Chapter 399

Zheng Tan could openly and without reservation contact via phone only Liuba; moreover, Zheng Tan felt Liuba was originally an expert in this area, and even if Liuba couldn't help find it, finding any clues would be good.

Interpretation: Zheng Tan can openly and without concealment contact via phone only Liuba; moreover, Zheng Tan feels Liuba originally is an expert in this area; even if cannot help find, as long as can find some clues is good.

Let's produce: Zheng Tan could openly and without reservation contact via phone only Liuba; moreover, he felt Liuba was naturally skilled at this sort of thing, and even if Liuba couldn't help find the orchid, just finding a few clues would be good.

Check: "openly and without reservation" means openly and without reservation; the only person he could contact openly by phone was Liuba; moreover, Zheng Tan felt Liuba was originally an expert in this area; and even if Liuba couldn't help find it, finding any clues would be good.

Ok.

It was fortunate that Liuba had just finished a big deal and come to Chuhua City to rest for a while, and in passing help Jin Gui with a small favor.

Translation: Fortunately, Liuba had just finished a big deal and come to Chu Hua Shi to rest for a while, and incidentally help Jin Gui a little.

Note: Jin Gui is a nickname used as a name; we keep it as Jin Gui.

Thus translation: Fortunately, Liuba had just finished a big deal and come to Chu Hua Shi to rest for a while, and incidentally help Jin Gui a little.

When Zheng Tan's text message arrived, Liuba was holding a newspaper reading today's news, while Jin Gui chatted away nonstop beside him, and the topic of their gossip was precisely the stolen orchid.

Translation: When Zheng Tan's text arrived, Liuba was holding a newspaper reading today's news, while Jin Gui chatted away beside him, and the topic of their gossip was precisely the stolen orchid.

Note: " gossiping nonstop" means chattering away nonstop, and "the stolen orchid" refers to the orchid that was stolen.

The hype had gotten too intense; now it was suddenly stolen, making the topic even hotter, so there was no time to cover it up. The media's keen sense is always astonishing, and newspapers and online platforms already have plenty of discussion about this theft case.

Translation: The hype had been huge, and now it was suddenly stolen, making the topic even hotter; even if they wanted to cover it up, it was too late. The media's nose for news is always astonishing—there were already plenty of discussions about this theft case in newspapers and online.

Liuba originally had some interest in that pot of orchid; earlier he was busy with work and not in Chuhua City, and now that he's back he missed the best viewing period, and he still felt some regret; after the orchid was stolen he wondered whether he should investigate himself and pull a black‑on‑black, and upon receiving Zheng Tan's text message he couldn't hold back a chuckle.

Translation: Liuba originally had some interest in that pot of orchid; earlier he was busy with work and not in Chu Hua Shi, and now that he's back he missed the prime viewing season, so he felt a bit regretful; after the orchid was stolen he even wondered whether he should investigate himself, maybe pull a black‑on‑black job, but when he received Zheng Tan's text he couldn't hold back and let out a "heh" laugh.

Note: "black‑on‑black" means stealing from thieves.

This isn't schadenfreude. First, he didn't expect that pot of orchid to be related to Zheng Tan; from the information he'd gathered earlier, he only knew the flower was related to cats, and now it really is a "cat immortal". Second, Liuba was thinking of handling it himself, but he didn't expect to receive the text message just then.

Translation: This isn't schadenfreude. First, he hadn't expected that pot of orchid to be connected to Zheng Tan; from the information he'd gathered earlier, he only knew the flower was related to a cat, and now it really is a "cat immortal". Second, Liuba had been thinking of handling it himself, but he didn't expect to receive the text just then.

Note: "cat immortal" means cat immortal.

After replying to the text message, Liuba got up and left; since he decided to get involved, the sooner the better, because with time passing, who knows—the flower might get ruined.

Translation: After replying to the text, Liuba got up and left, since he had decided to intervene, the sooner the better; with time dragging on, who knows—maybe the flower would be ruined.

