茶杯狐 -CUPFOX

For Qin Dong, the owner of the bar, Xiang Kun was undoubtedly the most memorable name of the year.

The first time he encountered Xiang Kun, he was “beaten up”. Although he wasn’t actually beaten very severely, it was humiliating, especially since there were many onlookers. His dignity was totally lost.

So, he quickly brought people to Xiang Kun’s residence to redeem his face as “Brother Dong”.

Unexpectedly, not only did Xiang Kun face their siege calmly without any fear, he even overpowered them single-handedly. In the end, he directly called a criminal police officer, turning the tables to threaten him.

Afterward, he was spoken to several times by the local police officer and was “invited” to have tea at the branch bureau. He then realized that the bald man, Xiang Kun, wasn’t simple.

Later, he quietly checked some information about Xiang Kun. Although everything appeared normal on the surface, his resume showed he was an ordinary white-collar worker, a programmer, who had been working in a company for seven years after graduation. His background was too simple. But the simpler it was, the more he suspected that there was something off – how could a normal person be so calm and indifferent when surrounded by eight people, even when a teenager held a knife to him? And even scared that teenager into reporting himself to the police?

Specifically, when he discovered that several cases were cracked or suspects were arrested in recent months were all related to Xiang Kun, he grew more convinced that Xiang Kun had a mysterious background, which would justify why he was so protected by the police.

As for what specific background or identity Xiang Kun had, he naturally didn’t dare to delve more into it. His courage only went so far.

Lately, his cousin had small frictions with Xiang Kun in the KTV hallway and his bar. He was somewhat worried, considering whether to offer an explanation and improve the relationship to avoid potential troubles. Fortunately, nothing happened over the past couple of months; he hadn’t met Xiang Kun again, so he assumed everything would be fine.

Who would have thought, tonight, in the phone call from Liu Feibao, he heard that name again.

Qin Dong was not easily swindled. As soon as he heard Liu Feibao saying something like “my niece is interested in Xiang Kun”, he knew it was just an excuse, so he hesitated a bit but ended up asking directly:

“Brother Liu, did you… get into trouble with that bald guy?”

Liu Feibao, who was in Tongshi Town, felt puzzled. From his tone, could it be that Xiang Kun was a well-known figure?

“Brother Qin, do you know that guy?”

“Brother Liu, do me a favor and listen. That bald guy has a considerable background and high-ranking status. If you can step back, it’s better to step back a bit,” Qin Dong said with heartfelt concern.

However, he didn’t disclose to Liu Feibao more information about Xiang Kun, the process of his encounters with Xiang Kun, as well as his own speculations and judgments.

His connection with Liu Feibao was just acquaintance, too distant to be described as being close or trusting. If it was a minor matter, he would help willingly. Having more friends meant more paths to choose, and perhaps one day he would need Liu Feibao’s help.

But concerning Xiang Kun, he didn’t want to get involved at all.

“Brother Qin, rest assured, I have no issues with that guy. I am really just helping a younger family member to ask around. Do you know that’s guy’s specific background or high-ranking status?” Liu Feibao quickly asked, his tone becoming far more polite.

He genuinely hadn’t expected that a casual phone call to an acquaintance in the city would reveal that he knew Xiang Kun and seemed to understand Xiang Kun’s “background and high-ranking status”.

Now, he was even more certain that the one who caused Boss Qi to retreat instantly, scared him enough to hide in the car and not dare to show his face, was likely this mysterious bald man.

Whether it was Zhang Qian or the son of the supermarket chain’s owner, they couldn’t scare Qi Haoguo, who had experienced so many ups and downs, to such an extent based on their family background.

This also explained why the bald man dared to persist in asking him for three thousand as private compensation.

But Qin Dong didn’t give him the answer he wanted. Instead, he said: “As for the specifics, I’m not very clear on it either. Anyway, that bald guy has a governmental background, and he’s also a tough guy. Unless it’s absolutely necessary… Uh, your niece should avoid getting involved with him.”

“Governmental background? The information I checked here… when looking at his history from birth, to school, to work after graduation, it all seems very normal. He hasn’t been a soldier, nor has he ever entered any governmental institutions?”

“That… is the impressive thing about him.” Qin Dong hinted.

“You mean… the resume I checked is actually fake?” Liu Feibao’s heart skipped a beat.

“Brother Liu, all I can tell you is this. I’m sorry, I don’t know anything else.”

“No need to apologize at all. I should thank you for telling me this much. Let’s have a drink together some day.”

