"The white lion is only a little over a year old. It would be best to wait until it's two years old; that would be good for it..."
Zhuang Rui nodded, but he was thinking about when to find a mate for the white lion. He would use his spiritual energy to groom the white lion's body whenever he had free time. The white lion should develop earlier than ordinary Tibetan mastiffs.
"Wood, let me see. These two little rascals are quite domineering. Let's keep them for ourselves..."
Liu Chuan came running out of the monitoring room, panting, and snatched the cardboard box from Zhuang Rui's hand. He looked at the two sleeping Tibetan mastiffs curled up together inside and kept grinning foolishly.
Liu Chuan truly loves animals; otherwise, his first question would have been how much these two Tibetan mastiffs were worth. However, this is also why Renqing Cuomu approves of him and Zhuang Rui. On the grasslands, herders treat Tibetan mastiffs like family members.
The fur on the two little guys was completely dry by now, and it was clear that they were two Tibetan Mastiffs with iron-clad fur. Like their father, they would grow up to be like the Golden Lion King.
After carefully observing the two Tibetan mastiff puppies, Renqing Cuomu nodded and said, "These two have relatively pure bloodlines and can be kept for breeding..."
"Okay, but you need to make sure the puppies are different from the ones born to the other female mastiff..."
"Alright, let's talk about it when we get back. It's cold outside, and the little one might get cold..."
When Zhuang Rui saw them discussing the business of the mastiff kennel, he quickly interrupted them. They were really learning something new. He didn't want to stay here any longer. Although the staff at the mastiff kennel usually paid a lot of attention to hygiene, the smell in the kennel wasn't very pleasant.
"Yes, yes, let's go back..."
Liu Chuan cherished the two little guys very much. He took off his coat, wrapped the cardboard box in it, and ran back to the heated room. The successful birth of these little guys also represented the future development of the mastiff kennel.
Before leaving, Zhuang Rui circled the pens of the other two pregnant mastiffs, infusing them with some spiritual energy, believing that even without him, the two female mastiffs would be able to give birth smoothly.
On the way back to the office from the kennel, Liu Chuan had a beaming smile on his face, as if he had just given birth. Zhuang Rui was also quite happy; he could understand Liu Chuan's feelings at that moment.
The current dozen or so Tibetan mastiff puppies alone are enough to recoup the initial investment in the kennel. Keep in mind that these are not the offspring of ordinary mixed-breed Tibetan mastiffs, but rather the purest offspring of a Golden Retriever King and a grassland female mastiff, each costing over a million REM.
However, even though there are already more than 10 newborn Tibetan Mastiff puppies, it is still far from meeting market demand. Liu Chuan has sold more than 20 of them at Ouyang Jun's club alone. There are still Tibetan Mastiffs to keep for breeding, and when exchanging with other Tibetan Mastiff kennels, he may also bring back some Tibetan Mastiff puppies to enrich the bloodline of the Tibetan Mastiff kennels.
After Liu Chuan led the Golden Lion King to participate in the Shanxi Mastiff Garden Conference, Pengcheng Mastiff Garden was able to gain a foothold in the domestic market. This is not just a nominal title, but can bring a lot of benefits to the Mastiff Garden.
Putting aside everything else, before the Spring Festival, there were more than 10 mastiff farms that wanted to breed with the Golden Lion King, some of which even offered a sky-high price of 300,000 yuan per session. However, in order to ensure the smooth operation of the mastiff farm, Liu Chuan refused them all. According to their plan for the mastiff farm, the breeding business would not start until two years later.
Back in the monitoring room, Liu Chuan carefully placed the cardboard box containing the two little ones, then looked at Zhuang Rui and said, "Wood, how about I give you another 20% of my shares..."
Although Liu Chuan and Zhuang Rui grew up together, Liu Chuan still felt a little guilty. Zhuang Rui was the one who planned the mastiff kennel and invested the most money in it in the early stages. But now that it has yielded results, Zhuang Rui has the fewest shares, which makes Liu Chuan feel a bit embarrassed.
"Alright, stop being so sour. I don't even want 10% of the shares I own..."
