money player

Tang Shunjun bowed and nodded, "Mr. Xian."

Xian Yaowen cupped his hands in greeting, "Does Ms. Tang have any appointments for noon?"

Tang Shunjun glanced at the bucket out of the corner of his eye. "No."

"If you don't have any, stay for a simple meal." Sin Yiu-man pointed to the bucket. "We'll cook the mullet the Chaozhou way: crush the salted plums, add a little sugar to make a sauce, spread it evenly on the fish, and steam it over high heat. The cockles will be simpler; just blanch them."

"Mr. Xian enjoys cooking?" Tang Shunjun's eyes showed a slight surprise.

“Yes.” Sin Yiu-man nodded slightly. “I both consider cooking a way to cultivate my character and I’m quite picky about food.”

"Mr. Xian's cooking skills are very good?"

Sin Yiu-man waved his hand, “I’m not bad among ordinary people, but I can’t compare to professional chefs. It’s just that when I make a dish, my brain automatically gives me extra points. I put in the flavors that I like at that moment. No matter how delicious someone else’s dish is, it can’t be completely the same.”

Tang Shunjun was slightly taken aback, then chimed in, "That makes sense. When you cook something yourself, you can adjust the heat and saltiness to your liking. The flavor is tailor-made. Even with the most ordinary ingredients, you can still enjoy the comfort and satisfaction."

Xian Yaowen smiled faintly, "This logic won't work on Ying'er."

Tang Shunjun understood why it "didn't make sense." Her sister could only cook a few simple dishes and was far from being an artist. She also understood the hidden meaning in the words. Xian Yaowen was looking for common ground between the two to get closer... No, it seemed he was also hiding something. What a delicate mind.

“My sister grew up in the palace, where her meals were always served to her.”

"Hmm." Xian Yaowen's gaze turned to the entrance hall, where he saw Tang Yiying carrying a tray as she came out. He then looked away and met Tang Shunjun's eyes. "Ms. Tang, I'm going to the kitchen to cook. You two sisters can chat for a while. Please give me your feedback later."

Tang Shunjun nodded and smiled, "Thank you for your trouble."

Sin Yiu-man picked up the two buckets in his right hand, got up and walked towards the entrance. As he passed Tang Yi-ying, he patted her on the buttocks.

Once inside the kitchen, he checked the groceries Tang Yiying had bought, washed the wok, put water in the pan, added the ribs, then soaked all the plates and bowls in the sink and checked the seasonings…

The kitchen has never been used properly. It has everything, but nothing is in its proper place either, so it needs some effort to clean up.

Even though I didn't make any particularly elaborate dishes, it still took me more than three hours to prepare six dishes and a soup.

Tang Shunjun sat down at the table and glanced at the dishes: steamed black carp with sour plum, blanched clams, braised pork ribs with scallions, stir-fried chrysanthemum greens, spicy and sour lotus root, mushroom and chicken soup, and a pancake with an unidentifiable filling. They were all home-style dishes, but presented in a restaurant style, and you could tell from the look of them that they would taste good.

Xian Yaowen turned off the stove, poured three cups of the brewed fruit tea onto a tray, then picked up the teapot, poured three bowls of cold-brewed oolong tea, and carried the tray to the dining table. Tang Yiying saw this and stood up to help.

After clearing away the tray, Xian Yaowen sat between the two women, picked up the serving chopsticks, took the tenderest piece of meat from the belly of the cuttlefish and put it on his own plate. He then put down the serving chopsticks and gestured to Tang Shunjun, "Please help yourself to this simple home-style dish."

Upon hearing this, Tang Shunjun picked up the serving chopsticks and took a small piece of chrysanthemum greens that were relatively close to the chrysanthemum greens.

Sin Yiu-man picked up the serving chopsticks again and placed a red amaranth cake on Tang Yi-ying's plate. "The cake should be eaten while it's hot; it tastes much worse when it's cold."

Tang Yiying nodded, picked up her chopsticks, took a small bite of the red amaranth cake, and put it to her mouth.

Sin Yiu-man's gaze remained fixed on the food. He put down the serving chopsticks, picked up his bowl, and took a sip of oolong tea.

Tang Shunjun ate the chrysanthemum greens, then scooped up half a spoonful of lotus root cubes, keeping a close eye on Xian Yaowen out of the corner of her eye to control her eating pace and adhere to table manners.

After she finished the last bite of lotus root, Xian Yaowen turned his face, his gaze lightly floating on the plate, and picked up a piece of chrysanthemum greens with the serving chopsticks.

He put down the serving chopsticks and gently looked at Tang Shunjun's face. "Ms. Tang, I haven't been out of the countryside for long, and I'm used to being wild there. Please forgive me if I do anything inappropriate."

Tang Shunjun looked at Tang Yiying and smiled, "Sister, are the rules here very strict?"

Tang Yiying chuckled and said, "There's no need for formalities at a family banquet."

As soon as she finished speaking, she picked up a piece of spare rib and placed it on Tang Shunjun's plate. "Sister, try this spare rib. The spare ribs that Master makes are the best I've ever eaten."

"Thank you, sister." Tang Shunjun picked up a rib, took a bite, and made no comment, simply waiting for Xian Yaowen to speak.

After waiting for her to put down her chopsticks, Xian Yaowen said softly, "Ms. Tang, I have been running around in Taipei for a while now. The more I run around, the clearer I become. We Manchus who migrated to Taiwan are holding golden eggs in our arms, but we are guarding hens that can't lay eggs."

"Mr. Xian, are you referring to the gold and foreign currency that everyone is hiding?" Tang Yiying paused slightly, and before Xian Yaowen could speak, she continued, "In chaotic times, having money in your hands is the only way to feel secure."

