Chapter 221: Treasure Basin

Manager Liu was genuinely shocked. He never expected that a family who grew chili peppers would receive such a lavish gift for opening a small shop.

The situation was incredibly awkward, making his own gift of silver seem completely lacking in sincerity.

Manager Wang, standing beside him, was equally embarrassed. Young Master Zhu had told him to come offer congratulations, so he had only prepared a gift of twenty taels of silver. He and Manager Liu exchanged a glance, and both men forced an awkward smile.

Even Gu Fei was taken aback. ’Su Chen is being far too extravagant,’ she thought. ’The more lavish the gift, the more pressure it puts on me. I can’t possibly reciprocate with something of equal value, whether in money or in any other way.’

With a complicated expression, Gu Fei instructed Tie Niu, "You and Xiao Lu carry this inside. Put it on top of the wine cabinet."

Tie Niu and Xiao Lu quickly and carefully carried the item inside.

Gu Zhang quickly invited Zhang Ze to come inside for some tea.

Just as they were about to enter, they saw two servants carrying another gift box over. Both men stopped in their tracks at the same time.

Gu Fei looked over in confusion. ’It seems like everyone who was supposed to come is already here,’ she wondered. ’Who could this be?’

Following the servants was Stone.

Gu Fei quickly went forward to greet him with a beaming smile. "Brother Stone, you really came."

Stone waved his hand, and the two servants set down the gift box.

Stone clasped his hands in a salute. "Miss Gu, congratulations on your grand opening. I have come on my young master’s orders to offer his felicitations."

"My young master has been staying in the military barracks for the past few days, so it was not convenient for him to come personally. I hope you can forgive the discourtesy, Miss Gu."

After he finished speaking, Stone gestured for the servants to open the gift box. Gu Fei’s eyes went wide as saucers.

Inside was a Mutton Fat Jade Treasure Bowl, about the size of a large soup bowl. It was exquisitely carved, the jade itself warm and delicate to the touch, its entire body a flawless, pure white.

But that wasn’t even what made Gu Fei’s eyes widen. The Treasure Bowl was filled with ingots of gold and silver, piled up so high they spilled over the rim. It was an absolutely outrageous display of wealth.

Gu Fei stared at Stone, dumbfounded. ’Am I really that close with your young master?’

’This Treasure Bowl might not be huge, but the gold and silver inside must be worth at least several hundred taels.’

’No, that’s not right. The Treasure Bowl itself should be worth even more—it’s made of Mutton Fat Jade!’

Stone glanced at Zhang Ze, who was standing off to the side, and said with a smile, "My young master hopes this Treasure Basin will bring wealth and treasure to you, Miss."

A few days ago, when he was returning to the residence, he had happened to see two of Su Chen’s servants carrying a box into their own estate.

The two servants were muttering as they walked, "I hope Young Master is satisfied with this green jade bok choy. I have no idea whose shop is opening, but we’ve looked for so many gifts and he hasn’t been happy with any of them."

As soon as Stone heard this, he understood. It was definitely for Miss Gu’s shop opening.

He went back and told the Young Master Heir right away.

The Young Master Heir had personally rummaged through the storeroom for a long time before finally finding this Mutton Fat Jade Treasure Bowl. But then he felt it wasn’t enough. ’Su Chen is giving jade, and I’m just giving jade? How does that make me stand out?’

’Since it’s a Treasure Basin, wouldn’t it be ridiculous if there wasn’t any gold and silver inside?’

’Gold, silver, *and* jade. That should certainly outdo Young Master Su’s gift.’ Stone’s lips curled into a smug smile.

Zhang Ze glanced over and curled his lip. ’So crass,’ he thought. ’They took a perfectly fine Mutton Fat Jade Treasure Bowl and made it look tacky with all that gold and silver.’

Gu Fei couldn’t help but mutter under her breath, "Can I refuse this?"

’Sigh... I probably can’t refuse,’ she thought. ’It’s my grand opening today. Refusing a ’Treasure Basin’ would be a terrible omen.’

Stone had sharp ears and heard her clearly, but he pretended not to, simply instructing the two servants, "Take it inside."

Gu Zhang, standing nearby, was also stunned. ’Wait,’ he thought, ’isn’t Stone’s master that same benefactor who lent us silver before?’

’Why would he suddenly send such an extravagant gift?’

’Is there something going on here that I don’t know about?’