Zhuang Rui waved his hand to interrupt Liu Chuan. Although the mastiff kennel's profits this year might reach tens of millions, Zhuang Rui didn't really care. Putting aside the jade mine in Xinjiang for the time being, the jadeite mine in Myanmar would definitely be a treasure trove after the vein was discovered, and the profits would probably be calculated in hundreds of millions.
"Fine, whatever. I'm going to sleep. Are you going home to sleep, or are you going to make do on my sofa for the night?"
Liu Chuan didn't mince words. Their relationship really wasn't suited for talking about money. For example, when he helped Zhuang Rui move gold a while ago, Liu Chuan didn't mention a single word about money.
Zhuang Rui said with a smile, "I'm not leaving. I'll sleep here. We'll go to your house together tomorrow. I still need to wish my godmother a Happy New Year. This is the last time I'll receive a red envelope this year..."
"You're so shameless, you're just short of those two New Year's money?"
Liu Chuan glared at Zhuang Rui with annoyance.
Zhuang Rui stopped Liu Chuan, who was about to pull the blanket over his head, and asked, "Don't sleep yet, I need to ask you something. How are things going with Da Xiong and Monkey at the flower and bird market?"
Chapter 550 Help (Part 1)
"Why are you asking about those two kids? They came to our house to pay New Year's visits with Li Bing a few days ago..."
Liu Chuan wasn't really sure about Da Xiong and the monkey's current situation; he hadn't checked on the pet shop for almost half a year.
The share of the pet shop originally intended for Zhou Rui was also transferred to the mastiff kennel. Except for the shop building, which still belonged to Liu Chuan, all other business was handed over to Li Bing. Even the business license was changed, and Li Bing was responsible for all profits and losses.
Zhuang Rui didn't answer Liu Chuan's question, but continued to press, "What are Da Xiong and Monkey like? I'm asking about their character..."
"Xiaobing said that the two of them are quite quick-witted. They used to be unwilling to do anything serious, but now they seem to be doing quite well. Should I call Xiaobing now and ask them?"
As Liu Chuan spoke, he took out his phone, but Zhuang Rui snatched it away, saying, "Are you crazy? Look at the time! If it were anyone else, they'd be furious if you kept bothering them at 1 a.m...."
Liu Chuan knew that Zhuang Rui didn't talk as much nonsense as he did, and that he must have a reason for asking about the two of them, so he asked, "Hey, what do you want with those two?"
"I've taken over an antique shop in Beijing and want to find a couple of people to look after it, but I can't find anyone I can trust..."
Zhuang Rui spoke frankly, saying that he had been planning this ever since he took over "Shuyazhai". Although he was not short of money, he was short of people. Moreover, in this industry, even if you have money, you may not be able to find suitable candidates.
Zhuang Rui considered it for a long time. Peng Fei and Hao Long were definitely not suitable. If those two stood at the door, probably no one would dare to enter the store. Moreover, antique stores are different from other businesses. People in this line of work must have considerable social experience.
Like that joke I told before, the shop assistant in an antique shop must have the ability to call a deer a horse, to say black is white, and he must also have a thick skin, so that he can keep smiling even after being ridiculed, the kind of person who turns the other cheek.
Moreover, you need to be able to turn your back on someone without hesitation, otherwise, if something in the store is broken, who will you ask for compensation?
If you were to randomly recruit a few college students from the job market, they might not even last a week before being swindled out of their underwear. There's a saying in Beijing's antique circles: if you want to hear stories and crosstalk, you don't need to go to Deyun Club at all. Just go to Panjiayuan, find a place to chat, and you can hear all sorts of unusual things.
After thinking it over, Zhuang Rui realized that the only people he knew and understood even slightly were Da Xiong and Monkey.
After seeing how anxious Monkey was when Da Xiong was arrested by the police last time, Zhuang Rui could tell that the two brothers were quite loyal and their character shouldn't be too bad.
As the saying goes, "The most righteous are often butchers, while the most ungrateful are often scholars." Butchers generally value loyalty and brotherhood, and it is not uncommon for them to die for their principles.
