Chapter 137

“What do you mean, ‘saved’?”

Confused, Tang Feng looked at her, unable to understand.

“Didn’t we offend Mr. Gao? I thought we were as good as dead, but now with this wild ginseng, we might just have a glimmer of hope,” Mao Anyi said excitedly, forgetting to maintain her usual elegance.

“What does this wild ginseng have to do with a glimmer of hope?” Tang Feng still didn’t catch on.

“I heard that an esteemed elder gentleman in Zhonghai has recently been collecting wild ginseng, at least twenty years old. But such things are too rare, and he hasn’t been able to find any…”

Mao Anyi’s excitement grew as she spoke, and her voice began to tremble by the end, “If we sell this wild ginseng to him, maybe we can get his protection.”

After hearing this, Tang Feng couldn’t help but curl his lips, “I, Tang Feng, have the strength to protect myself. Why would I need someone else’s protection?”

Mao Anyi, realizing he was still trying to save face even at a time like this, was somewhat speechless, “You might have the ability to protect yourself, but I don’t. Please treat it as if I owe you another favor, okay?”

It wouldn’t make much difference to have one more favor owed; she already owed him so much, what’s one more?

Actually, Tang Feng was just trying to maintain a bit of his male dignity.

Mao Anyi, as the leading lady of Zhonghai TV, was so afraid of Mr. Gao.

This showed just how powerful Mr. Gao was.

Squashing him would be as easy as flicking a finger.

If they could really get the protection of a big shot just by offering up some wild ginseng, why not give it away for free?

Of course, his life was the most important thing.

“Alright then,” he finally nodded in agreement.

Mao Anyi immediately lit up with joy, hurriedly took out her mobile phone, and dialed a number.

A man’s voice soon came from the other end of the line, “Who is this?”

“Mr. Chang, hello? This is Mao Anyi from Zhonghai TV, we met at a wine reception before,” she quickly introduced herself.

“Oh, Miss Mao? What can I do for you?” The other party’s tone was very calm, seemingly not placing much importance on the star from Zhonghai TV.

“Wasn’t Elder Ouyang looking for wild ginseng some time ago? Did he find any?” Mao Anyi asked cautiously.

“Not yet. Wild ginseng is scarce nowadays, it’s not so easy to find. If Miss Mao has a way to get some, we would be very grateful,” he said.

“I’m calling you exactly for this matter. My friend has a thirty-year-old wild ginseng,” she replied.

“You… what did you say? Thirty-year-old? Are you joking?” The man’s voice trembled slightly on the other end; he was evidently shocked.

“If it’s convenient for you, you could come to Zhonghai Clubhouse to verify it in person,” Mao Anyi didn’t shut the door on the conversation. Although Tang Feng was certain it was thirty years old, she needed to leave some room for error in case there were complications later.

“I’m currently out of town and can’t get back right away, I’ll send someone else. If it’s confirmed to be thirty-year-old wild ginseng, we certainly won’t forget Miss Mao’s kindness.”

After speaking, the man hung up.

Only then did Mao Anyi breathe a sigh of relief and, with a radiant smile, turned to Tang Feng, “Mr. Chang said he’s sending someone to verify it right away.”

Tang Feng was indifferent and took a seat on the flower bed, “Is this Mr. Chang the big shot you mentioned?”

Mao Anyi shook her head, “No, the big shot’s name is Ouyang Yushan. That’s someone beyond my reach.”

“Mr. Chang is Elder Ouyang’s assistant, who helps Mr. Ouyang handle daily affairs,” she explained.

Tang Feng rolled his eyes, “After all this trouble, it turns out you’ve only roped in an underling’s underling?”

Mao Anyi felt displeased, “Why do you have to put it so rudely? What do you mean by ‘an underling’s underling’?”

While fidgeting with the wild ginseng, Tang Feng replied, “Isn’t that correct? Mr. Chang is Mr. Ouyang’s underling, and now he has sent one of his underlings to us. Isn’t this taking us too lightly?”

Mao Anyi sat down next to him, “Who cares about who he sends over? As long as we can successfully connect with Elder Ouyang, we’ll have succeeded.”

Tang Feng just smirked and said nothing more.

They didn’t have to wait long — about fifteen minutes later, they saw an old man in a black robe hurrying into the backyard.

“Are you Miss Mao? Mr. Chang sent me,” said the old man while wiping sweat and inquiring.

Mao Anyi quickly stood up to greet him, “Hello, I’m Mao Anyi.”

The old man didn’t engage in much small talk, “Where’s that wild ginseng you mentioned? Let me see it quickly.”

Mao Anyi hurriedly turned to Tang Feng, “Quick, take out the wild ginseng, let the elder see it.”

Tang Feng looked doubtful as he appraised the old man and did not immediately take out the wild ginseng.

This nearly drove Mao Anyi frantic.

She had finally connected with Elder Ouyang, and if the opportunity was missed, it would be a disaster.

Without waiting for Tang Feng’s approval, she took the wild ginseng from behind him and handed it to the old man.

Tang Feng was speechless — he really didn’t know where her usual elegance had gone.

The old man took the wild ginseng and inspected it closely several times.

Tang Feng was on guard, watching his expression change carefully.

He saw the man’s expression go from initial shock to a hint of cunning, and finally settling back into calmness.

“Heh, this is your so-called thirty-year-old wild ginseng?” The old man looked disappointed as he pushed the ginseng aside and glanced unpleasantly at both Tang Feng and Mao Anyi.

Tang Feng snickered internally, but remained silent.

Mao Anyi’s heart skipped a beat, “What do you mean, elder? Isn’t this wild ginseng?”

After glancing at Tang Feng and contemplating for a moment, the old man continued, “This is indeed wild ginseng…”

Before Mao Anyi could feel relieved, he changed his tone, “But it’s not thirty years old, it’s only about ten years old.”

Mao Anyi was dumbstruck, as if struck by lightning.

Elder Ouyang was collecting ginseng older than twenty years, and ten-year-old ginseng clearly wouldn’t suffice.

It seemed that their last sliver of hope was also lost.