Translator: Flying Lines
“Mr. Chen, could you please share with us, how does it feel to turn from a firearms crime lord into a farmer? ” The bullet-proof car they rode in was accompanied by bodyguards to the front and back. Ding Sheng unwrapped a lollipop and held it with a straight face before Chen An in the manner of a news reporter.
“Well, I feel the world has lost one handsome arms trafficker, but gained a kicking-ass farmer.”
In the past, Chen An was not one to crack jokes. Even if he wanted to, who had the nerve to joke before him? But now, it felt so natural to pick it up from Ding Sheng. Eying the lollipop held before his face, Chen An gave it a lick with the tip of his tongue: “it’s lichee.”
Ding Sheng stiffened for a moment and a warmness spread on his face. Chen An opened his mouth, but before he could take his bite on the lollipop, Ding Sheng quickly took it back and popped it into his own mouth. Smacking his lips, Ding Sheng announced: “this one is mine!” “You sure you still want this one? I licked it.”
“Really?” Ding Sheng smirked as he made smacking noises, “is that why it tastes so good?”
Could it be possible that the innocent boy of justice had learned to flirt? If Chen An shut his eyes right now, he would think the one sitting at his elbow was the frivolous hairy bear.
“What has got into you? You seem strange in the past few days.”
So besides calling him ‘perfect’ on the plane, the young man was now flirting with him. It wasn’t their first day knowing each other. Chen An did not believe Ding Sheng was like this before; he was practically a blank slate with regard to romance.
Ding Sheng went on to enjoy his lollipop while grinning from ear to ear: “remember when we woke up from our dream in the ancient world? I took some time recuperating at home. When my mother found out I got involved because of you…”
“Hang on a sec!” Chen An cut in, and asked with misgiving, “is your mother planning to send an assassin to kill me?”
“Nonsense. My mum’s a great person!” Ding Sheng denied Chen An’s idea ardently, and explained, “well, what I want to say is, she knew I’m coming with you this time, so she taught me things.”
Ding Sheng lowered his voice as he neared the end of the sentence. He eyed Chen An shyly and dipped his head. Then he again looked up at Chen An and said with a bashful smile, “my mum said, it’s about time, for me to fall in love with someone. She told me to go ahead and win your hand. She also gave me a task, to bring you back to dinner in America.”
Chen An wondered whether he was hearing it right.
Pointing at himself, he asked: “does your mum know I’m a man?”
Ding Sheng nodded.
“Hmm, does she know I have other…men who mean a lot to me?” Chen An asked again.
Ding Sheng again nodded: “yeah, she said if you can attract these powerful guys, you must have your special charms. So if I can win you over, it will be an achievement of a lifetime.”
“…that’s an interesting view, from your mother too,” Chen An had never known a mother who encouraged her son to go after another man. He knew a little bit about Ding Sheng’s mother: she was a notable name in the local area, and loved her son very much.
With Ding Sheng’s background, he didn’t need to take a job from Interpol, but his mother had always supported his pursuit of his dreams. This also explains why Ding Sheng didn’t get into any trouble after he caught criminals here and there.
“Do you think so? She’s really nice. Next time you come to the US, make sure to come to dinner. My mum makes delicious maple syrup pies!” Ding Sheng’s eyes lit up; it seemed the task his mother had given him was within his grasp.
“Well, that depends on how you do your job here.”
In a moment, their car pulled over. Chen An and Ding Sheng got off. An expanse of fertile, uninhabited land spread before them, covered with various plants and wild herbs.
Chen An bent down and grabbed a handful of soil, which turned out to be soft and spongy. The earth fell through his fingers as he sifted it. He placed a scoop of earth into Ding Sheng’s hands and said: “rich in organic matter, very good for growing crops.”
“An, you seem to know everything.” Ding Sheng didn’t quite understand how these things work.
Chen An was among those who did their research before coming here. After he made the decision to become a farmer in Africa, he started making preparations. Once he decided to go into something, he would give it his best: he was not here to be a tourist.
There wasn’t really much to see concerning the soil. The land was a hundred percent natural and unpolluted, and had been uncultivated for many years. The soil was rich, and like Chen An said before, you put seeds in the ground, you were almost guaranteed a crop. And if managed properly, there was bound to be a good harvest.
