Chapter 135 - Why Did You Come Again??
The construction workers were bustling with activity at the site.
Glancing over, Su Ming estimated that the corn would be ready for harvest very soon.
Indeed, the corn had sprouted.
Upon entering the field, he observed that the stalks had reached over two meters in height.
Su Ming faintly recalled the days of his youth when his family lived in poverty.
He remembered cutting the corn, savoring the subtle sweetness in the final segments of the stalks, reminiscent of sugarcane.
To the eye, this corn seemed indistinguishable from any other.
Yet each ear was tightly swathed in its husk, concealing the kernels within.
A sense of anticipation stirred in Su Ming. What wonders might this crop yield?
Lost in thought, Su Ming caught a glimpse of a familiar silhouette at the door.
President Chen!
With a warm smile and hands rubbing together, President Chen entered with enthusiasm.
“Mr. Su, I see you're hard at work.”
Su Ming paused, puzzled.
What brought President Chen here today?
Hadn't he specifically asked President Chen not to visit?
“President Chen, what brings you here?” Su Ming inquired with a smile.
Anxiety was written all over President Chen's face.
He knew he should have stayed away today, yet here he was, unannounced and uninvited.
The fear of upsetting Su Ming weighed heavily on him.
Fidgeting at the doorway, President Chen broached the subject, “Mr. Su, I have friends from the capital looking to purchase jade. I'm not well-versed in it, but I've heard you're familiar with these matters. Could you possibly lend your expertise…?”
Su Ming, taken aback, clarified, “President Chen, are you asking me to join them in buying jade?”
“No!” President Chen vehemently denied, shaking his head.
He respected Mr. Su's stature too much to impose on him as a mere guide.
“Is Mr. Su single, by any chance?” President Chen's expression turned mischievous as he added, “Among those accompanying you is a stunning beauty, and I've spoken of your credentials. Rest assured, there will be no complications.”
Su Ming offered a nonchalant smile in response.
His recent experiences with Wang Xue had left him with little interest in romance.
Su Ming knew that with wealth and status, admirers were never in short supply.
He was neither capricious in love nor a womanizer.
While he did appreciate beauty, the true measure for him was whether she loved him in return.
Su Ming was well aware that President Chen was keen on setting him up with a girlfriend. Yet, he wasn't particularly interested in the idea. Still, he couldn't ignore the fact that President Chen had been a great help to him. And now, President Chen had a small favor to ask, and Su Ming wasn't otherwise occupied.
“Alright,” Su Ming agreed, nodding. “Let me get ready, and I'll be with you shortly.”
With that, Su Ming went back to his villa to change into fresh, crisp clothes to look a bit more presentable.
“Mr. Su, thank you so much!” President Chen was ecstatic, deeply moved by Su Ming's acquiescence.
Instead of taking his own car, Su Ming joined President Chen in his vehicle, with President Chen taking on the role of chauffeur. He drove with meticulous care, and soon they reached their destination—a five-star hotel.
At the hotel entrance, three people were waiting. The man in the center was middle-aged, slim, and exuded an air of nobility. Despite his simple attire, his distinguished status was apparent. Flanking him were two individuals: to his left, a short, plump man gently fanning himself, his slightly squinted eyes giving off an air of simplicity; to his right, a young girl who appeared no older than seventeen or eighteen, with a cute, doll-like face that hinted at her intelligence.
“Mr. Zhang, my apologies for our tardiness,” President Chen said as he approached and shook hands with the middle-aged man. “Mr. Zhang, this is Mr. Su, the gentleman I've told you about.”
Zhang Tao paused, taking in Su Ming. President Chen had briefed him on Su Ming's remarkable situation—a young man in possession of a city-center plot worth billions, who chose to cultivate the land himself. To Zhang Tao, the concept was almost beyond belief.
After making a few inquiries with his contacts in the capital, Zhang Tao found no mention of a Su Ming among the city's prominent families. Just who was this Su Ming?
“Hello, my name is Zhang Tao. Please, feel free to call me Uncle Zhang,” said Zhang Tao, offering a warm handshake.
Su Ming responded with a serene smile, and they shook hands. “I'm Su Ming.”
Zhang Tao nodded with a warm smile.
“Mr. Zhang, Mr. Su, it's sweltering outside. Shall we continue our conversation in the car?”
“Sounds good.”
Shortly thereafter, an RV rolled up from a distance, and they climbed aboard one by one.
Zhang Tao grinned, gesturing towards the plump fellow beside him. “This is my friend, Lee Tiankuo, a seasoned pro in the world of antiques. He's here to lend me a hand with my purchases.”
Lee Tiankuo, a man of few words, simply offered a shy smile and a nod in response.
“And this is my daughter, Zhang Tongtong. I'm afraid I've doted on her a bit too much. If she happens to say anything out of turn, please don't take offense.”
Zhang Tao chuckled.
“Dad!”
Zhang Tongtong's mood soured at the remark. She pursed her lips and protested, “I'm very well-behaved. Nice to meet you, Mr. Su!”
Su Ming couldn't help but smile.
One glance at the young woman's demeanor, and he could tell Zhang Tao's words were spot on.
Once the introductions were out of the way, Zhang Tao got down to business.
“My father's 80th birthday is coming up, and he's always had a passion for antiques.”
“I'm here on a work trip and lost track of time. I'll be heading back in a few days, and it would be too late to shop for antiques elsewhere.”
“I've heard about a famous spot in Eastsea City known for its antiques, so I thought I'd check it out.”
“Su Ming, I've been told you've accomplished quite a bit in the field of antiques, and I was hoping you could assist me. Would that be possible?”
Zhang Tao's request was delivered with a pleasant ease.
Su Ming replied, “President Chen might be giving me too much credit. My experience is limited, and I'm not sure how much help I can be.”
“Don't sell yourself short.”
Zhang Tao let out a hearty laugh.
Su Ming was no stranger to Antique and Jade City.
Legends of his expertise still circulated there.
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