Chapter 19: If You Don't Know What Blood Ginseng Looks Like, You Must Have Seen a Radish?
“Preposterous!”
Zhang Wenchang slammed the table, clearly enraged.
“I’ve been collecting this treasure for over a decade, and you dare say it’s a radish? Unbelievable!”
Ning Chen furrowed his brow and looked at Zhang Wenchang with unwavering certainty.
“You do indeed have blood ginseng in your possession.”
“But what’s in this box is definitely not blood ginseng, or even ginseng. It’s just a rotten radish dyed to look like it!”
“Preposterous!”
Xiao Longhai coldly berated, quickly glancing at Master Zhang.
Zhang Wenchang’s face fluctuated between different emotions, and no one knew what he was thinking.
Xiao Longhai, fearing that Master Zhang might get angry and take the blood ginseng and leave, felt the situation was quickly slipping out of control.
“Ning Chen, you have no place to speak here!”
Xiao Longhai sneered,
“Besides, with your limited knowledge, what right do you have to comment on blood ginseng? Have you even seen what real blood ginseng looks like?”
Ning Chen replied calmly,
“I’ve eaten more blood ginseng than you’ve ever seen.”
“This herb is cold in nature, and must be kept in a jade box. Yet this ‘Master’ is using a regular box—how can you ensure the medicinal properties haven’t been lost?”
“Blood ginseng has a strong fragrance. It’s hard to tell from its appearance. To know whether it’s real or fake, it’s simple—just cut it open and see.”
Ning Chen smiled faintly,
“I wonder, Master Zhang, are you brave enough to do that?”
At these words, Zhang Wenchang’s expression immediately changed.
After a moment, he took a deep breath and let out a light laugh,
“Easier said than done. This blood ginseng is invaluable. You want me to just cut it open?”
Zhang Wenchang, an old fox, adjusted his emotions quickly and returned the question.
“If I cut it open and it turns out to be fine, can you take responsibility for that?”
Bang!
Xiao Longhai slammed the table hard and scolded,
“Ning Chen, have you lost your mind?”
“Master Zhang’s status is not to be questioned!”
Ning Chen replied indifferently,
“A fake is a fake. It will never become real. I’ve said all I need to. Believe it or not.”
Ning Chen had no personal stake in the Xiao family; he didn’t feel obligated to help.
But for Xiao Tingcheng’s sake, giving a small warning was already showing mercy.
“Fine! Fine!”
Zhang Wenchang snorted, his chest heaving with anger.
“If you don’t want to buy it, then don’t. This blood ginseng isn’t something I have to sell to the Xiao family. Why insult me?”
Zhang Wenchang closed the box containing the blood ginseng and gave the Xiao family members present a cold glare,
“If the Xiao family doesn’t want it, there are plenty of people who do!”
With that, he picked up the box and was about to leave.
“Master Zhang, please wait!”
Seeing Zhang Wenchang about to leave, Xiao Zhenbang hurriedly stepped forward, forcing a smile,
“The younger generation is ignorant and speaks carelessly. Please don’t take offense.”
“The Xiao family is sincere. We truly wish to buy this blood ginseng.”
Xiao Zhenbang pointed to two suitcases on the small table next to him,
“Please take a look; we have the money ready.”
Zhang Wenchang glanced at the suitcases, and a flash of excitement passed through his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.
On the surface, he still wore a displeased expression, his face darkened.
“Sorry, I’m not selling anymore!”
Zhang Wenchang said bluntly,
“I’ve always been open in my dealings. This is the first time I’ve been insulted like this by some brat!”
“Today, let’s just pretend I never came to the Xiao family.”
His attitude was firm, as if no one could change his mind.
Seeing Zhang Wenchang’s acting skills, Ning Chen couldn’t help but feel emotionless, even wanting to applaud him.
If he didn’t know the truth, he might have been fooled by his excellent performance.
“Ning Chen, this is all your fault!”
Xiao Longhai pointed at Ning Chen, shouting,
“Apologize to Master Zhang right now! You’ve delayed an important matter for the Xiao family—can you take responsibility for that?”
Ning Chen shook his head, his voice cold,
“How could I apologize to a fraud?”
