Chapter Forty-One: Business Decline

Bang!
A thunderous crash erupted suddenly, startling the staff in the secretary’s office. Their faces changed as they looked up in unison, only to see Liu Jun, furious and seething, smash the teacup on his desk. Everyone froze in fear, not daring to utter a word or even breathe loudly.

“Useless! You're all bloody useless!”
Liu Jun roared, “You brag about how impressive you are every day, but now you can’t even handle that minor Qin Feng. You’ve utterly disgraced me! A bunch of trash, useless fools!”

At that moment, Liu Jun wished he could curse everyone in the room, his heart overflowing with violence and malice.

“Mr. Liu, please calm down.”
The assistant hurried to soothe Wang Qianglong, forcing a bitter smile. “I think we may have underestimated Qin Feng. Young Wen has gone missing in Myanmar—he’s likely already…”

“What?”
Liu Jun’s eyes widened in disbelief as he shouted, “Young Wen was killed in Myanmar?”

“It’s very likely,” the assistant nodded solemnly, explaining, “And the Wen family in the capital has already sent people over. They’ll probably hold us accountable.”

“Damn it!”
Liu Jun cursed, “Those bastards want to use this as an opportunity to eliminate rivals and swallow my business!”

“Mr. Liu, we should focus on protecting ourselves right now, not settling scores with Qin Feng. This matter is definitely his doing. If he learns of Young Wen’s death, he’ll surely direct the blame toward us,” the assistant warned anxiously.

Liu Jun’s face twisted with a hint of savagery. In his rage, he laughed coldly. “Qin Feng, well, well, well. If you’re so eager to die, don’t blame me for what comes next!”

...

Elsewhere, Qin Feng and Lin Wanting had already returned to Jade Pavilion.

Yet, business had been declining these days due to a shortage of stone materials, and the shop was on the verge of shutting down.

Qin Feng scanned the area with a frown. “This shouldn’t be happening. Even if there’s a shortage of stone, business shouldn’t be this bad.”

He knew that many regular customers came not just to gamble on stones, but also to trade antiques. That’s how the business had thrived, even dominating Jianghai City’s market.

Lin Wanting was equally puzzled.

“Go rest in your room first; I’ll take care of the shop,” Qin Feng instructed.

Lin Wanting nodded and turned back to her bedroom.

As Qin Feng paced through the store, Manager Li hurried over.

“Consultant Qin, you’re finally back.”

Manager Li wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, speaking urgently, “Business has been terrible lately. Hardly anyone comes by. If this continues, we won’t last past the New Year.”

Qin Feng’s brows tightened. “What about the stone materials?”

Manager Li sighed helplessly. “They’ve all been sold out. The few raw materials we got recently were used up in the shop.”

“Thank you for your hard work these days,” Qin Feng said apologetically.

“You’re too kind,” Manager Li quickly shook his head.
Though Qin Feng was much younger, Manager Li knew this gentleman was someone he could never afford to offend.

“Don’t worry. The stone materials are already en route to the country. They should arrive tomorrow. Also, has there been any movement from the Liu family lately?”

Qin Feng thought for a moment and asked. He disliked trouble—not because he feared it, but simply because he found it tiresome. The Liu family had provoked him repeatedly; if he didn’t teach them a lesson soon, they’d only get bolder.

Manager Li hesitated briefly, then replied, “The Liu family seems to be launching a new project. They’re preparing an auction, inviting all the major tycoons in Jianghai City. The specifics are still unknown.”

“An auction?”
Qin Feng stroked his chin, murmuring, “If it’s an auction, we ought to be eligible to attend, shouldn’t we?”

Manager Li nodded. “According to protocol, we received an admission ticket.”

“Good. In that case, make the preparations,” Qin Feng said, then turned and left the shop.

Manager Li stood there in a daze, unable to recover for a long time. Did he really hear what he thought he did?
This young master, is he serious or just teasing me?

...

The next morning, at dawn.

Qin Feng rose early to wash up, donned a black suit with a white shirt and tie, and looked every bit the spirited, refined gentleman.

He opened his door to find his mother already waiting for him.

“Don’t even think of running! Eat before you leave!”

As she spoke, she even locked the door behind him to prevent any escape.

Qin Feng smiled helplessly and, rubbing his nose, sat at the dining table to await his mother’s inevitable “interrogation.”

“Mom, can you not say such things?”

Qin Feng, exasperated, protested, “Besides, even if I’m willing, Wanting might not be. It’s not up to me alone!”

“Hmph, don’t flatter yourself. I’ll tell you this: if you don’t resolve this matter this year, don’t bother coming home anymore!” his mother said sternly.

Hearing this, Qin Feng had no choice but to agree.

Leaving home, he drove straight to Master Yan’s studio.

As he stepped inside, cheerful laughter echoed from within.

Qin Feng looked up to see Master Yan, Elder Li, and a young woman he didn’t recognize seated on the sofa, engaged in lively conversation.

“Little Feng, you’re here.”

Elder Li noticed him and beckoned, “Come, sit.”

Qin Feng discreetly sized up the young woman. She looked no older than twenty-four or twenty-five, with delicate features and a graceful figure. She wore a white dress, her demeanor gentle and serene.

“Elder Li, who is she?” Qin Feng asked casually as he approached Master Yan.

Elder Li chuckled, “I forgot to introduce her. This is my granddaughter, Li Jingya. Jingya, this is Little Feng, Master Yan’s last disciple.”

“Hello,”
Qin Feng extended his hand, briefly shaking Li Jingya’s before releasing it.

“Hello,”
Li Jingya’s voice was soft, carrying the unique warmth of the southern river towns. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and friendliness, clearly intrigued by this sudden arrival.

Master Yan watched with a pleased smile, his eyes full of comfort, as if delighted by the young pair’s first encounter.

“Little Feng, you’re just in time—we were talking about you.”

Master Yan stroked his beard with a smile. “I heard you went abroad this time for business and ran into some trouble?”

Qin Feng smiled lightly, unconcerned. “It was nothing—already sorted out. But I’m curious, what brings your attention to me today?”