Chapter 205 - 159: A Visit to Give Thanks, A Valuable Gift

With more people in the village, business opportunities arose. The villagers praised him, saying Xiang Ya sure knew how to liven things up and attract such a crowd. Choosing him as village chief back then was the most correct decision they could have possibly made.

Yao Yao, Zhao Xueqing, and Lei Xiaohui were there, of course. A group of young people from Lei Family Gully, led by Lei Jiaming, also came over to join the fun.

Outside Li Xiang’s house, there was a sea of people.

Around two in the afternoon, Luo Feifei and her mother finally appeared.

Three luxury SUVs made it to the village entrance but could go no further. The road was completely gridlocked with too many people and cars.

Left with no other choice, Luo Feifei and her mother got out of the car to walk. Each of them carried two gift boxes, the contents of which were a mystery.

An escort of seven or eight bodyguards, both male and female, surrounded them in the front and back.

It wasn’t that Luo Feifei liked to act like a big shot and insist on having bodyguards. Rather, she and her mother were both women—and attractive ones at that—and Luo Feifei was simply too famous. Traveling without an escort, especially to a remote mountainous area like this, was out of the question. Her film crew wouldn’t have allowed it, either.

"Please make way! Excuse us, please..." Two tall bodyguards cleared a path. All along the way, crowds gathered to watch, take photos, and scream. Some were even live-streaming to ride her coattails.

While they were still a long way from Li Xiang’s house, he got word of their arrival and quickly went out to greet them with Yao Yao, Zhao Xueqing, Lei Xiaohui, Lei Jiaming, and the others.

"You really came? You didn’t have to visit in person," Li Xiang said, feeling quite embarrassed.

Luo Feifei’s mother smiled. "But we must, we must. How could we not pay a personal visit to thank you for such a great kindness? I heard your grandmother is also at home. We should at least come visit her and express our gratitude."

Luo Feifei smiled charmingly. "I brought a small gift for your grandmother. I hope she likes it."

Li Xiang said, "You’re too kind. On behalf of my grandmother, thank you!"

Li Xiang immediately led the two of them slowly toward his home. They chatted and laughed as they walked, and the crowd moved along with them.

Yao Yao, Zhao Xueqing, and Lei Xiaohui followed closely behind. ’I never thought I’d get the chance to be this close to Luo Feifei,’ they thought. ’This isn’t just a thank-you visit; she’s delivering a mountain of online traffic!’

’Wow, her skin is so fair and delicate!’ Yao Yao marveled to herself.

When they arrived at Li Xiang’s house, Granny Li Xiang heard that a big celebrity and her mother had come to visit her, and she couldn’t stop smiling, her grin stretching from ear to ear.

’In the past, even my own daughter rarely visited. But ever since my grandson returned, relatives have been dropping by constantly. And now, a huge celebrity has come to see me! How could I not be ecstatic? I’ll have so much to brag about the next time I’m chatting with the other villagers.’

"Granny, this is a set of pure silk scarves I picked out for you, and also a pair of bracelets. Please, try them on." Luo Feifei said with a smile, placing the gift boxes she was holding on the table and opening them one by one.

The gift box of pure silk scarves contained eight pieces, each adorned with exquisite Shu embroidery, making them incredibly beautiful. And the pair of bracelets were made of deep floating-flower jadeite of exceptional quality.

This deep green floating-flower pattern was more suited to an older person’s skin and temperament, making her look younger, yet also more dignified and steady.

Together, Luo Feifei and her mother helped Granny Li Xiang tie on a scarf and put on the bracelets. The old woman’s entire aura changed in an instant. It had to be said, Luo Feifei and her mother had excellent taste; they were very good at styling people and picking gifts.

Poor Li Xiang. After he got rich, he only thought of buying his grandmother clothes and shoes, making sure she ate well and stayed warm. He had never once bought her any Accessories.

Even if he had, being such a clueless guy, he probably wouldn’t have picked anything good.

Unexpectedly, on her very first visit, Luo Feifei had already made up for his shortcomings.

"Thank you, thank you. You’ve spent far too much." Granny Li Xiang was overjoyed after trying them on.

"It’s what we should do. Over here, we also have a gift for Brother Xiang." Luo Feifei’s mother opened two more gift boxes. Inside were a tie and a watch, both of which were, of course, quite valuable.

However, that wasn’t the end of the gifts. There was an even more sensational one to come.

Then, Luo Feifei spoke up, "Brother Xiang, I have a somewhat presumptuous request, and I’m not sure if you’ll agree to it."

"What is it? Just say it!" Li Xiang nodded. After their interactions the day before, the two of them felt much closer, almost like old friends.

’I mean, she’s come all the way to my house. Aren’t we friends at this point?’

"I’d like to invest one hundred million to buy a stake in your Dark Saint Realm Tourism Development Co., Ltd. I only want a 20% share," Luo Feifei said.

"Huh?" Not only was Li Xiang stunned, but so was everyone around him.

The news spread as if it had wings, quickly reaching the crowd outside.

Many people were still peering in from outside, held back only by the bodyguards. But the main door to Li Xiang’s house wasn’t closed, and they were all paying close attention to what was happening inside.

Luo Feifei’s voice hadn’t been quiet, and quite a few people had heard her. So, like a bird with wings, the news flew throughout all of Li Family Village within half an hour. Everyone present knew.

These people were all here to see their idol and ride her coattails. Many were even live-streaming, chattering away nonstop.

One streamer was stunned when he heard the news. Then, he excitedly announced on his stream: "I’m about to share some sensational, first-hand news with all of you, hot off the press..."

