Skeptical, Ren Boying took a bite, then said, “Try it. This is way better than salmon.”
“No way?” Xu Chen looked dubious but picked up a slice, dipped it in sauce, and ate it. The flesh was tender, fresh, and utterly delicious. “This is really black carp? How’s it so different from others? It’s amazing.”
“That’s an exaggeration.” The others didn’t believe him but tried it anyway, and were instantly hooked. However, the plate was mostly ice, and the sashimi vanished quickly.
“Young boss, more sashimi!” Zhang Yunwei called.
The fish used for sashimi weighed around three pounds, so there was more. Yang Jiabo had two additional plates brought out.
Yang Jiabo: “You should try other dishes too. Not to boast, but everything here is exceptionally good.”
The group sampled other dishes. They were well-traveled and had eaten plenty of fine food. The cooking here wasn’t necessarily superior, but the ingredients’ freshness was unmatched. Soon, without Yang Jiabo’s prompting, they dug in eagerly.
Once they’d eaten their fill, a fruit platter arrived, filled with produce from the orchard. After tasting it, Meng Fan declared he’d buy all the remaining fruit to take home, whether as gifts or personal snacks. But Meng Three-Year-Old was quickly overruled, as even Ren Boying wanted some for his elders.
Examining the cordyceps in his bowl, Ren Boying asked curiously, “Jiajia, your cordyceps are top-grade. Where’d you get them?”
“I grew them myself. Though they’re a restaurant specialty, I rarely sell them.” Yang Jiabo’s cordyceps were in such high demand that regular customers came specifically for them.
Ren Boying: “My grandfather has lung issues. Could I buy some?”
“No problem.” Yang Jiabo nodded.
“Brother Ren, this isn’t cordyceps’ native region. Medicinal herbs aren’t like other products, the same herb from different places has varying potency. The best cordyceps come from the Tibetan Plateau. If you need some, I can have someone bring them.” Qin Ruiwen said.
Yang Jiabo replied honestly, “Mr. Qin makes a fair point. I haven’t compared them, so I can’t speak to my cordyceps’ efficacy.”
“My grandparents have tried them, they’re far more effective than wild cordyceps on the market.” Wei Jing said.
Yang Jiabo had given his family plenty of cordyceps. His grandmother, formerly of the drug administration, found them unusually potent and had them tested - confirming they outperformed wild ones. His orchids were also exceptional, leading many to assume he had secret cultivation methods.
“Jiajia, how much cordyceps do you have left?” Ren Boying was intrigued.
Yang Jiabo thought for a moment. “Not much, about 500 grams. I need to keep some for the restaurant.”
“Brother Wei Jing, why do you keep defending Yang Jiabo? Brother Ren has always been good to us, you shouldn’t lie to him for Yang Jiabo’s sake. Non-native cordyceps being better than wild ones sounds like a scam.” Qin Rong couldn’t hold back.
Since arriving, Qin Rong had felt nothing went her way. Everyone sided with this rural small-time boss, even though she was their longtime friend. Resentful, she grew to dislike Yang Jiabo.
“Neither Jiajia nor I need money badly enough to lie to Brother Ren.” Wei Jing’s tone cooled. If not for Qin Ruiwen, he’d have shown her the door. He’d known Qin Rong was spoiled but hadn’t realized her true nature until today.
“Brother Wei Jing, don’t be angry. I didn’t mean to accuse you, I just worry you’re being deceived.” Qin Rong floundered at his displeasure.
“Heh, comparing your IQ to Brother Wei’s? The audacity.” Chang Jin sniped.
“If my sister offended anyone, I apologize on her behalf. We spoiled her, she’s not malicious, just too blunt, which often rubs people the wrong way.” Qin Ruiwen stepped in to smooth things over.
“Qin Rong, you really should rein in your temper. Even your brother admits you lack tact.” Chang Jin deliberately twisted Qin Ruiwen’s words.
“Enough. You grown men should cut the young lady some slack.” Zhang Yunwei, a covert chauvinist, saw no need to nitpick with Qin Rong.
“We’ve eaten enough. Let’s all rest, everyone’s tired and tempers are flaring.” As the eldest, Ren Boying mediated.
Yang Jiabo saw the pattern now - Qin Rong seemed to like Wei Jing, constantly seeking his attention. His tea performance had humiliated her, and Wei Jing kept defending him, fueling her resentment.
What kind of logic is that? Shouldn’t she try to win him over to impress Wei Jing?
Probably looked down on him as a country bumpkin unworthy of her effort. He’d have to warn Wei Jing, don’t be blind enough to fall for such an illogical, low-IQ woman.
After seeing his friends off, Wei Jing returned to the bamboo house to find Yang Jiabo staring at him oddly.
“What’s wrong?” Wei Jing asked, baffled.
“That Qin Rong likes you, doesn’t she?”
Wei Jing: “Just a childish crush.”
Yang Jiabo scoffed. “A ‘child’ with that figure? A beauty like her chasing you, and you’re not even a little tempted?”
Wei Jing: “No, we’re too different. I see her as a neighbor’s kid sister.”
Yang Jiabo exhaled in relief. “Good thing you’re not into her. A sister-in-law like that would be a nightmare.”
“What nonsense are you spouting?” Wei Jing ruffled his hair.
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