Eight Five Elements Spirit Springs scattered within Wang Xiaoqiang's body, with the original four each taking their place—one nestled in each of the upper, middle, and lower Dantian. The rest still moved with his biological clock. The newly formed four Spirit Springs headed towards Wang Xiaoqiang's limbs, eventually settling in his two arms and a pair of legs.
The overwhelming Spiritual Energy surged like the tide! It was stormy like the sea waves. Wang Xiaoqiang felt a tremendous force surging in his body. Every movement he made was accompanied by Spiritual Energy, which appeared remarkably mystical.
For instance, now as he walked, the dual Spirit Springs on his legs continuously released Spiritual Energy to replenish what was used. However, this release of Spiritual Energy was extremely subtle, so subtle that Wang Xiaoqiang couldn't even feel it. This also avoided any unintended consequences!
The formidable power within his body significantly boosted Wang Xiaoqiang's confidence, and he now felt a strong urge to channel the Aura of Geng Metal. He believed that with the enormous Spiritual Power of the eight Spirit Springs inside him, if he were to utilize the Aura of Geng Metal, it would prove even more powerful.
It was just a pity that this was not the place to demonstrate it.
"Little Qiang, are you satisfied with the Maca's price?" Zhu Chengwen asked.
"Uh, it's good, thanks, Boss Zhu..." Wang Xiaoqiang thought the price of Maca was acceptable. More importantly, he had unexpectedly gained an advantage today by doubling the number of Spiritual Springs, which meant he could use them for whatever he desired in the future without worrying about the depletion of Spiritual Energy.
All in all, it wasn't a wasted trip.
What Wang Xiaoqiang regretted was that this type of fast-money-making wild Maca could not be massively cultivated back in his hometown; otherwise, he would rent a small mountain. Speaking of renting land, Wang Xiaoqiang became worried again. Although there was land available for rent, such expansion would likely attract government attention. Given the current domestic situation, this was actually a path to his undoing, prompting Wang Xiaoqiang to turn his attention abroad.
After staying a few days in a villa in the Provincial Capital, Wang Xiaoqiang called Xu Qingxue to the villa and handed her the keys, hoping she would find time to clean it. Qingxue was delighted, "Little Qiang, why don't I just move in..."
"Sure, then move in..." Wang Xiaoqiang also thought it feasible. A house left empty for a long time without human presence wasn't ideal. Qingxue moving in made Wang Xiaoqiang feel reassured because she was more trustworthy than Jing Xueyan and, being a former policewoman skilled in Kung Fu, wasn't afraid to live alone in the large villa.
Upon arriving at Zhu Ci's workshop, the place was bustling with two American elderly men and an American woman, who were engaging with Zhu Ci in English. It was apparent that Zhu Ci spoke very good English.
"Ah, Mr. Wang, you are here..." Zhu Ci was pleasantly surprised to see Wang Xiaoqiang arrive suddenly and immediately came forward to shake hands and exchange pleasantries.
Then he introduced Wang Xiaoqiang and Xu Qingxue to the three Americans. "This is Mr. Wang; if you need eggshell carving materials, he is the person to see..."
Upon hearing this, the three Americans' eyes brightened, and they hurried to shake hands with Wang Xiaoqiang. Seeing three hands reaching out simultaneously, with two being rough and one being smooth and soft, Wang Xiaoqiang, not being a fool, chose to shake the delicate hand first. However, as he took that small hand, everyone around smiled, and Xu Qingxue patted him on the back and whispered in his ear, "You really embarrassed yourself this time..."
When Wang Xiaoqiang looked up, he found he was holding the hand of an attractive American woman, while the other two were very artistically inclined American elderly men. Feeling embarrassed, he immediately let go of the woman's hand and shook hands with the two elderly men, awkwardly saying "HELLO" in English.
The three were not put off by Wang Xiaoqiang's poor English and introduced themselves very politely instead. It turned out that all three were sculptors from the United States: Jesse Mike, Jeff Paul, and Melian Anna.
From the names, it was clear that the attractive woman was Melian.
"Mr. Wang, did you know, your eggshell carvings have already caused a sensation in the United States, and now sculptors worldwide are looking for you..." Zhu Ci excitedly told Wang Xiaoqiang, purposely not mentioning himself. In reality, it should be said that the artworks Zhu Ci created from Wang Xiaoqiang's eggshells had caused a sensation at a global sculpting exchange, not because of Zhu Ci's sculpting skills, but due to the unique carving material—the eggshells.
However, the unique eggshells made Zhu Ci's carvings highly notable, skyrocketing his reputation in the art world!
Zhu Ci's carvings elevated his fame while gaining the attention of sculptors worldwide towards the unique material—the bizarre eggshells.
These three American sculptors had come specifically for those strange eggshells.
"Uh, really?" Hearing such news, Wang Xiaoqiang was genuinely excited.
"Come on, everyone, sit down and let's talk..." Zhu Ci invited everyone to take a seat on the sofa.
"Mr. Wang, can you satisfy our request?" asked the seductive Melian as she crossed her legs after sitting on the sofa, winking at Wang Xiaoqiang while giving a flirtatious smile.
"Of course, no problem. I wonder if Mr. Zhu has mentioned the price of the eggs to you..." Wang Xiaoqiang, not being versed in art, was a businessman at heart, focused only on money, or rather, on benefits.
