Chapter 398: Hot Discussion

Zheng Tan never expected that coming to the Botanical Garden for the orchid matter would actually let him meet Jueye here, and even learn some of this guy's past; this also counts as one of today's gains from the Botanical Garden trip.

Not wanting to linger, Zheng Tan didn't want to loaf around with Jueye in a daze; after roughly calculating the time, he ran to several places before returning to where the Jiao Family few were resting.

When Zheng Tan arrived, the few family members sitting there resting were thinking about packing up and heading elsewhere; his timing was just right.

Many people like visiting the Botanical Garden in autumn because there are few mosquitoes, the temperature is pleasant; besides the autumn-blooming flowers, there are orchards worth strolling, seasonal fruits available, off‑season fruits also plentiful, and fruits for sale— the Botanical Garden organizes them cheaply. Of course, normally picking is forbidden, so those who sneak fruit avoid the garden's staff. In spring and summer honey, royal jelly and pollen are also sold.

If another month passes, some leaves will still turn yellow and red, but not yet the time of massive withering; the scenery is very beautiful.

The greenhouse holds many tropical plants; although many can be grown in Chu Hua Shi, the climate makes them grow less well than in true tropical regions, so only places like the Botanical Garden, which are relatively special, will show robust tropical specimens.

Many College of Life Sciences students are brought to the Botanical Garden in their freshman and sophomore years to learn about plants, guided by dedicated teachers; although many trees have tags labeling species and explanations, many do not, so the teachers have to tell them.

Besides fruit, near the Botanical Garden's gate there are many stalls selling souvenirs and potted plants; whenever the garden holds a large exhibition, business here is quite good.

A stall was selling four‑leaf‑clover pendants resembling artificial amber— truly a leaf‑bearing plant species, not a mutant or natural variant that turned three leaves into four. Having seen five‑leaf, six‑leaf, even plucked nine‑leaf specimens, Zheng Tan felt no interest in these; as for amber, he himself had once picked up a genuine piece with archaeological significance, so he looked down on these even more.

Strolling back, passing the exhibition hall, Zheng Tan in the dumb bag noticed many people outside holding cameras, like reporters.

"The exhibition hall is full inside, numbers are limited, so these people are all queuing," someone nearby said.

"Good thing we went early then," Jiao Ma said.

"We've never seen so many people before, and it's already afternoon— almost mealtime. Why are they still queuing here? Shouldn't it be over by now?" Shi Rui's father wondered aloud.

A person wearing a Botanical Garden work badge heard them and explained: "These are all here to see the 'Jade Cat'. I heard Professor Lan sent the exhibited pot of 'Jade Cat Immortal' orchid, valued at ten million per stalk— a stalk, not a pot."

As those who already knew, Jiao Ba and the others stayed relatively calm, but some nearby tourists were shocked; originally tired from touring and planning to go home, they now slung their bags and ran toward the exhibition hall— after all, it's just queuing? Seeing a ten‑million‑level flower, it's still better to view it in person.

"It's just a pot of flower— who would ordinary people idle away to buy that? Only those flower maniacs would do that," a tourist said.

The staff member gave that person a meaningful look, then softly said: "Even at this price, many people are clamoring to buy; there are merchants and some jade lovers; half an hour ago when I came out, someone directly offered two or three thousand; I heard that person is a boss of a big company."

"Two or three thousand… ten thousand?"

"What else?" the staff member shook his head; this kind of thing they just watch from the side; as someone still paying a mortgage, they can't touch that material‑spiritual level.

Because of the staff member's words, many nearby tourists wanted to use connections to get in; the sign at the exhibition hall entrance had long stated that only a one‑day exhibition was allowed, later viewing impossible.

Zheng Tan only felt this was a bit exaggerated, beyond his expectation, but he didn't know that the exhibition hall's buzz was even more explosive than what the staff member said.

Because the exhibition hall was overcrowded, not only were there industry experts, but also many media entered; simultaneously, the Botanical Garden's responsible person's phone kept ringing, among them not lacking some big shots who often interact with the garden; these big shots, just mentioning their names could shake the relevant research circles, many are not from Chu Hua Shi, usually busy, so they didn't get the news immediately; after many people mentioned it, their interest rose, but by the time they rushed over it was too late, thinking the flower exhibition still had a week, after the flower exhibition there is a special chrysanthemum exhibition, calculating like this could delay to November, those orchids in the exhibition hall could be displayed a few more days— what's the harm? Communication needs many people to communicate; just those few people, plus some soy‑sauce players, only one day— these big shots hardly show up, what can they communicate?

The responsible person couldn't afford to offend; each call they answered they apologized, sweat on the forehead never stopped; those big shots are called "big bulls" indicating they are not only awesome in ability but also have tempers; although usually receiving their calls makes people feel honored, now the responsible person's heart is racing with ten thousand camels.

Besides those big shots' calls, also many media negotiated with them— local, out‑of‑town, even central wanting to come for interviews; this the Botanical Garden people really didn't anticipate.

