Chapter 232 - You Want to marry Xiao Lingyu?
Chapter 232: You Want to marry Xiao Lingyu?
Translator: Lonelytree
The final outcome of the negotiation was 200 RMB per catty.
Old Master Gong said with some regret, “These strawberries are really cheap!”
Everyone, “…”
Everyone thought the strawberries had been sold for an astronomical price, but the old master still said he got a good deal. If those who bought the strawberries for 20 to 30 RMB heard this, who knew what they’d say?
After Elder Gong left, Father Xiao and Mother Xiao asked in a serious tone, “Xiao Lingyu, tell me, why did you hike up the price so much for Old Master Gong?”
If it was possible, Xiao Lingyu didn’t want to sell the strawberries to Gong Tianhao at all.
She didn’t want to have any connection with Gong Tianhao. Therefore, when Old Master Gong offered 250 RMB per catty, she agreed. She wanted to let Old Master Gong see her greed clearly. Then, he’d give up on the idea and be disappointed in her.
However, he was incredibly pleased. He even agreed with her.
Xiao Lingyu couldn’t understand Old Master Gong’s thoughts at all. Then again, they were from two very different worlds.
Xiao Lingyu sighed softly and said, “Dad, Mom, I’ll explain this to you in the future. I can’t explain it now because it’s too complicated.” Once Xiao Tong’s identity was revealed, they could talk about it.
Xiao Lingyu didn’t sell all her strawberries to Old Master Gong. She still needed to increase the popularity of her strawberries and establish the brand of Taoyuan Village. So needed to reserve some to sell all over the county.
She sold 5000 catties to Old Master Gong. In other words, she earned one million RMB at one go. Old Master Gong even joked, “Girl, back then, you told me confidently that you’d earn at least one million from the strawberries. I’m already handing one million to you!”
Xiao Lingyu’s strawberries were sold at a relatively high price to establish their values. However, as the strawberries became more popular, the price also soared beyond Xiao Lingyu’s expectations.
Since the order had been made, Xiao Lingyu started to pick and pack the strawberries for the Gong Family.
After they returned home, Xiao Wang had been scratching his head. Old Master Gong looked at his guard and huffed, “Just speak what’s on your mind.”
Xiao Wang finally couldn’t help but ask, “Chief, why did you offer such a high price for the strawberries? 200 RMB per catty, if Xiao Lingyu sold us 20,000 catties, that would be four million! The eldest young master is rich, but is it wise to spend his money like this?”
Old Master Gong glared at Xiao Wang and said in an annoyed tone, “What do you know? Lingyu’s strawberries are worth this price. The reason they’re sold so cheaply now is that the strawberries aren’t famous yet.” He sighed and said, “I feel guilty for Lingyu. I was the one who offered the price, but she was scolded instead. Xiao Zhengyang and his wife are such honest people.”
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Xiao Lingyu had been to the outside world before. She felt that these strawberries were worth this price, so she agreed with him. However, Xiao Zhengyang and his wife were simple farmers. They lived frugally and worked hard to save every dime. A year of hard work, and they often wouldn’t have saved much. Therefore, it was hard for them to imagine strawberries could be sold at such a high price. Naturally, they thought Xiao Lingyu was being greedy and trying to scam Old Master Gong.
In their mind, vegetables and fruits shouldn’t be that expensive. The strawberries were delicious, but they shouldn’t be sold at such a high price.
Xiao Wang and Xiao Zhang looked at each other.
Old Master Gong continued, “Lingyu was raised by Zhengyang and Qiuying. How greedy could she be?” He asked suspiciously, “In fact, I feel like she accepted my high offer price on purpose. She wanted to look greedy in front of me.”
Xiao Wang frowned. “But why would she do that?”
Old Master shook his head and said, “I don’t know either. In any case, Lingyu’s attitude towards me is quite strange.”
