Chapter 622 - Thief
Chapter 622 – Thief
After returning to Hanzhou City, Su Tao started to prepare for the Qihuang Charity Funds’ auction event. He made two trips around the city. His first trip was due to Zhang Ping’s invitation, and his second trip was to pay a visit to the latter. With that, the two’s relationship has gotten much closer.
Thinking back to half a year ago, Su Tao and Zhang Ping weren’t on equal levels. But the moment Su Tao became a National Healer Specialist, even Zhang Ping had to treat him with importance. Although Zhang Ping was acting from behind the scenes, he had treated Qihuang Charity Funds’ auction as an important matter. He relied on his own connections to contact the television stations and media companies to advertise the event in the city. Through that, it had caused a significant influence in Hanzhou City, causing Qihuang Charity Funds to be a charity organisation known by everyone in the city.
Then again, Su Tao wasn’t satisfied with just the event advertised in a third-rated city. Hence, he made a few trips to Qiongjin City as well. His first trip was to contact several media companies in the province to aim to promote the activity to the entire province, and his second trip was to pay a visit to Sire Shui, thanking the latter for his help with his plight in Nanyue Province.
But surprisingly, all the media companies in the province showed their support, mainly due to the influence caused by Chen Guang’s articles. In Chen Guang’s last article, he surprised everyone by promoting the Qihuang Charity Funds, prompting the charity foundation to instantly become the largest holy land and hope in China’s charity industry.
After coming out of the media company, Su Tao headed for the Shui Residence. When he stepped out of the cab, he saw Jin Guoxiang standing by the entrance, waving his hand in his direction. Looking at Jin Guoxiang’s leg, Su Tao noticed that the latter was almost recovered, which made him feel relieved and he smiled. “Major General Jin, what are you doing here?”
“Sire Shui called me and told me that you were coming over for lunch, so I naturally came over as well. Also, I’ve told you the other time not to call me that. Just call me Big Brother Jin!” Jin Guoxiang smiled.
“I’ll call you Big Brother Guoxiang, then!” Su Tao replied with a smile.
Jin Guoxiang was briefly stunned before he laughed and patted Su Tao’s shoulder. “I heard that you’ve done quite a bit of things recently. You first conquered Russia before causing a big mess in Nanyue Province, and you’ve truly won my admiration. You’re the limelight everywhere you go.”
“Well, I can’t help unnecessarily poking my nose. Sorry for causing so much trouble to you all.” Su Tao gave a self-ridiculing smile.
Waving his hand, Jin Guoxiang said with an earnest expression, “Strictly speaking, you’re not poking your nose unnecessarily, you were chivalrous. But it’s a pity that in the current society, many people would rather look after their own hide and turn a blind eye to injustice. There aren’t many people who would stand out when facing injustice.”
Su Tao wore a modest smile while feeling butterflies in his stomach after being praised by Jin Guoxiang.
As the two of them walked together, they saw Sire Shui in the kitchen. Jin Guoxiang immediately went over and snatched the wok with a smile. “How can we possibly allow you to cook personally?”
Glaring at Jin Guoxiang, Sire Shui snapped, “Return me the wok! I’m in a good mood today, and I want to cook a few dishes personally.”
Jin Guoxiang was frightened by Sire Shui and started to hesitate. At this moment, Su Tao smiled and took over the wok. “Sire Shui, how long has it been since you last entered the kitchen? Cooking is the same as practicing martial arts. You have to do it every day to maintain your standard, and it’s truly worrying for you to cook. Why don’t you take a rest and let me handle the job? It will be done shortly.”
Hearing those words, Jin Guoxiang rejoiced. Only Su Tao could talk to Sire Shui in this manner. Firstly, it’s because Su Tao was young, and Sire Shui had treated him like a junior. Secondly, as Sire Shui’s physician, Su Tao naturally had some authority in his speech.
As Sire Shui’s interest dropped, he sighed. However, he still listened to Su Tao and handed the kitchen over. But before he left the kitchen, he warned, “If it doesn’t taste good, see if I don’t flip the bowl on your head.”
Seeing how Sire Shui threw a fit with a junior, Jin Guoxiang immediately turned his head over and chuckled.
There’s nothing to pick on Su Tao’s culinary skills. The smell, appearance, and taste, they were present in all the dishes he made. To prove his ability, he even made carvings out of winter melon, cucumber, and tomato. When five dishes were served on the table, Sire Shui and Jin Guoxiang were both shocked.
Picking up a flower carving out of a tomato, Jin Guoxiang smiled. “This is practically an art. Sire Shui, you’ve eaten in so many national banquets, so why don’t you give an evaluation on Su Tao’s culinary skills compared to the chefs at the national banquet?”
Putting a piece of cabbage in his mouth, which was crisp and refreshing, Sire Shui indistinctly commented, “It can only be considered entry-level. It pales in comparison to a national chef, and you should just stick to your job as a National Healer.”
