Maximize Interest, My Money Grows Infinitely-Chapter 195 - 169: I, Xu Xian, Only Eat Meat_2

This is even more violent than making a loan with an egg.

"Okay, Mr. Jin." Tong Jialu nodded.

Jin Baogen took out a cigarette and leisurely lit it up, "Mr. Chen, how are things on your end?"

"Mei Xiang hasn’t gotten back to me yet, so we haven’t reached the point we agreed on."

Jin Baogen took a drag on his cigarette, "This matter needs to be expedited, time waits for no one."

Chen Cheng nodded, "Don’t worry, Mr. Jin, I have it under control and will resolve it as soon as possible."

The two women were utterly confused, especially since they heard Jin Baogen was going to mortgage the siheyuan, they thought this omnipotent Mr. Jin had run into financial issues.

But now it seemed that it might not be the case.

Jin Baogen stood up, "Alright, that’s it for today."

Chen Cheng also got up, "As soon as there’s news on my end, I’ll let you know immediately."

"No rush, no rush, let’s go, listen to a tune first, and see if you have any suggestions," Jin Baogen said with a smile.

Chen Cheng: "I really don’t understand this!"

"No need to understand, just watch for now."

Following Jin Baogen’s lead, the trio descended the stairs and came to the backyard.

The melody of Xipi liu shui became clearer and clearer; on the small dining table, there were also two cups of brewed tea and a plate of sunflower seeds, though there were only two seats.

Chen Cheng and Jin Baogen sat down, while Xia Tong and the other woman stood behind Chen Cheng.

"Mr. Jin, you are in quite the mood today! You’ve even set up the stage here."

Jin Baogen waved his hand, "I’m busy signing contracts and don’t have time to run back and forth."

He grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds, "Drink tea, listen leisurely."

Chen Cheng picked up the lidded bowl, and just as he brought it to his lips, an actor in red opera costume appeared in front of the four, stepping to the strident sounds of the Jinghu.

She slightly bowed her chest, and her water sleeves fluttered.

Different from the young ’guimen dan’, her cheeks, painted with watercolor makeup, carried an added touch of life’s depth.

"Outside the Pavilion of Spring and Autumn rages the storm. Whose lament breaks the silence? Behind the screen, I see a wedding sedan, no doubt crossing the Magpie Bridge."

Chen Cheng was startled; when she opened her mouth to sing, it seemed different from the Beijing Opera he remembered.

The sound was husky, but not due to a sore throat or a mishap, but an indescribable lightness and exquisite containment.

"She is singing the ’Pavilion of Spring and Autumn’ from the piece ’The Lock of the Unicorn Bag,’" explained Jin Baogen on the side.

Chen Cheng turned to ask, "Her singing voice is?"

"The Cheng School, mournful and melodious."

Chen Cheng nodded with semi-understanding, "Well, it does have a distinctive quality."

Jin Baogen laughed heartily, "Of course, Wan Ning is a great Cheng School’s leading Dan, the pillar of the Wanshou Peking Opera Troupe."

Chen Cheng did not expect that in this fast-paced entertainment society, he would appreciate such an authentic Cheng School leading Dan’s performance.

"That’s quite amazing."

"You’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg. The real highlight is yet to come!"

Jin Baogen spoke and had someone bring over a small sourwood box, which he placed on the small dining table.

"After she finishes singing, you’ll give this item to Miss Meng."

Chen Cheng curiously picked up the box, it was weighty, and a rustling sound came from inside after a gentle shake.

Xia Yubing and Tong Jialu, standing behind Chen Cheng, were also curious about what was inside.

Chen Cheng asked, "Can I open it?"

Jin Baogen nodded with a smile.

Chen Cheng carefully opened the wooden box, and not just him, but even the two women behind him were taken aback.

The box was filled with sunflower seeds, slender in shape, and each seed was exactly the same size as if made with a mold.

However, the seeds on the table were black, while those in the box were golden, gleaming with the luster only pure gold has.

"Golden sunflower seeds?"

Chen Cheng looked towards Jin Baogen.

Jin Baogen nodded.

Chen Cheng picked one up, weighing about four to five grams, and the entire box contained no less than a hundred seeds.

Not to mention the value of the gold itself, the exquisite craftsmanship alone was worth a fortune.

"All for her?" Chen Cheng asked again.

Jin Baogen nodded again; he turned to say, "You should also accompany it with a few words when giving it to her."

"What should I say?"

"Xue Liang presents the Lock of the Unicorn Bag to Xue Xiangling, Chen Cheng gives the small wooden box to Miss Meng."

Chen Cheng realized that the first half of the sentence was probably because he had not understood the synopsis of this opera scene, while the second half was clearly Jin Baogen teaching him some sweetness.

"Isn’t that inappropriate?" Chen Cheng responded with an awkward smile.

Jin Baogen smiled meaningfully, "Just do as I say, you can’t go wrong."

As they were speaking, Meng Wanning ended her song on the stage and bowed slightly.

Jin Baogen sent a meaningful look to Chen Cheng, who then took the wooden box and walked up to the stage.

Meng Wanning had noticed the man sitting at the same table with Jin Baogen from the first stanza of the song.

Now that she saw him approaching, and furthermore, standing right by the edge of the stage, her expressive eyes turned to him with astonishment and full of questions.

Yet still in character, Meng Wanning gracefully approached Chen Cheng with her steps as delicate as a lotus.

As she stood still, Chen Cheng began, "Xue Liang presents the Lock of the Unicorn Bag to Xue Xiangling, Chen Cheng gives the small wooden box to Miss Meng."

Faced with Chen Cheng who could precisely name the characters of the play, a sweet smile blossomed on Meng Wanning’s lips.

Gentle as water, her gaze fell on the small wooden box in Chen Cheng’s hand; she had heard from her master about the tradition of audience members rewarding stage performers.

However, Beijing Opera was not exactly thriving these days, and theaters were often sparsely attended, let alone receiving voluntary rewards.

"Thank you."

She folded her long water sleeves neatly, and her fingers, more delicate than tender orchids, drew two graceful arcs with her creamy, jadelike arms.

Chen Cheng placed the wooden box in her outstretched palm, offered a slight smile, and turned to walk back.