I Have A Martial Dao World

"This drug manufacturing plant definitely wouldn't withstand a thorough investigation; who knows how many people would be involved."

Lu Yao showed no surprise as he took a taxi to the airport, while contemplating:

"This is just a primary processing plant. The raw materials are sent to 'Hebin Port in He Kingdom' for refinement. It's just the time for me to head there once I advance to the Bone-Tempering Realm."

He took a flight back to his country. Before boarding the plane, he called Li Lei to come pick him up at the airport, putting this free labor to use.

~~~~~~~~~

Three hours later, the plane landed smoothly.

"Lu Yao, over here, over here~"

The diligent Comrade Li Lei had been waiting for a while, showing no impatience and even eagerly helping with the luggage.

Detecting the strong scent of medicinal materials in the suitcase, Li Lei immediately assumed: he must have been sourcing from abroad.

Lu Yao had brought precious medicinal materials bought from Otherworld, causing the girl to misunderstand.

After getting in the car, Lu Yao asked casually, "Li Lei, I'm looking to sell some gems and jadeite. Do you have any connections?"

"Ah? Are you developing a new product?"

Several small countries in the south were abundant in jade, so she thought Lu Yao had found a new source. She nodded and said:

"I do know a few people at the International Jewelry Trading Center."

"Then let's quickly finish here, and you can take me there."

Li Lei nodded in agreement and then took out a "handheld microscope" to verify the goods.

But as soon as she opened the suitcase, she was stunned: "Why is there so much!"

Lu Yao had never bought foodstuffs in such large quantities before. Fearing that he wouldn't have enough money, he had bought out all the high-end medicinal materials from the pharmacy, more than he had ever brought back before.

Li Lei, somewhat awkwardly finished verifying the goods, played with the calculator for a long time, repeatedly checked her balance, and finally said with a flushed face:

"The total is 1.3 million... but... um... um..."

With a red face, the girl clenched her teeth and exclaimed, "I don't have enough money, I only have 930,000. Can I owe you the rest!"

Lu Yao looked at her with a strange expression, as if to say, "You're actually short of money?"

Li Lei looked like a typical wealthy second generation, and it didn't make sense that she would be lacking funds.

Entering a heightened state of awareness, he sensed she was both bashful and anxious, her expression filled with exhaustion. It seemed she indeed had run into some trouble.

Lu Yao inquired, "If you don't mind, tell me what happened."

Li Lei lowered her head and after a while, she reluctantly said:

"It's quite embarrassing... My old man brought home a vixen, not only did she swindle all his money, but she also involved him in illegal fundraising. He's now trying to plug the financial holes everywhere to get a suspended sentence."

After saying this, the girl kept her head down in silence. She felt very unsteady, afraid of losing this most important supplier.

She was also extremely embarrassed, feeling... as if she had been looked down upon.

[She had even hoped for something to happen with this rare handsome man with a good temperament...]

In her agonizing thoughts, she heard Lu Yao say, "If you're short of money, just give me 500,000, that'll be fine."

"What?" Li Lei's eyes widened as if they might burst, incredulous: "You..."

Lu Yao nodded: "That's what I mean. Make it quick."

She was a straightforward and generous woman, and quite a pleasant person. Their long-term cooperation had been very enjoyable.

The cost of his medicinal materials was only a few hundred yuan; Lu Yao didn't mind lending a helping hand for such a small favor.

Li Lei, with her head lowered, packed up the medicinal materials while casually wiping away the tears from her eyes and said calmly, "Consider the money as a debt to you; I will definitely pay it back as soon as possible."

Lu Yao, with the jadeite bracelet in his pocket, was secretly relieved: thankfully, he had prepared extra.

~~~~~~~~

The Qingcheng International Jewelry Trading Center is the most influential and largest jewelry trading market in Xia Country, gathering jewelry brands from around the world.

Recently, it was also hosting the "International Fashion Cultural Industry Expo," and when the two arrived, it was already a sight teeming with people.

Li Lei led Lu Yao to a quaint shop on the top floor.

A refined man in a Zhongshan suit greeted them and handed over his business card.

Lu Yao glanced it, which read: General Manager of Ning Cui Pavillion—Qi Jun

The man, sporting gold-rimmed glasses with a somewhat haughty tone, said, "Li Lei, long time no see. How's your uncle doing?"

Li Lei was somewhat embarrassed, not wanting to discuss this topic, and quickly introduced, "This is my friend, Lu Yao. He's the one selling jadeite. Could you take a look for us?"

Qi Jun sized him up and frowned upon seeing Lu Yao dressed in cheap attire. The jadeite brought in by customers like this was hardly ever real, and if it wasn't for a familiar face bringing them, they wouldn't even get to see him.

With a condescending air, Qi Jun said, "Mr. Lu. Let's see what you have."

Lu Yao had a poor first impression of this man. But since he was there already, he still took out the beautiful pair of jadeite bracelets.

As soon as Qi Jun saw them, his heartbeat quickened and his pupils shrank instantly, but he perfectly disguised his reaction under the guise of putting on gloves.

He took the bracelets, pretending to casually examine them, and then looked at them with a "handheld microscope," silently exclaiming:

The texture is smooth and delicate, the color is uniform and pure, the shape is plump and round, and there's even a pair! The cream of the crop! They could easily sell for 2 million!

Qi Jun struggled to contain his excitement! A few years ago, he had bought a jadeite pendant worth a hundred thousand for a mere 5,000, and basked in glory within his family. He hadn't expected another windfall to drop into his lap!

These two seemed like novices in conversation, so taking advantage of familiarity should make them easy to sway.

Qi Jun composed himself and calmly said, "In the jadeite business, second-hand goods don't fetch much. Your bracelets are alright. I can offer 20,000. If that seems fair, leave them."

Lu Yao took back the bracelets and said bluntly, "I don't think that's appropriate. Goodbye."

After speaking, he pulled Li Lei away.

The moment he produced the bracelets, he sensed noticeable greed and malice from Qi Jun.

Qi Jun had not expected the other party to walk away without any negotiation and quickly chased after them trying to save face with a smile, "Mr. Lu, Li Lei and I have been friends since childhood, I can offer you more."

Lu Yao ignored him completely and had already left the shop.

Qi Jun's face lost its casual expression, and although he tried to stop Lu Yao several times, he couldn't make contact and could only follow behind, shouting:

"You can name your price, doing business means we should settle on the cash, don't rush off."

"No need, farewell."

Qi Jun's expression could only be described as twisted, truly experiencing the feeling of a "cooked duck flying away."

~~~~~~~

Once they were far away, Li Lei rejected several calls from Qi Jun and finally blacklisted him outright.

"I'm sorry, my relationship with him is just average; I didn't expect him to be that kind of person."

The young woman said apologetically, feeling as if she had lost all face for the day.

Lu Yao didn't mind at all, "No worries. There's no trade without guile; that's just how business is."
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While they were chatting, Li Lei received another call, and this time she answered. A loud female voice came through:

["Girl~ what did you do to Qi Jun? He's been searching everywhere for you, almost to the point of going to your father's detention center."]

"Don't even mention it. I took a friend to sell some jadeite at his place, and he tried to scalp us."

["Jadeite? Come to me, let me take a look."]

Li Lei hesitated, "Are you sure?"

["Pshaw, don't look down on people! Hurry over!"]

After hanging up the phone, Li Lei said sheepishly, "I have another friend who wants to see it."