Ling Zhenfei said, "This is what I should do. Since there's nothing else, let's sign the contract."

Sun Wen nodded and said, "Okay, I can sign the contract. From today on, our Green Apple Restaurant will use the vegetables from Xishan Manor exclusively. However, I have two conditions I hope you can agree to."

Ling Zhenfei was slightly surprised but still said, "What conditions do you have? Just let me know."

Sun Wen hesitated a bit and said, "The first condition is that I hope you can teach our chefs the dishes you just prepared."

Speaking, Sun Wen glanced at Chef Wang beside her. Chef Wang, who had been waiting on the side, was now looking at Ling Zhenfei with a devout expression, quite different from his earlier arrogant demeanor.

Seeing that Ling Zhenfei was looking at him, Chef Wang flashed an awkward smile and said, "I'm really sorry, Mr. Ling. I hope you won't hold a grudge for what happened earlier."

Ling Zhenfei glanced at Chef Wang and said, "Alright, these dishes are very simple. Once the chefs master these four dishes, it will be enough to handle the restaurant's requirements. What's the second condition?"

Sun Wen, somewhat embarrassed, said, "Our Green Apple Restaurant is too outdated in its approach and doesn't know how to develop. For the sake of the restaurant's future, I hope you can give us some advice."

Ling Zhenfei was a bit stunned upon hearing this. To be honest, giving advice wasn't his forte, but having seen quite a lot, he could understand some things.

"High-end restaurants have a different style from your Green Apple Restaurant. If you want people to spend one hundred yuan on a plate of shredded potatoes, you should provide an environment worth that price."

Sun Wen was very intelligent and understood right away what Ling Zhenfei meant.

She took a look around the interior of her restaurant, nodded, and said, "You're absolutely right. You're amazing, hitting the nail on the head with just a few words. I'll definitely consult with you often in the future. Please don't mind."

Ling Zhenfei laughed, "Not at all. Just give me a call if you need anything. Although we're in a cooperative relationship, we're friends now too. Don't be so formal."

And so, Ling Zhenfei and Sun Wen happily signed the contract. Starting tomorrow, Green Apple's forty-eight chain restaurants would begin ordering vegetables from Xishan Manor.

Ling Zhenfei also took the opportunity to pass on the recipes and measurements for the four dishes to Chef Wang.

Chef Wang, a star chef at a five-star restaurant, had a deep understanding of cooking and quickly mastered the dishes, addressing Ling Zhenfei as his teacher with respect.

As the saying goes, learning even one thing from someone makes them your teacher, let alone several dishes that, when perfected, could make the restaurant renowned.

After handling everything, it was getting late. Sun Wen offered to treat Ling Zhenfei to dinner, and Zhu Jiaming and Cui Qingmu were also eager to invite him. Ling Zhenfei felt it would be impolite to refuse.

Just as he agreed to have dinner with Sun Wen that evening, he suddenly heard his phone ring.

Ling Zhenfei saw that it was a call from Zhou Yun and quickly answered.

To his surprise, as soon as he picked up, he heard Zhou Yun's tearful voice, "Zhenfei, come back quickly, Ling Xiu is in trouble."

Ling Zhenfei was stunned, not sure what had happened to He Lingxiu.

"What's going on, Sister-in-law? What happened to Ling Xiu?"

Zhou Yun cried even harder, saying through her sobs, "It's all my fault. I told Ling Xiu about that thing, thinking it wouldn't matter. Then I left. When I came back, Ling Xiu's father told me she was missing."

Ling Zhenfei was shocked. The thing he had been worrying about these past few days had happened—Zhou Yun had told He Lingxiu, and now she might have taken it the wrong way.

"Sister-in-law, don't panic. Ling Xiu is just missing. She might not be in trouble. Look around first; maybe she's somewhere crying and will come back after she's done."

"No, I know Ling Xiu's temperament. When I told her, she was very calm. I felt something was off then. It's all my fault for not staying with her."

Zhou Yun was deeply remorseful, crying even more bitterly over the phone.

"It's not your fault, Sister-in-law. It's all my fault. Just look for Ling Xiu first. I'll head back immediately."

Crying, Zhou Yun said, "The whole village is looking for her now. I'll keep looking."

Just as Ling Zhenfei was about to speak, Zhou Yun cut him off.

"Zhenfei, this is all your fault. Why aren't you more loyal? What's wrong with Ling Xiu? Are the girls outside really that much better?"

With that, Zhou Yun hung up, leaving Ling Zhenfei standing there alone.

Holding his phone, Ling Zhenfei felt like he'd been struck by lightning. Zhou Yun was right; why wasn't he more loyal? He Lingxiu was such a good girl, his childhood sweetheart, flawless in every way.

If anything happened to He Lingxiu this time, Ling Zhenfei knew he could never forgive himself. With this in mind, he hurriedly excused himself from Sun Wen and the others and drove towards the village.

On the way, he drove at top speed, racing towards Qinghe Village and arriving in the shortest time possible.

Upon reaching the village, Ling Zhenfei didn't stop but headed straight to Ling Xiu's house.

By now, a group of people had gathered at her house. Seeing Ling Zhenfei arrive, they quickly parted to let him through.

Inside, he saw He Laogen, He Lingxiu's father, crying out in agony in the courtyard.

Seeing Ling Zhenfei, the people around quickly urged He Laogen, "Don't cry anymore, Ling Xiu's father. We need to find her quickly."

"Yeah, with Zhenfei here, let's focus on finding her. Things might not be as bad as you think."

Everyone looked at Ling Zhenfei, waiting for him to act.

"Uncle He, don't worry. I'll go find Ling Xiu now. I believe she won't do anything rash."

He Laogen suddenly stopped crying, glared at Ling Zhenfei, and angrily said, "Ling Zhenfei, you're a real bastard. If anything happens to Ling Xiu, it'll be your fault. You'll be the murderer."

With that, he lunged at Ling Zhenfei, aiming a punch at him. Fortunately, others held him back, preventing the blow from landing.

Ling Zhenfei knew He Laogen must hate him deeply. He and Ling Xiu had grown up together, watched over by He Laogen. Who could have foreseen this outcome? But now was not the time to discuss it.

Standing up, Ling Zhenfei said, "Uncle He, don't worry. I'll bring Ling Xiu back safe and sound."

With that, he turned and left the courtyard. Bai Lin and other employees from Xishan Manor approached.

"Master, what should we do now?"

Ling Zhenfei looked at Bai Lin and asked, "You've searched everywhere and still haven't found Ling Xiu?"

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