Chapter 765: Jiaojiao 45

Amidst these peaceful days, Chen Jiao’s first-ever album was finally released. To promote it, Chen Jiao made a special appearance on a variety show.

The variety shows in G City were basically an artist’s nightmare. Whether you were a celebrity or an actor, the hosts paid no mind to your status. They dared to ask anything, and it was common for guests to be put on the spot and embarrassed.

But when Chen Jiao went on the show, the usually audacious host was exceptionally polite. From start to finish, Chen Jiao was never given a hard time. When the recording finished, she was a little baffled herself. ’Is my reputation really that formidable now?’

Returning the favor, Chen Jiao handed the host a small bottle containing a round little pill as they said their goodbyes after the recording.

The host was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. "Is this the same kind that Brother Long and the others take?"

Chen Jiao nodded slightly. "Thank you for taking care of me today, Brother Zhang. If you don’t mind..."

"Mind? Of course not! I couldn’t ask for more!" Brother Zhang quickly pocketed the small bottle. "Thank you so much! I really didn’t do anything."

"Brother Zhang, you took great care of me. I had a lot of fun recording the show today. We should get a meal together sometime." Chen Jiao was very sincere. After shaking Brother Zhang’s hand again, she and Zong Qi left when he came over.

Zhang Qi contentedly tossed the small bottle in his hand. ’Who said Chen Jiao was terrifying?’ he thought. ’She’s a perfectly gentle young lady. How did those rumors even start?’

He tucked the bottle securely against his body, then glanced around. ’A treasure like this is only safe once it’s in your stomach.’ Seeing no water around, Zhang Qi didn’t hesitate, chewing the pill as if it were a jelly bean.

Even though it was so bitter he grimaced, Zhang Qi forced it down. ’Was this bitterness he was tasting? No, this was saving his own life! Just look at Brother Long and Leopard Brother. They spent so much money on one of these pills, and look how healthy they are now!’

’And what about him? All he did was show her a little extra consideration on the show out of respect for her reputation, and he got this huge benefit without spending a single cent.’ At this thought, Zhang Qi couldn’t help but hum a little tune.

’So, it really does pay to be good.’

In a small place, news travels exceptionally fast. The story that Zhang Qi had gotten a pill from Chen Jiao naturally couldn’t be kept secret. Not long after they got back to the company, Zong Qi had already received a series of invitations for variety shows and interviews.

They both knew exactly what this was about. After hanging up another call, Zong Qi looked at Chen Jiao. "Go or not?"

Chen Jiao was lounging on the sofa like a lazy cat. "Not going. Zhang Qi’s show already has good enough ratings. For the rest, we’ll just let the album ferment. I have faith in our work."

"Besides, where would I get so many health-boosting pills? They’re a pain to make." She stretched and added, "And while we’re supposed to be doing charity, this isn’t the way to do it."

"Every last one of them is better off than I am."

Zong Qi was always relaxed around Chen Jiao. "Then we won’t go. You’ve been working way too hard lately anyway."

Chen Jiao stretched lazily. "I’m actually fine. If we’re talking about hard work, you’re the one who’s had it toughest. How are things with Li Shun and the others? You have to look after things here and also worry about Tanhou Village."

Zong Qi smiled. "It’s actually not so bad. I don’t manage much in Tanhou Village; Brother Biao is there. Li Shun and Little Liu are both very smart. They can keep the factory running now."

"Plus, with the design blueprints from you, their shipping speed is quite fast. I heard from Brother Biao that they’re planning to hire more people. As for building a new factory, they’re thinking of going to Peng City."

Chen Jiao frowned. "Peng City isn’t exactly peaceful. They’re only eighteen or nineteen. If they go to Peng City rashly, no one will take them seriously."

Zong Qi teased, "Who doesn’t know that the clothing factory in Tanhou Village is your business too? No one dares to touch anything belonging to President Chen. Even in Peng City, your reputation precedes you."

Chen Jiao was surprised. "Huh? Is that so?"

Zong Qi said lightly, "It’s just a fact. The gangs in G City, for example, nearly all have connections in Peng City. After all, the cities aren’t that far apart. If anything happens in G City, the people who need to know in Peng City will know in less than two hours."

Chen Jiao understood. "If Li Shun and the others want to go, then let them. Just one thing: don’t go looking for trouble, but don’t let anyone bully you either."

Zong Qi replied, "Don’t worry. With guys like Li Shun and Little Liu, you should be more worried about them scheming against others."

"By the way, regarding the charity work they’re doing—because they weren’t earning much before, they’ve only helped about twenty orphans so far."

Chen Jiao understood. "It’s fine. One step at a time. We can’t save everyone in the world; we can only take care of those around us. What they’ve done is already good enough. You can’t be too demanding of people."

Zong Qi said, "If you’re okay with it, I’ll contact Brother Biao. Li Shun and the others are too young, after all. I wouldn’t feel at ease with them going to Peng City rashly. It’s better to have Brother Biao go with them."

Chen Jiao didn’t concern herself with these details. "You handle the arrangements. Or you could go with them. I’ll just be at home for the next while..."

Seeing Zong Qi’s gaze fall on her, Chen Jiao changed her tune. "How about we go to Peng City together? I’ve never been."

She knew Zong Qi. He almost never left her side. He definitely wouldn’t be happy about leaving her to go handle business elsewhere; he was just too worried about her personal safety.

It wasn’t that Chen Jiao didn’t have plenty of ways to save her own life, but what if an opponent’s Combat Power was too high, or what if they were armed? Zong Qi didn’t dare to even think about it. He only felt at ease when Chen Jiao was right under his nose.

Now that Chen Jiao had suggested it herself, the tension in Zong Qi’s expression immediately eased. "Okay, then we’ll go with Brother Biao and the others. They can go about their business, and we can just relax in Peng City."

When they heard Chen Jiao and Zong Qi were going to Peng City with them, Li Shun, Little Liu, and the others breathed a collective sigh of relief. For the past six months, under Chen Jiao’s protection, their business had been smooth sailing. Now that the factory was profitable, they were thinking of expanding.

But as everyone knew, land was scarce and the population dense in G City, making the cost of running a factory too high. Little Liu had set his sights on Peng City long ago. Now that Chen Jiao was going with them, if nothing else, everyone’s morale skyrocketed.

Meeting up at the ferry, Chen Jiao couldn’t help but facepalm as she saw the high spirits of Li Shun and his crew. "Calm down. We’re going there to do business, not to pick a fight."

"And another thing, spread out. Don’t all crowd around me. You’re making me look like the leader of a criminal gang."

Li Shun was a sweet-talker. "How could President Chen be a criminal? You’re the kindest person there is, a savior of the suffering..."

"Stop right there," Chen Jiao said, raising a hand to cut off Li Shun’s flattery. "You guys are the ones who did all that. It has nothing to do with me. We agreed from the start not to credit it to me."

Little Liu chimed in, "But we wouldn’t be where we are today without President Chen’s support! President Chen, you’re like a second parent to us..."