Free Web NovelChapter 367: Chapter 367: Giving a Gift
"I am indeed Wang Hao. I have long admired your great reputation, Elder Wei, and seeing you today, your fame is indeed well deserved!"
Wang Hao also exchanged pleasantries.
But this kind of interaction felt very awkward to him; it seemed like a mode of greeting from ancient times between wealthy households, and using it in the modern day always felt a bit strange.
However, sitting across from him was Elder Wei, so Wang Hao dared not reveal his true thoughts.
"Haha, please take a seat!"
Elder Wei extended his hand, gesturing to the chairs on one side of the living room and indicating for Wang Hao and Wen Yonglin to sit down.
The two did not further impose and took their seats in succession, with Wen Yonglin, who was of a higher generational status than Wang Hao, rightfully taking the seat in front. Wang Hao conscientiously took the seat behind him.
"Grandpa, Wang Hao is the one who helped us discover the cause of my sister’s death. If it weren’t for him, I might have been killed by Zheng Zong!"
Shen Shiyi acted very affectionately in front of Elder Wei, quite unlike her usual reserved demeanor at school. freёwebnovel.com
Wang Hao also found it strange because Elder Wei’s look at Shen Shiyi was very different from how he looked at others.
But as the adage from ancient times says, ’the affection skips a generation’, Elder Wei naturally doted on his granddaughter, especially since he had already lost one due to certain reasons.
Elder Wei smiled and nodded, taking the opportunity to scrutinize Wang Hao from head to toe.
"The main reason I asked you here is to express gratitude for resolving the emotional ties across three generations in our family. Feel free to make any requests; as long as this old man can do it, I will do my utmost to help you achieve it!"
Elder Wei’s voice was steady and powerful. Though he meant to express his gratitude to Wang Hao, his tone came across as rather forceful.
It was as if he was warning Wang Hao that even though he had helped them and he promised to repay him, he must not use this to show off.
Once he left the Wei’s mansion, all dealings would be considered settled, and he better not parade around using Elder Wei’s name to swindle others.
A bitter smile couldn’t help but form in Wang Hao’s heart. He clearly understood the deeper meaning behind Elder Wei’s words, and he hadn’t anticipated that Elder Wei would possess such significant strategizing.
But Wang Hao had always been forthright in his actions, and without need for Elder Wei’s reminder, he would not be like others who wielded Elder Wei’s name as a shield outside.
"I carried out this deed entirely to help a friend, Elder Wei, you needn’t take it to heart!"
Wang Hao said casually.
Certainly, his investigation was firstly entrusted to him by Wen Yonglin, and secondly, it was related to the subsequent development of his own forces.
Elder Wei did not change his expression, but his heart gave a slight jolt.
Usually, the people who wanted to see him were all scheming, either seeking to use his name for their benefit or to ask him for favors.
But the young man before him was upright and transparent, not at all like a deceitful person.
"Young man, I did not expect someone your age to have such a broadminded spirit, truly rare!"
Elder Wei pointed to the teacups beside them as he spoke.
"We are here to drink tea and reminisce today. First, let’s taste this new tea I have!"
Wang Hao, not a connoisseur of tea, felt only a touch of bitterness with his first sip, but after the bitterness, there was a lingering sweetness and a faint trace of fragrance in his mouth. He realized for the first time that this must be good tea.
Wen Yonglin’s mind was not on tea tasting at the moment, he took a hasty sip without appreciating the nuances of its flavor.
"Elder Wei, Cheng Yin has recently returned to Zao City and set up a Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. He’s suppressing the new herbal medicine companies that have just entered Zao City’s market. What do you think about this..."
Wen Yonglin put down his teacup and hesitated.
"Wen Yong, I cannot interfere in this matter. After all, such suppression isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Since ancient times, there’s always been a process of natural selection. As long as he doesn’t disrupt Zao City’s market, I will not intervene!"
Elder Wei waved his hand dismissively.
It was clear what Elder Wei meant: such trivial matters should not be brought to him.
Since Elder Wei had spoken thus, Wen Yonglin could not insist on discussing it further.
But for Wang Hao, this was no trifling matter. However, since Elder Wei had already stated his disinterest, Wang Hao decided to take matters into his own hands and make a bold move.
Just then, Elder Wei’s subordinate finished checking Wang Hao’s backpack and Wen Yonglin’s leather bag and quietly placed them back on the table beside the two men.
"Elder Wei, I acquired an ancient artifact in Zao City, which I had been thinking of presenting to you. I hadn’t found the opportunity before, but today I took the chance to bring it!"
Wen Yonglin picked up his leather bag and took out a small piece of animal hide from it.
Even by glimpsing just a corner, Elder Wei’s eyes lit up, clearly very fond of this ancient artifact.
As Wen Yonglin handed the animal hide to Elder Wei, the elder held and admired it for a very long time, reluctant to let it go.
"A fine item, indeed a fine item! It’s just a pity, this is only a small part of it. If one could obtain the complete piece, it would truly be a treasure beyond price!"
Witnessing this scene, Wang Hao couldn’t help but touch his own backpack, because the rest of the animal hide was inside his backpack.
"Wang Hao, have you also brought something good with you?"
Shen Shiyi quickly went to Wang Hao’s side.
Previously, those who came to see Elder Wei had all brought some impressive items in order to curry favor with Elder Wei, and this had become an unspoken rule for visiting him.
Shen Shiyi, feeling anxious as she watched her grandfather’s indifferent attitude towards Wang Hao, urged him to quickly present his own gift to charm Elder Wei.
"This..."
Wang Hao hesitated, his speech faltering. If he were to reveal the rest of the hide from his backpack, it would surely embarrass Wen Yonglin.
Yet, if he did not reveal it, he would only disappoint Elder Wei. Wang Hao was caught in a difficult predicament.
"What’s this mysterious good thing?"
Shen Shiyi, driven by curiosity, pulled open Wang Hao’s backpack and upon seeing the hide inside, her face changed dramatically.
Despite being accustomed to grand scenes, Shen Shiyi now understood that Wang Hao would be extremely embarrassed. If she had known that his backpack also contained animal hide, she would have never rushed to open it.
Elder Wei also looked stunned at this revelation, not having expected the complete hide to be in Wang Hao’s possession.
His gaze then shifted to Wen Yonglin. After all, besides Wang Hao, Wen Yonglin was the one in the most awkward position.
Seeing the animal hide in Wang Hao’s backpack, Wen Yonglin also paused, thinking to himself how he had always helped Wang Hao, yet today, Wang Hao seemed to be undermining him.
For a moment, the entire living room fell into silence, and the atmosphere became extremely awkward.
Shen Shiyi wanted to explain something on behalf of Wang Hao, but in this situation, she too was at a loss for words.
"Elder Wei, actually these pieces of hide should be presented to you to complete the set,"
Wang Hao suddenly addressed Wen Yonglin, continuing.
"But I have already promised Uncle Wen; he has helped me so much, I must repay him. So, these pieces of hide are a gift for Uncle Wen."
After saying this, Wang Hao took the remaining animal hides out of his backpack and handed them to Wen Yonglin.
Wen Yonglin was indeed taken aback. Wang Hao was actually giving all the hides to him. But what would Wang Hao do? Was he intending to come to the feast empty-handed?
After all, this was Elder Wei. If Wang Hao offended Elder Wei because of this, he would find himself without a foothold in Zao City.
At that moment, Shen Shiyi was also stunned. Was Wang Hao courting disaster?