“Exactly.” Sin Yiu-man nodded slightly and said slowly, “I’m more involved in some things and know more information than most people. Taiwan is a special case, and the situation will not change much for at least ten years.”

"Is Mr. Xian sure?"

"Yes."

Tang Shunjun pretended to listen attentively.

"The situation in Taiwan will not change much, but the economy will change a lot. With the arrival of US aid, the economy will generally show an upward trend, and the New Taiwan Dollar will become stronger. However, before everything stabilizes, there will definitely be a period of turmoil. During this period, holding cash is not a safe option, but rather a way to squander your savings."

Every Manchu who came to the country brought with them a fortune, but what about now? Some are selling their calligraphy and paintings to make ends meet, while others are even relying on handicrafts to supplement their income.

"What does Mr. Xian want to say?" Tang Shunjun's eyes flashed with wariness. "Business in Taipei is either smuggling or speculation. The Manchus have never gotten involved in these shady dealings."

“Ms. Tang, what I’m talking about is not smuggling, nor speculation, but legitimate trade and business. Taiwan has valuable things, but it also lacks too many things. I’m already doing the former. The profit isn’t high, but the volume is large and stable. In just over a month, I’ve made over ten million in profit. I’m also doing the latter, but I’m struggling with insufficient funds, so I’m not doing it on a large scale.”

"Mr. Xian wants to borrow money from the Manchus to do business with you?"

Sin Yiu-man nodded slightly, "Yes."

"Sharing profits?"

"Correct."

"What if we lose money? It's all our retirement savings, we can't afford to lose it."

Before Xian Yaowen could answer, Tang Yiying said, "It's a compensation, my husband will make it up to you."

Tang Shunjun's gaze was fixed on Xian Yaowen's face. "Compensation?"

Sin Yiu-man said firmly, "Yes, I will compensate you."

"If you make a profit, you get a share; if you lose, you get a full refund. What's in it for Mr. Xian?"

“Time.” Xian Yaowen tapped his fingers lightly on the table. “I need to seize the time, before others can react, and grab the fattest pieces of meat.”

Tang Shunjun picked up his fruit tea, took a sip, and said slowly, "What does Mr. Xian need me to do?"

“I need Ms. Tang to endorse me. Of the funds raised, Ms. Tang can take 5%, and in addition, she will receive 2% of the investment returns for life, with dividends paid once a year.”

Tang Shunjun was stunned for a moment, his eyes becoming complicated. "Mr. Xian, you are not Manchu, why are you pulling us along?"

Sin Yiu-man smiled frankly, “I’m a businessman, and I need reliable funds and connections. The Manchu people are united and value loyalty, and Ms. Tang’s reputation is more effective than any guarantee.”

What I can offer is to turn dead money into live money, and to allow the Manchus who migrated to Taiwan to hold their heads high in Taipei, no longer having to rely on selling their ancestral property to survive.

Tang Shunjun stroked the rim of his cup, his tone softening, "I have two conditions."

"please say."

"First, the financing will only be open to Manchu relatives who have moved to Taiwan. We will never accept funds from outsiders. The accounts will be kept by someone I designate, and the accounts will be reported to everyone every two weeks."

"no problem."

"Secondly, ten percent of the profits must be used to establish a school for Manchu children. Many of our clansmen's children are not in school. This money must be used for this purpose only, and you cannot interfere with its use."

Sin Yiu-man cupped his hands in a gesture of respect. “I admire Ms. Tang’s kindness, but the profits are not for me.”

"As long as Mr. Xian agrees, I will speak to the clan members myself."

"I agree."

Tang Shunjun picked up his cup and said with a faint smile, "Mr. Xian, I hope you will remember what I said today. The Manchus value integrity the most. If you keep your word, the Manchus in Taipei will be your support in the future; if you break your promise, we will seek justice no matter where you are in the world."

Xian Yaowen raised his glass to hers and said, “Ms. Tang, please rest assured, I, Xian Yaowen, always keep my word in business. In three days, I will give you a formal plan and also have someone contact you.”

"It's a word."

"it is good."

At 2 p.m., Tang Shunjun left, and Xian Yaowen also left.

Just fifteen minutes later, Sin Yiu-man appeared directly opposite Taipei Main Station, outside the car rental shop where Yang Li-hua worked.

The shop was crowded. He waited for a while until Yang Lihua had some free time, then called her out.

Yang Lihua approached Xian Yaowen, a girlish shyness on her face, her fingers rolling up her sleeves. "Why are you here?"

Xian Yaowen's gaze swept across the faces of the people searching in the shop, finally settling on Yang Lihua's face. He chuckled and said, "I came to see you. Are you tired?"

Yang Lihua shook her head, "Not tired at all."

Sin Yiu-man handed over the teacup in his hand, "I bought you some herbal tea with rock sugar."

Yang Lihua happily took the teacup, opened the lid, took a sip, and said sweetly, "It's very sweet."

Xian Yaowen took out a handkerchief and wiped the fine sweat from Yang Lihua's forehead. "Has it flared up in the last couple of days?"

"No."

"Do you carry the medicine with you?"

"I've always carried it with me."

"Keep it on your person, not in your bag."

"I know."

Xian Yaowen put away the handkerchief, folded it neatly, and handed it to Yang Lihua, asking, "How long are you going to stay here?"

After thinking for a moment, Yang Lihua said, "I have a basic understanding of the situation. There are some things I haven't encountered yet. I'll know when I can leave once I encounter them one by one."

"Well, it's good that you have a plan in mind." Xian Yaowen kissed Yang Lihua on the forehead. "Go back now, I'll come to your place for dinner in a couple of days."

"Talking to Jingyi?"

"Yes." (End of Chapter)