Rags to Riches: The Rise of a Dual-Talent Prodigy
Chapter 51: Grandpa Who Strives for the Rise of Magic Plants

Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Grandpa Who Strives for the Rise of Magic Plants

Li Shuyun went to find Qian Qi regarding the Fire Qilin Lotus matter.

She was supposed to ask yesterday, but Qian Qi was busy with that match competition, so she had to wait until today to inquire.

After a pause, Li Shuyun cautiously asked, "Junior, do you remember you said a week ago you’d consider selling the planting method of the Fire Qilin Lotus to me?"

"Oh, right!"

Qian Qi slapped her forehead, recalling the matter, "I’ve thought it over. Ten million, and I can sell you the planting method of the Fire Qilin Lotus."

This price could be said to be almost a giveaway. After all, once you master the planting method of the Fire Qilin Lotus, you can earn back this money in no time.

Unexpectedly, when Li Shuyun heard this price, her expression turned somewhat troubled.

Ten million is quite a burden for both the Magic Plant Research Institute and the Li Family. The Institute hasn’t received funds for many years, it’s all the Li Family funding it. Because of this, her parents and grandparents have argued a lot.

But she also knew that once the Fire Qilin Lotus can be mass-produced, all this money could be earned back.

She hoped her grandfather could borrow some money from relatives and friends as an emergency measure.

Li Shuyun lowered her head and said to Qian Qi, "Junior, this amount is a bit much. Please wait for one night, I’ll ask my family to prepare the money."

"Alright~" Qian Qi wasn’t in a hurry. She waved her hand and went into the dormitory.

Li Shuyun stayed where she was for a while. Once she snapped back, she went downstairs to find a quiet, unoccupied spot and opened the Light Brain to make a video call to her grandfather.

"Hello? Yunyun, how did the negotiations go?" On the other end, Li Hongsheng, who had been waiting for his granddaughter’s call, asked excitedly. Clearly, this week had been very tough for him.

Li Shuyun cleared her throat and slowly opened her mouth, "Grandpa, the other party said ten million..."

Just as she finished speaking, Li Hongsheng’s eyes widened, his crow’s feet almost smoothing out, "Ten million? How come she doesn’t just rob someone? Even if we sold me, it wouldn’t make ten million!"

Li Shuyun: ... But you’re not even worth that much...

"Didn’t you mention you’re the granddaughter of the Magic Plant Research Institute’s director? Or even the granddaughter of the Magic Plant Department College’s dean!" Li Hongsheng couldn’t help but ask.

Li Shuyun: "That... she should know, right? Everyone in the college knows..."

Then again, maybe Qian Qi really didn’t know. After all, she was quite unsociable before, always busy with who knew what, and might not pay attention to her.

"So you didn’t say that I wanted to buy her planting method?" Li Hongsheng was so anxious he was pacing, "Ten million, where am I supposed to find ten million? My research institute is almost bankrupt..."

Li Shuyun felt helpless too, "I didn’t... I just felt... even bringing up your identity wouldn’t be of use."

Qian Qi seemed like the type who wouldn’t bow to power. She even made things difficult for the principal, let alone her grandfather, whose mind was full of "striving for the rise of magic plants".

Feels like if grandpa were at school, he’d be swindled into bankruptcy by Qian Qi...

"No way! I’m going back to school tomorrow, I must meet this Qian Qi in person!" Li Hongsheng immediately decided and told Li Shuyun, "Arrange a time for me. I have to see her tomorrow morning!"

"I think..." Li Shuyun tried to persuade, but Li Hongsheng had already hung up, preparing to head to the school.

Li Shuyun silently wiped her face.

The old man is still so stubborn. Forget it, I’ll prepare a new towel for grandpa tonight.

Hope he doesn’t end up crying in frustration tomorrow.

Before that though... Di Shuyun considered her wording and sent a message to Qian Qi.

Soon, she received Qian Qi’s reply agreeing to the meeting and negotiation.

Li Shuyun couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. It seemed Qian Qi was quite reasonable, always diligently handling matters related to money.

