Shi Taiping said proudly, "I have a name and a reputation, Bogu Pavilion is mine. Although it’s a storefront in Jizhou, it’s worth over two million. I wouldn’t take such a risk for a small amount of money."

Xu Chunliang nodded, "I will transfer the money to you as soon as possible."

Shi Taiping continued, "Two days. If I don’t see the money within two days, our deal is void. Let me tell you something, I’m not short of buyers." With that, he got up and left.

Xu Chunliang looked at the rubbings again, to be precise, they were all just fragments of the rubbings. He could confirm that these seven rubbings were definitely related to the "Heavenly Nourishment Chapter." Last time, although Sun Changli sold thirty-two dragon bones, only eight were actually related to the "Heavenly Nourishment Chapter." In this regard, Shi Taiping’s asking price wasn’t too high.

Xu Chunliang wasn’t in a hurry to send the rubbings to Mo Han. He got up and left the teahouse, seeing Shi Taiping riding off to the left on an electric bike.

Xu Chunliang glanced around, slipped into the nearby alley, and taking advantage of the deserted surroundings, he leaped into the air. His feet alternately landed on the outer walls of the alley’s houses. Without breaking a sweat, he climbed onto the roof of the teahouse. Looking out, he saw Shi Taiping had already driven a distance away. Xu Chunliang jumped and hopped along the ridge of the roof as easily as walking on flat ground.

While Shi Taiping was driving, he repeatedly checked his mirrors to see if he was being followed. This guy was definitely an old hand at the Jianghu, except he met his match with Xu Chunliang, who, despite his caution, managed to tail him.

Xu Chunliang hadn’t followed for long when he saw Shi Taiping stop his electric bike in front of Renhe Hall. He went inside, and about ten minutes later, came out carrying a plastic bag filled with freshly prescribed medicine.

Xu Chunliang pondered, was Shi Taiping just stopping for medicine, or did he make this trip specifically?

His phone vibrated; it was Pu Jian calling, asking if he was done with his errands because the cold dishes were on the table waiting for him to come and eat fish.

Xu Chunliang watched as Shi Taiping drove away into the distance. He didn’t continue following, instead finding a secluded, deserted spot to jump down from the rooftop. He had already mastered the upper part of the "Heavenly Nourishment Chapter," which could continuously strengthen his physique and meridians, but to reform and recreate the innate, he had to find the latter part.

Xu Chunliang always felt there might be some secret connection between Shi Taiping and Renhe Hall. Where did Shi Taiping get his dragon bones? Zhou Renhe of Renhe Hall had deep connections with Huichun Hall back in the day. Given that he had unscrupulously seized many secrets of the Xu Family, it was not impossible that he had also kept some dragon bones for himself.

Beihu Fish Village was located in Taibaiwa Xishan Village. When Xu Chunliang arrived, he saw the parking lot at the entrance was packed with cars, proving that Wang Jinwu wasn’t exaggerating.

Wang Jinwu and Pu Jian were lucky to have arrived early; otherwise, forget private rooms, there wouldn’t be a seat in the dining hall either.

The cold dishes were already on the table, just waiting for Xu Chunliang to arrive.

Once Xu Chunliang entered, Wang Jinwu arranged to serve the hot dishes.

Pu Jian opened a bottle of Qinghua Thirty, pouring wine while inquiring about the outcome of Xu Chunliang’s trip.

Xu Chunliang didn’t divulge the details, only saying that he had met someone.

Wang Jinwu wasn’t particularly interested in the purpose of Xu Chunliang’s trip, urging them to hurry up and enjoy the food and wine.

While drinking, Mo Han called Xu Chunliang, asking why he didn’t show up at work today.

Xu Chunliang told her he had found some leads on the dragon bones.

Mo Han knew very well that dragon bones had become Xu Chunliang’s best bait. He occasionally used them to lure her into helping with things. He had previously claimed there were dragon bones under Weishan Island Winery, but that turned out to be a scam. She suspected this was another one of his ploys to string her along.

Mo Han couldn’t help but say, "Have you heard the story of ’The Boy Who Cried Wolf’?"

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Do you think I’m deceiving you? What good would it do me to deceive you?"

Mo Han replied, "Is there anything you wouldn’t do?"

Xu Chunliang hung up the phone and sent her the photos of the rubbings.

Before long, Mo Han called again, and Xu Chunliang deliberately didn’t answer.

Pu Jian glanced at his phone screen, "Miss Mo is really persistent with you."

Xu Chunliang smiled indifferently, "Annoying!"

Wang Jinwu and Pu Jian exchanged a glance, both swearing inwardly, Pretentious jerk! You find it annoying, but we wouldn’t mind. Mo Han is rich and beautiful, her only flaw is a bad temper, but that’s just with everyone else. For Xu Chunliang, she’s obliging. It would be a dream to have such a beautiful rich girl chasing after us daily.

Wang Jinwu added, "You’re not answering your phone?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Why should I answer?"

Just then, Pu Jian’s phone rang. Pu Jian looked at it, "Mo Han?" He was a bit perplexed, wondering why Mo Han was calling his phone, but after thinking for a moment, he understood. It was because Xu Chunliang wasn’t answering, so she called him; Mo Han surely knew they were together.

