Wang Qingchen’s interest was immediately piqued upon hearing about the seeds from overseas; acquiring foreign goods was a rarity in this era.

“Really? Are they from overseas?” Wang Qingchen asked, genuinely excited.

“Absolutely. I paid a hefty price for these. It’s a shame they’ve never bloomed for me,” Boss Xue lamented.

Wang Qingchen was already running through his memory the famous foreign flower varieties he knew from his previous life.

“But now, everything depends on your help,” Boss Xue looked toward Wang Qingchen.

“I can only give it a try. So many experts in this field couldn't manage it; I can’t promise anything,” Wang Qingchen chuckled.

“Haha… No need to be so modest with me. Just the fact that you managed to keep that orchid alive last time gives me confidence,” Boss Xue laughed heartily.

“The lad will simply do his best,” Wang Qingchen replied with a smile.

“Hahaha… That’s more like it!” Boss Xue clapped Wang Qingchen on the shoulder.

The two continued eating, and since Boss Xue had ordered far too much, by the time they were nearly finished, a good half of the food remained untouched. Seeing the spread of leftovers, Wang Qingchen, keenly aware of waste, wondered if he could pack it up to take home—though he certainly wouldn't admit it was because his family rarely afforded such fare.

Boss Xue observed Wang Qingchen’s expression, assuming the young man simply regretted not finishing the feast. He never imagined the thought of packing leftovers. Having dined in restaurants for years, he had never once encountered someone wanting to take food away. In those days, propriety and saving face were paramount; people would rather go hungry than ask for leftovers. Thus, when Boss Xue heard Wang Qingchen delicately suggest boxing up the remaining dishes, his expression was utterly priceless!

Boss Xue glanced at Wang Qingchen, wondering what level of hardship must plague a household for one to disregard face and want to carry off scraps. It seemed Wang Qingchen’s family had endured truly difficult times.

A touch of softness entered Boss Xue’s eyes. “I’ll have the waiter prepare a few new dishes for you to take back for your family to taste.”

“No need, that would be such a waste. What’s left over is fine,” Wang Qingchen said, beckoning the waiter over and inquiring if there was any vessel he could use to transport the remaining food.

Needless to say, the waiter’s expression was equally strained. In all his years of service, he had never encountered such a request. Moreover, if someone did wish to take leftovers, shouldn't they be hesitant, perhaps even embarrassed? How could this boy show no shame, acting as if it were the most natural thing in the world?

Boss Xue, hearing Wang Qingchen demand the container without the slightest hesitation, was momentarily stunned. However, years of experience allowed him to recover quickly. Instead of judging, he began to view Wang Qingchen with greater respect. Unfettered by convention, daring to speak and act, perhaps this boy was destined for great things.

Wang Qingchen paid no mind to the complex emotions swirling between the other two. He methodically arranged all the edible portions he could save, awaiting the vessel the waiter would bring. If he had known their thoughts, he might have been bewildered himself. He simply wasn't a man of the old ways; in his view, they had paid for the food, so what was wrong with taking what wasn't eaten? His only reservation was feeling slightly embarrassed towards Boss Xue, as the meal was his treat. Yet, having asked permission before packing, he felt it couldn't be considered entirely rude!

After the two men walked out of the restaurant under the waiter’s twitching gaze, Wang Qingchen declined Boss Xue’s offer to be escorted home. Boss Xue understood Wang Qingchen preferred discretion and didn't insist, only accompanying him to the edge of town. There, he retrieved the near-dead potted plant of the new variety from the carriage and handed it over, along with a dozen packets of flower seeds—all of them foreign imports. He instructed Wang Qingchen to find Shopkeeper Hong if he needed anything, who could relay messages, as the Huo Trading House had business in the capital and regular correspondence and goods exchange with the city.

Wang Qingchen took the plant and the seeds, bid Boss Xue farewell, and started his walk back. Along the way, he employed his old method to stash both the plant and the dozen seed packets into his spatial dimension, leaving only the book bag on his shoulder and the packed leftovers inside. He happily began calculating the potential profits—whether his family could afford a mill or acquire more assets depended entirely on these flowers and seeds.

What Wang Qingchen didn’t know was that Zhang Wenbing, after questioning the waiter, had been waiting near the Fragrant Full House for him and Boss Xue to emerge. When they did, Wang Qingchen immediately boarded Boss Xue’s carriage headed out of town. Zhang Wenbing assumed Boss Xue was taking Wang Qingchen home and followed. He was disappointed to see the carriage return just outside the town limits, thus missing the transaction where Boss Xue gave Wang Qingchen the flowers and seeds, an oversight that saved him from causing further trouble.

After learning Boss Xue was a rare plant merchant, Zhang Wenbing began to question the truth of Wang Youfu’s story about Wang Qingchen earning money by keeping flowers alive. Had their family truly managed to rise in fortune solely through this? If so, he too could profit! After all, everyone in Wangjia Village were farmers; how much better could Wang Youfu’s family truly be at cultivation? Zhang Wenbing firmly believed he merely lacked an opportunity; if Boss Xue offered him a chance, he could certainly keep plants alive and prosper too.

