“We got here a bit earlier than you,”
“Let’s go upstairs first. We can talk more once we’re up there,”
Extremely pleased with her son-in-law Yang Hao, Kang Huizhi replied with a beaming smile.
“Yes, yes, yes, let’s have some tea and chat upstairs,”
Kang Huimin quickly agreed.
“I’ve brought some gifts,”
“Then we’ll bring them straight upstairs,”
Saying that, Yang Hao turned to look at Qin Feng, as the preparation of the birthday gifts was entrusted to him.
“Carry them up now, right? Okay!”
Qin Feng responded and then waved to a Toyota Alphard that was parked not too far behind them.
The car moved forward and stopped behind the Rolls-Royce.
Subsequently, two burly young men got out of the vehicle.
“Ah Huang, bring the stuff upstairs,”
Qin Feng signalled to one of the taller young men.
“Alright, Mr. Qin,”
The young man named Ah Huang responded and then proceeded to open the trunk and back door of the car, carrying down boxes of cigarettes and alcohol.
Before preparing the birthday gifts, Qin Feng had asked Li Manni what the Old Master Kang’s preferences were and found out that Kang Jingchun was a heavy smoker and drinker.
With that information, the gift selection became much easier.
Qin bought Moutai, Wuliangye, and Huazi.
For the wealthy, these items were nothing more than everyday consumables, but for the average person, they were considered luxuries.
Of course, cigarettes and alcohol were just standard offerings.
Even though Qin Feng spent money on eight boxes of Feitian Moutai, eight boxes of Wuliangye 1618, and eight cartons of Huazi, it didn’t cost much.
He knew that Kang Jingchun wasn’t into antiques or calligraphy, so he skipped the flashy stuff and went straight to the bank to buy eight investment gold bars, each weighing 200g.
Based on the current price of investment gold bars, 677 per gram, the eight gold bars cost more than a million in total—this was the most significant part of the birthday gifts.
Truth be told, Qin Feng could have spent more money, at least a few million without batting an eye, but gifting was an art—it wasn’t about giving the most or the most extravagant items; it had to align with the practical situations of both the giver and the receiver.
The recipient this time was Kang Jingchun, a bona fide member of the working class. He was a workshop director while in service, a mid-level leader in the factory. He’d seen some of the world, but not much.
For him, things like Moutai and Huazi were definitely gifts he received while in service, but after retiring, naturally, no one would gift them anymore. With his pension, he certainly couldn’t afford to drink Moutai or smoke Huazi.
So, Qin Feng provided a hefty supply of cigarettes and alcohol first and foremost.
The eight gold bars, however, reflected Yang Hao’s status as the gift giver—one whose mentor was worth tens of billions. He couldn’t afford to give a modest gift.
Li Manni’s grandfather’s status meant that Yang Hao didn’t need to give an overly extravagant gift. After all, Old Master Kang had several granddaughters like Li Manni, and considering the old generation’s tendency to favor boys over girls, granddaughters might not carry much weight in the eyes of Old Master Kang.
Taking various factors into account, Qin Feng ultimately chose the gifts to bring.
In Qin’s view, these gifts were just average, fitting mainly for Old Master Kang’s status.
However, for the Kang Family and the neighbors watching with interest, these gifts were incredibly luxurious. In recent years, the performance of Xiangyang Steel Plant had worsened with many workers laid off and the employed ones taking pay cuts. The average worker’s take-home monthly salary was only about four thousand yuan, roughly equivalent to the cost of two bottles of 53-degree Feitian Moutai.
So when everyone saw boxes of Moutai being carried upstairs, they were shocked.
Due to the recent economic downturn, even the previously firm price of 53-degree Feitian Moutai had fallen somewhat. In some areas, it was available for two thousand yuan and could even be found cheaper.
Yet, even at two thousand per bottle, a box of six would still cost twelve thousand.
Eight boxes of Moutai would add up to around one hundred thousand, and due to fluctuating prices, it could even exceed that amount.
In fact, the price Qin Feng paid for these Moutai was 2280 yuan per bottle, which made each box cost 13680 yuan, adding up to nearly one hundred and ten thousand yuan for eight boxes.
Meaning, just these bottles of Moutai equaled more than two and a half years of salary for an ordinary worker.