Note: "ruined" means ruined/spoiled.

Seeing Liuba's reply, Zheng Tan was surprised; Liuba didn't mention wanting any benefit, only saying he was originally interested in this matter.

Translation: Seeing the reply, Zheng Tan was surprised; Liuba didn't mention wanting any benefit, only saying he had originally been interested in this matter.

He hung up the phone. Zheng Tan put his phone in his vest and took it home. In this special situation he needed to stay updated on developments; it wasn't possible to keep running out to linger in that thatched hut anyway, and besides, no one was home during the day.

Translation: He hung up the phone. Zheng Tan put his phone into his vest and took it home. Given the circumstances, he needed to stay updated on developments; he couldn't keep running out to hole up in that thatched hut each time. Besides, no one was home during the day anyway.

Note: "thatched hut" means thatched hut; "vest" means vest.

Over the past few days, Old Man Lan's condition has been poor; regarding the theft of the orchid, he is even more anxious than the Jiao family members. The orchid was stolen from the independent exhibition hall of the Botanical Garden; the hall used for the flower show had long been closed, but because of the Jade Cat Immortal, the Botanical Garden specially opened an independent exhibition hall dedicated to displaying this pot of orchid, so that visitors from all over could admire it. Since the orchid was stolen, the Botanical Garden will certainly be held responsible, and insurance and compensation will not be lacking.

Translation: Over the past two days, Old Man Lan's condition has been poor; regarding the theft of the orchid, he is even more anxious than the Jiao family. The orchid was stolen from the independent exhibition hall in the Botanical Garden; the hall used for the flower show had long been closed, but because of the "Jade Cat Immortal" the Botanical Garden specially opened an independent hall just to display this pot of orchid, so that people coming from all over could admire it. Now that the flower has been stolen, the Botanical Garden will certainly be liable, and the insurance and compensation payments will not be small.

Note: "Jade Cat Immortal" means Jade Cat Immortal; "Botanical Garden" means Botanical Garden; "Old Man Lan" means Old Man Lan; "Jiao family members" means Jiao family members.

But for Old Man Lan, money is not the problem; the problem is his heart condition.

Translation: But for Old Man Lan, money is not the issue; the problem is his heartache.

If the orchid cannot be found, or if it is found but already destroyed, Old Man Lan's heart ailment will not go away.

Translation: If they cannot find the orchid, or if they find it but it has already been destroyed, Old Man Lan's heartache will never go away.

Originally Old Man Lan had planned to send it to participate in the Qiong Island November orchid exchange meeting. He never expected something like this to happen. He had put so much effort into raising it, treating it like a precious treasure; that was his lifeblood, and in the blink of an eye it was stolen.

Translation: Originally Old Man Lan had planned to send it to the November orchid exchange meeting on Qiong Island. Who would have thought this would happen? He had put in so much effort, nurturing it like a beloved treasure—that was his painstaking work, and in the blink of an eye someone stole it.

Note: "Qiong Island" means Qiong Island.

Yesterday Zheng Tan followed Jiao Ba downstairs to visit Old Man Lan; the old man seemed to have suffered a serious illness, his mental state far worse than usual. Although Jiao Ba had wanted to comfort him, they weren't that fixated on the orchid, but the consolation was ineffective.

Translation: Yesterday, when Zheng Tan followed Jiao Ba downstairs to visit Old Man Lan, the old man looked as if he had suffered a serious illness, his spirits far worse than usual; Jiao Ba had wanted to comfort him, thinking they weren't that obsessed with the orchid, but the consolation had no effect.

At that moment Old Man Lan was so agitated that his voice trembled and his eyes turned red, saying, "Xiao Jiao, I hate it, I hate it in my heart!"

Translation: At that moment Old Man Lan was so agitated his voice trembled, his eyes red, and he said, "Xiao Jiao, I hate it, I hate it in my heart!"

He hates the thief who stole the orchid, and also hates himself for not protecting it properly; why be so ostentatious? Isn't that just inviting thieves?!

