Daily Life in the Countryside After Being Reborn

Chapter 820: Chapter 126: Making the Stakes Clear

Xu Changfu never thought there would be a day he’d sit face-to-face with the Mei Family again for negotiations.

The last negotiation was thirty years ago, with Mei Xiang as the counterpart. The results of that negotiation led the Xu Family to avoid North China for thirty years.

Unexpectedly, thirty years later, Mei Xiang has disappeared, and the Mei Family’s influence has long declined, yet he finds himself timidly sitting at the Mei Family’s table.

He originally thought that at least domestically, he could do as he pleased. Little did he know Mei Nian would suddenly retaliate fiercely, now leaving the domestic medicinal market unfavorable for the Xu Family.

Both sisters of the Mei Family, born from the same womb, possess equally cunning and vicious personalities.

In last year’s ginseng market battle, the Xu Family poured extensive manpower and resources to win over the herbal market, especially the ginseng sector, only to be forced to retreat by Mei Nian within a few months.

Moreover, she became even more aggressive, not only in the matter of ginseng, but also trying to seize the Southwest region’s business involving Cordyceps, matsutake, and other rare dried goods originally belonging to the Xu Family.

Upon hearing Mei Nian frequently communicating with medicine farmers and mushroom farmers in that region, Xu Changfu could no longer sit idly, flying directly to Beijing where he brought his granddaughter Xu Lan Ya along.

The group agreed to meet at an advanced private club in the Beijing Suburb, with Mei Nian bringing Xiao Xian, and Xu Changfu bringing Xu Lan Ya, approximately arriving at the private club around the same time.

"Mr. Xu, long time no see," "Mei Nian" greeted, seeming to be in quite good spirits.

Xiao Xian glanced from the side, secretly thinking that this enigmatic Changbai Mountain Ginseng Spirit Baby, regardless of its specific capabilities, undoubtedly has first-class learning ability. Replacing the previous True Mei Nian, who would never show a pleasant face to Xu Changfu.

A slap doesn’t hit a smiling face.

Xu Changfu thought the same; "Mei Nian’s" excessive politeness certainly carried some intrigue.

"Mei Nian, since we’re already seated, there’s no need for pretenses; speak directly. If you stay in the north-east or North China, or even seize the market in East China, I can tolerate it. But Southwest and the Guang regions have belonged to the Xu Family from the late Qing Dynasty to now, and you’ve stretched your hand too far. The purchase of Tibet Cordyceps and Yun Gui matsutake must not be meddled with," Xu Changfu had someone send over a pot of tea. A tea master in a delicate qipao knelt beside the club’s tea table, humbly pouring tea for the four.

With Xu Changfu present, Xu Lan Ya had no chance to speak, glaring fiercely at Xiao Xian a few times.

Xiao Xian was too lazy to glare back, picking up a cup of tea, covertly observing the verbal exchanges between "Mei Nian" and Xu Changfu amid the misty tea cups.

"You also know it’s the end of the Qing Dynasty. The Qing Dynasty has been extinct almost a hundred years; can past old rules still be effective?" "Mei Nian" sipped the tea, savoring its fragrance on the tongue.

"Mei Nian, don’t be shameless, do you really think..."

The sound of tea cups and teapots clattering to the ground scared the tea master away.

Steaming tea flowed down the low tea table, prompting Xu Lan Ya sitting beside it to quickly move aside.

Purplish veins throbbed on Xu Changfu’s hand, like a worm writhing within, as his hand landed on the shattered tea cup.

Among the remaining three, Xiao Xian continued to hold the teacup, only sipping the water without drinking, knowing the Xu Family’s propensity for poison, caution was essential.

"Mei Nian" remained unperturbed, sipping the tea dry, twirling the cup playfully in hand.

Xu Lan Ya saw the others still seated and sheepishly sat back down.

"Think what? You think I don’t know you tampered with the tea we drank?" "Mei Nian" suddenly laughed, filled with endless mockery. Xiao Xian paused, glancing at the teacup, questioning if Xu Changfu dared to poison directly? Was it the water or were the tea leaves tainted?

"You? Switched the tea leaves?" Xu Changfu’s expression changed, picking up the tea cup, openly admitting there was no issue with the water, but the problem was with the tea leaves.

Neither he nor Xu Lan Ya had touched the tea. This advanced club had a Yunnan owner for public appearances, but in reality, the club was Xu Family’s property in Beijing, unbeknownst to many. How Mei Nian had come to know was the question.