Searching for the Golden Flower

Yun Zimo was extremely capable. In just three days, she sorted out the matter with the models. Meng Huai, however, kept feeling that something was fishy, though he could not put his finger on what was wrong.

The two decided to stick to their original plan and find the tour guide first. It was a lead they already had, so it should naturally be easier to pursue.

They went to the Golden Flower Tour Guide Company and pretended that their company was arranging a group tour and wanted to hire a suitable guide. The staff were delighted and immediately recommended several guides.

At the top of their list was He Huaying, the very woman the two were looking for. Naturally, they went along with the recommendation and chose her as their guide.

He Huaying soon came to meet them. She was a woman with a distinctly ethnic look, but otherwise appeared utterly ordinary, with nothing particularly striking about her.

As an excellent tour guide, however, she was very talkative. She introduced the various attractions to them and also mentioned the different services her company offered.

Meng Huai said, as though in passing, "I've long heard how famous the Lovers' Festival at Butterfly Spring is. Unfortunately, we've come at the wrong time. Otherwise, I'd definitely want to experience it.

"My good friend Xiang Yu has mentioned it to me many times. He said there were all sorts of wonderful pleasures there, so unforgettable that he longed to return whenever he thought of them."

He Huaying's eyes immediately lit up, and she said with a broad smile, "So you're a friend of Young Master Xiang! Why didn't you say so sooner? It really is too late now, but you can leave me your number, and I'll let you know when the time comes."

As she spoke, she unconsciously glanced at Yun Zimo. Seeing that the woman seemed not to have heard a thing, she began to wonder.

After they exchanged a few more words, Meng Huai suddenly cut straight to the point. "I also heard that he joined a mysterious religious sect with plenty of benefits. I wonder if I could join as well."

He Huaying was visibly taken aback. She shook her head gently and said, "I don't know what you're talking about. I've never heard of any mysterious religious sect. Could you have gotten it wrong?"

Her reaction did not seem feigned, and Meng Huai's brows drew together. Xiang Yu had been completely sincere when he turned over a new leaf. There was no way he would have lied about this.

Yet judging by her expression, she clearly knew nothing about it. She had even admitted to the Lovers' Festival at Butterfly Spring, so there was no reason for her to deny this.

There had to be something he had overlooked. It seemed he could not rush things now. He would have to proceed steadily and carefully.

He slapped his forehead and put on a rueful expression. "Just look at my memory! I hope you won't take offense."

He Huaying smiled calmly. "Not at all. People like you have so much to deal with every day. Getting something mixed up is no big deal.

"When exactly will your company's group be leaving, and what price range do you have in mind? That way, I can coordinate with the company and avoid any trouble later."

Yun Zimo said generously, "The most expensive package, of course. The models haven't been feeling well these past couple of days, so let's schedule it for a week from now.

"Before they leave on their tour, the two of us would like to look around. There's no need to find someone else for that. We'll take the best package too, and you can guide us!"

An understanding look appeared on He Huaying's face. These people clearly had money to spare, but they did not fully trust her and wanted to test her first. She had encountered this sort of thing before.

Over the next two days, this golden flower performed exceptionally well, taking them sightseeing all over the place and arranging their time very sensibly.

After spending those two days together, they naturally became more familiar with one another and spoke much more freely.

Meng Huai brought up the old subject again, mentioning the mysterious religious sect. But the golden flower still looked just as bewildered. It seemed she truly knew nothing about it.

Meng Huai stayed alone in his room. Yun Zimo had some unexpected business to discuss at the Phoenix Orchid Clothing Company and would be spending the night at Shan Meirong's villa.

With the silver snake protecting her, Meng Huai had complete confidence in her safety, even in these troubled times. That snake's combat prowess was simply off the charts.

He was half asleep when his phone suddenly rang. He held it to his ear and heard an exceptionally seductive voice. "Mr. Meng, this is He Huaying. I've remembered something about that sect you mentioned last time."

Meng Huai jolted fully awake and hurriedly said, "That's wonderful! Where are you now? I'll come find you right away."

He Huaying giggled softly. "I'm at the Butterfly Bar, in Butterfly Alley. Just keep Butterfly Alley in your mind, and you'll find your way here soon."

After hanging up, Meng Huai's eyes gleamed. As a local, he knew there was no Butterfly Alley here, and naturally no Butterfly Bar either!

But since she had said so, there had to be a reason. It seemed something unexpected was at work. This really was interesting. Now things would be fun!

He quickly left the hotel with a faint smile on his face. Silently repeating Butterfly Alley in his mind, he wandered aimlessly through the streets. After twenty-odd minutes, a street sign suddenly appeared before him, bearing the words "Butterfly Alley."

He sneered inwardly. This was clearly a ghost domain. If these people could create a ghost domain of their own, they had some ability and deserved his attention.

Following the sign, he turned into Butterfly Alley. Pitch-black doors lined both sides, and he had no idea what was shut away behind them.

When he reached the far end of Butterfly Alley, an enormous neon sign appeared before him. It depicted all kinds of butterflies, arranged to spell out "Butterfly Bar"!

A smile appeared on his face again, and he casually pushed open the bar's door. Inside, it was particularly quiet and secluded. Although he could see people drinking, they somehow seemed very far away.

He sat down at the counter and looked at the bartender. "What's your name? How come I've never been to this bar before?"

The bartender quickly mixed a drink and set it before him. "My name is You Xueli. Only those with a destined connection can come to our bar. You had no such connection before, so of course you couldn't come."

Meng Huai gave a casual "Oh," then said with a grin, "Someone invited me here this time. Unfortunately, I haven't seen her."

"Come now, Mr. Meng. Since I invited you here, of course I wouldn't stand you up. I was only over there having a couple of drinks with someone else."

Meng Huai casually turned his head and was immediately stunned by the woman before him. Though he knew she was He Huaying, she looked like an entirely different person from the golden flower he had met before.