"You don't need to kiss me..."

Zhou Jiuzhen clutched the small bag he was tightly holding to prevent the clams from spoiling, looking shy, "Just give me a hug..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ling Huanwu wrapped her arms around his waist, stood on tiptoe, and kissed his lips.

"Pop!"

A tremendously loud sound.

Lin Xiaoqin and Qiao Hui stared in disbelief, then turned around stiffly, stood at attention, and started walking.

"I'm going to the women's restroom."

"I'm going to the men's room."

The two of them ran away as fast as lightning.

Ling Huanwu looked up at him, smacked her lips, and said, "How is it? Is the gas tank full yet? Is that enough to encourage you?"

"It has to be enough... but will Comrade Ling be able to ensure there's enough in the future?"

Zhou Jiuzhen's face turned as red as if it were burning hot. He pursed his lips and lowered his head shyly, waiting for her answer.

Ling Huanwu's head ached from looking up, and a sharp, violent sound rang in her mind. She really wanted to punish this big, burly little man on the spot, pinch his thin lips, and fiercely question him, "What do you mean by 'enough'?"

On the surface, however, her eyes crinkled into crescent moons with laughter as she answered him generously, "Yes, yes, as long as you help the farm secure this project, you'll have plenty to eat when we get home!"

Having said that, Zhou Jiuzhen smiled like a silly child who had just received candy, and walked into the aquatic product import and export company, looking back every few steps.

Ling Huanwu waved from behind, as if she were sending her son to school.

After passing through layers of guards, Zhou Jiuzhen, relying on his status as the group leader, successfully entered the guest reception room of the import and export company.

Zhou Jiuzhen sat upright in the high-end mahogany chair, his fingers caressing the lips that Ling Huanwu had just covered, the smile on his lips never fading.

Then suddenly a joyful shout came from behind, as if a familiar voice came from a distant place.

"Nine shocks!"

Zhou Jiuzhen slowly turned around, and when he saw the woman who had suddenly appeared in front of him, he seemed to freeze, and the smile on his face gradually cracked...

Ling Huanwu and the other two sat in a row on the curb in front of the company.

Everyone had an oyster pancake in hand, eating it while looking towards the company's main entrance.

Seeing Ling Huan's worried expression, Qiao Hui comforted her, "Don't worry, if it were a 23-year-old Zhou Jiuzhen, he might not be able to do this kind of job that requires talking, but an 18-year-old Zhou Jiuzhen definitely can."

After finishing one oyster pancake, Ling Huanwu took another and ate it in small bites, asking, "What exactly happened to Jiuzhen during those five years? How did he suddenly change so much?"

Qiao Huige paused in his oyster pancake-eating motion and looked at Zhou Jiuzhen, who was coming out of the aquatic product import and export company.

Ling Huanwu followed his gaze.

Zhou Jiuzhen strode towards her against the light.

He first walked, then jogged, and finally sprinted towards her.

Under the blazing sun, beams of light shone on his back, obscuring his expression.

Ling Huanwu could still sense the overflowing sorrow emanating from the man.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

Only Zhou Jiuzhen remained, rushing towards her like a moth drawn to a flame, without hesitation.

The gears of fate meshed and began to turn at this moment.

Zhou Jiuzhen held her tightly, as if forgetting the time around him, holding her like that until the end of time.

Ling Huanwu felt the warm tears on his neck, and her heart ached. She patted his back to comfort him, "It's okay, it doesn't matter if the deal didn't go through. Those clams are considered bought by me. I have plenty of money!"

After a long while, Zhou Jiuzhen slowly released her, his smile as bright as before. "Comrade Ling, how can you touch your money? The purchasing manager inside has agreed to go to our Stone Village for an on-site inspection, which means it's probably a done deal!"

"Really? That's great! Why are you crying? I'll go and get a good boat right away, and we'll set off immediately tomorrow morning."

Ling Huanwu was overjoyed and could hardly believe that things would go so smoothly.

That evening, she hired a fishing boat with a large cabin where she could rest, and returned to the guesthouse to start packing her luggage.

Zhao Jingxiang waited anxiously in the guesthouse all day, and finally saw Ling Huanwu return with a few people.

Upon seeing Ling Huanwu, he approached her with a cigarette dangling from his lips, asking, "So? Is there no company that can handle the supply from your farm?"

"I think Comrade Ling, you must also be trying to find a stable and long-term sales channel for the farm. Buying those clams with your own money is a last resort."

"If you agree to marry me, I will give you plenty of resources in the future, and this problem will be easily solved. You don't want the whole village to be disappointed after placing their hopes on you!"

Zhao Jingxiang held his head high and kept talking, looking like he was determined to win.

Ling Huanwu raised her cold eyes and looked at him icyly, "Where did you put Zhou Shuyao? Didn't you say you were taking him to the hospital? Why didn't I see Zhao Zhiqing taking care of him?"

"Him? Guess what..."

Zhao Jingxiang smiled and approached her with his greasy hair. "Of course I'll get rid of the people you hate. How about it, Ling Zhiqing? Aren't you touched? Will you marry me?"

"Oh, Commander Zhao's son is indeed helpful. If I hate you, are you going to get rid of yourself too?"

Looking him up and down with disdain, Ling Huanwu took a step back, pulled out a large black ten-dollar bill and stuffed it into his chest, puffing out her chest with a mocking tone, "We just successfully negotiated, and the person in charge of the aquatic product import and export company is preparing to go for an on-site inspection. We also have to thank Zhao Zhiqing for pointing out the direction. This is the tip!"

After saying that, she walked away with an air of dominance, her little leather shoes swaying as she walked.

As Qiao Hui and Lin Xiaoqin, who were following behind, passed Zhao Jingxiang, they covered their mouths and chuckled, unable to suppress their schadenfreude.

They had never seen anyone use the promise of attracting customers to coerce someone into marrying him; wasn't that just forced buying and selling?

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