Free Web NovelChapter 122: Chapter 102: 15? 80? Isn’t This the Price of Pork??
As soon as he got home, Ji Wan woke up his father, Ziggy, who was already fast asleep.
"What is it? What’s the big rush? I was in the middle of a great dream when you woke me!" Ziggy’s eyes flashed with anger. He’d been sleeping soundly when Ji Wan roused him with a relentless combination of shouting and knocking on the door.
Who wouldn’t be grumpy after being woken up like that?
Although Ziggy was middle-aged, he had a larger build than Ji Wan. Combined with his years of herding on the steppe, his features were rugged and imposing. When he got angry, he looked fierce enough to make a passing wolf wag its tail.
Seeing the anger on his father’s face, Ji Wan felt a shiver of apprehension and quickly explained the whole situation from beginning to end.
"Hmm? What’s the story with this Su fellow?" Ziggy’s expression had returned to calm, but his brow was deeply furrowed.
It wasn’t as if he’d never met people with such ideas before. As the leading figure in Dongwu Banner’s livestock industry, many things had to go through him.
Whether they were buyers, middlemen, or entrepreneurs coming to Dongwu Banner to build a brand, every single one of them was only thinking about how to drive down purchasing prices and how to make more money. Not one of them genuinely cared about the herders or the steppe.
"Brother Cheen called and gave me the instructions himself!" Ji Wan then recalled something else Xiao Chen had specifically mentioned and added, "Brother Cheen also said that Mr. Su can help us with the Wuzhumuqin sheep problem!"
"Brother Cheen?!" Of course, Ziggy knew who the "Brother Cheen" his son was talking about was. Their family’s connection to such a figure was primarily thanks to Ji Wan and their supplying of sheep to his comrades-in-arms.
Otherwise, with their family’s strength and status, they wouldn’t even be worthy of carrying the man’s shoes.
Ziggy understood these matters perfectly. People who made their living on the steppe had long understood the principle of survival of the fittest. The weak could only survive by aligning themselves with the strong.
It was just like how most of the herders’ livestock operations in Dongwu Banner had developed by relying on him. He didn’t mind the idea of riding on someone else’s coattails; in fact, he was quite eager for the opportunity.
"Did you verify his identity? Are you sure?" Ziggy asked again, still feeling uneasy.
"You know how busy Brother Cheen is. I didn’t dare call and bother him at this hour, so I called Li Fei instead. I learned a few things from him, and I can confirm the man’s identity is authentic!"
"Li Fei?" Ziggy knew of Li Fei and understood his importance to Xiao Chen. Any information coming from him was bound to be reliable.
"Ji Wan, arrange a meeting with this Mr. Su for tomorrow. I’ll talk with him about the specifics, and then we’ll decide what to do," Ziggy said, having figured things out. Whether or not this Mr. Su had the capabilities he claimed, the man deserved a proper reception simply by virtue of being introduced by Xiao Chen.
"Yes, Father!" With his father’s approval, Ji Wan didn’t disturb him any further and returned to his room.
Ziggy, however, walked to the window. He gazed at the pitch-black sky with a grave expression and muttered to himself, ’Sigh... I wonder if this winter will bring good fortune or disaster.’
...........
Early the next morning, Ji Wan rushed over to the hotel.
Su Chen looked at Ji Wan, who was sitting beside him, his eyes still heavy with sleep. "Why are you here so early? Did something change?"
Su Chen had given it some serious thought last night and realized the matter wasn’t as simple as he’d initially imagined.
’They say there are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people’s eyes,’ Su Chen thought. ’Among the more than forty thousand herders in Dongwu Banner, who could guarantee they were all of one mind? He wasn’t trying to swallow the entire Banner in one gulp right now. As long as he could win over Ji Wan’s father and his close associates, this trip wouldn’t be a waste.’
"My apologies, Mr. Su, for disturbing you so early!" Ji Wan suddenly realized he really had come too early...
It was only a little after seven, not even eight yet!
"Nn-no, it’s fine." Su Chen yawned before continuing, "So, tell me. What did your dad say?"
At the mention of business, Ji Wan perked up. "Mr. Su, my dad agrees with your proposal! We can discuss the details when you two meet. When would be a good time for you?"
Su Chen nodded. With Ji Wan’s father having agreed to his proposal, his plan had just taken a major step forward.
"Let’s make it noon. You find a suitable place, and we can talk over lunch."
’After all, Ji Wan is a local, so he’d naturally be more familiar with the area than I am. Plus, I’m the newcomer here; I can’t be too presumptuous. It wouldn’t be right to just summon them to my hotel!’
Ji Wan’s eyes darted thoughtfully for a moment before he came up with the perfect place. "Mr. Su, why don’t we go to our family’s yurt? It’s just on the outskirts of town, and we can have a whole-lamb feast!"
The mention of a whole-lamb feast made Su Chen instantly more alert. "Great! You make the arrangements. I’ll head back to my room to get ready and freshen up."
As Su Chen turned and went back into his room, Ji Wan immediately pulled out his phone and sent two messages.
’I hope this turns out well!’
Ji Wan was taking this matter very seriously. To him, it was an opportunity to change his fate. His family was already wealthy—while they might not have had a hundred million in savings, they certainly had several tens of millions.
’But he had seen a glimpse of the world from above, and it ignited a desire to climb higher. Once you’ve seen the view from the summit... who wouldn’t want to stand there and gaze out at an even grander, more beautiful vista?!’
’Both Su Chen and Xiao Chen were powerful figures he could latch onto. Su Chen, in particular, could be a golden opportunity. Ji Wan didn’t want to miss his chance again; he’d already missed out once before!’
