Chapter 68: Those Who Deceive Me Shall Die

  "Don't be too pleased, you've only just reached the initial stage of pure yin body. Although your physique has improved a lot compared to before, it's still too weak. However, I can teach you some self-defense skills now." Mang Cang was also happy for Cheng Zihuan in his heart, but he didn't want her to become arrogant because of this, so he couldn't help but pour a bucket of cold water on her.

  Cheng Zihan smiled secretly and rejoiced in secret.

  However, this time's promotion took a lot of time, and it was likely that when they went out, the sky would already be bright, and he didn't know if Cheng Hai and the others would become suspicious.

  It seemed that Mang Cang had noticed Cheng Zihan's concern, and patted her shoulder before saying: "Don't worry, I know this promotion might waste a bit more time for you, so I've temporarily stopped the flow of time in the Tree Spirit Space. So right now, outside it's still the same time as when you first entered. You should go back first, and come again tomorrow night. Now that you've just been promoted, you need to rest and adapt to your new body."

  "A new body?" Cheng Zihan was somewhat perplexed upon hearing this. She looked down at her own body, only to discover that she was still ***, and the corners of her mouth twitched involuntarily. Had she just been *** naked while chatting with Mangcang for so long?

  "Ah, the cultivation of a pure yin body is much more difficult than you imagine. Each time you advance, it's like a rebirth for your body, and there will be a qualitative change. Afterwards, cultivating other things will become faster and easier. However, advancing is also extremely dangerous, and if you're not careful, you might lose your life. For now, you can only temporarily stay at the initial stage. I'm afraid that to advance to the intermediate stage, you'll have to wait until after you turn 12 years old. Only when your body's energy has accumulated for a few years and your physique has undergone significant improvement can you try again."

  Cheng Zihan nodded slightly, seeming to understand.

  She had an idea and changed into new clothes.

  Now she found that in the tree spirit space, she only needs to think about it and can change her shape and clothes at will, but not outside. This is probably also related to her own ability.

  Farewell to the lush greenery, Cheng Zihan first exited the Tree Spirit Space.

  The night was deepening, and everyone was asleep. Cheng Zihan pulled the quilt over himself and fell into a deep sleep as well.

  Chapter 68, and it's also the 40th anniversary of the founding of the country, so I want a large batch of peonies as decorations, the price is naturally not a problem, the problem is whether Qin Hongtao can get this batch of flowers.

  The price they offered is not too high, 500,000 yuan per flower seedling. However, the other party only requires ordinary peony seedlings. If it's based on previous seedlings or market prices, but only 40 seedlings are needed, and they will only be picked up during the flowering period. The price for 40 seedlings is 2 million yuan each because this National Day is extraordinary, and it's a grand occasion to show off in front of the world, especially on the 40th anniversary, so they are willing to spend a huge amount to buy these luxury goods for decoration.

  Other ordinary flower seedlings also need 1,000 stocks. This time Qin Hongtao was considered to have picked up a big bargain, but he also encountered big trouble.

  Where did the peony flowers have so many quantities to supply? The previous ones were sold out early, and the price of each plant was skyrocketed to a sky-high price. The highest one was sold for 1.8 million yuan, and the buyer was an old expert who had been studying peony cultivation all his life. He had spent his whole life researching this field and finally saw the rare mutant variety of peony flower, so he didn't want to let it go.

  Now people only gave Qin Hongtao a month to prepare for the 1,000 seedlings. A month later, they will come to pick up the goods. This is cooperation with the country! If something unexpected happens, it's a matter of life and death. Even if his brother is the secretary of the municipal party committee in Nanshi, he can't save him!

  "Sorry, you didn't make a reservation in advance. Those flower seedlings have all been booked out and the other party is coming to pick them up soon." Cheng Zihan knew that Qin Hongtao must have received some big order, so he came to find her in such a hurry, so she naturally teased him first.

  "Miss Cheng, this matter is really urgent. I won't hide it from you. Actually, the country has ordered a batch of flower seedlings from me - 1,000 ordinary peony seedlings and 40 of those mutant peonies that you bought from me before. Please help me with this favor, and in the future, we'll do business often. I definitely won't treat you unfairly." Qin Hongtao said, almost pleadingly.

  Cheng Zihan furrowed her brow, glanced at Qin Hongtao, and it seemed that this matter was indeed quite big. However, she also needed to carefully consider whether she could raise the price. As for cooperation, if Qin Hongtao were to fall later on, she wouldn't be afraid. Now that everyone in the capital knew that Qin Hongtao had mutated peony flowers, they would definitely seek out the source, and it would certainly lead them to her doorstep. Her reputation was already indirectly established, so she wasn't worried about not having any business in the future.

  Qin Hongtao and Qin Hongwei are indeed related, and Cheng Zihan doesn't want to help Qin Hongtao at all now. Not to mention that he bullied her last time and made her lose so much money for nothing, just because he is a family member of Qin Hongwei, it's a capital offense!

