Chapter 244: Chapter 185: Wuyi Mountain Dahongpao

“You really lucked out with this, how did you know it belonged to his family?” Shi Feng spoke with a hint of jealousy.

Qi Yun gave him a mysterious smile: “Abula’s grandfather once served as a servant in the Prince Mansion, and during a tumultuous time, he took this chair home.”

“There’s no need for you to inquire about the rest.”

Shi Feng pouted but didn’t press further, continuing to focus his gaze on that chair.

Qi Yun handed a cigarette over to Liu Meng and said, “Brother Meng, when we get back to the city, go to the labor market and find a few workers. In the next couple of days, please lead them to help Abula build his house.”

“Also, I’ll have Zhong Rui transfer fifty thousand yuan to you. Once the house is finished, take this money out and give it to Abula, just tell him it’s financial aid for Xiao Balang’s schooling.”

Liu Meng took the cigarette, nodded silently.

He always did as Qi Yun instructed, never asking too many questions, as was his usual manner.

“Alright, let’s head back.”

With that, the three of them got into the car and returned to the city.

Upon returning to the city, they went to the labor market, where a large number of workers had gathered.

It wasn’t long before Liu Meng picked out four or five skilled masons and then found a van. After preparing the tools, he set off back to the Gunas Village.

Meanwhile, Qi Yun and Shi Feng drove the business car back to Bird City.

…

By the time they left the highway, it was already evening. The two, hungry from the day, first placed the precious chair in Shi Feng’s store and then found a nearby diner.

“What do you plan to do with that chair?” Shi Feng asked, mouth full of dumplings, his words a bit muffled.

Qi Yun’s chopsticks paused: “After restoring it, I’ll hand it over to the auction house. What else could I do with it?”

Shi Feng nodded at that: “If you’re going to auction it, I suggest you don’t do it here in Jiang Province. Go to Shanghai or Hong Kong Island. Only the major auction houses there can truly reflect its value.”

Qi Yun thought Shi Feng made sense; those who could afford such a Golden Rattan Chair wouldn’t necessarily attend this kind of regional auction.

In comparison, international auction companies like Sotheby’s and Christie’s certainly have more resources to promote this Golden Rattan Chair.

“Do you have any connections to contact them?”

Shi Feng shook his head: “I don’t, but Old Chen does. And if you can’t find anyone to help with the restoration, you can ask Old Chen for an introduction. He has a wide network in this area.”

Upon hearing this, Qi Yun found this approach feasible. If he handed such a valuable item to someone else rashly, he’d feel uneasy, but with Old Chen, there’s no issue.

Firstly, from previous interactions, he trusts Old Chen’s character.

Secondly, even a random treasure from Old Chen’s yard would cost several hundred thousand.

Eighty thousand may be no small amount in his eyes, but to Old Chen, it might just be that.

“Alright, tomorrow you come with me to visit Old Chen.” Qi Yun said.

Shi Feng nodded in agreement: “Hmm, come by the store tomorrow, and bring that chair over.”

“…”

After dinner, it was already past eleven when Qi Yun got home.

As soon as Zhao Qing saw him, she rushed over, wrapping her arms around his neck and whined, “Why are you back so late?”

Qi Yun gently patted her back, soothing, “Hmm, there was traffic on the road. I came back as soon as I finished my business.”

Zhao Qing released her hold, tilted her head and studied Qi Yun’s face for a few seconds before asking, “Okay, have you eaten yet?”

Qi Yun chuckled and touched her cheek, “I just grabbed a bite with a friend outside. Where’s Nuannuan?”

“Nuannuan waited for you for a long time and has already gone to sleep,” Zhao Qing pouted and continued, “The medicine I brewed for you has gone cold. Let me heat it up for you.”

“Okay, thanks for the trouble.” Qi Yun leaned closer to give her a peck on the cheek, “I’ll take a shower first.”

“Hmm, go ahead.”

After showering, Qi Yun felt refreshed as he went to the kitchen, picked up the warm herbal concoction, and drank it all in one go.

He hadn’t realized he’d been drinking this prescription for almost ten days. The prescription stated, “One dose daily, miraculous effects visible after ten days.” He could now clearly feel changes in his body.

Not only had his energy improved, but his physique too.

Comparing his current state to ten days prior, Qi Yun felt like he had become two to three years younger, and it seemed his strength had increased quite a bit.

“Maybe I should train with Chen Wei?” he mused to himself.

Not to mention becoming a master like him, learning just a few moves would provide some means of self-defense if ever faced with danger.

After all, relying on oneself is more dependable than relying on others.

Setting down the bowl, Qi Yun glanced at the box of medicinal ingredients. There was still plenty of the other herbs left, except the wild ginseng, which was down to a small half, probably enough for a few more days.

He checked his watch—it wasn’t even midnight yet. People in Jiang Province didn’t sleep so early.

So he took out his phone and dialed Cao Yufei’s number.

