Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 176 Events at the Foot of the Mountain

Urgent! Major plot twist! Watch now!

Feng Changyuan stood at the door, still dressed in his well-fitting casual clothes, only with the cuffs slightly rolled up. His face showed a hint of the busyness and caution of someone in the early stages of starting a business. He was holding a tablet computer, confirming preliminary design sketches with a middle-aged man in a suit.

"The main focus should be on the rustic and elegant style, but the water, electricity and network interfaces must be reserved according to modern standards. In particular, the constant temperature and humidity array base of the underground quiet room must be integrated with the building structure without any deviation..." Feng Changyuan pointed to the screen and put forward various requirements.

The middle-aged man opposite him bowed slightly respectfully and replied, "Young Master Changyuan, rest assured, our construction company is best at handling these kinds of 'special' requirements. We guarantee that the exterior will match the overall style of the resort, and the interior will fully meet the family's needs."

As Chen Anran and Feng Xiaolu approached, they overheard this conversation.

"Changyuan, you guys are moving so fast!" Feng Xiaolu curiously peeked inside. "You've already started renovations?"

Feng Changyuan looked up at the sound, saw the two, and smiled, temporarily ending his conversation with the middle-aged man. "Little Lu, Fellow Daoist Chen, you've arrived." He stepped aside to introduce them, "This is Feng Lu, the steward of our Feng family branch, mainly responsible for the family's various businesses in the secular world. He will be primarily responsible for coordinating the preliminary preparations and subsequent secular affairs of the Hundred Herbs Pavilion."

Feng Lu immediately turned to Chen Anran and Feng Xiaolu, his face displaying a perfectly measured warm smile that was neither obsequious nor lacking in respect. He first bowed slightly to Feng Xiaolu, saying, "Miss Xiaolu." Then, turning to Chen Anran, he spoke in an extremely polite tone, "This must be Master Chen Anran, right? I've long admired your name! Meeting you today, I can see your extraordinary bearing. Young Master Changyuan and Patriarch Wenzheng have repeatedly mentioned your kindness to the Feng family; on behalf of the family, Feng Lu expresses his gratitude."

Chen Anran returned the greeting, his gaze sweeping over the empty shop. "Manager Feng, you're too kind. It seems Baicao Pavilion is still in the preparation stage."

"Exactly." Feng Changyuan took over the conversation, smiling helplessly. "The supplies and the first batch of pills allocated by the family are still on their way, and are expected to take another two or three days. Right now, we can only finalize the renovation plan and lay a solid foundation." He gestured to the tablet in his hand. "It has taken some thought to preserve the ancient charm of my Feng family's Pill Pavilion while also integrating the modern atmosphere of this resort area."

Feng Xiaolu, however, was quite enthusiastic. She strolled around the empty shop and pointed to a window seat: "This place has good lighting. We can put a tea table here later, so guests can chat while drinking tea!"

Feng Lie leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed, and snorted when he heard this: "We sell pills, we don't run a teahouse."

"Oh, Brother Feng Lie, you just don't understand!" Feng Xiaolu retorted, hands on her hips. "This is called experiential consumption! When the atmosphere is good, the customers feel comfortable, and business naturally improves! Right, Junior Brother?"

Chen Anran chuckled, "Having an elegant and comfortable environment to discuss and examine the elixirs certainly adds a lot of charm."

A hint of appreciation flashed in Feng Changyuan's eyes, and he smiled and said, "What Fellow Daoist Chen and my cousin said makes a lot of sense. This way, you can come down the mountain for tea more often in the future." He looked at Feng Lu, "Uncle Lu, please redesign the new drawings according to Fellow Daoist Chen and Miss Xiaolu's suggestions."

Feng Lu immediately bowed and agreed, his smile unchanged: "Yes, Young Master Chang Yuan. I will have the design team come up with a new plan that incorporates the tea room function as soon as possible." He was extremely efficient, and after speaking, he walked aside to make a phone call.

The group chatted for a few more minutes in the empty shop. Feng Changyuan invited Chen Anran and Feng Xiaolu to go for a stroll in town, saying that they should all go shopping, drink milk tea, and watch a movie together. Upon hearing this, Feng Lie couldn't help but purse his lips.

Upon hearing this, Chen Anran politely declined Feng Changyuan's invitation: "Thank you for your kind offer, Fellow Daoist Feng, but we have only just returned and would like to take a stroll around the neighborhood. We won't disturb you while you are busy with your business."

Feng Xiaolu nodded quickly, "Yes, yes, cousins, you guys go ahead with your work, junior brother and I can just wander around by ourselves."

Seeing this, Feng Changyuan felt regret but didn't insist. After all, there was still plenty of time, and he could take things one step at a time. So Feng Changyuan smiled and watched the two leave.

After leaving "Feng's Hundred Herbs Pavilion", Chen Anran and Feng Xiaolu strolled leisurely along the main street paved with bluestone slabs.

The afternoon sun shone warmly on them, and as they looked at the gradually taking shape and sizable resort area, both of them felt quite relaxed.

"I didn't expect things to change so quickly here," Feng Xiaolu said, looking around at the various shop signs. "It feels much more lively than before we left."

Chen Anran nodded in agreement, "After all, with so many resources invested, the speed is naturally fast."

As they were talking, the two arrived at the entrance of the newly built international hot spring resort hotel. The revolving doors were spinning, and a group of people were walking out of the lobby, chatting and laughing, exuding an air of authority. The person at the head of the group was none other than Zhao Qiming, the head of the Tianhe Group.

"Chairman Zhao?" Chen Anran was somewhat surprised and greeted him.

Upon hearing the voice, Zhao Qiming looked over and, seeing Chen Anran and Feng Xiaolu, his face immediately lit up with a warm smile. He quickly stepped forward to greet them: "What a coincidence! I was just thinking of visiting you on the mountain after I settled in, but I didn't expect to run into you here!"

The dozen or so people following behind him also stopped in their tracks, most of them curiously observing Chen Anran and his companion.

Most of these people were composed and well-dressed, clearly prominent figures in the business world, including some familiar faces that Chen Anran had seen before.

"Chairman Zhao, you... brought an inspection team with you?" Chen Anran asked, somewhat puzzled by the large group. There was still some time before the opening after the New Year; logically, there was no need for everyone to gather here so early.

Zhao Qiming laughed and explained, "Master Chen, you misunderstand. We're not all here for an inspection. We're all representatives of our respective investors. We came early for two reasons: first, to attend the preparatory meeting for the opening ceremony after the New Year; and secondly..."

He paused, his smile widening with a touch of emotion: "It's also to attend our 'Hidden Immortal's Footprints' year-end appreciation banquet, and to spend the New Year here together!"

"Spending the New Year here?" Feng Xiaolu blinked, then subconsciously replied, "It's almost the end of the year, aren't all you bosses going home for family reunions?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qiming explained, "Fairy Feng, you may not know this, but our 'Hidden Immortal Traces in the Clouds' project embodies so much of everyone's hard work and expectations. It can be said to be a crucial part of our business empire. With the end of the year approaching, all the preparations have reached their most critical stage. The details of the opening ceremony, the subsequent operation plan, and the coordination with various suppliers are all numerous and complex, and we really can't do without people."

Mr. Liu, standing beside him, chimed in with a smile, "Chairman Zhao is right. Besides, for us 'ordinary people' to be able to spend the New Year in this blessed land, brimming with spiritual energy, and absorb some of that divine aura, is a blessing we couldn't ask for more. It's much more meaningful than going home to face all our aunts and uncles!"

His words drew good-natured laughter from the crowd, which lightened the atmosphere considerably.

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