046 The Ways of the World

“So soon? You ask.”
Du Ruo was surprised by Li Qiyao’s efficiency, not expecting her to be so invested; she must have only returned yesterday, and yet had already found a master smith.
“The master has already looked it over, and he’s actually quite interested in crafting it. The bracelet and the dragon coil components are no problem at all—he can meet the requirements you described, perhaps even exceed them. The only issue is the thread.
According to your specs, the thread should be made from silkworm silk blended with minerals, and if we custom order that, it’ll likely cost a fortune.”
Li Qiyao was probably sitting in her office, speaking with a furrowed brow, eyes lowered at her notes, probably recording what the master had said.
“Does the master have any alternative solutions? It doesn’t need to be crystal clear, as long as it’s tough and reasonably flexible.”
Du Ruo frowned. He knew from his research that making silkworm silk was time-consuming and labor-intensive, and he didn’t have time to wait. Lowering the requirements was acceptable—after all, it was modern times; there were plenty of substitute materials.
“Yes, special steel wire will do. It won’t be crystal clear, and it’s a bit heavier, but it’s much tougher, bears more weight, and is far cheaper.”
Li Qiyao broke into a smile. With the thread material solved, the master could begin work, and she could fulfill her promise to Du Ruo.
“Alright, then please ask the master to make one. Let me know the price when it’s ready. Next time you come to Huangshan, I’ll treat you to dinner.”
“If we use special steel wire, it should be about thirty thousand. Most of that is the master’s labor, plus some special materials.”
“Okay, no problem. I’ll send you the money shortly. By the way, how are things on your end?”
With the matter settled, Du Ruo asked about Li Qiyao and that man. She’d helped him so much; it would be rude just to hang up.
“I’m making preparations. It should be in the next couple of days. It’s not convenient to talk on the phone. Once the master finishes, I’ll send you the dragon coil thread, and we can talk then.”
Li Qiyao clearly had made her decision, and knew it wasn’t suitable to discuss over the phone, so she ended the call with a vague reply.
“Son, who was that just now?”
As soon as Du Ruo hung up, his mother came over, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. The girl she’d seen moments ago seemed quite nice—though she looked delicate, her looks alone proved she was no ordinary girl.
“Mom, just a friend of mine. I have my own plans. Let’s forget about the matchmaking.”

Du Ruo saw his mother’s expression and hurriedly gave a vague answer, trying to brush things off.
“Aunt Xu has already arranged it for you. Just go take a look. It’s at five on Sunday afternoon, at a restaurant in town. You’ll be dropping Yaya off in town anyway, so it’s on the way. Be good, alright? Aunt Xu went to the trouble of introducing you; it wouldn’t be nice not to go.”
His mother compared the girl from the video with the photo of the girl he’d be meeting, and her attitude softened a little.
“Fine, fine, I’ll go.”
Du Ruo knew there was no escaping, so he nodded in resignation.
“Alright, it’s settled. I’m heading back now. Don’t forget to pick up Yaya this afternoon. I’ll cook fish for you two.”
With that, his mother took the beef stew Du Ruo had prepared and walked out of the yard.
“At last, she’s gone. Well, I’ll just go and meet her. These days, even girls at matchmaking probably wouldn’t be interested in me.”
Du Ruo saw his mother off, then patted his stomach. The big bowl of noodles and beef he’d just eaten barely satisfied him, so he returned to the kitchen, brought out all ten pounds or so of hot beef, and began to eat heartily.
As he ate, Du Ruo noticed something different.
Yesterday, after drinking medicinal wine and eating beef, he’d been stuffed by the end. But today, after his enhancement, things felt entirely different.
He felt his digestion had improved remarkably. After eating ten pounds of beef stew, he was simply full, with no sign of a bloated belly, and none of yesterday’s post-meal sleepiness. He even felt he could eat more.
“Am I filling some deficit, or have I truly become a bottomless pit? What am I going to do in the future?”
He patted his stomach and decided not to worry. He went back into the kitchen and cooked up all the remaining beef he’d bought yesterday.
With nearly seventy pounds left, he decided to stew it in two batches. He’d keep it in the fridge—at most, he’d finish it in two or three days.
Still, he couldn’t help but worry about the future. If breakfast alone was over ten pounds of meat, and he ate like this every day, his expenses wouldn’t be small.
...
Stewing meat was slow work. After nearly four hours, Du Ruo finally finished all the beef. At noon, he ate another ten pounds and finally felt full. Seeing the time, he knew it was nearly time to head to town.

Du Ruo hadn’t forgotten that Yaya’s kindergarten had some activity today. His sister, Du Na, had already told him—he needed to be at the school by three.
Taking two bowls of beef stew he had prepared, he grabbed his car keys, locked up, and left the yard.
“Yuan Yuan, Xiang Yuan Yuan~~”
At the tavern door, he found it wasn’t open yet, so he stood downstairs and shouted towards the second floor.
“Coming, coming! What’s up, Boss Du?”
With a clatter, Xiang Yuan Yuan, wearing slippers, came downstairs and opened the side door, asking Du Ruo what he needed. She looked like she’d just woken from a nap; her hair was still a bit messy.
“I brought you some beef stew. Just cook some noodles or rice, add some vegetables, and you’re good to go.”
Du Ruo handed her one bowl of beef. Their relationship had grown closer recently—especially after he’d drunk her precious medicinal wine yesterday. Giving her something today felt fitting.
“Perfect! Ha, I’ve got my appetizer for today. As for rice, forget it—I haven’t eaten staples in years. Thanks, Boss Du.”
Xiang Yuan Yuan’s eyes lit up as she took the beef. She loved strong spirits, and pairing them with Du Ruo’s beef stew was bliss.
“Alright, suit yourself...”
Du Ruo had nothing else to say. He glanced at Xiang Yuan Yuan’s figure, realizing that this drunkard’s slim physique was no accident.
Still, he couldn’t imagine how she managed—no staple foods, strong alcohol every day. He wondered if her stomach was made of iron.
“Li Qingxiao~ Dating three flight attendants~~”
Following the DJ’s tune, Du Ruo hummed as he drove to town, another bowl of beef in tow for his sister, Du Na.