PCJ – Chapter 579 Conflict

“I really can’t accept this from you. Your tea is too expensive,” Ji Jiaxin quickly waved her hands.

“We farmers have a habit: if something hasn’t been sold, then it’s not considered money. That’s a bit different from how city folks think. City people like to calculate the value of everything. But in the countryside, even if you grow something really good, if you can’t finish eating it, it ends up being fed to the animals,” Zhang Jiaohua said.

“Then I definitely shouldn’t drink it. If you can’t finish it and give it to me, wouldn’t that make me one of your family’s cats or dogs?” Ji Jiaxin joked, deliberately misinterpreting his meaning just to see Zhang Jiaohua flustered.

“I didn’t mean that…” Zhang Jiaohua scratched his head, embarrassed.

Ji Jiaxin burst into laughter. Zhang Jiaohua clearly got the joke and smiled too.

“Actually, I’m not one of those tea experts who can taste a sip and rank it by quality. I just know when tea tastes good. Giving such good tea to me is a total waste. Since people are willing to spend big money to buy it, you should just sell it. But you promised to hang out with me—you still haven’t kept that promise. When will you?” Ji Jiaxin asked, her bright eyes locking onto Zhang Jiaohua.

Zhang Jiaohua scratched his head again. “After the auction, I’ll take you somewhere. I promise you’ll like it.”

“Alright, it’s a deal!” Ji Jiaxin high-fived him to seal the promise.

Time passed quickly, and the day of the auction arrived.

Gu Hao had ordered Wu Yaping’s men to monitor every move of the Xu Auction House, but they still hadn’t found any connection between the auction house and the Biyu Xianyin (Jade Immortal Brew) Group.

Wu Yaping had also investigated the Biyu Xianyin Group thoroughly. The results were consistent with what other interested parties had found: the processing and distribution of their regular teas were transparent and traceable. But the facilities and distribution channels for their premium products remained a mystery. And this time, the new product was so secretive that even the Biyu Xianyin headquarters hadn’t known about it beforehand.

According to an internal source, the HQ only learned about the new “Biyu Spirit Tea” through the media. At first, they thought someone had illegally used the brand name and prepared to take legal action, but Chairman Zhang Youping halted the legal team. Instead, they simply registered a new trademark—indicating that this new tea wasn’t a counterfeit, but had come from the mysterious, unofficial channel once again.

Gu Hao tried various methods to pressure the Biyu Xianyin Group using the Gu family’s influence to obtain the Spirit Tea, but to his surprise, the group was entirely unmoved. He didn’t dare push too far, fearing backlash. In the end, he didn’t even get to see what the Spirit Tea looked like.

“This Biyu Xianyin Group is like a stone in a latrine—stubborn and stinking! I’m not even asking for the tea for free, and they won’t give me any face at all. After Grandfather’s birthday is over and I have more freedom, I’ll make them pay for this,” Gu Hao said furiously.

“Master Hao, for a big company like Biyu Xianyin, it’s best not to use shady tactics. Who knows who the real owner is? Someone capable of growing the business that big definitely isn’t ordinary. If something goes wrong, you’ll be the one to suffer,” Wu Yaping said calmly, refusing to echo Gu Hao’s anger.

“I know that. But if I don’t stir up some trouble for them, I just can’t swallow this indignation,” Gu Hao said, clenching his fists.

“Now’s not the time for that. Let’s focus on the auction. Let’s go in and see who else showed up. I’m worried this auction might go beyond our expectations,” Wu Yaping said with concern.

“Xiao Hao!” Gu Heling walked over. “Looks like you’re here for the Spirit Tea too. Hope you brought enough money. If not, you’d better just sit back and watch, or people will say our Gu family is too petty.”

Gu Hao’s face darkened. In terms of wealth, he couldn’t compare to his powerful cousin, who held a key position in the family business. She was incredibly cunning—he and Gu Lianyu combined weren’t a match for her. Unfortunately, she was a woman, so the family patriarch didn’t favor her. If she had been a man, Gu Hao and Gu Lianyu wouldn’t even have had a chance.

“You think you’re the only rich one? Of course I came prepared today!” Gu Hao snapped.

“Huh? Who’s that boy walking with Xu Yanzhang’s daughter? I’ve never seen him before,” Gu Heling asked, noticing Xu Xiaoting and Zhang Jiaohua walking together. Immediately she lost interest in Gu Hao and walked quickly toward them.

“Xiaoting, who’s this friend of yours? Aren’t you going to introduce him to your big sister?” Gu Heling asked with a smile.

“This is my high school classmate, Zhang Jiaohua. This is Sister Gu,” Xu Xiaoting replied, quickly introducing them. She wasn’t thrilled to introduce Zhang Jiaohua to someone like Gu Heling, whom she didn’t particularly like.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Gu Heling. Since you’re Xiaoting’s friend, you’re also my friend. Just call me Sister Ling,” she said to Zhang Jiaohua.

“Sister Ling, you’re here for the auction too?” Xu Xiaoting asked, already familiar with her.

Zhang Jiaohua stood quietly to the side, listening to the two girls chat.

Gu Heling then whispered into Xu Xiaoting’s ear, “Xiaoting, are you sure this Zhang Jiaohua is just your classmate? Don’t lie to your sister now.”

“He really is just a classmate,” Xu Xiaoting replied, blushing. She sneaked a glance at Zhang Jiaohua, worried he’d overheard. Seeing him focused on the auction brochure, she sighed with relief.

After chatting for a while longer, Gu Heling finally let them go.

But as she turned, she immediately gave her assistant a quiet order: “Look into this classmate of Xu Xiaoting’s. I have a feeling this boy is not as simple as he looks.”

Zhang Jiaohua and Xu Xiaoting found seats. Before long, the auction began.

Zhang Jiaohua glanced around and noticed that today’s guests were indeed of a much higher caliber than at the last Xu Auction House event.