Chapter 120: Asa State, The Beginning of Darkness

“Ah?” Song Kai was a bit confused. “What plaster?”

“The same dogskin plaster you taught us last time. Mr. Song, I’ve thought it over. Let’s dismantle the other production lines and focus solely on plasters. It’s safe and more profitable—what could be better?” Jia Dongming chuckled.

Only then did Song Kai understand and quickly said, “Alright, alright, enough nonsense. How much can plasters really sell for? Besides, these plasters can’t be stored long-term. It’s just that recent orders have been good, so it seems quite profitable. Hmm, but hearing you say that, it might actually be worth doing for now.”

Jia Dongming listened attentively.

Song Kai turned to Jia Dongming and asked, “You mentioned the plaster technology has been improved recently, right?”

Jia Dongming nodded. “Yes, it has, but none of it comes close to a tenth of the effectiveness of your plaster, Mr. Song. Oh, by the way, Mr. Song, can we avoid using dogskin? I think if we keep using it, the Animal Protection Association will come knocking, and continued use will raise dogskin prices and encourage more dog theft.”

Song Kai thought for a moment and said, “You’re right—no trade, no slaughter. Let’s use pigskin or other materials instead. The key is to keep it warm and allow the medicine to seep through thoroughly. You’re a doctoral expert in Chinese medicine, right? Go find a good substitute yourself.”

Jia Dongming nodded in agreement. “Mr. Song, do you have any secret recipes? We can’t just make one brand.”

Song Kai replied, “The most effective ones are those for bone injuries, and plasters that treat bruises and sprains. Not just falls—things like frozen shoulder and cervical spondylosis can also be treated.”

Hearing this, Jia Dongming’s mouth watered. “Hurry, hurry, Mr. Song.”

“All right, I’ll teach you.”

Just then, Qiu Hai was walking out with several freshly made dogskin plasters. Seeing Song Kai, he immediately ran over.

“Hello, Mr. Song! Thank you so much for the plaster—it healed my son’s leg. Thank you!” Qiu Hai said, saluting.

Jia Dongming smiled and said, “This success is thanks to Uncle Qiu’s promotion. His son got better quickly, and suddenly, the Song family’s ancestral plaster became a sensation.”

Qiu Hai grinned. “Well then, my son and I will go deliver the goods now.”

“Song family’s ancestral plaster?” Song Kai asked, curious.

Jia Dongming nodded. “Yes. After our discussions, we decided to name the plasters ‘Song Family Ancestral Plasters.’ The factory will soon be renamed Song Chinese Medicine Factory. From now on, we’ll build ‘Song’ into a brand—Song Kangxin Granules. Sounds impressive, right?”

Song Kai was speechless and waved his hand. “Alright, whatever makes you happy. By the way, the main reason I came today is to collect my share. How much do I get?”

Jia Dongming held up five fingers.

“Five million? Not bad,” Song Kai nodded.

Jia Dongming made a resigned expression. “Mr. Song, wake up—it’s fifty thousand. The total revenue in these six days was about five hundred thousand. After deducting materials, workers’ wages, and my salary, there’s around three hundred thousand left. But we need to keep two hundred fifty thousand to develop your new plaster, buy herbs and copper pots, and cover some promotion expenses. You know?”

“...” Song Kai felt like crying. “Well then, Jia Dongming, how about we put off the new plaster for now? I’m going abroad with my girlfriend soon and need the money. Fifty thousand is a bit tight. How about you give me the remaining three hundred thousand?”

“That’s impossible!” Jia Dongming said sternly. “Mr. Song, that’s wasteful. Absolutely not. For now, you get fifty thousand.”

Song Kai was speechless but had to agree.

After giving Song Kai the money, Jia Dongming eagerly learned the new plaster recipe and took the team out to buy materials.

Song Kai took the fifty thousand, figuring it would do for now.

By the time he left the factory, it was already noon.

Song Kai immediately called Xu Ling. “Xu Ling, have you eaten lunch?”

“No. Want to meet?” Xu Ling replied.

Song Kai’s heart skipped a beat. “Um.”

Xu Ling said, “I’m at the company. Come pick me up. I’ve got your plane tickets.”

“Okay, see you in five minutes!”

Song Kai got in the car and headed straight to Sihai Group. Upon arrival, he saw Xu Ling already carrying a small bag, getting out of the building.

