Li Xiangdong was completely stunned when Uncle Liu, who was over forty years old, called him "brother"!

He, he, he seemed to see Guan Yu acting coquettishly towards Liu Bei.

"Xiang Dong, take out your precious treasure and show it to your Uncle Liu."

Factory Director Yan waved his hand and instructed Li Xiangdong, "Go and lock the gate first, so that no one else can come in."

Li Xiangdong did as instructed, went out and locked the door, then returned to the house. He touched the small axe in the wicker basket and thought that Uncle Liu didn't seem like a bad person, so he shouldn't be wary of him.

Under the sunlight, the caps of the purple and red Ganoderma lucidum emitted a soft halo, while the human-shaped He Shou Wu was gray and unremarkable in comparison. However, Liu Xiangdong and Factory Director Yan's eyes were more focused on the human-shaped He Shou Wu.

Liu Xiangdong carefully picked up the he shou wu and examined it closely from all angles. "It has all four limbs and a compassionate expression; it's truly a top-quality product. Brother, this looks even better than the one we saw in the museum when we were kids!"

"Haha, this kind of thing is rare and hard to come by; it's beyond human capability. It's a great gift from heaven!" Factory Director Yan exclaimed.

Li Xiangdong thought to himself, "You're just making a fuss over nothing. From now on, human-shaped He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) will be a common thing."

But thinking about it more carefully, where can the limbs and expressions of the He Shou Wu grown in the model be as vivid and lifelike as the wild one?

The wonders of nature are ultimately beyond human capabilities.

Just as Director Yan said, it was truly a blessing from heaven that he was able to dig up such a treasure in such a conspicuous place.

Perhaps this is the gift of my rebirth. Without a special ability or a cheat code, I have been given my first pot of gold. To live a good life from now on, I still have to rely on my own efforts.

"Xiang Dong, how much would it cost you to part with it?"

Liu Xiangdong gently placed the he shou wu back onto the cotton coat.

Li Xiangdong's thoughts were interrupted, and he quickly recalculated the price in his mind. In fact, he already had a bottom line price in mind, but seeing how satisfied Liu Xiangdong was, he quietly adjusted it again.

However, he didn't speak, but looked at Director Yan with trust and reliance in his eyes.

Factory Director Yan's paternal instincts kicked in, and he said to his friend, "Why are you asking a little kid? Just tell him how much he's willing to give. Do you really expect him to give you five hundred if he says five hundred?"

"Brother Yan, when did you betray me? Didn't you say you'd always stand by my side?"

Liu Donglai was both amused and exasperated. However, coming from a prominent family, he was not the type to try to lower the price just because Li Xiangdong was a child.

"Go ahead and tell me, brother. I'm afraid if I don't say enough, you'll beat me up."

"If you ask me, you should give me this price for the Polygonum multiflorum."

Station Chief Yan squinted and slowly extended three fingers.

"That's a bit pricey, bro. Even a top-quality old ginseng root costs only about this much!"

"Haha, do you think your family is short of money? This stuff is so rare." Station Chief Yan wouldn't budge.

Li Xiangdong was extremely nervous. His uncle just held up one finger without saying how many. Was it three hundred, three thousand, or thirty thousand?

"Okay, what about the two Ganoderma lucidum? Let me tell you upfront, these Ganoderma lucidum are of good quality, but they are not uncommon outside. They are far less precious than the human-shaped He Shou Wu. Don't try to fool me."

Even though his family was wealthy, it still hurt to spend the money. Liu Donglai decided to buy the two Ganoderma lucidum at a low price.

"Donglai, as you know, most wild Ganoderma lucidum plants are eroded by wind and insects after many years. The wonder of these two Ganoderma lucidum plants is that they are already ten years old, yet they are still intact. Eating them will not only prolong life, but at the very least, they will replenish vital energy, protect the spirit and calm the soul, strengthen muscles and bones, and improve complexion."

Factory Director Yan rattled off his introduction in one breath, sounding just like a street vendor selling miracle cures.

"One thousand, that's the most I can do." Liu Donglai quickly stopped Brother Yan from his self-promotion.

Factory Director Yan felt the price was about right, and gave Li Xiangdong a look that meant, "This is the best price I can offer you. Whether it works out or not is up to you."

Li Xiangdong thought this price was absolutely right. This was 1976! The He Shou Wu and Ling Zhi could buy a small courtyard house in Yanjing!

“I’ll listen to my uncle. Whatever my uncle says goes.”

Station Master Yan shook his head in dissatisfaction upon hearing Li Xiangdong's words. "It's a bit too little. But I know it's a bit difficult for you to come up with so much cash all at once. How about some coupons? Grain coupons, meat coupons, cloth coupons, industrial coupons, anything will do."

"You know I'm struggling financially! Have you investigated my family's situation? How did you know I have tickets?" Liu Donglai asked three questions in quick succession.

Station Master Yan slammed his fist on the table. "Stop talking nonsense. It's a deal. Hand over the money and the tickets."

"My dear brother, who carries so much money with them when they go out? Can I give you a deposit first? I'll take the items first and then transfer the rest of the money to you."

"No, it has to be cash on delivery. What if you run away?"

Liu Donglai could hardly believe these words came from his older brother's mouth. "I... I ran away?"

Huang Guimei laughed heartily and punched Station Chief Yan lightly, saying, "Stop teasing Donglai."

Station Master Yan suddenly stopped smiling and said seriously, "Donglai, we've been friends for decades, so of course I trust you. But this thing isn't mine. Cash on delivery is an age-old rule. How to pay is up to Donglai."

"Uncle, I trust your good friend, so let's pay a deposit first."

Li Xiangdong's fans generously said that this was not just Li Xiangdong being generous out of thin air. This Uncle Liu was clearly not an ordinary person, and he was also a long-time friend of Uncle Yan. It was unlikely that he would embezzle his money.

This is why Li Xiangdong is so open-minded and upright. Although he experienced the collective betrayal of his closest friends in his previous life, he is still willing to repay the greatest kindness after others have given him their full trust.

"Xiang Dong, I didn't realize you were such a naive and generous person!" Station Chief Yan exclaimed, looking at him with a disappointed expression.

"Alright, alright, you're making me sound like a liar. I'll write down an IOU first, okay?"

Liu Donglai was a straightforward man. He opened his bag and first took out a stack of brand-new banknotes and ration coupons, then took out a notebook and a fountain pen. With a few quick strokes, he wrote with great speed and precision.

"Take a look quickly, don't say I'm lying to your Xiangdong."

Liu Donglai slammed the IOU down on Factory Director Yan in a huff.

"Hahaha, not at all."

I don't know if it was because he was amused by the comment about Xiang Dong's family, but Director Yan smiled particularly happily.

Liu Xiangdong felt that his brother Yan had really changed, becoming hypocritical and petty, and most importantly, no longer standing on his side.

Li Xiangdong's smile was especially bright as he received 1,000 yuan in cash, several tickets, and a 3,000 yuan IOU.

Looking at the bright smiles of the old man and the young boy, as radiant as autumn chrysanthemums, Liu Donglai couldn't help but smile too. His elder brother hadn't smiled so heartily since his nephew's unexpected death.