Therefore, upon seeing Boss Xue’s carriage return, Zhang Wenbing trailed it once more, following it all the way to the gates of Boss Xue’s residence in Qingshan Town.

As Boss Xue alighted from the carriage at his gate, a young man rushed forward and collided with him. At first, he thought it was a drunkard and paid no mind, only to realize this “drunkard” actually recognized him.

“This junior greets Boss Xue,” Zhang Wenbing said, offering a formal bow.

“You know me?” Boss Xue was quite surprised, momentarily recalling that Wang Qingchen had also addressed him simply as ‘Boss Xue’ upon their first meeting. Had the customs of Qingshan Town changed without his knowledge?

“I have long admired Boss Xue’s reputation. This junior is from Wangjia Village, just like Wang Qingchen. Hearing tales of Wang Qingchen keeping flowers alive to earn money, I came specifically to pay my respects, hoping Boss Xue might grant this junior a chance to demonstrate my own abilities. I assure you, I will not disappoint,” Zhang Wenbing said earnestly.

“Oh? You also possess this skill?” Boss Xue asked skeptically.

“Not exactly. This junior has never formally studied it, but I heard Wang Qingchen managed to keep the flower alive. If a mere ten-year-old boy like him can do it, surely I can manage as well,” Zhang Wenbing stated confidently. He didn’t believe Wang Qingchen possessed any secret technique for gardening; it must have been sheer luck. If Wang Qingchen could succeed by luck, why couldn’t he?

Boss Xue immediately understood the mindset Zhang Wenbing held. He frowned. “You can’t. This isn't something anyone can succeed at.” With that, Boss Xue started to move inside.

“Wait, wait, Boss Xue, why can’t I? If Wang Qingchen, a ten-year-old child, can do it, why can’t I? Wang Qingchen only relied on luck! I refuse to believe he has any special skill in cultivation—I doubt anyone in the entirety of Wangjia Village does,” Zhang Wenbing pleaded, unwilling to let a moneymaking chance slip away.

“Regardless of what he relies on, even luck, as long as he keeps my flower alive, that’s all that matters to me,” Boss Xue said sternly to Zhang Wenbing.

“But I can rely on luck too! What if I also manage to keep your flower alive?” Zhang Wenbing persisted.

“I dare not risk my precious plant on you. If it dies, the loss to me would be substantial. Besides, I have already found someone who can keep my flowers alive; why would I switch to someone new? Tell me why I should?” Boss Xue remained unmoved.

“Boss Xue, how about this: whatever you pay Wang Qingchen, I will only ask for half that amount?” Zhang Wenbing tried to placate him.

“You don't need to say any more. This matter is settled. It’s not about taking half the pay; it’s that you fundamentally cannot help me,” Boss Xue waved his hand. “Go now. In the future, remember not to expect easy gains based purely on luck.”

“Boss Xue, Boss Xue… I really can do it… He’s so young and succeeded, so I can too…” Zhang Wenbing called out, trying to surge forward, but he was held back by the servants.

Boss Xue sighed internally. This wasn't about age. Just as age doesn't guarantee wisdom, heaven sometimes favors certain people—Wang Qingchen being one example. Others might not know, but he certainly did. If Wang Qingchen had only managed to keep the first orchid alive, he might have attributed it to luck. But Wang Qingchen not only sustained it but propagated it, splitting it into two pots. Many flowers, especially the rare and delicate ones, are notoriously difficult to handle during division; one wrong move can kill them. Yet, Wang Qingchen had successfully split the plant into two healthy specimens—that was no ordinary feat.

With this realization, Boss Xue instructed his staff, “Let him go. Don’t let him cause a ruckus here.” He then entered his residence.

Once they received the order, the servants were no longer polite. When Zhang Wenbing continued to shout, they began to shove him out. Zhang Wenbing, fundamentally a ruffian accustomed to brawls, naturally refused to back down, and a fight broke out. In the end, with Zhang Wenbing outnumbered, the situation devolved into him being thoroughly beaten by the group.

Meanwhile, Wang Qingchen returned and only told Wang Youfu and Wang Qinghua that Boss Xue had come to see him. Yang Shi and Caiyun received the simpler explanation that he had gone to meet a friend.

Wang Youfu and Wang Qinghua were delighted to hear Boss Xue had sought out Wang Qingchen, wondering if this meant another significant influx of income for the family.

Yet, amidst his joy, Wang Youfu felt a surge of pride that his son was proving useful, while Wang Qinghua was struck by a sense of inadequacy, knowing the money for his future marriage still relied on his younger brother.

Wang Qingchen brought out the packed leftovers. Although the family had just eaten dinner, they sampled a bit. Indeed, the skills of the restaurant chefs were excellent. The family ate and praised the food. Wang Qingchen couldn’t help but think privately that the cooking was good, but the prices were even better. Caiyun managed to eat several pieces of meat and felt immensely happy thinking she might have more tomorrow.

Wang Qingchen, having eaten his fill at the restaurant, didn't eat more himself but instead focused his thoughts on entering his spatial dimension that evening, thereby failing to notice Wang Qinghua’s unusual mood.