On the contrary, many scholars often despise the code of chivalry, consider themselves superior yet have no desires, think they have lofty aspirations, but most of them are just seeking fame and fortune and pursuing personal gain. Only a few are truly noble.
"Can those two be trusted?"
Liu Chuan curled his lip in disdain.
Zhuang Rui shook his head and said, "At least those two guys are loyal. Last time at the police station, Monkey almost knelt down for me, just because he was worried that Da Xiong would get beaten up inside..."
"You know what, even though I chased Da Xiong down several streets before, those two kids are actually pretty decent. They might be a bit rough around the edges, but they don't do anything underhanded. Plus, they've been in the market for so many years, they can spot most shady things. They'd be suitable for you to mind the shop..."
Liu Chuan nodded, agreeing with Zhuang Rui's words, and said, "I'll call Xiaobing tomorrow and ask him first..."
The next day, when Zhuang Rui got up, he found that the other two female mastiffs had also given birth. One had given birth to five puppies, and the other had given birth to eight. Including the female mastiffs that had already given birth, the kennel had a total of thirty-two puppies this year, which was extremely rare in terms of the pedigree of these puppies.
Zhou Rui and Renqing Cuomu were exhausted after working all night yesterday, so Liu Chuan didn't accompany Zhuang Rui home. However, he called Li Bing this morning and learned that Da Xiong and the other two were doing well at the pet shop, earning around three thousand yuan a month, which was considered quite good in Pengcheng.
Liu Chuan didn't say what it was about on the phone, only that Zhuang Rui wanted to see them and they had arranged to meet at Song Jun's tea house that afternoon.
Zhuang Rui had lunch at Liu Chuan's house, where his mother was also there. After handing his engagement invitation to the two elders, Zhuang Rui went to Pengcheng Antique Market first.
It was still a bit early before the time he was supposed to meet Da Xiong and the others, so Zhuang Rui decided to wander around the antique market. As the place where he made his first fortune, Zhuang Rui naturally had a very good impression of it.
"Look at that person, doesn't he look like that jade expert surnamed Zhuang from the treasure appraisal show that's been airing these past few days?"
"Come on, they have TV on every day. Would he come all the way to Pengcheng if he wasn't in Beijing?"
"Hmm, that's true..."
"You guys don't know anything! Don't you know this show is pre-recorded?"
As soon as Zhuang Rui entered the antique market, he heard whispers around him. Not only the stall owners, but also the tourists who came to hunt for treasures were pointing and talking about Zhuang Rui. If it weren't for the fact that Zhuang Rui was carrying a huge Tibetan mastiff, someone would probably have come up and asked him questions.
"Excuse me, are you Mr. Zhuang from the Spring Festival treasure appraisal program?"
This is the aftereffect of appearing on CCTV. People who used to wander around the antique market are very interested in antique-related programs, and those who are new to the industry think that appearing on TV makes them experts. Some people couldn't wait any longer and went up to Zhuang Rui to ask him questions.
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Rui immediately shook his head vigorously, speaking in a thick Pengcheng accent, "Oh, I wish I could, but CCTV won't invite me..."
"I told you, this is what people from Pengcheng are like. Didn't you see that expert on TV speaking with such a strong Beijing accent?"
"No, I still think it looks like it, hey, Teacher Zhuang..."
However, after overhearing the conversation, Zhuang Rui abandoned his plan to stroll through the market and pay New Year's respects to Old Master Lü. He took White Lion out of the market and headed straight for Song Jun's tea house.
However, bringing the white lion almost caused trouble again, because the little girl at the entrance of the tea house screamed in fright when she saw the size of the white lion, which almost made the manager who arrived later call the police.
Finally, it was only after Song Jun, who was in Beijing, made a phone call that the teahouse manager let Zhuang Rui in and opened the private room where Song Jun was entertaining guests. ...
Zhuang Rui was sitting in Song Jun's office, pouring himself some tea, when the manager pushed open the door to the private room, followed by two men, one burly and one thin, namely Da Xiong and Monkey.
"Mr. Zhuang, your friend has arrived. Would you like a tea master to serve you tea?"
