It was almost 8.30 pm when Dong Xuebing left Yun De Auction House.
Dong Xuebing drove his Buicks MPV towards the north and called Qu Yunxuan. “Hello, Aunt Xuan?”
Qu Yunxuan replied with a tired voice. “.... Huh?”
Dong Xuebing slowed down. “You are sleeping so early? Are you overworked these few days?”
Qu Yunxuan yawned and told him to wait. Dong Xuebing could hear her footsteps in her slippers. “I am up since yesterday at 5 am and had been busy with the pre-auction exhibition. Our first auction is on the day after tomorrow and there are tons of work to do. Oh, Xiao Bing, when are you coming back? I know you are busy with your work. If you cannot come back, it’s fine. I will be around.”
Dong Xuebing acknowledged. “You are at home?”
“Yes.”
“Heping Road North?”
“Yes, why are you asking?”
“Nothing. Err... I got to go now. Bye.” Dong Xuebing wants to give her a surprise and did not tell her where he was.
Dong Xuebing’s driving had gotten better, but he still has to be careful when driving at night. About half an hour later, he drove into the small estate at Heping North Road and parked his car. He planned to give Qu Yunxuan a fright by entering her bedroom and spent the night at her place. However, it is not safe to keep the remaining wild ginseng in his car and he brought all of them back to his unit. Before Dong Xuebing left for Tai Yan County, he paid several months’ rent upfront for his apartment, as he wants to have a place to stay when he returns to Beijing.
It’s been 2 months since he returns to his unit, but his apartment is spotless.
There was not a speck of dust at home.
Dong Xuebing’s unit smelled of air freshener, and he was surprised. Other than his mother, only Qu Yunxuan had the keys to his apartment, and she must have cleaned up the place for him. Sigh... If I get a wife, she must be as virtuous as Qu Yunxuan. She will take good care of me and I won’t need to worry a thing. Dong Xuebing put down the boxes of wild ginseng and made two more trips to bring everything up from his car.
Dong Xuebing looked at his watch and picked up a box of 10 years old wild ginseng to show Qu Yunxuan. He took out Qu Yunxuan’s keys and switched off the lights of his apartment, before closing the door behind him softly. He went over to Qu Yunxuan’s unit and opened the gates and main door softly.
It was dark in Qu Yunxuan’s apartment, and he could smell her scent.
Dong Xuebing took a deep breath in the dark. His eyes were not accustomed to the darkness and could not see clearly.
He felt against the walls and placed the box of wild ginseng in the living room and walked to Aunt Xuan’s bedroom. He put his ears against the door and could hear breathing sounds vaguely. Qu Yunxuan should be sleeping and Dong Xuebing laughed to himself as he slowly opens the door. The bedroom had thick curtains and it was darker than the living room. Through the faint moonlight shining from the living room’s windows, Dong Xuebing could barely see Qu Yunxuan sleeping in her lacy nightgown.
Dong Xuebing closed the door behind him and approached her eagerly.
Dong Xuebing had been thinking of this for two months, and he pounced onto the bed and hugged Qu Yunxuan. “Xiao Xuanxuan...”
“Huh?” Qu Yunxuan woke up sleepily.
Dong Xuebing’s hand was already under her nightgown. “Hehe, do you miss me? You did not expect to see me, right?”
Qu Yunxuan finally opened her eyes and looked at Dong Xuebing before she got a shock. “Xiao Bing?!”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “Come... Let me make you feel good.”
Dong Xuebing’s eyes had finally gotten used to the darkness and saw Qu Yunxuan had a shocked and embarrassed look on her face. “Why are you here?”
Dong Xuebing replied shamelessly. “I am here to make you feel good... what’s wrong?”
Suddenly, a woman asked sternly. “What are you trying to do? Ah?!”
Dong Xuebing jumped up and looked at the other side of the bed. It was Qu Yunxuan’s mother, and she sat up, staring at him. After a few seconds, she turned and stared at her daughter.
Goddamn! Why is Qu Yunxuan’s mother here?!
Dong Xuebing knew Qu Yunxuan’s mother comes over at Qu Yunxuan’s place frequently, but she seldom spends the nights here. He thought back to his conversation with Qu Yunxuan earlier, and she had asked her to wait a while before speaking to him. It was because her mother was around, and it is not convenient for her to talk on the phone. Dong Xuebing was speechless... He is having a relationship with her daughter and was caught red-handed! There is nothing more embarrassed than this!
“Auntie, I... I...” Dong Xuebing doesn’t know how to explain himself.
Qu Yunxuan’s mother got off the bed and shouted. “Both of you go to the living room now!”
Qu Yunxuan stared at Dong Xuebing and pinched his thigh hard. “Feel good?! What are we going to do now?!”
Dong Xuebing rubbed his nose nervously. He suddenly remembers he still has BACKs, but decided not to use it. He does not have much accumulated time left and needs to use it during the auction to raise the bids for his items and other items.
Qu Yunxuan’s saw Dong Xuebing and Qu Yunxuan walking out of the bedroom slowly and asked. “Tell me! What’s going on between both of you?”
