SWNOVELXO Chapter 40:
Chapter 40:
Sure enough, Wan Jinyou went on to tell a very sorrowful story.
He claimed that his grandson had leukemia and required expensive medical treatment daily. Their family had already sold off all their assets, but it still wasn’t enough to cover the medical expenses. With no other options left, he was forced to sell this family heirloom—wild ginseng—with a heavy heart.
Lin Chuan knew the man was making up the story, but he remained silent, quietly watching his performance without exposing him.
Just then, there was a knock on the conference room door.
Xu Manli led in a middle-aged man wearing glasses.
“President Lu.” The man greeted Lu Chaoge politely.
Lu Chaoge immediately stood up and introduced him to Wan Jinyou. “Mr. Wan, this is Director Guo Huaide from our company’s R&D department. He holds a Ph.D. from Yanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.”
Wan Jinyou and Guo Huaide exchanged nods.
“Director Guo, this gentleman has brought in a century-old wild ginseng. Please help us authenticate it,” Lu Chaoge explained.
Guo Huaide simply nodded and said, “Alright.”
It was evident that Director Guo was a straight-laced professional who had no interest in unnecessary pleasantries.
Lu Chaoge then turned to Wan Jinyou again. “Mr. Wan, please hand over the ginseng to Director Guo. As long as the authentication checks out, we will transfer the payment immediately.”
Wan Jinyou clutched the wooden box tightly, reluctant to let go.
Lu Chaoge wasn’t in a hurry either. She took her time sipping tea.
In the end, Wan Jinyou gritted his teeth and handed the wooden box to Guo Huaide.
Guo Huaide didn’t open it right away. Instead, he first took out a pair of white gloves from his pocket and carefully put them on before cautiously lifting the lid of the wooden box.
The moment the lid was lifted, a faint medicinal fragrance wafted through the air.
Lu Chaoge and Xu Manli, curious, leaned in for a closer look.
Inside the box lay a wild ginseng about fifteen to sixteen centimeters long.
The ginseng had a twisted, knotted appearance, making it look quite valuable.
Guo Huaide picked it up, sniffed it, and examined it from different angles.
“Director Guo, is this really a century-old wild ginseng?” Xu Manli, dressed in a red office-lady uniform, asked curiously. This was her first time seeing such an old ginseng, and she was fascinated.
Guo Huaide furrowed his brows slightly. “From the appearance, there doesn’t seem to be an issue. However, to determine its medicinal properties, we need to slice it for further examination before we can be sure…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Wan Jinyou suddenly snatched the ginseng back. “I’m not selling it anymore!”
The three of them were stunned.
“Mr. Wan, what do you mean by this?” Lu Chaoge looked at Wan Jinyou with confusion.
“What do I mean? What did you just say? You want to slice it for testing?” Wan Jinyou glared at her unhappily.
Lu Chaoge quickly explained, “Mr. Wan, we can’t determine the authenticity of the ginseng just by looking at it. That’s why we need to cut a small piece for verification before making a final decision.”
“What are you implying? Are you saying I’m trying to scam you with a fake ginseng? Is that it?” Wan Jinyou acted as if he had been deeply insulted, instantly flying into a rage.
Lu Chaoge hurriedly waved her hands. “Mr. Wan, you’ve misunderstood. We’re not doubting you. It’s just that this ginseng is very expensive, so we must follow our company’s procedures…”
“What nonsense procedures? I think you’re all illiterate! Wild ginseng must be kept intact to preserve its medicinal properties. If you slice it up and then decide not to buy it, who else am I supposed to sell it to?”
Wan Jinyou spoke with utter rudeness, even going so far as to call them illiterate.
Lu Chaoge didn’t take offense and continued explaining patiently. “Mr. Wan, don’t worry. We only need to take a tiny sample from the root hairs. It won’t affect its medicinal value.”
“Hah! You business people are as cunning as foxes. Do you really think I’d fall for that? I’ve lived for over seventy years—I’d have wasted my life if I still got fooled this easily! If you cut my ginseng, it will lose a significant portion of its value. Other than selling it to you at a low price, what other choice do I have?”
Wan Jinyou put on a knowing expression as if he had completely seen through their tactics and refused to listen to her explanation.
Seeing no way to persuade him, Lu Chaoge could only ask helplessly, “Then what do you suggest we do to ease your concerns?”
Wan Jinyou slammed the table. “It’s simple. If you want it, pay me upfront—five million, take it or leave it. If you’re not buying, I’ll walk away right now. Do you think I’ll have trouble finding another buyer for such a treasure?”
Lu Chaoge couldn’t help but chuckle and shake her head. “Mr. Wan, five million isn’t a small amount. You have to let us verify the goods. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair to us.”
Wan Jinyou sneered and stood up. “Since you don’t trust me, then forget it. I’ll find another buyer. Goodbye.”
With that, he turned to leave with the box in his arms.
“Mr. Wan, please wait,” Lu Chaoge called out immediately.
Wan Jinyou frowned. “Young lady, you’re so troublesome. You don’t want to buy, yet you won’t let me leave. What do you want? Are you planning to rob me?”
Lu Chaoge looked at Wan Jinyou, then at the wooden box in his hands. After pondering for a moment, she finally spoke again, “Alright, we’ll buy your wild ginseng.”
Only then did Wan Jinyou’s expression soften. “That’s more like it. Business is built on trust. You trust me, I trust you. Pay the money, take the goods.”
Lu Chaoge turned to Xu Manli. “Manli, take Mr. Wan to the finance department for the transaction.”
“Yes,” Xu Manli responded and was about to lead Wan Jinyou away.
“Stop!”
At that moment, Lin Chuan, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke.
Everyone turned to look at him.
“What’s wrong?” Lu Chaoge asked in confusion.
Lin Chuan slowly stood up and walked over to her. “Are you so rich that you don’t know where to spend your money? If that’s the case, why don’t you give me a few million to spend instead?”
“Stop fooling around. I’m handling serious business here,” Lu Chaoge frowned, thinking he was just joking again. She inwardly blamed him for not knowing when to stop messing around.
Lin Chuan’s playful expression disappeared. “Who’s joking? Instead of giving money to a scammer, you might as well give it to me. At least that way, the money stays in the family.”
“Who are you calling a scammer?” Wan Jinyou immediately caught on to his insinuation and stepped forward, demanding an explanation.
“Oh, so you’re admitting it yourself? That’s right, I was talking about you. You old fraud, how dare you try to scam my fiancée in front of me? Do you have a death wish?” Lin Chuan shot back without hesitation.
Wan Jinyou turned red with rage and pointed a trembling finger at him. “You little brat, I let you off earlier when you hit me, but now you’re going too far!”
Seeing him raise a finger at his face, Lin Chuan’s eyes narrowed, and an ominous aura radiated from him.
Sensing the sudden change, Lu Chaoge quickly stepped in to hold him back. “Lin Chuan, calm down. Don’t jump to conclusions…”
“That ginseng is fake! You idiot, can’t you tell the difference between good and bad people?” Lin Chuan was exasperated that she was still trying to stop him.