  "It's not a matter of whether I'm being unfair or not, it's just that I really can't do anything about it. Mr. Qin, peony seedlings aren't like cabbage, you think you can just get them if you want? Last time we only had 180 seedlings in total, and you've already bought over a hundred of them. The remaining ones were just booked by another client yesterday, I couldn't possibly ignore other clients' requests for the sake of your business. We're running a business after all, and they offered a higher price than you did. Now you suddenly come here asking for 1,000 seedlings, including 40 mutant peony seedlings? Do you expect me to disregard all other clients' requests and give them all to you? Right now, we really don't have any more peony seedlings available. Even if you place an order now, it would take at least three to five months for us to cultivate that many. As someone who's been in the flower business for so long, you should be well aware of this, so there's no need to say anything else. If you want to continue cooperating with me, I'd be happy to have you. But if you're trying to use this as leverage against me, sorry, it won't work. You can leave now." Cheng Zihan looked at Qin Hongtao coldly and said, before turning around and leaving with Han Yi.

  Two people rushed into the greenhouse.

  At this time, the seedlings in the greenhouse have grown very well and are ready to be transplanted outdoors, but Cheng Zihang doesn't want to transplant them out.

  The flowers here will stop growing for a certain period of time and must be taken outside to recover. If they continue to stay in the greenhouse, they will remain in their original state. Cheng Zihan also discovered this and deliberately did not allow people to transplant all the flower seedlings in the greenhouse to avoid raising suspicions.

  As soon as she entered the greenhouse, Cheng Zihan casually closed the door behind her. She didn't want to talk to Qin Hongtao at all now.

  Qin Hongtao stood at the entrance for a while before being asked to leave by an employee of the garden.

  He just left temporarily for now.

  "Do you plan on continuing to work with Qin Hongtao?" Han Yi asked Cheng Zihan as they entered the greenhouse.

  Cheng Zihan looked at him and smiled: "Do you think I look more like an idiot?"

  Han Yi heard this and smiled, shaking his head, "Not like."

  "So I'll let him cheat once and then come back to cheat again?" Cheng Zihan continued to ask.

  Han Yi shook his head again, "This matter is probably not that simple. If Qin Hongtao can't solve it, he will definitely go ask Qin Hongwei to come out and resolve it. He'll directly use his identity as the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee of Nanshi to pressure you down. I'm afraid you won't be able to refuse then. Who knows if they'll continue to lower your price."

  This time the comparison is about the flowers needed by the country, not what ordinary people need, so things won't be that simple.

  Qin Hongtao was afraid that he had already signed a contract with the other party and received the deposit, so if he couldn't deliver on time, it would be a capital offense!

  Qin Hongtao and Qin Hongwei didn't have a good relationship to begin with. Qin Hongtao was the son of Qin Hongwei's second wife, and he never liked the things that went on in official circles, so he set up his own flower company and did some business with flowers.

  But now when life is at stake, he's afraid it won't be his turn to think much, and can only go find Qin Hongwei for help.

  Cheng Zihan and Qin Hongwei's relationship was originally not good, and it is likely that he will use his official position to suppress Cheng Zihan, making him unable to avoid cooperating with Qin Hongtao and handing over this batch of flower seedlings.

  "Press me? Pressing me is useless, I just don't have what he wants. Honestly, I've known all along that he would continue to ask me for peony seedlings, so this time I didn't even plant any! Even if they really come, I won't have any seedlings to give them. What can he use to pressure me? Everyone knows that it takes at least three or four months to grow peony seedlings from seeds. Am I supposed to magically produce some? Does he want me to pull them out of thin air?

  I don't care if the Party Central Secretary comes, I've said no and that's final. I hate it when people use their status to get what they want and force me to do things I don't want to do. This Qin Hongwei has been at odds with me from the start, and I haven't even gone looking for trouble with him. If he wants to come and find fault with me himself, I won't mind at all! Let Qin Hongtao go invite him over, and we'll see how I deal with them!"

  When Han Yi heard Cheng Zihan's words, the corners of his mouth twitched, and he silently mourned for Qin Hongwei in his heart.

  These two brothers also don't know if it's because of a conflicting horoscope with Cheng Zihan, but why does Cheng Zihan like to oppose them so much?

  Han Yi now saw clearly that there was indeed no peony seedling in this greenhouse, but instead, there were many new orchids, which looked like they were of a very noble variety.

  There are also other popular houseplants, such as Money Tree, Fortune Tree, Green Sprout and so on.

  It seems that Cheng Zihan had already expected Qin Hongtao to come back, so he deliberately did this. Last time, after hearing his words and knowing that he was being deceived, he decided not to cooperate with him again.

  He helplessly shook his head. This Qin Hongtao had really encountered a bad luck that would last for eight lifetimes after meeting Cheng Zihan.

  "But if you really cooperate with Qin Hongtao, you can take the opportunity to blackmail him and also make friends with him. It's not a bad deal for you either." Han Yi squatted down and looked at the orchid in front of him, saying to Cheng Zihan.