Qu Yunxuan’s face turns red.
Dong Xuebing cleared his throat but did not say anything.
Qu Yunxuan’s mother asked angrily. “Did you two have sex?”
“Ah... Mum... What are you talking about?” Qu Yunxuan tried to deny. “No...”
Qu Yunxuan’s mother pointed to Dong Xuebing and questioned. “Then tell me how is Xiao Bing going to make you feel good? Ah? What does he mean?” She saw both keeping quiet and asked again. “Have you two done it!?”
Qu Yunxuan covered her face and replied. “Yes...”
“You two! You two are the death of me!” Qu Yunxuan’s mother was angry beyond words. It was not because she looks down on Dong Xuebing. After she heard Xiao Bing had become a County’s Public Security Deputy Bureau Chief, she felt he will have a bright future. Although her daughter is several years older than him, she can still accept it. But she is furious because they tried hiding their relationship from her!
Dong Xuebing knew he had to say something. “Auntie... Errr... It’s like this...”
Qu Yunxuan couldn’t care less since their relationship was exposed. “We are dating now. Mum, just stay out of this.”
Qu Yunxuan’s mother roared. “I am your mother! How can I let you do whatever you want?!”
Qu Yunxuan sighed. “Mum, although Xiao Bing is younger than me, the gap is not that wide. He also treated me...”
“I am not asking about this!” Qu Yunxuan’s mother, stared at her. “Why didn’t you two let me know you all are dating? Ah? How do you know I will disapprove?”
Qu Yunxuan was stunned. “You agree?”
Qu Yunxuan’s mother looked away, ignoring her question.
Qu Yunxuan paused for a second and went over to sit beside her mother. She held her mother’s hand. “Mum, I had mentioned to you that the Auction company is set up by a partner and me previously. But it is not true. Xiao Bing is the one who funded the capital. He is interested in antiques and had successfully picked some treasures like a pearl necklace, ancient coins, ancient jade accessories, etc. The company belongs to him, and without him, I should still be jobless.”
Qu Yunxuan’s mother was shocked. “You are speaking the truth?”
Qu Yunxuan replied. “Yes. Xiao Bing is not only good at his job in the government sector, but he is also good at doing business. Sometimes I feel I am not good enough for him.”
Qu Yunxuan’s mother asked. “How much had he made?”
Qu Yunxuan replied. “About a few million.”
Qu Yunxuan’s mother was speechless. She is a snobbish person and had always wanted her daughter to be with someone wealthy. This way, her daughter will live a good life. Although government officials are good too, she had heard a lot about the danger of being in the government sector. That’s why she did not really think Dong Xuebing is suitable for her daughter in the past. But now, if Dong Xuebing can make so much money, then...”
Dong Xuebing looked at Qu Yunxuan’s mother, and quickly walked over to the table and bring the box of wild ginseng over. “Auntie, this is a gift for you.”
Qu Yunxuan’s mother took it and opens it. “Ginseng?”
Qu Yunxuan was also surprised. “Eh? Wild Ginseng? 10 years old ginseng?”
Wild Ginseng? Qu Yunxuan’s mother had heard of it, and it is said to be more valuable than gold. A 10 years old wild ginseng should worth at least a few thousand. She looked at the box and certification. This was really a 10 years old wild ginseng! She had never received such expensive gifts before in her life. “Xiao Bing, you... you really made a lot of money?”
Dong Xuebing knew this was not the time to be humble. “Yes. We made a few million when we rent the Chicken Blood Stones mine some time back.”
10 years old wild ginseng
Qu Yunxuan also speaks up for Dong Xuebing. “Xiao Bing is the one who discovered the mine. Even the local experts said that mine is a dead mine and will not have Chicken Blood Stones. But Xiao Bing thought otherwise and rented that mine. During the first blast, a few hundred thousand worths of stones are found, and we found deeper in the mine.”
Qu Yunxuan’s mother finally believes them.
Qu Yunxuan looked at her mother. “Mum, you will not find anyone as capable as Xiao Bing. What else are you unhappy about? We only have a slight age difference, and furthermore, we are only dating and not getting married. Please don’t stop us from being together.”
Qu Yunxuan’s mother had nothing else to say. Dong Xuebing is a government official and is wealthy. She really has nothing to be unsatisfied with.
“I will discuss it with your father first.” Qu Yunxuan’s mother said.
Dong Xuebing knew Qu Yunxuan’s mother had agreed to his relationship with Qu Yunxuan. “Auntie, cooking this wild ginseng will cause it to lose its medicinal properties. You should suck on a small piece of raw ginseng. It is a bit exaggerated to say it will extend your lifespan, but its anti-aging properties are true. After you finish this box, I will get you another one. Err.... I... I shall not bother you anymore. I will go back now.”
Qu Yunxuan said. “Mum, let’s go back to sleep.”
Qu Yunxuan’s mother put the wild ginseng on the coffee table and looked at her daughter. “Stop pretending! You want to sleep over at Xiao Bing’s place, just say so!”
