Chapter 135: Long-term Cooperation

In an instant, the entire office was flooded with light.

Pei Dafu, Lin Feng, and the others stared at the white jade ring, struck with astonishment. This ring was no ordinary object; it was the private treasure of an empress from the Tang Dynasty. The jade appeared to have a delicate texture and a soft, gentle luster, its entire body crystal clear and devoid of any impurities. At first glance, it possessed an innate air of nobility that far surpassed any other piece of jade.

The moment they recognized its origin, their eyes met.

"I never imagined that the person who lost this 'Dragon and Phoenix' ring would be a descendant of a Tang Dynasty empress. This is truly astonishing." After appraising it, Pei Dafu praised it repeatedly, adding, "This ring is unique in all the world. Not only is the material of the highest quality, but it also symbolizes the power of the Tang Dynasty. It is a masterpiece among jades. It is a miracle that it has been preserved until today."

"Old Li, where did you manage to recover this piece?" he asked, turning to his friend.

"It had surfaced on the antique black market. If I had arrived even one step later, it likely would have been smuggled overseas. Once that happened, even if we scoured all of Jiangcheng, we would never have found it again," Old Li replied candidly.

Old Li was a leading figure in the Jiangcheng antique scene; where Pei Dafu was ranked first, Old Li was a close second.

Pei Dafu nodded solemnly and remarked, "Those scoundrels in the black market have lost all sense of decency for the sake of profit. Sooner or later, I will make them pay." He then added, "By the way, Old Li, how much did you pay to get it back? I will pay you double."

"Boss Pei, we are friends. How could I take your money? Consider this a return for the favors you’ve shown me over the years. I won’t take a cent," Old Li said politely.

Pei Dafu looked embarrassed and let out a strained laugh. Just as he was about to speak, Old Li turned his gaze toward Lin Feng, looking him up and down with curiosity. "By the way, Boss Pei, is this the Mr. Lin you mentioned to me before?"

"That’s right, this is Mr. Lin. I was just looking for an opportunity to introduce you to him. Since we’ve met today, there’s no time like the present." Pei Dafu turned to Lin Feng respectfully and said, "Mr. Lin, my friend here has heard of your superb appraisal skills and admires you greatly. Would you..."

"Since he is a friend of Boss Pei, I have no objections. Besides, I am very grateful for Boss Li's help today," Lin Feng said with a smile.

"Mr. Lin, you are too kind. Being able to befriend you is the greatest fortune of my life. My name is Li Zhong—just call me Old Li. If you encounter any trouble in the antique world in the future, just contact me directly." Li Zhong hurried over to Lin Feng and shook his hand to show his respect. "I still hold some standing in the antique industry, and I will certainly help you with whatever I can."

Lin Feng smiled and nodded. "Very well, since you’ve put it that way, I won't stand on ceremony."

"Good, good!" Old Li agreed repeatedly.

After the three chatted for a while, Lin Feng made an excuse to take his leave. The two men personally escorted him out and only returned to the shop once he had disappeared from sight.

"Wow, Lin Feng, you are so cool! I had no idea your status in the antique world was so high. You managed to help me find this ring in less than an hour!" Once they were in the car, Zhou Nianying could no longer contain her excitement, gazing at Lin Feng with immense admiration.

"That was all thanks to Boss Pei. Your goal has been achieved, so please take me back now," Lin Feng said calmly.

"Oh, right." Sensing his cold demeanor, Zhou Nianying fell silent. Before long, she dropped Lin Feng off at the Su Family Bank.

As he was getting out of the car, Zhou Nianying’s eyes darted around, and she suddenly said, "By the way, I’m going to the nursing home tomorrow. The elderly woman there has a chronic illness that many doctors haven't been able to treat. Could you help me one more time?"

"Go to the nursing home with you tomorrow?"

"This... alright. Just contact me tomorrow." Lin Feng thought for a moment and agreed; after all, he didn't want to discourage the girl's kindness toward the elderly woman.

Zhou Nianying was overjoyed. She bid him a cheerful farewell, promised to pick him up the next morning, and drove off.

Upon returning to the Su Family Bank, Lin Feng headed straight for Su Qingxue's office. She was still busy working, but the look of worry had completely vanished from her face. When she looked up and saw Lin Feng, she walked over with a joyous expression. "You're back! I have some good news to tell you."

"What good news?" Lin Feng asked, surprised.

"Jiangtai Pharmaceutical Group has now signed a long-term partnership with the Su Family Bank. Based on our current wealth management sales, we will surpass the Jiangcheng Bank within a year," Su Qingxue said with conviction.

"That is great news. With this, your position in the Su family will be firmly established. Even if the Matriarch tries to stir up trouble, she won't have the power to do so," Lin Feng replied happily.

"It is, but it’s a pity they aren't on my side. If the Su family were united, we could achieve so much more," Su Qingxue said with a touch of regret.

Lin Feng smiled faintly and patted her head comfortingly. "Different paths lead to different goals. Even without them, you can still achieve great things."

"Mm, I believe in myself. Oh, by the way, Lin Feng, President Shen and the chairman of Jiangtai Pharmaceutical have invited us to a banquet tonight. We mustn't be late," Su Qingxue said with a smile.

"A banquet? It seems what had to come is finally coming..." Lin Feng’s expression turned stern, and he fell into deep thought.

"What do you mean? Aren't they inviting us to thank you?" Su Qingxue asked, her beautiful eyes blinking in confusion.

"Gratitude is one thing, but they have a more important objective: they want to buy out my formula for the rejuvenation medicine. Only then can they feel completely secure in producing the drug," Lin Feng said bluntly. He had realized from their long-term contract with the bank that Jiangtai Pharmaceutical was getting impatient. They were trying to tie themselves to the Su Family Bank first, only to use that leverage to buy out his formula. In the eyes of businessmen, profit always came first.

"Buy out the formula? What are your thoughts? Are you going to give it to them?" Su Qingxue asked, looking confused.

"Once they have the formula, we lose our leverage, and they could terminate their partnership with the Su Family Bank at any time. So, when the time comes, just watch my lead." Lin Feng had anticipated this day would come, though he hadn't expected them to move so quickly. Fortunately, he had already devised a solution. Since the day had arrived, he could proceed with the next step of his plan.

Su Qingxue looked at him, still puzzled; she clearly had not grasped the true motive behind Jiangtai Pharmaceutical’s move.