Melian slightly frowned, disliking the topic of money as artists loathed discussing it, feeling it reeked of commercialism. Zhu Ci, fearing the American woman would upset Wang Xiaoqiang, hastened to speak, "Mr. Wang, rest assured about the price. You won't be shortchanged." As he spoke, he extended his hand and waggled his fingers in front of Wang Xiaoqiang.
Wang Xiaoqiang immediately understood his meaning. The last time he sold eggs to Zhu Ci, they were one hundred yuan each. Zhu Ci saying he would not be shortchanged this time, holding up five fingers, clearly meant the Americans were offering five hundred yuan per egg, a price that thrilled Wang Xiaoqiang— not because of the profits he'd make from selling the eggs, but because they were priced outrageously high. Indeed, these were sky-high prices for eggs.
Selling eggs for 500 yuan each, Wang Xiaoqiang felt a great sense of accomplishment.
"Mr. Wang, regarding the price, we've already discussed it with Mr. Song. He will negotiate with you. We are concerned about when we can receive the eggs and the number of eggs..." Jesse started, seemingly unhappy about Wang Xiaoqiang discussing money upfront.
"Uh, as for the eggs, I can deliver them by tomorrow at the latest. As for the quantity, I need to ask you first..." Wang Xiaoqiang said.
"We each want one hundred eggs..." Jesse said.
"One hundred eggs? That's too few," Wang Xiaoqiang pouted. "If it weren't for Mr. Song's sake, I wouldn't bother selling..."
The words of Wang Xiaoqiang startled the three Americans, who viewed him merely as a businessman—a small-time businessman for whom profit should be paramount, valuing courteous and harmonious interactions. However, this small-time businessman seemed to lack this awareness. Yet, his behavior, while annoying the Americans, also made them regard him with a bit more respect; this small businessman sure had some character!
The three Americans, although annoyed, pursed their lips and dared not say much. They genuinely feared Wang Xiaoqiang would refuse to sell them the eggs; then their trip here would have been for nothing. It was one thing to come for nothing, but not obtaining the carving material they desperately wanted would be truly disheartening!
"Mr. Wang, I'm terribly sorry," Song Poetry, normally a man of integrity, now had to swallow his pride. "Actually, they want more, but they need to take the eggs to the United States. It wouldn't be convenient if there were too many..."
Seeing the unpleasant expressions of the three Americans, prideful yet eager to obtain the eggs, Wang Xiaoqiang didn't show them any kindness, just scoffed, "Fine, I'll see what I can do. It's not economical to send a dedicated vehicle for such a small number of eggs. I'll find someone to deliver them as a favor... But I can't guarantee the timing..."
Wang Xiaoqiang spread his hands.
Hearing that the timing couldn't be guaranteed, the three American sculptors became increasingly anxious. Anna, the American lady, was the first to lose her patience, softening her expression, she forced a smile and said, "Wang, let's not do this. How about we have a drink tonight and talk some more... "
"No need for drinks, I have my hands full with my girlfriend here..." Wang Xiaoqiang pointed to Xu Qingxue and spoke coldly. He thought to himself, if your smile hadn't been so reluctant, maybe I would have agreed.
"Mr. Wang, how about this. I will take a thousand eggs," Ancestral Hall of the Song Family said. "I hope they can be delivered quickly..."
Seeing Ancestral Hall of the Song Family struggling to make ends meet, Wang Xiaoqiang couldn't bear it and said, "Alright, for your sake, I'll have the eggs delivered tomorrow,"
The three Americans quietly sighed in relief. They then handed their business cards to Wang Xiaoqiang. Despite his unpleasant attitude, they still hoped to befriend Wang Xiaoqiang, or at least have a way to contact him. That might save them a lot of trouble if they ever wanted his eggs again in the future.
Unexpectedly, Wang Xiaoqiang took the business cards from their hands, didn't even look at them, and shoved them into his pocket. This action greatly displeased the three men.
"Wang, won't you give us your business card?" the American lady, Anna, humbled herself, setting aside the aloofness typical of artists, and asked Wang Xiaoqiang.
"Alright!" Wang Xiaoqiang reluctantly pulled out three business cards and handed one to each of them. It felt almost like charity.
After finalizing the deal, Wang Xiaoqiang called Xia Gui Fang to send over the eggs via a vehicle the Chicken Farm had since the end of last year dedicated to handling deliveries.
By the following noon, the eggs arrived—all one thousand five hundred of them. Two hundred extra were included because the driver feared some might break on the road, something Wang Xiaoqiang would never do because the shells of his eggs were extremely hard and wouldn't break easily.
The three American sculptors were amazed by the eggs and rejoiced at acquiring such fine material for their carvings. Their attitude towards Wang Xiaoqiang changed for the better, and they promptly paid him the agreed amount.
Thirteen hundred eggs, at five hundred yuan each, amounted to six hundred and fifty thousand yuan—a substantial sum indeed.
Just then, it was time for lunch, and Song Poetry invited everyone for a meal. Wang Xiaoqiang didn't refuse and they all went to a nearby restaurant. After eating, Wang Xiaoqiang delivered the remaining two hundred eggs, giving one hundred to the Xu Family and one hundred to Sister Ping.
Seeing the eggs Wang Xiaoqiang brought, Sister Ping was delighted, "Hey, Little Qiang, are these the same eggs we had at Dihao last time?"
"Yeah, they're from my Chicken Farm. If you like them, I'll bring you some more next time..." Wang Xiaoqiang replied.
"It's rare you think of your sister, but eggs are high in protein, and just eating eggs will make me gain weight..."
"Sister Ping, no worries, you can always exercise a bit more if you eat too much..."
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