“Old Cao, any news on the ginseng you were looking for?”

On the phone, Cao Yufei replied with a hint of apology: “Not yet, my friend hasn’t gone up the mountain lately.”

Qi Yun frowned slightly upon hearing this: “No other options?”

“I’ve contacted everyone I can.” Cao Yufei sighed helplessly, “If you’re in a hurry, I can personally make a trip to Changbai Mountain to find those herbal farmers; they might have some good stuff.”

Qi Yun thought for a moment; it seemed a bit inappropriate to let the other person go alone, considering they were friends, not employees.

“How about this, if you’re free lately, accompany me on a trip, the two of us can go together and see if we can collect some more.”

Cao Yufei agreed immediately: “No problem, there’s nothing much going on at the factory anyway.”

“Alright, thanks.” Qi Yun laughed.

“No need to thank me, let me know when you decide to leave.”

“Okay.”

…

The next day, Qi Yun personally drove Zhao Qing and his daughter to the kindergarten, then thought about where to buy some good tea leaves to gift to Old Chen later.

The other party had helped him several times before, and never asked for any reward.

But he can’t feel at ease about it every time, he has to show some gesture of appreciation.

But to get good tea leaves, it’s really not easy without some connections. Those upscale tea shops by the road, everyone knows what’s going on, and he doesn’t want to be the sucker.

After contemplating, he suddenly remembered the teahouse that Wang Fei always went to; he didn’t know if the tea there was good, but at least it was expensive enough and not one of those places where you get ripped off.

So he immediately started the car and drove towards that teahouse…

Twenty minutes later, Qi Yun parked the car and stepped into the teahouse.

The reception staff greeted him with a smile, speaking enthusiastically: “Mr. Qi, welcome.”

Qi Yun was slightly stunned, puzzled: “You know me?”

The receptionist’s smile remained unchanged, replying respectfully: “Yes, Mr. Qi, you’ve been here a few times with Ms. Wang, I remember you. Also, Ms. Wang has opened a membership for you which is tied to her account.”

Qi Yun realized, not thinking much, and straightforwardly said: “Alright, do you sell tea leaves here? Recommend me some good tea suitable for gifting, the price isn’t an issue.”

The receptionist nodded and gestured invitingly: “Alright, Mr. Qi, please follow me, I’ll take you to choose.”

Qi Yun responded and followed the staff.

The two walked through a corridor to a room decorated in an antique style.

On both sides stood rows of long glass display cabinets, inside which small wooden boxes were displayed, each containing a small amount of tea leaves.

Above were soft spotlights, with labels below indicating the tea’s origin, year, and other information.

The receptionist pointed to the central box and introduced: “Mr. Qi, take a look at this Wuyi Mountain Dahongpao, a descendant of the mother tree, meticulously cultivated and roasted, with a rich aroma and full flavor.”

“The production is very limited, extremely precious, making it completely suitable for gifts.”

Although Qi Yun didn’t understand tea well, the name “Wuyi Mountain Dahongpao” was certainly very famous.

Especially the mother tree, it was said that just 20 grams of its tea leaves were once sold for over 200,000, equivalent to over a million per kilogram.

“How much is this tea per pound?” Qi Yun asked tentatively.

If the price was several million, he really couldn’t afford it.

The receptionist apologized with a smile: “I’m sorry, Mr. Qi, we currently have less than a pound left of this Wuyi Mountain Dahongpao, around six liang (300 grams).”

“Ms. Wang is a platinum member of our shop, so if you need this tea, you can enjoy a 30% discount, totaling 180,000.”

Qi Yun thought for a moment and nodded: “Alright, I’ll take it.”

Eighteen thousand wasn’t cheap, but it was still within an affordable range.

The receptionist smiled and took out a tablet, while operating it said: “Alright, Mr. Qi, our tea leaves are stored in a special warehouse. I’ll have someone prepare it and send it over for you.”

“Moreover, I’ll deduct the 180,000 directly from your and Ms. Wang’s account, is that okay?”

Qi Yun frowned slightly: “Forget it, I’ll pay separately.”

Whether or not to accept help was another matter, but the thing was he hadn’t contacted Wang Fei for a while; if she found out, she might go crazy and trouble him again.

That woman was quite a seductress; it’s best to keep some distance when there’s nothing going on, the last time he almost let his impulses control his rationality.

The receptionist smiled politely: “Alright, Mr. Qi, please take a seat in the lounge next door, I’ll have the tea leaves sent over. You can settle the payment when you leave later.”

A few minutes later, another attendant entered the lounge with a delicate box in hand.

The receptionist placed the box on the table, retrieved a rustic wooden box from it, opened the lid, and gestured: “Mr. Qi, please inspect.”

Qi Yun didn’t really understand these things; for him, any tea leaf over three figures tasted the same.

He decided not to pretend and immediately waved: “No need to inspect, pack it up.”

…

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