Chapter 57: [Chen Yan's Miserable Business]

Chen Yan went to the antique and folk-custom street in the east of the city, found a folk woodenware shop, and as soon as he walked in, a shop assistant came up to greet him.

"Hello, what can I help you look at?"

Chen Yan deliberated for a moment: "Can you do custom woodenware?"

"Of course, we have our own workshop here, with master craftsmen doing hand carving. What kind of item would you like to custom-make?"

Chen Yan: "... A spirit tablet. Can you make one?"

The assistant didn't show any surprise — in this line of work, doing custom woodenware, they'd seen everything. They'd taken orders for custom spirit tablets before.

Seeing that Chen Yan had a clear goal, the assistant's smile became a few degrees more sincere — this deal was very likely to close.

"Of course, Mr.! I have several styles and sizes here you can choose from, and we have different woods. Depending on the price, you can pick as well..."

After saying that, he actually pulled out a tablet, opened the photo album, and let Chen Yan pick a style.

Chen Yan took it, swiped a few times, picked one that looked fairly standard, and chose a mid-priced wood.

After paying and leaving his contact info, the assistant made small talk and casually asked: "Are you preparing to worship ancestors at the end of the year? We actually have some other ritual implements for sale too..."

"No need. It's not ancestor worship."

"Hmm?"

"It's for a wedding."

"..."

After saying that, Chen Yan simply turned and walked away, leaving the assistant standing there dumbfounded.

·

New Year's Day had just passed, and the Spring Festival wasn't far off. The antique street had quite a few more visitors than usual.

Chen Yan wandered around for a while and bought some incense and candles and the like.

He also found a bridal shop and asked if they could custom-make a traditional Dragon Kingdom-style bridal outfit.

The shop owner suggested that it would be best for Chen Yan to bring the bride in for measurements and custom fitting; if that wasn't convenient, they could send a tailor to provide door-to-door service — for an extra fee, of course.

Chen Yan left the owner's phone number, planning to go home and discuss it with Gu Xiaoniang before deciding.

Before leaving, the owner tried to drum up more business, saying her shop could also arrange full wedding services.

MC, wedding cars, venue decoration, videography... a one-stop service!

Chen Yan flatly refused, turned around, and left.

Wedding services?

My kind of wedding, I'm afraid you couldn't handle it!

If he dared tell the owner he was holding a ghost wedding.

The owner would probably take him for a lunatic.

·

Walking out of the bridal shop, Chen Yan stood on the street, his heart full of emotion.

How the hell easy do you think I have it?

I'm only twenty-two years old!

I've never even gotten married myself! The first time in my life I'm arranging a wedding, it's freaking... holding a ghost wedding for my dead father?!

Who would believe it if I told anyone! Where could I even go to reason this out?!

·

"Boss, Master Zi is here!"

Assistant Yan pushed the door open and announced. Fang Fang Zong slowly rose from his executive chair: "Please show her in."

Shortly after, the woman in purple walked in slowly from outside, still in a form-fitting qipao with hand embroidery, high heels on her feet, and glasses perched on her nose bridge.

Watching this Master Zi enter, although he still harbored some resentment, a man's nature made Fang Fang Zong unable to help stealing a few extra glances.

His previous eagerness to curry favor with Master Zi — besides sensing she had real Dao — wasn't partly also due to a man's natural inclinations?

Although for a true expert of the metaphysical arts like her, Fang Fang Zong wouldn't dare make any moves, but such an eye-catching, gorgeous, mature beauty — who wouldn't enjoy looking a few more times?

"Fang Fang Zong, sorry to intrude." The woman in purple walked in, smiling, and shook hands with Fang Fang Zong.

Fang Fang Zong, limping, smiled and invited her to sit on the guest sofa.

After a few pleasantries, as Fang Fang Zong was preparing tea, skillfully arranging the tea set on the coffee table.

The woman in purple had already, without a word, taken something out of her bag, placed it on the coffee table, and slowly pushed it in front of Fang Fang Zong.

Fang Fang Zong squinted at it, feigning puzzlement: "Master Zi, what does this mean?"

"Actually, I came today to apologize in person." The woman in purple's tone was very polite: "My sect was unfortunate to produce a scoundrel like Luo Qing. His previous actions were disrespectful to Fang Fang Zong, and he did many things he shouldn't have. He was someone I introduced to Fang Fang Zong, so I bear a share of the responsibility."

The smile faded from Fang Fang Zong's face as he looked calmly at the woman in purple.

The woman in purple continued: "I only returned to Jin Ling Prefecture last night. I carefully questioned him about what he'd done and have already severely punished him.

