Life's Launch Began at Dragon Pool Lake

Sun Yating's heart suddenly clenched. It was as though she were seeing Qin Fen for the first time. This was the first time he had shown her such a serious expression. What frightened her even more was that, in an inadvertent instant—less than a second—she understood everything.

No wonder Qin Fen was unhappy. He had not wanted to reveal the matter of the ginseng too soon, yet only days after giving it to her, before it had even cooled in her hands, something had happened.

Seeing Qin Fen's expression change, Sun Yating immediately walked over. "Why are you unhappy? Are you tired? I'll give you a massage." As she spoke, she placed her hands on Qin Fen's shoulders.

He was indeed a little tired, but that was not the point. Big breasts... Qin Fen's stern expression shifted. What a temptress. "Tell me what happened. Then I'll decide whether I'm angry." Qin Fen quietly took a step back, avoiding her.

Sun Yating was worldly and experienced. With a turn of her thoughts, how could she not understand? "Don't worry. I didn't mention your name or reveal any information. I'm the middleman. You give me the ginseng, and when the time comes, I'll have someone handle the property matters for you. There won't be a single trace left behind."

Qin Fen shook his head. You really have thought things through for me. He truly did not know how to define their relationship. She seemed genuinely good to him, but why? He could not figure it out. A woman's heart was as deep as the sea; he could not guess it no matter how hard he tried. Even if he had to say why, he could not work it out with his brain. Men were rational, women were emotional—they were not even on the same wavelength.

"No need. Put it in your name," Qin Fen said softly.

Sun Yating froze. You bastard, so you're the one who's sly as a monkey. You're testing me, aren't you? What a clever plan. You can test whether I have ulterior motives toward you, and see whether I'm trustworthy at the same time. I really couldn't tell—you've got quite a few tricks up your sleeve.

"You said it, okay? Put it in my name, and nobody will know about you. You'll be the one using it anyway. But if you feel like you're losing out, I can give you an idea." Sun Yating's eyes rolled.

"What idea?" Qin Fen grinned. Offer yourself to me, huh? You're trying to bait me with words again.

"Try pursuing me. Then maybe it'll still be yours someday."

Without another word, Qin Fen walked straight out the door.

"Hey, wait! Aren't you going to see your big villa?" Sun Yating watched the man leave so decisively and threw a punch into empty air, nearly coughing up blood from frustration.

Watching his back as he was about to enter the elevator, she clenched her fists. She, Sun Yating, had navigated the business world for years. What kind of people had she not seen? What talented men had she not trampled beneath her feet? But after meeting Qin Fen, she had felt a trace of sincerity. He had not deliberately approached her. He was not after money or her body, unlike the flies that used to swarm around her. After their encounter in the rain, Qin Fen had not even spoken a single word to her. The guy seemed to have forgotten that day entirely and had not taken it seriously.

He helped others from the bottom of his heart, without the slightest pretense. The more he was like that, the deeper her feelings became.

No matter how she teased him, he always acted like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water. Now she had made things this obvious.

Though there was a joking element to it—she was only teasing him, not throwing herself at him—at least he could have played along. What did it mean to just leave? Thinking of the flash of cleverness he had shown in that instant, Sun Yating smiled. "Don't think I don't know. You're just trying to cast a long line for a big fish.

That's called playing hard to get." Sun Yating chuckled.

"Are you coming or not? Let's see my big villa." Qin Fen stopped at the elevator entrance.

"What do you mean, yours? It's in my name!" Sun Yating protested.

"Did I say that? When did I ever say that? You must have heard wrong!" Qin Fen's expression changed as he put on an astonished look. Five million! He was not crazy—why would he put it in someone else's name? Besides, after thinking it over, it had to have been that gray-haired old man surnamed Song. And the money had come from his son's pocket anyway. Since the monkey wine had already been exposed, the wild ginseng did not matter anymore.

