Chapter 71: A Generous Reward

Inside the enormous warehouse, piles of fertilizer stretched as far as the eye could see.

The pungent stench of fertilizer drove Xu Chen out like a fleeing animal.

With nothing better to do, he strolled to the roadside and chatted idly with Li Rui.

Not far off, Xu Zhiquan and Liu Chi were deep in conversation, passing cigarettes like old brothers sealing a bond.

Xu Chen watched from a distance, amusement tugging at his lips.

In no time, his father had struck up a warm rapport with the fertilizer distributor, gaining a valuable new connection.

It turned out that Manager Liu Chi didn’t just handle Zhao Fengshou’s “Golden Wheat Ear” fertilizer—he also distributed other brands and was a significant player locally.

Across the county’s many towns, fertilizer shipments routed through various points all passed through Liu Chi’s hands.

Though he appeared unremarkable, in Tiancheng’s fertilizer world he was a top figure.

His distribution network even reached the surrounding counties, cities, and towns.

Xu Chen was surprised—he’d assumed Manager Liu was just Zhao Fengshou’s foot soldier in Tiancheng.

But now it seemed Liu Chi’s influence rivaled that of the fertilizer factory boss himself.

As businessmen, Xu Zhiquan and Liu Chi found plenty to talk about and hit it off immediately.

In their exchange, Liu Chi got a clear picture of the Xu family’s sapling business.

He was amazed to learn Xu Zhiquan had foreseen the demand for highway and infrastructure saplings and started preparing early.

Even more impressive, this unassuming Mr. Xu had navigated the complex connections behind the scenes.

Clearly, President Xu knew his way around.

In fact, both father and son had surprising tricks up their sleeves…

Meanwhile, Fourth Uncle Xu Zhilin and Maternal Uncle Zhang Yongqing joined a young stock clerk inside the warehouse to select fertilizer.

When they first saw the mountains of bags piled sky-high, awe flickered in their eyes.

Anxious until now over the fertilizer issue, they finally breathed easy.

What they didn’t expect was that a high schooler—Xu Chen—had handled it all.

…

About twenty minutes later, Fourth Uncle and Maternal Uncle emerged from the warehouse with the clerk.

The clerk held a handwritten inventory list.

Fourth Uncle, clutching his satchel, looked delighted. From a distance, he saw Xu Zhiquan nod to his second brother—“It’s done.”

As Xu Zhilin and Zhang Yongqing approached, Xu Zhiquan and Liu Chi rose to greet them.

Liu Chi asked, “So, is there enough fertilizer here for you?”

Xu Zhilin smiled and replied:

“Liu, you’ve got every kind, and in huge quantities—of course it’s enough.”

Liu Chi chuckled.

“You arrived just in time. This shipment just came in.”

The young clerk stepped forward and handed the list to Liu Chi.

Liu Chi tucked a cigarette between his lips, scanned the list.

The clerk said, “We sorted out eighty thousand yuan worth of goods…”

Liu Chi’s finger traced the numbers on the paper.

“That’s about a full truckload. I’ll have it delivered for you.”

He looked at Xu Zhilin.

“You have space to store it, right? If not, we can split it into two deliveries—bring half over first.”

Xu Zhilin nodded. “We have a warehouse at our sapling base.”

He thought a moment and added:

“Liu, we’ll keep using fertilizer regularly…”

Liu Chi laughed.

“I’ve already told President Xu—any fertilizer you need, come to me! Your demand is large, so I’ll give you wholesale prices. Besides, Zhao’s already given me the heads-up.”

Xu Zhilin beamed. “That’s wonderful! How would you like us to pay for this shipment?”

“I didn’t bring that much cash,” Xu Zhilin continued, “but I have my bank card. Or I can run to the bank later and transfer to your corporate account.”

Liu Chi blinked, clearly puzzled.

He glanced at Xu Chen, who’d just arrived, and said:

“No payment needed for this batch. Just have Mr. Xu sign off.”

“Plus, there’s another forty thousand yuan worth of goods—you can pick that up whenever you want!”

“What?!”

Xu Zhilin gaped, then looked at Xu Zhiquan.

Xu Zhiquan, smoking a cigarette, also looked stunned.

What did this mean?

No charge for this shipment?!

Xu Chen, Lee Rui at his side, hurried over when he saw the scene.

Xu Zhilin turned to him, bewildered.

Xu Chen glanced at Liu Chi’s list and immediately understood. He said:

“Dad, Fourth Uncle, I forgot to mention—Mr. Liu gave us twelve thousand yuan worth of fertilizer free of charge as payment for the favor I did for Mr. Zhao.”

“Huh?!”

Fourth Uncle and Maternal Uncle stared in disbelief.

Xu Zhiquan paused, equally taken aback.

Xu Chen felt awkward and offered a quick laugh.

“I helped Mr. Zhao with a few things, so he rewarded me with twelve thousand worth of fertilizer.”

Liu Chi said:

“Exactly. You don’t worry about that payment—Zhao will cover it. Just take the goods.”

Xu Zhiquan chuckled and patted Xu Chen’s shoulder without another word.

Fourth Uncle and Maternal Uncle exchanged astonished looks.

What favor could warrant twelve thousand yuan in goods?

Xu Chen felt it was hard to explain, so he laughed it off.

After a while, the young clerk brought a new list over.

Liu Chi handed it to Xu Chen:

“Mr. Xu, just sign here. I’ll settle up with Mr. Zhao later. Give me an address, but delivery may not be until tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Liu!”

Xu Chen signed, then nudged his still-dumbfounded Fourth Uncle.

Fourth Uncle mumbled “Oh,” took the pen, and wrote down the Beishan warehouse address along with his contact info.

…

…

The black Accord sped east along the national highway.

Xu Zhiquan pointed out the window to a fenced plot ahead.

“That section is the under-construction South City Highway. Our bid covers the sapling work there.”

Xu Chen turned to look out the window.

Two years from now, 2008 will be a pivotal year.

But here in 2006, many infrastructure projects, especially highways, are kicking off with slogans like ‘Welcoming the Olympics.’

Over the next decade, the Xu family’s sapling business will have enormous potential.

Of course, as Xu Chen earlier told his father, this business depends heavily on connections.

Without stronger ties, it’ll be hard to expand beyond Tiancheng.

Still, covering Tiancheng and the neighboring counties and towns will secure years—maybe decades—of steady profit…

Thinking of the 2008 Olympics, Xu Chen fell into thought.

He remembered Xie Bingran.

He wondered if, two years from now, he’d see Bing Ge sprinting on the track at the Games.