Chapter 97: The Ancient Tower, Mysterious Empowerment
Li Chao’s words carried a mixture of puzzlement and awe, like autumn leaves swirling gently in the breeze, slowly unfolding a scene that revealed the mysteries of value and the market.
He continued, “Though these formulas are not miraculous elixirs, each has been carefully crafted with the intent of harmonizing the body’s yin and yang through the gifts of nature, nourishing the very source of life.”
“For those who seek to nourish and beautify, it is like a gentle spring rain, quietly moistening all things, allowing time to leave only the softest marks on a fair maiden’s face;”
“For invigorating the kidney and refreshing the spirit, it resembles a cool summer breeze, sweeping away fatigue and awakening dormant vitality;”
“As for strengthening the body, it is the perfect choice for autumn and winter tonics, making the physique evergreen like pine and cypress, impervious to wind and frost.”
Having finished, his gaze shifted subtly toward Liu Lele, who had quietly taken her seat. Her face was gentle, her eyes smiling as if able to discern the deepest subtleties of the human heart.
Li Chao instinctively leaned in closer, lowering his voice deliberately, as if afraid to disturb the serene atmosphere: “Sister Liu, your pricing—eight hundred and eighty-eight—while auspicious in meaning, is quite astonishing. I find myself both admiring your boldness and harboring some worries.”
Liu Lele responded with a knowing smile, one that concealed the sharpness and wisdom of a seasoned merchant, as well as a unique perspective on the aesthetics of life:
“Li Chao, do you realize that the value of things often transcends their material cost?”
“This medicinal cuisine is not merely food; it is a token of goodwill, an expectation of health, a yearning for a better life.”
“My price is not just a number, but a story, an experience, even a symbol of status.”
“In this bustling city, people often seek more than mere satisfaction of appetite—they long for spiritual solace and a realization of self-worth.”
She paused, her gaze deepening with warmth:
“Moreover, you and I both know that true value often lies hidden in the unseen.”
“For example, the ingenuity behind this medicinal cuisine, our meticulous selection of ingredients, strict control over the cooking process, and the warmth and care we wish diners to feel.”
“These are things that cannot be measured directly with money.”
“So, Li Chao, rest assured: as long as our medicinal cuisine can touch hearts, the price of eight hundred and eighty-eight will have its own justified reason.”
Hearing this, Li Chao’s heart suddenly cleared, as if the clouds had parted to reveal a bright moon. He nodded, his eyes shining with newfound understanding—a renewed perception of the business world.
Though Li Chao had joined the ranks of the wealthy, the simplicity and thriftiness rooted in his countryside origins were like seeds deeply embedded in his blood, impossible to uproot easily. To him, the richness of life was often found in simple, affordable meals—an abundant feast could be enjoyed for just a few hundred yuan. The seemingly modest medicinal cuisine, priced near a thousand yuan, naturally sparked doubts in his mind.
He pondered silently: Could anyone truly be willing to spend so generously on this single dish? If the market response proved tepid, would all the painstaking effort and investment be in vain?
Liu Lele seemed to see through his thoughts. Her eyes pierced through the bustling crowd, gazing into the distance where a blueprint of the future seemed already drawn. She smiled gently, her tone resolute and confident:
“Relax. This medicinal cuisine will not be left on the shelf; rather, it will become a rare treasure in high demand.”
Meanwhile, the banquet hall buzzed with liveliness. Guests eagerly lifted their chopsticks, savoring the long-anticipated delicacy. Instantly, the air filled not only with the aroma of food but also with an indescribable sense of comfort and satisfaction.
The usually discerning and fastidious dignitaries, who may have initially murmured about the high price, found their doubts and prejudices vanish with the first bite, replaced by expressions of delight and enchantment.
They began to feast unabashedly, as if, in this moment, all notions of identity, status, and etiquette were conquered by this exquisite taste.
Within the hall, only the faint clinking of utensils and occasional murmurs of contentment broke the silence. Time seemed to freeze, and for several minutes, everyone immersed themselves in a silent dialogue with the medicinal cuisine.
When the last spoonful passed their lips, they slowly lifted their heads and exchanged smiles, their eyes shining with unprecedented brilliance.
They felt subtle changes within their bodies—a nourishment and renewal from the inside out, like rain after a long drought, bringing unparalleled relaxation and rebirth to their weary souls.
At this moment, they deeply realized that the true value of this medicinal cuisine could not be measured by money alone.
Li Chao watched this scene, his doubts finally dissipating. He understood that genuine value often hides in the seemingly ordinary, awaiting discovery and appreciation by those with insight.
And Liu Lele was precisely the one with the vision and courage to reveal this value to the world.
“Haha, this is truly miraculous! The hazy drowsiness I felt moments ago has vanished; even after hosting several meetings in a row, I’ll surely remain vigorous and capable!” exclaimed a portly middle-aged gentleman, wiping the corner of his mouth with a napkin, his eyes glowing with full recognition of the medicinal cuisine’s efficacy.
