Chapter 121: Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Looking at Zhang Xin’s number on his screen, Chen Xian felt an inexplicable wave of guilt wash over him. Since they had officially become a couple, he hadn't spent any real time with her for over half a month, save for a few brief phone calls. He had truly been neglecting his girlfriend.

Chen Xian answered the call. Before he could speak, Zhang Xin’s gentle, melodious voice drifted from the receiver: "Xian, have you missed me?"

"Of course, my dear. How could I not? I think of you every single day," Chen Xian replied, playing along with her tone.

"Xian, you’ve learned to be quite the smooth talker, haven't you? I don't think you missed me at all. It’s been over half a month since the ball, and I haven't seen you once!" Her voice carried a hint of playful complaint.

Hearing this, Chen Xian felt his face burn with embarrassment. Recently, he had indeed been preoccupied with eradicating the Hungry Wolf Mercenary Group, leaving her neglected.

"Alright, I’m just teasing you. I know you had important things to attend to," Zhang Xin said considerately, sensing his silence on the other end.

Chen Xian felt a warmth bloom in his heart. Zhang Xin came from a good family, was beautiful as a goddess, and was so understanding—what more could a man ask for in a girlfriend?

"My dear, I really have missed you. I just returned to the country from Thailand today and I’m currently in M City. I’ll head to H City immediately. Let’s have dinner tonight; you choose the place," Chen Xian said tenderly.

"Really? Are you really back, Xian?"

"I am."

"Okay then, let’s go to our usual spot for dinner. Their food is delicious."

"Deal."

"Don't be late. Call me the moment you reach H City."

"I will."

"You can hang up now," Zhang Xin said.

"Alright."

Yet, after waiting for a long moment, Chen Xian still hadn't ended the call. Zhang Xin’s voice came through the phone: "Xian, why haven't you hung up?"

"You hang up first," Chen Xian said with a gentle smile. "I don't want to hear the hollow sound of the dial tone after you’re gone."

Zhang Xin was silent for a moment before saying with a smile, "Xian, you’re getting more and more mushy! I can't take it—I’m hanging up now!"

With that, she ended the call. Chen Xian could tell from her tone that it held the distinct flavor of happiness.

After hanging up, Chen Xian’s lips curled into a faint, equally blissful smile, and he gazed blankly out the window.

"Meow, meow, meow! Master is flaunting his romance! Tee-hee!"

The Charm Cat, sitting in its master’s lap and chewing on a braised chicken leg with grease smeared all over its mouth, looked up with its sapphire-like eyes and chirped in a milky voice.

Chen Xian finally snapped back to reality. He reached out and ruffled the little creature’s head. "You talk too much. Can’t a chicken leg even plug that mouth of yours?"

He picked up his phone again, dialed Mo Baishan’s number, and the call connected quickly.

Mo Baishan’s aged, smiling voice came through: "Mr. Chen, greetings!"

"Hello, Elder Mo," Chen Xian replied politely. He held a great deal of respect for this old man, who possessed a keen eye and a sharp sense of right and wrong.

"Mr. Chen, is there something you needed to speak to this old man about?" Mo Baishan asked. "If there is, please feel free to say so. As long as it is within my power, I will do it without hesitation."

Chen Xian went straight to the point. "Elder Mo, it’s like this: I was jade gambling in Thailand recently and acquired a batch of high-quality..."

"Wonderful! I will certainly notify my friends in the jade industry in H Province and the two surrounding provinces to come to M City and support you. I, too, shall come to join the fun and see the treasures you’ve obtained."

"Haha, excellent. Then I shall leave it to you, Elder Mo."

"By the way, Mr. Chen, I’ve heard that the 'Spirit Water' currently so popular on the market is developed by your Ma Group. Is that true?"

"Yes, the Spirit Water does indeed come from the Ma Group."

"In that case, could you spare a few more bottles for this old man every time you produce a new batch?"

"No problem. I will instruct Ma Tian and his team to allocate a few extra bottles for you."

"Haha, then many thanks, Mr. Chen!"

After concluding the call with Mo Baishan, Chen Xian dialed Ma Tian’s number and instructed him to set aside an extra dozen bottles of Spirit Water for Mo Baishan each time production occurred. Ma Tian sounded troubled, explaining that the entire supply of Spirit Water had already been pre-ordered by various distributors, making it impossible to scrape any more together.

Understanding the situation, Chen Xian told Ma Tian to increase production by ten bottles at the foot of Spirit Mountain each time, specifically for Elder Mo. Ma Tian accepted the order gladly.

Once those matters were settled and he had returned the Charm Cat to Spirit Mountain, Chen Xian did not immediately use the precious medicinal herbs from Tong Yin to refine the Spirit Gathering Powder. Instead, he had his driver take him straight back to H City.

As night fell and the neon lights began to flicker, Chen Xian returned to the Jinxiu Residential Area in H City, townhouse number 101. He had already called Zhang Xin when he entered the city.

No sooner had he stepped into the house than the doorbell rang.

He opened the door to find a girl as beautiful as a goddess standing gracefully on the threshold. It was Zhang Xin. Today, she wore her long, waterfall-like hair draped over her shoulders. The night breeze ruffled her bangs, but it did nothing to diminish her beauty; rather, it added a touch of allure.

Their eyes met, both filled with an extraordinary glow. Seeing his beloved right before him, Chen Xian reached out, pulled Zhang Xin into his arms, and leaned down to kiss her delicate lips. Zhang Xin stood on her tiptoes and closed her eyes, her long lashes fluttering.

They stood there in a deep, affectionate embrace, inseparable and lingering...

After a long while, Zhang Xin pulled away, struggling slightly.

"You little rascal, you were about to suffocate me." The stunning Zhang Xin stuck out her delicate tongue, gasping for fresh air. Her cheeks were flushed as if she were tipsy, making her look incredibly charming.

Chen Xian’s lips curled upward. "My dear, I just missed you, that’s all."

"Alright, let’s go eat. My stomach is growling." Zhang Xin walked toward her red Lamborghini.

Watching her tall, slender, and youthful figure, and the way her hips swayed like a willow in the wind, Chen Xian felt a stir in his heart. He stepped forward, hugged her from behind, and whispered into her delicate ear, "Let’s not go out for dinner. Let’s go to the room."

"You rascal, we can’t do that right now. I want to give myself to you completely only on the day we are married!" Sensing Chen Xian’s physical reaction, she quickly broke free from his embrace.

Deep down, she was a very conservative, traditional, and perhaps even somewhat feudal-minded girl.

Seeing his girlfriend’s hesitation, Chen Xian didn't press the issue. He vowed to himself that he would surely marry Zhang Xin in a grand and glorious ceremony one day.

The two got into the car and drove toward the Western restaurant they had visited before. Half an hour later, they arrived, parked, and walked into the restaurant. Just as they sat down and placed their order, they heard a young woman’s voice behind them: "Zhang Xin!"