Upon hearing those words, Jin Guoxiang smiled as he took a peek at Sire Shui. Despite Sire Shui’s words, he hadn’t stopped moving his chopsticks. Evidently, the dishes were fitting to his taste.
“When you eat, you’re mostly tasting the ambiance and mood. This is also the reason why many people feel that their mother’s culinary skills are the best in the world since it contains love. Perhaps my culinary skills might not be comparable to chefs at national banquets, but we share a deep relationship, and this is the reason why my food tastes great.” Su Tao smiled.
Gently putting his chopsticks on the table, Sire Shui looked at Su Tao with a smile. “Why are you so shameless? Tell me, since when do we share a deep relationship?”
Sitting to the side, Jin Guoxiang shook his head. Just look at Sire Shui’s tone, wasn’t that proof that what Su Tao said was the truth?
Wearing a smile, Su Tao asked, “Did I save your life?”
“You did.” Sire Shui nodded as he looked at Su Tao with a smile.
“Then, did you save me as well?” Su Tao continued.
“That’s right.” Sire Shui replied.
“Since both of us saved each other during our plights, that means that we’ve built up a relationship during our unfortunate experiences.” Su Tao explained.
“Nicely said!” Sire Shui sighed. Looking at Su Tao, Sire Shui felt even more satisfied and continued, “No matter if the sky falls, I will be there to hold it up for you.”
From the side, Jin Guoxiang felt envious that Su Tao could receive Sire Shui’s acknowledgement. At the same time, he had also willingly accepted the fact. Although he had been with Sire Shui for years and obtained the latter’s trust, he was always cautious around Sire Shui. On the contrary, Su Tao had gained an advantage when he interacted with Sire Shui in the beginning. They interacted as equals since their first meeting, and this was also the reason why Su Tao could become more casual when talking.
Simple food in a serene courtyard with occasional waves of laughter echoing in the Shui Residence.
After lunch, Su Tao brewed a pot of tea and the three of them sat beneath the locust tree chatting.
“I heard that the Qihuang Charity Funds will be hosting an auction event soon?” Sire Shui asked with a smile.
Upon hearing that, Su Tao’s heart jolted and smiled. “The preparation is almost done, but we still lack something.”
Sire Shui was briefly stunned before he asked in perplexion, “What are you lacking?”
“Well, I’m lacking in treasures!” Su Tao sighed as he continued, “It’s an auction, and we can’t possibly have nothing to offer, right? Although we have received quite a few donations, we still lack a representative piece.”
Thereafter, Su Tao’s gaze stared at a red door. Sire Shui once brought him in for a tour, and he knew how many treasures were kept inside.
How could Sire Shui not notice Su Tao’s intention? Looking at Su Tao, Sire Shui bitterly smiled. “So you’re here because you’ve taken a fancy to my treasures?”
Meanwhile, Jin Guoxiang burst out in laughter.
Feigning to blush, Su Tao explained in a difficult tone, “Well, I can’t help it. You have the most treasures amongst everyone I know. I don’t need any antiques from the previous dynasties, just a personal item, painting, or calligraphy from the founding leaders of the country will do.”
Feeling both annoyed and funny at the same time, Sire Shui replied, “You stinking brat. You’re pretty bold to target those things.”
“Should I give a call to your granddaughter?” Su Tao smiled.
“Why would you call her?” Sire Shui was baffled as he looked at Su Tao.
“Touchwood, but your treasures will eventually be passed on to the later generations. Putting it in a nutshell, those things will belong to Junzhuo in the future. So as long as she agrees to it, you won’t have a reason to reject me.” Su Tao smiled.
What Su Tao said was logical, and Sire Shui was also hoping for Su Tao and his granddaughter to get together. If he passes away in the future and the two of them become a couple, half of the things there would eventually go to Su Tao. Hence, he laughed with tears forming in his eyes and waved his hand. “Don’t bother giving her a call. Seeing that you made me laugh a few times, there’s no harm in me giving you something for the auction. However, you have to promise me that the proceeds have to be well used to help those in need.”
Su Tao understood Sire Shui, and he’s also used to interacting with the latter. Hence, he knew how to make the latter happy.
Since ancient times, those who were close to the Emperor were those who knew how to control the Emperor’s emotions. They knew how to make the Emperor happy, and as time passed, the Emperor would naturally be close to you.
After all, being a subject didn’t mean that you had to bow your head to the Emperor all the time, but couple strength and gentleness together.
Seeing that Sire Shui agreed to his request, Su Tao felt admiration for Sire Shui’s breadth of mind and promised, “Big Brother Guoxiang will be the witness here. If I do anything that goes against morality, he will be responsible for punishing me.”
Nodding his head, Jin Guoxiang agreed, “Alright, I’ll supervise you!”
Sire Shui stood up and entered the room. When he came out, he brought with him an ordinary bronze box. As he gently blew the dust off the surface of the box, he slowly opened the box with a golden dragon carved on it to reveal a scroll.
Unrolling the scroll, Su Tao swept a glance at it and saw four robust and vigorous words on the right, “To Treasure Every Minute.”