Jumping out of the car, Song Kai opened the passenger door. “Get in, wife.”

“Call me Xu Ling,” she said, getting in.

Song Kai chuckled as he took the driver’s seat. “Where do you want to eat today? How about the Aihao Garden? Last time we didn’t eat or play well. This time, let’s relax properly.”

Xu Ling rolled her eyes. “Are you crazy? Aihao has been trying to contact me every day. You want to send me right back there?”

Song Kai waved his hand. “That guy’s just a toad. Hmm, but it’s better not to go there. Forget it. Let’s go to the Guilai Pavilion. After dinner, I’ll take you to a movie.”

Xu Ling thought for a moment. “No need for the movie. I have to prepare stuff for my thesis defense in the next couple of days. Here—your plane ticket and passport. In two days, we’re going to Asa State.”

Song Kai gave a small nod, slightly disappointed but cheered up at the thought of traveling with Xu Ling soon.

There would be plenty of chances to hold her hand!

Song Kai generously treated Xu Ling to a big meal.

Seeing how many dishes Song Kai ordered, Xu Ling said, “Wait, just to confirm, are you paying today? It’s not one of those times where you treat me but I pay, right?”

Looking at Xu Ling’s pretty face, Song Kai felt his heart flutter. Smiling, he said, “No way! Listen, wife, from today on, I’m officially taking on the responsibilities of a man! Because the Chinese medicine factory I invested in is making money! So from now on, when we go out, I’ll always pay.”

Xu Ling said, “Oh?” and looked at him.

Song Kai immediately laughed. “It’s true. I’m now a ten-thousand-yuan man, with over fifty thousand on me.”

“Wow, that’s a lot,” Xu Ling laughed.

Her smile was like a blooming flower.

One smile could captivate a city.

Song Kai stared, entranced.

Xu Ling waved her hand. “Are you daydreaming? Hurry up and eat. This meal is going to cost you a tenth of your assets.”

Song Kai chuckled.

He was grateful to his late father, who had arranged this marriage before passing away—truly a wise decision!

Over the next two days, Song Kai studied some English at home.

On the third day, Song Kai and Xu Ling flew directly to Asa State.

By the time the plane landed, it was dusk.

Stepping out of the airport under a sky ablaze with sunset clouds, Song Kai shrugged and said to Xu Ling, “Looks like the air here is really good. And people seem used to smiling at each other—it’s quite nice.”

Xu Ling smiled faintly. “On the surface, yes. But living here long-term brings all sorts of troubles. Let’s go. I hope everything goes smoothly this time so I can get my diploma and degree, then return home for graduate studies.”

Song Kai nodded and reached out to hold Xu Ling’s small hand.

“What are you doing?” Xu Ling glanced at him. “Has being in a foreign country made you bolder? Thicker-skinned?”

“No, I’m just worried you’ll get lost,” Song Kai said. “Everyone here looks so strong, I have to protect you.”

Xu Ling said, “That’s unnecessary. I’ve lived here four years without problems.”

Song Kai thought for a moment. “I’m scared I’ll get lost, so I’d rather hold your hand. It makes me feel safer.”

Xu Ling’s hand was slender and smooth.

She rolled her eyes at Song Kai but didn’t pull away. Together, they quickly left the airport.

A taxi waited nearby.

“Hey, hey, hello friends, want a ride?” a Chinese man called out to Song Kai and Xu Ling.

Seeing he was Chinese and speaking Mandarin, they walked over.

Once inside, Xu Ling said, “Take us to the Black Emperor Hotel next to Harvard University.”

“Got it! Are you Harvard students? I’m so jealous,” the driver said, speeding toward Harvard.

After chatting, Song Kai learned the driver was once an engineer in China, a graduate of a prestigious university. Hearing that engineers were better paid here in America, he emigrated with his family. But after arriving, he couldn’t find a good job and ended up driving a taxi.

Lin Hao sighed. “Hey, folks, don’t leave the hotel after dark. This is my last trip for the day; I absolutely won’t drive at night.”

“Why?” Song Kai asked curiously. “Are there more police at night?”

Lin Hao waved his hand. “Things have been unstable around here lately... Boom!”

Suddenly, the taxi’s rearview mirror shattered.

Song Kai froze, then heard two more gunshots—bang, bang...