Translation: He hated the thief who stole the orchid, and also hated himself for not guarding it properly—why be so ostentatious? That's just inviting thieves!

"Can those flower‑stealing thieves even look after the flowers properly? A flower worth over a hundred thousand they could sell for just a few hundred—what will become of this pot of flowers… sigh!" Old Man Lan said, shaking his hand as he wiped the corner of his eye.

Translation: "Can those flower‑stealing thieves even look after the flowers properly? A blossom worth over a hundred thousand they could sell for just a few hundred—this pot's fate… sigh!" Old Lan said, shaking his hand as he wiped the corner of his eye.

"The security measures in that independent exhibition hall are excellent; there haven't been any incidents in recent years. Ordinary people lack the ability to steal it, and those who do certainly aren't ordinary folks; their standards won't be low, so they likely value this pot of orchid highly and would take good care of it once they have it." Jiao Ba said. He knew that for Old Man Lan, the flower is the most important thing; as long as it is well cared for and not damaged, other matters are secondary.

Translation: "The independent exhibition hall over there has excellent security measures; in recent years nothing has happened, ordinary people lack the ability to steal from it, and those who do have the ability certainly aren't ordinary folks—their sights aren't small, so they must value that orchid highly and would likely take good care of it once they got it." Jiao Ba said. He knew that for Old Man Lan, the flower was most important; as long as it was well tended and not damaged, everything else was secondary.

After leaving Old Man Lan's place, Jiao Ba called Ye Hao to ask them to gather information, while Zheng Tan went to find Blind Old Man Kun Ye; although Kun Ye only oversees his own territory and does not interfere outside it, it would still be good to know whether there are any problems in his area.

Translation: After leaving Old Man Lan's place, Jiao Ba called Ye Hao, asking them to help gather information, while Zheng Tan also went to find Blind Old Man Kun Ya; although Kun Ya only controls his own territory and does not interfere outside it, it would still be good to know whether there are any problems in his area.

As for how Zheng Tan would communicate with Kun Ye, it's hard to say, but he flipped through a newspaper at Kun Ye's place, found the page about the orchid theft, and placed it in front of him; naturally someone would explain it to Kun Ye, whose intelligence is sufficient not to miss Zheng Tan's meaning.

Translation: As for how Zheng Tan would communicate with Kun Ya, words alone wouldn't suffice, but he flipped through a newspaper at Kun Ya's place, found the page about the orchid theft, and placed it in front of him; naturally someone would tell Kun Ya what it said, and with Kun Ya's intelligence he wouldn't fail to grasp Zheng Tan's meaning.

Er Mao and the others are also helping to search; the orchid was stolen at night, and the Botanical Garden's surveillance hasn't provided much useful help—someone has tampered with it. As for now, whether the stolen orchid was shipped out overnight or is still in Chuhua City is unknown; all we can do is investigate as best we can.

Translation: Er Mao and his gang were also helping to search; the orchid was stolen at night, and the Botanical Garden's surveillance hadn't provided much useful help—someone had tampered with it. As for now, whether the flower was shipped out overnight or still remains in Chu Hua Shi is unknown; all they can do is investigate as best they can.

The police cannot possibly inform Zheng Tan of the case's progress; even though Old Man Lan is the nominal owner of the orchid, Zheng Tan believes the police won't tell him much either, and instead they will tell kind lies to reassure Old Man Lan.

Translation: The police couldn't possibly tell Zheng Tan the case's progress; even though Old Man Lan is the nominal owner of the orchid, Zheng Tan believes the police wouldn't tell him much either, and instead, to soothe Old Man Lan, they would likely utter some kind lies.

Kun Ye's side gave a license plate number, but didn't say much else; since it's outside his territory and the other party is being very covert, not much can be found in a short time. Ye Hao's side mentioned a few suspicious individuals, but they're only suspects, not certain. Moreover, both Ye Hao and Kun Ye's sides said someone is buying the orchid at a high price on the black market; as for who the buyer is—male or female, domestic or foreign—it's unclear, because many identities on the black market are false.

