Chapter 124: Chapter 107: Exposed! Turns out I am the 8th Generation Rich_1
Qian Xuean’s bold words shocked Wang Shouzhe.
Wang Licui naturally laughed until her eyes were almost closed and she said sweetly: “Thankyou, Uncle Qian. You are a really kind person.”
“Ahem!”
Wang Shouzhe quickly interrupted, “Brother Qian, since you are the host, how could you ask the guests to order?”
“Never mind, we are all family; these formalities aren’t important. Let my niece order. Consider this meal as my way of congratulating you,” said Qian Xuean. Having just promoted to the Spiritual Platform Realm and being promoted to deputy manager of Qian Family’s Changning Branch, his future was filled with possibilities and therefore he was in high spirits.
Wang Shouzhe knew if he continued to dissuade, he would dampen Qian Xuean’s spirits.
At once, he repeatedly hinted at Wang Licui, signalling her to hold back a little. At most, he could bring her for another meal tomorrow.
Luckily, despite Wang Licui’s love for food, she understood from Wang Shouzhe’s hint that she needed to restrain herself. Otherwise, she would definitely be punished when they went back home.
Shyly, she ordered two dishes that she had heard were delicious but had never eaten before; all cost just a few dozen copper coins.
“You’re looking down on Uncle Qian? Cancel that order, cancel it. We only eat spiritual food today,” Qian Xuean insisted.
Since Uncle Qian had invited her repetitively, Wang Licui finally ‘hardened her heart’ and ordered five or six spiritual foods. All of them were spirit fish and spirit meat she had never eaten before, along with a plate of spirit fruits worth several Qian gold pieces.
Qian Xuean raised an eyebrow.
Is that all?
In total, it was no more than twenty or thirty Qian gold.
Immediately, Qian Xuean took over the exquisitely carved menu, and with a wave of his hand, added another five or six dishes. These were the signature spiritual dishes of Hundred Taste Residence, alongside two types of spiritual wine.
One was the Red Flame Rosy Clouds, a fire spirit wine made with Red Crystal Rice and Spiritual Spring; the taste was fiery and was most suitable for men.
The other was Ice Crystal Dew fruit wine, made from the renowned water spirit Crystal Dew Grass. The alcohol content was low and tasted more like an iced beverage, suitable for women.
Crystal Dew Grass, although the name includes the word ‘grass’, is actually a water spirit fruit that must be grown in a water spirit field of the water spirit veins.
The Lu Clan of Yingxiu, to which Wang Shouzhe’s mother belongs, produced a small amount of Crystal Dew Grass and made a decent profit from it.
All in all, the total is probably around seventy or eighty Qian gold.
In comparison, this bill might reach as high as a million on Earth.
Qian Xuean’s high-spirited attitude was clear to see.
It was understandable given his promotion to the position of Deputy Manager in the Qian Family’s Changning Branch was no easy feat.
Even the leaders of some of the more insignificant families would have a difficult time seeking an audience with him.
Qian Xuean typically would only meet with family heads if the seniors of their families requested for it.
“Brother Shouzhe, Niece Licui, and Miss Luo Yi,” Qian Xuean said as he raised his cup, “Allow me to toast to the Ping’an Wang family for suppressing their enemies and increasing their prestige in Changning.”
“Thank you, Brother Qian.”
Everyone then drained their glass and started to eat.
One must admit that the dishes served at the Hundred Taste Residence were already top-tier within Changning.
Not only was Wang Shouzhe full of praise, but even the usually quiet Elder Luo was seen frequently picking up her chopsticks. This was proof of the dishes’ exquisite quality.
As for Wang Licui, she seemed to have eaten to the point where her eyes were almost popping out.
She had eaten plenty of spiritual food lately, but she had never tasted dishes that were so varied and intricately prepared.
The cooks from the Wang family just didn’t have this level of culinary skill.
These dishes were delicious, incredibly so.
“Brother Qian, allow me to make a toast in your honor, wishing you a prosperous future and constant promotion.”
“Thank you foryour kind words, Shouzhe.”
The two men continued to drink heavily throughout their conversation, finishing several cups of alcohol.
Qian Xuean, slightly inebriated, began to express his feelings. “My dear brother Shouzhe, I, Qian Xuean, just a humble member of a side branch of the family, have come a long way to achieve what I have today. Being assigned as the deputy manager during a crisis was not easy, either.”
“Oh, are the effects of the Insecticide Powder Muddle still persisting? Are the prominent families still obstructing you?” Wang Shouzhe had heard about the incident.
Now, the Wang family was no longer as ignorant as before.
“Right, specifically the Huangfu Clan and the Lei Family, two celestial families, have been very obstinate,” Qian Xuean frowned, “They even demanded our Qian Family to compensate for last season’s losses, or else they would no longer use the Insecticide Powder and would instead hire an Insect Master. Seeing this, the other prominent families also began to hesitate. It’s ridiculous, the Insecticide Powder is a product from the Purple Abode Academy; our Qian Family just sells it.”
“Your Qian Family is not afraid of the Huangfu Clan and the Lei Family, are they?” Wang Shouzhe hesitated.
“Of course not, but as the saying goes, even a worm will turn. We Qian Family is here in Changning to do business, and doing business requires peace and goodwill. If we cannot get past this bottleneck, I’m afraid I’ll never have the chance to become the actual manager,” Qian Xuean laughed bitterly.
Wang Shouzhe understood.
This occasion by Qian Xuean to invite him held a hidden intention, hoping that Wang Shouzhe would help him come up with an idea. After all, Wang Shouzhe’s performance had already greatly impressed Qian Xuean.
“Brother Qian, you’re caught in the middle and can’t see clearly,” Wang Shouzhe mused, “This time, the Academy decided to sell the new Insecticide at a low price not only to reestablish its reputation but also to compensate the common people for their losses since they were the ones who suffered the most. Prominent families, no matter how poor, are still able to survive.” “You mean… operate around the prominent families?” Qian Xuean’s eyes flickered slightly. Indeed, the prominent families were formidable, but the main sales of the Insecticide were from the common people.