Chapter 655 - 655: No Coincidence, No Story

Zhao Yuan didn't accept the money. Shaking his head, he said, "Take it back. I didn't save you for money."

Hu Shiqing froze for a moment, then broke into a laugh. "My mistake. How can a life-saving debt be repaid with mere money?"

He put the money away, took a business card out of his bag, and pressed it into Zhao Yuan's hand. "This is my card. If you ever need my help with anything, just say the word! I know you're not looking for a reward, but I can't let a debt go unpaid!"

This time, he didn't give Zhao Yuan a chance to refuse. The moment he finished speaking and passed over the card, he hopped into his Land Cruiser and sped off, leaving a trail of dust in his wake.

His voice drifted back from the car. "Call me even if there's nothing you need. I'm considering you a friend now! Let's keep in touch!"

"What an interesting guy," Zhao Yuan chuckled, glancing down at the card in his hand.

The card was elegantly made. Before Hu Shiqing's name was the title 'Chairman, Celestial Sea Pharmacy'.

"Celestial Sea Pharmacy? That sounds familiar," Zhao Yuan muttered.

Lin Xue leaned in for a look and said, "Of course it sounds familiar. There are several Celestial Sea Pharmacy branches right outside our university. It's a national retail pharmacy chain. I just never expected their chairman to be so young."

Zhao Yuan said, "This Hu Shiqing has vision and courage. It's no surprise he was able to build his company into something so big and successful."

He glanced down at the card again and smiled. "What a coincidence. I might actually end up doing business with this Hu Shiqing after all."

Just then, a few passing villagers from Xiaqiao Village spotted Zhao Yuan. They immediately surrounded him, enthusiastically inviting him to their homes. After one of them let out a shout, even more Xiaqiao Village villagers poured out of their houses, all insisting on dragging Zhao Yuan home with them as a guest.

It was thanks to Zhao Yuan that the people of Xiaqiao Village had been cured of toxoplasmosis. If not for him, who knows how many would have died, and how many families would have been shattered. Because of this, the villagers of Xiaqiao Village felt a genuine affection and deep reverence for him.

The crowd's enthusiasm was a bit overwhelming for Zhao Yuan and Lin Xue.

Zhao Yuan repeatedly declined. "That's very kind, but we have to get home for a meal. Next time, I promise. I'll visit all of you next time."

"It's too early for dinner! Come sit at my place for a while before you head back," said the Xiaqiao Village chief, who had also arrived and was now grabbing Zhao Yuan's hand.

"Not dinner, we're heading back for lunch," Zhao Yuan replied.

The Xiaqiao Village chief said in surprise, "Lunch? It's already past three o'clock, and you still haven't eaten? Well then, don't even think about going back. Just eat at my place. I'll have my wife slaughter a chicken for you."

"What? It's past three already?" Zhao Yuan was stunned. "Oh no, this is bad! We promised my mom we'd be home for lunch. We can't stay, we have to hurry back right now!"

Seeing how insistent he was, the crowd no longer tried to make him stay. Instead, they all looked at him with expressions of pity.

Even the villagers of Xiaqiao Village had heard of Shen Lijun's fearsome reputation.

Sure enough, when Zhao Yuan arrived home with Lin Xue, he was immediately met by Shen Lijun, who grabbed him by the ear and gave him a lecture that lasted an eternity. In the end, it was Lin Xue who managed to save him by speaking up, explaining that they weren't late because they were fooling around, but because they were busy saving lives. Only then did Shen Lijun relent, stopping short of grabbing the feather duster for a spanking. Otherwise, Zhao Yuan would have been utterly humiliated!

Although he was spared the "punishment," Shen Lijun's nagging didn't let up. "See? I told you before there were wolves in the mountains, but you two just wouldn't listen. Oh, by the way, after you saved those people from the wolf pack, what happened to the wolves? Where did they go?"

"I tamed them," Zhao Yuan replied.

"Tamed? Are you kidding me?" Shen Lijun said, not believing a word.

"It's true," Zhao Yuan said. "I thought the medicinal herb plantation was a bit too open and unguarded, so I tamed them. I want to keep them there to help guard the herbs and prevent anyone from stealing them."

Shen Lijun was still unconvinced. "Stop being ridiculous. Who on earth would come all the way out here to steal herbs? And besides, how could an animal like a wolf possibly be tamed?"

Zhao Yuan smiled. "Mom, that's where you're mistaken. The herbs at our plantation are extremely valuable. In a little while, I'm planning on taking them out of the province for an auction. I'm sure that once the auction is over and the plantation's name gets out, plenty of merchants will come to buy our herbs. But lawless people will also show up, hoping to fish in troubled waters. When that happens, just having the villagers on patrol won't be nearly enough. As for whether wolves can be tamed… well, our ancestors already answered that question for us. Otherwise, where do you think dogs came from?"

"This…"

Shen Lijun was left speechless. After a long moment, she asked doubtfully, "Did you really tame that wolf pack?"

"You don't believe me? I'll prove it to you!" Zhao Yuan put his fingers to his mouth and let out a piercing whistle. A few minutes later, Shen Lijun, Zhao Ling, and the others heard a series of surprised gasps and screams ring out from the village.

"Wolves!"

"The wolves are in the village!"

"Bar the doors! Grab your weapons to fight them off!"

Shen Lijun shot to her feet, her face a mask of astonishment. "Don't tell me… You actually summoned the wolf pack?" The words had barely left her lips when more than twenty wolves charged into the courtyard.

"Good heavens!" Shen Lijun cried out in fright, but she still instinctively took several steps forward to shield Zhao Yuan and the others with her own body.

Zhao Yuan was deeply moved by this sight.

A mother is always a mother. In the face of any danger, her first thought is always to protect her children.

Not wanting his mother to be frightened, Zhao Yuan quickly said, "Mom, don't worry! I've already tamed them. Watch this." He clapped his hands twice, then made a sharp, downward motion with both hands and commanded, "Sit!"

This time, the alpha wolf was cooperative. It instantly understood his intent, let out a low whine to command the pack, and led its followers in sitting down in neat, orderly rows in the courtyard.

Seeing that the pack had actually obeyed Zhao Yuan's command, Shen Lijun's jaw dropped in astonishment.

By now, villagers were rushing over from all directions. Some were brandishing farm tools like hoes and iron rakes, while others were armed with Hunting Knives, Hunting Bows, and other weapons.

Fearing a fight would break out between the villagers and the wolves, Zhao Yuan quickly stepped forward to block their path. "Everyone, don't panic! I've already brought these wolves under control!"

"How is that possible!" The villagers, like Shen Lijun, refused to believe it.

With no other choice, Zhao Yuan had to give another demonstration. Seeing the wolf pack truly obey his commands, each one acting docile and obedient without baring its fangs at anyone, the crowd finally believed that the pack had really been tamed by Zhao Yuan.

The incident left them utterly astonished, and it became a favorite story to boast about when they chatted with people from other villages.

The White Cat, for its part, felt nothing but scorn.