Chapter 019

Chapter 19: Free Noodle Refills

Ye Wan Wan and Li Wan Zhi looked at each other. One Spirit Stone per stalk? He wasn’t bargaining down. He was raising the price.

In the Mystic Spirit Grass market, low quality usually sold at one hundred stalks for one Spirit Stone, and mid quality was thirty to forty. The shopkeeper’s first offer to Ye Wan Wan had been one Spirit Stone for ten stalks. That wasn’t too high or too low. It was a mid-high price. Maybe he saw Ye Wan Wan and Li Wan Zhi had good bearing, so he offered it before he even checked the goods.

But one Spirit Stone per stalk was a high price. Very high. Even for Supreme Grade Mystic Spirit Grass, it wasn’t usually that high.

Ye Wan Wan didn’t understand the shopkeeper’s angle for a moment. Even Li Wan Zhi, who knew business, was confused. Was the shopkeeper doing losing deals on purpose?

Seeing them both silent, the shopkeeper asked carefully: “Do you still think that’s too low? Then two Spirit Stones per stalk…” He hesitated, then, when they still didn’t speak, gritted his teeth and said: “Three. That’s the most. I can’t go higher.”

Li Wan Zhi had seen three Spirit Stones per stalk before, but even so he felt lost. Was there something special about this grass?

The shopkeeper, face tense, said with effort: “This is already the highest, Miss.” Ye Wan Wan nodded and said: “Deal.”

The shopkeeper’s face lit up. He paid at once. Ye Wan Wan counted at once. Both sides settled as fast as they could, afraid the other would change their mind.

Beaming, the shopkeeper said: “If you have more in the future, Miss, could you consider our store again?” Ye Wan Wan thought and said: “If I choose your store, what can you promise us?” The shopkeeper answered: “From now on, Miss will get a discount at any branch of our Myriad Treasures House,” and he handed her a wooden plaque. Runes were carved on it. Ye Wan Wan knew at once it was an identity token. The rune was basic, but it was enough. She said: “All right.”

When they left the pharmacy, Li Wan Zhi stared at the three thousand Spirit Stones Ye Wan Wan had just earned and said, half in shock: “If I remember right, Senior Brother Fang said Young Senior Uncle makes only fifty Spirit Stones for a whole day of hauling at the docks.” Ye Wan Wan said: “Mm.” So she had made three thousand in one day. Li Wan Zhi sighed and said: “So the rich lady is actually you.” Ye Wan Wan raised an eyebrow and said: “Yes. So you’d better hold onto my thigh.” Looking at her bright smile, Li Wan Zhi thought to himself: [See, her smile looks so good. Curse that damned Supreme Sect.]

Ye Wan Wan went to another pharmacy on a different street to check prices. The quotes were the same as before, one Spirit Stone for ten stalks of Mystic Spirit Grass. But once they saw her grass, they all changed their offers and named high prices.

Ye Wan Wan studied the stalks in her hand and asked: “Is there something different about mine?” Li Wan Zhi turned one over and said: “They’re especially fresh.” Ye Wan Wan nodded and said: “I picked them this morning, of course they’re fresh,” then popped a piece into her mouth and chewed thoughtfully as she said: “Still the same crisp taste.”

Fang He An and Bai Jian finally found them and asked, curious: “What happened? Why are you two sitting here?” Even as he asked, Fang He An and Bai Jian sat down with them on the steps. Ye Wan Wan and Li Wan Zhi handed them some of the grass and said, deadpan: “Here, eat some grass.”

Fang He An froze. Bai Jian didn’t hesitate and chewed along with Ye Wan Wan. Suddenly Fang He An yelped: “Grade One Mystic Spirit Grass? Junior Sister, where did you get this?” Ye Wan Wan and Li Wan Zhi looked at him at the same time. Ye Wan Wan asked: “Grade One?” Li Wan Zhi asked: “Mystic Spirit Grass has grades?”

Two innocent pairs of eyes were all the fuel Fang He An needed. He launched into a lesson, excited: “Of course it does! But it’s rare. Very rare. Normal Mystic Spirit Grass doesn’t have grades. Even if it’s Supreme Grade, that only means it’s the best among common spirit herbs.” He leaned in, voice dropping: “But once it gains a grade, it’s different. My master told me that some Spirit Botanists are born with sacred bodies. Because their spiritual power is special, the herbs they grow are stronger and hold more spiritual charm. Those herbs can break through their normal limits and mutate.” He slapped his thigh and said: “That’s how Grade One Mystic Spirit Grass appears. It’s extremely rare. Where did you buy this? I have to buy two stalks to take back.”

Seeing Ye Wan Wan and Li Wan Zhi not answering, Fang He An asked again, urgent: “Where did you buy it?” Ye Wan Wan smiled and said: “Senior Brother, if you want some, don’t buy it. I’ll give you some.” Fang He An waved both hands quickly and said: “No, no, I can’t just take your things. You paid for them.” Ye Wan Wan pushed five stalks with poorer looks into his hands and said: “No need to pay. These are the rough-looking ones I have left. If you want more, I’ll pull some for you when we’re back at the sect.”

It took him a long time to process it. He stammered: “You… grew… them?” Ye Wan Wan nodded and said briskly: “I just sold a batch, so I have Spirit Stones now. Want to go eat a feast?”

Fang He An was still dizzy from the Grade One shock when the menu at the Delicacy Pavilion nearly gave him another. Sitting at a table, he shivered and said: “Holy moly, how can a simple bowl of plain noodles cost twenty Spirit Stones? Senior Uncle would have to work half a day for that!” Li Wan Zhi pressed his head down and said: “Senior Brother, please keep a low profile.” Ye Wan Wan laughed and said: “It’s fine. Eat as much as you want. I have Spirit Stones.” She set her Spatial Pouch on the table.

Clang. It was loud. Fang He An clutched his chest and said: “That’s a fortune. Junior Sister, aren’t you afraid of getting robbed?”

Bai Jian asked, eyes on the menu: “Can we order whatever we want?” Ye Wan Wan said with a smile: “Yes.” Bai Jian and Fang He An looked at the list, then both pointed at the plain noodles. Ye Wan Wan thought for a moment and said gently: “Senior Sister, you don’t have to save money for me.” Bai Jian tapped the tiny print and said: “This one has free refills.” Ye Wan Wan blinked. Li Wan Zhi leaned in and said: “It really does. It says free refills.” The words were very small.

Ye Wan Wan understood Bai Jian’s plan at once and laughed low as she said: “All right.” The girl ordered five dishes and then one bowl of plain noodles for each person.

The waiter was all smiles, bright as spring. But the experienced Fang He An muttered: “He won’t be smiling later.” He sighed and said: “I should have bought masks for everyone.”

Ye Wan Wan rested her chin on her hand and said with a light smile: “Since they opened for business and wrote ‘free refills,’ they can handle it. Don’t worry, Senior Brother.” Fang He An sighed: “Junior Sister, you’ll soon learn how cruel the world is.”

When Bai Jian reached her fifty-eighth refill, the whole Delicacy Pavilion went quiet. Only hot stares burned across the room. Ye Wan Wan remembered the first time she met Fang He An and how timid he looked. Now she could tell he was speaking from experience.

When Bai Jian finished the fifty-eighth bowl, Ye Wan Wan said without a blink: “Refill again.” The waiter came over with a strained smile and said: “Honored guest…” Ye Wan Wan said mildly: “Your bowls are too small. Bring the big bowls.”

Fang He An and Li Wan Zhi both gave her a thumbs up, thinking together: [No change of face while shifting the blame. Excellent.]