Liu Feibao could tell that Qin Dong definitely knew more than he had told, but Qin Dong had clearly stated “I don’t know anything else”. He clearly wouldn’t say anything else, even if asked again. Despite his curiosity, Liu Feibao, judging from Qin Dong’s tone, knew there would be no further information to extract.

But this “big background”, “governmental backing”, and “being a tough guy” truly set his mind spinning.

Unexpectedly, his initial curiosity, after a bit of investigation, did not alleviate, but instead triggered more questions and curiosity.

Who was Xiang Kun? Qi Haoguo should know. But Liu Feibao was aware that, judging from Qi Haoguo’s performance this afternoon and evening, Boss Qi definitely wouldn’t say anything.

Hence, Liu Feibao tried to deduce Xiang Kun’s probable identity through Qi Haoguo’s experiences, background, and reactions today.

But with his imagination, he really couldn’t guess what kind of “mysterious governmental background” could make Qi Haoguo react the way he did.

Also, the series of changes in their business partnership that happened later in the car seemed to portray an image of giving up profit and “being a good person”. Could it have been intentional, to show Xiang Kun?

Was the appearance of Zhang Hongpu’s granddaughter and the supermarket’s second-generation heir, together with Xiang Kun in Tongshi Town, for some special purpose?

Liu Feibao sat still in the study, feeling a sense of chilliness despite the heating in the room.

He vaguely felt that what scared Qi Haoguo and what Qin Dong stayed silent about were on a different level, making him feel a sense of being a frog at the bottom of a well.

Or should he learn from Boss Qi?

It was not even eight o’clock in the morning when Xiang Kun woke everyone up to take them to have a local specialty breakfast.

In fact, local dishes are all about “uniqueness”. It might be just pancakes, noodles, or flat meat, which may not suit everyone’s palate, but since you’re here for the first time, you must give it a try.

Just like the scenic spot Xiang Kun is taking them to today, although it’s just mountains and waters, since they are here, he must take them to visit. After all, it’s well-known.

Tongshi Town has always been inconspicuous in Jianzhou City, with lots of mountains and waters, winding mountain roads, and no major industries. Even though the mountains and waters in their area are the same as others, theirs are not even rated, while others are 5A rated scenic spots.

In the past, Tongshi Town also wanted to vigorously develop its tourism industry. After all, it shares the same natural landscape with the neighboring area, even if it can’t get a piece of the pie, it can still get a sip of the soup, right?

However, just a few miles away, the other side has stories and fame that attract people to come and queue up the mountain, while their tourism industry can’t develop. In the final analysis, they lack a bit of heritage, don’t have enough gimmicks, and lack sufficient funds for investment and operation.

Having stayed up late playing games last night, everyone looked a bit sluggish when they were called up, yawning continuously.

“Brother Xiang, take a look, isn’t this girl the one who used to live next door to you?” While waiting for everyone in the hotel lobby, Yang Zhen Er got close to Xiang Kun and handed him her mobile phone.

Xiang Kun glanced at the phone. The screen displayed a video filmed on the street, in front of a famous chain ice cream shop. In the queue, a chubby little girl, who looked like she was still in kindergarten, stood with her mother. She was holding her mother’s hand with one hand while skillfully flipping a one-yuan coin with the other.

Despite her short, white, and chubby fingers, they moved with impressive agility. The speed at which she flipped the coin was astonishing.

Xiang Kun recognized her at first glance, this is the little fat girl Liu Shiling who had been covertly filmed flipping coins!

“Yes, she’s the little girl who used to live next door to me, but she’s moved away now.”

Yang Zhen Er turned her head and boastfully said to Tang Baona, “I told you she looked familiar! I was right! I’m really good at recognizing people!”

Tang Baona laughed, “Last night, Zhen’er and I were trying to see who could flip a coin first. We were unable to figure out the trick even after practicing for a long time, so we looked up tutorials online, then we found this popular video of a little girl flipping coins. We both felt that this chubby little girl looked familiar, like the one who used to live next door to you. How did she learn to flip coins so well? Was she taught by you?”

“Indeed, I taught her. This little guy is quite talented.” Xiang Kun glanced at the comments on the video. Sixty percent of the comments praised little Liu Shiling for how cool and good-looking her coin-flipping was, while forty percent mentioned how they wanted to pinch her chubby cheeks…

Tang Baona looked helplessly at the coin in her hand, “Even a kindergartner can do it better than us!”

“Is it because our finger joints are too big and the coins too small, making it hard for us to flip?” Yang Zhen Er tried to find an excuse for herself.

“Please, your finger joints are even larger than Xiang Kun’s? Yet he can flip coins so smoothly.” Tang Baona rolled her eyes at her.

