What Does It Taste Like?

Tengchong County is located in western Yunnan, bordering Myanmar. It has long been a hub for jade and gemstone trading and has been honored by the Asian Jewelry Association as the "No.1 City for Jadeite in Asia." Countless jade legends have been born here. The culture of "gambling on stones" has captivated many with dreams of overnight wealth, though few consider the many who have lost everything chasing these dreams. The dazzling allure of these stones conceals the heartbreak behind them. 

Dexter owns hundreds of warehouses in Tengchong stocked with raw jadeite, along with a fully equipped jade-processing workshop. This place is where he built his fortune. He initially wanted to handle all the jade betting for Grant personally, but Grant insisted on experiencing the excitement firsthand. So, Dexter had no choice but to play tour guide. 

According to Dexter, a mid-sized jade trading fair would be held in Tengchong the next day. Jade merchants and master jade carvers from all over China, including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, would gather. The fair would last three days, allowing attendees to cut open stones and trade on-site, with the organizers charging only a one-time fee. 

This was the main reason Mr. Grant wanted to come to Tengchong—**come along for the ride**, just for the thrill of it. 

At 2 PM, their car stopped in front of a luxurious villa in Tengyue Town, Tengchong County. This was one of Dexter's properties. Though he rarely stayed here, staff maintained it regularly. It was the closest residence to the fair—only about three miles away—making it the most convenient place for Grant and the others to stay. 

As they stepped out of the car, Eliza blushed, tugging at Ethan's sleeve, and whispered, "I want to go to the supermarket to buy something. Lend me fifty bucks for now—I'll pay you back when we return to River City." 

Ethan chuckled. "Don't talk about borrowing or lending. I'll just buy it for you. While we're at it, we should pick up some clothes for you. We're staying here for at least four days, and your dress is all wrinkled like dried eggplant." 

Eliza smiled. "I saw a supermarket and a few specialty stores along the way here." 

Ethan playfully offered his arm. "Then what are we waiting for? It's a boyfriend's duty to go shopping with his girl." 

Just as they were about to leave, Grant walked over, pulling two stacks of cash from his bag and stuffing them into Ethan's pocket. "Need Dexter to drive you?" 

Ethan didn't hesitate, shoving the money into his pocket. "No need, we'll just stroll around the nearby stores. We'll grab dinner outside too." 

Grant nodded. "Take A & B with you. This place isn't River City—it's not that safe." 

A & B, short for Axel & Blaze, were the two bodyguards Grant had brought along. Both were former special forces soldiers—hardened professionals. Given that Tengchong was close to the border and had a diverse mix of ethnic groups, its security situation was questionable. Even Grant had felt the need to bring protection this time. 

Ethan waved him off. "Nah, I'm not here to pick fights, just browsing around." 

Grant smirked but didn't push the issue. "Call if anything happens. And grab me two packs of gum." 

Ethan nodded and walked off with Eliza. 

After a few hundred meters, they reached a small roadside supermarket. Pushing a shopping cart inside, they found that although the store wasn't large—only two floors—it had a surprisingly wide selection. 

They casually grabbed snacks and drinks, then made their way to the toiletries aisle. 

Eliza turned the cart into an aisle, and Ethan's expression instantly stiffened. 

On the left—diapers. On the right—shelves full of sanitary pads. 

Several women were browsing the shelves, carefully selecting packages, and when they noticed the two newcomers, they glanced over briefly. 

Ethan immediately redirected his gaze upward, staring at the fluorescent lights on the ceiling as if they were the most fascinating thing in the world. Gripping the cart's handle tightly, he tried to push forward quickly. 

Eliza, clearly amused, picked up two packs of pads and tossed them into the cart. Then, as they moved into another aisle, Ethan finally exhaled in relief—only to hear hushed whispers behind him. 

"This guy's pretty decent—shopping for pads with his girlfriend. Reliable." 

"Men are all the same—miserable when the period comes, ecstatic when it's over." 

The voices weren't loud, but just enough for both Ethan and Eliza to hear. 

Eliza stuck out her tongue playfully and pushed the cart forward. 

Suddenly, the two noticed a skinny man with glasses hesitating in front of a shelf. 

They moved closer and immediately understood why. 

The entire shelf was stocked with **condoms**. 

Just then, a smiling female store clerk approached, her voice friendly. "Hello, sir. May I help you?" 

The man adjusted his glasses nervously. "Durex." 

The clerk asked, "Which size?" 

"Medium," he replied. 

"And which color?" 

He hesitated for a moment. "White, I guess." 

The clerk remained patient. "And what flavor do you prefer?" 

The man's face turned red. After a brief pause, he muttered, "Never tasted one before..." 

Ethan nearly burst out laughing. Luckily, Eliza reacted quickly, suppressing her amusement and pushing the cart forward. 

After finishing their shopping, they ran into the same man again at the checkout.