CHAPTER 636: CHAPTER 38: GINSENG SHORTAGE

From the common herbs to those fifty and hundred-year-old Polygonum multiflorum and ginseng, Huang Yaoshi’s face went from red to pale as he examined them.

"These ginseng, where did they come from?" Huang Yaoshi’s old eyes had seen all sorts of ginseng and he could easily distinguish the differences between the artificially cultivated garden ginseng and wild ginseng, judging by their heads, skin, whiskers, and patterns.

The ginseng sent by Xiao Xian didn’t seem to be wild nor cultivated from the garden. For a moment, even Huang Yaoshi couldn’t figure it out.

"Stop trying to guess. I grew these myself. I can’t guarantee they are better than wild ginseng, but they definitely won’t be inferior. Otherwise, Master Huang, your hair and beard might fall off just like Uncle Mao’s," Xiao Xian joked while fondling Huang Yaoshi’s beard, "If you’re not sure, why not try it first? If the effect is good, then sell it."

The ginseng processed from Wanlin Hills was very peculiar. Depending solely on Xiao Xian for differentiation, the effect should not be worse than wild ginseng. They were classified as Space Ginseng, but of course, these were secrets Xiao Xian would never reveal to Huang Yaoshi.

"You grew them? Including the Polygonum multiflorum and ginseng among the herbs you sent, plus hundreds of kilograms of other herbs, that’s no small amount," Huang Yaoshi’s mustache trembled with amusement as he laughed at Xiao Xian’s words.

"That’s a commercial secret. Though I can only provide fresh herbs, the subsequent processing must be taken care of by the pharmacy," Xiao Xian’s collected herbs were only initial products, which needed further processing through professional channels.

"I’ll keep the herbs for now. The lady boss won’t be back for a while. Hundred-year-old wild ginseng, we usually buy directly from the collectors living at altitudes of five or six hundred meters. The mountain signal is poor, and even after several attempts, Yu Gang hasn’t been able to get through," Huang Yaoshi mentioned Mei Nian’s situation, his face clouding over again.

"Don’t worry, Master Mei is much more capable than those people from the Xu Family. He is sure to be fine," Xiao Xian reassured him, and then remembered that, with Mei Nian away, she had nowhere to go tonight. It seemed she had no choice but to visit Xuerou’s house for a bustling evening.

Xuerou certainly welcomed Xiao Xian’s arrival, even with a sense of relief.

"Yiyi has been silent all the time since the beginning, with no reaction at all, not even when Grandma said we were having hairy crabs tonight," Xuerou speculated that Yiyi’s abnormal reaction was due to Wang Shuai’s words earlier.

Xiao Xian briefed Xuerou on the conversation with Wang Shuai.

"Did you agree to him?" Xuerou asked after listening, her brows furrowed, as Wang Shuai seemed to speak in an ambiguous tone.

"No, I have to wait for Master Mei to come back to discuss before agreeing." Xiao Xian knew too little about Cangqiong Palace, and from Wang Shuai’s tone, it seemed like going there could be quite dangerous.

"We both know the Wang Family’s background. I think it’s necessary to talk to Yiyi about it," neither Xiao Xian nor Yiyi could figure out Wang Shuai’s intentions, but Xuerou had some ideas.

With the Wang Family’s strong background, and considering Xu Lan Ya’s status, it’s likely they would want a granddaughter-in-law with significant strength and family heritage. It was better to let Yiyi give up that hope sooner rather than later.

After Grandma Zeng finished preparing dinner, thirteen buttery yellow hairy crabs were brought to the table, inciting drooling from the three gluttons. They all put down their chopsticks, used their hands to lift the shells, and suck the crab roe, thoroughly enjoying the feast.

"Grandma, where did these hairy crabs come from? At this time of the year, hairy crabs should have been off the market," Xuerou asked while devouring the crab.

"It was a customer of your mom’s who brought them over a couple of days ago, claiming they’re a new breed of crabs from Huang’s Breeding in the city. Unlike the crabs we eat in the autumn of previous years, this kind can be eaten from the start of the year to the end." Grandma Zeng brought out another bowl of ginger soup from the kitchen to ward off the chill for everyone. In this weather, eating too many crabs can easily upset the stomach.

"Huang’s?" Xuerou was about to put some crab roe in her mouth, but upon hearing that the crabs were from Huang’s, she threw the crab meat down, took a sip of soup to rinse her mouth, spat several times, and wouldn’t touch the crabs again.

Xiao Xian also stopped, looking at the hairy crab in her hand with disgust.

"What’s wrong with you two? If you’re not eating, don’t waste it. Just leave it for me," Yiyi reverted to her normal self only when faced with delicious food.

"Stop eating. The boss of Huang’s is a heartless crook. Remember last year’s ’stinky tofu’ incident?" With Grandma Zeng present, Xuerou vaguely hinted the reminder, referencing the episode on the sports field that night.

Yiyi vaguely recalled the incident on the sports field. At the time, Xuerou had eluded the issue, but after entering Huake Institute, Xiao Xian took the opportunity to clarify the whole story.

"Then we really shouldn’t eat it," Yiyi also stopped eating.

"What’s gotten into you all? Weren’t you eating just fine a moment ago? With none of you here to eat, all these hairy crabs would go to waste. Your mom, upon hearing these are hairy crabs from Huang’s Breeding, wouldn’t eat them either, saying the crabs have a coppery smell," Grandma Zeng lamented, wondering where that metallic odor could have come from when the crabs were perfectly good.

**

"This toast is to Ah Ye, in celebration of the crab farm he managed this year earning a full pot," at the Lijing Huadu Hotel, Huang Tengchong set up a total of twenty tables. The tables piled high with shark’s fin and bird’s nest left the employees from Huang’s gaping in astonishment.

This year alone, Huang’s had already made over five million just from the hairy crabs, and that was the figure before the new year. It is estimated that the profits will climb even higher after the Spring Festival.

Yezi’s hair had grown out, and the once simple buzz cut was now dyed linen, wearing designer casual wear, he looked nothing like the man from Uncle Lu’s Breeding Farm.

"No need to be so polite, it’s all thanks to Brother Huang and everyone’s effort that we could come up with the method of warm water breeding," Yezi stood up, toasting the several important guests seated around.

The pungent liquor scorched its way down the throat and into the stomach.

"Manager Li is indeed talented and young, with both great ideas and a willingness to experiment. Boss Huang is truly fortunate to have such a breeding expert," everyone at the table was beaming with smiles, praising Yezi’s breeding techniques and Huang Tengchong’s method of hiring.

"Pah, just some bumpkin from the backwoods, what’s so impressive about him," Meixin’s brother cursed disdainfully, sullenly drinking on his own.

Meixin sat beside Huang Tengchong, with a forced smile on her face.

"Ah Ye, you’ve done well this year. Tell me, what reward do you want? Anything Brother Huang can offer, I will fulfill," in his drunken fervor, Huang Tengchong loudly declared with a flushed face.(To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)