Chapter 242: The He Family and the Cao Family
Chapter 242: The He Family and the Cao Family
A few minutes later, Gao Jing, Ji Yu, Qin Qing, and her assistant were sitting in a coffee shop.
After ordering drinks, Ji Yu asked curiously, “Miss Qin, have you watched my videos?”
The nickname “Jiu Niang” first appeared on Bilibili.
Because Ji Yu appeared in every video posted by “Nine Apertures,” presenting herself as Xiao Jiu’s owner, she earned this elegant nickname and even gained a batch of fans.
“I’m a premium member on Bilibili.”
Qin Qing smiled gently. “Mr. Gao is so popular on Bilibili. I’ve seen his videos and like Nine Apertures too.”
Ji Yu felt utterly bewildered.
Qin Qing’s looks, demeanor, clothing, and conversation all radiated the grace of a lady from a wealthy family.
The kind of genuine socialite born into privilege.
So when she casually mentioned being a Bilibili premium member, it felt completely out of character.
“Actually,” Qin Qing added, “just like an ordinary person, I go online often when I’m bored, scrolling through Weibo and Kuaivin.”
This made Ji Yu feel Qin Qing was quite approachable. Despite her extraordinary background, there was none of that condescending arrogance.
Gao Jing, however, glimpsed deep sorrow and pain hidden in her eyes.
Remembering He Yuanbo, frozen beneath the ice for over three years, he couldn’t help but sigh quietly to himself.
“Cough, cough.”
Gao Jing cleared his throat. “Ms. Qin…”
“Just call me by my name,”
Qin Qing said sincerely. “And I’ll call you Gao Jing. Let’s not be so formal with each other.”
Gao Jing nodded. “Qin Qing, why did you come to this auction?”
“I’d heard of Hundred-Fruit Wine long ago.”
Qin Qing smiled faintly. “I didn’t expect you to be its owner. I caught some news back in Beijing, so I rushed here out of curiosity. That’s all.”
Her quiet trip south and sudden appearance at the Jiashang Auction House had shattered certain schemes.
Besides repaying Gao Jing’s kindness, she was also deeply curious about him.
After laying He Yuanbo to rest, the He family had discreetly investigated Gao Jing.
The investigation wasn’t malicious, but it was deemed necessary.
Thus, they learned much about Gao Jing’s identity and background. They discovered he owned the Hundred-Fruit Wine.
They even uncovered secret information about a powerful figure targeting him!
The He family couldn’t fathom how Gao Jing had managed to transport He Yuanbo’s remains to Shanzhou during the bitter winter, battling wind and snow.
Surviving the journey back from the Kunlun Mountains alone in such weather was a miracle!
Added to that was Gao Jing showing an ability to “crush stone to powder” when they met.
They placed great importance on him.
They believed him to be an extraordinary individual.
Knowing China had many unique talents, and considering Gao Jing emerged from the sacred Kunlun Mountains, the He family saw great value in building a good relationship. That’s why Qin Qing came to Huhai.
While the He family from the capital was a formidable dragon, the powerful local figure targeting Gao Jing was the entrenched snake.
Usually, the strong dragon doesn’t crush the local snake, as conflict often leads to mutual damage.
Yet Qin Qing firmly supported Gao Jing at the auction.
Directly slapping that powerful figure in the face!
The He family had many ways to repay a debt; theirs was unusually fierce.
But Qin Qing felt it was worth it.
Without making the gesture substantial, how could genuine friendship be earned?
Naturally, she wouldn’t outright reveal these underlying motives.
“Thank you.”
Gao Jing said, “Take the Hundred-Fruit Wine you bid on for half price. I’ll throw in five extra bottles too.”
It’s all about standing up for yourself and showing respect.
Deep down, Gao Jing also felt 10 million a bottle was excessive for Hundred-Fruit Wine. He had even considered lowering the price.
But choosing to lower the price willingly was different from being pressured. The scheming against him only fueled his anger!
They want Hundred-Fruit Wine? They even dare think about the recipe?
Keep dreaming! Not a chance!
Gao Jing would rather stop selling entirely than bow to anyone. He could make Hundred-Fruit Wine gifts only from now on.
The batch auctioned tonight was indeed the last one meant for the market.
Gao Jing was surprised when Qin Qing suddenly appeared, helping him flip the game to a victory he’d done little to achieve.
Of course, he couldn’t leave things without offering acknowledgment.
“Thank you.”
Qin Qing initially meant to refuse.
Neither she nor the He family needed the saving of a few million. But then she changed her mind. Acceptance seemed better.
The more you exchange favors, the closer the bond becomes. Refusing now might feel distant.
“By the way,”
Qin Qing mentioned. “I bought an apartment at Huhai One too. So we’re neighbors now.”
“Miss Ji…”
She turned to Ji Yu. “Would you welcome my visit? I’d love to see little Nine Apertures.”
Ji Yu looked at Gao Jing.
In her heart, she didn’t yet consider herself the true owner of that apartment.
She needed Gao Jing’s okay.
Gao Jing nodded.
“Of course you’re welcome!”
Ji Yu smiled brightly. “Tomorrow works too.”
Qin Qing was delighted. “Great! Tomorrow it is then. Let’s add WeChat.”
The two exchanged contact information.
Just then, the waiter brought their drinks and snacks.
Laughter and conversation flowed, and they quickly became comfortable. Qin Qing, being a year older than Ji Yu, asked Gao Jing and Ji Yu to call her “Sister Qing”.
“Sister Qing,”
Ji Yu said, “I’ll head to the restroom.”
Qin Qing’s assistant accompanied her. This left only Gao Jing and Qin Qing in the booth.
Gao Jing set down his teacup and looked directly at Qin Qing. “Sister Qing, do you know who’s targeting me?”
He wasn’t afraid of enemies. The problem was not knowing who they were. How could he fight back if he didn’t know the target? It was deeply frustrating.
He could have asked Niu Jinxing for information, but considering the pressure on the Niu family, he dismissed the idea.
Qin Qing, representing the He family, clearly wasn’t intimidated by the other side.
“From what I’ve learned,”
Qin Qing indeed spoke without hesitation. “It should be Cao Wenbo.”
Cao Wenbo was the eldest son of the Cao family of Huhai and the General Manager of Wansheng Group.
Wansheng Group is a giant in China’s pharmaceutical industry with a current market value exceeding 80 billion yuan.
That Minghui Biotechnology company that contacted Gao Jing several times? It was none other than a subsidiary controlled by Wansheng Group!
Wansheng Group possessed immense strength and was a locally rooted enterprise in Huhai. The Cao family had been established in Huhai for a century—a true local power!
Recently, Wansheng Group hadn’t been doing well. Once exceeding 100 billion in value, it had lost 20-30billion yuan over the past year. Their interest in Hundred-Fruit Wine was obvious.
If this astonishingly effective fruit wine could be developed and produced on a large scale, Wansheng Group wouldn’t just return to its peak—it could reach new heights beyond imagination.
After all, health products were also a key part of their business!
Cao Wenbo.
Gao Jing committed the name to memory.