Chapter 301 - Buying Medicinal Herbs

On the next morning at nine o’clock, Ye Fan received a call from Robert Laurenson.

“Respected Black Dragon, I have some good news to tell you,” Robert Laurenson said respectfully.

“Tongyi Group’s stocks were forced to suspend trading on Thursday U.S.

time.”

“Hmm, very good,” Ye Fan responded in a calm voice.

It was an unexpected development; Tongyi Group, under fierce financial and physical attack, surely couldn’t last long.

Apart from being compelled to temporarily suspend trading, could they really just let the stock price plummet to the floor, worth only a few cents per share?

However, the real assault on the company began only after Tongyi Group’s stocks were forced to suspend.

In the business world, it’s always about adding icing to the cake or kicking someone while they’re down.

When you’re full of grandeur, countless people beg for your collaboration, and bank salespeople visit you every day to offer loans.

But the moment you fall into hardship, the banks immediately turn a full one hundred and eighty degrees, not just refusing loans, but also coming to your door daily to press for repayments.

As for the cooperative companies from before, they, of course, would come knocking for debts and terminate the contracts.

After hanging up, Ye Fan returned to his office.

Hu Jing took a rare break from her work to exchange some playful banter with him.

Today, Hu Jing was wearing a rose-red autumn dress and light makeup.

Her stiletto heels and stockings were, of course, not to be missed.

Sexy yet not overly revealing, combined with that charming, sly smile, made Ye Fan take a few extra glances and feel that this woman had become even more enticing.

“Have you really gotten cozy with some rich playboy?

You look so pretty,” Ye Fan teased.

“Although autumn has come, it seems like your spring has arrived.”

Hu Jing, with a sly and proud lift of her pretty face, giggled delightfully.

She coquettishly shot Ye Fan a sideways glance and laughingly said, “Giggle, can’t you say something nice for once?

This beauty is, after all, your superior, and I can make your life difficult at any time, leaving you with troubles you can’t resolve.”

“Isn’t that praise?

With the way you look, radiant and glowing, it’s clear you’ve been nourished by love,” Ye Fan said with a smile.

After their flirtatious exchange, Hu Jing said, “It’s Friday today.

The department is having dinner tonight, and you’re not allowed to take leave, unless your wife gives birth at home.”

“Got it,” Ye Fan replied.

After the discussion, Hu Jing went back to focusing on her work.

Ye Fan, having nothing else to do, started browsing the web and playing games on his computer.

Around ten thirty, a call suddenly came in.

Ye Fan picked it up and saw that it was from Dongfang Yunqi.

Anticipating that Dongfang Yunqi had found him a source for the precious medicinal herbs, Ye Fan stepped out of the office to answer the call.

“Ye Fan, you told me the other night that you wanted to buy valuable medicinal herbs like ginseng, lingzhi, and Polygonum multiflorum.

I’ve contacted a few friends, and I’ve chosen one with both reasonable prices and good quality.” Dongfang Yunqi said over the phone, “Do you want to meet this friend?”

“Sure.

When?” Ye Fan asked eagerly.

Dongfang Yunqi smiled and said, “If it’s possible, how about at noon?

We can have lunch together, and my friend can bring a sample of the goods for you to see.”

“Okay,” Ye Fan immediately replied.

“Let’s meet at Dingsheng International Hotel in Liujia Hui then.”

“No problem,” Dongfang Yunqi replied.

“It’s settled then, we’ll meet at precisely twelve o’clock at noon.”

At around eleven-fifteen, Ye Fan left work early for lunch and drove to Dingsheng International Hotel.

As he entered the parking lot of Dingsheng International Hotel, his phone rang.

While reversing the car, he glanced at the incoming call on the mobile phone placed on the dashboard, which was from Dongfang Yunqi.

After parking the car, Ye Fan picked up the phone to answer.

“Ye Fan, have you arrived at the Dingsheng International Hotel?” Dongfang Yunqi’s elegant and pleasant voice came through the phone.

Ye Fan replied with a smile, “I’m in the hotel’s parking lot now.”

“Good, I’m waiting for you in the lobby,” said Dongfang Yunqi.

After hanging up the phone, Ye Fan got out of the car and walked towards the lobby of the Dingsheng International Hotel.

Before long, Ye Fan entered the lobby.

His gaze scanned the sofa area designated for guests to rest, and he immediately saw Dongfang Yunqi smiling at him.

Ye Fan also smiled and walked over, as Dongfang Yunqi elegantly rose to her feet under his gaze.

“Haha, Miss Yunqi, I’m sorry to have troubled you with my affairs,” Ye Fan said with a smile as he approached Dongfang Yunqi.

Dongfang Yunqi smiled and said, “You’re being too formal.

I merely helped you get in touch with some people, and I even got a meal out of it.”

Of course, Ye Fan knew that Dongfang Yunqi’s words were an understatement; could the owner of Yun Qi even lack a meal?

Moreover, with her beauty, status, and abilities, she must have numerous admirers.

Certainly, many people in Hua Hai would line up just to invite her for a meal.

Therefore, Ye Fan gratefully acknowledged Dongfang Yunqi’s favor and made a gentlemanly gesture, saying with a restrained smile, “Let’s go to the dining building.”

“Hmm,” Dongfang Yunqi nodded lightly and began walking out of the lobby.

Ye Fan walked shoulder to shoulder with Dongfang Yunqi, engaging in casual conversation.

Upon arriving at the dining building of the Dingsheng International Hotel, they booked a private room.

Dongfang Yunqi made a call to inform her friend, who provided the valuable medicinal herbs, about the room number; then she and Ye Fan sat on the lounging sofa inside the room to chat.

It was no wonder that Dongfang Yunqi, still young, had made Yun Qi so successful and nearly synonymous with Hua Hai’s elite.

Beyond her appearance and poise, she had a charming way of speaking that drew people in without making them feel pressured or intimidated.

It was a pleasure talking with her.

Before they knew it, ten minutes or so had passed, and the friend Dongfang Yunqi had invited arrived.

The newcomer was a middle-aged man in his early fifties; portly with a ruddy complexion, he clearly took good care of himself.

Through Dongfang Yunqi’s introduction, Ye Fan learned that the man was named Tian Gu Gui, a well-known dealer of valuable medicinal materials in Hua Hai.

After getting acquainted, they signaled for a waiter to bring the food and drinks.

At the table, Dongfang Yunqi led the conversation and atmosphere.

They chatted pleasantly, and Ye Fan gradually became familiar with Tian Gu Gui.

Only after the meal did Ye Fan and Tian Gu Gui begin to talk business.

Tian Gu Gui showed Ye Fan the samples he had brought.

The ginseng was from Changbai Mountain—though not centuries-old, it was still between forty and fifty years in age.

Then there were the Lingzhi mushrooms, fleece-flower roots, and other herbs—all sufficiently aged, in good condition, and well-preserved, truly top-grade medicinal materials.

Since they had had a pleasant conversation over dinner, and also due to Dongfang Yunqi’s presence, Tian Gu Gui did not haggle with Ye Fan and offered him a very favorable price directly.

Ye Fan, in turn, quickly made a deal with Tian Gu Gui for five million worth of ginseng, Lingzhi, fleece-flower root, and other herbs, indicating that he would continue to make purchases in the future.

Thus, the deal was struck, and they only had to wait a couple of days for Ye Fan to personally visit Tian Gu Gui’s shop to pick up the goods and pay.

As for the bill for the meal, Tian Gu Gui had insisted on paying it first.