?

  It can be seen that Luoshui's heart has already been decided, and there is no need to say anything more. Xiaobai asked again: "Zongye, Gusheng and these people are not worthy of your trust?"

  Luo Shuihan: "Of course I won't just arrange this one thing for you alone, there are naturally other arrangements for them. Now let's just talk about you - are you willing to accept?"

  Bai Shaoliu: "Didn't you just say that regardless of whether I accept or not, you would do it anyway? Now let me test Mr. Luo, I've already said out your thoughts, so now guess mine?"

  Luo Shuihan: "Then I'll say it, does this matter harm you? No! Will it hurt others? Also no!... In fact, I'm not forcing you, even after I die, even if you want to force me, it's impossible. You can use this money or completely ignore it, even take it and then return it to Luo Xue, that doesn't violate any moral standards. Even if you don't care about it yourself, wealth in everyone's hands can still be used to do many things, you must also want to do many things?"

  Bai Shaoliu: "Mr. Luo is right, there's no need to be pretentious, refusing doesn't necessarily make one appear noble, I accept! ...Actually, even if you didn't give me these things, I would still try my best to protect Luo Xue, and towards Mr. Luo, I have always been grateful, you are my benefactor!"

  Luoshui let out a long sigh, stood up and walked around the table to Xiao Bai's side, patted his shoulder and handed him the small shovel: "I'm counting on you!"

  "Don't worry, I know what to do!... Have you told Luo Xue about your condition? It's better to tell her sooner rather than later, time is running out, let her have some mental preparation."

  Luoshuihan: "I'll talk to her about this tonight, let's have a happy dinner first, it's rare to have so many guests! We should go downstairs, the others are almost here!"

  Feng Junzi and Xiao Yunyi, the couple, had arrived ahead of time and were chatting with Luo Xue in the living room downstairs. Aphrodite stood beside them, gazing at Feng Junzi, while Gu Ying stood next to Aphrodite, glancing back and forth between Aphrodite and Feng Junzi. Xiao Yunyi was standing beside Luo Xue, who was facing Feng Junzi, who sat alone in the entire living room.

  Feng Junzi sat on the chair, with a cigarette in his mouth. Luo Xue stood in front of him, stretching out one hand to mimic lighting a fire, but without a lighter. Luo Xue's actions went on for half a day, and naturally Feng Junzi's cigarette didn't light up. He took down the cigarette with one hand and said: "Miss Luo, your magic trick isn't working?" The other hand reached into his pocket to grab something.

  Xiao Yunyi slapped his hand with a loud slap: "Don't take out the lighter, let Luo Xue light it for you, can't you be patient?"

  Feng Junzi: "I'm not using a lighter, this is more convenient... Luo Xue, take your time, don't rush!" He took out an ivory cigarette holder from his pocket, inserted the cigarette into it and lit up.

  Originally, Luo Xue had been studying magic with Gu Ying for some time and was able to awaken the power to communicate with "fire". In the past few days, she received guidance from Aphrodite and basically mastered the basics of fire magic. Learning to cast flame spells is not about setting fires everywhere, but first and foremost, it's about learning control, releasing a controlled amount of fire energy at a specific point. Lighting a cigarette theoretically requires more skill than casting a flame spell, if she can succeed, it means she has basically mastered the technique.

  Luo Shuihan doesn't smoke, and neither does Luo Xiang or Gu Ying. So you can't find a single cigarette in the entire Luo Garden. Today, Feng Junzi came to visit, and after chatting for a few sentences, Luo Xiang asked him if he smoked. Feng Junzi said he did. Luo Xiang then asked if he had any cigarettes on him, and Feng Junzi said he did, but hadn't lit up because he couldn't find an ashtray. When Luo Xiang heard this, his eyes lit up, thinking of trying out a new magic trick he'd learned. He found an ashtray and asked Feng Junzi to light one up.

