Chapter 35: The Pest Outbreak

Elder Zhao's eyes were sharp and shadowy, his voice low and cold. "Kill him? Not unless absolutely necessary. That boy possesses extraordinary skills. As long as we get the needle manual first, there's still room to maneuver."

"Maneuver?" Director Yao frowned in confusion.

"You know nothing!" Elder Zhao snapped. "We can offer him a high price—millions if needed—as long as he agrees not to use the Holy Healer's needle technique again, then you'll be the only one in the world who can wield the Seven Star Needle Array!"

"But what if he refuses?" Yao still looked worried.

With a sharp slap on the table, Elder Zhao's voice remained soft, yet the menace in it made the room feel instantly colder. "Then we eliminate him."

The four words hit like thunder, plunging the room into icy silence.

Yao's expression changed drastically, and he stood up abruptly. "Grandpa, murder is a serious crime…"

"Fool!" Elder Zhao waved dismissively, voice chilling. "This isn't something to rush. Right now, what matters is getting close to him, understanding him, gradually winning him over. Once we have the manual, we can talk about everything else."

0

"I'm afraid I already seriously offended him today…" Yao said regretfully.

"You always had that problem—arrogance."

"I was too full of myself… But at this point, getting close to him won't be easy."

Elder Zhao stood slowly, eyes deep with thought. "Even an iron rod can be ground into a needle, and a hard heart can be softened. If you're willing to lower your pride, you'll earn his trust."

"I understand, Grandpa. I'll try."

…

At that moment, Jiang Chen was riding his bicycle, having just left the town clinic. He hadn't even exited the street when his father called urgently.

"Jiang Chen, are you still in town?" his father asked, voice flustered.

"Yes, I was just about to head home. What happened, Dad?"

"There's a pest outbreak in the orchard! The Yali pears are almost ripe—if their skins get chewed up, our whole year's harvest is done for!"

The panic in his father's voice tightened Jiang Chen's chest. He knew too well how much his parents depended on that half-acre orchard—it was their livelihood.

"I'll go buy pesticide now," he replied and immediately turned his bike toward the agricultural supply store.

The store's familiar neon sign gleamed harshly under the sunlight. As soon as he pushed the door open, a familiar fragrance greeted him.

The store's owner was nicknamed "Tofu Block." Fair-skinned, curvy, and flirtatious, she was something of a local attraction. Her signature smile always made the male customers linger longer than necessary.

"Well, if it isn't the little heartthrob from Jiang Family Village! Haven't seen you in ages—you've gotten taller and more handsome." Tofu Block greeted him with a sweet, syrupy voice.

Jiang Chen looked slightly embarrassed and smiled politely. "Sis, you still know how to flatter."

"So, what're you buying today?" she leaned in close, and Jiang Chen instinctively took a step back.

"My dad's orchard has pests. I need a bottle of dimethoate."

"Knew you were still the hardworking type," she teased as she grabbed a bottle from the shelf and bagged it. Then she reached out and pinched his arm lightly. "Wow, firm muscles. You're really becoming a man."

Jiang Chen's face flushed. "How much is it?"

"Normally twenty-five, but for you, I'll give you a discount—twelve bucks. Think of it as me buying you a soda," she said, winking and handing him a towel. "You're sweating. Let big sis wipe it for you."

"No need, sis. My dad's waiting in the orchard. I have to go," Jiang Chen tried to sidestep, but she gently bumped into his back. That soft sensation made him freeze on the spot.

Tofu Block giggled flirtatiously. "Oh? Getting shy?"

Red-faced, Jiang Chen quickly grabbed the bag. "Thanks, sis. I'll be going now."

"Come again soon!" she waved from the doorway, her gaze like a hook.

Halfway down the street, Jiang Chen glanced in the rearview mirror and saw her still standing there. He quietly reminded himself:

"I can't betray Wen-xian. I'm never coming back here again."

His eyes gradually firmed with resolve as he sped off—like escaping a dangerous temptation.