The clerk behind him revealed a mocking expression.
Xiao Chen glanced at her. “This shop belongs to you, right?”
“My husband owns it. So what?” The clerk still looked as if someone owed her hundreds of thousands of yuan.
“Let me give you a piece of advice. Stop pulling such a long face every day. It’s bad for your fortune. You might let money pass by your door without entering.”
The clerk’s face stiffened. “None of your business. If you’re not buying anything, get lost.”
Xiao Chen turned and walked away. Unexpectedly, not long after he left, the pharmacy owner hurried back.
As soon as he entered the shop, he looked toward the corner where the Ganoderma had been placed.
“Where’s the Ganoderma that was here just now? The one I bought this afternoon for 50 yuan?”
“Oh, that one? Some fool bought it for 800 yuan,” the clerk said proudly.
“800? Who bought it? That was Purple-Stem Ganoderma!” The owner slapped his thigh in frustration.
“I just saw on my social feed that someone is urgently looking for it as a medicinal catalyst. It’s worth at least 300,000 yuan. You jinx, something this valuable and you sold it for 800?”
“Ah…” The woman’s smug face instantly fell. She stammered, “A, a high school student-looking boy bought it. He, he might not have gone far yet. Husband, hurry and chase him. Get it back, quickly!”
“Chase him? Where would I chase him? It’s all your fault, always wearing that sour face.” The pharmacy owner roared angrily, “Even when the God of Wealth comes, you can’t catch him.”
The woman did not dare to argue back. Compared to being scolded, what hurt more was that something worth hundreds of thousands of yuan had been sold by her for 800.
Carrying the medicine, Xiao Chen quickly returned home. Grandma Wu was already busy preparing dinner.
He started boiling the herbs. By the time dinner was ready, the medicine had finished simmering as well.
“Grandma, this medicine should be taken on an empty stomach. I’ve prepared two bowls today. Drink one now and put the other in the refrigerator for tomorrow,” Xiao Chen said as he divided the medicine.
“Alright, alright.” Grandma Wu smiled warmly as she took the bowl from his hands. “Go eat now. I’ve finished cooking.”
“Okay. It’s been so long since I’ve had Grandma’s cooking.” Xiao Chen felt genuinely happy.
What Grandma Wu made were simple home-style dishes. The ingredients were ordinary, but the taste was what he had longed for.
Tonight’s dishes were roasted chili rings and cold seaweed salad. Simple, yet Xiao Chen ate with great enjoyment.
After dinner, he reminded Grandma Wu to contact him if anything happened, then left.
On a short-video platform he often browsed, he saw a post offering a high price to purchase Purple-Stem Ganoderma.
After stepping outside, Xiao Chen dialed the phone number listed in the post. The other party gave him an address. New chapters come out on novelping.com first.
The address was a bar. The person buying Purple-Stem Ganoderma was the bar’s owner, Chen Chao.
Chen Chao was fairly influential in this area. He managed an entire street of bars. Even the local hoodlums would respectfully call him Brother Chao when they saw him.
Because there had been too many scam calls since he posted the purchase request, Chen Chao had become cautious.
When he saw that the caller seemed to be just a high school student, he grew even more suspicious.
Were scam groups this bold now? Even high school students were coming out to deceive people?
Still, thinking about his mother’s illness, he patiently asked, “You have what I’m looking for?”
“I do. You can inspect it first.” Xiao Chen took out the plastic bag and placed the cleaned Purple-Stem Ganoderma on the table.
Chen Chao suddenly stood up. He picked up the Ganoderma and examined it carefully.
It matched almost exactly what the traditional Chinese doctor had described, but he was not completely certain.
To be safe, he turned and ordered, “Call Old Zhao over.”
One of his men left. Chen Chao lit a cigarette. “Wait a moment. I’ll have someone verify it.”
Xiao Chen nodded. Verification was normal.
Since posting the request, Chen Chao had received countless scam calls.
Chen Chao asked Xiao Chen’s name and where he studied, then glanced at him. “Don’t overthink it. If your item is genuine, I won’t treat you unfairly.”
Xiao Chen understood. He was worried he might be a scammer.
“You’re using this as a medicinal catalyst to treat lung disease caused by both heart and vital energy deficiency, right?” Xiao Chen asked.
“How do you know?” Chen Chao was slightly startled.
“This type of Purple-Stem Ganoderma specifically targets that kind of lung condition. I read about it in a book,” Xiao Chen said with a faint smile.
“My mother has a lung illness and needs this as a catalyst,” Chen Chao said. “If what you’ve brought is real, I’ll definitely reward you generously.”
Moments later, a middle-aged man walked over. This was Old Zhao.
He picked up the Ganoderma, examined it carefully, then pinched off a small piece and put it into his mouth. After a short while, he nodded at Chen Chao.
Chen Chao let out a breath of relief. He stood up and said, “Young man, this is indeed what I’ve been looking for. As agreed, I’ll give you 500,000 yuan. Is a bank transfer fine?”
“That’s fine. Here’s my account,” Xiao Chen said, giving him the details.
Chen Chao was a man of loyalty and never delayed in handling matters. He immediately instructed his finance department to transfer the money.
Moments later, 500,000 yuan was credited.
“Have someone escort this young brother home. And here’s my business card.” Chen Chao handed him a card. “I have some influence around here. If anyone at school bullies you, contact me.”
“Thank you.” Xiao Chen took the card, thinking Chen Chao was indeed a man of loyalty.
After a moment of thought, he said, “Mr. Chen, I have some advice. I’m not sure whether I should say it.”
Xiao Chen knew Chen Chao. In the underworld, he had some reputation.
In his previous life, Chen Chao had been lured into a trap during a negotiation and had both his legs brutally broken. After that, he became crippled and completely disappeared from the scene.
Seeing that he valued loyalty and was a filial son, Xiao Chen decided to remind him.
“Go ahead,” Chen Chao said, slightly stunned.
“Mr. Chen, are you going to negotiate with someone? Something about territory division?” Xiao Chen asked.
“How do you know?” Chen Chao’s brows furrowed.
It was true. He and Zhang Hu from North Street were sworn enemies.
They had clashed countless times over territory.
Their relationship had deteriorated beyond reconciliation.
Tonight, a senior figure in the underworld was mediating between them.
“I heard it through the grapevine,” Xiao Chen said with a faint smile. “Mr. Chen, be careful of a Hongmen Banquet.”
Chen Chao’s heart trembled. Just as he wanted to ask more, Xiao Chen had already left.
He sat down and poured himself a glass of liquor, his expression dark.
Zhang Hu never played by the rules. He was a mad dog.
Expecting him to follow underworld etiquette was impossible.
Even if a highly respected elder stepped in, it might not be reliable.
A Hongmen Banquet? Was that kid warning him? But how could he know about these matters?
After thinking it over, Chen Chao felt the situation was not simple. He quickly ordered, “Erhei, call a few more brothers tonight, just in case.”
“Yes, Brother Chao,” one of his men responded and went to gather people.
Chen Chao did not realize that this decision would become the one he would regret the least in his entire life.