Sixty-Eight: Two Houses

"Gurgle, gurgle..."

After a while, the group heard a bubbling sound coming from the kettle. It was the noise of boiling water, clear proof that Chen Fengyun had used his inner energy to heat the water.

"Say what you will, but with such mastery of internal energy, Mr. Chen is no ordinary man. He is a true expert, a master."

Chen Fengyun paid no heed to the curious gazes around him. Instead, he exhaled sharply, dispersing the white mist that had gathered around the kettle and forming a layer of frost on its exterior, swiftly cooling it down.

"Mr. Chen's skills are miraculous—gathering energy to form mist, using it to boil water, then turning it into frost. It is simply extraordinary," Old Master Qian exclaimed in admiration.

"Now you should understand Mr. Chen's abilities. Don't think that just because you don't know something, it doesn't exist. There are things in this world beyond your knowledge, and there are people you cannot afford to offend," Qian Yuejin said coolly, clearly pleased, as he addressed Wang Debin and his son nearby.

"Old Master Qian, Mr. Qian, there are one thousand milliliters of spirit water in this kettle, processed by me. The old master can drink one hundred milliliters a day, and after ten days, most of his chronic ailments will be healed, and his health will return to normal," Chen Fengyun announced, opening the kettle before everyone. Immediately, a refreshing aroma wafted out, invigorating those nearby—surely, the effects of drinking it would be even more remarkable.

As he spoke, Chen Fengyun picked up a cup from the stone table and poured out some spirit water. The fragrant scent grew stronger, making everyone swallow in anticipation.

"Hahaha, thank you, Mr. Chen," Old Master Qian said, raising the cup and drinking it without hesitation. Instantly, a cool sensation spread through his body, and the old injuries began to feel warm, as if he were soaking in a hot spring—utterly comfortable.

"Let the old master rest for a while; his body will absorb the spirit water more effectively," Chen Fengyun suggested, and Old Master Qian gladly agreed, retiring to his room.

"If the old master's health improves rapidly, we'll send him back to the capital for recovery. Mr. Chen will soon be going to university there, so the old master will be closer to you, and it will be easier to ask for your help if needed.

By the way, rest assured, Mr. Chen—this villa and the property in the capital will be transferred to your name within a week. The Qian family will always remember your great kindness," Qian Yuejin said. He invited Chen Fengyun to stay for lunch, and Chen agreed. Wang Debin and his son, along with Zhang Weiming, took their leave. As they departed, Qian Yuejin said, "Old Wang, appoint Zhang Weiming as the branch factory director when you return. After all, he's an old acquaintance of Mr. Chen."

Chen Fengyun remained to share a few drinks with Qian Yuejin and Dr. Zhao. Meanwhile, after an hour's nap, Old Master Qian woke up feeling invigorated, his body restored, and many old injuries greatly improved. He could now walk slowly on his own without a cane.

After giving Old Master Qian further instructions, Chen Fengyun bid farewell, and Qian Yuejin arranged for his chauffeur to drive him home.

"Old Zhang, you went with Manager Wang to visit Mr. Qian today. How was his mood? How did your affairs go?" Back home, Zhang Weiming's mother pulled him aside for questioning.

"My matter is settled. Mr. Qian instructed on the spot that I am to be the branch factory director," Zhang Weiming nodded, though his expression was not especially cheerful.

"Really? That's wonderful! Old Zhang, you’ll be Director Zhang now. I always said following the Wang family was the right move. Look at how well Manager Wang is received by Mr. Qian. Let Qingyan date Manager Wang's son—he’s much better than Old Chen’s boy," his mother chattered excitedly.

"What do you know? Stop talking nonsense," Zhang Weiming snapped at her.

"Old Zhang, what's wrong? Aren't you happy to be director? Was I mistaken? If not for Manager Wang’s help, you wouldn’t have gotten this position."

"Let me tell you, Mr. Qian didn’t appoint me because of Manager Wang, but because of Chen Fengyun—the boy from the Chen family you look down on," Zhang Weiming replied bitterly.

"What? How is that possible? How does Fengyun know Mr. Qian?" his mother asked in astonishment.

"When we visited Mr. Qian’s house, he barely acknowledged Manager Wang, saying he’d consider the director position. But then Fengyun arrived—to treat Old Master Qian, no less.

I never knew Fengyun was a qigong master, able to refine spirit water that could extend the old master’s life by ten years. Mr. Qian treated him as an honored guest. Because Mr. Qian saw that we knew Fengyun, not only did he let us stay to witness something miraculous, he directly agreed to make me factory director as we were leaving," Zhang Weiming said with a sigh.

"Is that true? Didn’t we watch Fengyun grow up? How can he know qigong and heal people?" his mother doubted.

"I didn’t believe it at first either, but Mr. Qian certainly did. He not only invited Fengyun to stay for lunch, but also promised to give him the villa at Flower Creek and an apartment in the capital," Zhang Weiming said, still in shock.

"Good heavens! Flower Creek villa must be worth at least twenty million. And a place in the capital—even an ordinary apartment—would cost nearly ten million. Is Mr. Qian really giving him all that?" his mother’s eyes sparkled.

"The Qian family’s status is unquestionable. If they promise, they’ll deliver. You’re so snobbish—once you liked Fengyun and supported Qingyan dating him. But after seeing Manager Wang’s spoiled son, you wanted to match Qingyan with him,” Zhang Weiming said, frustrated.

"I had no idea Fengyun would be so capable. Even if he’s a provincial top scholar and got into a capital university, the Chen family doesn’t have powerful relatives. If Qingyan followed him, she’d suffer. Anyway, I only tried to match Qingyan with Wang Junguang for your sake," his mother replied, a little sheepishly.

"It’s too late for regrets. What you said in front of the Chen couple—they’ll remember. We can only hope Qingyan and Fengyun will cross paths again in the capital, and from now on, let the young people handle their own affairs," Zhang Weiming admonished his wife, and both were filled with regret.

Meanwhile, Chen Fengyun knew nothing of what had transpired in the Zhang household. That afternoon, he went about his usual business, selling a few watermelons and some vegetables. It didn’t take long for everything to be sold out—the queue was so long that many people left empty-handed.