapter 181 - The Awkwardness of the Three of Them!

Hearing the phone ring, Chen Yaru reluctantly extracted herself from the man's arms to answer. “Dad, what's up?”

“Yaru, where have you been? Everyone at the company's been looking for you. Why didn't you pick up earlier?” Chen Zhaomin's voice carried a hint of concern.

Zhang Xiaolong hadn't mentioned anything earlier, but Chen Zhaomin must have sensed something was amiss, prompting another call.

“The phone died, that's all,” Chen Yaru quickly reassured him, not wanting him to worry. “I'm with Xiaolong, everything's fine.”

From beside her, Zhang Xiaolong chimed in, “Dad, I've found Yaru. She's safe, you can relax.”

Reassured by Zhang Xiaolong's voice, Chen Zhaomin continued, “Good to hear. I wanted to let you know, the Xu family is hosting a Charity Auction that's going to be televised live. I was notified a few days ago, but they've moved it up to tomorrow night. You should prepare. It could be a great opportunity.”

“Understood, Dad,” Chen Yaru said before hanging up and turning to Zhang Xiaolong.

Chen Zhaomin was right; the auction could be the perfect chance for Soaring Dragon Company to elevate its profile.

Their drinks were already well-known, but the company's recent rise meant they were still the new kid on the block. More exposure was essential for them to grow into a powerhouse in the industry.

?Some companies weren't particularly strong but managed to create an illusion of power through savvy media use. If leveraged correctly, this perception could translate into real benefits, eventually solidifying into tangible growth.

?The upcoming Charity Auction was an excellent opportunity, but capitalizing on it would require some strategic thinking.

Yet, Chen Yaru's mind was preoccupied with a different issue. The Xu family had just acquired the secret formula for Elegant Dragon Drinks, and now they'd abruptly moved up the auction. She couldn't help but wonder about the possible schemes lurking behind this sudden change.

“Don't worry. Whether it's a conspiracy or not, we'll just observe and see how things unfold,” Zhang Xiaolong reassured. He was unsure of the true intentions behind the Charity Auction, but if it genuinely aimed to support charity, he was open to attending.

He wasn't keen on boosting his personal fame, yet he wasn't opposed to the idea of charitable work enhancing the company's reputation.

“Do you think Wang Zongyi's evidence could implicate Xu Shaoning?” Chen Yaru pondered suddenly.

If the evidence held up, Xu Shaoning could soon be apprehended by the police. With Xu Shaoning out of the picture, she would feel significantly more relieved.

Chen Yaru was no longer intimidated by Xu Shaoning, but she couldn't ignore that since his return to Qingyang, a series of incidents had occurred.

She even suspected Xu Shaoning's involvement in the recent kidnapping of Chen Zhaomin, but the lack of evidence meant the case had to be dropped.

“It's not quite there yet,” Zhang Xiaolong shook his head. “Wang Zongyi may have had a backup plan, but Xu Shaoning is clearly the more cunning of the two. He's been cautious from the start. That's why the video doesn't clearly show his face, making it hard to positively identify him. Without a clear identification, and as long as he denies involvement, there's no way to conclusively prove it was him. I suspect he's always intended for Wang Zongyi to take the fall, and he knows I'd suspect it too, given our recent fallout. It's typical for him to target those close to me for revenge.”

“What do we do, then? I can't shake the feeling that we're in danger as long as he's around,” Chen Yaru expressed her concerns.

“Don't be afraid. As long as I'm here, I won't let anything happen to you,” Zhang Xiaolong said confidently. “Rest assured, if they know the formula, they're bound to slip up sooner or later.”

Knowing only that the Four-phenomena Divine Orchid is part of the formula is practically the same as being clueless. Besides Zhang Xiaolong's greenhouse, only Old Master Lee possesses a specimen of the rare orchid.

To mass-produce the Four-phenomena Divine Orchid into a beverage for sale, only Zhang Xiaolong could manage the task. Old Master Lee would never dream of picking his treasured orchids to turn them into a mere few bottles of drink.

Chen Yaru's worries eased somewhat after having everything explained to her.

It was Zhang Xiaolong who had painstakingly built Soaring Dragon into what it was today. If her words were to inadvertently ruin the company, Chen Yaru would be devastated, especially considering how much of herself she had poured into the business.

Having resolved her concerns, the couple quickly drove back to the villa, where they were consumed by a passion so fierce it was beyond control.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and though Zhang Xiaolong had been away in Yishui for only two days, it felt like years to Chen Yaru after such an ordeal.

They lavished affection on each other, exploring every way to bring pleasure and comfort to one another.

Finally, amidst a cry of abandon, Chen Yaru pleaded, “Hubby, let's rest for a bit, I…”

She was cut off mid-sentence as the door burst open, “Yaru, you're back…”

Yang Jingjing stood frozen at the sight before her.

After a brief three-second shock, chaos ensued as they grabbed for bedsheets and scrambled in all directions.

?The following evening, Zhang Xiaolong and Chen Yaru set off together for the Charity Auction.

Yang Jingjing was initially meant to join them, but after the previous day's incident, any encounter with her would have been awkward for Zhang Xiaolong, so she was not invited.

Chen Yaru had indeed let out a scream at the time, but whenever she recounted the event, a sly grin spread across her face, much to Zhang Xiaolong's chagrin, who felt a playful urge to spank her.

Hosted by the Xu family, the Charity Auction was set in the opulent courtyard of their villa, resembling more of a grand soirée than a simple auction.

By the time they arrived, the venue was already buzzing with early-arriving business figures, and the live broadcasting equipment was all set up, ready for the event to commence.

Recently, Soaring Dragon Company has captured the public's attention with its impressive drive, emerging as an unexpected contender in the industry. Yet, while the company's name has become well-known, Zhang Xiaolong himself hasn't quite reached the same level of fame.

In fact, while many are aware of a person named Zhang Xiaolong, truly recognizing him and knowing who he is remains a rarity.

Thus, when he walked in alongside Chen Yaru, the majority of onlookers' eyes were drawn to her. Those who did glance his way were often curious to see the kind of man this stunning woman was dating.

“It's a real pleasure to have both of you grace us with your presence!” Xu Shaoning approached, clad in a pristine white suit that exuded utmost elegance.