Translation: Kun Ya's side gave a license plate number, but didn't say much more—since it's outside his territory and the other party is being very covert, not much can be found in a short time. Ye Hao's side mentioned a few suspicious individuals, but they're only suspects, not certain. Moreover, both Ye Hao and Kun Ya's side said someone is buying that orchid at a high price on the black market; as for who the buyer is—male or female, domestic or foreign—it's unclear, because many identities on the black market are fake.

Indeed, the hype turned tragic, attracting a lot of trouble‑makers' attention; no wonder Zheng Tan has felt for days that something was bound to happen.

Translation: Indeed, the hype turned tragic, attracting a lot of trouble‑makers' attention; no wonder Zheng Tan had been feeling for days that something was going to happen.

Zheng Tan sent the license plate number given by Kun Ye and the few suspicious individuals mentioned by Ye Hao to Liuba; as for how to investigate, Liuba is the expert.

Translation: Zheng Tan sent the license plate number Kun Ya gave him and the few suspicious persons Ye Hao mentioned to Liuba; as for how to investigate, Liuba is the expert.

The day after Zheng Tan sent that text message, Liuba said he wanted to go find someone and asked Zheng Tan whether he wanted to come along.

Translation: The day after Zheng Tan sent that text, Liuba said he wanted to go find someone and asked Zheng Tan whether he wanted to come along.

After careful consideration, Zheng Tan decided to go and check things out.

Translation: Zheng Tan thought it over carefully, decided to go, and get a sense of the situation.

Having agreed on a time, Liuba drove a Volkswagen car to the side gate of the school near the East District Compound and picked up Zheng Tan.

Translation: After agreeing on a time, Liuba drove a Volkswagen‑type car to the side gate of the school near Dongqu Dayuan and picked up Zheng Tan.

After getting into the car, Zheng Tan looked around; Jin Gui wasn't following, and on the back seat lay an open laptop with a blank document on the screen.

Translation: After getting into the car, Zheng Tan looked around; Jin Gui wasn't following, and on the back seat lay an open laptop displaying a blank document.

"Just type whatever you want to say," Liuba said while driving.

Translation: "Just type whatever you want to say." Liuba said while driving.

Zheng Tan glanced at the computer, then at Liuba, who was driving and occasionally glancing back at him from the rearview mirror, but he remained still.

Translation: Zheng Tan glanced at the computer, then at Liuba, who was driving and occasionally glancing back at him through the rearview mirror, but he didn't move.

Seeing Zheng Tan not typing, Liuba didn't stay silent either; he said who they were going to find.

Translation: Seeing Zheng Tan not typing, Liuba didn't stay silent either; he spoke about the person they were going to find.

The person they were going to find is called "Puke Wang"; it's not because he reigns supreme in poker, but because of his poker face. Puke Wang loves to "gamble", but according to Liuba, Puke Wang is not like those gambling addicts who simply go to casinos to play; in his own words, he just enjoys high‑class wagers such as yadu, rather than merely playing poker or casino games. Puke Wang plays cards. He also plays stone gambling, grass gambling, and so on.

The person they were going to find is called the "Poker King"—not because he reigns supreme in poker, but because of his poker face. The Poker King loves to "gamble," but according to Liuba, he isn't like those gambling addicts who simply go to casinos to play; in his own words, he just enjoys high‑class wagers, rather than merely playing poker or casino games. The Poker King plays cards. He also plays stone gambling, grass gambling, and so on.

Note: "high‑class wagers" refers to high‑class wagers; "stone gambling" refers to stone gambling; "grass gambling" refers to grass gambling.

For the meticulous Puke Wang, self‑control is a basic requirement for a gambler, but even a top‑level poker player can reveal a tell under certain circumstances in a game, so Puke Wang underwent poker face‑tightening surgery. The so‑called poker face‑tightening procedure uses an endoscope to remove all twitches, strabismus, and subtle expressions, creating a perfect poker face. Later many people who saw Puke Wang's poker face gave him that nickname, but Puke Wang thought the nickname sounded nice and it gradually became a special title; increasingly more people know him as "Puke Wang", yet few remember his real name.

