Chapter 18: Viewing Money as Dirt

Shao Shan reported his "achievements" to Shao Jianguo and President Zhao.

However, he exaggerated the role he played in it.

As a second-generation wealthy heir, Shao Shan had accomplished nothing for years and was constantly nagged by his father.

Now that he had finally accomplished something significant—acquiring the Spiritual Wine—he naturally wanted to boast about it.

"Only two bottles left?"

Shao Jianguo was somewhat disappointed. That was too few.

Last night, Shao Shan had brought over two bottles of Spiritual Wine.

Shao Jianguo and President Zhao had already finished one bottle between them.

Now only one bottle remained, and they treasured it immensely.

Neither was willing to open it, even though they were both craving it terribly.

Now hearing that the original owner only had two bottles left made it even more precious.

"Only two bottles left..."

President Zhao's expression also dimmed. He carefully picked up the remaining bottle of Spiritual Wine and examined it closely.

"As expected, this bottle is actually an antique from over a hundred years ago!"

President Zhao knew something about antique appraisal. He could tell this wine bottle was also valuable—ancient porcelain over a century old.

This made President Zhao believe what Shao Shan had just said.

It seemed this Spiritual Wine truly was passed down from ancestors.

"No wonder only two bottles remain. How could such century-old wine be preserved in large quantities?"

"It's just a pity that this brewing technique has probably long been lost."

"And even if the technique existed, it would be impossible to have a hundred years to brew it..."

Beside him, Shao Jianguo also shook his head. If it was passed down from ancestors, there naturally wouldn't be much.

"Little Shan, since your friend wants to sell, what's his asking price?"

Shao Jianguo asked Shao Shan.

Hearing this, President Zhao's expression tensed slightly.

With only two bottles of this century-old exceptional wine remaining, its value was enormous.

A million wouldn't be much, ten million wouldn't be expensive.

Even a hundred million—if they held an auction, it might not be impossible to sell.

After all, if this wine was used well to connect with important figures, even spending money would return ten or even a hundred times the profit.

Any famous wine in the world seemed like fake alcohol mixed with ethanol compared to this Spiritual Wine "Grand Dao Wander."

Once someone tasted this exceptional wine, they could never forget that dreamlike flavor.

Using this wine to build connections would be unstoppable.

Hadn't Shao Jianguo won over President Zhao this way?

And with only two bottles left, rarity increased value.

President Zhao believed that if he craved it badly enough, he would pay even a hundred million.

With his wealth, a hundred million per bottle wasn't unaffordable.

Though that would hurt a bit.

But if the wine owner demanded an exorbitant price, unsatisfied even with a hundred million.

Then President Zhao might not hold back and would resort to certain methods...

So the price the wine owner set was crucial!

"My friend said if President Zhao wants to buy, it's two hundred thousand per bottle, firm price."

"I've already paid, just waiting to pick up the wine when there's time."

Hearing this, Shao Shan raised his head proudly, though it wasn't clear what he was proud of...

Perhaps he was proud to have a friend like He Zhi.

"What? Only two hundred thousand per bottle?"

"Your friend—doesn't he know this wine's value?"

Shao Jianguo and President Zhao were both shocked.

They had just been calculating in their minds how to respond after the wine owner named his price.

If the wine owner's price was too high, how to bargain, or what other methods to employ.

But despite all their calculations, they never expected the other party would only ask for two hundred thousand.

Did he not understand its value?

"Anyone who tastes this wine can understand its value. My friend isn't stupid—how could he not know its worth?"

"If he wanted, he could sell it for a hundred million."

Shao Shan shook his head in denial.

"That's true."

Hearing this, both Shao Jianguo and President Zhao nodded in agreement.

Anyone who drank this wine would understand its value—no one could be ignorant of it.

"Then why..."

This made Shao Jianguo and the others even more puzzled.

If the wine owner knew its value, why only ask for two hundred thousand?

"I told you, my friend doesn't care about money."

"He's not a wine lover either. He casually gave me two bottles before."

"Now hearing that a wine lover wants to acquire some, he feels this exceptional wine should be in the hands of someone who appreciates it."

"So, just two hundred thousand, not for profit, just to make a friend."

Shao Shan said again.

"Just to make a friend?"

"Could it be your friend knows me? Wants to use this to connect with me?"

Hearing this, President Zhao's eyes narrowed.

He thought he had figured out the wine owner's intentions.

Not seeking money, then seeking favors?

This favor would be quite significant.

Beside him, Shao Jianguo's heart also tightened.

He had just connected with President Zhao—was someone trying to intercept?

"President Zhao, you misunderstand."

"My friend repeatedly insisted he doesn't want to reveal his identity or have any connection with you, President Zhao."

"As the saying goes, the friendship between gentlemen is as light as water. As long as the sentiment is there, why must identities be known?"

"As long as this wine is in the hands of someone who appreciates it, my friend is satisfied."

Shao Shan's answer once again exceeded President Zhao's expectations.

Making friends without revealing identity?

What kind of friendship was that?

This meant the wine owner didn't want to connect with him.

Then it was purely a gift?

Indeed, in President Zhao's mind, this wine was being given away.

This made President Zhao, a veteran of the business world, feel somewhat incredulous.

Such people existed?

Though earlier, the wine owner seemed to have given Shao Shan two bottles for free...

"President Zhao, my friend most detests the stench of money and views wealth as dirt."

"When spending time with him, I often feel inferior because of my second-generation wealthy status."

"Actually, he didn't want to sell any at first. Only after my pleading did he agree to help."

"My friend wanted to give them to me for free."

"But what can I do? I'm a hopeless rich kid with money to burn. After much haggling, I finally got him down to two hundred thousand."

"Ah, being friends with such a person is truly my honor..."

Shao Shan spun wild tales, praising He Zhi to the heavens.

In Shao Shan's words, He Zhi became a reclusive sage living in modern society, unwilling to be tainted by money.

"Such people actually exist?"

Immediately, both Shao Jianguo and President Zhao felt solemn respect.

Viewing money as dirt?

In modern society, such sages still existed?

These two old foxes of the business world now felt somewhat ashamed.

Having reached their status and position, they had begun to emphasize vision and realm.

But they had just been calculating and speculating about the wine owner.

They had even considered using methods, full of schemes.

Now compared to that wine owner, they suddenly felt they were nothing—their realms were far too different.

The sage didn't care about money. So what if you had more money?

He gave away wine worth hundreds of millions, then didn't even want to know you.

This realm—how lofty!

He Zhi, who was currently cultivating, naturally didn't know that because of Shao Shan's wild boasting, he had become a reclusive sage in the minds of two wealthy merchants.

The two merchants had given up the idea of contacting He Zhi.

Such a sage—they, as vulgar people, shouldn't disturb him.

This actually saved He Zhi a lot of trouble, since he truly didn't want to interact with those important figures.