The Sea Queen of 1985

Chapter 328: Chapter 328: Believe It or Not, It’s Free

Sweat beaded on Chen Nanyang’s forehead. ”Yao Ziqian, seeing as we’re both good friends with Lingling, I consider you a friend. Tell me, is there any truth to what you’re saying?”

Yao Ziqian smiled. ”How to put this... If you believe in it, it’s real. If you don’t... well, that doesn’t mean it’s not. In any case, I’m buying a house and you’re not charging me a commission. So, I’ll help you re-plan things, and I won’t charge you either. Let’s just say we’re making a new friend. How about it?”

Yao Ziqian was already trying his best to speak Mandarin, but his Cantonese-accented Mandarin sounded a bit strange. However, he spoke in a slow, steady manner, which put Chen Nanyang slightly at ease.

Chen Nanyang thought for a moment. ”Alright, I believe you. Help me fix it up.”

Chen Nanyang was a man of action. He immediately had his employees rearrange the office furnishings.

The position of the fish tank, in particular, was changed by Yao Ziqian.

This kind of feng shui layout would not only attract wealth and benefit the people here, but it also wouldn’t be overly aggressive.

”When I have some time, I’ll find some calligraphy and paintings for you. You just need to hang them up in the east, south, west, and north,” Yao Ziqian said with a nod, after seeing the main office area and Chen Nanyang’s office had been rearranged.

Chen Nanyang grew a bit anxious upon hearing this. ”Don’t wait! How about this afternoon? After everything you’ve said, I’ll feel uneasy until it’s all sorted out.”

”I’m already twenty-eight. By my grandparents’ traditional way of counting age, I’m already thirty this year. They say a man should be established by thirty—have a family and a career. If nothing happens soon, I’m going to end up a bachelor.”

Yao Ziqian carefully observed Chen Nanyang’s facial features, thought for a moment, and said, ”You won’t end up a bachelor, but your romantic fortune was previously blocked, causing you to miss out on a good match.”

When Chen Nanyang heard this, his heart skipped a beat, and he immediately thought of Han Xiaorui.

But Han Xiaorui was married now. Chen Nanyang was a gentleman, so he absolutely couldn’t bring it up.

It would make things awkward and affect their future cooperation.

Chen Nanyang preferred to believe what Yao Ziqian said was true. ”Brother Yao, I’ll be counting on you, then. Leave the house-buying to me. If you’re short on cash, I can cover you for now.”

Yao Ziqian quickly refused. ”That won’t be necessary. I have enough money to buy a house. I’ll just trouble Mr. Chen to find me a good, suitable place.”

Chen Nanyang drove Yao Ziqian to the Antique Street to look for suitable calligraphy and paintings.

Yao Ziqian, for his part, had the bearing of a gentleman. He didn’t pick any old random things, but chose the Four Gentlemen: plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum—a set of four paintings.

Chen Nanyang was taken aback. ”To improve my luck with women, shouldn’t I be buying paintings of peach blossoms?”

Yao Ziqian smiled. ”It’s not that you lack romantic opportunities; they were just being blocked before. These paintings will simply neutralize that aggressive energy, so your romantic fortune will no longer be obstructed.”

”The Four Gentlemen—plum blossoms represent noble integrity; orchids, elegant refinement; bamboo, humble resilience; and chrysanthemums, a tranquil and detached nature. They are perfect for you right now!”

Chen Nanyang looked at the paintings, slightly stunned. ”These aren’t antiques. Will they work?”

Yao Ziqian paused, then burst out laughing. ”As long as it’s a good painting, it doesn’t matter if it’s an antique, a contemporary piece, or something painted just now. The effect is the same. It’s not that complicated.”

Hearing this, Chen Nanyang breathed a sigh of relief. ”That’s good. I was about to say, don’t try to save me money. But if an inexpensive solution works, there’s really no need to spend more.”

Just as he finished speaking, Chen Nanyang stopped in his tracks.

Yao Ziqian stopped as well. ”Mr. Chen, why did you stop?”

