The fiery taste of spicy duck neck kicked in immediately , making it an irresistible delight to anyone who taste it . Each bite to the consumer felt like it was a journey deeper into a savory heaven , as the tender, juicy meat overflowing with flavor continued to made your mouth water. It had just the right amount of heat—enough to excite the senses without being too much, leaving a lasting, mellow spice on your toungue .
The department store manager was utterly captivated by the aroma wafting from this dish . His eyes now widened with astonoishment , as he couldn’t help but exclaim, “It hits just the right spot”.’Amazing ,truly amazing.
“I just love spicy food, and your duck neck isjust about my taste !” he laughter raoredas he continued to nibble on the rest of duck products , then he slap his mouth as if to punish his past ignorant self . “No wonder the guys at the state-owned restaurants insist on buying these things.” He cast Third Uncle Xu an embarrassed look and said . “Comrade, I truly enjoy your braised duck. And I think the fried food by your factory is excellent too. Let’s head to the department store right now and I’ll arrange for you to meet my director , so we can discussed and signed the coperating cotract as soon as possible .”
Hearing this third Uncle Xu’s face lit up with elation. This was his first big order! the one he got solely on his own merit without his neices help .He can now feel his backbone much straigter compare to the days when he has to rely on his wife to earn a living for their family .A signed contract from this deal meant a steady salary. As he followed the manager out , his feet barely seemed to touch the ground. It all felt like a surreal dream to him .
The department store of this county was even grander than the one in his own county. And true to his hopes from an organization this grand , the director placed a generous order of : 10,000 yuan worth of goods! That alone would earn him a ten-yuan commission. Even if he have to split it among three people, he’d still take home more than three yuan in one day. If this continued , he’d be earning a wooping 90 yuan a month ,an amount so exorbitant that he don’t even dare to imagine it for more than three second.
Director, if you need more goods in the future , just contact our factory and ask for me,” Third Uncle Xu added, his tone polite but firm, leaving little room for negotiation.” Also don’t worry about anything else , these products were developed by my niece. In the future when new products are available, I’ll notify you right away.” He wanted to make it clear to them that this valuable connection was his, ensuring no one else could swoop in and claim the credit for his hard work . His niece’s brilliance was their shared advantage. The director, understanding the long-term benefits of this deal also nodded in agreement.
As soon as Third Uncle Xu left the department store, he practically flew towards the nearest phone booth to call the food factory and as the call connected he shared the big news without dwelling in to supperfilious greetings . “Director, Xiangxian Department Store has ordered 10,000 yuan worth of goods from our factory — in which he wants half braised duck and half fried prouducts ! The deposit is paid, and I’ve also signed a long-term cooperation agreement with them !”
Director Sun beamed when he heard the news fromthe other end of the phone and immediately sending word to Xu Ying to start production in her new setup. But then came the unexpected news. “Factory Director, I can’t find Researcher Xu Yan in the county !” Secretary Zhang reported, breathless and sweating because of all the running around .
Director Sun’s joy now turned to anxiety. “Take me to Xujia Village now!”
Secretary Zhang nodded, then cautiously suggested, “Director, it’s a bit inconvenient to keep contacting them this way. Why don’t we get a telephone installed in Xujia Village for future contact ?”
This suggestion sparked an idea in Director Sun’s mind. “Secretary Zhang, quick! Send someone to arrange a telephone phone installation in Xujia Village right away!”
Unaware of the impending phone installation in her village , Xu Ying at this time was busy in another important task of her that is to ,Gu Funing’s the cousin of her freind Gu Fuying . She hadn’t initially wanted to go there , but Dong Wenqiang had invited her personally as she played a big role in this match , and even Fuying’s mother had asked for her help with the cooking as she was an avid fan of her cooking after she tasted her own son’s wedding banquet . For XuYing such heartfelt invitation was hard to refuse; besides, it was an opportunity to earn some extra points and get ome money along with it.
Still it was a mystery for her till this day that how Dong Wenqiang had managed to win over Gu Funing’s parents, who had initially disapproved of there marriage because of the preagnancy out of wedlock . Now, they seemed utterly delighted with him. Both Second Aunt . Gu and Second Uncle Gu were beaming with joy at the wedding. And Dong Wenqiang? He was practically about to burst with pride as among his peers not only had he found a beautiful bride with a strong backing but the Gu family had also secured him a job, freeing him from field work forever.
