Chapter 245: In Progress

Chapter 245: Chapter 245: In Progress

Hua Buwan sat at her computer, completely absorbed in sifting through forum posts. The ideas—ranging from fascinating to bizarre to downright nonsensical—seemed to possess a magnetic pull, captivating her entirely. Time slipped away unnoticed as she immersed herself in the screen, oblivious to the world around her.

It wasn’t until the first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the window that Hua Buwan finally snapped out of her trance. Morning had already arrived. Looking up at the window, she was met with a blinding glare. The intense light stung her eyes, making her flinch and immediately squeeze them shut.

Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes as a stinging ache spread through them. She wondered whether it was because she had been staring at a screen for too long, or if the sudden exposure to sunlight was to blame.

Hua Buwan let out a series of massive yawns, her mouth opening wide enough to swallow an egg whole. Exhaustion washed over her, completely banishing any thought of washing up. She hastily shut down the computer, then tottered over to her bed like a lethargic kitten and face-planted onto the mattress. With practiced ease, she pulled up the covers and cocooned herself tightly. Moments later, soft snores drifted from beneath the blankets. Hua Buwan was fast asleep, finally catching up on the rest she had missed throughout the night.

Meanwhile...

Early that morning, Ling Qianjun and Xu Panqing headed into the village with a batch of soap. They planned to barter with the villagers, using the opportunity to chat and gather information about the locals’ backgrounds. Xu Panqing looked noticeably nervous along the way. After all, she had never done anything like this before.

They arrived at a small clearing at the village entrance, shaded by a massive tree where the locals loved to gather. It was a prime spot—not only did the sprawling canopy offer a cool respite, but the location also provided a front-row seat to all the village gossip, making it the perfect place to catch wind of breaking news.

Ling Qianjun swiftly spread a cloth flat over the dirt. Beside him, Xu Panqing carefully pulled bars of soap from her satchel, arranging them neatly on the makeshift display. Once everything was set, they immediately began hawking their wares.

"Come take a look, everyone!" Ling Qianjun called out. "We’ve got soap—the exact same kind that’s been flying off the shelves in town! We have every scent available. First come, first served!"

Drawn by their shouts, even more villagers dropped what they were doing and gravitated toward the commotion. A curious crowd formed, their eyes glued to the colorful array of neatly stacked soap. As they got a closer look, astonishment rippled through the crowd. These bars looked absolutely identical to the premium ones sold in town! On top of that, they were releasing waves of enchanting fragrances, each carrying its own distinct scent.

Despite the short distance between the onlookers and the stall, the rich aromas seemed to sprout wings, wafting straight into their noses. Many inhaled deeply, as if trying to capture the delightful scents more clearly. Unable to contain their curiosity, some craned their necks and leaned in for a better look, desperate to confirm if these were genuinely the highly coveted soaps currently taking the town by storm.