Chen Nanyang pointed to a large, two-story shop with a three-unit-wide storefront, the second one in from the entrance of the Antique Street. ”Ziqian, don’t call me Mr. Chen. It’s too formal. Call me Brother Chen. What do you think of this shop?”

”Most people who come here love cultural traditions. Your feng shui is also part of that cultural tradition. Opening a shop here would be perfect.”

”You can find some of the things needed for feng shui adjustments here on Antique Street, or you could stock them in your shop. It would be very convenient.”

Yao Ziqian was taken aback, recalling that his master’s shop was not in a place like this.

Even though it was remote and quiet, people still came to visit, and business was endless. That was because his master was famous.

But he couldn’t do that. He was in an unfamiliar place with no connections, so he really did need a suitable location.

”Brother Chen, you’re right. This place is indeed great. I’ll have to trouble you to help me buy it.” Yao Ziqian quickly made up his mind to buy the place.

’Two stories is plenty.’

’The first floor for the shop, the second as a reception area.’

’This place isn’t far from where Wu Lingling works.’

’After we get married, I can stay in Wu Lingling’s apartment at night. Perfect.’

Chen Nanyang smiled. ”Alright, just you wait. I guarantee I’ll get it for you at the lowest possible price.”

Back at Chen Nanyang’s company, they hung the four paintings in their designated directions according to Yao Ziqian’s instructions.

Yao Ziqian and Wu Lingling said their goodbyes, but Chen Nanyang cordially invited them to have dinner together.

They had a great meal and drank fine wine.

On the way back, Wu Lingling asked Yao Ziqian, ”What did you say to Mr. Chen? He seems to be very respectful toward you now.”

Yao Ziqian smiled but didn’t go into detail, since it concerned Chen Nanyang’s privacy.

”I helped Mr. Chen out with a small matter. While we were shopping on Antique Street today, we spotted a shop. Brother Chen said he’d help me secure it, so I’ll be opening my shop there.”

Wu Lingling was taken aback. ”I was supposed to go look at shops with the store manager tomorrow, but I guess that’s not necessary now. Since you’ve found a place you like, I won’t go. I don’t know anything about this business, after all!”

”Since Brother Chen is getting it for us, you should come home with me tomorrow! You came here for me, willing to marry me, so I have to get my parents to accept you. You might have to endure some grievances, but after we’re married, I’ll cherish you and love you.”

Yao Ziqian smiled happily. ”Okay!”

The next day, Yao Ziqian bought a case of Maotai through Chen Nanyang, as well as some famous Xinghua Building pastries from Shanghai. Then he and Wu Lingling took a taxi to Jinshan Bay.

Whenever Yao Ziqian arrived somewhere new, he would subconsciously observe his surroundings.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, and a sharp glint suddenly appeared in them.

Seeing this, Wu Lingling asked, ”Ziqian, do you think our Jinshan Bay is a land of great feng shui?”

Yao Ziqian just smiled without telling the truth. ”It’s nice!”

In fact, according to his observations, the fortune of this place was in decline. Compared to other areas, Jinshan Bay’s fishing industry was struggling, and its economic development was naturally slow.

Shencheng’s development focus wasn’t on fishing, either.

However, the tides of fortune were now changing. Its luck was reversing, showing signs of soaring.

’It’s possible Jinshan Bay might even become a treasure basin.’

Wu Lingling deliberately had the taxi stop at the village entrance. She carried the pastries, while Yao Ziqian held the case of Maotai.

”Why didn’t we stop at your door? It seems a bit far!” Yao Ziqian wasn’t tired himself, but he was worried about Wu Lingling.

”You’ll see in a minute.” Wu Lingling said with a grin. ”Grandma Chen San, having a chat! This is my boyfriend, Yao Ziqian! Ziqian, hurry and greet Grandma Chen San!”

Yao Ziqian was taken aback for a second, then he smiled, understanding Wu Lingling’s thoughtful intention. ”Hello, Grandma Chen San!”

Grandma Chen San looked up at Yao Ziqian, chuckling. ”Lingling, you’ve got good taste. He’s a handsome young man.”