“Grandfather, I think Ning Chen makes a valid point.”
Xiao Tingcheng furrowed her brows,
“Five hundred thousand isn’t a small sum, being cautious is for the best.”
“Bullshit! You can’t just cut open ginseng like that! Ning Chen is a fool; he doesn’t understand, and now you’re following along with this nonsense?”
Xiao Longhai’s face immediately soured,
“Ever since you brought Ning Chen back, there’s never been any peace in this house!”
“This isn’t Ning Chen’s fault.”
Xiao Tingcheng shook her head and then looked directly at Zhang Wenchang.
From the moment he walked in, she had felt something strange. Master Zhang seemed like an expert, but his behavior was too deliberate.
Moreover, she had clearly heard it.
Every time Ning Chen mentioned the authenticity of the blood ginseng, Zhang Wenchang’s reaction was exaggerated.
“Master Zhang, can you guarantee that this blood ginseng is real?”
Xiao Tingcheng’s eyes were locked on Zhang Wenchang’s, as if searching for a flaw.
Under the immense pressure, Zhang Wenchang’s eyes flickered rapidly, and his throat moved up and down.
“Why wouldn’t I dare? I’ve been collecting this blood ginseng for over ten years, and it’s been authenticated by countless experts. It must be real!”
Zhang Wenchang sneered,
“I’ve already said it. I don’t want to sell to the Xiao family. Miss Xiao, you don’t need to question me anymore.”
Xiao Longhai saw the change and quickly smiled,
“Master Zhang, please don’t be angry!”
Zhang Wenchang’s face was ashen, and he waved his hand dismissively,
“Don’t say anything else, I don’t want to hear it.”
With that, he stood up to leave.
Xiao Zhenbang’s face turned dark. He had worked hard to invite Zhang Wenchang here, and now, after just a few words, he was leaving in a huff.
“Wait, wait!”
“Blood ginseng, we’ll buy it now!”
Seeing the old man’s expression, Xiao Longhai blurted out,
“Master Zhang, the Xiao family is willing to offer six hundred thousand. The extra one hundred thousand will be a gesture of apology to you!”
“Please think it over!”
At these words, Zhang Wenchang’s footsteps faltered, and his face softened slightly.
“Really buying?”
Xiao Longhai smiled flatteringly,
“Yes, of course, we’re buying. The money is all ready.”
“Good, I’ll give you one more chance.”
Zhang Wenchang’s attitude was cold,
“Six hundred thousand, one hand gives money, the other hand gives the goods.”
Hearing this, Xiao Longhai looked at Xiao Zhenbang, seeking his approval.
Xiao Zhenbang frowned slightly and nodded.
With his confirmation, Xiao Longhai’s face lit up with joy. He quickly turned, grabbed the two suitcases, and placed them in front of Zhang Wenchang,
“Master Zhang, here’s exactly six hundred thousand.”
Zhang Wenchang’s eyes suddenly lit up, then he stroked his beard and motioned for his bodyguard to check the cash.
The bodyguard opened the suitcases and quickly counted.
“Master, the total is indeed six hundred thousand in cash.”
Zhang Wenchang nodded in satisfaction and handed over the blood ginseng to the bodyguard,
“Here’s the goods. I’ve got business to attend to, so I’ll leave now.”
After dropping these words, Zhang Wenchang turned and left without lingering.
Xiao Longhai courteously saw them to the door and watched them drive off.
Back in the reception hall,
Xiao Zhenbang rarely showed a smile,
“Longhai, thank goodness for your quick thinking. You managed to get the blood ginseng from Master Zhang.”
“You did well this time!”
Xiao Longhai, pleased with himself, looked over at Ning Chen and Xiao Tingcheng, mocking,
“This was my duty, unlike some people who only know how to make trouble!”
“The Dragon Ascension Banquet is coming soon. We can’t afford to miss any opportunity!”
Upon hearing this, Ning Chen’s eyes flashed coldly,
“You think I’m making trouble? Let me show you what ‘trouble’ looks like!”
With that, he walked up to Xiao Longhai.
Before Xiao Longhai could react, Ning Chen grabbed the box containing the blood ginseng and threw it to the ground!
Bang!
