Chapter 402: The Old Man Called

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“Bring all of them back to the car!” Just as Lin Wu had sat down to take a sip of water, Zhou Chao immediately asked him to move the boxes back.

“What’s the matter, any objections?” Zhou Chao teased him.

Upon hearing this, Lin Wu quickly raised his head and said, “N-no objections!”

“Then get moving.”

“I got it!” Lin Wu quickly got up and carried the boxes filled with various ingredients and medicinal herbs towards the elevator.

Because they were packed tightly, Lin Wu could only carry six at a time. Seeing Lin Wu looking somewhat helpless, Zhou Chao also picked up six boxes and followed him downstairs.

The two of them made three round trips, finally moving all the gift boxes into the car.

“Boss, who are these things for?”

“They’re going to Jingdu. Half for each family. You make a trip, and 1’11 have Dole take you there.”

“Alright, Boss, should 1 head over now?”

Zhou Chao looked at the time; it was already 5 o’clock in the afternoon, and there was still plenty of time.

“You can go to the airport now. Give Dole a call, tell him it’s my arrangement, and when you get to Jingdu, Brother Yang will pick you up at the airport.”

“Got it, Boss!” Lin Wu then drove away.

Zhou Chao watched Lin Wu leave and took out his phone to call Xiao Yang.

The phone rang many times before someone answered on the other end.

“Xiao Chao, what’s up?” A burst of crackling noise came through the phone as soon as it was answered, which didn’t surprise Zhou Chao.

“Brother Yang, are you training or busy with something else?” Zhou Chao asked curiously.

“This is a silly question, Xiao Chao. If I were busy or training, could you have reached me on the phone? Right now, I’m training new recruits. Do you have something?”

“Ahem, ahem!” Zhou Chao could only cough twice to ease his own embarrassment.

“It’s like this, Brother Yang. I had Lin Wu deliver a batch of things, and there’s quite a bit of it. I need you to split it between the two old masters, my father-in-law and mother-in-law, and your parents. Each family gets half.” “What kind of things, and how much?” Xiao Yang asked casually.

“It’s nothing special, just some yellow-lipped fish glue, saffron, centennial wild ginseng, and centennial lingzhi. The quantity is quite substantial, so if you need any, you can help yourself.”

“Yellow-lipped fish glue? Centennial ginseng? Centennial lingzhi?” Xiao Yang suddenly exclaimed. Even the new recruits who were training turned their attention to him, and he hurriedly walked a few steps away.

“You brat, you’re not pulling my leg, are you? Yellow-lipped fish glue is rare enough, and you even have centennial wild ginseng and centennial lingzhi. Legitimate ones are extremely scarce. Where did you get them, and how much do you have?”

“It’s all true. As for where 1 got them, I won’t tell you. As for the quantity, hehe… it’s not that much, only 18 of each.”

“What!” This time, the exclamation was even louder, and even Zhou Chao had to hold his phone away from his ear and rub his own ears.

“Brother Yang, don’t startle me like that. My ears are practically deaf!” Zhou Chao complained, feeling a buzzing sensation in his ears.

“Whose fault it is to give me such a big surprise? 1 understand now. 1’11 find out when Lin Wu’s flight is so 1 can pick him up at the airport.”

“I don’t know when his flight is either. You should call him yourself.”

“Alright, I got it. Oh, by the way, Xiao Chao!” Just as Zhou Chao was about to hang up, Xiao Yang called him back.

“What is it, Brother Yang?”

“It’s just… it’s just…”

“Brother Yang, don’t beat around the bush. You’re like a brother to me. If you have something to say, just say it.”

“Well, I want to take one for myself,” Xiao Yang admitted sheepishly.

“Hehe, Brother Yang, are you planning to give it to my future sister-in-law?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. I’m planning to give it to my former boss. His health has been poor, so…” Xiao Yang didn’t hide anything and explained directly.

“Brother Yang, 1 already said you can handle it yourself. Just distribute it properly to avoid getting scolded by the two old masters when 1 go back!” Zhou Chao knew that Brother Yang was a person of loyalty and integrity, so he didn’t see any problem with this simple request.

“Thanks!”

“Don’t mention it!”

“Okay, I’ll hang up for now. I’ll call Lin Wu to ask about his flight.”

“Sure.” Zhou Chao hung up the phone.

In the evening, after Zhou Chao and Jiang Li had dinner, they lounged on the sofa and played with their phones.

“Brother Chao, is this video from the company?” Jiang Li, lying on Zhou Chao’s lap, extended her phone towards him.

“Let me see.” Zhou Chao took the phone and watched the video.

“Reportedly, the domestic investment giant Dragonfly Group has integrated the entire domestic Hanfu market and will cooperate with the internationally renowned luxury brand Lei Du Group to create a world-class Hanfu clothing line. Taking inspiration from traditional Chinese Hanfu and combining modern fashion elements, it embodies the essence of Hanfu while embracing contemporary style. Are you looking forward to it?” The entire video played quickly.