He is now confined to his home for reflection, and I've also ordered Luoyun Studio to shut down for half a year.

I know Fang Fang Zong must still be unhappy. As for the losses Luo Qing caused you, I don't know if what I've prepared is enough.

Take a look. If it's not enough, just name a number."

The woman in purple's posture was very humble, because... after entering, seeing the furnishings in Fang Fang Zong's office, she was certain she might have found the right person.

Someone who hired people to beat Luo Qing, or hired an expert to deal with Luo Qing — at least one of these two things had to be connected to this Fang Fang Zong!

Because, upon entering, the woman in purple saw that all the office furniture, the bookcase... everything in the room had been replaced!

Even the original golden toad and other wealth-attracting trinkets had all been swapped out.

She had known this Fang Fang Zong for several years and knew he was a shrewd man who liked to keep close accounts. If not for some special reason, he wouldn't have spent this kind of money.

Most importantly... Fang Fang Zong used to be a pretentious aesthete, yet now the incense burner in his office was gone!

Added to that, when she had asked Assistant Yan today about paying a visit, the other's attitude, though still polite, lacked the previous eager-to-please warmth.

Several clues combined, and the woman in purple immediately understood.

Director Fang set down the teapot in his hand, wiped his hands with a cloth, and calmly picked up that object on the table to take a look.

A bank cashier's check for three million.

"Elder Zi, I don't understand your meaning," Director Fang leaned back, resting on the sofa, and looked the woman straight in the eye.

The woman in purple smiled faintly: "Director Fang, are you dissatisfied with this compensation?"

"No, we have been friends for a few years, and Elder Zi has helped me several times... I truly do not understand where this talk of making amends comes from," Director Fang continued to play dumb.

"Director Fang, there is no need for us to probe further," the woman in purple said slowly. "My visit this time is with full sincerity. What Luo Qing did was not my wish; having known each other for years, Director Fang should know my character."

Director Fang nodded and gave a thumbs up: "Putting other things aside, Elder Zi's character is this."

"Director Fang, you overpraise me," the woman in purple smiled politely. "As for Luo Qing, he is after all from my sect, so I cannot simply turn a blind eye. In terms of public duty, his doing such despicable things violates righteousness; as a fellow disciple, I cannot ignore him, and I will punish him as appropriate.

As for private matters... he exploited my trust and swindled my friend, which is you, Director Fang, so I must come to your door to apologize."

Director Fang nodded—now that was the right thing to say!

If words are not made clear, you cannot muddle through by simply apologizing and sweeping the matter under the rug.

Moreover, this woman was very good at speaking; although she clearly came to plead for Luo Qing, her words were so pleasant that it seemed as if she stood on his side.

This woman was indeed formidable.

No wonder, in Jin Ling Prefecture these past years, among those of the Mystical Arts, she had the greatest reputation and could befriend many high officials and wealthy merchants—besides having true skill, her emotional intelligence and her level in speaking and acting were also not low.

Of course, she was also a thoroughly mature beauty.

"Since Elder Zi has spoken so clearly, if I continue to beat around the bush, it would mean I do not regard you as a friend," Director Fang sighed and said slowly. "I and Elder Zi have been friends for several years; whenever I encountered troubles before, I asked you to help me resolve them. This time... Luo Qing really went too far."

Speaking thus, he pointed to his leg: "It is still in a cast!"

"Mm, I understand."

"Also, last month, I fell ill for no reason, was hospitalized for treatment, and nearly died in the process.

Later, problems arose in business; a truckload of goods overturned, causing a loss of several million."

Director Fang, speaking to this point, glanced at the woman in purple: "Elder Zi, only because of our past friendship am I willing to meet with you today."

The woman in purple's attitude remained very calm; she nodded and said, "Judging by the losses you suffered, Director Fang, you have indeed been magnanimous."

She pondered for a moment, picked up the bank cashier's check on the table, and tore it directly!

Then she took a cloisonné enamel fountain pen from her bag, wrote a new number on a piece of paper, and pushed it toward Director Fang.

"What do you think? Is this number acceptable?"

Director Fang took a look, and a hint of a smile appeared on his face.

The woman in purple nodded: "Tomorrow, the money will be transferred to your company account from Luo Yun Zhai? Recorded as consulting fees, is that acceptable?"

"Fine, I will have Assistant Yan contact Luo Yun Zhai to issue an invoice."

"Good!"

The woman in purple breathed a sigh of relief; if the other party was willing to accept the money, then the matter would end there.

However, she also felt some regret in her heart.

