Chapter Thirty-Nine: Master Qin

Although Hathaway’s words were shrouded in mystery, Zheng Qiuyin’s expression grew grave. Anyone with a modicum of sense could imagine that something had certainly happened; otherwise, why would Wang Keng, who had always sought trouble with Qin Jing, suddenly vanish without a trace?

Moreover, the Phoenix Society was not to be trifled with. Was it really so upright as to do business with others in such a straightforward manner? And to produce ten million in cash at a single stroke—utterly unbelievable.

Yet, no matter how Zheng Qiuyin wracked her brains, she could not imagine that Qin Jing had already subdued Hathaway entirely, and that this whole series of transactions was Hathaway’s way of currying favor with him.

Qin Jing’s business continued, and Hathaway’s visit today was, in essence, to deliver money to his door. The purchase of ten magic stones was the main affair, with a number of subsidiary deals alongside.

“Mr. Qin, I hear you have some second-hand goods here. May I take a look?”

Qin Jing was somewhat surprised by Hathaway’s request, but he would never turn away such a fortuitous offer. He gestured toward the recently acquired second-hand items and replied, “These have just been brought in. They’re all genuine, though not particularly valuable…”

Qin Jing intended to keep some of the second-hand luxury goods for future sale to the Mythic World, so he wasn’t especially eager to part with them at the moment.

But Hathaway was unaware of this. She smiled and said, “Mr. Qin, you may not know, but the Phoenix Society oversees various commercial companies, including several department stores. I’m planning to open a new second-hand luxury counter and am short on stock. Why not let me take these items off your hands?”

She added, “We could sign a long-term supply agreement.”

Was this really such obsequious behavior?

Zheng Qiuyin was utterly stunned. She could scarcely imagine what had transpired between Hathaway and Qin Jing to bring about a situation where the Phoenix Society would set up a second-hand counter specifically for Qin Jing’s business. The venture sounded unprofitable, as if tailor-made for him.

Qin Jing was surprised, but he understood the reason. He thought for a moment and said, “Let’s discuss this later. You can send someone knowledgeable over; if suitable items turn up, I’m willing to supply them to the Phoenix Society.”

This was his way of refusing to accept personal favors, preferring to keep things strictly business.

Hathaway appeared disappointed, but dared not press further. She instructed her subordinates to purchase some of the luxury goods from Qin Jing, though her original plan had been to buy everything. Since Qin Jing insisted on normal cooperation, she did not force the issue—especially with Zheng Qiuyin present, lest the latter notice anything amiss.

After returning home last night, Hathaway had carefully considered the matter of Qin Jing. She realized that his presence could, in fact, be advantageous to her.

After all, no one yet knew that Qin Jing possessed the Tio Gem. She had seized the initiative; if she could win him over as her best friend, then when she encountered other witches in future, she could naturally call on Qin Jing for help.

Seeing the disappointment on Hathaway’s face, Qin Jing was moved. He produced a bottle of mineral water and handed it to her, saying, “See if you have any use for this.”

Qin Jing lived by the principle: if others show me respect, I return it doubly. Since Hathaway had come to support him, he did not regard her as a friend, but he treated her as a valued client, and was therefore willing to offer her something special.

“This is… Spirit Spring?”

Hathaway was astonished. When she uttered the name “Spirit Spring,” she deliberately lowered her voice, mindful that others were nearby.

“That’s right. The price is ten thousand per pound. Limited supply—each customer is allotted only one pound. At present, it’s quite scarce, but in time, the limitation will be lifted.”

Qin Jing spoke matter-of-factly. The Spirit Spring’s effects were similar to those of Spirit Valley; used together, they produced even better results. He had little Spirit Valley left and was unwilling to sell it, but he could afford to offer some Spirit Spring.

He had even decided to make Spirit Spring the store’s primary sales item. Based on the information he’d gathered from Jenny Tio, Spirit Spring was relatively abundant in the Mythic World.

“Excellent, I’ll take it all. Thank you, Mr. Qin!”

Hathaway’s face lit with joy, while Zheng Qiuyin, on the other side, looked sour. The item she had schemed so hard to obtain was now sold directly to Hathaway by Qin Jing, leaving her thoroughly disgraced.

“Qiuying, we’re leaving!”

In a fit of anger, she pulled her sister away and left the shop without a backward glance.

Qin Jing made no attempt to stop her. Today had been Zheng Qiuyin’s last chance to reconcile with him, but she still carried herself with the airs of a “beautiful CEO.” Since that was so, Qin Jing did not mind severing the customer chain entirely.

He still had good products in reserve, but for the moment, he had no intention of selling them. Items like Spirit Valley and Spirit Spring were needed for his own use.

For the remainder of the time, Hathaway kept up a casual conversation with Qin Jing, while her subordinates selected the goods they wished to purchase, and eventually settled the bill.

“Boss, six items in total. At your prices, the sum comes to one hundred twenty-one thousand.”

About twenty minutes later, a woman of around twenty approached Hathaway and reported to her.

Hathaway took the opportunity to introduce her to Qin Jing: “She’s my secretary and also my close friend, Susan. I plan for her to handle purchases here in the future.”

Qin Jing nodded, remaining silent.

“Mr. Qin, may I transfer the payment directly?” Susan asked with a smile. She was Hathaway’s assistant in business matters and an ordinary person, unaware of Qin Jing’s special significance to Hathaway. She simply thought he was lucky to have earned Hathaway’s favor.

Qin Jing considered briefly before agreeing. He had just received ten million in old bills—more than enough for expenses.

The transaction concluded smoothly. Hathaway left her contact information and took her leave. The pile of cash boxes left behind in the small shop became oddly conspicuous.

“There’s ten million in here?”

“It feels unreal.”

“Is it fake? Did he hire actors?”

Within Yan Yizhen’s little circle, many whispered doubts. The whole episode had been so fantastical as to defy belief.

Hearing these remarks, Yan Yizhen’s face darkened. She turned and rebuked them:

“That’s enough—haven’t you made us look foolish enough already? What did you say just now? That Qin Jing was pretending to be rich? And now? He’s sold his goods—doesn’t that prove his strength?”

Zhang Wei hunched his shoulders, his face burning with embarrassment. He had been the one to claim Qin Jing was putting on airs, only for Hathaway’s arrival to utterly expose him.

Yan Yizhen ignored the others, smiling as she approached Qin Jing and said, “Congratulations, Qin Jing. Should I call you Boss Qin now?”

A ten-million deal would make anyone a wealthy man overnight.

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Thank you to Huangchen Oni-chan for the reward of one thousand, and to Time in the Clouds for the tip. Tomorrow there will be an update. Please bookmark and vote for recommendations.