After watching it, Zhou Chao fell into silence for a moment, wondering if this would cause some dissatisfaction among certain individuals.

“What’s wrong, Brother Chao? Is there a problem?” Jiang Li sat up with a worried expression.

Zhou Chao smiled, caressed Jiang Li’s pretty face, and said, “It’s nothing, just had a thought.”

“Well, if there’s an issue, you can share it with me. After all, two heads are better than one.”

“I know, now you’re starting to lecture your husband!” Zhou Chao pinched Jiang Li’s cute nose.

“Don’t pinch my nose! You rascal!” Jiang Li pounced over, pinning Zhou Chao beneath her. She straddled him, looking triumphant.

“You better surrender, or else the Queen will demand your life!” She even shook herself a few times.

It was fine if she didn’t shake, but when she did, Zhou Chao got startled.

Gently patting Jiang Li’s upturned buttocks, a series of melodious bird chirps filled the room.

Looking at the charming and coquettish Jiang Li in his arms, Zhou Chao leaned in for a kiss.

But just as they got into the mood, the phone suddenly rang.

Jiang Li, who had just started to get into it, quickly sat up from Zhou Chao’s embrace.

Blushing, she said, “1’11 go take a shower first!”

After Jiang Li hastily went upstairs, Zhou Chao muttered to himself, “We’re an old married couple, and she’s still so shy. It’s really something else. Who calls at a time like this?” Zhou Chao sat up irritably. It was already eight or nine o’clock in the evening, and he couldn’t fathom why someone would call at this hour.

He took his phone and checked, his expression turning somewhat awkward.

“Brother Yang, what’s up? You really know how to pick your timing to make a call!” Zhou Chao complained as he answered the call.

“I’m not your ‘Brother’; I’m your grandfather!” came a voice from the other end, sounding exceptionally familiar.

“Grandfather, is that you?” Zhou Chao quickly sat up straight.

“What, can’t I call you?” Xiao Lao said in a somewhat irritated tone.

“No, of course you can call me anytime!”

“You’re a sensible kid. I’ve received the items, and this time, you’ve put in some effort. As for those centennial ginseng roots, I’ll help you distribute them,” Xiao Lao’s words left him stunned.

“Grandfather, why are you distributing them? You should keep them for yourself!” Zhou Chao hurriedly said.

“These are all my old friends, and their health isn’t as good as it used to be. My old friends have all experienced various injuries in the past, and at our age, we don’t have the vitality we used to,” Xiao Lao said, though he spoke casually, he understood the sentiments of his old friends.

After a moment of contemplation, Zhou Chao said, “Alright, go ahead and distribute them. I’ll arrange for someone to send you some more in a few days. The few roots you have won’t be enough to distribute to many people!”

“You have more? 1 heard from that little rascal Xiao Yang that you sent over 15 roots and gave the old man 7, keeping 8 for yourself. 1 was thinking of giving the rest to some other old friends, and 1 happened to have one left for myself. I didn’t expect you to have more stashed away!” Xiao Lao laughed and scolded.

“Hehe, I was just thinking of using them to keep Jiang Li healthy in the future,” Zhou Chao chuckled, somewhat embarrassed.

“You even reminded me of that. Regarding the yellow-lipped fish glue, we have quite a bit of it. It must be around 20-odd pounds in total, and when you factor in the 40 or so that the old man has, it’s quite a substantial amount!”

“You can rest assured and enjoy them. Once you’ve finished, I’ll send you some other items!”

“You, you’re becoming more cunning by the day. And as for those centennial ginseng roots, how many are left?”

Zhou Chao opened the warehouse and took a look at the densely packed ginseng roots. After a moment of thought, he said, “There are still about 20 or so left. If you need more, 1 can send some over!”

“You’ve managed to find so many centennial ginseng roots? And there are still that many left. Hmm, how about you send me another five or six? I’ll give some to a few other old buddies!” Xiao Lao pondered for a while before making the request.

“Alright, Grandfather, I’ll send over 10 roots to you. You can keep them to maintain your health!” Zhou Chao knew how many he had, and he didn’t mind sending a few more. However, he wouldn’t reveal the full extent of his stash, considering how rare and valuable these items were.

Xiao Lao fell silent for a moment before saying, “Alright, I’ll arrange for someone to come to Modu to pick them up. No need to make a special trip. I heard from Xiao Yang that you even bought a luxury private jet. Sometimes, it’s better to keep a low profile, as you don’t want to attract unwanted attention.”

Zhou Chao’s heart skipped a beat, understanding that it was Xiao Lao’s advice to him.

“1 understand, Grandfather!”

“Alright, I’m a bit tired. I’ll hang up now.” With that, Xiao Lao ended the call.

Zhou Chao leaned back on the sofa and pondered for a while before shaking his head.

“Overthinking things will only make one restless and hinder enjoying the present moment!” He smiled and headed upstairs..