C153 – Fennel
Su Ming was busy filling his newly constructed fish pond with water. Where a lawn once greeted visitors at the villa’s entrance, Su Ming had envisioned something grander. He had the builders transform it into an expansive fish pond.
Earlier that morning, he had phoned the market to deliver a selection of ornamental fish. They arrived and were now swimming in a glass tank beside him, a collection of exceptionally valuable species. Among them were goldfish and the highly prized Golden Arowanas, along with a variety of other species.
Su Ming had plans to excavate another pond nearby, with the idea of raising piranhas.
The crunch of footsteps on gravel drew his attention, and he looked up to see Wang Guohui approaching.
“Mr. Su, you’re up with the dawn. I specifically came over to express my gratitude for the gift you gave me yesterday—it was truly remarkable!”
“Did it wear you out last night?” Su Ming asked, a hint of intrigue in his smile.
“Not at all. Thanks to the medicine you gave me, I’m feeling robust,” Wang Guohui replied.
“But Mr. Su, I need to discuss something with you, and I hope it won’t upset you. I have this friend, we’ve been close for over two decades. Physically, he’s much like me, but he’s facing some... delicate issues,” Wang Guohui said, cautiously watching Su Ming’s reaction, wary of offending him.
“I understand,” Su Ming said, turning off the water faucet.
“Please, Mr. Su, rest assured. I’m only here to inquire. If you’re not on board, I’ll take my friend away at once!”
Wang Guohui was visibly anxious, knowing full well the importance of staying on Su Ming’s good side.
“There’s no need to worry,” Su Ming reassured him with a smile.
Su Ming was a man of principle. Wang Guohui had presented him with a generous gift and always treated him with the utmost respect. Besides, Wang Guohui had brought him a significant amount of fennel—a commodity of great value to others but of little consequence to Su Ming.
“I have a bit more left. Just wait here,” Su Ming said as he headed back into the villa.
He had harvested all the fennel the previous night. Now, he grabbed a handful of the fragrant herb and brought it out.
“Pass this along to your friend,” Su Ming said, placing the fennel in Wang Guohui’s hands, who was moved to the brink of tears by the gesture.
Above all, Su Ming acted out of complete trust in him.
Su Ming had never once asked him for money.
“If you don’t want them, hand them over,” Wang Guohui said, showing no signs of compromise, ready to walk away.
“Hold on, I’ll take it!”
Old Sun knew Wang Guohui wasn’t the type to deceive, especially after noticing the changes in him. With a heavy heart, he made up his mind to make the purchase.
“Why the long face, Old Sun? Ever wonder what these could fetch at auction?”
Wang Guohui was clearly annoyed.
“I’m paying right now!”
Without further hesitation, Old Sun paid up.
Truth be told, it did sting a little to part with that much money.
His company was valued in the tens of billions, yet his bank account held a mere 400 million.
He blinked, peering into his pocket, uncertain of the medicine’s efficacy.
Just then, Wang Guohui approached Su Ming with haste.
“Mr. Su, I’ve successfully sold the item. Rest assured, it fetched a handsome price!”
“What?”
Su Ming paused, caught off guard.
But upon reflection, he recognized Wang Guohui’s kind gesture. To him, the item was worthless, but its market value could be astronomical.
“Mr. Su, the card holds a total of 380 million!”
Wang Guohui placed the card in Su Ming’s hand reassuringly. “This bank card may be mine, but please, feel free to use it as you wish.”
“10 million yuan each?” Su Ming asked, astonished.
Su Ming blinked again.