Zhuang Rui was a guest whom the boss instructed to give special attention, so the manager dared not neglect him.
Zhuang Rui smiled and waved his hand, saying, "No need, thank you. I'll just chat with these two friends..."
Although Zhuang Rui's appearance has not changed much from a year ago, he now exudes an irresistible personal aura in front of strangers, a confidence that comes from within.
Although the manager wanted to curry favor with the boss's friend, he still followed Zhuang Rui's advice and left the private room.
"Brother Zhuang, Happy New Year! I've been meaning to call you, but neither of us has your phone number..."
The monkey was very sweet-talking; as soon as it entered, it bowed to Zhuang Rui. The two of them seemed to have learned something new, as they didn't look around after entering and went straight to the sofa where Zhuang Rui was sitting.
"Hey, monkey, you're getting a sweet talker now. How are the elders at home? Give them my regards..."
Zhuang Rui chuckled upon seeing the monkey. This guy, even in a dragon robe, wouldn't look like an emperor. He was currently wearing a bright yellow silk jacket, but no matter how you looked at him, he still resembled a palace eunuch. His movements were exactly the same as when Zhuang Rui had seen him a year ago.
"Brother Zhuang, I haven't had a chance to thank you for what happened last time..."
Da Xiong, on the other hand, was much more composed. He walked to the table, poured Zhuang Rui a cup of tea, and presented it to Zhuang Rui with both hands. Although Zhuang Rui was younger than him, Da Xiong called him "brother" willingly.
Zhuang Rui waved his hands repeatedly, took the cup of tea, and said, "I'm not even as old as you, Da Xiong. Just call me by my name. Sit down, everyone..."
After the two of them sat down, Zhuang Rui said, "Da Xiong, I got a cricket gourd from you back then, but it made you go to Tianjin to pay for the lesson by getting a fake one. Actually, it's my fault..."
"Brother Zhuang, please don't say that. I was greedy back then. Otherwise, after working in the antique market for several years, I wouldn't have been fooled by someone's story..."
When Da Xiong heard Zhuang Rui mention this, his old face turned bright red, and he quickly stood up. To be honest, he still had some lingering resentment about this matter, but now that he was earning two or three thousand yuan a month, he had long forgotten about this grudge.
No one is born wanting to be a bad person. Back then, when Da Xiong and the monkey were swindling and cheating in the antique market, although they could occasionally make a little money, they were always uneasy. After all, people who are born to do bad things and feel at ease are a very small minority.
However, since money comes easily and is spent easily, the two of them have never saved much money. But now that they receive their monthly salaries, they know how hard it is to earn money, and they are living a more secure life.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with the two men, Zhuang Rui got straight to the point: "We're practically acquaintances now. I have a business deal in Beijing and I'd like to ask you two to come and help out. I wonder if you'd be willing?"
"help?"
Upon hearing this, Da Xiong and Monkey looked at each other in bewilderment. Before they came, they had guessed why Zhuang Rui wanted to see them, but they never dreamed that Zhuang Rui wanted to invite them to Beijing.
Chapter 551 Help (Part 2)
"Brother Zhuang, what kind of business do you run in Beijing?"
After exchanging a glance with Da Xiong, the monkey cautiously asked, "Actually, we are quite satisfied with our current living conditions. These two are quick-witted and usually bring in a lot of customers for the pet shop. We are living a pretty comfortable life."
Da Xiong's family introduced him to a girl, and they've been dating for over half a year. The girl is quite satisfied with Da Xiong, and they're planning to get married after the New Year when the weather gets warmer. Da Xiong isn't really willing to leave Pengcheng.
However, they all knew that Zhuang Rui was a big boss. Although they didn't know exactly what kind of business Zhuang Rui was in, they had personally witnessed Zhou Rui come to Pengcheng penniless and follow Zhuang Rui and Liu Chuan. In just one year, he had everything, including a car and a house, and even brought his family over. It was really enviable to have people watching from the sidelines.
“I’ve taken over an antique shop in Panjiayuan, Beijing. I’d like you two to come and learn something from me first. After a few years, I’ll hand the shop over to you two to manage. You two can discuss it and see if you’re willing.”