“You can’t say that. You have no idea how important green food is to modern people. The more I think about it, the more I feel you have to marry me. At the very least, we should go on a date and get to know each other better.” Charles Bennett was very serious, and soon looked pained and distressed again. “You don’t know, over the years I’ve dated so many girls, but never found the right one. The key is, they just don’t understand me. But you’re different. We grew up together, childhood sweethearts, and if we get together, it’ll be like a spark to dry wood—our feelings will heat up so fast it could cook raw rice into a meal. Whatever, it’s up to you. If you’re really heartless enough to turn me down, I’ll end up as a scrap-iron bachelor.”

Lucy Baker lowered her head, hiding her face behind a big cup of cola, her shoulders shaking—no one could tell if she was crying or laughing. After a long while, she dabbed her eyelids with a tissue and said crossly, “Are you not satisfied until you make me laugh so hard I cry? And what’s a scrap-iron bachelor supposed to mean?”

Charles Bennett patiently explained, “If a guy’s rich, he’s called a golden bachelor or a diamond bachelor. But I’m broke, so I’m a scrap-iron bachelor. Of course, the guys on the street just call scrap-iron bachelors ‘single dogs’…”

Lucy Baker burst into laughter again, her whole body shaking, and after taking several deep breaths, she said, “Being with you makes me feel young again, like all my stress is gone. I feel so relaxed.”

Charles Bennett clasped his hands in a mock salute. “Thank you for the compliment, I’m truly humbled. But, if I remember right, you’re half a year younger than me, so isn’t it a bit much to keep calling me ‘kid’? Come on, indulge my vanity a little—call me Brother Wei.”

“In your dreams. Keep dreaming.” Lucy Baker rolled her eyes at Charles Bennett.

Charles Bennett looked very disappointed, but quickly put on a serious face. “Seriously, when did you get back from Dongfang Mingzhu? What have you been up to lately?”

“I’ve been back for over half a year, working at some crappy ad agency. Don’t even mention it, it’s boring.” Lucy Baker looked downcast, glanced at her watch, and suddenly got anxious. “I lost track of time chatting with you—I still have to go to work. Give me your number, I’ll look you up tonight…”

Charles Bennett handed over a business card right away, surprised. “Wow, you’re so busy you even work Saturdays?”

“No choice, it’s overtime. Gotta go, see you…” Lucy Baker left these words behind softly, then turned and walked away.

Watching her figure grow smaller in the distance, Charles Bennett suddenly felt his blood boiling. Would Lucy Baker really come find him tonight?

Chapter 013: Meeting the Needs of the WTO

As soon as he left Dicos, Charles Bennett pulled out his phone, unable to resist sharing his happiness with Ryan Clark.

“Really? Where did you run into her?” Ryan Clark sounded very surprised on the phone.

“At Lotus Pond, I was just about to go restock.” Charles Bennett replied.

Ryan Clark was very direct: “Did you get her?”

“Damn, in broad daylight? You think I’m you, able to hook up with a girl in the car halfway down the road?” Charles Bennett couldn’t help but tease Ryan Clark about his legendary exploits.

“I’m just looking out for you, man.” Ryan Clark chuckled a few times, then said earnestly, “Old Wei, you’ve got to go all out this time and fulfill our years-long dream!”

The heavy tone made Charles Bennett pause, then he understood Ryan Clark’s good intentions. Back then, he and Lucy Baker were just one step away from getting together, but in the end, someone else got lucky. Even after so many years, the name Lucy Baker was still a lingering pain in both their hearts, almost leaving a permanent shadow.

Many people who tasted the forbidden fruit in their youth later sing: If only I’d held back during that moment, maybe tonight I wouldn’t be drowning in longing… But Charles Bennett and Ryan Clark would rather sing: If only we hadn’t held back when our hearts were pounding, if we’d just gone for it, maybe tonight we wouldn’t be drowning in longing.

To patch up years of heartache, and to fulfill this already shattered dream, Charles Bennett immediately snapped to attention on the street and swore an oath: “Rest assured, I guarantee I’ll complete the mission!”

People on the street all stared at Wei, their eyes clearly saying, “What a nutcase.”

Charles Bennett ignored the looks and kept moving forward. The surrounding streets grew more and more rundown, yet a few lavish entertainment venues stood tall—a striking contrast. Countless hair salons and massage parlors were scattered along the street, circling the train station, making one wonder if people getting off the train were really in that much of a hurry.

During crackdowns, these places did business on the sly, keeping a low profile. But as soon as things calmed down, no one managed them anymore, and they all started operating openly. Many storefronts brazenly advertised: “Handjob 20, Quickie 80, Double 150.” Clearly, people in this industry have a head for business. Even if they can’t do buy-one-get-one-free, the double deal is 10 yuan cheaper than two quickies, making customers feel like they’re getting a bargain.

Anyone with eyes could tell what these places were. If someone mistook them for travel agency ads, there was nothing to be done. According to advertising and marketing theory, those who don’t get it aren’t the target customers anyway, and the odds of them becoming big clients are slim to none, so it doesn’t matter.