Qu Yunxuan retorted. “What are you talking about?”
Qu Yunxuan’s mother stood up and return to the bedroom. “I am going to bed and can’t be bothered with both of you.” Bang! She slammed the door close.
Dong Xuebing mumbled. “Errr... Aunt Xuan, since your mother says so, let’s go over to my place now.”
Qu Yunxuan gave him a stare. “You idiot! Stop thinking about those things all the time. You want to get beaten up by me?” She paused for a while and looked at her bedroom door. After that, she followed Dong Xuebing back to his apartment. Although it was embarrassing and since her mother knows about their relationship now, she felt she should also take some initiative. Furthermore, she had not seen Dong Xuebing for two months, and she missed him.
......
Dong Xuebing’s apartment.
Once they close the door, Dong Xuebing carried Aunt Xuan off her feet. “Our mother had agreed to our relationship, and we don’t need to hide anymore.”
“What our mother?! Stop saying this!” Qu Yunxuan pinched Dong Xuebing’s arm. “My parents still have not agreed and even if they agree, I still have not made up my mind. I had no choice but to say we are dating earlier.” Qu Yunxuan was always very shy to speak her mind. When she was saying this, she was hugging Dong Xuebing tightly and even gave him a kiss on his forehead.
Dong Xuebing asked. “You are still not ready?”
Qu Yunxuan laughed. “I have my job now is because of you, and if we are together, I can’t help you and might even be a hindrance to you. I don’t like the feeling of being too dependent on you.”
“You are overthinking things.”
“Let’s not talk about these.” Qu Yunxuan felt a hand under her clothes. “Stop it! I need to tell you something.”
Dong Xuebing continued touching her. “Just tell me.”
Qu Yunxuan pulled Dong Xuebing’s hand out from her clothes and hit him. “I suddenly remember I need to tell you a piece of good news when I saw you taking out the wild ginseng. At around 8 pm, someone from the company called me to tell me someone wants to put two 100 years old wild ginseng for auction. Do you know the value of these ginsengs? 10,000 RMB per gram! It might fetch up to 1.2 million at our auction. So, I decided to let these ginsengs to be the star of our auction. That customer seems to be urgent and wants to participate in the auction the day after tomorrow. Maybe he needs money urgently.”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “He might not need money urgently.”
“How do you know?” Qu Yunxuan looked at him. “Who cares what that customer is thinking? We are lucky he chose our company, and this is an opportunity for us. I had asked our staff to promote it online.”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “Of course, this is an opportunity for us. If not, I will also not put the ginseng up for auction at our company.”
Qu Yunxuan was stunned. “What do you mean?”
“What do you think?” Dong Xuebing held Qu Yunxuan’s hand and walked to the coffee table. He points under the table. “Look, what are these?”
There were about 20 boxes of wild ginseng!!
Qu Yunxuan was stunned and quickly opens the boxes. “30 years? This is 40 years? There are 65 years? Xiao Bing! Where did you get these from?” Qu Yunxuan was shocked and realized what was happening. She stared at him. “Don’t tell me you are the one who put those two boxes of ginseng up for auction at our company?”
Dong Xuebing replied. “What do you think? Do you really think our company is famous enough to attract such customers now?”
“I knew it!” Qu Yunxuan slapped Dong Xuebing’s arm lightly. “Tell me! Where did you get these ginsengs from?!”
“Haha... I saw an oil painting a few days ago and recognized the wild ginseng’s leaves in the painting. After that, I asked the artist where this place is located, and I went to search for it in the mountains. Err... don’t ask me why there are wild ginsengs in Hebei because I also don’t know. But I found these wild ginsengs and dug them up. After that, I found a factory in Beijing to do up the packaging and got serial numbers for these.”
“You are so lucky! How come you have such good fortune?”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “You think it is so simple? Actually, these ginsengs almost fell into someone else’s hands.” Dong Xuebing did not have good luck. Without BACK, he might not get a single cent, and Zhao Jingsong will be jumping with joy now.
Qu Yunxuan took in a deep breath. “What are you going to do with these ginsengs?”
Dong Xuebing thought for a while. “I will leave these with you. But I will keep some of the better ones as gifts in the future. You can put one box up for auction occasionally. As for the 10 years or 20 years, you can eat them, and you might become prettier.”
Qu Yunxuan won’t bear to eat these ginsengs. “I will keep these in the company’s safe tomorrow. It is safer there.”
“Actually, all the total value of these ginsengs is nowhere near the value of that 100 years old ginseng. So, don’t worry about these too much.” After saying these, Dong Xuebing smiled cheekily. “Errr... I had just made a significant contribution to our company. Don’t you think I should be rewarded?”
Qu Yunxuan laughed. “I knew you are up to something. What reward do you want?”
Dong Xuebing leaned forward and whispered in her ears. “Later, when we are in bed, you got to listen to me and do whatever I tell you. Ok?”
Qu Yunxuan blushed and raised her hand. “You want to be beaten? Huh? Idiot!”
“I take it as a yes!” Dong Xuebing carried her up and entered the bedroom...