Chapter 1884 - 1887: Pan Zheng's Super Calmness
Chapter 1884 - 1887: Pan Zheng's Super Calmness
At that moment, when the seductive woman's purple eyes were staring in astonishment, Pan Zheng and his wife Yun Lan had already come downstairs after changing their clothes. Their youngest son, who slept on the first floor, also woke up and ran out barefoot. Upon seeing Shen Qiang and the woman in purple, he thudded back to his room, seemingly too shy to meet strangers.Yun Lan greeted them and poured tea for Shen Qiang and the woman in purple, while Pan Zheng, having changed clothes, smiled at Shen Qiang and said, "You came too early; I suppose you haven't had breakfast yet? Why don't you join me in the kitchen? We can cook and chat at the same time."
"Men's kitchen diplomacy?" Shen Qiang laughed and said, "Sure, my cooking skills are quite excellent."
Pan Zheng laughed, "Alright, then show me what you've got."
With that, the two of them headed to the kitchen, leaving the woman in purple and Yun Lan in the living room.
In the kitchen, wearing an apron and appearing quite adept, Pan Zheng began preparing breakfast. While working, he calmly said, "Shen Qiang, your arrival truly surprises me. What I said yesterday still stands. If you choose to join the Thirty-two Skillful Hands, I can announce it before the Elixir Pills evaluation begins."
"That way, we're all on the same team. Not only will no one ostracize you, but they will also introduce you to many clients. As you know, in business, personal connections can be more important than the products themselves."
Hearing this, Shen Qiang smiled, "It sounds like a very tempting offer, but no, I'm not here for that."
Pan Zheng smiled, "Are you shy? Relationships, appearances, and reputations, these three aspects are hurdles that our people cannot overcome. But I truly hope you can join the Thirty-two Skillful Hands, because that way, the Cultivation World won't be dominated solely by Medicine King Valley."
Shen Qiang laughed, while helping to crack eggs, and said, "There's so much money in the world that no one can earn it all; not even the wealthiest person can. As for Medicine King Valley or the Thirty-two Skillful Hands, I have never considered you as competitors."
"Oh, that's quite self-aware of you." Pan Zheng laughed and said, "Because, as you know, although your level is decent, compared to the Thirty-two Skillful Hands and Medicine King Valley, there's still a big gap."
Shen Qiang smiled calmly, "Is that what you think?"
"Isn't it? One must have self-awareness." Pan Zheng smiled naturally.
Shen Qiang smiled brightly, "One should strive for higher goals. Those I consider rivals must be stronger than me, but clearly, be it the Thirty-two Skillful Hands or Medicine King Valley, your Alchemy skills are subpar, so I won't regard you as opponents."
Pan Zheng was stunned, "What did you say? Both Medicine King Valley and the Thirty-two Skillful Hands are subpar?"
"Yes." Shen Qiang raised an eyebrow and said, "Pass me the ginger, you know, the current level of Cultivation World's Alchemists, most are beginners in my eyes, some are at an introductory level, and only a very few reach apprentice level."
Pan Zheng smiled and handed the ginger to Shen Qiang, saying, "What you're saying to me is fine, but if you say this outside, people will laugh at you."
Shen Qiang laughed, "Yes, sometimes the truth is particularly laughable. For instance, the leader of the Thirty-two Skillful Hands, one of the top ten Alchemists, Leader Pan Zheng, in my eyes, is only at the introductory level."
Pan Zheng was taken aback, then laughed, "Are you here to provoke me? If so, you should be disappointed. My composure is far beyond your imagination."
Shen Qiang raised an eyebrow in surprise and glanced at Pan Zheng, "Would you provoke an apprentice Alchemist?"
"Of course not." Pan Zheng said.
Shen Qiang smiled, "Then I wouldn't provoke you either."
Pan Zheng laughed, "You're really quite arrogant. When I was young, I thought I was already very arrogant, but at least I knew to be humble in front of the elders."
"Everyone's experiences and environments are different." Shen Qiang raised an eyebrow, "It's like when the wealthy learn to drive, they use million-dollar or multi-million-dollar cars, while ordinary people may never drive those their whole lives. Do you think there's any meaning in them discussing which car is better?"
Pan Zheng shrugged helplessly, "Alright, I'll just take what you say as a joke, but you increasingly make me curious. Coming here so early, you couldn't possibly just be here to say such nonsense, right?"
Shen Qiang smiled and said, "Of course not, I just think there's a good chance you're someone like me, so I came to chat with you."
Pan Zheng smiled and shook his head helplessly, "Liar, you're here to provoke me."
"Think what you want, but please make the breakfast well. Obviously, my girlfriend and I are both quite picky." Shen Qiang smiled gently.
Glancing thoughtfully at the woman in purple through the glass reflection, Pan Zheng asked, "What exactly is your girlfriend's name?"
"I'm used to calling her Purple." Shen Qiang raised an eyebrow and smiled, "A very nice online name. As for her other names, she has more than twenty. Which one would you like to hear?"
Pan Zheng chuckled, "Youngsters are indeed interesting."
But after saying that, Pan Zheng suddenly fell silent. After a long pause, he sighed, "My daughter is named Pan Meiqing, with a small blue birthmark on the left side of her lower back. Her nickname, given by her mother, is Benben."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qiang smiled and praised, "Nice name."
But then, Pan Zheng fell silent, and the topic inexplicably shifted to breakfast. He said a lot, but nothing of substance.
Soon, breakfast was ready.
At this moment, Shen Qiang found that Pan Zheng's youngest son was having a great time playing with the woman in purple. She was animatedly telling stories, and the little one, full of curiosity, asked questions endlessly, calling her "Sister Purple" affectionately.
"Time to eat."
Pan Zheng called out, and Yun Lan, the woman in purple, and Pan Zheng's youngest son all came over.
When everyone sat at the dining table, the little one argued, "I want to sit next to Sister Purple."
Helpless, Shen Qiang could only make way.
Almost simultaneously, Shen Qiang accidentally noticed the smile on Purple's lips, which was very heartfelt.
Is blood truly thicker than water?
Shen Qiang sighed.
Then, as breakfast began, Shen Qiang took a sip of the porridge and, looking at the loving gaze Pan Zheng cast upon his youngest son and the woman in purple beside him, smiled and said, "Earlier, you asked me what my purpose was for coming here. Now, I think I can tell you because, in reality, I simply want to understand the story of your previous wife."
Pan Zheng was momentarily stunned and frowned, "What do you mean?"
"I am a Dragon Group Security Advisor." Shen Qiang raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Someone said you killed her."
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