How could the onlooking neighbors not be astonished?
“Who is this guy?”
“Such generous gifts for the birthday!”
“These aren’t for use at tomorrow’s banquet, are they?”
“Impossible! Old Kang can’t have that capability. Spending over two thousand for a bottle plus the banquet costs, wouldn’t that be a huge loss?”
“Didn’t they say that moving the birthday gift upstairs means it’s a birthday gift being presented?”
“That young man isn’t just rich, but also handsome, he must be one of Old Kang’s granddaughters’ husbands!”
“I heard him calling Kang Huizhi ‘Mom’, so he must be Hui Zhi’s son-in-law. Who would have thought that after so many years, the luckiest among the Kang sisters would be Hui Zhi.”
The neighbors chattered to each other one by one.
After a brief moment of stunned silence, the people of the Kang family hurried over to help.
Kang Huimin helped carry up four cartons of cigarettes, and as she smiled on her way upstairs, she murmured, “These cigarettes look different from the ones I usually see.”
“Auntie, these are ‘Jin Zhong’.”
Qin Feng, who happened to be right behind Kang Huimin, responded offhandedly.
The best-selling cigarettes on the market were “Ruan Zhong,” costing 70 yuan a pack, while Qin Feng had bought “Jin Zhong,” 100 yuan a pack.
In fact, the taste of the two cigarettes was almost the same, and many people even thought that “Ruan Zhong” tasted slightly better.
But “Jin Zhong” was sold at a higher price, and precisely because of this, it was favored by a certain section of nouveaux riches.
Because when they took it out of their pockets, they could show off a bit.
You smoke “Ruan Zhong,” I smoke “Jin Zhong.”
“Jin Zhong?”
Kang Huimin knew nothing about cigarettes, she only knew they were expensive and unaffordable for ordinary people. She had no idea they were divided into “Ruan Zhong” or “Jin Zhong.”
“Jin Zhong tastes a little better.”
Qin Feng couldn’t bluntly say that “Jin Zhong” was more expensive, as that would seem too boastful. He had to phrase it differently.
“Mmm, whatever Yang gives must be the best.”
Kang Huimin smiled and nodded, then she took another look at Qin Feng and asked softly, “Are you Yang’s driver?”
“I’m his apprentice, but I do whatever the master tells me to do, so it’s not wrong to say I’m a driver.”
Qin Feng replied politely.
Actually, Yang Hao had already introduced him earlier, but Kang Huimin’s attention had been focused on Yang at that moment, and she hardly noticed his follower.
“Apprentice?”
“So, what are you learning from Yang?” Kang Huimin asked curiously.
But that question stumped Qin Feng, who had to think for a while before responding, “Well, learning how to do business and the aspects of personal interaction…”
The most important reason Qin Feng took an apprenticeship was to cling to someone powerful. What he learned didn’t really matter, but of course, he couldn’t say that outright.
In fact, such apprenticeships were more common in the performing arts circles, like some crosstalk actors who sought better opportunities by apprenticing under similarly aged, influential figures, or even outright calling them godfathers—if they had power or influence, he would recognize them as godfathers. As a result, the crosstalk wasn’t great, but he had recognized five or six godfathers.
“If you’re learning that, then you’ve really found the right person.”
“Yang’s business is growing bigger and bigger, and his personal relationships are beyond reproach; we relatives all like him.”
Kang Huimin echoed Qin Feng’s response.
“Qin, what do you do for a living?”
“Are you just studying with Yang right now?”
Kang Huimin thought that to get on good terms with Yang Hao, she could start with those close to him, such as this little apprentice-cum-driver, Qin Feng. Explore more stories with My Virtual Library Empire
“I’ve started a media company.”
“Yeah, the kind that cultivates internet celebrities,” Qin Feng replied truthfully.
“Ah?”
“You own a company yourself!”
“So young and already so impressive…”
Kang Huimin was astonished; she had thought Qin Feng was just a regular lackey, not realizing that despite looking much younger than her own son, he was already running his own company.
“Just a small venture, nothing compared to my master’s enterprise,” Qin Feng said, shaking his head slightly.
It was true humility on his part; outwardly it seemed like he achieved a lot, but the market value of his company was not even close to a fraction of what Yang Hao’s holding company was worth.
It was indeed on a much smaller scale!