So when he Spot Xu Ying, his smile widened even more . ” Oh Xu Ying my great benefactor , thank you to come here to joi this joyous occasion it is all because of you that I can get married in such a good family . I’d like to honor you with this glass of wine.”
Xu Ying smiled while listening to his words and took the wine glass from Gu Fuying’s hand instead of his and said . “I wish you a happy wedding to you both .” Gu Funing, in return ,as an epitome of a rederved bride that is totally opposite if her usual self just offered a shy smile to the crowd.
After the toast Gu Fuying gently pulled Xu Ying away from the main couple , and the two headed to the wedding table to eat. Xu Ying picked up her chopsticks to start eating , but suddenly, a wave of heat washed over her body, and her head began to spin also . She gripped her chopsticks tightly, trying to regain her senses ,she asked her dizzily . “Fuying, where did you get that wine?”
“My aunt gave it to me,” Gu Fuying replied worreidly .
Hearing this Xu Ying’s face contorted in alarm. She clutched Gu Fuying’s wrist and said to her in a low voice . “Take me out of here. There’s medicine in that wine!”
Gu Fuying’s face after processing her words instantly drained of color, her eyes now filling with self-reproach. “Yingying, I’m so sorry! I’m the one who hurt you. What should we do now?”
“Take me to the hospital first,” Xu Ying gasped, leaning heavily on Gu Fuying as they stumbled out of the banquet hall.
No sooner had they left the hall several men emerged from the shadows and start , following closely behind them .
“What do you think you’re doing? Back off!” Gu Fuying shouted, her voice sharp with alarm as their path was suddenly blocked.
The men leered at Gu Fuying. “Which one of you is Gu Fuying?” one of the men sneered at them.
At the sound of his question Gu Fuying heart pounded with an impending doom . They were clearly after her. Her aunt had been truly ruthless as she not only drugged her but also sending thugs after her ! Thinking about this she began to tremble with fear and guilt for XuYing so she decided to came forward , and with all her courage gathered she said . “I’m Gu Fuying. She’s an innocent; please let her go.”
The man who had just spoken glanced at Xu Ying’s flushed face, then at Gu Fuying’s normal expression, and a cruel realization dawned on him. He smirked. at her and said sarcastically “Why are you so anxious? I think your good sister is in very much pain. Why don’t we help her?”
A burst of coarse laughter erupted from the other thugs on his rude comment .
“You’re shameless!” Gu Fuying spat at his words .
“Yes we are shameless, and what can you do about it?” the man retorted, advancing towards Gu Fuying.
Seeing them approach towrads them , Gu Fuying looked at Xu Ying, hesitated for a moment, then give XuYing a push with all her might and yell . “Xu Ying, run away quickly!”
“Run? Run wherever you want. She’s like this already; she can’t run very far anyway . Why don’t you let me show your freind how to have fun?” The man reached out, but before his hand could even brush XuYing’s face, he let out a howl of agony. “Ah!”
“Get out!” Huo Chen’s voice cut through the air, cold and laced with a terrifying fury that made the men present tremble with a bone chilling fear .
“Who are you?”and, How dare you to interupp our good thing ?
“I am her partner, and you dare to touch her in front of me ? I think you don’t want to live your life anymore right !” Huo Chen’s eyes at this moment was ablazed with anger as just a sheer thought of XuYing being in danger can make his blood froze . Had he arrived a moment later, the consequences which both of the girls have to face would have been unthinkable.
Gu Fuying, stunned to see Huo Chen and Wu Qingsong, blurted out, “Yingying has been drugged! Take her to the hospital quickly!”
Huo Chen immediately knocked down the man nearest to him, shot a signal at Wu Qingsong to handle the rest , while he scooped Xu Ying into his arms and swiftly ran towards the Hospital . Wu Qingsong reamined alone now glared fiercely at the remaining men. “If you don’t want to die, get out of here!” His face was at this time was etched with a primal ferocity. The thugs who were mere rouges accoustemed to bully the weak but fear the powerful, glanced at their fallen comrade on the street , fled in terror without even looking back .
As they all ran away his focused tend to the other victim still statued on her spot and ask he ask Gu Fuying softly “Are you okay?” As Wu Qingsong asked, his expression also turned gentle .
Gu Fuying shook her head while answering . “Fortunately, you arrived in time. I’m okay. By the way, where have you been these past few days? I haven’t seen you around for quite sometime .”