"I have full confidence in the judgment of Elder Tianji and Elder Yuan." Bai Xifeng stated, her voice steady and granting them her trust.
"However, I do have a small, personal request to make." Elder Tianji added, his eyes flickering with a scholar's greed.
"And what might that be?" Bai Xifeng inquired.
"Would it be possible for me to personally acquire a single bottle of the Qi Cleansing Elixir?" Elder Tianji asked, his voice softening into a hopeful request.
"Tianji! How could you be so bold as to ask for that directly?" Elder Yuan barked, pointing an accusing finger at his colleague, though his own eyes betrayed a similar longing.
"It is no trouble at all. You may have one." Bai Xifeng replied with a simple nod.
Elder Tianji stood up abruptly and gave a deep, respectful bow to Bai Xifeng. He was already vibrating with excitement, his mind racing toward the research and deconstruction he would perform on the liquid.
"Wait! Just like that? You are just giving it to him?" Elder Yuan blurted out, his dignity crumbling. "Then... may I shamelessly request one as well?"
"Very well." Bai Xifeng agreed.
Elder Yuan beamed, cradling the bottle as if it were a newborn child. In the corner of the room, Si Ji Huang watched the exchange with a pang of pure envy. As the manager, he wanted to experience the miraculous effects of these concoctions himself, but he did not dare ask.
Seeing his expression, Bai Xifeng took a bottle of Scarlet Gathering Qi pills and a bottle of Qi Cleansing Elixir and slid them across the table toward Si Ji Huang.
"Young Master Long, this is..." Si Ji Huang looked up, his face a mask of genuine surprise.
"These are for you. Remember, you must take the pill in conjunction with the elixir. The synergy between the two will yield an outstanding result." Bai Xifeng reminded him with a knowing smile.
Overwhelmed by the gesture, Si Ji Huang thanked her with profound respect, bowing even lower than the elders had.
"Young Master Long, regarding your payment, would you prefer a direct transfer to your bank or a cash settlement?" Si Ji Huang asked, regaining his professional composure.
"Cash." Bai Xifeng answered without hesitation.
She did not trust the banking systems of this world. It was far safer to keep her wealth within her own storage space, where she could keep an eye on it.
"I see. In that case, we will need some time to liquidate the assets. To prepare that specific amount of physical currency, we will need three days. Is that acceptable to you?" Si Ji Huang explained.
"That is fine. I am in no particular hurry for the funds." Bai Xifeng replied.
Si Ji Huang began a final tally of the inventory she had provided. Once the math was finished, the total amount due to Bai Xifeng came to a staggering three million taels. It was a life-changing sum for most, and Bai Xifeng felt a surge of satisfaction. It was not a bad haul for her first proper business transaction.
With the numbers settled, Si Ji Huang left the room to draft the formal contract. Elder Yuan and Elder Tianji followed shortly after, offering their excuses. They were clearly desperate to begin their analysis of the Qi Cleansing Elixir.
Left alone for a moment, Bai Xifeng sipped her tea, enjoying the quiet until Si Ji Huang returned with a crisp sheet of paper in his hand.
"Young Master Long, please review the terms and the final amount." Si Ji Huang said, handing the document over.
Though Bai Xifeng felt the Shanghai House was reputable, she knew that in business, a thorough check was a mandatory skill. She scrutinised every clause and figure. Once satisfied that everything was in order, she handed the contract back.
"Everything appears to be correct." Bai Xifeng confirmed.
"Excellent." Si Ji Huang applied his official seal to the document and handed a duplicate to Bai Xifeng.
"Since our business is concluded, I shall take my leave. I will see you in three days' time." Bai Xifeng rose and cupped her hands in a traditional parting gesture.
Si Ji Huang stood and mirrored the salute. "I shall eagerly await your return. Thank you for choosing to do business with our house."
Bai Xifeng stepped out of the Shanghai House with a spring in her step. She had secured a massive fortune in a single evening. Si Ji Huang personally escorted her to the entrance, watching her departure with a thoughtful expression. He was relieved he hadn't made the mistake of looking down on the young man. He had a gut feeling that this youth would soon make a name that would shake the world.
He turned to his waiting staff, his voice stern. "Listen well. Whenever this Young Master returns, you are to treat him with the utmost respect. If anyone offends him, they answer to me. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Manager Si!" The staff chorused, their curiosity piqued. They wondered about the identity of the mysterious guest, but none dared to voice their questions.
Meanwhile, Bai Xifeng wandered the streets in search of a meal. The excitement of the deal had left her famished. She recalled hearing of a prestigious restaurant in this district and, after a short walk, found the bustling establishment.
"Welcome! Please, come in, Young Master." A waiter greeted her with a polite bow. "Are you dining alone this evening? Would you prefer the privacy of an upstairs room?"
"There is no need for that. I will dine in the main hall." Bai Xifeng replied.
There was no point in spending extra on a private room when she was just there for the food.
"As you wish! This way, please." The waiter led her into the grand hall, which was packed with patrons enjoying their dinner. He showed her to a clean table near the centre.
"Here is our menu, sir." The waiter said, presenting it with a flourish.
"Could you perhaps recommend your most popular dishes?" Bai Xifeng asked, scanning the names.
"It would be my pleasure! Our house is famous for its Moo Shu Chicken. The meat is incredibly tender and seasoned to perfection. We also serve a Chicken Chow Mein that is unlike anything you'll find elsewhere. For your greens, I highly recommend the Bok Choy stir-fry with Crispy Tofu; it's our most requested vegetable dish." The waiter worked hard to promote the dish.
"I'll take all of those. And bring me your finest wine as well." Bai Xifeng ordered.
The waiter scribbled down the request and hurried off. Bai Xifeng took a moment to observe her surroundings. The air was thick with the scent of spices and the cacophony of people talking and drinking. Compared to the sterile, high-end restaurants of the modern world, this place was loud and chaotic, but she found she quite liked the lively atmosphere.
Suddenly, a snippet of conversation from a nearby table caught her ear.
"Hey, have you heard the latest rumour?"
"Which one? There's a new one every hour."
"The one about General Bai's daughter. They say she's been possessed by something... unclean."
"What? Is that the truth?"
"It seems so. I heard the family even went as far as to summon a monk to perform an exorcism."
***This novel is a contracted work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If you do not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, that means it has been stolen. It breaks my heart when someone steals my hard work. Can you consider reading it on the original website for those who read my novel on another website besides w e b n o v e l .c o m, as your support to me? Thank you, from, your shameless author, ZerahNeko***