Chapter 19: Tang Yan Extends an Olive Branch

Four accountants spent over an hour calculating before finally determining the total value of this branch.

Tang Yan looked at the list and said, “Brother Zhao, the storefront of this shop was purchased for seven million. Including the inventory and everything else inside, the total cost is about thirty-seven million. Your investment of fifteen million three hundred thousand would give you a 29.25% stake.”

“Considering our friendship, I’ll round it up to a clean 30%. How does that sound? If you agree, we can sign the equity transfer agreement right now.”

Zhao Chen surveyed the shop’s surroundings thoughtfully. The storefront spanned three floors with nearly three hundred square meters of space, located in a bustling downtown district. Seven million seemed about right. As for the inventory, there might be some inflation there, but an investment of fifteen million three hundred thousand for a 30% share wasn’t too bad.

While he examined the shop, Tang Yan smiled patiently, not rushing him. If someone else wanted to buy into her store, they would be paying far more. She valued Zhao Chen’s ability to identify jade quality above all. The fact that he could produce premium icy green jade from seemingly worthless scraps was too coincidental to ignore.

Though she didn’t know exactly how he did it, giving him 30% equity would certainly benefit the company’s growth more than harm it.

“Alright, thirty it is,” Zhao Chen smiled and signed the equity transfer agreement.

Although the shop wasn’t yet fully his, he believed it wouldn’t be long before he could buy it outright from Tang Yan.

Tang Yan grinned, “Congratulations, Brother Zhao, on becoming a shareholder of Tang’s Jewelry. We should be popping champagne to celebrate, but we don’t have any on hand. How about I treat you to some barbecue and beer instead?”

If he could get this guy drunk, maybe he could extract the secret to his jade identification skills—and then he would truly be set.

Pan Yumei chimed in, “President Tang, I’ll have Xiao Chen go buy some right away. It’s an honor for us to have Mr. Zhao invest in our store. We must have a couple of drinks to celebrate tonight.”

Zhao Chen smiled and shook his head, “No alcohol for me, I’m allergic. But barbecue sounds good.”

After only one day in Ruili, he had already acquired one-third of a jewelry store—a step closer to success.

Before long, two large platters arrived, laden with various skewers, including some local delicacies like fried centipedes and scorpions.

Zhao Chen glanced at them and instantly broke out in goosebumps.

“Uh, you guys have a really strong taste, huh? You actually eat this?”

“That’s nothing,” Tang Yan said indifferently, picking up a fried scorpion skewer and offering it to Zhao Chen. “Want to try?”

“No thanks, I’ll pass.” Zhao Chen recoiled, instinctively stepping back. When he was a child, he’d been stung by a scorpion while gathering wild vegetables, and the pain was unforgettable.

Tang Yan laughed heartily, downing a large gulp of locally bottled Pu’er tea wine.

She was Zhuang by ethnicity, bold and carefree, often teased as a tomboy. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have dared to venture into Myanmar to collect jade.

After a few drinks, she clapped Zhao Chen’s arm and asked, “Brother Zhao, did you run away from Sister Wenmin because of your jade identification skills?”

“To be honest, she’s called me several times, suspecting I took you away. You better be careful. If her people find you, even in China, she can still get you back.”

Hearing this, Zhao Chen asked, “Isn’t she from Myanmar? How can she come here to catch people?”

Tang Yan smiled and explained, “Ruili is a border town. Burmese and Vietnamese people come and go all the time. As long as they have a border resident permit, they can move freely in the city.”

“There are also countless secret mountain paths used for smuggling. It’s surprisingly easy to get across without anyone noticing.”

“Can they carry guns?” Zhao Chen asked again.

Currently, he could absorb the special energy from jade, making him several times stronger than the average person. As long as those Burmese guys didn’t bring guns or drug him, they weren’t much of a threat.

“Of course not. Our border security is very strict, especially with foreigners,” Tang Yan explained, subtly boasting about the Tang family’s influence in the area.

“If you ever notice someone tailing you, call me immediately. I can find someone to rescue you within three minutes. Or you could take an honorary position at Tang’s Jewelry, receive dividends and bonuses each year. What do you think?”

She knew a mere 30% stake wouldn’t be enough to keep him tied down. After all, the price of high-quality jade had been rising year after year. With such extraordinary stone identification skills, it wouldn’t be long before he became rich beyond measure.

The Tang family was not only wealthy but also a powerful local force that could offer Zhao Chen ample protection.

Zhao Chen sensed her attempt to recruit him and politely declined, “Thank you for the kind offer, President Tang. I’m used to working alone and have no plans to join the company for now.”

“Oh, come on, think it over. The Longtang militia is very powerful. If their informants set their sights on you, it will be dangerous,” Tang Yan urged sincerely.

If they could win this guy over, their stock of premium jade would never dwindle. They could make more money and monopolize the high-end jade market—a dream come true.

But Zhao Chen remained uninterested and brushed her off casually, “I’ll consider your advice. Thanks for the hospitality, but I need to rest now.”

“Where are you staying? We have a spare room upstairs. Why don’t you stay here?” Tang Yan hurriedly tried to persuade him, even grabbing his arm with a reluctant expression.

Losing such a rare talent would be a huge loss.

She was even willing to sacrifice some charm just to keep him close.

Zhao Chen smiled, “No need for all that trouble. I’m staying at a nearby inn, just a ten-minute walk. I’ll come by again tomorrow.”

Though secretly pleased, he knew what she was up to and dared not stay here.

If it weren’t for the fierce side of Tang Yan he’d seen earlier, he might have fallen for her charms.

“Alright then. I’ll be around collecting jade for the next few days. If you get any good pieces, remember to bring them over. After all, you have 30% of the shares. You’ll get a cut when the finished products sell,” Tang Yan offered one more reason he couldn’t refuse.

Zhao Chen nodded, his mind already made up.

Since he was risking it all to be in Ruili, he definitely planned to scavenge for bargains tomorrow. Where to sell the items would depend on the price.

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