Chapter 4623 — Suspension of Business
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
"I thank Manager Si for his kindness. But a gentleman does not rob another of what he loves—such beauty is more than I could handle." Hong Zhong smiled slightly, stepped close to Si Haitao, and came straight to the point: "One does not visit the temple without a reason. I have actually come today to ask a favor—there is a matter I would like to inquire about with Manager Si. Is it convenient?"
"No problem. Ask whatever you like." Si Haitao still held the two beauties carelessly in his arms, showing not the least intention of sending them away.
At the sight, Hong Zhong's eyelid could not help twitching. Had this been a visit to discuss important business, he would have turned and left without a second word—negotiating with a creature like this was simply asking for trouble...
"I would like to ask whether your association's secular-world letter delivery service, once put up at the Central Island auction, is still in operation?" Hong Zhong asked, betraying nothing in his expression.
"You want to send a letter to the secular world?" Si Haitao was briefly startled, then answered directly without much thought: "It's gone. That service was never actually launched—back then it was only a gimmick staged through the Central Island auction to make our name known, and it was canceled afterward."
"Canceled? But from what I know, that service was priced at an astronomical hundred thousand spirit jade?" Hong Zhong could not help finding it strange.
"A hundred thousand spirit jade is indeed astronomical, but think about it—this was no ordinary letter delivery. It required traveling back and forth between Cloud Terrace Island and the secular world, and the effort and cost involved are beyond what most people could imagine. I will tell you plainly: for all that a hundred thousand spirit jade is an astronomical price, this was a losing proposition from the start. Back then we were taking a loss to make a name, and once the gimmick had served its purpose, that was that—only a fool would keep it up!" Si Haitao said with a dismissive curl of his lips.
"Then will this service be opened again in the future?" Hong Zhong asked, still unwilling to give up.
"Who knows? Maybe, maybe not. That's not my concern, and I'm not too clear on it either, but my guess is it won't be for a good while yet," Si Haitao answered between diversions, busy as he was with the women on either side of him.
"I see. Thank you for clearing that up, Manager Si. I have a few matters to attend to, so I will not trouble you further. I shall take my leave." Having gotten a clear picture, Hong Zhong spoke at once. Since the other had put things that way, it meant the matter was truly impossible; to keep asking would only waste breath and might even rouse suspicion.
"Mind your step. I won't see you out." Si Haitao raised his eyelids and watched Hong Zhong's departing figure, then suddenly knitted his brows slightly. What was the old fellow asking about that for? Could he have friends in the secular world?
With beauty in his arms, Si Haitao could not be bothered to think further. Better to spend his time on these two little lovelies than to expend thought on an old man—that was the proper business!
Back at the Hong Merchants' Association, Hong Zhong recounted Si Haitao's answers in full to Wei Zhao, who could not help feeling somewhat disappointed on hearing them. But there was nothing to be done—since the Central Merchants' Association had no intention of continuing, no amount of spirit jade would help.
"By my reckoning, the reason they stopped this service was probably not simply a matter of cost. If that were all, the Central Merchants' Association need only raise the price. This service is a complete monopoly for them—however high the price, there would still be buyers willing to pay," Hong Zhong analyzed from a businessman's perspective. (To be continued...)