Chapter 70: Finding a Way to Sell Medicinal Herbs

Lu Shaochen didn't even bother with his own embarrassment, he sprang up and reached out to catch the tray.

That sight made Ye Heng unable to hold back his laughter; when he had seen the egg noodles before, he had been just as exaggerated, and as it turned out, to outsiders it looked utterly ridiculous and funny.

The food Lin Meng provided was indeed astonishing, and it's no wonder Lu Shaochen reacted that way.

Ye Heng had only heard that among the upper citizens' noble circles, there was no shortage of worldly delicacies.

They had nearly monopolized all the precious ingredients and seasonings that could be found in the world, and the chefs responsible for cooking were mostly elderly, people who had luckily survived from the onset of the disaster up to now.

But seeing Lu Shaochen's reaction, it seems the true upper-class nobles' meals are no better than this; those rumors may have been exaggerated.

The dishes were served one by one, and Lu Shaochen had already picked up his chopsticks, unable to resist starting, but thinking of his status, he could only force himself to wait before moving his chopsticks.

Ye Heng sat down right after him, smiling at Lu Shaochen and saying:

"Young Master Lu, our Bi Hu Suo normally can't get these delicacies; you are a honored guest of our Bi Hu Suo, so today's dishes are richer."

Afterwards, Ye Heng introduced each dish on the table as Lin Meng had instructed.

Things like chopped chili fish head, leek with razor clams—he had never even heard of them.

Lu Shaochen stared at the plate of stir-fried leek and razor clams, his eyes glowing green, his breathing becoming rapid.

Just now he hadn't looked closely, but hearing Ye Heng's introduction, he realized that while leeks were fine, how could this tiny shelter possibly have seafood ingredients?

"These razor clams, are they seafood from the civilized era? How could that be possible—how did you get seafood?!"

Lu Shaochen jumped up again, his voice mixed with incredulity, rising considerably in volume.

Ye Heng was stunned by the question; this plump, horned strange ingredient actually came from the ocean?

This time even Ye Heng was so shocked he couldn't speak.

Nowadays, the ocean, even the coastal beaches, have long become forbidden zones for humanity.

Even if one were to use the most advanced weapons available today, no one would dare guarantee coming back alive from the ocean.

Because eighty percent of the ocean's creatures have mutated, their ferocity is unimaginable.

Moreover, there are those mysterious deep-sea leviathans, which might be the most powerful beings currently in existence.

People can only be grateful that those marine creatures, even if mutated, cannot easily leave the ocean to set foot on land, and can do nothing else.

The seafood delicacies once cherished in the civilized era have long since vanished.

Only then did Ye Heng realize how terrifying the plate of stir-fried leek and razor clams that Lin Meng had given was.

His mind raced, trying to find a plausible excuse to get past the situation.

Lu Shaochen, however, had already calmed down; his complex gaze fell on Ye Heng, then he silently withdrew it, ultimately making a decision in his heart.

"Brother Ye, please sit; I have a habit of talking too much—my parents even complain I'm long-winded—so please don't mind."

"Well, if the dishes get cold they won't taste good—shall we eat first?"

Lu Shaochen proactively gave up pressing for answers, even changing how he addressed Ye Heng.

Ye Heng didn't react at first, but after thinking, he realized that if the other party wouldn't dig into the details, it would be a good thing for him.

No matter what Lu Shaochen is thinking now, at least he has discernment, making him far better than those who rely on their status to endlessly pry into others' secrets.

So Ye Heng also sat down, and taking advantage of the moment, he pulled a bottle of beer from his storage space.

Having brought out even this seafood razor clam, a bottle of beer was nothing special.

Lu Shaochen saw the beer bottle and recognized it as civilized-era beer, whose main ingredient is malt, which has also long disappeared in the present age.

But having seen the razor clams first, Lu Shaochen was noticeably calmer this time, though his mouth was watering wildly—he could hardly wait.

After Lin Meng had taken a single Aperture-Opening Pill, she discovered her body seemed to have gained an ability to communicate with the outside world.

As long as she occasionally circulated her mental energy and sat quietly in meditation, her body would enter a very mysterious state.

Lin Meng guessed that this might be what is called cultivation, though it still differs greatly from true immortal cultivation.

There's no rush regarding immortal cultivation; we can discuss it after Ye Fan emerges from his seclusion.

Thus, Lin Meng turned her attention to those five large baskets of medicinal herbs.

For someone like her who doesn't understand medicine, medicinal herbs are naturally more practical to monetize; keeping them on hand would be merely for display.

After thinking, Lin Meng dialed Fifth Lord Qin's phone.

Handsome Uncle in Yun Cheng has wide and wild connections, perhaps he could know a medicinal materials merchant.

"Uncle, is there a way to sell off medicinal herbs?"

Lin Meng got straight to the point; after a few seconds of silence on the other end, a steady, heavy voice came through.

"First, tell me what medicinal herbs you have."

Lin Meng casually named a few: "Wild ginseng, ironbark dendrobium, and such."

Qin Feng had originally been lounging with his legs crossed, playing with a string of Buddhist beads; hearing this, he was startled and sat up straight, causing the beads in his hand to fall to the ground.

"What? How are you selling everything, you little girl? Before, seeing you hawk gold jewelry everywhere was fine enough, but now you're getting into such precious medicinal herbs?"

"You lass are getting bolder and bolder; I must properly educate you on behalf of your grandfather."

Lin Meng rolled her eyes; it's not like she can't see her grandfather, so why should this uncle be the one to educate her on his behalf?

"Never mind, just tell me in one sentence: do you have a way or not?"

Qin Feng replied irritably:

"Do you really think I'm some all-powerful big shot? I have no connections here—not only do I lack connections, I also need to give you a proper lecture, you lass..."

Lin Meng couldn't be bothered to listen to his nagging; as soon as she heard he had no connections, she hung up immediately.

Qin Feng was about to lecture when he heard the busy tone; he angrily spat out a few vulgarities, but still worried about Lin Meng, he prepared to go find her in person.

After hanging up on Qin Feng's call, Lin Meng looked around and found she had no connections to speak of.

Only then did she realize that to make money, having a source channel alone is far from enough; she also needed connections to have a sales outlet.

Unfortunately, she started low; at the company where she graduated, aside from having some affection with her master, the other coworkers were unfamiliar, and most were just societal drudges, not worth calling connections.

Her master worked overtime day and night, eventually collapsing onto the workbench.

This is also one of the reasons why Lin Meng ultimately decided to quit her job and return to the village.

In the end, Lin Meng could only place her hope on a string of unfamiliar numbers.

This is Ye Chenjing's phone number; he is the Ye family's first heir, so he surely has connections.

However, Lin Meng is still unsure whether to ask him for help; she doesn't want to get too involved with him.

Grandfather said she has fate with the Ye family, and she will understand someday, but she feels her current situation is fine; she doesn't need to get too close to the richest person, and can still gradually accumulate wealth.

Thinking this, Lin Meng turned off her phone, but in the next second the phone rang, and the caller ID showed Ye Chenjing.

How coincidental—just as I thought of him, he called.

Lin Meng thought for a moment and still answered the call; on the other end, Ye Chenjing's distinctive magnetic voice sounded, carrying a hint of concern.

"Miss Lin, you left the banquet midway—what happened?"