Since now so many people are speaking up, they can only go one by one to contact the exhibitor to discuss extending the display; they actually understand inside that the most important is still Professor Lan's pot of "Jade Cat Immortal"; according to current developments, maybe tomorrow foreigners will come over, then it won't be these small figures deciding, need to invite some high‑level people to support the scene.

After being persuaded, Lan Lao tou left the flower there; he himself also lives near the Botanical Garden to tend the orchids; the Botanical Garden also sent people to bring over Zhailaotaitai together; they know that only Professor Lan alone, if he gets angry they can't control, still need the old lady to step out.

After Zheng Tan and them returned, the next day they saw in various morning papers, evening papers, urban reports large coverage, color pages also had photos; one photo of the orchid, one of the placard beside the pot, with the aforementioned species name, brand name, exhibitor and number etc.; Zheng Tan felt that earlier letting Lan Lao tou stand in front was indeed a good idea, otherwise now if everyone saw on the placard that the exhibitor is the Jiao Family, many would come to block people, then no peace.

Still better to let experienced Lan Lao tou stand in front, Zheng Tan happily said.

Having been silent for three years, Lan Lao tou this time really let out a vent; yesterday when Zheng Tan and them left the Botanical Garden, Lan Lao tou still came out to meet Jiao Ba and exchanged a few words; although mostly complaining about those old fellows who don't follow common sense, Zheng Tan could see Lan Lao tou was still pleased inside.

The Botanical Garden's separate exhibition hall changed from originally open two days to open three days, and still limited time and number of visitors; the exhibition hall staff increased threefold, to prevent problems.

After Er Mao learned of this and personally saw that pot of flower, he ran to pester Professor Lan for half a day, then went to Jiao Ba's office to block people, discussed for an hour, finally managed to reserve several stalks.

Upon hearing "several stalks", Zheng Tan's beard twitched; he knew Er Mao wasn't short of money, this guy actually doesn't care about money to this extent; according to the hiked price, that's definitely over ten million; Er Mao making a move just several stalks, truly a hidden tycoon.

However, it's not confirmed how many stalks; could be one or two, maybe more; currently Professor Lan also can't say for sure; he still needs to nurture for several years, and Er Mao isn't in a hurry; he let Professor Lan, when dividing pots later, give out a small pot, planning to give it to his grandfather far in the capital city, hoping to catch the old man's birthday.

Meanwhile, in newspapers and online, the term "Jade Cat Immortal" became a hot topic of discussion; naturally some people asked why the flower's name includes a "cat" character; after learning the flower's discovery is related to cats, some cat owners thought, why doesn't my cat do that? Only knows to nibble flowers, destroy flowers, even indoor ornamental trees in the house are scratched to death by these little rascals, even defecate in the flower pot! Indeed, other people's cats are smart, well‑behaved, and bring wealth, while my cat is just a silly troublemaker!

Besides those purely curious people, there are also many stirring the pot, mostly hype; because of hype, Professor Lan's pot of orchid became a hot search word online; people chat after meals also talk about this; for many ordinary folks, let alone ten‑million‑level treasures, even a few hundred‑yuan flower they feel overpriced, not worthwhile; but as a chat topic it's perfect, enough for them to chat a long time.

Perhaps, one reason Professor Lan originally said "no need for hype" was this very thing; fundamentally no need to act themselves, some people will inevitably stir the pot.

Hype made the flower more and more famous, price soared making people tremble; those truly wanting to buy are angry at those stirring the pot: "You don't buy but meddle? You can't afford it! All of you behave!"

Those stirring the pot think: "Yes, we can't afford, though we can't afford we are good at stirring, we won't behave, we want to drive up its price, watch those big shots with constipated faces argue, we just need to watch the show from the side, what can you do to us?"

This flower is now very hot; every day's newspapers have related reports, both domestic big‑name experts and foreign famous persons come to view; even some hotels in the city, due to the National Day holiday passing, have some cold business that now starts to heat up; hoping this topic stays hot, there are not a few people.

Topic cooled?

Then stir it up again!

Compared to those who got pumped up like injected with chicken blood, Zheng Tan felt somewhat uneasy.

Indeed, after a couple days, that pot of orchid was stolen.

Professor Lan almost ended up in hospital because of this; when he heard the news, his vision went black; if not for Zhailaotaitai supporting him in time, he would have collapsed.

Antiques etc. placed in exhibition halls being stolen by people is understandable, but a pot of flower also stolen? Although similar cases have occurred, but compared to other things it's relatively rare.

Stealing dead objects like antiques, even if recovered after many years it's fine, but flowers can't; improper care easily kills them; many things the more valuable the more fragile.

Some feel regret, some gloat; anyway, originally the topic had become stale due to lack of new angles, the word was again stirred up nationwide and even worldwide.

At the same time, Zheng Tan came to the old tile house, opened his phone. (To be continued...)