“Xiang Kun is not a normal person. Can’t you see how quickly he learns things? He’s Xiang the chef, Xiang the carpenter, Xiang the shooter, Xiang the singer, and now, he’s become Xiang the Coin-Flipper! I heard from Zhang Qian that last night Xiang Kun helped Liu Chuang with a game, and he was super good. I won’t be surprised if he becomes Xiang the pilot and flies us somewhere!” Yang Zhen Er shrugged.

“Xiang the Coin-Flipper? What kind of nickname is that? I feel like you’re scolding me…” Xiang Kun touched his nose and changed the subject: “I’ll send you a tutorial on flipping coins later. It’s actually quite simple. If you make good use of the coin’s weight and find the trick, you’ll learn it quickly.”

Once everyone was there, they went for breakfast together. They didn’t need to drive, a short walk of ten minutes, and they had arrived. The entire street was full of breakfast shops and snack shops, allowing them to taste a bit of everything.

After eating, they went back to the hotel to wait. Those who needed to sleep caught up on their sleep, while those who wanted to play games played games, waiting for Old Xia before setting off together.

Seeing that it was about time, Xiang Kun started the speed car borrowed from You Meng to pick up his guest from the bullet train station. The two cars that You Meng lent them had been parked back at the hotel parking lot the day before. Besides, Liang Yulong had some issues at home that day and You Meng had to accompany her, so the nine of them went to the scenic spot by themselves.

At a little past ten o’clock, Xiang Kun met Xia Libing, who had just left the bullet train station.

Xia Libing was still dressed in her simple and neat style: an orange down jacket, black sporty pants, high-top basketball shoes, her hair tied into a ponytail, and a dark backpack over her shoulders. Her cheeks were slightly reddened by the cold, and her eyes squinted into crescents. She looked like a college student traveling alone.

She was naturally beautiful, tall and outstanding in figure, with a distinctive demeanor. As such, she could easily attract attention wherever she appeared.

As soon as she left the bullet train station, a young man gathered his courage to strike up a conversation with her.

Although they were quite a distance apart, Xiang Kun could hear their conversation clearly with his keen hearing.

“Hello, we were in the same compartment on the train, and we both boarded in Citong City. Did you come here for fun or to meet friends? I think I’ve seen you somewhere before. Are you from Citong University?” The young man asked shyly.

“I am not from Citong University.” Xia Libing looked back at him: “I am from Citong’s Third Hospital.” Then she peeled back her lips in an ostensibly brilliant smile which, however, betrayed no trace of mirth.

Seeing the young man’s face freeze and a hint of fright flashing in his eyes at her response, Xiang Kun nearly burst out laughing. Since the young man studied at Citong University, he certainly knew that Citong’s Third Hospital was a psychiatric hospital. Coupled with Xia Libing’s cold yet dazzling smile, he was understandably taken aback.

After “smiling” at the young man, Xia Libing walked straight to the side of the road to wait. The young man looked at her receding figure, hesitated for a moment, and ultimately didn’t “dare” to continue the conversation.

Xiang Kun drove the car to Xia Libing and asked with a grin after she got in, “What did you just say to that handsome young man? Why did he look like he had seen a ghost?”

Xia Libing hugged her backpack and turned to Xiang Kun with the same smile as before.

Frankly, until today, Xiang Kun had never seen Xia Libing wear such a unique smile. Now that he had seen it, he believed most people wouldn’t be able to mimic it.

Xiang Kun burst into laughter: “This smile is indeed disarming; it can even beam death threats. You’re quite amazing.”

Xia Libing switched to another smile — her eyes squinted, the corners of her mouth upturned, but still with no trace of amusement.

Xiang Kun chuckled: “Do you remember the first time we played cards at Nana’s home? When asked to describe each of you with an animal, I said you were like a fox. And now with that expression, you don’t need any other makeup to cosplay a fox!”

Xia Libing removed her smile, massaging her face with her hands to relax her cheeks, and asked, “Don’t you find it creepy? Don’t you feel scared?”

Xiang Kun shook his head, stepped on the gas and drove the car away, saying, “Of course not, I know you well.”

“True.” Xia Libing nodded, looked ahead, squinted her eyes with a barely noticeable smile on her face. However, this expression looked softer and more natural than the previous ones.

Out of the corner of his eye, Xiang Kun glanced over at Xia Libing in the passenger seat, her current expression was the one he usually saw. In general, Old Xia would either be expressionless, giving off a bit of a cold vibe, or she would wear this faint smile. He hadn’t thought much of it before, but now after witnessing her smiles earlier, he suddenly realized that what he had previously considered a natural expression actually seemed a bit “deliberate?”