Translation: For the Poker King, who strives for perfection, self‑control is a necessary condition for a gambler, but even a top‑tier poker player will sometimes give himself away due to certain situations in a game; thus the Poker King underwent poker‑face‑tightening surgery. The so‑called poker‑face‑tightening procedure uses an endoscope to remove all twitches, strabismus, and minute expressions, creating a perfect poker face. Later many people saw that face and gave him that nickname. However, the Poker King thought the nickname sounded nice, and it gradually became a special title; more and more people know the "Poker King," but few remember his real name.

Puke Wang came into contact with the orchid after a stone‑gambling session, when many people had become overnight rich thanks to the orchid, which also caught Puke Wang's attention.

Translation: The Poker King came into contact with the orchid after a stone‑gambling session; at that time many people had gotten rich overnight because of the orchid, which also caught the Poker King's attention.

It is said that wild orchids freshly dug from the mountains are called "down‑mountain orchids"; generally, down‑mountain orchids differ greatly in appearance from true valuable orchids and are not worth much. However, this type of orchid has some variability; after several years of cultivation it can become "mature grass" and attain a quality worth tens of thousands. Because down‑mountain orchids are cheap, some people buy them in bulk, hoping that among the heap of weeds there will be one or two premium specimens; this process is called "grass gambling". Back then, many people made fortunes from grass gambling, known as orchid enthusiasts.

Translation: It is said that wild orchids just dug up from the mountains are called "shanxia lan" (down‑mountain orchids); generally, such down‑mountain orchids differ greatly in appearance from true precious orchids and are not worth much. However, this type of orchid has a certain mutability; after several years of cultivation it may become "shou cao" (mature grass) and attain a quality worth tens of thousands. Because down‑mountain orchids are cheap, some people buy them in bulk, hoping that among that heap of "weeds" there will be one or two "premium" specimens; this stage is called "grass gambling" (cao du). Back then many "orchid enthusiasts" made fortunes from grass gambling.

Note: "down‑mountain orchid" refers to a down‑mountain orchid; "mature grass" refers to mature grass; "premium" refers to premium; "grass gambling" refers to grass gambling; "orchid enthusiasts" refers to orchid enthusiasts.

Since it's a gamble, it involves risk; Puke Wang's luck was good, and at that time he made a fortune—according to Liuba's information, Puke Wang earned hundreds of millions from grass gambling. However, the orchid market is now turbulent, and Puke Wang hasn't focused his main attention on it. Although he hasn't paid much attention, Puke Wang remains well informed about the orchid enthusiasts' circles, whether openly or in the black market, and is worth consulting.

Translation: Since it's a gamble, it entails risk, but the Poker King's luck was good—he made a killing at that time, according to what Liuba learned, earning hundreds of millions from grass gambling; however, the orchid market is now turbulent, and the Poker King hasn't focused his main attention there. Although he hasn't paid much heed, the Poker King is still well informed about news in the orchid‑enthusiast circles, whether openly or on the black market, making him worth consulting.

Liuba had once occasionally helped Puke Wang, and later they also had contact; their relationship is neither good nor bad.

Translation: Liuba had once incidentally helped the Poker King, and later they had also been in contact; their relationship wasn't bad, nor was it especially good.

The meeting place was a small teahouse off the beaten path, with a classical décor that still looked somewhat upscale. The attendant, seeing Liuba hand over a note, led him upstairs; the third floor is a special VIP room. Zheng Tan noticed that each private booth was named after a plant, usually a single character such as "plum", "orchid", "bamboo", "chrysanthemum", and the attendant brought them into the orchid booth.

