Chapter Forty-Five: The Buyer of the Fish Plate

  Fortunately, Comrade Yuan Fang's sharp eyesight wasn't accompanied by a thorough and meticulous nature, or perhaps he was truly drunk. Halfway through the questioning, he stared at Zhou Yi with a strange smile, then fell head-first onto the dinner table to communicate with Lord Zhou instead.

  Seeing Li Yuanfang drunk, Zhou Yi hastily bid farewell. Although he drank no less than Li Yuanfang, he didn't feel the slightest bit drunk, so it wasn't good for him to really stay at Li's house; Mrs. Li was less than 40 years old and still a charming middle-aged woman, while Zhou Yi was half foolish and silly, staying here wouldn't be like being in a melon patch or inviting rumors?

  Moreover, Li Yuanfang has already nodded, and the matter of building a villa on Fux Mountain is as good as nailed. Zhou Yi has planned to find a better architectural designer to draw out the drawings first, just in time for the strong laborers from the village who have gone to work in the city to return home for summer vacation, only waiting for Li Yuanfang to settle the land, and then he can directly find people in the village to construct it, without having to go find a construction team.

  Zhou Yi was calculating in his heart, waiting for Li Yuanfang to sober up from his wine tomorrow, and then he would find him to settle this matter. Then, he would immediately go to Chu Du to find someone to examine the land, draw a map, otherwise after the summer busy season is over, the labor force in the village will return to the city, and it will be more troublesome to find someone at that time.

  After returning to the nursing home, Zhou Yi called Zhu Xiaohua. This guy was somewhere corrupting, the phone was very noisy, and there were also women's silvery laughter, Zhou Yi smiled and joked with him: "How, again, secretly challenging the civil servant code with flowers?"

  "What's going on? We're deep in enemy territory, gathering intel, taking the bait... what do we need an architect for? Old Three, you've got me stumped. I don't usually deal with these technical people... let me think, ah yes! You should find Zhang Zhao, the big boss. His business is huge, he must have connections with the design institute. With his influence, the designers there will be lining up to work with you."

  Zhu Xiaohua was quarreling on the phone, probably having drunk a lot.

  "Right! How could I forget Zhang Zhao? Alright, I'm hanging up, you continue being corrupt..."

  I hung up the phone, just about to call Zhang Zhao, but found that there was an incoming call. Upon seeing the number, it turned out to be Zhang Zhao's. I couldn't help but laugh. They say that in Chu, evil spirits are everywhere, and Cao Mengde is always lurking, waiting to appear. Who would have thought that this place, Yunshui Mountain, was actually Ah-Dan's old haunt? What a coincidence!

  "Zhang Ge, I was just about to call you..." Zhou Yi said after answering the phone.

  "What a coincidence?"

  "Looks like we two brothers are spiritually connected, destined! Younger brother, speak your mind first, what do you need me to help with? Don't be polite, just treat me like a servant."

  Zhang Zhao invited Zhou Yi, and then told the great news to Old Man Cao. Old Man Cao was overjoyed, almost praising Zhang Zhao to the skies on the phone, and said he would take time to visit Zhou Yi in person.

  Cao Yidao's admiration and appreciation for Zhou Yi made Zhang Zhuang even more determined to tie Zhou Yi firmly to his chariot, no matter the cost. He would not let go of any opportunity to get close to Zhou Yi.

  "Zhang Ge is telling jokes, I wouldn't dare use you as a cow..."

  Zhou Yi smiled and knew that Zhang Zuo was just making small talk, but listening to him felt comfortable. No wonder he could do big business, indeed there is a reason for his success: "It's not a big deal, I'm working at the Yunshui Respectful Old People's Home, right? Planning to buy a piece of land in the village, build a few houses, thinking of finding a good designer to help draw up a plan..."

  "Is that it? Younger brother, you're not just building an ordinary house, are you? Are you going to build a villa or something? Don't worry, I'll find the best designer for you."

  "By the way, the matter of the fish plate has also been settled. You don't know, I've been running around for this fish plate to find a suitable buyer, my legs are almost worn out, it's worth not betraying your trust..."

  "What? Found a buyer?"

  Zhou Yi's eyes lit up. At dinner time, he saw that Li Yuanfang and his wife were a bit anxious, but they didn't dare to urge him because of their face. If he could sell the fish plate at a good price as soon as possible, Li Yuanfang would definitely be very grateful, and in the future, he could do whatever he wanted in the village.

  "Little brother, this buyer is no ordinary person, he's a famous figure in our Chu Du cultural relics circle... the CEO of Chufeng Group, Liu Ke, have you heard of him?"

  "Is it him?"

  Although Zhou Yi is not a person in the Wenwan circle, he still knows about the Chu Feng Group, a national top 500 company that spans multiple fields such as culture, film and television, and real estate. Liu Ke is a renowned Confucian merchant who not only likes to engage in charity but also serves as the chairman of the National Calligraphers and Painters Association; he is still young, in his prime at forty, and is one of the few diamond kings in Chudou, with rumors saying that whenever he sneezes, all the beauties in Chudou would sympathize with him.

  "Does Liu Ke want to buy a fish plate?"

  To be honest, Zhou Yi feels that this matter is a bit like a fairy tale.

  This fish plate is an object, but compared to the national treasures, it's still a small thing. Who is Liu Ke? People of his level have seen all sorts of good things, why would he be interested in just a fish plate? It's like the emperor incognito, if he wants to find something, he'd go to Jiangnan to look for a beauty, not some village girl.

