Chapter 435 - 434: Yan Shutang Wants the Ice Tree and Fire Tree

Lu Yunque and Yan Shutang both let Yun Zijin go to her room to change her clothes.

Lu Yunque had already kept a change of clothes in the small courtyard, so what he was wearing today was different from yesterday.

After they left, cleaning staff would come in and give the small bamboo courtyard a thorough cleaning.

This was a standard procedure that had to be completed every time Lu Yunque stayed in the courtyard.

Yun Zijin went back to her room and quickly came out in a fresh set of clothes.

When she returned to the living room, she found Lu Yunque and Yan Shutang sitting opposite each other. They weren’t speaking, and the atmosphere was awkward.

"What are you two doing?"

Yun Zijin’s voice immediately broke the tense atmosphere.

"You’re back. Come, have a seat!"

Yan Shutang made himself completely at home, directly motioning for Yun Zijin to sit down.

Yun Zijin walked over and sat down beside Lu Yunque.

"Minister Yan, let’s not beat around the bush. Why are you here to see me today?"

Yan Shutang was a very busy man; he never showed up without a reason. For him to suddenly appear at her housing complex and wait so patiently and humbly outside her door...

Yun Zijin just knew he had to be up to something.

But since he was already here, she couldn’t just ignore him.

"I came to see you today. Mainly about this."

Yan Shutang produced a photo from somewhere and handed it to Yun Zijin, the person at the center of it all.

"If I recall correctly, this is your villa at Xingyu Mansion, isn’t it?"

The photo Yan Shutang showed Yun Zijin was none other than the picture of the Ice Tree and Fire Tree that Huo Yue Lan had taken at Xingyu Mansion.

"Don’t you think you should explain to us what these are?"

Yan Shutang hadn’t expected it either. He had just been casually scrolling through his social media feed when he stumbled upon such a startling sight.

Yan Shutang had spotted the two trees in the photo immediately.

At first, he thought they were fake, but the more he looked, the more real they appeared.

The moment he made the discovery, he had rushed right out the door.

He just hadn’t expected to be stopped outside by the security guards at Jade Lake.

Still, seeing how strict the security was where Yun Zijin lived, Yan Shutang breathed a sigh of relief.

"They’re... just two trees I planted in my garden. Their appearance is just a little... unique."

’A *little* unique?’ Yan Shutang thought. ’More like a *billion* times unique.’

"Heh. Do you really think I’d believe that?"

Yan Shutang shot Yun Zijin a look that clearly said, ’Do you take me for an idiot?’

Lu Yunque had only come inside to prevent anyone with ill intentions from taking photos of Yun Zijin and Yan Shutang together and starting rumors. But when he saw the photo Yan Shutang showed her, he rubbed his nose.

"Uncle Yan, I know about these trees. Zijin really did just plant two trees in her garden. She didn’t do anything else.

However, I’ve acquired a pair as well, and I’m preparing to hold an auction in Dijing.

If you’re free, Uncle Yan, you should come. I’ll have an invitation to the auction prepared for you."

With the man right on their doorstep, Lu Yunque couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

Since Yun Zijin had already given him the seeds, Lu Yunque didn’t mind taking the responsibility for this.

Yun Zijin already possessed too many things that made others burn with envy. ’The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be broken by the wind.’ Lu Yunque wanted to draw more of that attention onto himself.

Take the Ice Tree and Fire Tree, for instance. After the auction, people would be watching him and the Lu Group, not focusing their attention on Yun Zijin.

"You’re going to auction off the Ice Tree and Fire Tree?"

The moment Lu Yunque spoke, Yan Shutang guessed his intentions.

To be honest, Yan Shutang’s preference would have been to suppress all information about the Ice Tree and Fire Tree. He’d want to send samples to a botanical research institute to maximize their potential.

But Yun Zijin and Lu Yunque had obviously already decided on an auction, and word was already out.

He just wasn’t part of their target demographic, which was why he hadn’t heard anything until now.

If he hadn’t checked his social media on a whim, the auction might have come and gone without him ever knowing.

Lu Yunque nodded. "The auction is just one part of the plan. Samples will also be sent to the research institute."

However, it would be impossible for the research institute to get an exclusive sample.

Regardless of whether the researchers could make any breakthroughs, the Ice Tree and Fire Tree were going to be put into use.

"Since you’ve already made up your minds, so be it.

However... Yun Que, you know as well as I do that your Uncle Yan here doesn’t have much money. At an auction, I definitely wouldn’t be able to outbid the others..."

Yan Shutang didn’t finish his sentence, but Lu Yunque and Yun Zijin knew exactly what he was implying.

But, as everyone knows, things that come too easily are rarely treasured.

Lu Yunque had no intention of letting Yan Shutang obtain the Ice Tree and Fire Tree that easily.

"Uncle Yan, I don’t have many on hand myself. The pair we just finished cultivating is the one we’re preparing for the auction.

But we’re still in the process of cultivating more. Once we have a second pair, we’ll prioritize sending it to the research institute..."

Hearing Lu Yunque’s words, Yan Shutang frowned slightly. ’So they’re still being actively cultivated?’

And from the sound of it, if he wanted one, he’d have to get in line.

If he wanted to get them sooner, he’d have to win them at the auction. Otherwise, he’d just have to wait, and who knew when the second pair would be ready. It seemed like a long way off.

Since Lu Yunque wanted to leverage the principle of "scarcity creates value," he couldn’t possibly let too many Ice Trees and Fire Trees flood the market.

At this thought, Yan Shutang’s brow furrowed. "Is there no other way?"

Yan Shutang genuinely wanted them, but it was also true that he didn’t have the money to compete with others at an auction.

"For now, there are only two options: the auction or waiting. Uncle Yan, if you don’t want to participate in the auction, then you’ll have to wait for news from me."

’I absolutely can’t make an exception here,’ Lu Yunque thought. ’Otherwise, when more people come asking for one later, what am I supposed to do? Give it to them or not?’

’If I refuse, I’ll be accused of playing favorites, which could easily stir up unnecessary trouble.’

’But if I give it to them, the "scarcity creates value" effect I’m aiming for will be lost.’

So, no matter what, Lu Yunque was not going to budge.

Seeing Lu Yunque’s firm tone, Yan Shutang knew there was no room for negotiation.

"Fine. In that case, give me the invitation to the auction you mentioned. I’ll go and take a look."

’It’s not just that I want to buy it,’ Yan Shutang thought. ’I have to acquire it and hand it over for research. Who knows what they might discover.’

That was his plan, but he hadn’t considered what he would do if there was only one pair of the Ice Tree and Fire Tree up for auction.

"Rest assured, I could forget anyone else, but I would never forget you. The invitations are still being prepared. The moment they’re ready, I’ll have one sent over to you right away."

It was just an invitation, after all. Lu Yunque certainly wouldn’t be stingy about that.

Just then, a servant finished brewing tea and brought a cup for each of the three of them, placing one in front of each person.

The moment the servant set the teacup down, Yan Shutang could tell this was no ordinary tea.