  Feng Junzi didn't know what trick she was going to use, so he lit a cigarette and waited for her for half a day. Later, he saw that she wanted to light the cigarette with an empty hand, and he was very interested in waiting there. After Feng Junzi put the cigarette in his mouth, Xiao Yunyi smiled at Luo Xue and said: "Use whatever method you have, just be careful not to burn his hair!"

  Luò xiǎo pouted and puffed out her cheeks, looking very cute. She snapped her fingers in front of Fēng Jūnzǐ, and the cigarette lit up instantly. However, it was not lit correctly - not only did half of the cigarette light up at once, but it also started burning from the middle. Thick smoke burst forth, choking Fēng Jūnzǐ. Luò xiǎo apologized awkwardly, but ended up making everyone in the room laugh.

  Feng Junzi coughed a few times, took off the cigarette holder, and put the unsmokable cigarette into a crystal ashtray in Xiao Yun's hand. He then pulled out another cigarette and said: "This one doesn't count, light another one. Pay attention, just light the tip, no need to be so dramatic... The key to controlling your hands when performing magic is focus, you can't be distracted. Lighting a cigarette is just lighting a cigarette... Try again, the key isn't what method you use, but what you want to do!"

  Feng Junzi's words seemed to have enlightened Luo Xiang, who nodded as if she understood: "I'll try again, this isn't magic tricks, it's magic!"

  Feng Junzi smiled: "Alright, alright, it's magic. Whether it's magic or sorcery, just light the cigarette and that's fine." After finishing speaking, he put the cigarette to his mouth again.

  Luo Xiao didn't make such a big move this time, he stretched out his hand and lightly pointed, the front end of that cigarette suddenly lit up, Feng Junzi took a puff, exhaled and nodded: "Very good very good, your family doesn't need to buy lighters anymore!"

  Aphrodite and Gu Ying exchanged a glance, nodding secretly. Luo Xiao's current fire magic was not very powerful but had already mastered it with great precision. The most important technique to learn when awakening energy is how to control the energy. Feng Junzi's last sentence just now can also be considered a mantra. Is Feng Junzi pretending to be stupid? Must he say that magic is actually sorcery!

  At this time, applause came from the entrance of the guest room. The one who clapped was Xiao Bai, and he and Luo Shuihan walked in just in time to see this scene, and they were also very impressed with Luo Xue. He himself hadn't learned this trick yet! His ability was much greater than Luo Xue's, but everyone had their own unique skills. When attending classes at Gu Ying earlier, Xiao Bai had also heard about it. Later, Bai Mao taught the basics of witchcraft, and it seemed that he needed to try it out too. He would go home and find someone to test his cigarette smoke first!

  At this time someone outside the door said: "The Marquis of Lington has arrived and will be at the entrance immediately."

  Luo Shuihan: "Mr. Feng, Mrs. Feng, you two chat slowly first, Luo Xi, come with me to greet them."

  Time was not long, Luo's father and daughter led the Marquis of Linton into the living room. The Marquis of Linton was handsome and tall, with every move showing elegance and dignity, wherever he stood was the focus of people's attention. However, when he walked in with a smile, he stopped at the entrance, his eyes fixed on one person, he did not expect Feng Junzi to be here! Everyone else stood up politely to greet him, only Feng Junzi sat there puffing on an ivory cigarette holder, blowing clouds and fog, with a woman holding a ashtray beside him.

  Feng Junzi raised his head and saw the Earl of Lington walking in, staring at him. He also felt that his appearance was not polite enough, so he took off his cigarette holder and stood up to say to Luo Shuihan: "Mr. Luo, this is...?"

  "From the Kingdom of Spia, Punis Lington Marquis."

  Feng Junzi suddenly reacted, handed the cigarette to his left hand, took a big step forward with his right hand extended, and said very enthusiastically: "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! Last time I met Mr. Hou at the airport, I thought you were selling flowers! It turned out to be the famous Lord Lingdon! Luckily, I met you again today at Mr. Luo's place, and I'd like to offer my sincerest apologies!"

  "What's going on? How can a marquis be a flower seller?"

