"President, 'Spicy Hot Pot' in Mu City opens tomorrow. How about we go check it out together?" Li Xi asked with a smile, looking at President Wang who was busy at work.
Chairman Wang put down the ledger in his hand and gently rubbed his eyes.
Then he looked at Li Xi, a tired but expectant smile on his face, "Great, Master Feng's shop is finally opening, we have to go and celebrate, he's our first franchisee."
Li Xi plans to open a nationwide franchise, making the opening of this first branch especially crucial. If the store in Mucheng is a success, then…
Li Xi felt an indescribable surge of excitement.
She knew perfectly well that this branch in Mucheng was not just an ordinary hot pot restaurant, but an important step towards her goal of becoming a national franchise.
"It's a pity Lan'er isn't in the capital. I wonder how she's doing in Jingcheng now." Chairman Wang felt a little lost. If she were here, he wouldn't be so busy.
"She'll probably be back in about a month; the weather's getting colder and colder." Li Xi, having access to the Hidden Gate intelligence network, knew that Meng Zhelan was doing well.
The group left the city before the city gates closed and set off for Mu City. Fortunately, it was close and they arrived in Mu City quickly.
Although Mu City had closed its gates, it was not a problem for Feng Monian.
"Master Feng, I apologize for disturbing your peace tonight." Shen Xu stared dumbfounded at the villa, which was even larger than their own Marquis's mansion. This was a true aristocratic family, with a profound and lasting legacy.
Feng Monian was courteous yet not overly enthusiastic. "You're too kind. You are all distinguished guests, especially since you've come to discuss tomorrow's opening. I should naturally welcome you with utmost respect."
After having the steward arrange for people to attend to the distinguished guest, Feng Monian pulled Li Xi back to his courtyard, leaving everyone dumbfounded.
"Sister Lianyi, what's going on? Why did Master Feng take Xi'er away? She should be staying in the same courtyard as us." Ling'er whispered to Chairman Wang.
President Wang was also somewhat puzzled. Watching Feng Monian's departing figure, she pondered, "This Master Feng's attitude towards Xi'er is indeed a bit strange. It seems that he values Xi'er quite a bit. However, his arrangement is reasonable, after all, he is the host and we are the guests."
“But, Sister Lianyi, I still feel uneasy. What if he has ulterior motives towards Xi’er…” Ling’er said worriedly.
"Ling'er, don't think nonsense." Chairman Wang interrupted her. "Master Feng seems to be a gentleman, and besides, Xi'er is still a man."
"Yes, Sister Lianyi, you're right." Ling'er nodded, but she was still a little worried.
At this moment, Feng Monian and Li Xi had already entered the courtyard.
Feng Monian invited Li Xi to sit down at the stone table in the courtyard and personally brewed her a pot of tea. "Xiao Xi, try this tea."
Feng Monian pushed the teacup toward Li Xi. Li Xi picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and praised, "Good tea."
"If you like it, have a few more cups. This tea was picked by me personally on the mountain; it's extremely rare," Feng Monian said with a smile.
"Brother Feng, you just said you had something to discuss with me. What is it?"
Li Xi had planned to look for Ling'er and the others, but considering he was now a man, and it was late at night, it wasn't appropriate to appear before them. So he simply followed Feng Monian instead.
Feng Monian took out a white jade hairpin from his bosom. "This hairpin is suitable for both men and women. There is a small mechanism here that can hold some medicinal powder for emergencies."
He demonstrated to Li Xi, opening the hairpin to reveal a small, hidden space inside. He carefully opened a small box containing some pale green powder.
"This powder is made from a variety of precious medicinal herbs and has the effects of stopping bleeding, relieving pain, and detoxifying. You can use it when you encounter danger; simply sprinkle the powder on the wound."
Li Xi took the hairpin and examined it carefully. She felt the warm, jade-like texture of the hairpin and the ingenious design hidden within it.
"Brother Feng, isn't this too expensive?" Why does Feng Monian give her gifts every few days?
Feng Monian smiled calmly and said, "If it weren't for your help last time, I would probably have lost my life. I will always remember this kindness and have always wanted to find an opportunity to repay it."
“Brother Feng, you’re always so polite. Actually, we don’t need to talk about the debt of saving a life. I believe that if it were anyone else, they would have made the same choice as me,” Li Xi said frankly. She didn’t save the person for any reward.
The two were drawn to the streak of light passing through the sky. Li Xi looked up and saw countless stars and the moonlight shining like water, illuminating her and Feng Monian.
The two stood side by side, enjoying this peaceful and beautiful moment.
Li Xi said with emotion, "Brother Feng, I am truly grateful for your care and help all this time. Having a friend like you is the greatest fortune of my life."
Feng Monian smiled and shook his head: "Don't say that, Xi'er. I'm very happy to have met you and to be on this journey with you."
"Didn't we agree that after this is all over, we'll travel all over the country together?" He didn't say the last part, "to grow old together."
Feng Monian's gaze was gentle and profound, as if he could see through Li Xi's heart.
His words warmed Lin Xi's heart, instantly dispelling the previous coldness and loneliness.
His eyes were full of doting affection, as if she were his whole world.
Li Xi's heart raced involuntarily, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
She tried to remain calm, but her inner turmoil was hard to hide.
Feng Monian seemed oblivious to Li Xi's unusual behavior. He smiled and reached out to gently stroke her hair, as if he were caressing a precious treasure.
His fingers were warm to the touch, making Li Xi's scalp tingle slightly, but she dared not move. She hadn't expected him to stroke her hair; didn't two grown men find this strange? Luckily, it was late at night.
"Are you alright?" Feng Monian's voice was gentle and concerned, which made Li Xi even more flustered.
She swallowed hard, trying to calm herself down. "I'm fine, thank you."
Looking at Feng Monian's smile, Li Xi felt a warm current welling up in her heart.
She suddenly realized that she hadn't felt her heart race like this in a long time.
She looked at Feng Monian with some confusion, wondering why he was stroking her hair.
Meanwhile, Meng Zhelan, far away in Jingcheng, was still awake, her head spinning as she looked at the mountain of medical records on her desk.
She arrived three days ago, having traveled for half a month and was covered in dust from the journey.
Actually, she regretted agreeing to Prince An's request. She had only thought about treating the sick and saving lives, but she never expected that there would be a danger to her life.
During their journey, they encountered three assassination attempts.
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