  "Zhou, little brother, isn't it a bit unbelievable? Logically speaking, with Liu Ke's status and insight, he shouldn't be interested in a fish plate at all. After all, it's not the Yuanqing flower. But as it happens, this fish plate was originally part of a set. Liu Ke had seven pieces in his hand, and when paired with this one, they just happened to form a complete circle. That's why he was very interested. He said that as long as the item is genuine, he will definitely give a good price."

  Zhang Zhao seemed to be quite pleased with himself for being able to facilitate this deal, and his words were full of smiles: "However, given Liu Ke's identity, it might not be too good for him to go to your friend's place to check the goods. Little brother, what do you think? Why don't you bring the goods over, and I'll invite him over as well, we can just meet at the old place to check the goods."

  "Oh, is this fish dish a set?"

  "Alright, let's bring the goods over tomorrow afternoon. Anyway, I need to go to Chu Du to meet with a designer, so it's worth making a trip."

  "Alright then, little brother, after you arrive in Chudu, go straight to the main store of our old hangout. I'll roll out the red carpet to welcome you, and we'll meet barefoot."

  Zhang Zhuang also considered himself a Confucian merchant, especially when he got familiar with someone, he loved to show off his knowledge of classical literature, using Liu Bang's allusion. Zhou Yi heard this and burst out laughing, thinking that there was still the phrase "sleeping on the same bed" coming next, but brothers like beautiful girls, sorry, sorry, I can only decline your offer politely.

  On the second day, Zhou Yi got up early and arrived at Li Yuanfang's house. Li Yuanfang was indeed a capable cadre of X, getting drunk like that yesterday but waking up so early today. Seeing Zhou Yi, he pulled him to sit down and drink porridge, Zhou Yi didn't decline, the egg soup they had for breakfast was a bit salty, just right for soothing his throat.

  Li Yuanfang didn't mention the matter of Master Hong, but instead asked his younger brother: "Is it because of that mountain land thing? Don't worry, big brother is not like some people who forget what they said at the dinner table. Since I promised you, I will definitely make it happen. I'll go find Wang Jizi later and settle this matter."

  In Yunshui Village, this one mu and three fen of land, Li Yuanfang and Wang Jingzi are the local emperors, let alone Zhou Yi, who doesn't need good fields, just a mountain head. Yunshui Village has plenty of them. Giving this mountain to Zhou Yi, letting him tidy it up, really fixing it up, then bringing over a few rich people from the city, not only can't be stopped but also drive the rural economy...

  This way, Zhou Yi's personal feelings are sold, and the soft investment environment of Yunshui Village can be improved. What a wonderful thing to do! Li Yuanfang is playing a big chess game next.

  "Then Yuanfang had to worry more."

  I didn't expect Li Yuanfang to have so many tricks up his sleeve, but I just felt that he was a good brother: "I came today not entirely for the mountain's sake. There is news from Chu Du, and we've already found a buyer, but they want us to bring the goods over. I figured you'd have time, Brother Yuanfang, so I made an appointment with them for today."

  "Now that this matter has been handed over to you, brother, I won't go..."

  Li Yuanfang shook his head and said, "We mountain people won't deal with those people, don't let them look down on us and suppress our prices. You're a cultured person, I trust you."

  "Alright then, since Brother Yuanfang trusts me so much, I'll go myself. Besides, I have to make a trip to Chu City anyway."

  Zhou Yi didn't pretend either, just a small fish plate and he could still afford it.

  ***

  The Land Rover Discovery ran on this mountain road more powerful than the Blue Wave and Mini, before 9 o'clock in the morning, Zhou Yi arrived at the old place's general store. Because he had called beforehand, Zhang Zuo was already waiting at the door, this young master is a treasure, whatever he says must be served well......

  "Is this the fish plate?"

  When Zhang Zuo saw the old-fashioned briefcase in Zhou Yi's hand, he was a bit stunned and couldn't help but laugh: "Younger brother, where did you get this fake leather briefcase from? It looks like something you'd find in some remote corner!"

  "Heh heh, don't be modest, Zhang Ge, this is something from the home of Secretary Li in Yunshui Village. I'm now struggling to make a living in Yunshui Village, and I have to curry favor with this local tyrant!" Zhou Yi said with a light smile.

  "Alright, little brother, with your skills, why bother sucking up to a village secretary?"

  Zhang Zhuang smiled wryly and said, "If you're willing to nod your head, the position of head chef in this old place is yours. Don't look down on this old place, I'll soon turn it into a five-star hotel."

  "Well, in that case, I'd like to congratulate Zhang Ge first. However, the position of head chef is still best left to someone else; I'm a person who's used to being idle and free-spirited, can't stand being constrained, so I'll just serve as your advisor for now."

  Zhou Yi was unwilling to accept his words from the start. Joking aside, if he really wanted to be the head chef, even the head chef of the South Water Palace in the Imperial City would have to step down and yield to him...

  "Alright, let's not mention this matter... Come on, little brother, first go to the private room and taste the top-grade red wine that big brother has prepared for you..."

  Zhang Zuo saw that Zhou Yi refused, and he quickly shut his mouth. He was a clever person and wouldn't do something stupid like getting greedy after gaining an advantage. He was afraid that if he annoyed Zhou Yi, he might not even be willing to be a food consultant anymore, and his loss would be huge.

  Ps: Thanks to '老实人888', '方田羽', '小新新', '帅哥佐助', '天残天弃', 'fangyao', '还活着', '陌玍亽__尔已' and '15017856159' brothers for their rewards; thanks to '小新新' brother for his reminder ticket.

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