  Marquis Lington has now regained his usual demeanor, extending his hand to shake hands with Mr. Feng, and smiling: "A little misunderstanding, Mr. Feng mistook someone at Wuyou Airport last time."

  Feng Junzi still held his hand and continued to explain: "It's not that I recognized the wrong person, it's just that I didn't recognize him at all! Last time I saw this gentleman holding a bouquet of flowers blocking a certain miss's way at Uyu Airport, that miss turned around and walked in another direction, so I thought Lord Lingdun was a flower seller. It's really embarrassing to misjudge someone!"

  Marquis Lington is so angry! Feng Junzi really has a knack for bringing up the most inopportune topics. In front of Aphrodite, Marquis Lington had originally wanted to show off his charm, after all, it's not easy to have a private meeting with her. But as soon as Feng Junzi opened his mouth, he brought up the story of how Marquis Lington got rejected at the airport.

  At this time, Xiao Yunyi walked over and stood beside Feng Junzi, greeting him: "Duke, nice to meet you. I am Xiao Yunyi, the wife of Feng Junzi. It's an honor to meet you for the first time."

  Marquis Lington: "So it's Mrs. Feng, it's also my honor to meet such a beautiful lady like you!"

  Xiao Yunyi asked instead: "May I ask if you have never met my husband before?"

  Marquis Lington nodded: "Yes, that time at the airport was just a brief encounter, and today is the first formal meeting."

  Xiao Yunyi: "Then how do you know him? Mr. Luo hasn't introduced you, yet you call him Mr. Feng as soon as you open your mouth?" Her question was quite particular - since they had never met before, how did they recognize each other at first sight?

  Not to mention the Marquis of Lingdon, even Xiao Bai felt that Xiang Yunyi was much more clever than he looked, and could hear the flaws in just one sentence. The Marquis of Lingdon forced a smile and explained: "Although I haven't seen Mr. Feng's face before, I've long admired his great name!" This sentence of his obviously had a problem - Feng Junzi wasn't someone that the Marquis of Lingdon would know, if he could recognize him at first sight and greet him, it could only mean that he had inquired about this person or even specially looked up his information.

  At this time, Luo Shuihan said: "My guests in the Luoyuan are not unknown! Come on, everyone sit down." It was considered to have covered up this small embarrassment.

  There were eight people attending the dinner party, including Luo Shuihan, Luo Xue, Gu Ying, Aphrodite, Ling Dun, Bai Shaoliu, Feng Junzi and Xiao Yunyi. Of course, there were more than a dozen serving them before and after. This dinner party was not held in a restaurant, but on the beach of Luoyuan Garden, which looked almost like an open-air setting. At the end of February, the early spring season still felt cold and windy, how could they set up a banquet on the beach without worrying about their guests getting frozen? But rich people have their own ways, which made Bai Shaoliu sigh in amazement!

  One afternoon, a large flower-shaped pavilion was set up on the beach of Luo Garden. The roof and most parts of the four walls were made of transparent organic glass, with most of the space open to the sea view. Although it was open on all sides, it wasn't cold inside at all. The air curtains above the doors on all sides sprayed a special double-layer airflow downwards, separating the indoor and outdoor air and constantly supplementing the warm air flowing into the pavilion, without affecting the view.

  What's for dinner? It sounds ordinary, but there are barbecue stalls everywhere on the streets. Of course, you don't need to do it yourself, as there are professional chefs who grill them outside and bring them in. However, to experience the fun, four exquisite silver-white grills were placed around a table in the center of the hut, where those willing could grill their own food, with seasonings provided in front of each person.

  Everyone here is not just filling their stomachs, but more of a social gathering. Luoshuihan mentioned something at the banquet that piqued Xiaobai's interest. The Roba Alliance Financial Group was preparing to invest in the Wan Guo Motor Bank as a strategic investor, and Luoshuihan also wanted to subscribe to the Wan Guo Motor Bank's additional shares but was politely rejected. The reason is that the Heluo Group is not an internationally renowned financial conglomerate.