Xiao Wang and Xiao Zhang were always by Old Master Gong’s side. They didn’t find anything strange about Xiao Lingyu’s attitude. Every time Xiao Lingyu saw their chief, she would be extremely respectful. Whenever her family had a harvest, they would deliver a portion over.
They also hadn’t forgotten about the beautiful flowers she had given to their chief. The Xiao Family was rich by Taoyuan Village’s standard, but they were not ‘rich’ rich. If they sold the flowers, they could have a much better life.
Old Master Gong thought for a moment and said, “Forget it. I still like the girl no matter what. Speaking of, do any of you know whose child Lingyu is carrying?” He had been wondering about that.
Xiao Wang and Xiao Zhang looked at each other.
Then, Xiao Zhang said, “Chief, Xiao Lingyu was framed in City Z and had sex with a man. The identity of that man is unknown.”
“So, the child in Lingyu’s stomach is an illegitimate child?” Old Master Gong said sharply.
“Yes,” Xiao Zhang replied.
“Logically speaking, with Xiao Zhengyang and his wife’s love for their daughter, they wouldn’t let Lingyu keep the child. So why is this happening?” Old Master Gong was confused.
Then again, how would Xiao Zhang and Xiao Wang know the answer?
Old Master Gong had a vague feeling that Xiao Lingyu’s strange attitude towards him had something to do with the child in her womb.
He just had that feeling.
Old Master Gong liked Xiao Zhengyang’s family very much, but he also liked Xiao Lingyu very much. Xiao Lingyu was sensible, smart, beautiful, and self-reliant. She was simply the representative of a new generation of women.
The only flaw was that she was pregnant before she married.
Now that Old Master Gong knew Xiao Lingyu was framed and drugged, he was furious. He said, “Send someone to investigate. I want to know who the bastard is!”
2
It was necessary to find that man. Even if he didn’t want to take responsibility, at least he had to explain himself to Xiao Lingyu and his child!
Xiao Wang and Xiao Zhang looked at each other. ‘Why did the old chief care about Xiao Lingyu that much? Could it be that he had fallen in love with Xiao Lingyu and wanted to marry her?’
When the two of them thought of this, their scalps immediately went numb, and they even felt a sense of horror.
The old chief’s body was getting healthier and healthier. Doctor Huang said that, if this continued, the old chief could live to a hundred years old.
With their old chief’s status and money, it was easy for him to find a new wife. Even in Beijing, if the old chief released the news that he was finding a new wife, many young women would line up. After all, marrying the old chief, and marrying into the Gong Family would give the woman a lot of power and money. So many people were vying for that position.
However, if the old chief took a fancy to Xiao Lingyu, then it was a tragedy.
Xiao Lingyu didn’t have any status or background. Most importantly, the young master of the Gong family hadn’t even married yet.
If Xiao Lingyu became the new mistress of the Gong Family, she would become the thorn in many powerful people’s eyes. Xiao Lingyu came from a farming village. She didn’t have any status and power. People would swallow her whole!
When the two subordinates thought of this, they shivered.
The consequences of Old Master Gong marrying Xiao Lingyu were simply unimaginable.
Xiao Wang braced himself and asked, “Old Chief, do you want to marry Xiao Lingyu? Otherwise, why are you so concerned about her?”
Old Master Gong’s face was immediately filled with black lines.
He snapped, “What nonsense are you spouting? I care about her because she is a very kind and nice junior! What are you guys thinking about?” As he said this, his sharp eyes swept across their faces before he continued, “I like this Xiao Lingyu because I want to adopt her as my granddaughter.
“Why would you think I’d harbor such filthy thoughts about a woman who could be my granddaughter? Don’t go around ruining my reputation and the child’s reputation!
“It’s hard for Lingyu already. Don’t create more problems for her.” Old Master Gong warned sternly.
Reputation was something that could be destroyed in a few sentences. However, one had to work a lifetime to cultivate a good reputation.
Xiao Wang and Xiao Zhang were ashamed. They wanted to crawl into a hole to hide. Their guesses were so wild that thinking back, their faces burned.