Was it illegal to get lucky and find some good things? Still, he was planning to strengthen himself. In a few days, he would find a chance to squeeze someone else for a bit and get more good stuff. His reputation was not prominent yet, so it should not be a major problem.

Although the wild ginseng was quite effective and the monkey wine was rare, mortal things were still mortal things. They were not eye-catching enough to draw that kind of attention. It was not as if they were worth tens or hundreds of millions.

"You obviously said it." Sun Yating nodded fiercely.

"Sorry, I don't remember." Qin Fen said it as though it were perfectly natural. He was not the sort who could not walk straight when he saw a woman. Don't be stupid. How could he possibly give it to her for free?

Sun Yating was dumbfounded. Sure enough, you never really knew someone until you got close to them. This man actually had such a damned side to him.

The moment she followed Qin Fen into the elevator, she spoke softly. "Shaoqing is an acquaintance, so it's fine. I told him to keep it secret too. Otherwise, with so many monks and so little porridge, he might not get a share. Your ginseng isn't all-powerful either. It can only keep someone alive longer and spare them some suffering. It's rare, but this world doesn't lack similar good things."

After separating from his father, Song Shaoqing went to the hospital to get the old man's examination report from Sun Yujie. The moment he saw this younger sister, he looked utterly miserable. "Yujie, your sister is too damn ruthless. She's helping an outsider instead of family. For her friend, she opened her mouth like a lion and extorted nearly five million from me—not five hundred thousand."

Sun Yujie could only smile wryly as he began complaining right off the bat. Her sister's temper was something nobody could stand, and when she wanted to do something, she never needed a reason. It all depended on her mood.

"She really got that much from you?"

"Yeah. My favorite house—the one I was going to use for my dad's retirement—got snatched away."

"Then congratulations." Sun Yujie smiled.

"You sisters are both terrible people. What are you congratulating me for?"

"Look, Uncle Song's condition hasn't worsened. His bodily functions have eased somewhat, and his kidney function indicators are slowly recovering. Shouldn't I congratulate you? The money was well spent."

"That was five million! It may not be much, but do you know there was only half a root?" Song Shaoqing looked utterly depressed.

"Then don't buy it." Sun Yujie smiled.

"Forget I said anything. Money is nothing but a bastard; if it's gone, I can earn more. As long as my old man is okay." Song Shaoqing's eyes shifted. "Yujie, your sister has been bringing up a name lately. It's a man's name. I suspect that friend of hers is also a man. Think about it—other than the few of us, who can put up with her usually? And now she has a friend."

Pfft. "Brother Song, stop worrying over nothing. My sister's affairs have nothing to do with me, and I don't like prying. Don't try to fish information out of me by beating around the bush. I really don't know where the wild ginseng came from, and even if I did, I wouldn't tell you. There can't be much of that stuff. Having even one plant is a gift from heaven. Do you think it's wholesale cabbage?"

"I was just saying. All right, give me the report. We'll head back to the capital in a few days and get another examination." With that, Song Shaoqing took the report and slipped away. That settled the matter. He had no intention of digging deeper. Sun Yating was no kind-hearted woman; her heart and hands were both ruthless. It was not as if he had not seen that when they were children.

Riding in Sun Yating's car, the two arrived in the suburbs. Qin Fen was stunned. There was actually an enormous villa complex here. His villa stood at the far edge, separated from the main cluster across the way. Not far to the side was a golf course. The environment was unbelievably good.

Lush trees shaded every corner. Once they drove into the neighborhood, it was exceptionally quiet, with security guards patrolling the area. When the car reached the lakeside, Qin Fen froze.

His house stood close to the lake, with a small hill behind it. Nestled against the mountain and beside the water, it was unquestionably in the best location. It was also incredibly quiet; there was not another person in sight nearby.

Standing by the lake, Qin Fen gazed absently at the rippling water. This was the place where his dream would set sail.

Thanks to mimcoa, xianglay, Fireworks, and Double Gun General for the tips. Thanks to every friend who supports me. I'll do my best to write it well.