Translation: The meeting place was a small teahouse, rather out of the way, with a classical décor that still looked somewhat upscale. The attendant at the door, seeing the slip Liuba handed over, led him upstairs; the third floor is a special VIP room, and Zheng Tan saw that each private booth outside was named after a plant, usually just a single character like "Plum," "Orchid," "Bamboo," "Chrysanthemum," and so on; the attendant brought them into the "Orchid" booth.

Inside, a man in his mid‑forties to fifties sat at a wooden table, holding a cup of tea. When Liuba entered, the man merely turned his head slightly to glance over, showing little expression, appearing quite inscrutable.

Translation: Inside sat a person, a middle‑aged man in his mid‑forties to fifties, seated at a wooden table holding a cup of tea; when Liuba entered, the man merely tilted his head slightly to glance over, showing no great expression, appearing rather inscrutable.

Indeed, it was a poker face. Zheng Tan thought.

Translation: Indeed, a poker face. Zheng Tan thought.

Behind the middle‑aged man stood three individuals who looked like bodygu

Translation: Behind the middle‑aged man stood three individuals, likely bodyguards, bearing a faint aura of menace, but at the moment there was no hostility—just vigilance, fulfilling their duty.

Poker King raised his hand, pointed to the seat opposite him, gesturing for Liuba to sit. His eyes lingered on Zheng Tan, who had followed Liuba in, for two seconds, but he didn't say anything.

Translation: The Poker King raised his hand to point at the opposite seat, indicating Liuba should sit; his gaze lingered on Zheng Tan, who had followed Liuba in, for two seconds, but he said nothing.

The opposite side had only one chair, so Liuba fetched a small stool from the side of the private room and had Zheng Tan sit on it.

Translation: The opposite seat had only one chair; Liuba moved a small stool from the side of the private room so Zheng Tan could sit on it.

"Is this the cat you were talking about?" Poker King glanced at Zheng Tan, then told Liuba, "I don't really feel anything special about it."

Translation: "Is this the cat you meant?" the Poker King glanced at Zheng Tan, then told Liuba, "I don't feel anything particularly special about it."

"Stay low-key, we have to stay low-key—this is our secret weapon. If we draw attention, it's no longer a secret weapon. A cat's nose is much more sensitive than a human's, right?"

Translation: "Keep it low‑key, keep it low‑key—this is a secret weapon; if you make a big show of it, what's the point of calling it a secret weapon? A cat's nose is far sharper than a human's, you'd agree, right?"

Liuba's tone was quite casual—whether intentional or just natural given his rapport with Poker King, it's hard to tell.

Translation: Liuba spoke rather casually, not sure if it was deliberate or just natural given his relationship with the Poker King.

Poker King gave a slight nod—it wasn't clear whether he was acknowledging the first part of Liuba's statement or agreeing with the second—then he changed the subject, saying, "I've seen that pot of orchids; they're so beautiful."

Translation: The Poker King gave a slight nod—unclear whether it was in response to the first half of Liuba's sentence or an acknowledgment of the second—then dropped the subject and said, "I've seen that pot of orchid, so beautiful."

Note: "sobeautiful" appears as English mixed; we keep as is? Probably keep as "sobeautiful". It's not a name; it's an English word; we keep as is.

Perhaps because he's long been used to keeping a straight face—and having had poker facelift surgery—even when he's expressing admiration or praise, his face shows little emotion, making him look rather eerie given his tone.

Translation: Perhaps because he had long grown accustomed to keeping a straight face, and besides having undergone poker‑face‑tightening surgery, even when he sighs or praises, his face shows little special expression; combined with his tone, he looks rather eerie.

Zheng Tan thought Poker King's subordinates were pitiful—spending all day staring at a poker face, they gradually assimilated, becoming poker faces themselves, and their appetites dropped sharply when faced with those expressions.

Translation: Zheng Tan felt the Poker King's subordinates were truly pitiful—spending all day facing a poker face, they gradually became assimilated, turning into poker faces themselves, and confronting those poker faces, their appetites plummeted.

Thus: Liuba and Poker King were talking over there, Zheng Tan crouched nearby with a solemn expression, playing the secret weapon. (To be continued...)