At the doorway, as Li Mei was about to step out, she saw Old Wang approaching with bodyguards, his aura imposing. Her face instantly turned ashen! "Old Wang, if the ginseng didn't grow, you can't blame Er Zhu alone. Perhaps your care was insufficient?"
"Besides, Er Zhu didn't ask for money back then. What right do you have to settle accounts with him!"
Hearing the villagers' nonsensical chatter and seeing Old Wang's stern expression, Li Mei pulled Er Zhu behind her and questioned him.
Even though Er Zhu was very powerful now, he still couldn't afford to offend Old Wang!
Li Mei watched Old Wang warily, as if ready to fight him to the end!
"Big Sister, you've misunderstood. We're here today to thank Er Zhu Ge."
Before Old Wang could speak, Wang Xiaofeng, standing beside him, glanced shyly at Er Zhu and said with a smile.
Huh?
Li Mei was stunned, momentarily taken aback by the sudden turn of events and unsure what to say. The villagers who had gathered to watch were even more bewildered.
Their shop was smashed, yet they were here to thank Er Zhu? Had Old Wang been kicked by a donkey?
"Yes, I've come to thank you. The ginseng you gave me last time has been successfully planted!"
Old Wang excitedly grabbed Er Zhu's hand, showing him photos on his phone as he spoke.
The photos showed over a dozen ginseng seedlings emerging from the ground. Although they were just small seedlings, Old Wang was visibly delighted!
"Mm, take good care of them. This is a hundred-year-old ginseng!"
Er Zhu appeared calm. He nodded slightly and gave a few more instructions.
"Old Wang, what about your shop then?"
Amidst their shock, the villagers grew increasingly confused. Someone finally dared to ask.
"Ah, that's not my shop. The owner just happens to have the same surname, Wang. You must have misheard."
Old Wang paused, then seemed to recall something and laughed heartily.
There were dozens of traditional Chinese medicine shops in town, and the number was increasing by over a dozen each year. It was normal for owners to share the same surname, and hearsay was common.
"Hehe, so that's how it is."
The villager scratched the back of his head and gave an embarrassed, foolish smile. The villagers beside him glared at him.
"If you don't know something, don't speak carelessly. Do you think Er Zhu is someone you can afford to offend?"
"Exactly! If you can't speak properly, just sew your mouth shut!"
The villagers subtly glanced at Er Zhu, then glared at the talkative villager. The latter's face turned green, but he remained silent.
"Er Zhu, this is half the shares of my pharmacy. Please accept it!"
Old Wang ignored the villager, slapped his forehead as if remembering something, and handed Er Zhu a document with a beaming smile.
"Half the shares of the pharmacy? I remember Old Wang owning over a dozen pharmacies in town!"
This statement immediately drew shock and envy from the villagers. The young man who had spoken earlier exclaimed, his eyes nearly popping out.
"More than that! Our family owns over twenty pharmacies in town, and our pharmacies are spread throughout the province, with monthly revenues in the tens of millions!"
Wang Xiaofeng said with a cold snort, glancing proudly at the villager.
Tens of millions?
Er Zhu himself earned quite a bit, and with the pharmacy dividends, he would likely earn hundreds of millions a year!
The villagers couldn't help but look at Er Zhu, their eyes filled with admiration!
Among the crowd, Uncle Liu watched Er Zhu with reddened eyes. He suddenly realized that his decision back then might have been wrong!
Er Zhu was a dragon soaring in the heavens, yet he had tried to confine him to this mountain village…
Although Uncle Liu regretted letting Er Zhu run for village chief, he couldn't find a suitable replacement for the time being, nor could he let him go!
"That's right, once that hundred-year-old ginseng matures, it can bring in several million more in income!"
Seeing the envious gazes of the crowd, Wang Xiaofeng became even more smug. The thought of the lush green ginseng seedlings made her eyes sparkle.
She used to think Er Zhu was just a village doctor, but she never expected him to be so capable!
With just a bag of medicinal fertilizer, he could cultivate a hundred-year-old ginseng!
It was simply incredible!
This incident made Wang Xiaofeng let go of all her prejudice against Er Zhu, and she even developed a hint of affection for him!
It was precisely because of this that she called him Er Zhu Ge.
Of course, this little sentiment was known only to herself, and no one else was aware of it.
Boom!
Wang Xiaofeng's words struck the villagers like a bolt from the blue, leaving them all dazed. They looked at each other, unsure what to say.
Er Zhu had initially wanted them to plant it, but they hadn't, which was why he gave it to Old Wang!
Those millions of dollars in profit should have been theirs!
The villagers roared with regret in their hearts, but it was too late to say anything now!
"Er Zhu, if you have any more wealth-generating projects, be sure to tell us. We'll plant whatever you tell us to plant from now on!"
"Yeah, who would complain about having too much money? As long as it's legal, we'll do anything!"
"Er Zhu, do you still have any of those rare Chinese herbs from last time? We'll pay a high price!"
…
The villagers, having recovered from their shock, flocked to flatter Er Zhu. But Er Zhu merely glanced at them and spoke slowly.
"Let's not talk about these things now. We'll discuss future projects later."
With that, Er Zhu supported Old Wang and entered the house, leaving behind a group of ashamed and regretful villagers.
Old Wang's success this time had undoubtedly been a harsh blow to the villagers. Although they regretted their past actions, they had no grounds for complaint and could only swallow their bitterness.
"Er Zhu, tomorrow is the monthly pharmacy conference. You must attend."
As soon as they were seated, Old Wang clasped Er Zhu's hand, looking at him with great anticipation.
"I want to introduce you grandly to all the store owners, so they will follow your lead!"
Old Wang's eyes were filled with affection and admiration. He gently patted Er Zhu's shoulder, as if Er Zhu were his successor.
"I can, but I'll only have half a day. I need to check on the fruit shop in the afternoon."
Er Zhu agreed, thinking he would be going to town tomorrow anyway. As he spoke, he looked in the direction of the fruit shop.
"By the way, I heard someone bought an entire row of shops on Commercial Street. Was that you?"
Wang Xiaofeng's eyes darted, and she suddenly recalled the hot rumor circulating in town. Her eyes were filled with adoration.
She knew Er Zhu was rich, but she hadn't expected him to be this rich!
That entire row of shops would be worth tens of millions at a conservative estimate!
Even for their Wang family, it would be a painful expense, let alone for a villager like Er Zhu!
"Mm, the fruit shop is getting more and more customers. Expansion is necessary."
Compared to Wang Xiaofeng's excitement, Er Zhu appeared much calmer, as if all of this were a trivial matter.