Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Fortune Favors the Prepared

"Well, well, if it isn’t Wanwan." Zhou Huai’an was the first to spot Chi Wan, adjusting his sunglasses with one hand. "What goodies have you brought me this time?"

The person talking with Zhou Huai’an turned at the sound of his voice. It was none other than Xiahou Yu, whom she had just seen yesterday!

However, Chi Wan wasn’t very familiar with him, so she simply gave him a nod by way of greeting.

She said to Zhou Huai’an with a beaming smile, "Brother Huai’an, I’m not here to pawn anything today. I actually have a small favor to ask~"

Zhou Huai’an scoffed good-naturedly. "I knew it. You little rascal, you never show up unless you want something."

Chi Wan said nothing.

She pulled a box out from behind her back and waggled it gently at Zhou Huai’an. "Well, when I do show up, I never come empty-handed."

Zhou Huai’an’s eyes lit up. He pointed a playful finger at Chi Wan. "You’re much more considerate than that rascal Huaijin. Quick, let me see. What variety is it this time?"

Chi Wan carefully took out the potted orchid. "Not to toot my own horn, but once your grandpa sees a Jade Rabbit Butterfly of this quality, he probably won’t have time to pester you about blind dates for the rest of the year~"

Chi Wan and Zhou Huai’an had interacted quite a bit because of her pawning business. Coupled with Zhou Huai’an’s easygoing, familiar nature, he would occasionally complain to her about his grandfather pressuring him into blind dates and marriage.

He said his parents weren’t around much when he was growing up, so he was used to his freedom. He had no desire to be tied down by marriage, nor did he want to ruin some poor girl’s life.

So Chi Wan had given him an idea: "Since Grandpa Zhou loves orchids so much, why don’t you cater to his hobby and gift him a few pots? Once he accepts them, it’ll be harder for him to be so pushy about it, right?"

At first, Zhou Huai’an was delighted, but then his face fell. "But I don’t know the first thing about orchids."

And that, of course, was where Chi Wan came in.

So, through this back-and-forth, Chi Wan and Zhou Huai’an had actually grown closer than she was with Zhou Huaijin. She now felt comfortable enough to ask Zhou Huai’an for help with anything.

Zhou Huai’an carefully examined the flower, clicking his tongue. "Jade Rabbit Butterfly? You know, it does look a bit like a rabbit’s ears. The names they come up with for these orchids are something else. I don’t get it. But, it does smell nice."

Meanwhile, Xiahou Yu, who was standing to the side, said confidently, "The Jade Rabbit Butterfly. It’s a three-star rare butterfly variety of the fine-leafed lotus-petal orchid. It has a rich fragrance and is considered a treasure among orchids."

Zhou Huai’an shot him a suspicious glance. "Since when are you an expert on orchids?"

Xiahou Yu smiled faintly. ’Yesterday,’ he thought.

After leaving Chi Wan’s house yesterday, he had used his outstanding memory to memorize a host of orchid species and their characteristics. He’d originally planned to use this knowledge the next time his grandfather invited Chi Wan over to look at orchids, so he could "discuss" the topic with her.

’As they say, fortune favors the prepared,’ he thought. He hadn’t expected to get a chance to use his new knowledge so soon.

But of course, he wouldn’t say any of that in front of Chi Wan and Zhou Huai’an. So, he just said calmly, "My grandfather likes orchids. I’ve picked up a few things from being around him."

Chi Wan didn’t find it suspicious. ’So that’s it,’ she thought. ’His composure yesterday when he saw the Dragon Robe really was just the ingrained stoicism of an Overbearing President.’

She winked at Zhou Huai’an. "So, Brother Huai’an? Do you feel my sincerity?"

Zhou Huai’an carefully put the orchid aside and dropped the pretense. "I knew it. Wanwan, you’re so much more thoughtful than my useless little brother. If there’s anything I can help with, just say the word. Hey, Xiahou, you should get going. I’m sure you’re busy, and Wanwan and I have some things to discuss.

"I’ll keep an eye out for that thing you mentioned," he added. "But a Jade Token that large, and high-quality at that, won’t be easy to find. So don’t get your hopes up."

Xiahou Yu was about to say he wasn’t busy, but Zhou Huai’an had already slung an arm over his shoulder and was steering him toward the door.

He only managed to call back over his shoulder, "Miss Chi, my grandfather said yesterday that your technique for dividing the plants was excellent, and the orchid wasn’t stressed at all. He’s planning to visit you in a few days with the wood he promised..."

Chi Wan nodded. "I’ll be waiting for Grandpa Xu, then."

’She hadn’t realized Xiahou Yu and Zhou Huai’an were such good friends.’

’But on second thought, it made sense. After all, Grandpa Zhou had said he and Grandpa Xu were best friends. In that case, Xiahou Yu probably knew Huaijin, too.’

’It really is a small world.’

Once outside the shop, Zhou Huai’an eyed Xiahou Yu sideways. "’Jade Rabbit Butterfly,’ ’picked up a few things’... Yeah, right. What’s your game, Xia? Let me tell you, our Huaijin met Wanwan first."

Xiahou Yu shook off Zhou Huai’an’s arm and straightened his crooked collar. "My surname is Xiahou. And besides, so what if he met her first? My grandfather thinks highly of her, and I simply admire Miss Chi’s expertise and passion for orchids. Are you... very close with her? If you can’t help her, she can always come to me. I..."

"Get lost," Zhou Huai’an rolled his eyes. "Keep running your mouth and you can find that Jade Token yourself. ’Come to you for help,’ he says. Who do you think I am? Have you forgotten when you were just a little kid running around after me with your bare butt out? I’m warning you, stop eyeing people you shouldn’t be, or else... I have a whole bunch of your baby pictures, you know."

Xiahou Yu: ...

*

Chi Wan sat in a chair, helping herself to a cup of tea while she thought about what Zhou Huai’an had said regarding the Jade Token.

’A Jade Token? Is Xiahou Yu looking for one of high quality?’

’Truth be told... she had a whole pile of such Jade Tokens in her space. If she could sell just one, her bank account balance would instantly jump by eight figures, at least.’

’The only problem was how to get one into Xiahou Yu’s hands in a way that made sense.’

Just as she was pondering this, Zhou Huai’an walked back in, looking refreshed and pleased with himself. "Alright, spill it. Is this about that unreliable uncle of yours again?"

Chi Wan held her teacup, her expression growing serious.

She slowly recounted the discussion she’d had with her parents the day before, including her own suspicions. "I just have this feeling... that the only person capable of pulling this off, who might also have a connection to our family, is Song Yangming’s biological father."

’Since Zhou Huai’an had been able to investigate Song Yangming’s biological father, it meant he, at least, wasn’t afraid of that family.’

Chi Wan had spent all night considering it before deciding to tell Zhou Huai’an and ask for his opinion.

Sure enough, after hearing her out, Zhou Huai’an’s lighthearted expression turned grave. "You’re saying you suspect your family’s bankruptcy was connected to them?"

Chi Wan shook her head. "I don’t know. It’s just a guess. But that overseas order my dad took on back then was large enough to bankrupt our entire family. Is a move of that scale really something an ordinary person could orchestrate?

"And that’s not to mention mobilizing so many suppliers, both upstream and downstream, to suddenly appear and coax my dad into staging a ’comeback’."

Zhou Huai’an was confused. "But if that’s true, and they targeted your family for Song Yangming’s sake, why would they also let him get saddled with massive gambling debts?"

A glint flashed in Chi Wan’s eyes. "That’s why I’m wondering... what if their ultimate goal wasn’t to help Song Yangming, but to target him?"