Li Xiang mulled it over for a moment. ’Luo Feifei even knows about my tourism company. She’s clearly done her homework. That’s actually a little touching. And for her to not be afraid of losing money, investing so much for just a 20% stake... she’s clearly just trying to repay me.’

’This is great, but... I can’t help feeling a little disappointed. Don’t all the stories say that when you save a beautiful woman, she repays her handsome savior by offering herself in marriage? Why is she just throwing money at me instead? Does she not find me attractive?’

Of course, this thought was purely a joke, just him poking fun at himself.

"My tourist attraction has only just started construction. There’s no way its valuation is five hundred million. Besides, it’s in a remote location. There’s no guarantee it’ll even be profitable," Li Xiang told her honestly.

"I know. But I’m very optimistic about this project." Luo Feifei gave a faint, soul-stirring smile.

Li Xiang: "..."

Everyone: "..."

’She’s obviously just here to give me money. A hundred million, just like that.’

With a charming, gentle smile, Luo Feifei pressed, "So, what do you say, Brother Xiang? I’m very sincere."

’Everyone thinks I’m just repaying Li Xiang by deliberately throwing so much money at him,’ she thought, secretly pleased with herself. ’But no one knows that I’m merely securing a place for my mother and me to take shelter after the Apocalypse arrives.’

’I’m already quite certain why Li Xiang is building this attraction. I’ve already foreseen parts of the future in the Dream Realm.’

’There’s no better place to live than here with Li Xiang. The key is that with a stake in the company, I’ll have a certain amount of say.’

’Having an official position makes it my own home. Without one, I’d just be living under someone else’s roof. They’re not the same thing.’

’Even though order will collapse and laws will become useless during the Apocalypse, I believe Li Xiang will honor the spirit of our contract.’

’If Li Xiang really decides not to honor it and just takes everything, then I’ll just have to accept my loss.’

’But, this is my "fated opportunity." He can’t possibly be like that great villain from my dreams.’

Her mother actually wasn’t optimistic about the project, but she just thought her daughter wanted to use it as a way to express her gratitude, so she readily agreed. In any case, it was all money her daughter had earned; she could spend it however she liked.

One hundred million was also in line with Luo Feifei’s status as a top-tier superstar. Otherwise, for the kindness of saving her life, just giving some bracelets, scarves, a tie, and a watch—even though they were worth several hundred thousand—would be too small a thank-you gift for people of their wealth. If word got out, they would only be ridiculed, and it would damage Feifei’s image in the eyes of her fans.

Besides, the hundred million wasn’t just a handout. At least they were getting a 20% stake for it.

"Deal! Welcome aboard!" Of course Li Xiang would welcome it. ’This is the future Female War God, actively offering to invest. If I refused, I’d have to be brain-dead.’

And a hundred million could get a lot of things done.

Li Xiang had never imagined that his dealings with Luo Feifei would go so smoothly. ’Could this be the heaven-defying luck of a Chosen One, a system wielder?’

Luo Feifei was also quite happy. She said, "Then let’s find a time to formally handle the paperwork."

"OK!" Li Xiang made a hand gesture. He then invited them to sit down and have some tea and snacks together.

What with all the gift-giving and talk of a major investment right after they came in, he had completely forgotten his duties as a host.

It was top-grade, pre-Qingming high-mountain tea, personally brewed by Zhao Xueqing, an intangible cultural heritage tea master with first-class skill.

Luo Feifei’s mother took a sip and couldn’t help but wonder to herself, ’Why does the taste of this tea feel so familiar...’

After chatting for a while, Luo Feifei said, "Brother Xiang, I hear your backyard is quite beautiful. May I go have a look?"

"Sure!"

At once, Li Xiang led them to the backyard, chatting as they walked. Yao Yao followed along with her phone, filming the whole time. ’Yep, this is all part of the job,’ she thought.

Spring had brought warm weather and blooming flowers, and the house had long since been completed. Li Xiang’s backyard had been tidied up and was even more beautiful than before.

Not to mention the flowering trees, peach trees, and persimmon trees, just the neat rows of lush, green vegetable plots were a lovely sight on their own.

There were also many cute little kittens playing and frolicking in the yard. After a period of adjustment, the new kittens and the original residents had already become one big happy family. Moreover, Li Xiang had chosen very pretty ones that fit human aesthetic standards, and Luo Feifei absolutely loved them.

Suddenly, a small, entirely crimson fox appeared in the distance. Luo Feifei couldn’t help but exclaim softly, "You have a fox here too?"

Since the bodyguards were at the front holding back the crowd, only a few people had entered the backyard—Luo Feifei, her mother, his grandmother, and Yao Yao. They were all on his side, so Li Xiang didn’t bother hiding anything. He waved to the Little Fox. "Huo Ling’Er, come here!"

The Little Fox came scampering over, putting on a cute and fawning expression.

Er Huang followed as well, but how could a local mutt’s looks compare to the Little Fox’s? Luo Feifei didn’t even glance at him.

"It doesn’t bite, does it?" Luo Feifei asked.

"No, no, it won’t. You can hold it!"

Luo Feifei crouched down. The Little Fox, having received its master’s command, immediately and proactively leaped into her arms.

"Wow, its fur is so smooth! It feels amazing!" Who could possibly refuse such a cute and rare creature?

Li Xiang still made sure to explain, "It came to my house on its own. It’s wild and free, so I can’t give it to you."

Yao Yao was smart enough not to film this part. It wouldn’t do to attract any unnecessary trouble.