Xiao Wang and Xiao Zhang immediately said, “Chief, I’m sorry!” At least they were willing to admit their mistakes.
Being able to admit their mistakes was the standard of a soldier.
Old Master Gong said, “Alright, you have to be careful next time.”
“Yes!” The two replied in unison.
Old Master Gong thought for a moment and said, “Xiao Wang, tell that brat that I’ve ordered 5000 catties of strawberries. And Lingyu is not willing to sell the rest.”
“Yes, Chief!” Xiao Wang replied.
“Xiao Zhang, go and find out the identity of the man who slept with Xiao Lingyu!” Old Master Gong ordered.
“Yes, Chief!” Xiao Zhang replied respectfully.
Xiao Wang turned around to call Gong Tianhao.
However, his secretary told him that the CEO was on a business trip. He called Gong Tianhao’s phone. His phone was switched off.
When he called home, the servant also told him that the eldest young master was on a business trip.
Xiao Wang reported to Elder Gong, “Chief, the eldest young master seems to be on a business trip. His phone is switched off now. He should be on a plane.”
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Old Master Gong thought for a moment and said, “Then call Li Yuanhang.”
“Yes!”
Xiao Wang called Li Yuanhang, and the call went through.
“Assistant Li, this is Xiao Wang!”
Li Yuanhang was not surprised to receive Xiao Wang’s call.
He asked, “Xiao Wang, what’s the matter?”
Xiao Wang said, “Assistant Li, our chief has ordered 5,000 catties of strawberries from Xiao Lingyu. He paid 200 RMB per catty. I was going to report this to the young master, but I can’t reach him.”
Li Yuanhang almost knelt when he heard the price. ‘Fuck, how can the strawberries be so expensive? 5000 catties would be one million!’
Of course, one million was only a drop in the ocean for Imperial Palace.
Li Yuanhang had no idea if Old Master Gong insisted on buying all the remaining strawberries, it would cost more than four million.
Li Yuanhang lowered his voice and said, “Okay, I got it. I’ll report it to the president, Xiao Wang.” Then he thought for a while and said, “Xiao Wang, the president is on a plane to Taoyuan Village. He should be arriving there later today.”
Xiao Wang was surprised to hear that.
“The eldest young master will come to Taoyuan Village?” Xiao Wang raised his voice. Old Master Gong heard it from afar. He walked over, snatched the phone from Xiao Wang’s hand, and asked, “That brat will come today?”
“Yes, Old Master!” Li Yuanhang said very respectfully, “The president has something to do at Taoyuan Village.”
“I’m already here. What does he have to do that he has to fly over personally?” Old Master Gong was puzzled.
“Old Master, it’s a good thing!” Li Yuanhang said mysteriously. “When the time comes, the president will definitely give you a surprise.”
Old Master Gong would have a great-grandson. He hoped it was a good surprise and not a bad one.
Old Master Gong snorted and said, “Hmph, what kind of surprise can that Brat give me? He can bring me a new wife. That would be a surprise.”
After hanging up the phone, Old Master Gong kept trying to figure out what kind of surprise Gong Tianhao wanted to give him.
Old Master Gong asked, “Xiao Wang, tell me, what do you think the surprise the Brat wants to give me?”
Xiao Wang shook his head and said, “Old Chief, I don’t know.”
The eldest young master was mysterious and unpredictable. He couldn’t have guessed his mind.
On this day, Old Master Gong kept thinking about the surprise Li Yuanhang mentioned, so when he went to the strawberry field to pick strawberries, he seemed a little absent-minded.
He looked out the entrance from time to time as if willing his grandson to exist.
“Old Master, are you not feeling well?” Mother Xiao noticed Old Master Gong’s absent-minded state and asked with concern, “Why don’t you go back and have a good rest?” After all, Old Master Gong was old, and he should rest often.
Old Master Gong said, “I’m fine. I’ll continue picking strawberries!”
At this moment, a lavish car arrived at the entrance of Taoyuan Village.