This conclusion was drawn from Li Shuyun’s observation. After all, the rumors about Qian Qi signing contracts with first-year magic plant students and charging fees to teach them planting were known even to second-year students. Many even wanted to try, but were politely declined by the busy Qian Qi.

However, soon enough, Li Shuyun started worrying about tomorrow’s negotiation.

"I really hope Qian Qi doesn’t lay a hand on my aged and proud grandfather. He’s old and can’t withstand a beating..." Li Shuyun muttered, returning to her dormitory.

----

Early the next morning, Qian Qi left the dorm, only to be stopped at the door by a classmate.

"Qian Qi! Save my magic plant!" The classmate looked worried, "My Seven-cornered Ghost Flower suddenly got white spots, is it some terminal disease?"

Qian Qi pulled tighter her coat, patted the classmate’s shoulder to calm him down, "Don’t worry, it’s a small issue, I’ll help you out when I get back."

The classmate was puzzled, "Where are you going?"

Qian Qi waved her hand, "Going to the office for a big affair, a major deal."

The classmate’s mouth gaped in shock.

Going downtown for business? A major deal? A few days away and Qian Qi had developed so significantly!

The Qian Qi going "to the office for business" took two long yawns, walked into the principal’s office with sleepy eyes.

From the moment the office door opened, Li Hongsheng, who had been waiting, immediately stood up, focusing all his attention on the incoming student.

A child capable of researching the planting method of the Fire Qilin Lotus must be a very studious person with a gentle and humble demeanor, surely willing to negotiate for a lower price, or better yet, pass it on for free.

But when his eagerly hopeful gaze landed on Qian Qi, Li Hongsheng’s heart sank with a ’thud’. He felt like things were going downhill.

The scruffy-headed kid in front, wearing a stained sleeveless white t-shirt, baggy black shorts, with flip-flops dragging lazily on the ground, producing long, dull scraping sounds, appeared quite sloppy and slack.

"He" waved a hand while yawning and had small swollen eyes, nonchalantly picking at an ear, not really looking like a proper student.

Especially when "he" saw the principal, "he" rather rudely said, "Yo, principal, up early, huh? Had breakfast yet?"

There was a slight rural twang in the words, and the principal quietly covered his face, pulling at the stiff-bodied Li Hongsheng, hoping to make him sit down.

I told you not to appear too eager for Qian Qi, she’ll just take advantage!

"This is..."

Qian Qi looked over at the old man in the white lab coat next to the principal and recognized him from his appearance. She warmly extended both her hands and grasped Li Hongsheng’s wrists.

"Ah! This must be Senior Sister Li’s grandpa! You look... uh, quite spirited, I almost didn’t recognize you!"

Li Hongsheng: ...

Are you out of compliments, so you just say I look spirited?!

Li Hongsheng scrutinized Qian Qi and, somewhat reluctantly, said, "You are Qian Qi?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Qian Qi quickly nodded, her sunburnt face filled with a beaming smile, "Is the ten million ready? Let’s hurry; my classmates are waiting for me to return and help them with some questions!"

With Qian Qi so directly approaching the topic, Li Hongsheng found himself on the passive side. As someone who frequently sought investments, how could Li Hongsheng not recognize Qian Qi was trying to control the direction of this deal?

Unwilling to show weakness, he pointed to a chair and said, "This matter isn’t urgent, you sit first."

Li Hongsheng offering Qian Qi a seat was a subtle way of asserting his status as the host in the principal’s office and aimed to regain control of this business deal.

Unfortunately, Qian Qi, having meticulously researched Li Hongsheng’s profile and gossip about his financial struggles, was not going to let him have his way.

Negotiate for a lower price? Impossible.

Get it for free? Not a chance.

She waved her small hand in an offhand manner, "No need! A matter that can be settled in two minutes, why sit? If it’s not urgent for you, find me when it is!"

After speaking, she ignored Li Hongsheng, turning to the principal, "Principal, do you have anything to eat? I haven’t had breakfast, so hungry! If not, could I at least get some water to drink?"

Principal: ... "No!"

Li Hongsheng, watching Qian Qi chat with the principal while ignoring him, instantly understood he was dealing with a tough one.