Chapter 2198: Ten-Year-Old Wild Ginseng
Editor: Atlas Studios
Old Master Bian favored sons over daughters. If he had any delicious food or useful items, he would give it to the Bian family’s three sons first. He did not even allow Bian Cui and Bian Xiang to go to school. At that time, Bian Xiang’s elementary school teacher had even specially visited Old Master Bian at his house and begged him for a long time because Bian Xiang was a good student. However, Old Master Bian refused no matter what.
Even after all the children grew up, Old Master Bian personally found jobs for the three sons. They all worked in state-owned factories and had leisurely jobs. On the other hand, Bian Cui and Bian Xiang had to get married early and the two of them were not even given any choice.
Bian Jian had never expected Bian Cui and Bian Xiang to fork out the money. He was just testing the waters. The five siblings kept arguing non-stop in the house. In the midst of it, Bian Ke sneaked out quietly. It was the same every time they needed to buy medicine and supplements for Old Master Bian. After they finished arguing, they would find a way to buy it.
They needed Old Master Bian to be alive. As long as Old Master Bian was alive, they would have an endless stream of connections and wealth. If Old Master Bian died, they stood to lose more than 200,000 dollars!
Old Master Bian lay on the small bed situated in the corridor between the kitchen and the bedroom. He struggled to open his eyes and look around. Although he could not speak, his mind was still clear. He knew that these children had started fighting again over the issue of ginseng.
The truth was that he did not want to eat any ginseng and did not want to continue living like this. People might say that the Bian family’s children were filial, but to him, this was simply endless torture!
In the end, the Bian family members managed to pool together 80,000 dollars. This was all the money which they had. Bian Jian put all the money together and said to Bian Ke, “Go and beg Qiao Mei and ask if she can give us the ginseng first. We’ll pay her the remaining amount later.”
“Got it,” Bian Ke said impatiently. Her original plan had failed.
The next day, Bian Ke arrived at Qiao Mei’s villa with the money and said aggrievedly, “Third Sister-in-law, just sell it to me! My grandfather really needs it!”
“Don’t call me Third Sister-in-law. The matter between the two of you isn’t even confirmed yet. Just call me… Boss Qiao. I like the sound of that better,” Qiao Mei said.
“Boss Qiao, my grandfather really can’t wait anymore. Our family has only pooled together 80,000 dollars. Can you sell it to us first and we’ll think of a way to get you the rest of the money,” Bian Ke said.
In this era, an amount of 80,000 dollars was a lot of money for a family. Some families did not even have 5,000 dollars in their savings! It seemed that the Bian family was really determined to provide treatment for Old Master Bian.
Qiao Mei would never do a business deal at a loss. If her buyers knew that she had sold a ginseng which originally cost 200,000 dollars for 80,000 dollars, they would definitely come to her to demand an explanation.
“I already said that the 30-year-old ginseng I mentioned yesterday is reserved for someone else. However, I can let you have a 10-year-old ginseng for 80,000 dollars,” Qiao Mei said.
“10 years is too little!” Bian Ke said.
There were many 10-year-old and 20-year-old ginsengs in the black market and they were all very cheap. One could easily buy a 20-year-old ginseng for about 50,000 dollars. If she wanted a 10-year-old ginseng, she could have gone to the black market! Why would she need to come to talk to Qiao Mei!
“This is a 10-year-old wild ginseng from Foshan Village. It’s definitely different from the ones that other people have,” Qiao Mei said.
Bian Ke hesitated. If she brought this ginseng home, she would definitely get beaten up. She could not agree!
“You can go back and discuss it with your family. I can afford to wait,” Qiao Mei said as she waved her hand.
“I’ll buy it! But not for 80,000! I can only give you 60,000!” Bian Ke said.
Qiao Mei looked at Meng Yuan and said with a smile, “For the sake of my younger brother, I’ll give it to you for 60,000 dollars.”
After saying that, Qiao Mei went into the room and took out a 10-year-old wild ginseng. She wrapped it up and handed it to Bian Ke. When Bian Ke opened the wrapping, she saw a ginseng that was shriveled and thin. It looked like dried radish!
“Are you trying to fool me! The ginseng that my family bought in the past doesn’t look like this!” Bian Ke said agitatedly.
“Why should I lie to you? What good will it do me to ruin the Xia family’s reputation? This is a 10-year-old wild ginseng, not a 100-year-old wild ginseng. Of course it looks different,” Qiao Mei said disdainfully.
Meng Yuan sent Bian Ke off before coming back. He looked at Qiao Mei and asked, “Third Sister-in-law, did you make a loss on the deal?”
“Huh? Why do you ask?” Qiao Mei asked curiously.
“I asked around yesterday and found out that the wild ginsengs you have are priceless. Many people are on the waiting list and the price is definitely not at this level,” Meng Yuan said.
“I see. Don’t worry, 10-year-old ginsengs are really like dried radishes to me. They are not worth much. You don’t have to worry about it. I didn’t make a loss,” Qiao Mei said with a smile.