Chapter 25: Revealing Information

“Bro, that’s really President Shen of the Shen Group? He doesn’t put on airs at all,” commented Wang Lai, the security guard.

Chen Shunwei, the more experienced guard, patted his shoulder. “The wealthy aren’t all the same. Nouveau riche, the flashy kind? They’re the ones who strut around. Folks like President Shen, they’ve got real class. Treat them right, and if you’re ever in a bind, they’d help if they could.”

The Qingyu Community security team was well-trained. New hires memorized a list of resident names, photos, and positions. Chen Shunwei’s five years on the job had given him a glimpse behind the scenes.

After Wang Lai and Chen Shunwei left, Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an sorted through the peaches and dates. They set aside the good ones from the few bruised in another box.

“I’ll give some of these to my old friends tomorrow,” Shen Yanming said, putting away the good fruit. “Want to send some to yours?”

“You said I can’t go out!” Bi Qiao’an rolled her eyes playfully. “My life is so hard!”

Even as she said it, she gathered the bruised fruit to the kitchen, washing them and carefully cutting away any spoiled parts. “We should eat these first. Shame to waste them.”

Shen Yanming hugged her from behind, his chin on her shoulder. “Just a little longer,” he whispered, a hint of promise in his voice. “Two weeks, and I’ll take you around the world, okay?”

Bi Qiao’an’s ears burned at his closeness. “Really?” she managed to say, her voice shy.

“Depends on how good you are,” he teased, a chuckle escaping him.

“You’re the worst!” She swatted his hand away, but the smile on her face betrayed her.

After dinner, they entered the space. The fruit saplings from their recent shopping spree were scattered on the fertile soil. Tree planting was new to Shen Yanming, but he figured it couldn’t be too hard: Dig holes, add soil and repeat. He dug eighteen holes with the farm tools in the space while leaving wide spaces for its growth.

Bi Qiao’an then carefully planted the trees, clustering the same types together. The saplings were still small enough for her to manage on her own.

Finally, it was Shen Yanming’s turn again, filling in the holes. When they finished, the new orchard was a satisfying sight.

“If only we could plant with just a thought!” Bi Qiao’an wiped sweat from Shen Yanming’s brow, a touch of distress in her eyes.

Shen Yanming smiled, unbothered. “Having this space is blessing enough. A little work doesn’t scare me. We’re luckier than most already. From now on, leave the farming to me. You just need to be happy and do whatever you want.”

Touched by his words, she said, “I’ll help. I’m not afraid of hard work. Besides, I farmed for two years in my previous life. I just feel bad for you.”

“Okay!” he agreed, but secretly vowed to shield her from hardship. In her previous life, Qiao’an had no one to rely on and could only endure hardships. If her life remained difficult, what would be the point of his rebirth?

They left the space, washed up, and retreated to their room to rest.

The next morning, Shen Yanming packed up some peaches. First, he visited Bi Qiao’an’s friends, Jiang Shanshan and Song Wennuan. Afterwards, he reached out to his childhood buddies, arranging a reunion at Yude Xuan.

“I say, Young Master Shen.” Zhang Heping entered the private room, mock-complaint on his lips. “You’re really busy, huh? You’ve been back from Europa for so long and haven’t even thought of us old friends!”

Shen Yanming grinned, pulling Zhang Heping into a hug. “How could I be busier than our esteemed Doctor Zhang? It’s been years, and that sharp tongue of yours hasn’t changed a bit!”

“Hah! If we weren’t buddies, I wouldn’t bust your chops like this. Everyone in the hospital knows I’m the ladies’ favorite doc.” Zhang Heping grinned.

Ji Kangyong trailed him into the room. “Heard they even held a vote at the First Hospital. He won the ‘male doctor nurses wanna marry most’. It’s been years, you’re sticking around this time, right?”

“Yeah.” Shen Yanming clapped Ji Kangyong’s shoulder. “I’m staying put.”

“Then the ladies of Hai City are in luck this time, hahaha!”

Li Zhaozhao, eyebrows dancing, chimed in, “The ladies of Hai City are in luck! You don’t know how many ladies were heartbroken after you left back then! Someone even asked about you the other day, thought they were pulling my leg. Turns out you really did come back.”

Shen Yanming shrugged with a wry smile. “Just an unemployed wanderer now.”

“You sold off those Shen Group shares, for real?” Li Zhaozhao’s round cheeks jiggled with disbelief. “I heard rumors, but figured it was nonsense.”

“Mm. Su Group even made it official,” Shen Yanming confirmed.

Li Zhaozhao exploded. “Damn it, Shen Yanming, what’s wrong with your brain? How could you sell it?!”

“Health issues,” Shen Yanming said, then couldn’t help but chuckle. “Don’t have the energy to manage it.”

Zhang Heping shot Ji Kangyong a look. “See? I said he was faking it. Guy’s built like an ox, how could the rumors be true?”

Ji Kangyong nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. “Yanming always has his reasons.”

Zhang Heping took a sip of tea, eyes narrowed. “So… dinner ain’t just dinner, is it? What’s the deal?”

“Can’t a guy just treat his buddies to a meal?” Shen Yanming deflected with a grin.

“Sure, but my gut says there’s more,” Zhang Heping really trusted his intuition. He felt that Shen Yanming’s return to the country wasn’t as simple as the outside rumors suggested.

“Let’s eat first and talk later!”

“Ha, knew it!” Zhang Heping’s intuition was spot on. His appetite suddenly vanished as worries filled his heart.

After the meal, Shen Yanming’s expression sobered as he dropped his earlier playfulness. “Okay, yeah, there’s a reason I asked you guys here. I need a favor.

“Heping, I need you to get me traditional Chinese medicine seeds – every variety you can find, and the best quality. I’m clueless about that world, so I’m counting on your expertise. There’s no rush, but when you can, source some high-grade traditional medicines for me too. After that, I’ll need you to use your hospital channels to get Western meds, both prescription and over-the-counter.”

He added, “I’ll need medical equipment too. And Heping, put extra focus on meds for parasites, all sorts.”

He shifted his attention to Ji Kangyong. “Kangyong, your company… I need super-thick down jackets. Twice as much filling as the ones on the market. And sun-protective clothes with the best materials you’ve got. Make some in a full cloak style.”

Turning to Li Zhaozhao, he continued, “Zhaozhao, I want a batch of canned meat, canned fruit, pickled veggies, and compressed biscuits. This should be very easy for you.

Guys, whatever you can or can’t do, keep this under wraps.”