Chapter Thirty-Four: Gathering Clouds

“What business is it about Wang Keng?” Qin Jing looked at Zheng Qiu Ying with a half-smile. If she was willing to be honest now, he could consider continuing to sell the beauty elixir, after all, his nature as a businessman inclined him toward harmony.

“Ying’er, what are you saying?” Zheng Qiu Yin immediately cut off Zheng Qiu Ying’s words, her face full of displeasure. “Qin Jing, we’re here to buy your goods. Besides the elixir, we want some of that spirit rice as well. Just tell us, are you selling or not?”

Although she already knew Qin Jing was a Transcendent, Zheng Qiu Yin figured he was merely a novice, unaware of the true value of supernatural items. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sold the beauty elixir for a mere million—he must be desperate for money. Given that, Zheng Qiu Yin saw no reason to be too accommodating, lest she appear too eager for those goods.

However, Qin Jing decided instantly, “Not selling.”

Zheng Qiu Yin’s eyes widened. Not selling? How could he refuse?

Zheng Qiu Ying stomped her foot secretly, clinging to Qin Jing and complaining, “Qin Jing, you can’t do this! You already promised to sell me the elixir. I’ve got the money ready!”

“Money? What money? Oh right, I’ve changed the rules here. From now on, cash only, and it must be old bills.” Qin Jing replied absentmindedly, casually announcing his new policy—something he had only thought up last night, and it had already evolved.

He added, “Of course, gold is acceptable too. Those vintage gold bars, big or small. One small gold bar can buy ten thousand worth of goods.”

Old Song chuckled beside him, interjecting, “Qin, you’re something else! You just got some gold bars from me, and now you’re only accepting gold?”

“This is called moving with the times, Old Song. What I sold you was top-quality stuff, only for a single gold bar. I took a huge loss!” Qin Jing retorted without hesitation. In business, thick skin mattered most—even if the profits overflowed, you always claimed you were selling at a loss.

“Gold? Gold bars? What’s going on, Old Song—what did you buy?” Zheng Qiu Ying asked curiously.

Old Song, unaware of the deeper significance, recounted how he spent a gold bar for a pound of spirit rice, thinking “spirit rice” was just a fancy name Qin Jing had given his rice.

“A pound for ten thousand?!” Zheng Qiu Ying was stunned—even with her wealthy background, she couldn’t imagine such a price. She had seen the beauty elixir, but spirit rice was so rare she’d never heard of it.

Zheng Qiu Yin, meanwhile, couldn’t sit still. Her face cold, she snorted, “Qin Jing, I’ll buy a hundred pounds.”

Hearing this, Zheng Qiu Ying realized: ten thousand wasn’t expensive at all! Otherwise, her sister wouldn’t have placed a million-dollar order without batting an eye.

Old Song had meant to show off—look at me, even the rice I eat is so expensive, aren’t I impressive? But he hadn’t expected someone to immediately follow suit, and at such a scale—buying a hundred pounds for a million!

“Money really isn’t worth much these days,” Old Song thought. He had felt like he’d overpaid, but seeing Zheng Qiu Yin’s determination, he realized Qin Jing’s rice must be extraordinary.

“Old Song, honestly! I told you this rice is scarce. I was only going to sell you half a pound, but you…” Qin Jing shot Old Song a glare. He didn’t want to sell to Zheng Qiu Yin, so he laid it out clearly:

“Miss Zheng, Old Song is my neighbor and has looked out for me. Besides, his gold bar is quite interesting, so I sold him a pound. But I don’t have much spirit rice left, so I’m not taking any new orders for it.”

Zheng Qiu Yin’s frown deepened. She wasn’t less shrewd than Zheng Qiu Ying—on the contrary, years of experience had made her more adept. Now she understood why her sister had said what she did; Qin Jing’s attitude toward her was different from before. He’d never flattered her, but he used to be quite friendly—why suddenly refuse to sell her anything? Could it really be about Wang Keng, and Qin Jing had found out?

As Zheng Qiu Yin debated whether to come clean with Qin Jing, the sound of car horns echoed outside—a large group was clearly disembarking and heading toward the shop.

“Well, it looks like we have real big clients coming!” Old Song laughed, asking Qin Jing, “Qin, need a hand? I’ve got nothing urgent going on.”

Neighbors as they were, they often helped each other with business. But when Qin Jing saw the first person entering, he shook his head, “No need, Old Song. Go about your business—I’m not busy here.”

Old Song nodded, took his rice, and hurried out—to stash away his ten-thousand-dollar treasure.

The person entering wasn’t Hathaway, but Qin Jing’s partner from Cold Sea Art Academy, Yan Yi Zhen.

The campus queen Yan appeared today in a pale blue, mid-length Prada dress, adorned with a sparkling diamond brooch. She carried a creamy Gucci crossbody, her long skirt revealing elegant legs. Despite the chilly weather, she wore no stockings, her bare feet slipped into crystal peep-toe heels, her toenail art dazzling. She exuded goddess-like charm—countless students would gladly kneel before her nails.

“Qin Jing, I brought you a batch of clients today—all heirs from the academy. They have decent personalities, but their tempers aren’t the best. Bear with them.” Yan Yi Zhen declared her purpose immediately upon entering. In her view, business was business—what did it matter if clients were temperamental, as long as the money rolled in?

But Qin Jing frowned. Times had changed; he’d just won over Hathaway and put the Zheng sisters in their place. He was feeling a bit inflated—now a bunch of rich heirs were coming to throw tantrums? Who could tolerate that!

“Zhenzhen, you should say that to Wei and the others. My temper is just fine.” Behind Yan Yi Zhen emerged a girl, dressed adorably, quirky and cute. She smiled warmly at Qin Jing and introduced herself, “Hello, Qin Jing, I’m Tian Qin, Zhen’s sister. Please take care of me in the future.”

Qin Jing replied with a smile, “You’re so pretty, you certainly won’t need my help.”

Several more entered, both men and women, including the “Wei” Tian Qin mentioned—his real name Zhang Wei, an ordinary name but he carried himself with authority, standing right beside Yan Yi Zhen like her boyfriend.

What truly surprised Qin Jing were two others: Chen John and Hu Chaoge.