In fact, she had just tested him with words at the very end.

Giving money, to a company account?

If it had gone to a private account, it would have indicated that their friendship could continue in the future.

But Director Fang agreed at once and even said to have Assistant Yan issue an invoice...

That meant... that in the future, there would be no talk of private friendship between the two of them.

This matter would end here, but it would be business to business.

From now on, the road is wide and open; each shall go their own way!

What a pity...

This Director Fang, among her clients, was neither the wealthiest nor the most powerful. Yet this person possessed some connections that ordinary people did not have.

Over these few years, she had borrowed considerable strength from him.

Moreover, this Director Fang was particularly superstitious and trusted her attitude the most; as for other clients, some were merely for ceremonial purposes on the surface, and they might not truly believe in her. Business is business, and it is difficult to build a relationship afterward.

Instead, this Director Fang was the most convenient to use.

What a pity.

The woman in purple stood up and said in a gentle tone, "Then I will not disturb Director Fang further; if there is an opportunity in the future, I will host a banquet to thank Director Fang!"

"You are too polite," Director Fang also stood up. "My legs are inconvenient, so I will not see Elder Zi out."

Just as the woman in purple was about to leave, she suddenly looked up; on the antique shelf, there sat a bronze-colored compass that looked rather rough.

The woman in purple felt a stir in her heart and stepped closer to take a look.

"Eh?"

The craftsmanship was rough, and the material was ordinary.

Yet strangely, the woman in purple could sense a faint, weak fluctuation of spiritual power flowing on this object?

"Director Fang, you have collected another fine treasure."

Director Fang looked at this woman, chuckled, and said casually, "A friend gave it to me. Elder Zi's collection is truly magnificent; if Elder Zi is willing to part with any, I would be willing to collect a few pieces at a high price."

Seeing that she could not get any answers, the woman in purple stopped pressing and politely took her leave.

After seeing off the woman in purple, Director Fang sat back on the sofa, but a hint of hidden joy appeared on his face.

That Chen Chen Laoshi was indeed brilliant!

With this single move, he made Elder Zi, the number one practitioner of the Mystical Arts in Jin Ling Prefecture, come to his door to apologize and compensate.

Moreover, this woman saw at a glance that the compass left by Chen Chen Laoshi was a treasure!

Chen Chen Laoshi is indeed a master!

He picked up a white cloth, took down the compass from the display shelf, and carefully wiped it.

A moment later, Assistant Yan pushed the door open: "Boss, we've seen Old Zi off."

"Good. Tomorrow, they'll transfer a sum of money over; once you receive it, have finance issue them an invoice."

"Understood." Assistant Yan didn't understand why, but he was calm by nature and asked no further questions.

"Little Yan," Fang Fang Zong asked softly, "what do you think of Chen Chen Laoshi?"

Assistant Yan thought for a moment: "He seems capable—and… easy to deal with."

"Hmm, capable, certainly. But what do you mean by 'easy to deal with'?"

Assistant Yan paused, then carefully chose his words: "Boss, over these past few years, I've met many 'teachers' alongside you."

Those teachers—how to put it? —they all liked to beat around the bush, speak in vague, obscure terms.

This young Chen Chen Laoshi is different; perhaps because he's young, he speaks and acts simply and directly.

What he likes, what he dislikes, what he can do, what he cannot do—

what he wants, what conditions he demands—

all are laid out plainly. Dealing with such a person doesn't require guessing or overthinking—it's not tiring!"

Fang Fang Zong pondered the words: "Hmm… not tiring. That's an interesting assessment."

Assistant Yan continued: "This young Chen Chen Laoshi also cares about money. Well, actually, all those teachers care about money too—only they pretend to be aloof. This young Chen Chen Laoshi just states his conditions outright."

I think he's actually straightforward and decisive, dislikes unnecessary formalities."

Boss, if you want to cultivate a good relationship with this young Chen Chen Laoshi, we should act more directly."

I feel he's not a bad person at heart—if you treat him well, he'll remember it."

Fang Fang Zong slapped his forehead: "Yes, yes, yes! I've dealt with too many of these so-called masters, and I've grown used to their vague, obscure ways! You've reminded me—when dealing with someone like Chen Chen Laoshi, we must release goodwill directly!"

Looking at his phone, Fang Fang Zong immediately said: "Go pick out a set of the New Year gifts prepared in the warehouse! Then have the car ready—I'm going to visit Chen Chen Laoshi!"

"What about the gift's standard?"

"Didn't we prepare a set of New Year gifts for Chairman Zhao? Take that one first, and we'll prepare another set for them later."

·