  He then wanted to discuss cooperation with Aphrodite, and still acquire shares of the Bank of International Settlements through another way. He even proposed that if Roba Alliance Financial Group was willing to acquire more shares, he could increase the price by 20% and buy back part or all of the shares from the financial group in half a year, even if Hilo Group provided funds to Roba Alliance Financial Group first.

  Luoshuihan sold shares to Qianrang Financial Group at a price 20% higher than the market value, as long as they could transfer the shares back to him after six months. This was clearly a giveaway. Why was Luoshuihan so foolish? It was an unavoidable situation. The restructuring of Wanguo Motor Bank was selective for strategic investors, and Heluo Group was excluded. If they waited until the future IPO to buy back shares from the market, it would be extremely difficult and costly.

  Luoshui Han was well aware of the importance of finance, and as one of the most important commercial banks in Zhiguon country, with the largest business scale in the Wuyu region, it held the life and death of many enterprises in its hands. The restructuring of the Bank of China meant a shift from policy-based decision-making to market-oriented decision-making, so the Heluo Group had to gain a voice in it, and entering the board of directors was the best choice, which could continue to obtain the greatest financial support.

  Aphrodite did not comment, only simply saying that the matter could be negotiated, while Lord Lingdon said: "Mr. Luo, in fact, your country's commercial banks' choice to introduce strategic investors is correct, and you must intervene in the operation of the Bank of China, which may not be beneficial to this bank. I don't think the merchants of Rizhao can grasp the concept of modern finance very well, and the marketization progress and economic development here still need a true guide."

  Luo Shuihan smiled coldly: "Is that so? Our ancestors' money house has been open for 800 years, until the modern big ticketing houses went bankrupt due to war and not management. I think making things more complicated, in reality it's still one thing. Zhi Xuguon has gone through a dynasty change, I am the first generation of re-accumulating wealth, by the time of my daughter Luo Xi's generation, we should find back our confidence and independence."

  Xiaobai was listening intently, when suddenly he heard two clangs. Feng Junzi was using a silver fork to strike the charcoal stove behind him, drawing everyone's attention away. At this point, Feng Junzi asked: "What kind of charcoal is this?"

  Marquis Lington replied, "This is the best quality charcoal, it's grayish white in color, and when burned, there is no smoke or flame, and the heat lasts for a very long time. I've been using this kind of charcoal since I was young, Mr. Feng, haven't you ever seen it?"

  Feng Junzi turned around: "I'm asking where it came from? Can't anyone see its past?"

  Marquis Ling Dun shook his head, and Bai Shaofeng replied: "I know this, it's white charcoal."

  Feng Junzi: "I certainly know about white charcoal, but ordinary white charcoal isn't white either!"

  "This is generally unknown to ordinary people, this is the most special snowflake dragon wood white charcoal, I saw it when I was a child, and there are specialized kilns in the village that burn this charcoal."

  Feng Junzi: "Oh? Then tell us the story of Xue Hua Jiang Long Mu Bai Tan." He suddenly changed the subject, wanting Xiao Bai to talk about the origin of the snow charcoal. Xiao Bai looked at Feng Junzi and thought for a moment before understanding his intention, then began to tell everyone the story of how they burned white charcoal in Xiao Bai Village.

  Xiaobai Village is located in a place called Sanjiangkou, with the Yangtze River in front and hills behind. The land is very barren, and some villagers make a living by cutting firewood, making kilns, and burning charcoal. On the hills near Xiaobai Village grows a type of shrub called Snowflake Dragon Wood, which can be burned into white charcoal using special high-temperature kilns. This white charcoal is grayish-white in color, and when split open, it is also grayish-white inside, much cleaner than ordinary charcoal, with snowflake-like patterns on its surface.