Who doesn’t know how to act aloof? Pu Jian didn’t answer either; it wasn’t his call, why should he pick up?

Wang Jinwu couldn’t help but ask, "Why don’t you answer the call?"

Pu Jian put on a haughty expression and said, "Annoying!" He was genuinely annoyed. Why were they looking for Xu Chunliang and bothering him?

Wang Jinwu sighed and said, "You two are really something, you know?"

Xu Chunliang looked at Wang Jinwu’s phone, and so did Pu Jian. As expected, after a while, Wang Jinwu’s phone rang again, and it was still Mo Han.

Xu Chunliang and Pu Jian said in unison, "Answer it!"

Wang Jinwu shook his head and let out a long sigh, "Annoying!" Pretending to be cool was something he could do too. He and Pu Jian understood by now that Mo Han must have something urgent for Xu Chunliang. Xu Chunliang, that rascal, wasn’t one to miss any opportunity to mess with Mo Han. But that’s precisely his genius; the more of a femme fatale you are, the less attention I give you. This move is called ’playing hard to get.’ It’s an obvious tactic, but using it well isn’t easy.

Xu Chunliang’s skill in dealing with women left the two of them in awe.

The phone finally stopped ringing. Xu Chunliang raised his glass and invited everyone to take a drink with him.

After finishing the glass of wine, Pu Jian said earnestly, "Chunliang, tell us honestly, what did you do to that girl?"

Wang Jinwu had a knowing look: "Don’t ask, everyone understands."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "You guys don’t understand anything. This girl is the kind who stirs up trouble if you don’t keep her in check. She can turn on a dime, so whenever I get the chance, I have to suppress her. I can’t let her off so easily."

Pu Jian said, "Yesterday, you two seemed quite happy and harmonious in the hot spring."

Wang Jinwu’s eyes widened, eager for gossip.

Xu Chunliang said, "Brother Pu, don’t get me into trouble. We just soaked our feet together. If Mei Ru Xue hears about this, there’ll certainly be trouble at home."

Wang Jinwu said, "In my experience, if you two keep playing like this, there’ll be problems at home sooner or later." He couldn’t believe for a second that there was nothing between them.

Pu Jian said, "Our Town Mayor Xu is capable. Putting out a fire is just a matter of a quick act."

Wang Jinwu pursed his lips and said seriously, "There are too many little fires. One quick act may not be enough."

Xu Chunliang looked at his two mischievous friends and laughed, "Brothers, stop ruining my moment; let’s just have a drink, shall we?"

Just then, a waiter brought in a freshly made braised carp. The carp from Weishan Lake is different from elsewhere; its small head and wide back are a rich, shiny red, its body long and sturdy, with only the tail being red. It has four nostrils and four barbels, a unique local form, with tender and succulent meat.

Wang Jinwu took a bite of the carp and praised, "In the past, Fish-Water Love was the best at this dish, but ever since that chef surnamed Liu left, they couldn’t make that taste anymore. Today, I’ve tasted the familiar flavor again."

The comment was made casually, but it made Xu Chunliang curious. He had never tasted Liu Haiyu’s cooking before, so he didn’t know the difference. But because of Wang Jinwu’s comment, he made a special trip to the kitchen.

Xu Chunliang went to check the kitchen midway and didn’t see any sign of Liu Haiyu. It seemed he was overthinking. As Xu Chunliang turned to leave, he unexpectedly encountered a chef.

The chef had a cigarette in his mouth, eyes glued to his phone, and it was clear he was Liu Haiyu, who had quietly disappeared after the Fish-Water Love explosion.

Liu Haiyu walked with his head down, not realizing Xu Chunliang was blocking his path.

Liu Haiyu raised his head and saw Xu Chunliang, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He recognized Xu Chunliang immediately.

However, Xu Chunliang pretended not to recognize him, "Sir, could you tell me where the restroom is?"

Liu Haiyu pointed behind him. Xu Chunliang thanked him and went to the restroom without saying much.

Liu Haiyu turned to watch Xu Chunliang’s retreating figure. Even after Xu Chunliang entered the restroom, the doubt on his face remained. He was certain the young man who asked for directions was Xu Chunliang from Weishan Island Hospital. During the Fish-Water Love explosion, it was he who led the rescue team to find him. In that regard, Xu Chunliang was indeed his savior.

Was Xu Chunliang here by coincidence? Liu Haiyu returned to the kitchen, feeling more and more uneasy. In this world, how many coincidences could there be? Finding an excuse, he hurriedly left the restaurant.

Liu Haiyu mounted his motorcycle and headed towards his rental place. He hadn’t gone far when he saw Xu Chunliang standing by the road, waving at him with a smile, "Sir, could you give me a lift?"

By now, Liu Haiyu could tell this guy was here specifically for him. Liu Haiyu, having gone through quite a bit in life, showed no signs of panic. He smiled and said, "Young man, the wind and waves by the lake are strong. Riding a motorcycle isn’t safe. Besides, are we even headed in the same direction? Sorry!"

Xu Chunliang said, "You seem familiar to me. Haven’t we met somewhere before?" 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Liu Haiyu said, "There are many people who look alike in this world. Whether we’ve met or not, does it make a difference when we’re strangers?"