“Oh my, this medicinal cuisine is nothing short of a miracle! Look at me in the mirror—the spots on my face seem to be fading gradually, and my skin is becoming finer and more radiant!” A lady, holding a small mirror, examined herself intently, her sudden transformation filling her with joyous astonishment, as if she had discovered a new world.
“I am well past my prime years, and had thought my strength and energy greatly diminished. Yet this medicinal cuisine has such divine effects—I feel light as a swallow and my strength doubled, as if I have returned to my youth,” an elderly scholar stroked his beard and laughed, his words filled with praise and gratitude.
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“Yes, my chronic ailments have miraculously eased after eating this medicinal cuisine—it’s truly unbelievable!” someone else exclaimed nearby, their face a mixture of disbelief and ecstatic joy.
Every guest present, no matter who, was stunned and impressed after experiencing the wondrous effects of the medicinal cuisine.
This gift from nature, with its unique charm, had won over every soul in attendance.
Liu Lele, seeing this, felt a quiet joy and seized the moment to present the quality inspection reports of the medicinal cuisine for all to examine.
The precise data and stringent testing standards dispelled the last lingering doubts about its safety and efficacy.
“Ms. Liu, your medicinal cuisine is absolutely wonderful! Please give me another serving!”
“One is not enough—I want five to take home for my family!”
“By the way, Ms. Liu, do you have a membership program? I want a monthly card—then all my meals can be from Jiangnan Spring!”
Excited voices filled the hall as guests expressed their wishes, turning the atmosphere into one of lively celebration.
They understood that in this fast-paced era, minor health issues often go unnoticed, and while traditional health products offer temporary relief, they seldom cure fully and may bring side effects.
By contrast, this medicinal cuisine was not only convenient and practical but also natural and harmless, naturally becoming their top choice for pursuing a healthy lifestyle.
Liu Lele gazed upon the scene, her heart swelled with pride and joy.
She knew this was not just an endorsement of the cuisine, but also a testament to the longing and pursuit of a healthier way of life.
Li Chao, watching all this, experienced a surge of mixed emotions, a twitch forming at the corner of his mouth.
He muttered inwardly:
“This… isn’t Kaiyuan County supposed to be a poor place?”
“How can these people here eat medicinal cuisine priced at eight hundred and eighty-eight yuan without batting an eye, still wanting more, even considering monthly subscriptions?”
“Their spending power is incredible! Do they all have hidden gold mines at home?”
At this moment, Li Chao deeply grasped the profound meaning of the old saying: “Behind the rich gates, meat rots; on the road, bones freeze.”
The wealth gap in society was vividly displayed even within this small Kaiyuan County.
He realized that his former understanding of this place had been too one-sided and shallow.
Amid his reflections, Li Chao also felt genuine happiness for the booming sales of Jiangnan Spring’s medicinal cuisine.
As part of this endeavor, witnessing this success brought a sense of accomplishment beyond words.
Though the price was steep, he thought, perhaps this was a form of “robbing the rich to help the poor.”
Those able to afford the medicinal cuisine mostly belonged to the affluent class, and the thriving sales undoubtedly brought substantial income to Jiangnan Spring, which could be used to support those in need or fund projects.
With this thought, Li Chao’s mood gradually calmed.
He understood that behind every success lay the efforts of a team and market recognition.
Jiangnan Spring’s popularity was not only due to its unique formula and remarkable efficacy but also owed much to the meticulous planning and hard work of Liu Lele and others.
Li Chao resolved to dedicate himself even more to this cause, working with the team to establish Jiangnan Spring’s medicinal cuisine as an industry benchmark, so more people could enjoy health and happiness while contributing to society.
As the press conference concluded and guests slowly departed, Liu Lele intentionally kept Li Chao behind. In an office on the third floor, they engaged in a deep conversation.
“Li Chao, first, I want to sincerely thank you again for what you did with the Butcher Assassin Squad,” Liu Lele said earnestly, her eyes bright and warm, conveying heartfelt gratitude.
Li Chao smiled lightly, waving off the thanks casually.
“Vivi, there’s no need for formalities between us. Helping you is helping myself, and besides, those guys deserved what they got.”
Changing the subject, Liu Lele spoke of the conference’s great success, her eyes sparkling with excitement:
“This event exceeded my expectations. As we agreed earlier, I plan to visit Lijiabao personally to inspect and discuss establishing a supply base for ingredients. What do you think?”
Upon hearing “Lijiabao,” Li Chao’s eyes lit up with anticipation.
“That sounds wonderful! I’ve been looking forward to this day. Lijiabao has unique natural conditions, and I believe our cooperation can create a top-tier supply chain.”
They continued chatting happily, time seeming to fly.
As Li Chao prepared to leave, Liu Lele hesitated briefly, then asked:
“By the way, Li Chao, is the beautiful lady who came with you today your fiancée?”
Surrounded by the composed presence of many dignitaries, she felt an inexplicable unease.
