Urban Most Awesome Dad - Chapter 202

Chapter 202: Chapter 202 Another Freebie_1
 

“Xu Fan, what an eye for detail you have. This tea indeed comes from the mother trees perched upon the cliff tops of Wuyi Mountain. I never expected you to discern its origins with just a single sip. I, Wang Fangtong, consider myself deeply immersed in the world of tea, but only upon meeting you have I realized that there are always people who are more skilled, heavens beyond this heaven,” Wang Fangtong said with a tinge of admiration to Xu Fan.

Although Xu Fan was four or five decades younger than him, what Wang Fangtong respected most were talented individuals. Clearly, Xu Fan was one of them.

“Boss Wang, you flatter me. Indeed, I don’t understand tea. It’s just that through tasting, I can sense a hint of the tea’s growing environment,” Xu Fan said modestly to Wang Fangtong.

“Xu Fan, that makes you even more remarkable. Anyone who drinks enough tea will know a bit about it, but only a natural-born ability like yours to perceive the essence of all things is truly special. Most people don’t possess that kind of spiritual energy, which is why I had to invite you over for a chat as soon as I met you – I was simply too curious,” Wang Fangtong explained to Xu Fan, his interest evident in his voice.

“Oh? What are you curious about, Boss Wang? Please do tell,” Xu Fan asked indifferently.

“Xu Fan, could you tell me why you were drawn to that jade pendant at first glance? I’ve looked over this jade pendant many times before, always feeling it contained some worth, yet despite countless inspections, I couldn’t unravel its mystery, which is why I put it on display. I thought my feelings toward the jade were a mistaken impression of the past, but as soon as I saw you, I knew there was something extraordinary about it. If you can sense the environment in which tea grows just by its flavor, could your perception of jade be unusual as well?” Wang Fangtong shared the thoughts he’d harbored deep in his heart with Xu Fan.

“Just to be clear, no matter the value of this jade, since I, Wang Fangtong, have taken it out, it is now your property, Xu Fan. I’m merely very curious about this piece. If you’re willing to resolve my doubts, I won’t ask for a penny and would like to offer the jade as a gift for our meeting,” Wang Fangtong quickly added, worried that Xu Fan might misunderstand his intentions.

When Xu Fan was shopping for clothes at Chen Lele’s store, he had jokingly lamented how he hadn’t spent a single penny that day; Elder Lin wouldn’t take his money for the medicine, and Chen Lele wouldn’t take his money for clothes. As it turned out, the coincidence extended further – even Boss Wang wouldn’t take money for the jade pendant.

Xu Fan touched his nose – could today really be his lucky day?

“Would you ease the curiosity in my heart? I’ve always had a special feeling towards jade, which is why I’m able to run such a large jade business, but this jade pendant is the one thing I cannot see through. I’m truly curious,” Wang Fangtong said to Xu Fan, mistaking Xu Fan’s nose-touching as hesitation.

“Oh, I see,” Xu Fan replied with a faint smile.

He had assumed that no ordinary person would ever discern the mysteries within the jade pendant, but even Boss Wang seemed to have felt something unusual about it.

However, he was merely a mortal; albeit with an extraordinarily unique connection to jade, but the pendant was a relic left behind by a supreme martial artist a thousand years ago – how could the average person truly see through it?

Moreover, although this jade had once been a spiritual treasure, for unknown reasons, its guardian spirit was no more, leaving only a repair array and an altar behind. It was uncertain when it might repair itself and restore the jade pendant.

The current pendant was severely lacking in spiritual energy, nearly indistinguishable from ordinary jade. For Boss Wang, not being a cultivator skilled in artifact refinement and yet feeling something extraordinary within it, was quite impressive indeed.

However, keeping this jade pendant with Boss Wang was of no use; it would only remain buried and unappreciated. In the hands of Xu Fan, the jade could showcase its original splendor, for Xu Fan was a grandmaster in refining magic artifacts.

In the current Yan Country and on Blue Star, Xu Fan had yet to meet a martial artist truly skilled in both pill refinement and artifact refining. Therefore, only Xu Fan could restore the jade pendant to its status as a genuine spiritual treasure.

However, since Wang Fangtong had already spoken his mind without reservation, Xu Fan didn’t keep anything hidden and slowly explained, “Boss Wang’s guess is correct; this piece of jade is indeed extraordinary. Nevertheless, in the hands of a common person, it’s just an ordinary jade stone. But in the hands of a martial artist, it can demonstrate a certain value. However, this jade has sustained significant damage and can only achieve less than ten percent of its peak function. Otherwise, if it were undamaged here, it would definitely become the object of martial artists’ contention.”

“What? It’s actually something that martial artists can use?” Wang Fangtong asked a bit surprised.

He was a man of considerable wealth and had encountered real martial artists, so he was not as ignorant about the martial arts circle as an average person would be.

If this ancient jade indeed could attract the coveting of martial artists, wouldn’t that put him in great danger? Honestly, even though the security measures in place were sound, Boss Wang knew very well that they might deter common burglars but certainly not the legendary martial artists.

“Boss Wang need not worry. Even for martial artists, it’s very hard to discover the secret within this jade. It’s greatly damaged, and without repair, it can hardly manifest any effects. It’s useless for the average martial artist to steal it,” Xu Fan said with a smile to Wang Fangtong.

“That’s reassuring to know. It appears that I’ve unknowingly been keeping a ticking time bomb by my side. Lucky for me, young friend, you reminded me,” Wang Fangtong said as he clasped his hands in a salute to Xu Fan, full of gratitude.

To Zhao Dong, who was watching the situation, the scene almost seemed humorous.

Although he didn’t understand the intricacies inside the jade, he watched as his boss Xu Fan managed to secure a jade pendant worth over two hundred thousand without spending a dime, and in the end, Elder Wang even had to thank him. The whole scenario felt just like the great swindler Uncle Benshan from the past Spring Festival galas.

With just a few words, he hoodwinked someone, and afterward, the person even thanked him.

Impressive, truly impressive!

No wonder he’s the boss, and I’m just his subordinate. The disparity lies right there.

Zhao Dong’s admiration for Xu Fan deepened unconsciously once again.

Xu Fan, unaware of Zhao Dong’s current thoughts, humbly declined when he saw Elder Wang clasp his hands, “Boss Wang, please, there’s no need for formality. I am the one who should be thankful for taking advantage of you with this jade.”

“You helped me remove a worry and solved a mystery for me, so it’s only right for me to thank you,” Wang Fangtong insisted nonchalantly, still convinced in his address to Xu Fan.

“Alright, but I do have another favor to ask of Boss Wang,” Xu Fan nodded and spoke to Wang Fangtong.

“Whatever it is, as long as I, Wang Fangtong, can be of help, I will not refuse,” Wang Fangtong declared, patting his chest, ready to take on any responsibility.