“It is truly puzzling sometimes,” Chen An scattered the soil in his hand, and said with a smile, “the African continent possesses the largest amount of uncultivated land, and yet has the biggest import volume of grains.”
Ding Sheng nodded his agreement.
“Such a waste of land. Now as a farmer, I’m putting it to good use.”
…
…
Chen An wanted this particular piece of land, firstly because it was relatively peaceful around the place, which was good for long-term business.
Secondly there was a port not far from here, so shipping wouldn’t be a problem.
Thirdly, after his investigation in person, he was sure the soil was rich and suitable for farming.
“An, you have such a good eye for picking this place, so much so that three other companies are already talking to the chief about it.” Unlike his usual straight-forward manner, Lu Feng made a not-so-sly hint at the difficulty of obtaining the land while complimenting Chen An on his choice.
“You’ve learned to be mealy-mouthed with me now, huh?” Chen An’s fist landed on Lu Feng’s shoulder lightly. He’d just taken a shower to cool down after coming in. And he sat down on Lu Feng’s lap.
Locked in such an intimate posture, Chen An started reading the documents Lu Feng had laid on the desk. Lu Feng brought back a detailed copy of their opponents’ info. Actually Chen An was surprised that three noteworthy companies already had their eyes on a piece of farmland he picked.
A good location could save them a significant amount of shipping cost. And in Africa, safety was always a deciding factor when choosing to make an investment. Otherwise, after you threw in a great deal of money, an upheaval could easily undo everything you’d done, leaving you empty-handed.
So with Chen An’s sharp eyes, he’d chosen a piece of land in a prime spot.
Apart from him, the other three companies were from three different countries, Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia─all of which had a shortage of farmland.
“Among these three, the Saudi Arabian company is the one with a fat purse.” Lu Feng leaned in, wrapped the man in his arms, and rested his cheek against Chen An’s back while a feeling of peace and contentment welled up in him.
“The Japanese have money, too, though not as much as the Saudi Arabians. Yet they are the ones who maintain a friendly association with the local chief. As for the South Koreans, they have neither money nor connections, and thus seem to be the weakest rival so far.”
Chen An had the money, but he didn’t intend to squander it on a piece of land and pay more than what is fair to the African Chief. It was not his intention to compete with the filthy rich Saudis in his offer; sometimes, money was not the only factor when trying to get something.
What about connections?
Chen An believed that the Japanese company truly was friendly with the chief. Still, how did connections weigh against benefits?
“Don’t worry. I know what to do.” Chen An’s voice conveyed his confidence. He’d done his preparations before coming here and knew how to make a deal with the chief at a fair price. Well, ‘benefits’ did not only include money.
Chen An shut the files and was about to get up when he stopped. With Lu Feng’s arms around his waist, he turned and looked over his shoulder, at the man touching his cheek to Chen An’s back like a willful child.
Before Chen An took him in, Lu Feng was a tough boy living on the street. His didn’t have to go hungry any more when he came back with Chen An. Nevertheless, it was far from a happy or even normal childhood: for most of the time, he was either studying or training.
Chen An had always felt sorry on this regard. Now seeing Lu Feng showing this rarely seen childish side, his heart suddenly went all soft.
Cupping the man’s face in his hands, Chen An planted a kiss on his forehead.
“Thank you for what you’ve done.”
Whether it was restructuring the Group, playing basketball in the university, or farming in Africa, every decision Chen An had made, no matter how heady it was, had been supported by Lu Feng with steady efforts.
Lu Feng blinked. Tightening his arms around the man, he mumbled: “I only want you to be happy.”
“Are you doting on me? You’re the younger one.” A warm smile spread from Chen An’s eyes. Stroking Lu Feng’s weary face with his fingers, Chen An muttered, “you take a rest today. I want you to warm my bed tonight.”
“An…”Lu Feng breathed the man’s name. And the word seemed to have magic to it when uttered by him. Chen An sighed when he saw the desire in Lu Feng’s eyes.
Well, he owed Lu Feng, a lot. So it wouldn’t hurt much to give the guy what he wanted.
“My waist still aches from last time, so you go easy, young man.”