Unconventional [Rebirth] - Chapter 41

Cao Yuke had initially felt that his father’s admiration for this boy—who wasn’t even eighteen yet—was somewhat blind. However, after arriving in Qing City, he gradually changed his mind.

Setting everything else aside, Jiang Rui possessed a way of handling matters that gave off a sense of absolute reliability. It seemed as though there was nothing he couldn’t achieve.

As an atheist, Cao Yuke’s reaction to Jiang Rui’s expertise in metaphysics had been different from his father Cao Xingjian’s awe; he had secretly questioned Jiang Rui’s abilities. Can someone who spends all day talking about spirits and mysticism really be a good boss?

Consequently, Cao Yuke hadn’t believed a word regarding the supposed effects of the “Aura-Deriving Jade” Jiang Rui had mentioned.

But Jiang Rui was his boss, after all. Regardless of his inner doubts, once the boss spoke, Cao Yuke put the jade thumb ring on his hand as instructed.

To his surprise, not long after putting it on, he contacted a client who had ordered a large jade piece days prior—only for the client to suddenly decide to order another one.

After hanging up, Cao Yuke looked over at Jiang Rui, who seemed oblivious to the miracle. The boy was simply wandering idly around the shop. Perhaps it’s just a coincidence… he thought.

A few days after the weekend ended and Jiang Rui had returned to school, Cao Yuke called him. Knowing Jiang Rui was a high school student, he didn’t dare disturb him during the day and waited until evening.

Jiang Rui had anticipated this call. This young man was capable, but his limited experience meant he lacked the steady composure of the elder Cao Xingjian.

“Young Master Jiang! This is simply incredible…” Cao Yuke exclaimed. “Since I started wearing that jade ring, the turnover I’ve handled is double or triple the usual amount. If I take it off, it returns to normal. At first, I thought it was a fluke, but I’ve been testing it repeatedly over the last two days. It’s exactly as you said—this jade ring actually attracts wealth!”

Jiang Rui wasn’t surprised. He chuckled. “Would I lie to you about something so minor?”

Cao Yuke was momentarily speechless before stammering, “Young Master Jiang, this is no minor matter! These pieces are unique in the entire jade market. If we play our cards right, our shop, Lianyu Villa, can use them to break into the Qing City market and establish a solid foothold!”

Catching the ambition in Cao Yuke’s voice, Jiang Rui gave a light laugh. “We signed a contract. Although Lianyu Villa is my property, you and your father are the decision-makers. I won’t interfere in the management, so handle it as you see fit. If you run into real trouble, let me know.”

He added, “Besides, the shares I promised you depend on the profits reaching a certain level. Right now, your income depends on your commission. Why should I worry about you not putting in the effort?”

Cao Yuke laughed; the formal speech he had prepared was useless against Jiang Rui. His boss might seem hands-off, but he was incredibly sharp. None of Cao Yuke’s little schemes could be hidden from him.

Three months into the semester, two monthly exams had passed, and Jiang Rui remained firmly at the top of the rankings.

Lately, Xie Gaoling had become uncharacteristically low-key, no longer loitering around Class 9. Even Duan Xinrong was acting strange, occasionally trying to strike up a conversation with Wang Xiaorui.

Jiang Rui remained highly protective of Xiaorui. Both Xie and Duan had the kind of looks and charisma that could be “lethal” to a girl her age. If he could, he would have cast a spell to keep those two at least a hundred meters away from her.

He observed Wang Xiaorui for a few days, but seeing her as calm and indifferent as usual, he finally relaxed.

Time flowed like water. As the first semester of the tenth grade drew to a close, Jiang Rui’s cultivation progressed smoothly to the late stage of Foundation Building. He reached the Great Circle of this stage, on the verge of breaking through to the Origin Transformation stage.

He had mastered two forms of the Concentrated Spirit Sword style, and his physical tempering had reached the fourth level of Bone and Sinew Forging.

His greatest gains, however, were in the Nine Brilliance Alchemy. He could now easily refine Level 3 spiritual pills and even Level 4 pills. Level 5 pills were still a struggle, but he could succeed once or twice out of a hundred attempts.

In the cultivation world, pills are divided into four grades and twelve levels: Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow. A Level 4 pill was considered a mid-grade Mysterious pill.

However, the Spirit Gathering Pill needed to help Rong Jingtang’s spirit root mutate was a Level 11 pill of the mid-grade Heaven rank. Such pills were extremely rare treasures. While he was progressing fast, he was still far from being able to refine a Heaven-rank pill.

During the winter break, Rong Jingtang invited Jiang Rui to visit the Rong residence in Hong Kong. Jiang Rui declined.

First, the business at Lianyu Villa was just starting. Even if he didn’t manage it, he had to stay in Qing City to prevent rival businesses from using “underhanded” metaphysical tactics. Second, being with Rong Jingtang made it difficult to enter his Secret Realm to cultivate.

Rong Jingtang didn’t say much about the rejection. He was naturally cold and taciturn, and over the phone, Jiang Rui couldn’t read his mind.

However, the next day, Uncle Cheng called to complain: “Young Master Jiang, please help me. The Master stayed in his study working all night. How can his body handle that?”

Jiang Rui hurriedly had his spirit ring, Miao Xuan, check on Rong Jingtang’s condition. Confirming he was fine, he let out a sigh of relief.

Then, with a hint of anger, he said, “Uncle Cheng, put Rong Jingtang on the phone.”

Jiang Rui dialed Rong Jingtang directly. The moment the call connected, he said coldly, “Mr. Rong.”

Rong Jingtang was stroking a pair of jade Pi Xiu on his desk. Seemingly oblivious to the frost in Jiang Rui’s voice, he gave a faint, “Mm.”

“How old is Mr. Rong this year?” Jiang Rui asked sarcastically.

Rong Jingtang answered seriously, “Twenty-three.”

“…” Jiang Rui snapped, “You’re a twenty-three-year-old man, yet you treat your body like a joke? Are you sure you’re not three? Even ten years ago, I knew to rest when I was sick so my parents wouldn’t worry.”

Rong Jingtang replied slowly, “So our Ruiru was that sensible as a child.”

The tone was flat, but Jiang Rui’s face turned bright red. That nickname… he felt like his ears were going to melt.

“Rong Jingtang, we are talking about you, not me! Uncle Cheng is getting older; stop making him worry.”

Rong Jingtang nodded. “I know.”

He was being so cooperative that Jiang Rui didn’t have the heart to scold him further.

“Your body belongs to you. No matter how busy work is, you can’t ignore your health. Fine, I know your time is precious, I won’t ramble…” Just as Jiang Rui was about to hang up, Rong Jingtang interrupted.

“I’m coming to Qing City to see you.”

Jiang Rui jolted. “Absolutely not!”

He immediately slapped his own mouth. Too fast!

Sure enough, after a brief silence, Rong Jingtang spoke: “Good. Then it’s settled. I’ll see you in Qing City.”

The cursed ‘Rong-style’ negotiation, Jiang Rui thought with a worried frown.