  "Who wants to be friends with those Qin family people? I don't. Do you think I really know nothing? I've already watched CCTV news and know how much sensation that batch of peony seedlings caused in the capital, now I'm afraid many people are secretly investigating the source of the peony seedlings. The cheapest ones he sold were 200,000 yuan per plant, and the most expensive one was sold for 1.8 million yuan. He only gave me one plant for 10,000 yuan, I've lost money to the point of going bankrupt! Can I be counted? Humph, soon people in the capital will know that the peony seedlings are produced in my nursery, and they will naturally come to buy seedlings from me. However, I do want to use your name first, otherwise, I'm afraid someone will find trouble with me. So, I'll still take advantage of your reputation. After I make money, I'll definitely give you half."

  "No need. I won't take your money." Han Yi heard Cheng Zihan's words and said seriously.

  Cheng Zihan looked at him with a helpless expression and couldn't help but sigh: "Han Yi, can't you just pretend to be happy for once? I was just joking, I wouldn't actually give it to you. Why do you have to be so honest?"

  When Han Yi heard Cheng Zihan's words, he silently turned his face away, his mouth twitching slightly, and stopped speaking.

  Cheng Zihan continued to fiddle with the flowers and grasses.

  After Qin Hongtao left, she immediately ordered people to transplant all the remaining peony seedlings in the garden to a nearby mountain where Li Lan raised chickens and ducks.

  On the mountain top, a piece of land was opened up and peonies were specially planted on it.

  In the afternoon, Qin Hongtao came again, this time he didn't come looking for Cheng Zihan, but rather Cheng Hai.

  Cheng Hai looked at him and shook his head, saying: "Old Qin, you'd better go back. Zihan has already made it clear to you that we don't have any peony seedlings now. Even if you come again, we can't get them for you."

  Qin Hongtao, however, hastily grabbed Cheng Hai's hand and said, "Mr. Cheng, I'm begging you, please help me with this matter, it's very important, it's related to my life, and may even affect my whole family, please just lend a hand."

  Qin Hongtao said as he secretly handed a note to Cheng Hai.

  Cheng Hai took a look and it was actually a check for 100,000 yuan.

  It seems that Qin Hongtao wants to bribe himself? Wants to buy himself off?

  He immediately returned the check, "Sorry, Mr. Qin, I really can't help you, you'd better go back and ask someone else for help, I really don't have any more peony seedlings here."

  Cheng Hai finished speaking and left directly.

  Qin Hongtao called out again and again, but Cheng Hai didn't respond to him anymore.

  The two staff members guarding the door directly asked him to leave, and Qin Hongtao had no choice but to leave with a sullen face.

  Qin Hongtao came for three consecutive days and ate white fruit every day.

  Cheng Zihan also found it amusing and wondered when this guy would ask Qin Hongwei to show up, but it seemed like it was going to be soon.

  The seedlings in the greenhouse have all been transplanted out and are now planted outside. A new batch of flowers has been planted inside.

  Cheng Zihan went to take a look at the situation on the side of the medicine field. The medicinal materials on that side were also growing extremely well, but unfortunately, there weren't any particularly precious or expensive ones, just some ordinary-priced ones. Tianqi and Shanyao had been planted in large quantities.

  Everyone put down their work and came over to greet her when they saw Cheng Zihan arriving.

  "You all go ahead and work, don't mind me. I'll just take a look around. The medicinal herb cultivation is going well, you all should keep up the good work. Once the herbs are harvested and sold for money, I will give you all a share of the profits." Cheng Zihan didn't like this feeling, it seemed like as soon as she arrived everyone stopped working, so she waved her hand and let everyone go back to their tasks.

  After visiting the medicinal field, Cheng Zihan went to the large-scale nursery area and took a stroll around. This place was mainly managed by Cheng Hai. The trees had grown lushly and densely, resembling a small forest. A few days ago, some tree seedlings were sold out, and Cheng Hai led his men to the mountains to bring back more, now the forest area has expanded to 1,000 mu.

  Cheng Zihan originally thought that it was not necessary to have too much, but now looking at the development momentum of Linqu, he feels that it's not bad either. Anyway, real estate is not considered for the time being, and making money from real estate is not easy, with a large investment. It's better to wait for two years until the national economy recovers and Wangcheng develops, then more people will come in and make plans again.

  And she estimates that Wangcheng will definitely take out the surrounding land for competitive bidding in the near future, and may even auction it off. Now, with the price of renting land, you can buy a good piece of land. If there really is an auction, she will definitely go and buy one to invest.

  Coming out of the forest area, it's a small courtyard dedicated to root carving art research. There is only one very ordinary small wooden house here, where three old men live, and they are all inheritors of folk root carving art, with first-class skills.

  Cheng Zihan arrived at the door and saw various root carvings piled up at the entrance, each one beautiful and exquisite, very delicate.

  Just as I was about to go in and talk to the elderly people inside, I saw someone rushing over hastily. Afraid of disturbing the people creating inside, I didn't dare to shout loudly. Only when I ran to the front of Cheng Zihang did I say softly: "Zihang, Qin Hongtao is here again, Ahai Ge wants you to go back."