Li Chao smiled and broke the delicate atmosphere:
“Oh, she’s my sister-in-law. We get along very well.” His words carried a subtle warmth before he gently added nothing more.
Liu Lele’s gaze deepened as she looked at Li Chao. After a moment’s silence, she chose not to probe further.
She personally escorted Li Chao and Yu Xin outside and waved goodbye.
Watching their figures grow distant, Liu Lele felt a strange, indescribable emotion—like a faint bitterness mingled within the early spring breeze.
She softly massaged her brow, trying to dispel the sudden feeling, but found herself unable to explain its origin.
At that moment, a clear realization quietly took shape in her heart: this seemingly ordinary village doctor had, unknowingly, occupied a place within her heart, becoming an undeniable presence.
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Elsewhere, Li Chao set off by car toward Lijiabao.
Upon arrival, he went straight to the village committee and found Village Chief Li Xitian.
After some pleasantries, Li Chao excitedly shared what he had witnessed at Jiangnan Spring that day, along with the thrilling news that Liu Lele intended to visit the village for a thorough field inspection.
This news was undoubtedly a powerful boost for Lijiabao’s future development.
Li Xitian’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
Jiangnan Spring Restaurant’s name resonated throughout Kaiyuan County, its influence unquestioned.
If a supply chain partnership could be established, Lijiabao would undoubtedly board this giant ship, sailing toward prosperity and out of poverty.
As village chief, he fully understood the importance and immediately began orchestrating preparations with the care reserved for an important guest, without needing Li Chao to say more.
The news spread quickly throughout the village, like spring breezes stirring still waters, creating ripples of anticipation.
Villagers’ faces beamed with unprecedented joy and hope. They set aside their farming tools and joined this unprecedented transformation.
Lijiabao seemed ignited by an invisible force, brimming with vitality everywhere.
Li Chao stood quietly to the side, watching it all with deep emotion and satisfaction.
He seemed to witness the metamorphosis of an ancient village—not merely material abundance but a spiritual awakening and rebirth.
On this ancient yet vibrant land, a new era was quietly dawning, with Lijiabao as its starting point, ready to bloom with brilliant light, embracing a hopeful future.
After finishing urgent matters with the chief, Li Chao returned effortlessly to his temporary residence—the clinic.
Though the old house had become a ruin, it served as his refuge amid busy days.
As he gently opened the door, a few patients waiting had already been there for some time. Their trust made refusal impossible, so he attended to them carefully, one by one.
When the last patient’s condition was properly managed and the clinic returned to calm, a sudden sharp sound shattered the silence—a noise like something breaking, yet it vanished instantly without a trace.
Li Chao looked around but found no source, a hint of puzzlement arising, soon replaced by an inexplicable joy, as if he sensed an important change was about to occur.
Night quietly fell, draping Lijiabao in a veil of mystery.
Sun Peng returned home under the cover of darkness; everything was as usual. Yu Xin had securely locked the courtyard gate, building a protective barrier for their small home.
In the kitchen, she busily rinsed rice and vegetables, preparing dinner. Her practiced ease revealed her love and appreciation for this simple life.
Though their initial days together felt slightly awkward, time had replaced unease with warmth and happiness, weaving a shared tapestry of small but certain joy.
At this moment, Li Chao hurried into his makeshift resting room.
A day’s hard work left him somewhat weary, but the hope and anticipation for the future shone like the brightest star in the night sky, guiding his path.
In this small space, he was about to embrace his own quiet moments, along with surprises and changes perhaps soon to be unveiled.
Li Chao gently closed his eyes, his mind instantly immersing in introspection. The familiar ancient tower reappeared vividly in his consciousness.
With a mix of nervousness and anticipation, he resolutely stepped into the mysterious tower.
As he advanced, his gaze involuntarily turned toward the second floor—the forbidden place he had explored countless times without success.
At that moment, a miracle occurred!
The previously imperceptible light barrier sealing the stairway to the second floor dissipated like morning mist, revealing a clear path upward.
An indescribable thrill surged within Li Chao, nearly making him leap with joy.
He was certain the crisp shattering sound he had heard earlier was the accumulated threshold value finally reaching its limit, breaking the light barrier’s confinement!
Without hesitation, he hastened upstairs.
Upon entering the second floor, he immediately sensed an atmosphere starkly different from the first floor.
The space seemed more compact and empty, save for a prominent octagonal stone platform standing at the center.
On the platform, intricate and mysterious runes intertwined into breathtaking patterns, as if containing the truths of heaven and earth, telling ancient and enigmatic tales.
At the heart of these runes lay a three-foot-long sword.
Its blade was slender and gleaming coldly, radiating an unmistakable sharpness.
Li Chao’s eyes were instantly drawn to the sword. He knew this was no ordinary object but a new opportunity and challenge granted by the ancient tower.
He approached slowly, filled with reverence and yearning, ready to uncover the secrets behind the sword and begin a new chapter in his cultivation journey.