  It was around 20 or 30 years ago that someone came to Xiaobai Village specifically to purchase Snowflake White Charcoal and taught the villagers how to burn it. At that time, there were no other ways to make a living in rural areas, and burning charcoal was a relatively profitable business, so many villagers went into the mountains to cut down Snowflake Dragon Trees and brought them back to the village to burn charcoal. Several charcoal kilns in Xiaobai Village burned fiercely for more than two years, resulting in the nearby mountain's Snowflake Dragon Trees being cut down completely, and that was the end of it.

  The story is very simple and can be finished in just a few words. Luo Xue curiously asked, "Are the Snowflake Dragon Trees all gone? Will they grow again?"

  "That kind of tree grows extremely slowly, even slower than the Chinese evergreen oak. Branches as thick as a white charcoal take decades to grow, and in just a few years they're all cut down. Now you can hardly see any on the mountain."

  Feng Junzi inserted a sentence: "Xiaobai, I am also from Wucheng, and I heard that your Xiaobai Village is the poorest village in the area. When you were young, the villagers were so poor that they exposed their buttocks." He said something very indecent at such an elegant dinner party, which made Ling Dun Hou and Afutena frown slightly.

  Luo Xuan didn't understand and asked: "How can being poor show one's buttocks?"

  Bai Shaofeng explained: "There are holes in the pants, I was about the same when I was a kid!"

  Luoshui Han seemed to have heard something and smiled as he asked Bai Shaoliu: "How could you be so poor, didn't even pay for the coal?"

  Bai Shaoliu: "It's been given, and what was given is better than ordinary charcoal."

  Luo Shuihan: "How can you put a price on it? The villagers don't have any objections?"

  "The price was good, the labor cost of cutting firewood in the mountains, the cost of building and burning kilns, was several times higher than that of ordinary charcoal. At that time, the mountain people had no knowledge, thinking it was a good deal, they all went up the mountain to cut down the dragon wood to burn charcoal. A few households that specialized in burning charcoal also had a good life for two years, built new houses, killed a few more pigs during the holidays, and added new clothes for the old and young at home. Later, after the Snowflake Charcoal was burned out, it was gone, and life returned to what it was like before. It wasn't until the village developed Sanjiangkou Ecotourism in recent years that things got better. As for my family, we made a living by processing five-spice donkey meat to support me going to university."

  Xiao Yunyi glanced at her husband, squeezed his eyes and asked: "Husband, your father used to be the mayor of Wucheng, didn't you use Xuehua white charcoal when roasting fire at home? Isn't this a specialty of Xiaobai Village in Wucheng?"

  "None of my family has ever used this, we haven't even seen it before. This charcoal comes from Wucheng and they all went to his house!" As he spoke, he pointed at the Earl of Lingdun with a silver fork, and everyone at the table couldn't help but laugh.

  At this time, Luo Xue asked again: "Didn't the Snowflake Dragon Wood get cut down completely? Where did this white charcoal come from?"

  Feng Junzi: "The world is not just a small village of Bai, this Snowflake Dragon Wood is a specialty of the Zhixu State's Huai River to Wucheng hilly area, and it's not just limited to Xiaobai Village. As for where your family's Snowflake White Carbon comes from, you should ask yourself."

  Luo Xue: "So Mr. Feng knew the origin of this snowflake white charcoal, and even understood the Dragon Descending Wood so clearly, did you intentionally let Xiao Bai tell the story?"

  Feng Junzi: "Of course I know, I've been to many mountainous areas, even searching for Snowflake Dragon Wood in the depths of the mountains. Now this charcoal fire under the deer hide, is not only the sweat of the charcoal burners, but also the blood and sweat of the mountains and rivers. Pitiful people must have a hateful place, such as the villagers of Xiaobai Village back then, can't just blame those who seemed to give them a good price and pointed out how to burn charcoal and bought their Snowflake White Charcoal."

  Marquis Lington finally spoke up: "What Mr. Feng is actually talking about is a protective development issue, burning charcoal is an economic activity, as long as it's profitable, the mountain people will do it. If no one pays to buy charcoal, how can they make money?"

  Bai Shaoyu curled up his lip: "Not burning snowflake white charcoal, the people of Xiaobai Village won't starve to death!"